Reviewed · TENERIFE CATAMARAN CRUISES
Private Catamaran Charter with Transfer, Buffet and Snorkeling
A private catamaran gives you something a standard boat trip cannot: control of the day. From Puerto Colón, your group can decide how much time to spend watching whales and dolphins, swimming off the coast, or stretching out on the sun deck with food and a drink. The boat also carries snorkeling gear, so you avoid packing extra equipment.
I like the small private setting and the generous food and drink service, which includes lunch, tapas, fruit, snacks, soft drinks, beer, and champagne. I also like the crew’s attention to comfort. On one outing, the team kept checking on people who felt seasick and stayed in touch with the group about pickup time. The main drawback is the short three-hour sailing window. At this price, it works best for a celebration or a group that values privacy.
Key points to know before booking

- Private sailing from Puerto Colón: Your group has the catamaran to itself, rather than sharing the boat with unrelated passengers.
- Whales and dolphins in open water: Sightings are possible, not guaranteed, but the route takes you along Tenerife’s coast where marine life may be seen.
- Swimming and snorkeling included: The captain chooses suitable spots, and equipment is provided.
- Food and drinks are part of the fare: Expect lunch, tapas-style food, fruit, snacks, water, soft drinks, beer, and champagne.
- Pickup covers south Tenerife: Hotel transfer is available within a 20-kilometre radius of Puerto Colón.
- Check capacity before paying: The listed price is for up to 15 people, while the operating information says the catamaran can take up to 24 passengers.
Sailing from Puerto Colón on your own route

The meeting point is Diamant Glass Bottom Boat at Puerto Colón, Pantalan 6, in Costa Adeje. If your hotel is in the south of Tenerife and within the stated 20-kilometre pickup radius, private transportation can be arranged. Otherwise, you make your own way to the marina.
That transfer matters more than it may seem. Puerto Colón sits in a busy resort area, and arranging a large group taxi or several separate rides can be a nuisance. A pickup takes one task off your plate, especially for a birthday, family outing, or corporate group. Confirm the exact collection time before the day of sailing.
Once aboard, the captain and crew help shape the outing. This is not a fixed sightseeing circuit with every minute prescribed. You can spend more time along the coast looking for whales and dolphins, then stop for a swim or snorkeling when conditions allow.
The boat is a purpose-built catamaran designed for comfort and stability. It has a forward sun deck, a flybridge with seating, and an indoor sofa. A restroom is also available onboard, which is useful during a meal-and-drinks outing.
The vessel is stable, but it is still a boat. You will feel some movement, particularly if the sea is not calm. If you are prone to seasickness, consider ginger tablets or Dramamine before boarding, as suggested by the operator. Do not wait until you feel unwell. A few people on one outing needed extra care, and the crew kept checking on them, but prevention is still the better plan.
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Watching whales and dolphins along Tenerife’s coast

The wildlife portion is the heart of the trip. The waters around Tenerife are known for regular marine activity, and the route gives you a chance to see whales, dolphins, and possibly sea turtles in their natural surroundings.
Keep your expectations sensible. Wild animals do not follow a timetable, and a private boat cannot promise a sighting. What you do receive is time on the water with the freedom to pause when something appears. That is more personal than being tied to a crowded schedule, but it does not turn nature into a guaranteed show.
The catamaran’s open layout helps. You can move between the forward deck and flybridge rather than trying to look over a row of heads. I would keep your phone or camera ready, but also spend some time simply watching the sea. Wildlife may surface quickly and disappear just as fast.
The coast itself adds plenty to the outing. You will see Tenerife from offshore, with the island’s mountains rising behind the resort towns. The view changes as you move away from Puerto Colón, and the water gives you a different sense of the island than a road trip or beach afternoon.
The crew’s role is important here. They handle the route and help locate suitable places for wildlife watching and swimming. Since the route remains flexible, you can tell them what matters most to your group. If spotting marine life is the priority, say so early. If your group mainly wants a relaxed lunch and swim, make that clear too.
Snorkeling, swimming, and time in the water

