Tenerife: Catamaran Cruise with an Open Bar

The best reason to book this cruise is the chance to see Tenerife from the water, with pilot whales, dolphins, and seabirds often found offshore. The longer sailing also reaches the towering Cliffs of Los Gigantes and pauses at Masca Bay for a swim.

I like the easy holiday feel: you can stretch out on deck with a drink, and the crew has been praised for being attentive. I also like the full steps lowered into the sea at Masca Bay, which make swimming simpler than climbing over a boat rail.

The main caution is that the two sailings offer quite different value. The 4.5-hour trip includes lunch and swimming, while the 3-hour option provides snacks, drinks, and bubbly only. A double sunbed costs an extra €25, and the onboard toilets are reached by steep vertical ladder steps.

Key points to know before booking

• Pilot whales can come surprisingly close: Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed, but the waters off Tenerife are known for regular whale and dolphin encounters.
• The 4.5-hour trip is the fuller experience: It adds Los Gigantes, Masca Bay, swimming, lunch, and unlimited drinks.
• Masca Bay has proper swimming steps: A full set of steps lowers into the sea, making entry and exit easier than from many boats.
• The 3-hour cruise is lighter on food: Expect snacks, drinks, and bubbly, not a full meal.
• A sunbed may cost extra: A double sunbed is available for €25, so check the price before you settle in.
• Mobility needs careful planning: The coach and boarding process can be helpful, but the boat toilet has fully vertical wooden ladder steps.

A catamaran view of Tenerife’s western coast

Tenerife’s west coast looks different from the sea. From a catamaran, you see long volcanic slopes, rough coves, and cliffs dropping straight toward the Atlantic. The Freebird catamaran gives you room to sit in the sun, watch the coast, or move into the shade when the heat builds.

This is not a fast thrill ride. It is a relaxed sailing with a social holiday atmosphere. You spend much of the time cruising, drinking, chatting, and watching the water. That suits you if you want a calm half-day outdoors rather than a packed sightseeing program.

The cruise begins from a marina in southern Tenerife. You can make your own way there, or use the included coach pickup if you are staying in the south and your hotel is covered. Pickup is not offered from every hotel, and rural areas are excluded. You receive the nearest assigned pickup point, so check this before booking and allow time to reach it.

The host and crew work in English and Spanish. The staff have earned strong praise for being helpful, including assisting a solo passenger with a walking stick by arranging a seat on the coach and allowing early boarding. That kind of practical care matters, particularly if you dislike rushing at a marina.

Choosing between three hours and 4.5 hours

The 3-hour cruise is the simpler choice. It gives you time on the catamaran, coastal views, snacks, drinks, and bubbly. You can book it with or without hotel pickup, depending on the option selected.

I would choose this shorter sailing if you mainly want sunshine, fresh air, and a boat ride without giving up most of your day. It also makes sense if you are not interested in swimming or do not need a full meal onboard. Keep your expectations clear: this is a snack cruise, not the full Los Gigantes and Masca Bay outing.

The 4.5-hour cruise includes more of Tenerife’s western coast and offers the better value if you want several elements in one trip. You get the cliffs, a swim stop, lunch, and an unlimited selection of drinks. The longer time also gives the crew more opportunity to search for whales and dolphins.

The difference is not just an extra hour and a half. The longer trip changes the outing from a scenic boat ride into a more complete day on the water. At about $55 per person, that package can be good value if you would otherwise pay separately for a boat trip, drinks, a meal, and a swim stop.

Still, the longer sailing is not automatically better for everyone. You will be on the boat for 4.5 hours, often with music playing while the catamaran is moving. If you prefer quiet coastal scenery, or if you get restless on a boat, the 3-hour option may be the wiser pick.

Sailing toward Los Gigantes

The 4.5-hour route heads along Tenerife’s western coast toward the Cliffs of Los Gigantes, known locally as Acantilados de Los Gigantes. These pale, sheer rock faces rise dramatically from the ocean and are among the most striking sights on this side of the island.

From the water, the cliffs are best understood by scale. You do not simply look at a rock wall from a roadside viewpoint. You see the cliffs meeting the sea, with the catamaran moving beneath their full height. Bring a phone or camera, but keep it secure when the boat is underway.

The coast around Los Gigantes is also a good setting for wildlife watching. The crew searches the water for dolphins, pilot whales, and seabirds. One particularly successful sailing had a close encounter with a group of pilot whales, an experience that can turn a pleasant cruise into a memorable one.

Wildlife sightings remain unpredictable. The crew can search, but no responsible boat trip can promise a whale or dolphin appearance. If seeing marine life is your main reason for booking, think of it as a valuable possibility rather than a guarantee.

Masca Bay and the swimming stop

After the coastal sailing, the longer cruise reaches Masca Bay and anchors for a swim. This is one of the most useful parts of the itinerary because you get a proper break from sitting on deck.

A full set of steps is lowered into the water, giving you a stable route in and out. That is easier for many people than jumping from the side or using a short metal ladder. If you are not a confident swimmer, take your time and follow the crew’s instructions.

The water stop is for swimming rather than a full snorkeling program. No swimming or snorkeling equipment is provided, so bring your own gear if you want it. The supplied information does not promise visibility, rental equipment, or guided marine viewing, so treat this as a refreshing swim in the bay.

You may prefer to stay aboard and watch the water. The deck remains available for drying off in the sun, and this is a good time to settle with a drink. Pack sun protection and a towel, since swimming and strong Atlantic sunshine make both useful.

