Tenerife: PRIVATE Catamaran cruise with Lunch and Drinks

A private catamaran is a fine way to see Tenerife from a different angle. You leave San Miguel Marina, cruise along the south coast, then anchor in a quieter spot for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, lunch, and a little sun time on the broad front deck. The day feels more like a relaxed outing with friends than a scheduled group excursion.

I especially like the private group format, which lets you set the mood and make the day your own. I also like the practical water setup: three SUP boards, snorkeling gear, floating equipment, and a dinghy ride are included, so you are not simply sitting on deck looking at the water.

The main consideration is the price. At $824 for up to eight people, it can be good value for a full group, but it is a costly choice for two or three people. The open Atlantic can also be uncomfortable if you are prone to seasickness.

Key points at a glance

• Private catamaran for up to eight: You get the boat and crew for your own group rather than sharing the experience with strangers.
• A two-hour anchorage: Most of the time away from the marina is set aside for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, lunch, and drinks.
• Food is part of the outing: Expect tapas and, depending on your arrangement, seafood or chicken paella, along with water, soft drinks, beer, and wine.
• Three SUP boards and snorkeling gear: You can get into the water without arranging separate equipment.
• Whale and dolphin watching: Keep watch during the cruise, as these waters are frequented by both.
• Pickup may be flexible: San Miguel Marina is the regular starting point, but private charter arrangements can allow different pickup points.

Why this private sailing trip works so well

South Tenerife has plenty of organized boat trips, but a private catamaran gives you something those larger outings cannot: control. You are not adjusting your day around a crowded deck, a fixed social program, or a stranger’s idea of how long lunch should last.

The boat leaves from San Miguel Marina, beside Golf del Sur, and spends about 45 minutes sailing out toward an anchorage. That first stretch gives you time to settle into the rhythm of the sea. You can sit on the front sunbed, take in the coast, and watch for dolphins and whales before the swimming stop.

The best part comes at anchor. You have roughly two hours for the activities that make this more than a simple scenic cruise. Swim in the Atlantic, use the snorkeling equipment, try one of the three paddleboards, or stay dry with a drink and a plate of food. The crew can shape the day around your group’s preference, within the limits of weather and sea conditions.

The boat then spends another 45 minutes returning to San Miguel Marina. In total, the 3.5-hour schedule is long enough to feel like a proper half-day on the water, but short enough to fit around other plans in Tenerife.

Leaving San Miguel Marina for the Atlantic

Your regular meeting point is Marina San Miguel in Golf del Sur. This is in the south of Tenerife, making it useful for anyone staying around Golf del Sur, Costa del Silencio, Los Cristianos, or Playa de las Américas, though you should confirm your own transport plans before booking.

The crew includes a professional captain and can communicate in English, Spanish, and Norwegian. The information provided does not give the captain’s name, so do not expect a named guide service in advance. What you can expect is an experienced crew responsible for sailing, safety equipment, food service, and the water activities.

Private charters may allow a different starting point. One booking was handled from Playa de las Vistas, so it is worth asking about pickup if you are staying elsewhere on the south coast. Do not assume that a different beach pickup is automatic. It needs to be arranged with Sailpro Charter S.L.

As the catamaran leaves the marina, you will have the most open sailing time of the trip. The boat covers about 45 minutes before reaching the main anchorage. This is when the trip feels most like a sailing excursion rather than a floating lunch stop.

The 45-minute cruise and what to watch for

The route takes you across Atlantic waters with views back toward Tenerife’s volcanic coast. Depending on the exact anchorage and conditions, you might see rugged cliffs, dark volcanic rock, and small coves that are difficult to reach from land.

The crew encourages you to watch for whales and dolphins along the way. These animals frequent the waters around Tenerife, but sightings are never guaranteed. Treat this as a welcome possibility, not the main promise of the trip. If seeing marine life is your top goal, keep your eyes on the water during both outward and return legs.

The open sea can be calm, and the experience is described as suitable for sailing throughout the year thanks to generally steady winds. Still, calm conditions are not the same as a guaranteed glassy sea. If you know you suffer from seasickness, this is probably not the right activity. Take that warning seriously, especially if you plan to spend the whole trip on deck.

A jacket belongs in your bag even on a warm Tenerife day. Wind can make the sailing portion feel cooler than the marina, particularly when the catamaran is moving.

Two hours at anchor for swimming and water play

The anchorage is the heart of the outing. Once the catamaran stops, you can choose how active you want to be. You might swim in the clear water, snorkel near the boat, paddleboard, or simply stretch out on the large front-deck sunbed.

Three SUP paddleboards are included, along with snorkeling equipment and other floating gear. That is a useful inclusion for a private group because you do not need to rent boards or carry extra equipment. With up to eight people, however, three boards still means taking turns. If everyone in your party wants a long paddleboarding session, you may need to organize a simple rotation.

Snorkeling conditions depend on visibility, sea state, and the location chosen by the captain. The equipment makes a quick swim easy, but this is not presented as a guided marine biology trip. You will use the gear independently while the crew handles the boat and keeps an eye on safety.

The dinghy ride is another included feature. The available information does not specify a set route or separate excursion, so ask the crew how it fits into your day. A rib ride with a tube or ring is specifically not included. If that is important to your group, check the extra cost before sailing.

