Tenerife: Catamaran Cruise with Brunch and Unlimited Drinks

The best part of this Tenerife outing is the mix of wildlife watching and easygoing time at sea. You cruise from Las Galletas toward Punta Rasca, watch for pilot whales, dolphins, turtles, and flying fish, then stop near Diego Hernández Beach for a swim. It feels more like a relaxed afternoon than a packed sightseeing mission.

I like two things in particular: the friendly, hard-working crew, and the fact that the food and drinks are built into the price. The Canarian brunch includes roast turkey, a suckling pig burrito, vegetable dumplings, fruit, and cheesecake on the longer option. The main drawback is simple: wine, cocktails, champagne, and snorkel gear cost extra, and the open sea can be rough if you suffer from seasickness.

Key points to know before sailing

• Marine life is a major part of the trip: The crew searches for dolphins, pilot whales, turtles, and flying fish around Punta Rasca.
• The longer cruise includes a fuller brunch: The 4-hour version adds a suckling pig burrito and vegetable dumplings to the sandwich and cheesecake.
• Unlimited drinks have limits: Beer, soft drinks, and water are included, but wine, cocktails, and champagne are not.
• Swimming time is near Diego Hernández Beach: You can get into the sea, relax aboard, or snorkel if you bring or rent suitable equipment.
• Pickup covers many south Tenerife resorts: The bus ride to Marina del Sur takes about 45 minutes from the listed pickup points.
• A VIP seat or day bed is optional: Preferred seating costs extra, but you can still enjoy the cruise without it.

From your hotel to Marina del Sur

The day begins with pickup from selected hotels and meeting points in southern Tenerife. The list covers much of the Costa Adeje, Playa de las Américas, Los Cristianos, and Palm-Mar area, including resorts such as Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife, Gran Hotel Bahía del Duque, Hotel Best Tenerife, Sol Arona Tenerife, and H10 Costa Adeje Palace.

The coach ride to Marina del Sur takes about 45 minutes. That transfer is useful if you are staying away from Las Galletas, though it also adds road time to a short cruise. You need to wait at your designated pickup point 10 minutes before departure. Drivers wait no more than five minutes after the planned time, so this is not the morning to wander off for coffee.

Marina del Sur is in Las Galletas, on Tenerife’s southeast coast. Once aboard, the catamaran heads west along the coast. The boat section is the heart of the experience, with open-air seating, sea views, commentary, food, and time to simply sit in the sun.

The group size can be around 50 people, based on one reported sailing, which is large enough for a social atmosphere but not so large that the boat feels packed. The crew has to handle food, drinks, safety, commentary, and navigation, so service may not always be instant when everyone wants something at once.

What the 3-hour and 4-hour options include

You should check the available start time and duration carefully when booking. The shorter option includes a snack-style meal with a roast turkey sandwich, seasonal fruit, and cheesecake. The 4-hour option is closer to a proper brunch, with the turkey sandwich, suckling pig burrito, vegetable dumplings, and cheesecake.

The food is presented as a sandwich box rather than a restaurant meal. That suits a boat trip well. You can eat without plates and cutlery becoming a nuisance, then get back to watching the water. If you are expecting a large hotel buffet, you may find it modest. If you see it as a well-organized meal during a half-day cruise, it is more practical.

The menu has a Canarian focus, especially on the longer cruise. If you need vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or allergen-free food, contact FIVESTARBOAT no later than the day before. Do not wait until you board, since special meals need to be prepared in advance.

Drinks include unlimited beer, soft drinks, and water. This is a useful inclusion at $71 per person, especially on a sunny day when you may want several nonalcoholic drinks. It is important not to read unlimited drinks as an open bar. Wine, cocktails, and champagne are excluded.

That distinction matters because some optional upgrades or special drinks can change the final cost. One reported booking included a small Moët champagne bottle, but it was enough for only two small glasses between two people. If a proper bottle of cava or champagne matters to you, check the price and size before ordering.

Watching whales and dolphins near Punta Rasca

After leaving the marina, the catamaran cruises toward Punta Rasca Lighthouse. This section is used for marine-life watching, with about 45 minutes listed for dolphin and whale spotting.

The animals are wild, so sightings cannot be guaranteed. The cruise gives you a reasonable period to scan the sea, though, and several passengers saw pilot whales, dolphins, turtles, and flying fish. The crew reportedly kept a respectful distance instead of chasing animals, which is worth noting if responsible wildlife watching matters to you.

Pilot whales are a regular feature of boat trips around Tenerife’s southern waters, but conditions and luck still control what you see. Keep your eyes on the water and listen to the live commentary. The guides speak English and Spanish, and their explanations help you understand what you are looking for rather than simply staring at an empty horizon.

This is also one of the more exposed parts of the trip. The catamaran can travel well out to sea, and one person had a very unpleasant time with seasickness. If you are prone to motion sickness, take sensible precautions before boarding and consider an optional seat or day bed where you can lie down. The information provided does not specify any medication service, so bring what you normally use.

Swimming at Diego Hernández Beach

The cruise stops near Diego Hernández Beach for lunch, swimming, and snorkeling, with about an hour allocated. This is your chance to trade the boat’s deck for the sea.

The water stop is a strong feature for anyone who wants more than coastal views. You can swim, float, or remain on board if the water feels too cold or the sea is not calm. The catamaran provides the setting, but snorkel equipment is not included, so bring your own if you want to look below the surface.

