Tenerife: PRIVATE Catamaran cruise with Lunch and Drinks

This private catamaran trip gives you something a standard boat outing cannot: your own space on the water. From San Miguel Marina, you sail along Tenerife’s south coast, stop at an anchorage, and spend most of the middle section swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, eating, and simply lying on the front sunbed.

I like the generous mix of food, drinks, and water equipment, and I like that the crew can shape the day around your group. The main consideration is the short duration. With 45 minutes in each direction, you have about two hours at anchor, so this suits a relaxed half-day more than a full sailing adventure.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to eight: You get the catamaran to yourselves, with room to settle into your own pace.
• Two hours at anchor: This is the heart of the trip, with swimming, snorkeling, paddleboards, and floating equipment.
• Food served onboard: Choose tapas or seafood and chicken paella, with fruit, water, soft drinks, beer, and wine included.
• Whale and dolphin sightings are possible: The waters off Tenerife are frequented by both, though sightings cannot be promised.
• San Miguel Marina departure: The trip begins and ends at Marina San Miguel, with different pickup points possible for private charters.
• Extra drinks and rides cost more: Cava or prosecco, plus a tube or ring ride, are not included in the standard package.

Setting out from San Miguel Marina

Your day begins at Marina San Miguel, beside Golf del Sur in southern Tenerife. This is a useful departure point if you are staying near the island’s south coast, and the private format keeps the start more personal than a large shared boat trip.

You meet the professional captain and crew before boarding. English, Spanish, and Norwegian are spoken, so communication should be straightforward for most groups. The captain handles navigation and safety equipment, while the crew prepares the food, drinks, and water activities.

Because this is a private charter, the operator says different starting or pickup points can be arranged. Confirm that point before booking if you are not planning to reach San Miguel Marina yourself. A pickup from Las Vistas beach was arranged for one January outing, but you should treat that as an option to confirm, not as a standard inclusion for every departure.

The boat then heads out for about 45 minutes. This first section is not just transport. You can settle into the catamaran, watch the coast recede, and look for dolphins and whales in waters known for regular sightings. Keep your camera ready, but do not book this as a dedicated wildlife safari. The animals are a welcome possibility rather than a guarantee.

Forty-five minutes along Tenerife’s south coast

The Atlantic around southern Tenerife often offers calm water and steady winds throughout the year, according to the operator. That makes this a good place to try sailing without committing to a long offshore trip.

You will see Tenerife from a different angle as the catamaran moves past volcanic cliffs and coastal stretches that are difficult or impossible to reach from land. The views are a major part of the outing, but the boat itself is designed for comfort rather than speed. You are not racing between several ports or packing in a long list of stops.

That slower rhythm is useful. I would choose this cruise for a birthday, family outing, couples traveling with friends, or a small group that wants private time together. You can talk, eat, sunbathe, and move between activities without having to follow the preferences of a large crowd.

The front deck has a large sunbed, giving you a good place to stretch out during the crossing. Bring a light jacket, even if the day starts warm. Wind on the open water can make the ride feel cooler than the marina, especially for anyone sitting at the front.

Two hours at the favorite anchorage

After roughly 45 minutes, the catamaran anchors at one of the crew’s preferred swimming areas. The exact cove or beach is not specified in advance, so the scenery and conditions may vary.

This is where the trip earns its keep. You have around two hours to use the water equipment, take a swim, or do nothing at all. The crew provides snorkeling gear, three stand-up paddleboards, and other floating equipment. Life vests and the rest of the safety equipment are also provided.

The water is described as clear, and the coast may show off volcanic cliffs and small beaches that are only accessible by boat. If you like active outings, you can rotate between snorkeling and paddleboarding. If you prefer a quiet afternoon, stay on the sunbed, have a drink, and watch the water.

I would set your expectations carefully. This is not a specialist snorkeling trip with a marine guide, and the supplied information does not promise a particular reef, fish species, or wildlife encounter. The appeal is the freedom to swim and play in a pleasant anchorage without a tight schedule.

The private format matters most here. On a shared cruise, the swimming stop must suit everyone. On this charter, your group can decide how much time to spend in the water, when to eat, and when to return to the deck. The captain still controls the final anchorage and safety decisions, since weather and sea conditions come first.

Lunch, tapas, and drinks on the water

Food is included, which makes the price easier to assess. Depending on the arrangement, the meal is tapas or seafood and chicken paella. Fresh fruit is also provided, along with water, soft drinks, beer, and wine.

The meal is intended to be part of the day rather than a rushed snack between activities. One group specifically praised the food and how it was served, while another described the hospitality, food, and service as a major part of the outing. That fits the shape of the trip: you are not simply hiring transport to a swimming spot. The crew is also looking after lunch and drinks.

Ask about the exact menu when you book, especially if your group has food preferences or restrictions. The supplied details give two meal styles but do not list vegetarian, vegan, allergy-friendly, or children’s alternatives.

Cava or prosecco is not included in the standard package. You can arrange it for sailing onboard, but treat it as an extra. A tube or ring ride is also not included, although the catamaran carries other floating equipment and offers a dinghy ride.

