Tenerife: Catamaran Cruise with Brunch and Unlimited Drinks

The best part of this Tenerife cruise is the mix of open-sea wildlife watching and an easy afternoon on the water. From Marina del Sur, you head past Punta Rasca and along the southern coast, with time to spot pilot whales, dolphins, flying fish, and other marine life before stopping for a swim.

I like the Canarian-style brunch and the simple drinks deal: beer, soft drinks, and water are included without counting every glass. I also like the wide hotel pickup network, which saves you from arranging a taxi to Las Galletas.

The main catch is the sea itself. The catamaran can travel well offshore, and seasickness is possible. Wine, cocktails, champagne, and snorkel equipment cost extra, while VIP beds and preferred seating require a separate upgrade.

Key points

• Wildlife watching near Punta Rasca: The route has produced sightings of pilot whales, dolphins, turtles, and flying fish, though no wildlife sighting can be guaranteed.
• A proper pause at Diego Hernández Beach: You get about an hour for brunch, swimming, and snorkeling.
• Included drinks are limited to beer, soft drinks, and water: Wine, cocktails, and champagne are not part of the standard package.
• Pickup covers much of southern Tenerife: More than 30 hotel and meeting-point options are listed around Costa Adeje, Playa de las Américas, Los Cristianos, and nearby resorts.
• The 4-hour trip has the fuller meal: The longer option includes roast turkey, a suckling pig burrito, vegetable dumplings, and cheesecake.
• VIP beds are useful for comfort, not essential: You can pay extra for a preferred bed, but standard seating still gives you access to the cruise, food, drinks, and swimming stop.

Setting Out From Marina del Sur

Your day begins with pickup at a selected hotel or meeting point in southern Tenerife. The coach ride to Marina del Sur takes about 45 minutes, so the total outing lasts longer than the advertised three or four hours once transfers are included.

Pickup points cover a large area, including Costa Adeje, Playa de las Américas, Los Cristianos, Palm-Mar, and several large hotels. You need to wait at the stated meeting point 10 minutes before pickup. Drivers wait no more than five minutes after the scheduled time, so this is not the moment to arrive casually with a coffee in hand.

Marina del Sur sits in Las Galletas, a useful departure point for the quieter southern coast. Once aboard, the catamaran heads west toward Punta Rasca and the open water. The first half hour is mostly about getting out from the marina and settling into the rhythm of the boat.

The atmosphere is designed to be relaxed rather than formal. You can sit, watch the water, listen to the live commentary, and order from the included drinks. Commentary is available in English and Spanish, with information about the coastline and marine life.

Punta Rasca and the Search for Whales

Punta Rasca Lighthouse is one of the key wildlife-watching sections of the route. The boat spends about 45 minutes in this area, giving you time to scan the water for dolphins and whales while looking back toward Tenerife’s rocky coast.

Several passengers have seen pilot whales, dolphins, flying fish, turtles, and other sea life. That is a strong result for a coastal cruise, but you should keep expectations sensible. Wildlife is wild, and the crew cannot promise a sighting on every departure.

One positive detail is the reported care taken around the animals. The catamaran does not need to chase or crowd them to give you a chance of seeing something. Keep your phone ready, but do not spend the whole outing staring at the screen. A quick splash or fin can appear on either side of the boat.

The open water also brings the main comfort issue. If you are prone to seasickness, the farther offshore section may be unpleasant. Sit where you can see the horizon, avoid a heavy meal before departure, and consider bringing your usual motion-sickness remedy. A paid bed can help you lie down, but it does not change the movement of the sea.

Brunch at Diego Hernández Beach

After the wildlife-watching section, the catamaran heads toward Diego Hernández Beach for about an hour. This is the most leisurely part of the trip, with time for food, swimming, and snorkeling.

The meal depends on the option you choose. The three-hour version includes a sandwich with roast turkey, seasonal fruit, and cheesecake. The four-hour version offers a larger selection: a roast turkey sandwich, a suckling pig burrito, vegetable dumplings, and cheesecake.

Calling the meal brunch rather than a restaurant lunch sets the right expectation. Food is served in a practical format, and the sandwich-box style suits a boat better than a plated meal would. It is enough to keep you going while you swim and sit in the sun, but you should not book this as a culinary tour.

The menu has a clear Canarian angle, especially with the suckling pig burrito and local ingredients. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and allergen-free menus are available, but you need to contact the operator no later than the day before so the right food can be prepared.

Swimming is optional. You can get into the sea, stay on deck, or simply enjoy the coast from your seat. Snorkel equipment is not included, so bring your own if you want to look beneath the surface. The information provided confirms swimming and snorkeling at this stop, but it does not promise a particular underwater site or a set of supplied gear.

What the Drink Package Really Includes

The unlimited drinks offer adds good value, but you need to read it accurately. The standard package includes beer, soft drinks, and water. That is useful on a warm boat, especially during the swimming stop.

Wine, cocktails, and champagne are not included in the basic price. The description refers to Canarian wine, but the included-items information is more specific and lists beer, soft drinks, and water. If wine matters to you, check the exact option before booking rather than assuming it comes with the meal.

One practical tip is to bring cash. Card payments are available, but the payment machine may lose its connection once the boat is offshore. That matters if you plan to buy a cocktail, wine, champagne, or an upgrade during the cruise.

At $71 per person, unlimited beer, soft drinks, and water help make the price reasonable. You are paying not just for a boat ride, but also for hotel transfer, commentary, food, a swimming stop, and a chance to see marine life. The value is strongest if you use several parts of the package. Someone who does not drink, does not want to swim, and mainly wants coastal photos may find a shorter sightseeing boat cheaper.

