Tenerife: Catamaran Cruise with an Open Bar

Whales can make an ordinary boat trip special. This Tenerife catamaran cruise pairs easygoing time at sea with views of the island’s western coast, a chance to swim in Masca Bay, and a good shot at seeing dolphins or pilot whales. I especially like the friendly, attentive crew and the easy access into the water from the boat’s lowering steps. The main catch is that the experience can feel more like a party cruise than a quiet nature trip, and the food gets mixed marks.

The cruise costs about $55 per person, which is fair if you use the drinks, enjoy the swim, and get a close sighting of whales or dolphins. I would choose the longer sailing for the Cliffs of Los Gigantes and lunch. The three-hour option is better for a shorter, lighter outing, but it offers fewer sights and no full meal.

Key points to know before booking

• Los Gigantes is the big scenic payoff: The longer trip passes the enormous cliffs on Tenerife’s western coast, where pale rock drops sharply toward the sea.
• Pilot whales and dolphins are possible highlights: Sightings are not guaranteed, but one close encounter with pilot whales made a major difference to one passenger’s day.
• Masca Bay includes a proper swim stop: A full set of steps lowers into the water, making entry easier than climbing over a boat’s side.
• The 4.5-hour cruise includes lunch and unlimited drinks: Expect chicken, rice, or meatballs, with beer and soda among the drink choices.
• The 3-hour cruise is simpler: You get snacks, refreshments, and bubbly, with no full lunch or Los Gigantes visit listed.
• Budget for optional comfort: A double sunbed costs an extra 25 euros, and the toilet is reached by steep, fully vertical wooden ladder steps.

Choosing between three hours and 4.5 hours

The two versions are not just the same trip at different speeds. They offer different levels of sightseeing and catering, so your choice matters.

The three-hour cruise is the shorter, more relaxed option. You can make your own way to the marina or arrange pickup from a qualifying hotel in southern Tenerife. Once aboard the Freebird catamaran, you can sit on the upper deck, enjoy the sun, and take refreshments. The description also refers to a sandwich, while the included items list snacks, drinks, and bubbly.

This option suits you if you want time on the water without giving up most of a day. It also makes sense if you mainly want sea views, a drink, and a pleasant break from the resort. The tradeoff is simple: the shorter trip does not include the full buffet lunch, and the listed highlights do not include Los Gigantes.

The 4.5-hour cruise gives the outing more substance. You get the western coast, Los Gigantes, a stop at Masca Bay, swimming time, and a meal. Unlimited drinks are included, with beer and soda specifically mentioned. You also have more time for wildlife watching, which matters because dolphins and whales do not keep a tour schedule.

I would spend the extra time on the longer cruise if you are already making the trip to the marina. The added sights and meal make the $55 price easier to justify. If you dislike long boat outings or mainly want a quick taste of the coast, the three-hour version keeps the commitment lower.

Starting from southern Tenerife

Hotel pickup is available from southern Tenerife, but it is not universal. The operator does not collect from every hotel, and rural areas are not covered. You receive the nearest assigned pickup point rather than a promise of collection directly outside your accommodation.

That detail matters more than it first appears. Check the pickup point before you book, especially if you are staying away from the main resort areas. You can also choose to go independently to the marina, which may be simpler if you already have transport.

For the organized transfer, expect an air-conditioned coach. The coach is useful in Tenerife’s warm weather, and the return journey is included when pickup applies. One passenger who used a walking stick appreciated having a designated coach seat and being allowed to board the catamaran first. That suggests the crew can be considerate when you explain your needs in advance, although the physical layout still creates limits.

The marina itself is part of the pleasant buildup. You greet the crew, make your way aboard the Freebird, and settle into a large catamaran rather than a small excursion boat. Boarding feels more orderly when the crew is helping people get seated, though the experience can become busy when everyone wants the best sun or view.

The Freebird catamaran and the feel onboard

The boat is presented as a deluxe catamaran, with a sun deck and space to sit while the coast slides past. I like this style of boat for Tenerife because you can move around, find shade or sun, and keep your eyes on the water. It is less cramped than many small boats, though a larger boat also means a less private experience.

The tone is social. Music plays while the boat is moving, and the atmosphere can be lively. That will suit you if you want drinks, a holiday mood, and easy conversation with other passengers. If you are hoping to hear only the sea and seabirds, the music may wear thin. One passenger specifically would have preferred more quiet during the journey.

