Private Charter On Our Luxury Catamaran

The best part of this Tenerife outing is the chance to watch pilot whales and dolphins from a private catamaran, then stop for a swim and snorkel in the open water. The boat takes a maximum of 12 people, so you get a far more personal day at sea than on a large excursion vessel.

I like the all-in setup: snorkeling gear, drinks, snacks, fuel, insurance, and hotel transfers are included. I also like the crew focus, with Luis and Tommy repeatedly singled out for warm hosting, sailing skill, and even keeping the music going. The main catch is transport: the included van holds only eight, so a larger group may need a separate taxi at its own cost.

Key points to know before you book

• Whale and dolphin watching: The route is designed around seeing marine life, with sightings reported of dolphins, pilot whales, turtles, and fish farms along the coast.
• Small private group: Your booking is for your own group, with a maximum of 12 people.
• Snorkeling stop: Swimming and snorkeling equipment are included, though you need to bring your own bath towel.
• Three hours on the water: The schedule leaves room for wildlife watching, relaxed sailing, snacks, drinks, and time in a bay.
• Strong crew reputation: Luis, Tommy, and Captain Peter’s team are associated with friendly service and competent boat handling.
• Pickup limits: Hotel transfers apply in Arona and Adeje, but the van holds eight passengers. Larger parties may pay for an extra taxi.

A small catamaran with a real wow factor

Tenerife’s southwest coast is one of the better places in the Canary Islands to look for whales and dolphins. The appeal here is not simply getting offshore and taking a few photographs. You are out on a luxury catamaran with time to watch the water, listen to live commentary, and enjoy the boat rather than rush from one point to another.

The Papillon de Tenerife catamaran is the center of the experience. It is described as clean, well maintained, and suitable for a family group spanning three generations. That matters because a boat trip can feel cramped when the seating, deck space, or facilities are poor. Here, the vessel itself is part of the outing, not just a platform for reaching the wildlife.

This is sold as a private activity, so only your group participates. The maximum is 12 people, which is a useful limit for a family celebration, a couples’ outing, or a small group of friends. You still share the attention of the captain and crew with the rest of your party, but you avoid the packed-deck feeling common on large whale-watching boats.

Keep your expectations sensible. Wildlife is wild, and no sighting can be guaranteed. The trip is built around watching whales and dolphins, but the exact animals and viewing conditions will depend on the day, the sea, and the movements of the pods.

What the three-hour outing feels like

The advertised start time is 10:30 am, and the total outing lasts about three hours. The plan is flexible enough to combine several elements rather than make the entire trip a single wildlife search.

You head out over Tenerife’s clear Atlantic water while the crew provides live commentary. The most exciting portion comes when the boat reaches areas where dolphins or whales may be feeding or traveling. One account describes ending up among a pod of bottlenose dolphins feeding, while other sightings included pilot whales and a turtle.

That kind of encounter is the reason to choose a smaller boat. A catamaran gives you more than one angle for watching, and a limited passenger count makes it easier to move your attention between the water and the crew’s commentary. Still, do not treat the excursion like a guaranteed aquarium show. Some time may be spent simply sailing and waiting for the right conditions.

The sailing itself takes up a meaningful part of the morning. That is good news if you enjoy being on the water, but less appealing if you want nonstop animal sightings. The experience includes time to relax with alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, snacks, and the company of your own group.

A stop in a bay adds a change of pace. You can use the provided snorkeling equipment and swim, with one account describing the time in the bay as a highlight. Bring a towel from your hotel, since bath towels are not included. The snorkeling gear is supplied, which saves you from packing fins and a mask unless you prefer your own equipment.

Whale and dolphin watching around Tenerife

The wildlife is the main reason to spend the money on this charter. Accounts from the trip include bottlenose dolphins, pilot whales, and a sea turtle, with a fish farm also spotted from the boat. These sightings give you a sense of what may appear, but they should not be treated as a fixed route or promise.

Watching dolphins feed is different from seeing them briefly beside a crowded boat. You may see active movement, repeated surfacing, or a pod traveling across the water. The crew’s role is important here. Live commentary can help you understand what you are looking at and where to focus, especially when an animal surfaces only for a few seconds.

Pilot whales are another possible highlight. Their slower movement can make them easier to follow than fast-moving dolphins, though the experience remains dependent on sea conditions. The boat may also pass working features of the coast, such as a fish farm, giving the trip a little more local context than a simple ride offshore.

A turtle sighting is less predictable, but it shows why it pays to keep watching even after the main wildlife encounter. Bring sunglasses and a camera if you have them, but keep your attention on the water. The best moments may last only a short time.

The trip is especially well suited to anyone who values the quality of the outing even if the wildlife is quiet. You have a comfortable catamaran, refreshments, commentary, and a swim stop to make the morning worthwhile. If your only goal is to photograph a particular species, you should remember that nature does not follow a timetable.

Swimming and snorkeling in the bay

After time spent looking for marine life, the excursion can settle into a slower rhythm in a bay. This is where the trip feels less like a wildlife search and more like a relaxed boat day.

Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to rent your own before boarding. The information does not specify the exact bay, water temperature, or underwater species, so I would treat snorkeling as an enjoyable extra rather than the sole reason to book.

The stop also gives you a chance to get off the seating area and into the water. That is valuable on a sunny three-hour sail, particularly for children and active adults. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and parents should remember that this is an open-water activity rather than a pool visit.

