A private yacht turns Tenerife into your own show. On the Royal Ocean Yacht in Tenerife, I love the spacious onboard comfort (restroom, plenty of seating, towels) and I love the food-and-drink setup at the main stop, including unlimited drinks plus a proper lunch with jamon, meats, cheeses, and Spanish tapas. You get wildlife searching time, then a laid-back swim-and-snorkel stretch in clear water.

One possible drawback to plan for: it’s time on the sea, so it’s not recommended for travelers with seasickness unless they bring their medicine.

Key things that make this Royal Ocean yacht tour worth your time

• Private group up to 8 means you can spread out and move at your own pace
• Whales and dolphins are part of the plan off the Las Galletas area
• Snorkeling gear and SUP are included, so you’re not hunting for rentals
• Unlimited drinks plus lunch (jamon, cheeses, meats, Spanish tapas) make the day feel complete
• Captain Lui and the crew set a friendly, low-stress tone from start to finish

Royal Ocean Yacht comfort: what “private” looks like on the water

Your day starts at Puerto deportivo Marina del Sur, Las Galletas (Royal Ocean), and pickup is available at X-Sur Mall, main entrance. From there, you’re not dealing with big-tour check-in chaos, and the group stays small: up to 8 people. That matters on a boat, where crowding can ruin the vibe fast.

Onboard, the basics are handled well. You’ll have a restroom on board, lots of seating areas, and towels provided. There’s also an air-conditioned vehicle included with pickup, which is a nice win in warm weather before you even reach the marina.

Even if you’re the type who usually plans every detail, this setup feels like it’s meant to remove friction. You show up, meet the crew, and the day flows from there. The tone you’ll get is relaxed, with attentive service from the people running the yacht. In the reviews, people call out a welcoming captain—Captain Lui shows up by name—and a crew that stays on top of what you need.

Stop 1 near Marina South: whale watching without the pressure

The first segment leaves from the Las Galletas area and heads toward waters where you can look out for whales and dolphins. The goal here is pretty simple: sail out, scan the horizon, and give yourself time for photos if you spot wildlife.

This is the part where expectations should stay flexible. Wildlife sightings aren’t something you can schedule like a bus timetable. Still, the experience is more than just “seeing what you can see.” You’re on a private yacht with time to settle in, watch carefully, and enjoy the ride. One review mentions pilot whales in the distance, and another talks about seeing animals while paddling around and in the water.

After the whale/dolphin time, you shift toward a wild bay in the cliffs of Los Cristianos. That transition is part of the fun too: it changes the mood from scanning open water to getting ready for swimming in a more sheltered spot.

Practical note: if you’re sensitive to motion, plan ahead. The tour explicitly notes it’s not recommended for seasickness unless you take your medicine. One family still had a great time even with a couple people feeling rough, but that’s a reminder to pack what works for you.

Stop 2 at Los Cristianos: snorkeling, swimming, and a serious lunch

This is where the tour earns its keep.

You anchor in clear, turquoise water in a bay near Los Cristianos. The plan is snorkeling and swimming for about an hour. You get snorkeling equipment included, plus you’ll have towels when you’re done. There’s also SUP available, and at least one review calls out paddle boarding as part of the fun.

While you’re in the water, you’re not stuck waiting around. When you come aboard, the food-and-drink portion starts to take over the day’s momentum. The setup includes unlimited drinks and a quality lunch served with jamon, meats, cheeses, and Spanish tapas. On top of that, you’ll also have snacks and coffee/tea, plus soda/pop and bottled water.

Why this matters for value: on most boat trips, you get a snack and a quick drink. Here, the meal reads like a real stop on your itinerary, not a token. People describe the lunch and tapas as very good, and several mention the spread as a highlight.

After the swim-and-eat stretch, there’s also a short walk along the cliffs, including entering caves. The exact cave setup isn’t described in detail, but the experience is clearly meant to add variety beyond just being on the water.

Then it’s back toward the port to end the activity at the original meeting point.

Food, drinks, and included extras: how the “onboard perks” actually help

The Royal Ocean tour doesn’t treat food and drinks as an afterthought. Your included list is strong:

• Alcoholic beverages
• Snacks
• Lunch
• Coffee and/or tea
• Soda/pop
• Bottled water
• Snorkeling equipment
• SUP
• Towels
• Restroom on board

That’s why people say they felt spoiled. When a tour includes the basics plus a real meal, you spend less time thinking about logistics—no searching for a place to eat, no negotiating prices, no renting gear.

If you’re doing this as a couple or celebrating something (one review mentions a birthday), this onboard “package” makes the day feel special without requiring constant planning from you.

