Most people see La Palma from the road. This puts you on the sea—fast.

I love the combo of a fantasy hydrofoil with underwater vision and the up-close coast-hugging route. You’ll get a close look at rock formations and sea routes you’d never notice from shore. The other big plus is the mix of sights plus real breaks—like the cave circuit and a stop where you can take a dip and eat tapas onboard. One consideration: sea conditions and the season control how much swimming time you get, so bring the right mindset for a short, weather-driven 2-hour outing.

The route is built for people who want character, not just checklists. You’ll pass dramatic points along the north coast, then head back past a 2021 lava delta—a strong “wow” ending if you like geology and seeing consequences of recent eruptions.

Key things to know before you go

• Underwater-vision hydrofoil rides: you get an unusual angle on the coast, including areas that sit under the waterline
• Two named cave stops: La Cueva Bonita and La Cueva Colorada, with opportunities to try for an inside view
• A proper swim break: at La Playa de la Veta, if conditions allow (it’s not guaranteed every day)
• Route hits several notable spots: Prois de Candelaria, Puntagorda, and Tinizara Well from the sea
• Lava delta turnaround near the northwest: you’ll head toward the most northwesterly point and then continue toward recent volcanic impact

Why the Northwest Coast Looks Different from a Hydrofoil

Speed helps on this kind of coastline. A hydrofoil cuts the distance quickly, so you spend less time staring at open water and more time watching the details slide past: headlands, jagged rock faces, and narrow sea passages.

The part I’d actually circle on a map is the underwater vision. Whether you’re a first-timer or a repeat visitor to La Palma, seeing the waterline environment from below your ride makes the coast feel three-dimensional. You’re not just “looking at sea caves.” You’re getting a sense of where the rock breaks, how the seabed shapes the route, and why some spots feel protected while others look exposed.

Because it’s a 2-hour experience, it stays focused. You’re not committing to a full day, so it’s easier to fit into a busy trip—especially if you want the northwest coast without the hassle of multiple transfers.

Meeting at Puerto de Tazacorte and Getting Ready for 2 Hours

You’ll start at Puerto de Tazacorte, s/n, 38770 Tazacorte. This is the kind of excursion where preparation matters because the time on the water is the whole point.

Plan around a short window: you’ll want to show up ready to move quickly once aboard. Dress in comfortable clothes with beachwear you can actually tolerate on a boat (salt air has a way of making cotton cling). Bring sunscreen, since it’s not included. Even if you think it won’t be sunny, that Atlantic light can still bite.

One practical note: no luggage or large bags. If you’re traveling light, great. If not, pack only what you can keep easy and secure during the ride.

La Palma’s North Coast: The Cave Circuit That Makes the Trip Feel Special

This is where the trip gets memorable. You’ll head along the north coast of La Palma and set up for two cave visits: La Cueva Bonita and La Cueva Colorada.

What’s interesting isn’t only the name recognition—it’s the approach. The boat passes through the cave areas at outstanding locations, and you may even try to enter for a view of the interior. That matters because sea caves can look dramatic from the outside but feel even more mysterious once you face what’s inside. You’re getting a “from-sea perspective,” plus a chance at an “inside-feel” moment if conditions allow.

Also, the coastline here is the main character. Instead of spending the whole outing parked at one spot, the ride treats the caves as part of a moving story: rock structure, water access, then back to open coast.

Prois de Candelaria, Puntagorda, and Tinizara Well: Watching Small Places from Sea Level

After the caves, the route shifts into a slower visual rhythm: you’ll pass by Prois de Candelaria and Puntagorda, then continue along toward the Tinizara Well area.

These names are more than labels on a route map. From the boat, you can see how people built and moved along the cliffs. From land, those places can look like distant textures. From the water, you start noticing scale—how close settlements hug the rock, how natural channels shape movement, and where the coast offers shelter versus exposure.

The Tinizara Well stop/passage is especially the kind of detail that’s easy to miss if you only drive. Seeing it from sea level gives you better bearings fast. You’re essentially getting a guided “reading” of the coastline while the hydrofoil keeps you moving.

Playa de la Veta Swim Stop: Tapas, a Dip, and the Real Meaning of Included Food

Here’s the moment most people wait for: the stop at La Playa de la Veta, where you can take a bath, relax briefly, and eat.

The value is that snacks and drinks are included, and you’ll have something to enjoy during that break. It turns the ride from pure sightseeing into a more human experience: you warm up, you cool down, then you settle back with food and drinks instead of thinking about what you’ll eat later.

One caution: whether you actually swim depends on season and sea conditions. That’s not a marketing trick—it’s how this coast works. The right plan is to expect a swim possibility, not a guarantee. If the sea is rough, you still get the route, the scenery, and the cave and lava highlights.

What to bring here is simple:

• Beachwear you’re comfortable wearing on a boat
• Towel if you have room (not listed as included, so plan your own)
• Sunscreen, because sun + water glare is a thing

The Northwest Turn and the Lava Delta from the 2021 Eruption

After you reach the most northwesterly point, the route shifts farther from the coast, then returns toward a major endpoint: the lava delta created by the recent volcano. The island’s volcanic activity matters here, because the coast has a physical memory—rock that used to be one kind of shoreline is now another.

