Tenerife: Catamaran Cruise with an Open Bar

The most memorable part of this Tenerife cruise is the chance to watch pilot whales and dolphins from the deck, then swim from the boat at Masca Bay. The 4.5-hour sailing also reaches the towering Cliffs of Los Gigantes, where white rock walls drop sharply into the sea.

I like the easygoing format: unlimited drinks on the longer cruise and a proper swim stop with a full set of steps into the water. I also like the choice of a shorter three-hour trip, which suits anyone who wants sea views without giving up most of a day. The main drawback is that the food can be disappointing, and loud music may replace the quiet sound of the ocean.

Key points to know before boarding

• Pilot whale sightings are a major draw: Dolphins and whales are commonly seen in these waters, but wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed.
• The 4.5-hour cruise reaches Los Gigantes: You also sail to Masca Bay for swimming and receive a meal plus unlimited drinks.
• The 3-hour cruise is lighter: It includes snacks, drinks, and bubbly, but not the lunch served on the longer option.
• Swimming is easy from the catamaran: A full set of steps lowers into the sea at Masca Bay, though snorkel equipment is not provided.
• A €25 double sunbed charge may apply: This extra cost should be checked before booking if a reserved sunbed matters to you.
• Hotel pickup is limited to southern Tenerife: You may be assigned a nearby pickup point rather than collected at your hotel.

What this Tenerife cruise is really about

This is a relaxed day on the water rather than a fast-paced sightseeing trip. You board the Freebird catamaran from a marina in southern Tenerife, settle on the upper deck, and spend several hours looking back at the island from offshore.

The western coast gives you a different view of Tenerife. From the sea, the coastline feels larger and more dramatic than it does from the road. The main reward is not a long list of stops. It is the combination of open water, volcanic cliffs, sea air, and the possibility of seeing whales or dolphins close to the boat.

You can choose between a three-hour cruise and a longer 4.5-hour sailing. The shorter trip is a sensible pick if you mainly want a pleasant boat ride, snacks, drinks, and a bit of sunshine. The longer trip adds more coastline, Los Gigantes, a swim at Masca Bay, and a buffet lunch.

At $55 per person, the cruise can offer fair value, especially if you choose the longer option and make use of the included drinks and meal. The value drops if you dislike group entertainment, want a quiet boat, or expect a polished restaurant-quality lunch.

Starting from southern Tenerife

Pickup is included from the south of Tenerife, but do not assume the coach will stop at every hotel. Rural areas are not covered, and the operator may assign you the nearest pickup point instead.

That matters because the day starts with a coach transfer before you reach the marina. The transport is air-conditioned, which is welcome in Tenerife’s strong sun. Allow extra time for the pickup process, especially if you are staying outside the main resort areas.

You can also make your own way to the marina. The exact starting time depends on availability, so check the departure options carefully before you book. The host or greeter speaks English and Spanish.

One useful point for anyone with limited mobility: individual arrangements may be possible on the coach and at boarding. A passenger who used a walking stick was given a designated coach seat and boarded ahead of the main queue. That kind of help is worth requesting in advance, rather than assuming it will happen automatically.

Boarding the Freebird catamaran

At the marina, you meet the crew and board the Freebird catamaran. The boat is designed for a relaxed cruise, with space to sit in the sun and watch the coast slide past.

The upper deck is the obvious place to spend time if the weather is good. You get a broad view of the water and the island, but shade and seating can become important during several hours in direct sun. A reserved double sunbed may cost an additional €25, so check the current arrangement before you treat a sunbed as part of the ticket.

I would not pay extra unless you particularly value a fixed place to stretch out. The catamaran itself gives you a good way to move around and change your view. Still, if you are a couple hoping to claim a comfortable sunbed for the whole trip, include that possible charge in your budget.

The mood is casual and social. Music is part of the experience, and it can be fairly loud while the boat is moving. That will suit you if you want a lively boat outing. If you would rather hear the wind, waves, and seabirds, bring realistic expectations. This is not a silent nature cruise.