One more useful detail: there’s coffee/tea and soda/pop listed, so even if you’re not going heavy on alcohol, you’re still covered for drinks.

Wildlife spotting and the vibe on a yacht with a small crew

This isn’t a busy catamaran where you’re pressed to the rail for every photo. It’s a private charter for up to 8, which changes how wildlife watching feels.

When whales or dolphins show up, you’re not fighting for space. You can look properly. You can switch angles for photos. You can even relax between sightings without getting swept into the next group’s rhythm.

The crew is part of the reason people recommend the trip so strongly. Captain Lui gets called out as welcoming, and people also mention booking support through Dmitri—which hints that the company pays attention not just to the boat, but to the experience before you ever step onboard.

Also, the overall service tone is consistently described as friendly and caring. One review mentions a crew member (described as the young man concerned) making sure needs were met. If you like service that’s attentive without being clingy, this seems to fit.

What you should bring (and what you can skip)

Because the tour includes snorkeling gear, towels, and bottled water, you can travel lighter than usual.

Bring:

• Your swimsuit (you’ll want it ready)
• Sunscreen (you’ll be in the sun while snorkeling and on deck)
• A light cover-up for after-water comfort
• Anything that helps with seasickness if you’re prone to it
• A phone or camera for photos while you’re scanning for whales and dolphins

You can likely skip:

• Snorkel rental
• Towels
• Planning a lunch stop (it’s included, including tapas-style food)

If you’re doing SUP, you’ll also be glad you didn’t have to coordinate rentals beforehand. The tour handles that for you.

Who this Tenerife private boat tour is best for

This Royal Ocean trip shines for people who want a classic Tenerife highlight—sea life, swimming, and great food—without the “everyone line up at once” feeling.

It’s a strong fit for:

• Couples looking for a relaxing, romantic day on the water
• Families who want a private setup (including restroom access onboard)
• Small groups of friends who prefer their own space
• Anyone celebrating a birthday or just wanting a more special day than a standard public tour

It’s less ideal if:

• You’re likely to feel sick on boats and you haven’t planned for it. The tour is clear about not recommending it for seasickness unless you take medicine.

Price and logistics: is $900 per group good value?

The price is listed at $900.18 per group for up to 8, with the tour lasting about 3 hours. That can sound steep if you think per person only. But with group charters, value depends on what you’re getting for that group price.

Here’s where the value stacks up:

• Private boat experience (not a shared crowd)
• Restroom onboard and plenty of seating
• Snorkeling equipment + SUP included
• Towels included
• Lunch + snacks + unlimited drinks during the swim bay period
• Alcoholic beverages included
• Pickup offered and air-conditioned vehicle included for that part

You’re basically buying a full half-day sea experience with most of the “extras” already handled. Tips are not included, so just remember that if you’re tipping, you’ll budget for that separately.

Also, the experience requires good weather. If weather cancels it, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund, so you’re not stuck losing money to conditions you can’t control.

Should you book the Royal Ocean private yacht tour in Tenerife?

If you want a private boat day that mixes wildlife spotting, real snorkeling time, and an included lunch that’s more than “light bites,” this is an easy yes.

I’d book it if:

• You’re traveling with a small group and want your own space
• You care about included amenities like snorkel gear, SUP, towels, and restroom access
• You want a day where the food and drink are part of the experience, not an add-on

I’d think twice if:

• You’re very prone to seasickness and you’re not able to take medicine or manage motion well
• You’re only interested in wildlife and not the swimming/snorkel + caves + meal portion

If you’re the kind of traveler who likes getting straight to the best part—great sea time, clear water, and a calm crew pace—Royal Ocean Yacht is the kind of Tenerife experience that fits right into a smart, relaxed itinerary.

FAQ

How many people are included in the private tour?

The tour is private, and the group size is up to 8 people.

How long is the Royal Ocean Yacht tour?

It lasts about 3 hours.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Royal Ocean at Puerto deportivo Marina del Sur, 38631 Las Galletas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, and it ends back at the meeting point.

Is pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is offered at X-Sur Mall, main entrance.

What’s included for snorkeling?

Snorkeling equipment is included, and you’ll also have towels on board.

Is SUP included?

Yes, SUP is included.

Are drinks and lunch included?

Yes. You’ll have snacks, lunch, coffee and/or tea, soda/pop, bottled water, and alcoholic beverages.

What if someone gets seasick?

The tour is not recommended for travelers with seasickness unless they take their medicine.

Is free cancellation available?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the experience requires good weather (if canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered another date or a full refund).

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