REVIEW · TENERIFE
Tenerife: Shared Yacht Cruise with Champagne and Tapas
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by Tenerife Sailing Charters · Bookable on GetYourGuide
Champagne at sea beats the usual Tenerife tour. This 3-hour shared yacht cruise from Puerto Colón mixes a glass-on-board start with all-inclusive drinks and Spanish tapas, plus real time in the water. The best part is the vibe: intimate group size, attentive crew, and the chance to spot dolphins and other marine life along Tenerife’s coastline.
The main thing to think about is motion. If you’re prone to seasickness, this is not a great fit, and even reviews back up that you’ll want to plan for choppy moments.
In This Review
- Key Things I’d Plan for on This Yacht Cruise
- A 3-Hour Beneteau Antares Cruise That Feels Personal
- Puerto Colón: Meeting Point and First-Minute Expectations
- Champagne, Tapas, and the Real Meaning of All-Inclusive
- The Cruise Route: Marine Life Viewing, Photo Stops, and Time to Just Look
- La Caleta Swim Stop: Paddleboards, Sea Scooters, Snorkeling Gear
- The reality check on activities
- Dolphin Watching and Marine Life: What You Might See
- How the Timing Works (10:30 Departure, 3 Hours Total)
- Group Size: Why You’ll Feel Comfortable on Board
- Who This Yacht Cruise Is Best For
- Price and Value: Is $100 a Good Deal?
- Final Call: Should You Book This Tenerife Yacht Cruise?
- FAQ
- How long is the Tenerife shared yacht cruise?
- What time does the cruise depart?
- What’s the group size limit?
- What’s included with the price?
- Where do I meet for the cruise?
- Is this trip suitable if I get seasick?
Key Things I’d Plan for on This Yacht Cruise
- Beneteau Antares 42 comfort: a proper cruising boat, not a cramped party barge
- Champagne + tapas right at boarding: you start relaxing before you even leave the harbor
- All-inclusive drinks: champagne, wine, beer, soft drinks, and water while you hang out on deck
- Water toys included: paddleboards, sea scooters, and snorkeling gear for the swim stop
- Wildlife time is built in: marine life viewing periods plus a chance for dolphin sightings
A 3-Hour Beneteau Antares Cruise That Feels Personal
This isn’t the kind of excursion where you spend half your time herded around. You’ll board the Beneteau Antares 42 for a shared cruise designed to feel relaxed, with a small maximum group size (10 people). For me, that matters because the crew can actually spend time with you instead of constantly rushing.
The other big reason this works is pacing. In three hours, you get the full “on the water” experience: leaving port, a marine life viewing stretch, a dedicated stop in a bay area, then back toward Tenerife with more sightseeing time. It’s built for a vacation rhythm—enough action to feel like you got out, but not so long you burn the whole day.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Tenerife.
Puerto Colón: Meeting Point and First-Minute Expectations
You’ll meet at Puerto Colón Patalan Nº2, about 15 minutes before departure, staying at the top where the gate is. If you selected pickup, you’ll wait outside your hotel reception and staff will approach you at the agreed time—this can make the whole morning easier if you don’t want to navigate the harbor on your own.
Once you arrive, the flow is straightforward: you get a safety briefing, you settle in, and you’re welcomed with a glass of champagne as you step aboard. That small ritual sets the tone. If your day in Tenerife includes late breakfasts and long walks, this is the kind of trip that gives you a clean break from the usual routine.
Champagne, Tapas, and the Real Meaning of All-Inclusive
The food and drink setup is a major part of why this cruise punches above its price. You’ll get Spanish tapas including fresh baguettes, Tortilla Española, Spanish jamón, cheese, and fresh fruit. It’s not one sad snack plate—it’s a spread meant for floating on a boat and grazing between swims.
On top of that, drinks are included for the full cruise: champagne, wine, beer, soft drinks, and water. Translation for your day: you can choose what you want without doing the mental math every time you reach for a glass. I like that you don’t have to pace yourself based on how the bar works.
One practical note: bring sunscreen and a hat, because even with drinks and shade, the sun on open water can catch you quickly. A lot of people think they’ll stay comfortable the whole time—then they’re surprised by how fast they warm up and turn red.
The Cruise Route: Marine Life Viewing, Photo Stops, and Time to Just Look
You’ll start with Tenerife, then shift through the experience with planned viewing and breaks. The schedule includes safety talk, marine life viewing time, and photo opportunities, so you’re not left wondering what you’re supposed to do next.
The cruise includes a 45-minute marine life viewing period on the Tenerife side, then a longer, more active stop at La Caleta. On the way back, there’s another 45-minute marine life viewing stretch with passing sightseeing time. This structure is useful because wildlife spotting often comes in bursts—you may get a clear moment when dolphins appear, then a quiet stretch. By building in multiple viewing periods, the trip increases your chances of having at least one great sighting.
Also, the crew’s focus is on safe, respectful viewing. A good sign from past guests is that the captain and guides emphasize maintaining a respectful distance from marine animals—because that protects both you and the wildlife.
La Caleta Swim Stop: Paddleboards, Sea Scooters, Snorkeling Gear
The star of the trip is the La Caleta stop. This is where you transition from “watching from the deck” to “being in the water.” You’ll have a photo stop and then move into a longer free-time window (about 1.5 hours), which is a gift on a short excursion.
What you can do here is practical and varied:
- Swimming (life jackets provided, with safety equipment on board)
- Snorkeling gear for exploring the surface world
- Paddleboard time
- Sea scooter time for a more effortless glide
Even if you’re not a confident swimmer, this format still works because you can pace your own level of activity. You’re not forced into one big group event. You can stay close to the boat, float with your snorkeling, or pick one water toy and commit to it.
