3H Shared Barrier-Free Cruise with Turtles Dolphins & Whales

Santa Rita is built around a simple but important idea: the ocean should be open to everyone. This three-hour cruise takes you from Los Cristianos along Tenerife’s coast, with time for marine-life watching, swimming, and snorkeling from a boat fitted with a hydraulic platform and accessible toilet. It is a small outing, not a packed party boat.

I like the real sea-entry platform, which lets wheelchair users reach the water without having to leave their chair until assistance is needed. I also like the small maximum of 10 people, shaded seating, and helpful crew support. The main consideration is that wildlife is never guaranteed, and the short cruise must fit whale watching, a swim stop, food, and return travel into three hours.

Key points to know before booking

• Santa Rita carries up to 10 people, giving you more room than a standard large excursion boat.
• A hydraulic platform and water wheelchair help guests with reduced mobility reach the sea.
• Pilot whales, dolphins, turtles, and up to 17 whale species may be seen along Tenerife’s coast.
• Guaza Fish Farm attracts sardines, mackerel, sea bream, bass, turtles, and dolphins.
• Las Vistas Bay provides the swimming and snorkeling stop, with assistance available.
• The $58 price includes the three-hour cruise, soft drinks, snacks, snorkeling gear, and cold Mediterranean-style pasta.

A small boat designed around access

The most important feature here is not the wildlife list. It is the boat itself.

Santa Rita is presented as the world’s first fully accessible tourist boat, with a hydraulic platform that allows wheelchair and mobility scooter users to board without stepping down onto a dock or transferring immediately to another seat. Secure spaces are provided for different types of wheelchairs and scooters.

That matters because many boat outings advertise accessibility but still require a difficult transfer at the marina or on the boat. Here, the design is meant to let you roll aboard, settle in, and enjoy the cruise with less fuss. A fully accessible toilet is also available onboard.

The boat holds up to 10 people. That makes the experience feel more personal and gives you a better chance of finding a comfortable viewing spot. You can sit beneath the shaded area at the stern, stretch out on cushions at the bow, or relax on the artificial-grass deck.

This is not a luxury yacht, and the trip is not built around formal service. Its strength is practical comfort. You get shade, seating choices, room for mobility equipment, and a crew prepared to assist.

Leaving from Los Cristianos

The tour starts at the BAT4ALL boat in the Los Cristianos area. At the meeting point, follow signs for Zone B, then follow the blue line painted on the ground. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own way to the marina.

The three-hour schedule includes the outward cruise, wildlife watching, the swimming and snorkeling stop, and the return to the same meeting point. Starting times vary, so check the available departure before booking.

Wear comfortable shoes and bring sunscreen and beachwear. The Atlantic sun can feel strong even when a breeze keeps the boat cool. If you plan to enter the water, keep your swimwear easy to reach and bring any personal equipment you need.

The crew speaks Spanish, English, and Italian. Private and small-group options are available. The small-group format suits people who want a quiet outing, while a private trip gives you more control over the pace and activities.

Watching wildlife near Guaza Fish Farm

One of the most interesting parts of the route is the area around Guaza Fish Farm. The farm raises sea bream and bass, but the surrounding water is also used by wild marine life. Sardines and mackerel gather nearby, creating a food source for turtles and dolphins.

This gives the crew a useful place to begin the search for wildlife. You may see sea turtles, dolphins, or other marine life around the fish farm, though nature sets the schedule. No captain can promise a sighting on a given morning or afternoon.

The trip also searches for up to 17 species of whales along Tenerife’s coast. Pilot whales are a particular possibility in the open water. Dolphins may also appear, and the crew keeps watch while the boat moves away from shore.

Bring patience. Wildlife watching is not a quick checklist. Some outings produce several sightings, while others may offer only a distant fin or a brief glimpse. The open sea can be calm or choppy, and the view changes constantly.

The boat’s modest size helps here. You are not trying to spot animals from the back row of a large vessel. With only up to 10 people, you can move your attention from one side of the boat to the other more easily. Still, seating and sightlines can change quickly when an animal appears, so follow crew instructions.

Lover’s Cave and the coastal view

The route includes a stop at Lover’s Cave, a sea cave with clear water and good photo potential. A cave stop gives the cruise some variety. You are not simply sitting offshore waiting for a whale to appear.

The cave is also a reminder that this is a coastal sightseeing trip as well as a wildlife excursion. You get views back toward Tenerife’s shore, changing rock formations, and the contrast between open Atlantic water and a sheltered cave.

The stop is likely brief within the three-hour schedule. Think of it as a scenic pause rather than a long exploration on foot. The boat remains the base for the activity, and the attraction is the view from the water.

Swimming and snorkeling at Las Vistas Bay

The main active stop takes place at Las Vistas Bay. Snorkeling equipment is included, and the stop is optional. That gives you a choice: stay aboard with a drink and watch the action, or get into the water with help from the crew.

For wheelchair users, this is where the boat’s design has its greatest value. A special water wheelchair is available, and the sea-entry platform is intended to make getting into the water possible without the usual scramble over a narrow ladder. Assistance is available for those who need it.

A published experience detail describes reaching the sea by platform as the high point of the trip. That is easy to understand. For someone who has often been unable to use ordinary boat ladders or beach access, the chance to actually enter the ocean can mean more than another scenic viewpoint.

The wording around underwater activities needs a little care. Snorkeling is part of the shared outing, while more advanced underwater activity is reserved for private tours. If you are booking mainly to spend time in the water, confirm exactly what assistance and equipment will be available for your needs.

