REVIEW · TENERIFE
Tenerife: Shared Yacht Cruise with Champagne and Tapas
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by Tenerife Sailing Charters · Bookable on GetYourGuide
A slow sip of champagne, then dolphins. This 3-hour shared yacht cruise out of Puerto Colón pairs all-inclusive drinks with Spanish tapas and real time on the water, not just a coastal “look.” The vibe is relaxed, the group stays small, and you get enough water time to actually enjoy Tenerife’s Atlantic coast.
The main catch: it’s not ideal if you’re prone to seasickness, since you’ll be out on open water even though the trip is short.
In This Review
- Key things to know before you go
- A 3-hour yacht reset from Puerto Colón
- Champagne, tapas, and all-inclusive drinks that actually matter
- Getting to La Caleta: where the water time happens
- Wildlife viewing off Tenerife: real chances, not guarantees
- Water toys you’ll actually use: paddleboards and sea scooters
- The crew makes the difference more than you’d think
- Timing and logistics: a simple half-day plan
- Price and value: why $100 feels fair here
- Who this cruise is perfect for (and who should pass)
- Should you book this shared yacht cruise?
- FAQ
- How long is the yacht cruise?
- Where does the cruise depart from?
- What time does the cruise leave?
- What’s included in the drinks?
- What food is included?
- Are paddleboards and sea scooters included?
- Is snorkeling available?
- What marine life can we look for?
- Is pickup available?
- Is the cruise suitable for people who get seasick?
Key things to know before you go
- Small group (up to 10) means more room to lounge and more personal attention
- Welcome champagne sets a celebratory tone right after boarding
- All-inclusive drinks include champagne, wine, beer, soft drinks, and water
- La Caleta swim block gives you the longest time in the water, about 1.5 hours
- Paddleboards + sea scooters are included, so you’re not just watching from deck
- Wildlife sightings are part of the plan, with dolphin watching built in
A 3-hour yacht reset from Puerto Colón
If you want a Tenerife day that feels like you upgraded your travel style without upgrading your budget, this cruise does the job. You start at Puerto Colón (Patalan Nº2), and the whole outing is built around three things: getting out on the water fast, feeding you well, and keeping the experience comfortable for a small group.
You’re on a Beneteau Antares 42, a model that’s known for a stable, practical layout—great for lounging and for making water activities easy to organize. Since the cruise is only 3 hours, you’re not stuck waiting around for the “fun part.” You’re out, you’re sipping, you’re swimming, and you’re back before your day gets complicated.
Also, the operator requires at least 4 people to run the trip. If they don’t hit that number, you’ll be rescheduled to another day. This matters because shared charters are only shared when there’s enough demand.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Tenerife.
Champagne, tapas, and all-inclusive drinks that actually matter
This is not a dry “boat with snacks” situation. You board with a glass of champagne, and throughout the cruise you get all-inclusive drinks: champagne, wine, beer, soft drinks, and water.
Why that’s valuable: you can focus on the experience instead of rationing drinks or scanning menus. And because it’s only 3 hours, you don’t want to spend the middle of it worrying about when the next refresh comes.
Food-wise, the tapas spread is built for ocean cruising—easy to eat, shareable, and filling enough that you don’t get hungry mid-swim. You’ll see items like fresh baguettes, Tortilla Española, Spanish Jamón, cheese, and fresh fruit.
One practical tip: pace your champagne at the beginning. You’ll want to stay sharp for water time, especially if you plan to use the sea scooters or snorkel in a group. And if you’re celebrating, the welcome moment feels real—people tend to treat it like the start of the day, not just a token pour.
Getting to La Caleta: where the water time happens
Most of your fun centers on the stop around La Caleta. You’ll get a photo stop and a bit of guided context, then the cruise shifts into beach-break mode—swimming and snorkeling are the priority, not sightseeing from far away.
Here’s how the timing tends to feel: after heading out from Puerto Colón and doing an earlier wildlife viewing window, you reach La Caleta for the longer “in the water” stretch of about 1.5 hours. That’s long enough to do more than one activity. You can swim casually, swap between paddleboard and snorkel, and still have time to float, take pictures, and just enjoy not being on land.
A detail to note: the activity description includes scuba diving options at that stop, and there’s snorkeling gear provided. But the practical availability and fit depend on conditions and how the crew runs it that day—so if scuba is a must for you, confirm what’s actually offered at check-in.
What can be a drawback: one person flagged that a water slide shown in some photos may not be available. That doesn’t change the core value (you still have swims, snorkel, paddleboard, and scooters), but it’s good to keep expectations tied to what’s explicitly included.
Wildlife viewing off Tenerife: real chances, not guarantees
One of the reasons people choose this kind of cruise is simple: Tenerife and the surrounding Atlantic waters can be rich in marine life, and being on a yacht lets you watch from a comfortable vantage point.
The plan includes marine life viewing time at multiple points during the outing, including windows that total about 45 minutes plus the longer stop at La Caleta. You’re also given opportunities for dolphin watching, and the crew handles a safety briefing so you know how to behave around wildlife.
From the range of sightings people describe, you should be open-minded. You might see dolphins, and some trips include whales (including pilot whale sightings), sea turtles, and even flying fish. More dramatic encounters like orcas were also mentioned, though you should treat that as a lucky bonus, not something you can count on.