The upper deck is the natural place for views and sunshine, but you should not assume every comfortable spot is included in the base price. A double sunbed costs an additional 25 euros. This is not a huge extra cost if two people share it, but it is worth knowing before you arrive. The advertised $55 price does not cover that optional comfort.

The toilet setup deserves plain warning. Access is by fully vertical wooden ladder steps, which can be difficult or unsuitable if you have mobility problems. The catamaran has steps into the sea for swimming, but those are not the same as an easy route to the toilet.

Sailing along Tenerife’s western coast

The western coast is the scenic heart of the trip. From the water, Tenerife’s shore takes on a different shape than it does from a road or resort promenade. You see the coast from a broad, open angle, with the catamaran moving past curves, rocky sections, and exposed stretches of shoreline.

The longer cruise continues toward the Cliffs of Los Gigantes, also called the Acantilados de Los Gigantes. These pale, sheer cliffs rise dramatically from the sea and drop toward the crashing water below. They are among Tenerife’s most impressive sights, and viewing them from a boat gives you the right scale. From land, you see a wall of rock. From the water, you understand how high and abrupt it really is.

Bring a camera, but do not spend the whole passage looking through it. The cliffs are best appreciated in short bursts: take a few photos, then watch the changing angle as the boat passes. The longer trip is the one to choose if Los Gigantes is a priority, since the three-hour option does not list this stop.

Whale and dolphin watching

Wildlife is one of the strongest reasons to book this cruise, but you should treat it as a possibility rather than a guarantee. The waters around Tenerife are known for dolphins, pilot whales, and seabirds, and the crew watches for movement while the catamaran is underway.

A close encounter with a group of pilot whales turned one sailing into a memorable outing. Another passenger singled out dolphins as the feature that made the trip worthwhile. Those moments show why a wildlife cruise can be unpredictable but rewarding. The boat may spend part of the trip simply scanning the sea, and nature decides what happens next.

You may also see seabirds over the water. Keep your attention outside rather than assuming the best sightings will be announced with a loud flourish. If you are prone to seasickness, sit where you can look toward the horizon and avoid making a wildlife sighting your only reason for booking. The coast, cliffs, swim stop, food, and drinks all matter to the overall value.

Swimming at Masca Bay

The longer sailing heads to Masca Bay, where the boat anchors and you can enter the water. This is more than a quick photo stop. You have time to swim, cool off, and look below the surface, although snorkeling equipment is not provided.

One very useful feature is the full set of steps that lowers into the sea. You do not have to jump from the side or haul yourself over a narrow ladder. That makes the swim easier for many people, though you still need to judge the water and your own ability. The boat’s toilet ladder is difficult, but the sea-entry steps are a separate and more helpful arrangement.

You should bring a swimsuit and anything you need to dry off afterward. The supplied details do not promise snorkeling gear, so bring your own only if you want to use it and it is practical for you. The description refers to seeing marine life below the surface, but this is a casual swim stop rather than a dedicated snorkeling excursion.

After swimming, you can dry off on the warm deck before lunch. This rhythm works well: scenery first, water in the middle, food and a slower return afterward.

Lunch and the open bar

The 4.5-hour cruise includes a filling meal of chicken, rice, or meatballs, along with unlimited drinks. The food is functional rather than a reason to choose the trip. Some passengers found the lunch perfectly edible, while others disliked the chicken balls and found the rice supply limited.

I would set your expectations at simple buffet food served in a fun setting. The meal can fill you after swimming, but it is not a special dining experience. If food quality is central to your holiday, this cruise may disappoint. If you see lunch as convenient fuel that is already included, it does its job.

Drinks are a stronger part of the package. Beer, soda, and other onboard refreshments are available without a stated limit on the longer option. The shorter cruise includes drinks and bubbly, but not the full meal. The open bar adds value if you plan to enjoy several drinks during the sailing, though it may matter less if you do not drink alcohol.

The social atmosphere grows around the bar and meal. That can be enjoyable for couples, friends, and groups looking for a cheerful afternoon. It may feel less appealing if you want a quiet, polished sailing.

Service, comfort, and who will enjoy it

The crew receives some of the clearest praise in the available feedback. They are described as helpful and attentive, and the boarding assistance was especially appreciated by a passenger traveling alone with a walking stick. That human touch matters on a boat, where small delays or awkward steps can quickly become frustrating.