Crystal-clear water is advertised for the snorkeling stop, but visibility depends on conditions. You may see fish and the local underwater ecosystem, though this is not a dedicated reef expedition. The value is the chance to enjoy a proper sea stop within an accessible boat outing.

Food, drinks, and time on deck

Soft drinks and snacks are included. The food is described as cold Italian Mediterranean-style pasta, and a tuna salad has also been served on this experience. A glass of fizz and beer may be available, with alcoholic drinks charged separately.

Think of this as a pleasant onboard meal, not a full restaurant service. A cold pasta dish works well on a three-hour boat trip because it is easy to serve and eat without plates of hot food shifting around at sea.

You can have a snack while looking for whales, then eat after the swimming stop. The crew may adjust the timing to suit sea conditions and the flow of the outing. If you have allergies or specific dietary needs, ask before booking, since the available information does not list special menus.

The seating arrangement is one of the better practical touches. The shaded stern suits anyone who wants protection from the sun. The bow cushions offer a more open view, while the artificial-grass deck gives you another place to sit or lie down.

How the three hours feel

Three hours is long enough to feel like a real sea excursion but short enough for people who tire easily or prefer not to spend half a day offshore.

The time generally breaks into several kinds of activity:

• Boarding and settling into the accessible seating area
• Cruising along the coast while searching for whales, dolphins, and turtles
• Viewing the Guaza Fish Farm area
• Pausing at Lover’s Cave
• Swimming or snorkeling at Las Vistas Bay
• Eating cold pasta or another included light meal
• Returning to the Los Cristianos meeting point

That is a lot to fit into one outing. The benefit is variety. The drawback is that no single part receives unlimited time. If the wildlife search takes longer, the swim stop may feel shorter. If sea conditions slow the boat, the schedule can shift.

The maximum of 10 people helps keep the pace manageable. You are not dealing with a huge line for the platform or a crowded deck. Still, if several people need assistance boarding or entering the water, the outing may move more slowly. That is not a flaw so much as a normal part of making a boat trip genuinely accessible.

What the $58 price includes

At $58 per person, the trip offers solid value if you want several experiences in one outing. You receive three hours on the boat, marine-life watching, snorkeling equipment, soft drinks, snacks, and a meal. You also get use of a boat designed specifically for wheelchair and scooter access.

The price is especially reasonable for anyone who would otherwise need to arrange a private accessible charter. A standard whale-watching boat may cost less, but it may not offer a hydraulic platform, secure wheelchair space, or a water wheelchair.

The value is weaker if you want a guaranteed whale encounter, a long snorkeling session, or a full meal with many choices. Wildlife remains unpredictable, and the cruise is fairly short. Alcohol costs extra, and transportation to the marina is not included.

The free cancellation window is 24 hours before departure, and reserve-now-pay-later booking is available. Those terms make it easier to fit the cruise into a Tenerife schedule that may change.

Who will get the most from this cruise

I would recommend this outing first to wheelchair users, mobility scooter users, and families who want a boat experience with practical access built into the design. The platform, ramps, secure spaces, accessible bathroom, and water wheelchair are not minor add-ons. They shape the whole experience.

It also suits anyone who prefers a small boat to a crowded catamaran. Couples may enjoy the cave, coastal views, and shaded seating. Families can choose between wildlife watching, swimming, snorkeling, and food without committing to a full-day trip.

People focused only on whale watching should keep expectations measured. The search for up to 17 species is appealing, but sightings depend on the animals. If your priority is a long time in the water, ask about a private tour, since more advanced underwater activity is offered only privately.

You should also consider the weather and your comfort at sea. Sunscreen and beachwear are essential, while comfortable shoes help during boarding and moving around the deck. The boat has shade, but not every seat is shaded at every moment.

Is BAT4ALL worth booking?

Book this cruise if accessible ocean time matters to you, especially if entering the sea from a boat has been difficult before. The platform and water wheelchair can turn a familiar sightseeing trip into a genuine swimming experience, and the small group keeps the boat from feeling crowded.

It is also a good choice if you want a compact Tenerife outing with wildlife watching, a cave, snorkeling, drinks, and lunch in one package. I would skip it only if you need guaranteed animal sightings, a long dedicated snorkeling session, or hotel transportation.

For many people, the best reason to book is simple: Santa Rita is designed so you can take part rather than watch from the dock. At $58, that combination of access, small-group space, and time on the Atlantic makes this one of the more useful boat options in the Los Cristianos area.

FAQ

How long is the BAT4ALL cruise?

The shared cruise lasts three hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for the departure options.

Where does the activity start and finish?

It starts and ends at BAT4ALL Barco Accesible Tenerife. Follow signs for Zone B, Excursions, and then follow the blue line on the ground.

Is the boat wheelchair accessible?

Yes. Santa Rita has ramps, secure spaces for wheelchairs and mobility scooters, a hydraulic boarding platform, and an accessible bathroom.

Can wheelchair users enter the sea?

Yes. A diving platform for wheelchairs and special water wheelchairs are available, with assistance for people who need it.

What marine life might I see?

The cruise searches for dolphins, turtles, pilot whales, and other whale species. The route may also include marine life around Guaza Fish Farm, including fish that attract turtles and dolphins. Sightings are not guaranteed.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and snorkeling at Las Vistas Bay is optional. More advanced underwater activity is available only on private tours.

Are food and drinks included?

Soft drinks, snacks, and cold Italian Mediterranean-style pasta are included. Alcoholic drinks cost extra.