In particular, you’ll be able to see the scale of volcanic change near the Tajogate eruption site referenced by past riders. Even if you don’t know the geology in advance, the “new land meets sea” look hits fast. It’s one of those visual lessons you can’t recreate with photos.

This is also where the tour’s structure helps you. You go from intimate coast details (caves and cliffs) to an outward, wider-scope view (recent lava coastline). That arc is what makes the 2 hours feel like it has an actual shape instead of being a straight run and back.

Marine Life Chances: Dolphins, Grind Whales, and Why Timing Helps

If marine life is on your wish list, this tour plays to it. The ride may include sightings of marine animals, and there can be a stop during the return.

Based on past experiences, people have reported seeing dolphins and even a grind whale on the route. The key point for you is mindset: sightings are never guaranteed, and the tour duration is short. Still, the route keeps you in the kind of waters where encounters can happen.

What matters most is not forcing it. Keep an eye out when the guide points things out, but also enjoy the coastline while you have it in front of you. When wildlife shows up, it’s usually a bonus to the scenery, not the only reason the trip works.

What’s Included (and What’s Not) for a Smooth Ride

This outing is unusually clear about what you get on board.

Included:

• Snacks and drinks onboard
• Specialized guide
• Life jacket
• Blankets

Not included:

• Sunscreen

That “blankets included” detail is practical. Even on pleasant days, Atlantic breeze can feel cooler once you’re out at sea. You don’t want to spend your only two hours riding around shivering.

Also, the guide provides live commentary in Spanish and English, which helps you connect the dots between the names you hear and what you actually see.

Not allowed:

• Luggage or large bags

Pet policy:

• The boat is pet-friendly, but you should advise the provider in advance if you’re traveling with one.

Price and Value at About $72 per Person

At around $72 per person for a 2-hour outing, you’re paying for three things: access, speed, and guidance.

First, access. Caves and coastlines like this are hard to experience without a boat. Second, speed. A hydrofoil keeps the schedule tight, which is exactly what you want when you only have a short window. Third, guidance. A specialized guide turns pass-by locations into meaningful context—especially around cave routes and volcanic coastline features.

Is it cheap? No. But it’s also not priced like a long private charter. For the value, focus on the included elements you’d otherwise piece together yourself: onboard snacks and drinks, life jacket, and the chance to experience both caves and the lava delta in one hit.

If your priority is the northwest coast without committing to a full day, this looks like a strong fit.

Who This Tour Suits Best (and Who Should Skip It)

This is best for adults and active sightseers who want dramatic coastal views and don’t need a slow, land-based pace.

It’s not suitable for:

• Pregnant women
• Children under 2 years
• People under 17 years

If you’re traveling with a group of mixed ages, keep those limits in mind before you fall in love with the idea of caves and hydrofoil views.

It also suits you if you:

• Like geology and want to see recent volcanic impact from the sea
• Enjoy wildlife possibilities but prefer the coastline even when animals don’t appear
• Want a short, structured outing with breaks and food

Should You Book the Northwest Coast by Speedy Yacht?

I’d book this if you want the northwest coast of La Palma in a compact time window and you care about seeing the sea from a different angle—literally, with underwater vision. The cave circuit (La Cueva Bonita and La Cueva Colorada), the named cliffside passages, the Playa de la Veta swim-and-tapas moment, and the lava delta finale are a nice mix of “wow,” “interesting,” and “you’ll remember it later.”

Skip it or keep expectations flexible if you’re set on guaranteed swimming or you’re sensitive to short, weather-dependent schedules. Bring sunscreen, travel light, and dress for salt air and wind.

If that matches your style of travel—short, focused, scenic—this is a solid use of your time.

FAQ

What’s the duration of the Northwest Coast by Speedy Yacht tour?

The tour lasts 2 hours.

Where is the meeting point?

You meet at Puerto de Tazacorte, s/n, 38770 Tazacorte, Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

What should I bring?

Bring sunscreen, comfortable clothes, and beachwear.

Is swimming included?

There can be a bath stop, but it depends on the season and sea conditions.

Which caves will we visit?

The tour includes stops around La Cueva Bonita and La Cueva Colorada.

What’s included in the price?

Included are snacks and drinks onboard, a specialized guide, life jacket, and blankets.

Is sunscreen included?

No, sunscreen is not included.

What languages are the guide and tour offered in?

The live tour guide operates in Spanish and English.

Is the boat pet-friendly?

Yes, the boat is pet-friendly. Tell the activity provider in advance if you plan to bring a pet.

Who is the tour not suitable for?

It is not suitable for pregnant women, children under 2 years, and people under 17 years.

You Might Also Enjoy

Manhattan: Statue and Skyline Cruise Aboard a Luxury YachtBarcelona: Luxury Private Sunset Yacht CruisePalawan: Private Sailing Yacht Cruise in El NidoLatsi Blue Lagoon: Private Yacht with Drinks