Tenerife: Fun Yacht Trip with Water Activities and Toys

The most unusual part of this Tenerife boat trip is waiting at the back of the yacht: a waterslide that drops straight into the sea. You cruise from Puerto Colón toward Palm Mar, take in the coast, then stop near Las Vistas Beach for swimming and water toys. It is part sightseeing cruise, part floating playground.

I like the way the trip combines a proper yacht outing with activities that keep families and teenagers busy. I also like the generous food and drink setup, from snacks at the start to a filling lunch and beer, wine, and cava during the trip. The main drawback is that the boat may remain at the swim stop for a long time, so you see less of Tenerife’s coast than you might expect from a sightseeing-focused cruise. Sea sickness is another real consideration.

At a glance: the details that matter

• A 20-meter yacht with a waterslide: This is more than a standard coastal cruise, and the slide is the feature children and teenagers are most likely to remember.
• A full water-activity stop: You can choose among snorkeling, a water bike, kayak, stand-up paddleboard, and the slide, depending on what is available when you arrive.
• Food and drinks are included: Expect snacks, a prepared lunch, and beer, wine, cava, and other drinks during the outing.
• A small-group feel on many departures: Several outings have had around eight to ten people, though group size can vary.
• Friendly, hands-on crew: Alejandro, Alex, Paolo, Andreas, and Andre are among the crew members praised for helping with activities, photos, celebrations, and swimming confidence.
• Good value at $81: For three and a half hours with a yacht, meal, drinks, and water equipment, the price compares well with ordinary boat cruises.

Setting off from Puerto Colón

You meet at Gate, or Pantalan, 13, at Puerto Colón in Costa Adeje. This is a convenient starting point for a south Tenerife boat trip, since the yacht heads directly out along the coast rather than spending much of the time getting to the sea.

The outing lasts three and a half hours. The first hour combines the departure from Puerto Colón with a safety briefing, coastal views, and the cruise toward the Palm Mar area. I would treat this first stretch as your quiet time. Sit back, take photos, and watch the coast change from the marina setting to open water.

The yacht itself is 20 meters long, giving you more room than a small speedboat. It also has the right setup for a mixed group. You can sit and enjoy the views, or get involved once the yacht reaches the swimming area. Several departures have felt personal because only a small number of people were on board, though you should not assume every sailing will be nearly private.

The crew speaks English, French, Italian, and Spanish. That helps when the water equipment needs explaining or you want advice about using a life jacket, kayak, paddleboard, or water bike. The crew has also helped nervous swimmers feel more secure in the water, which is useful if you want to swim but are not confident.

Coastal views toward Palm Mar

The route takes you toward Cueva de Palm Mar, with views of Tenerife’s southern coast along the way. The point is not a long guided history tour. It is a relaxed look at the island from the water, with time for photographs and a drink in your hand.

You may also get lucky with sea life. Dolphins, turtles, flying fish, and other marine life have been seen on different outings, including dolphins close to the boat. A hammerhead shark was even spotted during one trip. None of this is guaranteed, so book this for the yacht and water activities first, with wildlife as a welcome extra.

The crew can take photographs and short videos for you, which is handy when your hands are occupied with a paddleboard or when your whole group wants to be in the picture. If you are celebrating a birthday, hen party, anniversary, or proposal, tell the crew in advance or at the start. They have helped make special occasions feel personal.

One point to keep in mind: this is not designed as a coast-hopping cruise. One person felt the boat stayed in one place too long and would have preferred to see more of the island. That criticism is fair. The trip gives you coastal views, but the main event is the long stop for swimming and water play.

The Las Vistas swim stop

The yacht stops near Las Vistas Beach in Los Cristianos for about an hour and a half. This is where the trip changes pace. You can swim from the yacht, use the snorkeling equipment, or take turns on the water toys.

