Tenerife: Catamaran Cruise with Brunch and Unlimited Drinks

The most appealing part of this trip is the mix of open-sea cruising and wildlife watching. From Marina del Sur, the catamaran heads along Tenerife’s southern coast toward Punta Rasca, where you may spot dolphins, pilot whales, turtles, and flying fish before stopping for a swim.

I like the friendly, hard-working crew and the simple value of unlimited beer, soft drinks, and water. I also like that the meal uses local ingredients instead of treating lunch as an afterthought. The main drawback is the sea itself: you go well offshore, and rough water can make the ride uncomfortable if you are prone to seasickness.

Key points to know before you book

• Wildlife watching near Punta Rasca: Dolphins, pilot whales, turtles, and flying fish have all been seen during recent trips.
• Two food options: The 3-hour sailing includes a turkey sandwich, seasonal fruit, and cheesecake. The 4-hour option adds a suckling pig burrito and vegetable dumplings.
• A real swim stop: You get about an hour near Diego Hernández Beach for swimming and snorkeling, but snorkel equipment is not included.
• Unlimited means beer, soft drinks, and water: Cocktails, wine, and champagne cost extra.
• Hotel pickup covers south Tenerife: The coach ride can take about 45 minutes before the boat leaves Marina del Sur.
• Optional VIP seating: Front beds and preferred seating cost extra, though a standard place still gives you the main cruise, food, drinks, and commentary.

Setting out from Marina del Sur

This is a south Tenerife boat trip, not a quick harbor ride. Pickup is offered from a long list of hotels and meeting points around Costa Adeje, Playa de las Américas, Los Cristianos, Palm-Mar, and nearby resorts.

The coach journey can take about 45 minutes. That matters when you are comparing this with a boat trip that leaves directly from your resort area. You trade some road time for a departure from Marina del Sur in Las Galletas, where the boat can reach the open coast quickly.

Arrive at your pickup point 10 minutes early. Drivers wait no more than five minutes after the scheduled time, so this is not the morning to wander down from the hotel at the last second.

Once aboard, the catamaran gives you room to sit, stand, take photographs, and watch the water. One recent sailing had about 50 people, enough for a sociable atmosphere without making the boat feel packed. This is still a shared excursion, not a quiet private charter.

The crew handles several jobs at once: steering, serving drinks, explaining what you are seeing, and keeping an eye on the water. That makes the staff’s friendly service especially important, and it is one of the strongest parts of the experience.

Along Tenerife’s southern coast

The first part of the cruise takes about 30 minutes from Marina del Sur toward the western side of Tenerife. You pass the coast around Las Galletas and head toward Punta Rasca Lighthouse.

This section is less about a single grand sight and more about getting a different view of the island. From the water, the resort towns give way to open coastline, beaches, rocky edges, and the broad southern slopes of Tenerife.

The live commentary is available in English and Spanish. You can listen while watching the water, or simply settle into the sea breeze and let the boat ride do the work. The commentary adds useful context, but the trip is not built around a long lecture. It is a relaxed outing with information mixed into the cruise.

Bring sun protection. The boat offers shade in some areas, but you will probably want time in the open air, especially while watching for marine life. A hat that fits securely is more useful than one that can blow away.

Wildlife watching at Punta Rasca

Punta Rasca Lighthouse is the main wildlife-watching area, with roughly 45 minutes set aside for dolphin and whale spotting. The southern waters around Tenerife are known for marine life, but no boat trip can promise an appearance on a timetable.

Recent sightings have included pilot whales, dolphins, turtles, and flying fish. The flying fish are a pleasant surprise because they appear suddenly beside the boat and vanish just as quickly. Pilot whales are usually easier to appreciate when the boat slows and the crew points out where to look.

I like that the crew is careful not to chase animals. The boat keeps its distance rather than turning the encounter into a noisy pursuit. That gives you a better chance to watch natural behavior and keeps the wildlife experience respectful.