The best mindset: don’t rush. Wildlife watching is easier when you’re calm and patient. And because the group is small, you’re less likely to be stuck behind a crowd trying to get a look.
Water toys you’ll actually use: paddleboards and sea scooters
This cruise includes two big “get out of your seat” tools: paddleboards and sea scooters. That’s the difference between a nice boat trip and a day where you feel the ocean.
Snorkeling gear is included too, so you can choose your style:
- If you like low effort: snorkel at the swim stop
- If you like movement: use a paddleboard
- If you want speed and fun: try the sea scooter
You’ll also be provided life jackets and full safety equipment, which makes the whole activity feel more controlled. The crew’s job isn’t just “drive and snack.” It’s to keep the water time safe and fun.
A practical consideration: if you’re nervous about trying the scooters or boards, start with swimming or snorkeling. Once you feel comfortable in the water, it’s easier to commit to the more playful toys.
The crew makes the difference more than you’d think
On a shared yacht cruise, the crew can turn a good trip into a standout one. Here, names like Juan and Michelle come up again and again, along with captains/guides such as Maxi, Martinez, Maria, and Raúl.
What they tend to do well:
- explain what you’re likely to see (and how to spot it)
- keep the drinks and food flowing without turning it chaotic
- help people feel comfortable in the water, including those who feel a bit off on open water
One honest note from experience: if you’re prone to motion sickness, this is flagged as not suitable. Still, people reported that choosing where to sit helped, and the crew was supportive when someone felt unwell. That said, if you know you get sick on boats, bring sea sickness tablets and consider skipping this one.
Timing and logistics: a simple half-day plan
This cruise leaves at 10:30 AM and runs for 3 hours, so it fits cleanly into a Tenerife itinerary. You’re not forced into an all-day schedule, which is great if you want time afterward for food, the beach, or a late afternoon drive.
Pickup is optional. If you select it, you wait outside your hotel reception and staff meet you at the agreed time. If you choose no pickup, you’ll head to the dock yourself.
Meeting point detail that matters: arrive about 15 minutes early at Puerto Colón Patalan Nº2, and go to the top where the gate is. This isn’t the kind of activity where being late magically gets fixed.
What to bring is straightforward:
- sunglasses and a hat
- swimwear and a towel
- camera
- sunscreen
Price and value: why $100 feels fair here
At $100 per person, this cruise lands in the “surprisingly reasonable” zone for what you get. You’re paying for:
- a real yacht on a set route
- a captain and crew
- all-inclusive drinks (champagne is included)
- a full tapas spread
- water toys (paddleboards and sea scooters)
- snorkeling gear
- safety equipment
- time for wildlife viewing and photo stops
If you compare it to private charters, the big value is that you’re not paying for an entire boat alone. Since the group stays small (no more than 10 people), you still get a semi-personal experience rather than a cattle-boat feeling.
And because it’s short, the price-to-time ratio stays strong. You’re not paying for hours of cruising with nothing to do. You’re paying for a focused, active half-day: drinks, food, and a serious water window.
Who this cruise is perfect for (and who should pass)
This shared yacht cruise is a strong fit if you want:
- a small-group feel without planning a private charter
- swim and play time with paddleboards and sea scooters
- a good drink-and-food setup that doesn’t feel stingy
- a chance at marine life viewing with a crew that knows how to manage it
It’s also ideal for couples and small friend groups. People who enjoy “effortless fun” tend to love it because the crew handles the flow and the boat stays comfortable.
Who should skip it:
- If you’re prone to seasickness, this one is not a match.
- If you want a long, sightseeing-heavy itinerary on land, you might feel the cruise is too short.
Should you book this shared yacht cruise?
I’d book it if you want a high-comfort, high-fun Tenerife outing that gives you real ocean time for a fair price. The combo of welcome champagne, all-inclusive drinks, and included paddleboard + sea scooter time is the kind of package that actually changes your day, not just your photos.
If you want the best experience, go with the right expectation: wildlife sightings are exciting but not guaranteed. Your payoff is the water time, the crew’s energy, and the fact that you get to enjoy Tenerife from sea level with minimal hassle.
If motion sickness is your weak spot, take that seriously. Otherwise, this is one of those trips that tends to become a “we should’ve done this earlier” memory.
FAQ
How long is the yacht cruise?
It lasts 3 hours.
Where does the cruise depart from?
You depart from Puerto Colón, at Patalan Nº2.
What time does the cruise leave?
Departure is at 10:30 AM.
What’s included in the drinks?
Drinks are all-inclusive, including champagne, wine, beer, soft drinks, and water.
What food is included?
Spanish tapas are included, including items such as fresh baguettes, Tortilla Española, Spanish Jamón, cheese, and fresh fruit.
Are paddleboards and sea scooters included?
Yes. Paddleboard and sea scooter use are included, and snorkeling gear is also provided.
Is snorkeling available?
Snorkeling is part of the experience, with snorkeling gear included.
What marine life can we look for?
The experience includes opportunities for dolphin watching, plus marine life viewing time. You might see dolphins and other wildlife depending on conditions.
Is pickup available?
Pickup is optional. If selected, you wait outside your hotel reception and staff approach you at the agreed time.
Is the cruise suitable for people who get seasick?
It’s not suitable for people prone to seasickness.