The available activities include:

• Snorkeling
• Water bike
• Kayak
• Stand-up paddleboard
• Waterslide

The slide is the star. It gives the outing a playful edge that ordinary yacht cruises do not have, and it is especially appealing to children and teenagers. Adults use it too, particularly once they see how easy it is to join in.

The water bike is a less obvious highlight. It is a good choice if you want to move around but do not fancy balancing on a paddleboard. The kayak and stand-up paddleboard suit you if you prefer a slower pace, while snorkeling gives you a chance to look beneath the surface. Turtles and fish have been seen while snorkeling, but underwater sightings depend on conditions.

Only one of each type of toy may be available at a time. That means you might wait for the kayak, water bike, or paddleboard if several people want the same activity. A small group reduces the problem, but it does not remove it completely. I would start with the activity you most want to try, then switch around rather than waiting until the end.

Life jackets and help with the equipment are available. The crew has been particularly supportive of people who are nervous about entering the open sea. You do not need to be an expert swimmer to enjoy the stop, but bring a towel and tell the crew if you need extra support.

Lunch, snacks, and drinks on board

The food is one reason the $81 price works well. Snacks are served as the yacht gets underway, with items such as crisps, olives, and nuts mentioned by people on the trip. After the water activities, you receive a more substantial meal.

The lunch has included chicken with rice, potatoes, vegetables, and salad. One menu was described as chicken pasta with vegetables. The exact meal may vary, but you should expect filling, simple catering rather than a restaurant-style menu. That is the right level for a swim stop. You can eat without interrupting the day or leaving the yacht to find food.

Beer, wine, cava, and other drinks are included, with drinks available throughout the trip. The crew regularly checks if you need anything, which adds to the relaxed feel. Families should note that soft drinks and other non-alcoholic choices are also part of the general drinks service, though the precise selection is not specified.

The open drinks service is a plus for adults, but it can change the mood of the outing. Some departures feel lively and social, while others are quieter. You can enjoy a drink and sit in the sun, but do not treat the trip as a dedicated party cruise. The focus remains the coast, the swim stop, and the water equipment.

How much time is spent in the water?

The stated itinerary gives about one hour at Puerto Colón and coastal viewpoints, followed by about an hour and a half near Los Cristianos. In practice, that means the swim stop takes up a large part of the trip.

That is good news if you want to use every toy. You are not rushed through one quick swim and then sent back to the marina. You can try the slide, swim, dry off, eat, then return to the kayak or paddleboard.

It is less ideal if your main aim is to see a wide stretch of Tenerife’s coastline. The boat does not appear to make several scenic stops. You get the Palm Mar coast, views toward Los Cristianos, and the open-water ride, but the itinerary is built around recreation rather than sightseeing.

I would choose a seat carefully at the beginning. The front of the boat is the obvious place for sunshine and views, but it may feel crowded when the yacht is full. One family found the front seating tight with ten people. If you prefer shade or a little more personal space, do not feel you must claim the front immediately.

Crew service and the small-group atmosphere

The crew is a major part of the outing. Alejandro has been singled out for warm hosting, while Alex and Paolo have helped with photographs, celebrations, and equipment. Andreas and Andre have also been praised for being friendly, attentive, and informative.

This matters because the trip has a hands-on format. You may need help getting into the water, fitting a life jacket, stepping onto the paddleboard, or deciding which activity suits you. A crew that notices when you need help makes a real difference, especially when children or nervous swimmers are involved.

Group size can vary. Some outings have had only a few people, while others included family groups of ten or more. A number of departures have felt especially comfortable with eight to ten people, and one larger celebration group had 12. If a small-group setting is important to you, ask about the expected group size before booking rather than assuming every departure will be quiet.

There is also a relaxed social side. The crew may let you play your own music, and they often take pictures for groups. That works well for birthdays, hen parties, family days, and friends who want more than a formal guided cruise.

The practical drawbacks to consider

The biggest concern is sea sickness. One person had to leave early because of it, while another group included people who felt unwell after a night out. The crew helped as much as possible, but no yacht trip can remove the motion of the sea.

