Sailing Yacht on a Private Charter

Tenerife’s south coast is at its best from the water, where pilot whales and dolphins can appear beside the boat with no aquarium glass between you and the sea. This three-hour private yacht charter gives your group room to relax, watch for wildlife, and stop for swimming or snorkeling if the weather cooperates.

I like the small private setting, with a maximum of 11 passengers, and the simple all-in package: beer, wine, Cava, soft drinks, water, baguettes, fruit, and snorkeling gear. The main caution is that this is sold as a sailing yacht trip, yet one report found the mainsail unusable and the boat less tidy than expected, so confirm the yacht’s current condition if sailing itself matters to you.

Key points to know before you book

• Pilot whales are a real possibility: The waters off Tenerife are known for regular sightings, and several outings have included pilot whales and dolphins.
• Your group has the boat to itself: The charter carries up to 11 passengers, making it a better fit for families and friends than a large shared cruise.
• The package includes food and drinks: Expect ham and cheese baguettes, seasonal fruit, water, soft drinks, beer, wine, and Cava.
• Swimming depends on the weather: Snorkeling gear is provided, but the swimming stop is not guaranteed in rough conditions.
• The trip returns to Puerto Colón: You leave from and return to the same marina in Playa de las Américas.
• The price can work well for a group: At the listed $74 rate, the value improves sharply when several people share the private charter.

Leaving Puerto Colón for three quiet hours at sea

You meet at Puerto Colón in Playa de las Américas, one of the main boating points on Tenerife’s south coast. The activity ends at the same place, which keeps the day simple. You do not need to arrange a separate return transfer or figure out a different pickup point.

The boat is intended for up to 11 passengers. That number matters. A private yacht with two, four, or six people should feel calm and open, while a full group of 11 will have less personal space. If you are booking for a family or a group of friends, you can spread out, take photos, sit in the sun, and choose your own rhythm rather than follow a large excursion crowd.

The departure time is arranged according to availability. Plan for about three hours on the ocean, not a full day. That makes this easy to fit between a lazy morning, lunch, or an evening meal in the resort area.

The yacht has Wi-Fi, life vests, and room to relax. You should still treat the boat as a working sea vessel rather than a luxury hotel. Conditions can change, and the activity requires good weather. If weather forces a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Watching for dolphins and pilot whales

The central reason to book is the chance to see marine life in its natural setting. The main targets are dolphins and pilot whales, often called calderones around Tenerife. The sightings are not staged, timed, or guaranteed, but several outings have included large groups of pilot whales and close dolphin encounters.

The calm private format helps here. You can keep your attention on the water instead of listening for instructions over a crowded deck. A patient skipper can take time to position the yacht near wildlife while keeping a respectful distance. One especially positive account described a skipper who was calm, friendly, and willing to wait for better whale views.

Pilot whales are not the same as the huge whales many people picture. They are large, social ocean mammals that often travel in groups. Seeing several of them together can be the highlight of the trip, even if they surface briefly. Dolphins may be faster and more playful, but both sightings depend on luck, sea conditions, and the animals’ movements.

Keep your expectations realistic. A three-hour trip gives you a good chance to look for wildlife, but nature sets the schedule. You might spend much of the time scanning the sea before anything appears. That waiting is part of the experience, so bring patience and keep your phone ready for quick sightings.

A gentle coastal outing rather than a high-speed cruise

Sailing by yacht offers a quieter way to see Tenerife’s coast. The appeal is not a loud party boat or a packed timetable. It is the chance to sit on deck, feel the movement of the water, and watch the shoreline from offshore.

That said, you should clarify what kind of sailing you want. One dissatisfied passenger reported that the mainsail was broken, the ropes were old, and the boat did not actually sail during the trip. Other feedback described the yacht as clean and well maintained, so the condition may vary or may have been addressed since that outing.

If raising sails and moving under wind power is the main purpose of your day, ask the operator about the current sailing setup before booking. If your priority is simply a private boat, wildlife watching, snacks, and a swim stop, the experience still has clear appeal.

The skipper is an important part of the outing. The strongest comments describe a friendly local guide who told stories, stayed patient, and handled different group needs well. That personal service is one reason a private charter can feel more relaxed than a fixed group cruise.

The snorkeling and swimming stop

When the weather permits, the yacht stops for swimming and snorkeling. Equipment is provided, so you do not need to bring your own mask and snorkel. Life vests are also available, which is useful for anyone who is not a confident swimmer.

This part of the trip is flexible rather than guaranteed. Wind, waves, and general sea conditions may prevent a stop, and the supplied information does not promise a particular cove or underwater site. Think of the swim as a welcome chance to cool off, not the sole purpose of the charter.

You can also choose not to get in the water. The yacht gives you another way to enjoy the stop: sit in the sun, take photographs, watch the sea, or have a drink. That flexibility works well for mixed groups, especially when some people want an active break and others prefer to stay dry.

Bring swimwear and a towel if you plan to swim, although the provided information does not specify towel service. Sun protection is sensible for any open-water trip. You may also want a light layer, since a pleasant marina temperature can feel cooler once the boat is moving.