Choosing between three hours and 4.5 hours

The three-hour option is the simpler version. You receive snacks, drinks, and bubbly while cruising along the western coast. It is a good fit if you are short on time, have young children who may tire on a longer outing, or simply want a taste of life at sea.

The shorter trip does not include the longer sailing’s lunch, Los Gigantes visit, or stated swim stop. That makes it less of a full-day activity and more of a pleasant half-day break from the pool or beach.

The 4.5-hour option gives the boat time to travel farther west. You receive unlimited drinks, including options such as beer and soda, along with lunch. The longer trip also includes the main scenic and swimming elements, so it is the stronger choice if you are booking this as a major Tenerife excursion.

The trade-off is simple: four and a half hours is a long time if you are uncomfortable on boats or do not enjoy organized entertainment. Before choosing, ask yourself if you want a full sea day or just a short coastal cruise.

Watching for whales and dolphins

The waters off Tenerife are well known for marine life, and the cruise gives you a chance to look for dolphins, pilot whales, and seabirds. The boat may slow or change course when wildlife appears, giving you time to watch and take photographs.

Pilot whales can be especially rewarding because they may approach fairly close to the boat. One sighting included a group of pilot whales near the catamaran, and dolphin encounters have also been a highlight of the trip.

Keep your expectations sensible. No cruise can promise a particular animal on a particular day. You may see wildlife, or you may spend the day enjoying the coast and open water without a close encounter. That uncertainty is part of any marine-wildlife outing.

Bring a phone or camera, but do not spend the entire cruise staring through a screen. Wildlife appears quickly and may surface on either side of the boat. I would keep your camera ready, then put it away for a few minutes and watch the sea properly.

Los Gigantes from the water

The 4.5-hour cruise heads toward the Cliffs of Los Gigantes, also called Acantilados de Los Gigantes. These huge cliff faces rise sharply above the sea and give the western coast its most dramatic view.

Seeing them from a catamaran changes the scale. From land, you can look across at the cliffs. From the water, you are close to their pale rock faces as they drop toward the waves. This is one of the strongest reasons to choose the longer sailing.

The stop is mainly about viewing and photography. Do not expect a long land visit or a walk at the cliffs. You stay on the boat and take in the coastline from the deck.

The best photos will depend on the position of the sun, the motion of the catamaran, and where you find a clear view. Take several shots, but also look up from the camera. The height and scale of Los Gigantes are easier to appreciate with your own eyes.

Swimming at Masca Bay

After the coastal cruise, the longer trip reaches Masca Bay and drops anchor for a swim. This is a useful break after time spent sitting in the sun.

A full set of steps lowers into the water, making entry easier than climbing down a narrow ladder or jumping from the side. You can swim, cool off, and look beneath the surface before returning to the catamaran.

The boat does not provide swimming or snorkeling equipment, so bring your own mask and snorkel if you want to look for marine life below the surface. The available information specifically warns that such equipment is not supplied.

You should also be comfortable using the steps and getting back aboard. This is not an accessible swimming platform for everyone. The onboard toilets are reached by fully vertical wooden ladder steps, which can be difficult for anyone with mobility problems.

If you do not want to swim, you can remain on deck and enjoy the bay. The stop still gives you a change of setting and a chance to escape the music and movement for a while.

Lunch and the open bar

The 4.5-hour cruise includes a buffet meal described as chicken, rice, or meatballs, with unlimited drinks. The exact selection may include chicken paella or vegetable rice, depending on the service that day.

I would treat lunch as practical fuel rather than a reason to book the cruise. Some people find it satisfying, while others find the chicken or meatballs poor and the rice nearly gone by the time they reach the buffet. Food quality appears less consistent than the scenery and crew service.

The unlimited drinks are a more reliable part of the value calculation. Beer, soda, and other onboard drinks are available on the longer sailing. The three-hour option includes drinks and bubbly, but not the full lunch.

If you have dietary needs, check what can be provided before booking. The listed choices are limited, and the information does not promise a broad range of special meals.

The crew is often the strongest human part of the outing. Service has been described as attentive and helpful, and the atmosphere can be warm when the weather is good and wildlife appears. At the same time, the overall crowd may feel older and quieter than a young party group expects.