When conditions are suitable, the captain takes you to a good snorkeling area. Equipment is included, so you only need to bring a swimsuit, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a towel. Towels are not supplied, and that is an easy item to forget.
The swim stop gives the three-hour charter a welcome change of pace. After sitting on deck and scanning the water, you can get in for a swim or use the snorkeling gear to look below the surface. The supplied information does not promise a particular reef, fish species, or underwater site, so think of this as a coastal swim with snorkeling rather than a specialist marine excursion.
Your group can also choose not to swim. The forward deck and flybridge provide room to relax, and the indoor sofa offers shelter if you need a break from the sun. That flexibility makes the boat suitable for mixed groups, including people who want to get in the water and others who would rather stay dry.
Bring sun protection even if you plan to swim only once. The open decks offer a lot of exposure, and the bright sea can make the day feel cooler than it is. A towel is essential after the swim, and a light cover-up may help during the return ride.
The catamaran is not wheelchair accessible, so mobility needs should be discussed before booking. Service animals are allowed, and the activity is near public transportation for anyone making their own way to Puerto Colón.
Lunch, tapas, and drinks on deck

Food is not an afterthought here. The meal service includes a selection of tortillas, cheese, quiche, bread, crisps, and meat, along with fruit, snacks, and other tapas-style items. Water, soft drinks, beer, and champagne are also included.
That mix suits a social charter. You can eat casually between swimming and wildlife watching rather than stopping the day for a formal meal. It also gives a group enough variety to put together a light lunch, though the exact menu can vary.
The drinks help make this a popular choice for birthdays and other milestones. One group used the charter for a 50th birthday and had a full day of food, drinks, and dolphin sightings. Another enjoyed cava, whale watching, and a swim. Those details point to the real strength of the outing: it can feel like a private celebration with scenery, rather than a simple boat transfer.
Alcohol deserves a little common sense. Champagne and beer are included, but Tenerife’s sun, sea movement, and swimming can catch you out. Drink slowly, eat first, and keep water within reach. If anyone in your group is prone to seasickness, alcohol may make the problem worse.
The food also helps justify the price for a larger group. You are not paying only for a boat seat. You are covering private use of the catamaran, crew service, transportation when available, snorkeling gear, lunch, drinks, and a flexible route. For two people, the cost would be hard to defend. For a group sharing the charge, the arithmetic looks much better.
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What the $1,792 group price really means

The listed price is $1,792.13 per group, with a stated limit of up to 15 people. That works out to roughly $119 per person for 15 people, before considering the included transfer, meal, drinks, and equipment.
The operating information also says the charter can accommodate up to 24 passengers. Because those two limits do not match, I would confirm the permitted group size and final price directly before booking. This is especially important if you have more than 15 people. Do not assume that the larger capacity automatically applies to the advertised rate.
For a full group, the value is strongest when privacy matters. A shared cruise may cost less per person, but you would lose control over the route and spend the day with people you do not know. Here, your group can set the mood, choose how much time to spend swimming, and celebrate without worrying about disturbing strangers.
The price is also easier to justify for a special occasion. A 50th birthday, family reunion, or day with close friends can turn the charter into the main event. For a casual afternoon with no interest in swimming, food, or drinks, a cheaper public sailing may suit you better.
The tour lasts about three hours, so calculate the value by time as well as headcount. This is a concentrated outing, not a full-day cruise. You will get a good mix of wildlife watching, food, and swimming, but you should not expect hours of unhurried sailing.
Comfort, weather, and practical limits