Bring a bath towel. It is the one obvious personal item specifically excluded from the package, and forgetting it can make the ride home less comfortable. You should also plan practical sun protection, although the supplied information does not specify what shade or onboard facilities are available.

Food, drinks, and the crew

The package includes snacks, alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, and live commentary. Fuel, taxes, insurance, and the captain and crew are also covered, so the price does not grow through a list of routine onboard charges.

The food deserves a little explanation. The formal inclusion is snacks, while accounts of the trip describe food substantial enough to be enjoyed as lunch. I would not book it expecting a restaurant meal with a set menu, but you should have refreshments during the sail. If your group has specific dietary needs, ask the operator before booking, since no dietary information is provided.

The crew is one of the strongest parts of the experience. Luis and Tommy are named as hosts on some departures, with special praise for their hospitality and sailing ability. Tommy is also remembered for handling the music, adding a relaxed party feel without turning the outing into a loud club cruise.

Captain Peter’s team is described as experienced and competent, though the exact crew may vary. The activity may be operated by a multilingual guide, which can help mixed-language groups. Live commentary is included, but the supplied information does not promise a specific language beyond English being offered.

Is the $1,171.64 group price good value?

The price is $1,171.64 per group of up to 12 people. At full capacity, that works out to about $97.64 per person. For a group of six, it is about $195.27 each, and for three people it is about $390.55 each.

That difference is crucial. This is good value for a full group that wants a private boat, but expensive for a couple or a small family. At 12 people, you are paying for private use of a luxury catamaran, a captain and crew, whale and dolphin watching, snorkeling equipment, refreshments, insurance, fuel, and hotel pickup where available.

The value also depends on how much you care about privacy. If you are happy on a large shared catamaran, a cheaper option may make more sense. If you are marking a birthday, bringing several generations together, or traveling with close friends, the private format can justify the higher total price.

The package includes all taxes, fees, and handling charges, which makes budgeting easier. You still need to account for a possible taxi if your party exceeds eight people and uses the included pickup service. That extra transport cost falls to the customer.

Pickup, meeting point, and the van problem

The listed start time is 10:30 am. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for passengers staying in Arona or Adeje. If you are staying outside those areas, you must arrange your own transport.

There is one practical detail worth taking seriously. The operator’s van holds only eight passengers. A group of nine to 12 can still take the private boat, but the whole party will not fit in one van. The remaining passengers may need an additional taxi, and your group pays that fare.

For a group of up to eight, the transfer arrangement is straightforward according to the supplied details. For larger groups, decide in advance who will ride in the van and who will take the taxi. That small bit of planning avoids a last-minute scramble before a timed morning departure.

The booking confirmation is expected within 48 hours, subject to availability. Service animals are allowed, public transportation is nearby, and most people can participate. The operator does not provide more detailed information about mobility access, so anyone with specific access needs should confirm directly before paying.

Who will enjoy this private charter most?

I would recommend this outing to a group that wants a relaxed morning at sea with several different parts: wildlife watching, sailing, refreshments, and swimming. It works particularly well for families because the boat can accommodate three generations, and the private setup lets your group set its own social pace.

It is also a strong choice for a birthday or special occasion. The combination of a luxury catamaran, drinks, music, and a chance to see dolphins or whales gives the day a celebratory feel without requiring a full-day commitment.

Couples and small groups should look closely at the arithmetic. The fixed group price becomes hard to justify when divided among only two or three people, unless the private boat and special occasion matter more than the per-person cost.

You should also be comfortable with open-water conditions and an outing whose wildlife results can vary. The trip requires good weather, and a sea day can feel different from the picture-perfect version in your head. If poor weather cancels the experience, you will be offered another date or a full refund.

Booking, cancellation, and small practical details

Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the local start time. Cancel later than that, or request changes inside the 24-hour window, and the amount paid will not be refunded.

The operator may also cancel if weather is poor or the minimum number of participants is not met. In those cases, you can choose another date or experience, or receive a full refund.

The maximum is 12 people per booking. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and a multilingual guide may operate the excursion. You should bring your own towel, confirm your pickup zone, and remember that the price of an extra taxi is not covered for parties larger than eight.

Should you book this Tenerife catamaran?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the cost and you want more than a basic whale-watching ride. The combination of a comfortable private catamaran, a small passenger limit, snorkeling, drinks, snacks, and an attentive crew gives the morning plenty of variety.

I would be more cautious if you are only two or three people, unless this is a special celebration and the private setting is central to your plans. Also keep the van limit in mind for groups of nine to 12.

For the right group, this is a polished and easygoing way to spend three hours off Tenerife’s coast. You may see dolphins, pilot whales, and turtles, but the bigger promise is a well-organized boat day with time to watch the sea, swim, eat, and enjoy good company.

FAQ

How long is the private catamaran experience?

The experience lasts approximately three hours.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 10:30 am.

How many people can join the private charter?

A maximum of 12 people can participate in one booking, and only your group will take part.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for passengers staying in Arona or Adeje. Passengers staying outside those areas must arrange their own transport.

Can a group of more than eight people use the included van?

No. The van holds only eight passengers. If your group is larger, the remaining passengers may need an additional taxi, which the customer must pay for.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. Snacks, alcoholic beverages, and nonalcoholic beverages are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included. You need to bring your own bath towel.

What happens if the weather cancels the experience?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.