Food, drinks, and the value of an all-in afternoon

The food is modest but practical. You receive ham and cheese baguettes and fresh seasonal fruit, with vegan and vegetarian choices available. This is enough to prevent the outing from becoming an uncomfortable three-hour stretch between meals, though it is not a full restaurant lunch.

Drinks include water, soft drinks, beer, wine, and Cava. That selection suits a relaxed afternoon on the water. The package also removes the small costs that can make a boat trip feel less good value, especially when you are buying drinks for several people.

One bit of feedback suggested that chilled rosé would have been preferable. That is a small point, but it shows the food and drink service is casual rather than highly polished. You are getting useful refreshments, not a formal wine experience.

At the listed price of $74, the value depends on how the rate applies to your booking and how many people join you. For a private group, the cost can be attractive because you are paying for exclusive use while receiving food, drinks, equipment, and a skipper. For only one or two people, the total value depends more heavily on the quality of the boat and the success of the wildlife search.

I would compare the price with larger shared whale-watching cruises in the area, but do not compare them as if they offer the same product. A shared boat may cost less per person, while this charter gives you privacy and control over your group’s space.

Who will enjoy this Tenerife yacht charter most

I would recommend this outing to families, couples traveling with friends, and groups that want time together without a loud party atmosphere. The maximum of 11 passengers is large enough for a family gathering but small enough to keep the boat personal.

It also suits people who want several options in one trip. You can watch for whales, enjoy coastal views, eat, take photographs, swim, or simply rest. You do not need to commit to snorkeling, and the private setting means your group can enjoy the boat at its own pace.

This may be less suitable if you want a guaranteed wildlife encounter, a long sailing session under full sail, or a luxury yacht with carefully presented food. The wildlife is unpredictable, and the condition of the vessel deserves attention because one outing raised concerns about maintenance and the broken mainsail.

The trip can work for most participants, and service animals are allowed. The information also notes that most people can take part. Still, anyone with particular mobility or medical needs should ask the provider directly, since detailed accessibility information is not supplied.

Practical details that make the day easier

You receive confirmation when you book, and the activity uses a mobile ticket. Keep the ticket easy to access on your phone before reaching Puerto Colón.

The meeting point is Puerto Colón, Playa de las Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain. The trip returns there after roughly three hours. The area is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying in the south of Tenerife and do not have a car.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations made within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes during that period are not accepted. Since the trip depends on good weather, a cancellation by the operator for poor conditions brings either a new date or a full refund.

I would arrive with enough time to find the marina and locate the boat without rushing. Wear clothes suitable for sun and sea spray, and keep valuables secure. The activity supplies life vests and snorkeling gear, but you should not assume that every personal comfort item is provided.

What the strongest feedback gets right

The best part of this experience is the combination of wildlife watching and personal service. Seeing pilot whales in groups, or dolphins moving through the water, gives the trip a clear purpose. The skipper’s attitude matters just as much, and the strongest outings feature someone calm, patient, friendly, and willing to give the search time.

The snacks and drinks also receive clear praise because they make the trip feel complete. You can stay on the water without arranging a meal afterward, and the inclusion of Cava gives the private charter a small celebratory touch.

The weaker point is not the idea of the excursion but the possibility of uneven boat condition. One report described a messy cabin, old ropes, and a broken mainsail, while another described a clean and maintained yacht. That difference is important enough to address before booking, particularly if you have chosen this because you specifically want to sail.

The 4.8 rating from 16 reviews and 94 percent recommendation rate suggest a strong overall record, but the small sample means I would not treat those numbers as a guarantee. Read the offer as a pleasant private sea outing with a chance of marine life, not as a fully guaranteed sailing performance.

Should you book this private yacht charter?

Book it if you want a three-hour private boat trip from Puerto Colón, a relaxed search for dolphins and pilot whales, included drinks and snacks, and the option to swim or snorkel. It is especially good for a group that values privacy and wants a flexible afternoon on the water.

Before paying, ask one practical question: is the yacht currently sailing under its mainsail, and what is its present condition? If the answer is clear and satisfactory, the $74 price can be good value for a shared private experience, especially with several people in your group.

Skip it if you need guaranteed sightings, a formal meal, or a sailing-focused trip with no uncertainty. For everyone else, this is a sensible way to trade a few hours of resort time for sea air, possible pilot whales, and a more personal view of Tenerife’s coast.

FAQ

Where does the yacht charter start?

It starts at Puerto Colón in Playa de las Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

Where does the activity finish?

The trip ends back at the meeting point at Puerto Colón.

How long does the charter last?

The charter lasts approximately three hours.

How many passengers can join?

The yacht has a maximum capacity of 11 passengers.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. The package includes ham and cheese baguettes, fresh seasonal fruit, water, soft drinks, beer, wine, and Cava. Vegan and vegetarian options are available.

Is snorkeling included?

Snorkeling gear is available on board. Swimming and snorkeling take place when weather and sea conditions permit.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.