Life vests and other safety equipment are provided. Follow the crew’s instructions when entering the water, using the boards, or moving around the boat. A catamaran has plenty of room, but wet decks are still wet decks.

Lunch, tapas, and drinks on board

Food is served during the anchorage period. The planned choices are tapas and seafood or chicken paella, with water, soft drinks, beer, and wine listed among the included drinks. The day is intended to be adjusted to your group’s preferences, so it is sensible to discuss the meal when you arrange the charter.

Paella is a practical choice for a boat outing. It is filling, easy to share, and fits the relaxed pace of a lunch at anchor. Tapas give you a lighter option if you want to swim soon after eating. The available information does not provide a fixed menu, so ask what will be served and mention any dietary needs before the day.

The food has received particularly strong praise. Kate from the United States described it as delicious and beautifully served, while Jean-Michel from France called the meal perfect. Those comments suggest that lunch is treated as part of the experience, not an afterthought packed into a plastic container.

Service is another strong point. Accounts from Kate and John in the United Kingdom highlight the friendly, helpful crew and the quality of the hospitality. Leon from Norway also singled out the serving and the pleasant crew. That matters on a private charter, where the crew’s manner can shape the entire mood of the day.

Cava or prosecco is listed separately under items not included, despite the regular drinks being part of the package. If you want a sparkling wine toast, confirm the price and availability before departure. Do not assume it is included with the beer, wine, soft drinks, and water.

What the private format changes

The private setup is the clearest reason to choose this trip over a standard shared cruise. You can decide if your group wants a quiet sailing day, a more active swim stop, a long lunch, or a mix of all three.

This works especially well for families, couples traveling together, and groups of friends who do not all want the same thing. One person can paddleboard while another stays on the sunbed. Children or less confident swimmers can remain near the boat while stronger swimmers spend more time in the water, always following the crew’s instructions.

The boat is priced at $824 for a group of up to eight. At full capacity, that works out to $103 per person. For eight people, the private boat, crew, meal, drinks, equipment, and 3.5 hours on the water make the price easier to justify. For four people, it becomes $206 each. For two people, it is a premium outing.

That price comparison is important. You are not paying only for transport along the coast. You are paying for exclusive use of the catamaran, a professional captain, water equipment, food, drinks, and the ability to shape the day around your own group. If privacy matters, the value is stronger. If you simply want a cheap boat ride, a shared cruise will probably suit you better.

What past bookings tell me about the service

The available ratings are uniformly positive, with a 5 out of 5 score from nine bookings. Recent comments from July 2025 describe the trip as an amazing day and the best trip. Kate’s detailed account is especially useful because it points to several practical strengths: friendly staff, well-presented food, paddleboards, snorkeling gear, and a relaxed but organized schedule.

Jean-Michel’s January 2025 booking included pickup from Playa de las Vistas, attentive service, paddleboarding and snorkeling equipment, and a well-received meal. That suggests the private format can be adapted beyond the regular marina meeting point, although you should confirm this for your own group.

The pattern is clear: hospitality, food, and the ease of having equipment ready are the most praised parts. No supplied comment raises a specific complaint, but the small number of ratings means you should still judge the activity against your own needs. A perfect rating does not remove the risks of sea conditions, limited time, or a high group price.

Who should book this catamaran

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a private half-day on the water and have a group large enough to share the cost. It is a good match for people who want several options in one outing: sailing, swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, food, and quiet time.

It also suits mixed groups. You do not need everyone to be a keen swimmer. The front sunbed and onboard meal make it possible to enjoy the day without spending the whole time in the water.

You should think twice if you are prone to seasickness, dislike open-water activity, or mainly want a guided sightseeing tour of Tenerife’s coast. The focus is relaxation and time at anchor, not a packed list of coastal landmarks.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a jacket. Comfortable sun protection matters because the water reflects strong light, while the jacket helps during the sailing legs. A camera or phone may be useful, but protect it around the water.

Booking is flexible: you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and reserve now while paying later. Check the available starting times, then confirm the marina or any alternative pickup point directly with the operator.

Should you book this Tenerife catamaran?

Book it if you can fill most of the eight places and want a private, easygoing day where lunch and water activities are already arranged. The strong points are the friendly crew, well-regarded food, useful equipment, and freedom to balance swimming with simple relaxation.

I would be cautious if your group is small, your budget is tight, or you are sensitive to motion. For a full group, the $824 cost can be reasonable. For only two people, it is best treated as a special occasion rather than a bargain.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start?

The regular starting point is Marina San Miguel in Golf del Sur, Tenerife. Different pickup points may be possible for private charters, so confirm this with the operator.

How long is the activity?

The full experience lasts 3.5 hours. The listed schedule includes about 45 minutes sailing out, two hours at an anchorage, and 45 minutes returning.

How many people can join the private charter?

The price covers a private group of up to eight people.

What food is included?

The food options include tapas and seafood or chicken paella. The exact meal should be confirmed when arranging the charter.

What drinks are included?

Water, soft drinks, beer, and wine are included. Cava or prosecco is listed separately, so confirm whether it costs extra.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear, three SUP paddleboards, and other floating equipment are included.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a jacket.

Is the activity suitable for people with seasickness?

The activity is not suitable for people prone to seasickness because it takes place on the open Atlantic.