Fishing trip, Tenerife Sea Passion

Tenerife Sea Passion takes you out from Playa San Juan, one of the island’s last traditional fishing harbours. That matters: you leave from a working port rather than a crowded marina, and the setting feels tied to local sea life from the start. I like the small maximum group of 11, and I like the range of fishing styles, from light tackle near the coast to electric-reel fishing at 200 to 600 metres.

The four-hour schedule is easy to fit into a holiday, and the boat offers equipment and drinks for the outing. The main caution is simple: fish do not follow a timetable. Some trips bring tuna, barracuda, or smaller deep-sea catches, while others produce very little. Weather can also force a postponement, and clear communication about any port or price change is worth confirming before you leave.

Key points to know before you book

• Traditional departure point: You meet at Sea Passion Charter & Fishing in Puerto Pesquero de Playa San Juan, away from the busiest Tenerife harbours.
• Small boat group: The maximum is 11 people, allowing closer contact with the captain and more room around the fishing gear.
• Several fishing methods: The outing may include bottom fishing, artificial-lure jigging, moving-boat fishing, or deep-sea fishing with an electric reel.
• Four-hour morning trip: The scheduled start is 10:00 a.m., with the boat returning to the same harbour.
• Equipment and drinks included: Fishing gear is supplied, and drinks are included on board. Do not assume snacks are provided.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, so keep some flexibility in your plans.

Setting out from Playa San Juan at 10:00 a.m.

The meeting point is Sea Passion Charter & Fishing at the fishing harbour in Playa San Juan, on Tenerife’s west coast. The address is Puerto Pesquero de Playa San Juan, 38687 Playa San Juan, Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The activity begins at 10:00 a.m. and finishes back at this same point.

I like the choice of harbour. Playa San Juan is described as one of Tenerife’s last traditional fishing ports, so you get a more local setting before the lines even go into the water. It is also the only operator of this type located in that harbour, according to the supplied details, which should make the departure less crowded than a large marina.

Still, do not treat the port as self-explanatory. One outing involved a last-minute change to another nearby port, confusion over the boat’s location, and difficulty reaching the captain. A separate trip was postponed because of weather. I would save the meeting instructions, keep the phone number handy, and check the departure port shortly before setting off.

The activity is near public transportation, and most people can participate. No special fishing background is required. If you are driving a long distance or paying for a taxi, the weather forecast and departure confirmation matter more than usual.

A small group makes the fishing easier

Sea Passion limits each outing to 11 people. That is not a private charter, but it is small enough to feel more personal than a large fishing boat with several dozen passengers.

The practical benefit is room. Fishing lines, rods, bait, and catches can make a boat feel crowded quickly. With fewer people aboard, you should have a better chance of getting time with the gear and asking the captain about the coast. The captain’s experience and familiarity with the Canarian waters are central to the trip, especially when the crew chooses between coastal fishing and deeper water.

A smaller group also helps if you are new to fishing. You can watch how others handle the equipment instead of trying to learn in a packed cockpit. Experienced anglers may appreciate the reduced waiting time, though the trip is still shared rather than tailored only to one person’s preferred technique.

The boat is described as comfortable for fishing, and the equipment has received strong praise. That is useful if you are flying into Tenerife and do not want to pack rods or tackle. You should still confirm exactly what is supplied if you have specialist needs, since the available information promises equipment but does not list individual rod types, bait, or tackle brands.

Four hours, several ways to fish

The trip can use more than one fishing method. The captain decides how to work the water based on conditions and the type of fishing planned.

Bottom fishing takes place at selected coastal spots with the boat holding position. This is the calmer, more direct approach: lower the tackle, wait, and work the area around the seabed. It can suit beginners because you are not constantly managing fast-moving lines.

The company also describes jigging, using artificial bait rather than live bait. Jigging requires more movement and attention, and it gives you a chance to try a different technique without bringing your own lure collection. The details do not promise that every outing will include every method, so ask the captain what is planned once you board.

Moving-boat fishing uses the boat at about eight knots, with several lines set at different depths. This is the method aimed at pelagic fish such as tuna or barracuda. It offers the excitement of waiting for a strike while the boat covers water, but it also depends heavily on the day, sea conditions, and where fish are feeding.

The most distinctive option is deep-sea fishing, carried out between 200 and 600 metres. The boat uses an electric reel and supplies the required equipment. At those depths, the electric reel is not a minor convenience. It does the hard work of bringing the line back from far below the surface, making this style possible for people who would struggle with a fully manual setup.

One outing produced a tuna or barracuda and several deep-water fish. Another produced no fish at all. That contrast is the honest shape of this activity. You are paying for time on the water, access to fishing grounds, equipment, and the captain’s effort, not a guaranteed catch.

What the scenery adds to the morning

Fishing is the main purpose, but the setting gives the four hours more value. You see Tenerife from offshore, with the coast passing from a different angle than it does from a road or beach. The boat time can be beautiful and calm when conditions cooperate, even during a quiet fishing spell.

I would book this for the pleasure of being out on the sea as much as for the possibility of landing a fish. That mindset prevents disappointment. If your whole holiday depends on catching a large game fish, this is too uncertain. If you enjoy the process, the changing methods, and a few hours outside, the trip makes more sense.