The experience is not aimed only at young partygoers, despite the music and drinks. The mood can include a broad age range, and one passenger found the crowd much older than expected. If you want a young, high-energy boat party, the atmosphere may not match your hopes. If you want a relaxed social cruise with older passengers and a chance to sit in the sun, it may suit you well.

The cruise works best for:

• Couples who want coast views, drinks, and a swim
• Families with older children who can manage the boat and sea steps
• Solo passengers who like organized transport and a social setting
• Wildlife fans who accept that sightings are never certain
• Anyone seeking a half-day break from southern Tenerife

It is less suitable if you need step-free access, want a silent nature cruise, or expect restaurant-quality food. The vertical toilet ladder is the key practical concern for anyone with limited mobility.

Is $55 good value?

At around $55 per person, the value depends on which version you choose and what you use. The shorter cruise gives you a catamaran ride, snacks, refreshments, and bubbly. That is a reasonable price for a few hours on the coast, especially if you value the boat itself more than a long list of stops.

The longer cruise is the better deal for most people. Los Gigantes, Masca Bay, swimming, lunch, and unlimited drinks create a fuller half-day. A wildlife sighting can add real excitement, but you should not calculate the price as if whales or dolphins are guaranteed.

Remember the possible extra 25 euros for a double sunbed. You do not need to pay it to join the cruise, but it changes the final cost if a reserved place in the sun matters to you. Also factor in how you reach the marina if your hotel is outside the included pickup area.

The average rating is 4 out of 5 from 20 ratings, which fits the experience well: strong scenery, wildlife potential, crew service, and a good swim stop, balanced by uneven food, music, and comfort details.

Practical advice before you go

Choose the 4.5-hour option if you want Los Gigantes, Masca Bay, swimming, and lunch. Pick three hours if you want a shorter outing with snacks and drinks and are content to keep the day simple.

Confirm your assigned pickup point if you are staying in southern Tenerife. Do not assume every hotel has direct pickup, and do not assume a rural hotel is covered.

Tell the operator about mobility needs before the day. Boarding assistance may be possible, but the vertical toilet ladder remains a serious limitation. The boat’s sea-entry steps are helpful, yet they do not make every part of the vessel accessible.

Bring swimwear, sun protection, and a camera. Keep some flexibility for the wildlife portion, since dolphins, pilot whales, and seabirds appear on their own timetable. If you dislike loud music, prepare for a soundtrack while the boat is moving.

Should you book the Tenerife catamaran cruise?

I would book the 4.5-hour sailing if your ideal Tenerife day includes open water, dramatic cliffs, a swim, drinks, and a chance to see whales or dolphins. The crew service and Masca Bay access are real strengths, and the price is reasonable when you use the included meal and drinks.

I would skip it if you need easy wheelchair-style access, want a peaceful sailing, or care deeply about polished buffet food. For everyone else, this is a good-value coastal outing with a few rough edges. Go for the sea, the cliffs, and the wildlife possibility, not for the lunch.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise take place?

The cruise sails along Tenerife’s western coast from a marina in the south of the island.

How long is the cruise?

You can choose a three-hour cruise or a longer option lasting about 4.5 hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included from parts of southern Tenerife. The operator does not collect from every hotel, and rural areas are not covered. You receive the closest available pickup point.

What is included on the three-hour cruise?

The three-hour option includes snacks, drinks, and bubbly. The trip description also refers to refreshments and a sandwich.

What is included on the 4.5-hour cruise?

The longer option includes lunch with chicken, rice, or meatballs, plus unlimited drinks. Beer and soda are specifically listed among the available drinks.

Does the cruise visit Los Gigantes?

The 4.5-hour option includes views of the Cliffs of Los Gigantes. This sight is not listed for the three-hour option.

Can I swim during the cruise?

Yes. The longer cruise stops at Masca Bay, where you can enter the water from steps lowered from the boat.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No snorkeling equipment is listed as included. The cruise allows swimming and viewing marine life beneath the surface, but you should not expect supplied gear.

Is the catamaran suitable for people with mobility difficulties?

The crew may provide boarding assistance, and one passenger appreciated being allowed to board first. However, the toilet is reached by fully vertical wooden ladder steps, so the boat may not suit anyone with significant mobility difficulties.