The atmosphere and music onboard

The catamaran creates a social holiday mood, but it is not aimed only at one age group. You may find a mix of couples, families, older passengers, and groups celebrating a day out.

The atmosphere can become lively when dolphins or whales appear. Music plays during the cruise, and some passengers enjoy that energy. Others would prefer a calmer soundtrack of water and wind.

This point matters because the scenery invites quiet observation, while the boat setup leans toward entertainment. If you want a peaceful nature trip, the music may irritate you. If you want drinks, conversation, and a relaxed party feel, it may be exactly right.

The cruise is also weather dependent in practical ways. Tenerife often offers strong sunshine, but the open deck can feel exposed. Bring sun protection and something light to cover your shoulders. The supplied information confirms the sunny deck and air-conditioned coach, but it does not promise a specific shade arrangement on the boat.

Accessibility and comfort details

You should ask about your personal needs before booking. The coach may offer help, and boarding assistance has been provided in individual cases, but pickup is not available at every hotel.

The main concern onboard is the toilet access. The toilets require fully vertical wooden ladder steps, so they are not suitable for anyone with serious mobility difficulties. The swimming area also involves using steps down into the sea and back up again.

The catamaran is not presented as a fully accessible vessel. If you use a wheelchair, have trouble with ladders, or need guaranteed accessible facilities, contact the provider before paying.

For everyone else, comfort depends on how well you prepare. Wear swimwear under your clothes if you plan to enter the water, bring a towel, and use strong sun protection. Keep valuables secure and carry only what you need on deck.

Is $55 a fair price?

At $55 per person, the price is reasonable if you select the 4.5-hour trip and value the combination of transport, catamaran time, unlimited drinks, lunch, wildlife watching, Los Gigantes, and swimming.

The value is less clear for the three-hour cruise because it includes snacks, drinks, and bubbly but not the longer trip’s meal or swim stop. It may still suit you if time matters more than the number of inclusions.

Remember the possible €25 charge for a double sunbed. That is not a major cost when split between two people, but it changes the final price if you are trying to keep the outing close to the advertised fare.

The cruise also delivers its best value on a good-weather day with wildlife sightings. No operator controls the animals or the sea conditions, so you are paying for the outing and opportunity, not a guaranteed whale show.

Who should book this catamaran cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want an easy coastal excursion with drinks, a chance to see marine life, and no need to organize a boat independently. It suits couples, families, and anyone who enjoys a social day on the water.

Choose the 4.5-hour option if Los Gigantes and swimming at Masca Bay matter to you. Choose three hours if you want a shorter break, do not care about lunch, or are unsure how much time you want to spend at sea.

I would be cautious if you need quiet, excellent food, guaranteed snorkeling gear, or fully accessible facilities. Young passengers looking for a high-energy party may also find the crowd older than expected.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise for the sea experience, not for gourmet food or a guaranteed wildlife encounter. The best parts are the western coast, Los Gigantes, the easy swim access at Masca Bay, and the possibility of seeing pilot whales or dolphins close to the boat.

For the strongest value, choose the 4.5-hour sailing, confirm the pickup point, ask about the sunbed charge, and pack your own snorkeling equipment. If you want a shorter and simpler outing, the three-hour cruise is a sensible compromise.

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 between a three-hour cruise and a 4.5-hour cruise. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included from southern Tenerife, but not every hotel is covered. Rural areas are excluded, and you may receive an assigned nearby pickup point.

What languages are available?

The host or greeter speaks English and Spanish.

What is included on the three-hour cruise?

The three-hour cruise includes snacks, drinks, and bubbly. It does not include the lunch listed for the longer sailing.

What is included on the 4.5-hour cruise?

The 4.5-hour cruise includes lunch with chicken, rice, or meatballs, plus unlimited drinks. It also includes the longer coastal route, Los Gigantes, and a swim stop at Masca Bay.

Can I swim during the cruise?

Swimming is available at Masca Bay on the 4.5-hour cruise. A full set of steps lowers into the sea. Swimming and snorkeling equipment are not provided.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The booking option also allows you to reserve now and pay later.