The captain also shares information about the coast and the area. The supplied description presents this as part of the experience, with an emphasis on Tenerife’s marine life and fishing culture. Do not expect a formal sightseeing cruise with a long narrated route. The explanations are connected to the water, the fishing spots, and the local coast.

Drinks are included on board. One account specifically complained about the lack of snacks, so bring food if you need something more substantial during four hours at sea. The information does not promise a meal.

Price and what the $96.54 buys you

The listed price is $96.54 per person. For that amount, you get about four hours on the boat, the fishing equipment, drinks, captain-led instruction, and a small-group setting capped at 11 people.

I see the strongest value for visitors who do not own fishing gear and want a manageable half-day activity. You avoid hiring equipment separately, and you do not need to plan a full day around the sea. The small group also gives the price more weight than a basic transport-only boat ride.

The value is weaker if you measure the outing only by the number of fish caught. Some days are productive, and some are not. You should also be alert to any extra-person charge if you are adding someone to a booking. One reported dispute involved a quoted additional price of 50 euros being changed to 80 euros at the port. That is not a detail to leave vague. Get the total price in writing before departure and bring your booking confirmation.

Keep the confirmation on your phone. In one case, a passenger was asked for more money because the crew apparently thought there was no reservation. The problem was later explained as a mistake, but displaying your paid confirmation at the dock can save time and stress.

Weather, postponements, and the practical risk

The boat requires good weather. If the company cancels because conditions are poor, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. That is a fair policy, but it can still disrupt a tightly planned holiday.

I would not schedule this on the last morning before a flight or train. Give yourself another possible day, especially if fishing is one of the main reasons you are booking. The company has had to move departures because of weather, and one customer reported several postponements before eventually being unable to go.

The cancellation policy works in the other direction too. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off follows local Tenerife time.

This is also why the average booking lead time of about 23 days is worth noting. You do not need to reserve a year ahead, but popular holiday dates can fill. Booking a few weeks ahead gives you a better chance of getting the morning you want while leaving room to respond to weather problems.

Who will enjoy Sea Passion most

I would point this trip toward:

• First-time anglers who want equipment and guidance rather than a self-led boat rental.
• Casual fishers who want a half-day on the water, not a full-day charter.
• Families or mixed groups where some people are keen anglers and others mainly want a coastal boat outing.
• Experienced fishers who are happy to try several methods and accept that the catch is uncertain.
• Visitors staying near Playa San Juan who can reach the harbour without a long transfer.

I would think twice if you need a guaranteed target species, a private boat, a full meal, or a fixed departure port with no possibility of change. The boat can carry only 11 people, but that does not make it a private charter. The trip also does not promise a particular fish or a specific fishing method every time.

For an experienced angler hoping for large game fish, ask what species and technique are planned before paying. The available details include tuna, barracuda, bottom fishing, jigging, and deep water, but they do not promise a dedicated big-game session.

How I would plan the morning

I would arrive early enough to find the fishing harbour without rushing. The meeting time is 10:00 a.m., and the activity ends at the same place about four hours later. Since the harbour is smaller and more traditional than a major marina, the atmosphere should be less hectic, but the exact boat location may still require attention.

I would check three things before leaving my accommodation:

• The departure port and any recent change
• The total amount paid, including any extra person
• The weather and the company’s latest confirmation

I would bring the booking confirmation, water or additional drinks if needed, sun protection, and food if I wanted a snack. The company supplies drinks, but snacks are not promised. I would also wear clothing suitable for a boat and changing conditions, though the supplied details do not specify a required dress code.

Once aboard, listen carefully to the captain’s instructions. Fishing methods can change during the four hours, and the most useful question is likely to be what technique is being used and why. That turns a quiet period into part of the lesson rather than dead time.

Should you book this Tenerife fishing trip?

I would book Sea Passion if you want a small-group morning on the sea, supplied gear, several fishing options, and a departure from a genuine local fishing harbour. Its best features are the 11-person limit, the four-hour length, the range from coastal fishing to 200 to 600 metre deep water, and the chance to learn directly from the captain.

I would not book it expecting a guaranteed catch or a perfectly fixed schedule. Weather can change the plan, communication around a port change has not always been smooth, and you should confirm any added cost before reaching the dock.

The sensible choice is to reserve it with a little flexibility. If your priority is the experience of fishing off Tenerife, the sea views, and a chance at tuna, barracuda, or deep-water fish, the price is reasonable. If the fish count is the only measure of success, spend your money elsewhere.

FAQ

Where does the fishing trip start?

It starts at Sea Passion Charter & Fishing, Puerto Pesquero de Playa San Juan, 38687 Playa San Juan, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

What time does the activity begin?

The scheduled start time is 10:00 a.m.

How long is the fishing trip?

The trip lasts approximately four hours and finishes back at the meeting point.

How many people can join the boat?

The maximum group size is 11 people.

What types of fishing are available?

The company describes bottom fishing, artificial-lure jigging, moving-boat fishing at about eight knots, and deep-sea fishing at depths of 200 to 600 metres with an electric reel.

Are fishing equipment and drinks included?

Yes. The supplied information states that equipment and drinks are included on board. Snacks are not listed as included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You can choose a different date or receive a full refund if the activity is canceled because of poor weather.