The catamaran has several places to sit, including the forward sun deck, flybridge, and indoor sofa. That spread lets you move around as the weather changes. The boat is built for stability, though no catamaran can remove all motion from the sea.
Good weather is required. If conditions force a cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. The standard cancellation policy allows a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not refunded or accepted.
I would check the forecast before packing, but I would not cancel early just because the morning looks cloudy. The operator makes the final weather call, and the policy gives you a date change or refund if poor conditions prevent the trip.
The departure point is easy to identify at Puerto Colón, but allow time to find Pantalan 6 if you are driving or arriving independently. If you are using hotel pickup, have your accommodation details ready and confirm the collection time. Pickup is offered for the south of Tenerife within the stated radius, not for every part of the island.
Most people can participate, but the boat is not wheelchair accessible. The activity does include a restroom, service animals are allowed, and the marina is near public transportation.
Who will enjoy this private charter most

I would choose this charter for a group that wants the boat itself to be part of the celebration. It suits families, couples traveling with friends, birthday groups, and anyone who prefers a private setting over a large shared cruise.
It is also a good match for mixed interests. One person can look for dolphins, another can swim, and someone else can sit in the shade with lunch. The flexible plan means nobody has to spend the whole time doing one activity.
The trip is less suitable if you need guaranteed wildlife sightings, a full-day sailing, or a highly structured naturalist program. It is also not the right choice for a wheelchair user because the catamaran is not accessible.
People who get seasick should plan carefully. The stable hull helps, but movement remains possible. Take suitable medication if you normally use it, eat lightly before departure, and use the more central seating areas if needed.
What to pack for three hours at sea

Bring your swimsuit, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a towel. The snorkeling equipment, lunch, drinks, snacks, and bottled water are included, so you do not need to pack a meal or mask and fins.
I would also bring a dry bag or another way to protect your phone. Keep clothing simple and practical. You will move between sun, shade, food, and the water, so a light cover-up is useful even in warm weather.
Do not forget that alcoholic drinks are available. If you plan to enjoy champagne or beer, pack sunscreen and water habits into the day. A private setting does not remove the need for care around the sea.
Should you book the Monte Cristo Catamaran charter?
Book it if you want a private, social outing with wildlife watching, swimming, lunch, and drinks in one package. The crew’s friendly care, flexible route, and strong attention to people who feel unwell add real value. The private format is especially appealing for birthdays and family occasions.
Before paying, confirm the group limit because the advertised price refers to up to 15 people while the boat information mentions up to 24. Also check hotel pickup, bring a towel, and prepare for some boat movement.
For a large group sharing the cost, this is a practical way to turn a few hours on Tenerife’s coast into a memorable event. For a small party on a tight budget, or anyone seeking a long, highly educational wildlife trip, compare other options first.
FAQ
Where does the private catamaran charter depart?
The departure point is Diamant Glass Bottom Boat at Puerto Colón, Pantalan 6, Costa Adeje, Tenerife.
Is hotel pickup available?
Yes. Pickup is offered for hotels in the south of Tenerife within a 20-kilometre radius of Puerto Colón.
What happens if my hotel is outside the pickup area?
You can make your own way to Puerto Colón, Pantalan 6, Costa Adeje.
How long is the catamaran trip?
The charter lasts approximately three hours.
How many people can join the private charter?
The listed price is for a group of up to 15 people. The additional operating information says the catamaran can accommodate up to 24 passengers, so confirm the applicable limit and price for larger groups.
Is snorkeling equipment included?
Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided, and the captain can take you to suitable snorkeling spots.
Can I swim during the trip?
Yes. Swimming is allowed, and the captain chooses the swimming or snorkeling location.
What food and drinks are included?
Included food includes lunch, tortillas, cheese, quiche, bread, crisps, meat selections, fruit, and snacks. Drinks include bottled water, soft drinks, beer, and champagne.
Is there a restroom onboard?
Yes. The catamaran has a restroom for passenger use.
Is the catamaran wheelchair accessible?
No. The catamaran is not wheelchair accessible. Service animals are allowed.
What should I bring?
Bring a swimsuit, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a towel. Towels are not provided.
What happens if the weather is poor?
The activity requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.
What is the cancellation policy?
You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted or refunded.
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