Food is served around this part of the cruise. You can eat first, swim afterward, or reverse the order depending on how the crew manages the stop. The supplied details do not promise a particular sequence, so keep your swimsuit accessible rather than buried under your luggage.

Bring a towel unless you have selected an option that includes one. A paid Balinese day bed or VIP arrangement may include extra comforts, but these are not part of the standard fare. The regular experience still includes the boat, meal, drinks, commentary, and swimming stop.

Coast views from Playa de las Américas to Palm-Mar

The route continues past Playa de las Américas and Playa de Los Cristianos, with about 15 minutes listed for each coastal section. These are not long shore visits. You remain on the catamaran, taking in the beaches and resort frontage from the water.

Seeing the southern resorts from offshore gives you a different sense of Tenerife. The view is less about a single landmark and more about the contrast between built-up beach areas, open water, cliffs, and the island’s volcanic coast. The crew provides commentary as the boat passes notable spots.

At Palm-Mar, the itinerary allows about 45 minutes for a photo stop and boat cruising. Keep your camera ready, but protect it from spray. The sea breeze and occasional splashes are part of the appeal, yet they are not kind to phones left loose on a seat.

The return route heads back to Marina del Sur, with another 30 minutes of boat time listed before docking. From the marina, the coach returns you to your selected drop-off point. The full day therefore includes a fair amount of transport for some hotel areas, but pickup and return remove the need to arrange taxis to Las Galletas.

Is the VIP seat or day bed worth paying for?

Standard seating is enough for many people. You still receive the main benefits, including the cruise, food, commentary, swimming stop, and included drinks. If you would rather move around, take photographs, and sit with the group, the extra seating may not add much.

The paid VIP or preferred seating option is more appealing if you want to stretch out. A Balinese day bed gives you somewhere to lie down during the cruise, which can be especially helpful if the open water makes you feel queasy. One person also appreciated having a towel and receiving a cocktail with the upgrade, but those extras depend on the exact option selected.

Front seating can offer a more relaxed position and a better sense of the boat’s movement. The tradeoff is cost. Since the standard cruise is already $71, compare the upgrade price with your priorities. Families and couples celebrating a special occasion may like the extra space, while budget-minded visitors can comfortably skip it.

There is also a note that smoking is possible at the back of the catamaran. If you prefer a smoke-free area, front or central seating may suit you better, though the supplied details do not specify a fully separate smoking policy.

Who will get the most from this cruise?

I would choose this outing if you want several Tenerife experiences in one booking: coastal scenery, a chance to see marine life, a swim, a meal, and drinks. It is a good fit for couples, families with older children, and friends who want an easy social day without planning every detail.

It is less suitable if your main goal is serious snorkeling. The stop is useful for a swim, but equipment is not included and the cruise is not described as a dedicated underwater excursion.

It may also disappoint you if you expect a quiet luxury yacht trip. A catamaran with roughly 50 people, a shared meal, and busy crew service is relaxed, but it is still a group outing. The VIP seat improves comfort, not privacy.

The sea conditions deserve honest attention. People who enjoy open water will likely love the breeze, spray, and boat movement. If you often get seasick, the possibility of traveling far from shore should shape your decision more than the unlimited beer.

Is $71 good value?

At $71 per person, the price is fair if you use the included parts. You receive hotel pickup and drop-off from selected southern locations, a 3 to 4-hour catamaran trip, live commentary, a meal or snack, unlimited beer, soft drinks, and water. Arranging those parts separately would take more time and may not save much.

The value is strongest on the 4-hour version, since the brunch is more substantial and you get longer on the water. The shorter option still works if you mainly want scenery and a swim, but check exactly which food option is attached to your booking.

The extra charges are easy to manage if you know about them in advance. Budget for cocktails, wine, champagne, snorkel equipment, and any VIP seating separately. Bring cash as a backup because card payments may not work once the boat is offshore.

Cancellation is flexible: you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the booking can be reserved with payment later. That is useful when your Tenerife plans depend on weather or changing arrival times.

Should you book this catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want a friendly, well-organized day on the water with a real chance of seeing pilot whales or dolphins, plus a swim and a Canarian-style meal. The crew’s attitude, the respectful wildlife approach, and the included beer, soft drinks, and water are the strongest reasons to choose it.

Skip it if you dislike group outings, need guaranteed wildlife sightings, or are very sensitive to motion. If you do book, choose the 4-hour option for the fuller meal, contact the operator early about dietary needs, bring a towel and cash, and consider a day bed if seasickness is a concern.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart from?

The catamaran departs from Marina del Sur in Las Galletas, on Tenerife’s south coast.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included from selected locations in southern Tenerife, including hotels and meeting points around Costa Adeje, Playa de las Américas, Los Cristianos, and nearby areas.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise is offered in 3-hour and 4-hour versions. The coach transfer from the pickup area to Marina del Sur takes about 45 minutes.

What drinks are included?

Unlimited beer, soft drinks, and water are included. Cocktails, wine, and champagne cost extra.

What food is served?

The 3-hour option includes a roast turkey sandwich, seasonal fruit, and cheesecake. The 4-hour option includes a roast turkey sandwich, suckling pig burrito, vegetable dumplings, and cheesecake.

Can I request a special meal?

Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and allergen-free menus are available. Contact FIVESTARBOAT no later than the day before the cruise so the meal can be prepared.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkel equipment is not included, so bring your own or plan to arrange it separately.