Keep your expectations sensible. You may see several animals, or you may spend much of this section scanning empty water. If spotting whales is the only reason you are booking, no cruise can guarantee value on that point. If you enjoy the whole outing, the wildlife becomes a welcome bonus rather than the entire purpose.

The Diego Hernández Beach stop

The cruise then reaches Diego Hernández Beach for about an hour. This is the most active part of the day, with time for lunch, swimming, and snorkeling.

The water stop breaks up the ride nicely. You can get in for a swim, stay on deck, or use the pause to eat and watch the coast. The trip information does not include snorkel equipment, so bring your own if you want to look beneath the surface.

The swimming stop is also where the sea conditions matter most. If you feel uneasy in open water, you can remain aboard rather than forcing yourself into the sea. A towel is sensible, although one higher-priced seating option includes towels.

The beach itself is viewed from the boat rather than treated as a land visit. Do not book this expecting time to walk ashore, explore shops, or settle on the sand. The point is a swim stop in a coastal setting.

What you actually eat on board

The food depends on the length of the option you choose.

The 3-hour trip includes a sandwich with roast turkey, seasonal fruit, and cheesecake. The 4-hour version is more substantial, with the turkey sandwich, a suckling pig burrito, vegetable dumplings, and cheesecake.

The 4-hour meal is the better match if food is important to you. It gives you more variety and makes the longer time on the boat feel worthwhile. The 3-hour meal works better if you want a shorter outing and only need something simple between swimming and sightseeing.

The food is described as 100 percent Canarian and inspired by local ingredients. In practical terms, this means you get more than a plain packed lunch, but you should still think of it as a prepared boat meal rather than a restaurant brunch served at a table.

Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and allergen-free menus are available if arranged in advance. Contact the operator no later than the day before. Do not wait until you are boarding, since special food needs preparation.

Understanding the unlimited drinks

The drinks package is useful, but read the wording carefully. Unlimited drinks means beer, soft drinks, and water.

Wine, cocktails, and champagne are not included in the standard package. The description refers to Canarian wine in its general presentation, but the stated inclusions and booking details make clear that wine and other premium drinks cost extra. If you want a cocktail or a glass of wine, budget for it separately.

One practical tip is to bring some cash. Card payment is available, but a connection may fail once the boat is offshore. You do not need to buy anything extra, but cash can save a frustrating moment if you decide to order a paid drink or upgrade.

The crew is relatively small for the number of people on board, so service can slow briefly when everyone wants food or drinks at once. That is normal on a moving boat. The staff are also steering and giving commentary, not simply working behind a bar.

Passing Playa de las Américas and Los Cristianos

After the swim and meal, the boat continues along the coast, passing Playa de las Américas and Playa de Los Cristianos. Each section lasts about 15 minutes, enough for photographs and a change of view rather than a proper town visit.

From the water, these areas make more sense as coastal resort centers. You see the beaches, buildings, and waterfront from a distance, with the boat giving you a broad view that you cannot get from a pavement beside the shore.

This part is calm and scenic, but do not expect a stop to go ashore. If you want shopping, a beach walk, or time in either resort, plan that for another part of your Tenerife schedule.

Palm-Mar and the return to port

Palm-Mar receives about 45 minutes of cruising and a photo stop. This is a good time to find a comfortable place on deck, take pictures, and enjoy the quieter part of the ride back toward Marina del Sur.

The long return section is where you feel the difference between a 3-hour and 4-hour option. The shorter trip gives you the main wildlife and swimming experience without as much time at sea. The longer option gives you more room to relax, eat at an easier pace, and enjoy the coastline after the main activities are finished.

The boat returns to Marina del Sur in the afternoon, followed by drop-off at the same general hotel areas served on the way out. The exact start time varies, so check availability when booking rather than planning another fixed activity too tightly afterward.

Standard seating or the VIP upgrade?

The standard booking covers the cruise, commentary, food, swimming stop, and included drinks. You do not need to pay extra to have a worthwhile day on the water.

A VIP option offers priority access and preferred seating. Some upgraded areas include front beds, towels, and an additional cocktail. The front position can be attractive if you want more room to lie down or prefer a quieter place to watch the water.