If you are prone to motion sickness, eat lightly before boarding, stay where you can see the horizon, and avoid treating the included drinks as a challenge. The trip may be calm, but conditions can change.

The second issue is the balance between sightseeing and play. You will not spend three and a half hours moving along the coast. The yacht cruises out, visits the coastal area near Palm Mar, and then spends a substantial period anchored near Los Cristianos. That is exactly right for families wanting a floating activity centre, but not ideal for someone hoping to tour the whole south coast.

The third is access to the equipment. There may be only one water bike, one kayak, or one paddleboard at a time. You might wait during busy departures. The waterslide is a real advantage, but it also means the experience is less peaceful than a quiet sailing trip.

Finally, the meal is hearty rather than elaborate. It is enough to keep you going after swimming, but do not book this expecting a fine-dining lunch or a wide choice of dishes.

Who will get the most from this yacht trip?

I would recommend it most strongly to families with children, groups with teenagers, and friends who want a sociable half-day on the water. The slide and water toys give younger passengers something to do, while the yacht, food, drinks, and views give adults a comfortable break.

It also suits mixed-ability groups. Strong swimmers can use the paddleboard, kayak, and snorkeling equipment, while less confident swimmers can use flotation gear and ask the crew for help. You can also skip the water entirely and enjoy the boat, food, and coastal views.

This is a good birthday or celebration choice. The crew has helped with proposals and taken group photos, and the drinks and meal make the day feel more complete than a basic boat ride.

I would choose another type of excursion if you want a fast trip around Tenerife, a serious wildlife trip, or a quiet sailing session with little activity. The itinerary gives you time on the water, but its character is fun, friendly, and active.

Is $81 good value?

At $81 per person, the price includes the three-and-a-half-hour yacht trip, professional crew, water equipment, snacks, lunch, and drinks. Paying separately for a boat ride, a meal, and several water activities would quickly add up.

The value is strongest when you plan to use the equipment. If you spend the swim stop on the slide, water bike, kayak, paddleboard, or snorkeling, you are getting several activities in one booking. It is still fair value if you prefer to sit back, since the lunch and drinks are included, but the trip makes the most sense for people who want to take part.

A small group can make the price feel even better because you get more chances with the equipment and more attention from the crew. On a fuller departure, you may spend time waiting and have less room at the front of the yacht. That does not ruin the outing, but it affects how personal it feels.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. The meeting point is Gate 13 at Puerto Colón. Bring sunscreen, a hat, towel, and camera.

Should you book it?

Book this yacht trip if you want a relaxed coastal cruise with a proper swim stop, not a coast-wide sightseeing tour. The waterslide, water bike, paddleboards, kayaks, snorkeling, meal, and drinks give you plenty to do for $81.

I would be especially happy recommending it to families and groups celebrating something. Just prepare for possible sea motion, do not expect guaranteed dolphins or turtles, and remember that the front seats may be limited on a busy departure. If those points suit you, this is one of Tenerife’s better-value ways to combine a yacht ride with real time in the water.

FAQ

Where does the yacht trip start?

It starts at Gate, or Pantalan, 13, at Puerto Colón in Costa Adeje, Tenerife.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts three and a half hours.

What type of boat is used?

The trip uses a 20-meter yacht.

What water activities are available?

The activities include snorkeling, a water bike, kayak, stand-up paddleboard, and a waterslide.

Where does the yacht stop for water activities?

The main water stop is near Las Vistas Beach in Los Cristianos.

Is food included?

Yes. Snacks and a prepared lunch are included. Meals have included chicken with rice, potatoes, vegetables, salad, or chicken pasta with vegetables.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Various drinks, including beer, wine, and cava, are included during the trip.

Can I see dolphins or turtles?

You might see dolphins, turtles, flying fish, or other marine life, but sightings are not guaranteed.

What languages does the crew speak?

The crew speaks English, French, Italian, and Spanish.

Is the yacht wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.