This distinction matters when comparing prices. The advertised rate is $824 for a private group of up to eight. If eight people share the boat, that works out to about $103 per person for 3.5 hours, including the captain, crew service, lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, three paddleboards, and private use of the catamaran. A smaller group pays more per person, but receives more room and control.

For a private sailing day with food and equipment included, that can be fair value. It is less compelling if your group mainly wants a quick swim and a cheap boat ride. The cost makes more sense when you plan to use the whole package and want privacy.

The return sail to San Miguel

After the anchorage, the catamaran spends another 45 minutes returning to Marina San Miguel. You can use this time to dry off, finish a drink, and enjoy the coast from the deck.

The return section also gives the crew a chance to complete the day at an easy pace. This is not a trip with several separate ports, so the journey back may feel quiet after lunch and water activities. For some groups, that is exactly the point. For anyone hoping to cover a large stretch of Tenerife’s coast, the route may feel limited.

The 3.5-hour length is a useful middle ground. It is long enough to feel like a real outing but short enough to fit around other plans in South Tenerife. You still have time before or after the cruise for the beach, dinner, or another island activity.

What the crew adds to the day

The captain and crew are central to this charter. The strongest praise centers on friendly service, careful attention, and a relaxed but organized approach. One January group had a particularly positive pickup from Las Vistas beach, while another described the crew as welcoming and professional.

That does not mean the boat runs on a rigid entertainment program. The appeal is more practical. The crew gets you moving, finds a suitable anchorage, sets out the water equipment, serves the meal, and helps you enjoy the boat without having to manage every detail yourself.

The private booking also lets you communicate your preferences. The operator says the day is shaped around your group, so mention in advance if you care most about swimming, food, sunbathing, paddleboarding, or a calm sailing route. The final plan will still depend on conditions.

The crew speaks Norwegian, English, and Spanish. A professional captain is included, along with all safety equipment. That includes life vests, which are important for children and for anyone less confident in the water.

Who will enjoy this private charter

I would recommend this outing most strongly to groups of four to eight people who want a social day without sharing the boat with strangers. Families can spread out, couples can enjoy privacy, and friends can combine a meal with a few hours on the water.

It also suits mixed groups. One person can snorkel, another can paddleboard, and someone else can stay on the sunbed. That flexibility is more valuable than it first sounds, especially when not everyone in your group wants the same kind of beach day.

The cruise is less suitable for anyone prone to seasickness. Even calm water can feel uncomfortable offshore, and there is no way to remove the motion of the Atlantic. If that is a serious concern, choose a land-based outing instead.

You should also be comfortable with a compact schedule. The boat spends 90 minutes of the total duration sailing to and from the anchorage, leaving about two hours for the main stop. If you want a long day at sea or several coves, look for a longer charter.

Pack swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, and sunscreen. A jacket is worth bringing for the crossings. The available information does not say that towels are supplied, so bring your own.

Booking value and small practical details

The cancellation policy allows a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours ahead. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Tenerife schedule is still taking shape.

The private group limit is eight people. If you have more than eight, you will need to ask the operator about another arrangement rather than assuming extra places can be added.

The itinerary begins and ends at Marina San Miguel, Tenerife. If a different pickup point is important to you, confirm it before paying. Private charter flexibility is useful, but it should not be confused with automatic hotel transfer.

The activity is offered in Norwegian, English, and Spanish. The advertised total duration is 3.5 hours, with starting times depending on availability.

Should you book this catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want a private half-day on the Atlantic, with lunch, drinks, swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboards already arranged. The best value comes when you fill most or all of the eight places, since the $824 price is charged per group rather than per person.

I would choose it for a birthday, family celebration, or relaxed day with friends. The crew service, food, and private setting are the strongest reasons to go. I would skip it if you dislike boat motion, need a guaranteed wildlife sighting, or want a full-day sailing route with several stops.

For the right group, this is a comfortable and flexible way to see Tenerife from the water without turning the day into a rushed activity checklist.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start?

The standard starting point is Marina San Miguel in Tenerife, near Golf del Sur.

Where does the cruise finish?

The catamaran returns to Marina San Miguel.

How long does the activity last?

The total duration is 3.5 hours.

How much does the private charter cost?

The price is $824 for a private group of up to eight people.

How much time is spent at the anchorage?

The planned anchorage stop lasts about two hours. The outward and return catamaran journeys each take about 45 minutes.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The food includes tapas or seafood and chicken paella, along with fresh fruit.

Which drinks are included?

Water, soft drinks, beer, and wine are included. Cava or prosecco is available as an extra.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included.

Are paddleboards available?

Yes. Three stand-up paddleboards and other floating equipment are provided.

Is a tube or ring ride included?

No. A tube or ring ride is not included. A dinghy ride and safety equipment are included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

What languages are spoken?

The activity is offered in Norwegian, English, and Spanish.

Is the cruise suitable for someone prone to seasickness?

No. The activity is not considered suitable for people prone to seasickness.