If you want a photo-heavy stop, La Caleta is a good place to do it. You’ll also have a chance to enjoy the picnic-style food and keep drinks flowing while you’re anchored and settled. That’s the kind of convenience that makes a yacht cruise feel different from “tour by boat plus a long wait.”
The reality check on activities
The cruise is clear about paddleboards, sea scooters, and snorkeling gear. It’s smart to anchor your expectations there, since those are the items that are consistently part of the experience. If you’re hoping to do a very specific water sport, ask the crew on board what’s running that day—conditions and timing can affect what’s practical.
Dolphin Watching and Marine Life: What You Might See
This is a wildlife-focused cruise without the pressure. The experience includes opportunities for dolphin watching, and marine life viewing is built into the timing.
In past trips, guests have reported spotting dolphins, pilot whales, sea turtles, flying fish, and even orcas and whales in some cases. Of course, the ocean isn’t a zoo—so you can’t treat sightings as guaranteed. But the way this cruise is designed (multiple viewing windows, plus a swim stop where you’re closer to what’s happening) makes it more likely you’ll have at least one standout moment.
I also like that the crew provides guidance on what you’re seeing. Knowing which animals are in the area changes everything—you start scanning with purpose instead of just hoping. And when wildlife appears, you’ll have the right balance of instruction and freedom.
How the Timing Works (10:30 Departure, 3 Hours Total)
This cruise runs for about 3 hours and typically departs at 10:30 AM. That timing is a sweet spot: you’re out on the water during Tenerife’s bright middle of the day, but you still get back in time to eat lunch on land or build a relaxed afternoon.
Because it’s short, you should go with a light mindset. You’ll do the main activities—drinks, tapas, a viewing stretch, water time—without needing to “schedule” every single minute. The crew keeps the day flowing, and the small group size helps you feel like you’re part of the boat instead of waiting in line.
If your schedule is tight, this is also a practical pick. You’re not committing to a half-day charter that blocks your entire morning or afternoon.
Group Size: Why You’ll Feel Comfortable on Board
A minimum of 4 people is required for the cruise to go ahead, and if fewer book, you’ll be rescheduled for another day. When it does run, the goal is a small group feel—no more than 10 people.
That matters more than you think. With fewer people aboard, you’re not constantly bumping into strangers, fighting for deck space, or trying to hear the guide over a loud crowd. It also makes water activities feel more personal: you’ll get help with equipment and guidance when you want it, without the awkwardness of feeling like you’re holding everyone up.
Past guests often highlight how attentive the captain and guides are, naming crew members such as Juan, Michelle, Maxi, Martina, and Raúl. Even if you don’t get the same team, the consistent theme is clear: service is part of the experience, not an afterthought.
Who This Yacht Cruise Is Best For
This is ideal if you want a genuine break from land without booking a private charter. You’ll likely enjoy it if you:
- like the idea of all-inclusive comfort (drinks and food handled)
- want structured time to get in the water (paddleboard, sea scooters, snorkeling gear)
- care about wildlife but don’t want a long, rigid tour schedule
- prefer a small group over large boat crowds
The one group I’d caution is anyone strongly prone to seasickness. The experience isn’t suitable for people who get sick easily on boats, and there are signs that even otherwise well-prepared guests can feel the movement.
If you’re traveling as a couple, this can feel like a special day without the price of a private yacht. If you’re a small group of friends or a family (with kids old enough for water time), the small size helps everyone get included.
Price and Value: Is $100 a Good Deal?
At around $100 per person for a 3-hour shared cruise, you’re paying for more than boat time. You’re paying for an all-inclusive package: champagne, tapas, fuel, crew, safety equipment, and a set of water activities with gear included.
Here’s why that feels like value:
- You don’t buy drinks separately once you’re aboard.
- You get food built into the schedule, including items like Tortilla Española and jamón.
- You get access to the fun parts—paddleboards, sea scooters, and snorkeling gear—rather than just sitting on deck.
If you were booking these things separately (boat rental, a guide, equipment time, and food), the total usually climbs fast. This makes the pricing feel fair, especially because the experience stays small-group and personalized.
Final Call: Should You Book This Tenerife Yacht Cruise?
I’d book it if you want a sun-and-water morning with champagne, Spanish tapas, and real chances to see dolphins and other marine life—without the hassle of organizing everything yourself. The small-group format is the secret sauce: you get comfort, attention, and enough time in the water to make it memorable.
I’d skip it if seasickness is a major issue for you. And if you’re the type who wants nonstop activities every minute, you should know this cruise is designed for breaks too—deck time, viewing time, and a structured swim stop.
If you match the right mood—relaxed, curious, and open to getting a little wet—this is one of the easiest ways to do Tenerife from the water.
FAQ
How long is the Tenerife shared yacht cruise?
It lasts 3 hours, including time for a safety briefing, marine life viewing, a stop at La Caleta for swimming and water activities, and return sightseeing.
What time does the cruise depart?
The departure time is 10:30 AM.
What’s the group size limit?
The group is kept small, with a limit of no more than 10 participants.
What’s included with the price?
You get the 3-hour shared yacht charter on a Beneteau Antares 42 with captain and crew, fuel, a welcome glass of champagne, all-inclusive drinks (champagne, wine, beer, soft drinks, water), Spanish tapas, paddleboard use, sea scooter use, snorkeling gear, and life jackets/safety equipment.
Where do I meet for the cruise?
Meet at Puerto Colón Patalan Nº2, about 15 minutes before departure, staying at the top where the gate is.
Is this trip suitable if I get seasick?
No. It’s not suitable for people prone to seasickness, and you should plan accordingly if you’re sensitive to boat movement.