One useful point is that a bed may help if you get seasick. Lying down can feel easier than sitting upright while the boat moves, although no seating choice can remove rough conditions.

Do not upgrade simply because you think the normal seats make the trip poor. The main experience remains available without VIP seating. Pay extra if you value a day bed, more preferred space, or the added drink and towel, not because you need it to take part.

The seasickness question

This excursion goes well out to sea, and that is both its appeal and its main risk. Open water gives you better wildlife chances and a stronger sense of being away from the resort coast, but the boat will move more than a short harbor cruise.

If you are prone to seasickness, choose your position carefully and consider the longer option only if you are comfortable spending several hours offshore. The crew can help with the practical side, but the supplied information does not promise medicine or special medical support.

A light breakfast, sun protection, water, and a calm attitude can make the day easier. Most important, do not book this as a guaranteed smooth-water ride. The sea decides that.

Is $71 good value?

At $71 per person, the package is fairly priced if you use the main inclusions. You are paying for hotel transfers in selected south Tenerife areas, a 3 or 4-hour catamaran cruise, live commentary, food, a swim stop, and unlimited beer, soft drinks, and water.

The value improves if you would otherwise pay separately for transport to Las Galletas, a boat ride, and lunch. It is also useful for couples or families who want one organized afternoon instead of arranging several smaller activities.

The value is weaker if you mainly want luxury seating, wine, cocktails, or a private boat. Those extras are not part of the standard price. You should also compare the 3-hour and 4-hour choices carefully, since the longer trip includes the more generous meal.

The overall rating is 4.5 from 607 ratings, which fits the strengths of the outing: friendly staff, smooth transfers, good wildlife chances, and a simple all-in-one format. The most consistent praise centers on the crew, the swimming stop, and sightings of pilot whales, dolphins, and flying fish.

Who should book this catamaran trip?

I would recommend it to you if you want a relaxed half-day on the sea without arranging transport, food, and drinks separately. It suits couples, groups of friends, and families who like a social boat setting and want the chance to swim.

It is especially good for people who enjoy a loose schedule. You are not rushing from one attraction to another. You watch the coast, listen for wildlife, eat when the food is served, and decide whether to swim or stay aboard.

I would be more cautious if you get seasick, dislike group outings, or expect premium drinks to be included. It is also not the right choice if you want a quiet private cruise or a long visit on a beach.

For most people, the best choice is the 4-hour option if the schedule allows. It adds a fuller meal and gives you more time to enjoy the boat without making the trip feel hurried.

Should you book it?

Book this catamaran cruise if you want wildlife watching, a proper swim stop, and an easy all-inclusive afternoon from south Tenerife. The crew, coastal views, food, and included drinks give the trip enough substance beyond simply sitting on a boat.

Choose the 3-hour version for a shorter outing and a lighter meal. Choose 4 hours if you want the fuller Canarian-style food and more time at sea. Skip the trip if rough water is a serious concern or if you are looking for a private, quiet sailing experience.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise leave from?

The boat departs from Marina del Sur in Las Galletas, on Tenerife’s south coast.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and return transport are included from selected south Tenerife hotels and meeting points.

How long is the full experience?

You can choose a 3-hour or 4-hour cruise. The coach transfer from some pickup points to Marina del Sur can take about 45 minutes.

Which languages are available?

Live commentary is available in English and Spanish.

What food is included on the 3-hour option?

The 3-hour option includes a roast turkey sandwich, seasonal fruit, and cheesecake.

What food is included on the 4-hour option?

The 4-hour option includes a roast turkey sandwich, suckling pig burrito, vegetable dumplings, and cheesecake.

Are vegetarian or allergy-friendly meals available?

Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and allergen-free menus are available when requested by the day before the trip.

What drinks are included?

Unlimited beer, soft drinks, and water are included. Cocktails, wine, and champagne are not included in the standard package.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Snorkel equipment is not included, so bring your own if you want to snorkel during the swimming stop.