Passing Playa de las Américas and Los Cristianos

After Diego Hernández Beach, the catamaran continues along the coast, passing Playa de las Américas and Playa de Los Cristianos. Each section takes about 15 minutes of boat travel, with time to view the resort coastline from the water.

From offshore, you get a different sense of these busy southern resort areas. The beaches and waterfront development look more connected when seen from the sea, and the short cruise offers a pleasant change from walking along hotel streets.

This portion is more scenic than activity-packed. Do not expect to get off the boat for a long town visit. The itinerary lists these places as visits by boat, so you are viewing them from the catamaran rather than stopping for shopping or sightseeing on land.

That makes the route a good choice if you want a broad look at the coast without spending a full day on buses. It is less useful if your main aim is to explore Playa de las Américas or Los Cristianos on foot.

Palm-Mar and the Return to Las Galletas

Palm-Mar comes later in the route, with about 45 minutes for a photo stop and boat viewing. This gives you another chance to take pictures of Tenerife’s shoreline and enjoy the sea air before the return leg.

The route then heads back to Marina del Sur, with about 30 minutes of cruising. Drop-off follows at the same general hotel network used for pickup, though you should confirm your exact point when booking.

The timing makes this a comfortable half-day outing rather than an all-day commitment. A three-hour option suits anyone who wants the sea, food, and a quick swim without a long afternoon aboard. The four-hour option gives you more time for the fuller meal and the coastal route, but it also means more time exposed to sun and motion.

Standard Seating or a VIP Bed?

A VIP upgrade provides priority access and preferred seating. Some options include a Balinese-style day bed, which can be useful if you want to lie down, stretch out, or avoid sitting upright for the whole cruise.

I would treat the bed as a comfort purchase, not a requirement. Standard passengers still have access to the main boat experience, including the coastline, commentary, food, drinks, and swimming stop. If you are sensitive to motion, the ability to lie down may be worth the extra money.

Some premium options may include added touches such as towels or a cocktail, but the exact inclusions depend on the option you select. The standard package does not include a towel, so bring one unless your booking specifically says otherwise.

Smoking is allowed at the back of the catamaran, according to the information provided. A toilet is also available. These details matter on a multi-hour boat trip, especially if you are booking for a mixed group with different needs.

Who Will Enjoy This Cruise Most?

I would recommend this trip to couples, families, and small groups who want several Tenerife experiences in one outing. You get wildlife watching, coastal scenery, a meal, drinks, and swimming without having to organize each part separately.

It also suits people staying in the major resorts of southern Tenerife. The broad pickup network is a real advantage, and the included transfer removes the need to find Marina del Sur on your own.

The cruise may be less suitable if you dislike boats, feel ill at sea, or want a quiet luxury experience. The catamaran carries a group, and even a well-spaced boat will have shared seating, shared commentary, and movement around the deck.

It is also not the right choice if you want a serious snorkeling trip. Snorkeling is part of the beach stop, but equipment is not included and the main focus is the full outing, not underwater exploration.

Practical Tips Before You Book

Wear swimwear under your clothes and bring sun protection. You will spend several hours exposed to wind and sun, even when the air feels mild at the marina.

Bring a towel unless your selected premium option includes one. Pack a light cover-up too, since the breeze can feel cool after swimming.

If you need a special meal, contact FIVESTARBOAT by the day before. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and allergen-free menus are available with advance notice.

Check the length of your selected option. The shorter trip includes a lighter snack-style meal, while the four-hour cruise includes the more substantial brunch. Starting times vary, so check availability before you commit to the day.

The operator allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. That gives you some useful flexibility, particularly when planning around weather or other Tenerife day trips.

Should You Book It?

Book this catamaran cruise if you want a convenient southern Tenerife outing with good wildlife potential, an included meal, unlimited basic drinks, and time to swim. The friendly crew, smooth transfers, and repeated sightings of pilot whales and dolphins make it a strong value at $71 when you use the full package.

Choose the four-hour version if food, swimming time, and a fuller coastal route matter most. Choose the shorter option if you mainly want a boat ride and wildlife search.

I would skip it if you are very prone to seasickness, expect unlimited wine or cocktails, or want a private yacht atmosphere. For everyone else, this is a well-rounded way to spend part of an afternoon on the water, with enough structure to make the day easy and enough free time to let Tenerife’s coast do the work.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart from?

The boat departs from Marina del Sur in Las Galletas, in southern Tenerife.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included from selected locations in southern Tenerife, including hotels and meeting points around Costa Adeje, Playa de las Américas, Los Cristianos, Palm-Mar, and nearby areas.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise option lasts three or four hours. The coach transfer to Marina del Sur takes about 45 minutes each way, depending on your pickup location.

Which languages are available?

Live commentary is available in English and Spanish.

What drinks are included?

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

What food is served?

The three-hour option includes a roast turkey sandwich, seasonal fruit, and cheesecake. The four-hour option includes a roast turkey sandwich, a suckling pig burrito, vegetable dumplings, and cheesecake.

Are special diets catered for?

Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and allergen-free menus are available. You need to contact the operator at the latest the day before the cruise.

Can I swim during the cruise?

Yes. The itinerary includes time for swimming at Diego Hernández Beach. Swimming is optional.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkel equipment is not included, so you need to bring your own if you want to snorkel.

Can I see whales or dolphins?

The cruise includes wildlife watching near Punta Rasca Lighthouse, where sightings can include pilot whales, dolphins, turtles, and flying fish. Sightings are not guaranteed.

Is a VIP seat included?

No. A VIP seat with priority access and preferred seating costs extra unless you select an option that includes it.

What is the cancellation policy?

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