The swim stop also gives the 4.5-hour cruise a better rhythm. Instead of spending the full sailing seated, you alternate between viewing the coast, looking for wildlife, swimming, eating, and relaxing.

What you eat and drink onboard

Food is one of the less consistent parts of this experience, so keep your expectations modest. The 4.5-hour sailing includes a buffet with options such as chicken paella or vegetable rice and meatballs. Unlimited drinks are included, with beer and soda specifically noted, along with other onboard refreshments.

Some people find the meal perfectly acceptable, while others have found the chicken balls poor and the rice nearly finished by the time they reached the buffet. Another sailing received praise for the food. The safest conclusion is that lunch is convenient and filling, but it should not be the main reason you book.

The 3-hour sailing has no full lunch. You receive snacks, drinks, and bubbly instead. That can be enough for a short outing, but eat beforehand if you need a substantial meal or tend to feel hungry after swimming.

The open bar adds real value, especially on the longer sailing. If you plan to have several drinks during a 4.5-hour cruise, the included selection can make the $55 price feel reasonable. Drink sensibly, though. Sun, movement, and alcohol can catch up with you faster than expected on the water.

Deck space, sunbeds, and music

The catamaran has a sun-saturated top deck where you can enjoy views and dry after swimming. You can relax with a drink and watch Tenerife’s coastline slide past, but seating may not mean a private sunbed.

A double sunbed costs an additional €25. That is not too steep when shared by two people, but it is an avoidable surprise if you assume every comfortable reclining spot is included. Ask about the sunbed charge before boarding or settling into one.

The atmosphere leans toward a casual boat party rather than a quiet nature cruise. Music may play while the catamaran is moving. Some people will enjoy the energy, while others will wish they could hear the sea and seabirds without a soundtrack.

I would choose this trip for company, drinks, sun, and scenery. If silence is important to you, bring realistic expectations. The boat is designed as a social leisure outing, not a hushed wildlife expedition.

Coach transfers and boarding details

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for selected locations in southern Tenerife. The operator does not cover rural areas or every individual hotel, and the assigned pickup may be at a nearby meeting point rather than directly outside your accommodation.

The air-conditioned coach is useful in Tenerife’s sun, particularly if you are carrying swim gear. It also removes the need to arrange your own transport to the marina. On the other hand, you need to check the pickup location and timing carefully, since the nearest point may not be obvious from your hotel name alone.

Boarding can be orderly and supportive. Assistance with seating and early boarding has been provided when needed. The boat itself, however, has a major accessibility limitation: the toilets are reached by fully vertical wooden ladder steps. Anyone with mobility difficulties should consider this before committing to several hours onboard.

The information does not describe a wheelchair-accessible toilet or a step-free route throughout the catamaran. If you use a walking aid, contact the operator before booking and ask exactly what assistance is available for your needs.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend the 4.5-hour option to you if you want a broad Tenerife experience in one booking. It combines coastal views, wildlife watching, a swim, a meal, and drinks without requiring separate arrangements.

It also suits couples and friends who enjoy a social setting. The open bar and music create a relaxed holiday mood, and the extra sunbed charge is easier to absorb when shared.

Families may appreciate the simple structure, though the supplied information does not provide age rules or child-specific facilities. Anyone planning to swim should bring suitable gear and keep close to the crew’s instructions.

The 3-hour trip suits you if you want a shorter outing, prefer snacks to a buffet meal, or are unsure how you will feel after several hours at sea. It is also the safer choice for a tight schedule.

I would hesitate to recommend either option if you need quiet, guaranteed wildlife, specialist snorkeling equipment, or easy toilet access. The boat can deliver a very good day, but it is not designed around those needs.

Price, cancellation, and practical value

At $55 per person, the price is reasonable for the longer cruise if you make use of the included drinks, lunch, swim stop, and hotel transfer. The boat ride alone is only part of what you are buying.

The value is weaker if you choose the shorter sailing mainly for the open bar, since the 3-hour trip includes snacks, drinks, and bubbly rather than the full lunch and longer route. Compare the exact option before paying, as the two packages are not interchangeable.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now while paying later. Those terms help if your Tenerife plans are still shifting, but confirm the selected duration and pickup point at the time of booking.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and a secure phone case. If you want to snorkel, bring your own equipment. Also bring a little patience for the buffet, since the food supply and quality may vary during service.

Should you book the Freebird catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want a relaxed half-day at sea with a real chance of seeing pilot whales or dolphins, dramatic Los Gigantes cliffs, and a swim at Masca Bay. The 4.5-hour option offers the strongest value, especially when you use the meal, unlimited drinks, and coach transfer.

Choose the 3-hour sailing if you want a lighter boat trip with snacks and bubbly. Skip the experience if you require quiet, excellent food, provided snorkeling gear, or easy-access toilets.

My practical pick is the longer cruise for most visitors, provided you accept the social music, mixed lunch quality, and possible €25 sunbed charge. The wildlife encounter may be the highlight, but the cliffs, swimming steps, and easy all-in-one format give the trip enough value even when the sea stays quiet.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise take place?

The cruise sails along Tenerife’s western coast from a marina in the south of the island. The 4.5-hour route includes the Cliffs of Los Gigantes and Masca Bay.

How long is the cruise?

You can choose a 3-hour cruise or a 4.5-hour cruise. Starting times vary, so check availability for your preferred date.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included from selected locations in southern Tenerife. Rural areas are not covered, and pickup is not available from every hotel. You may be assigned a nearby pickup point.

What languages are spoken?

The host or greeter speaks English and Spanish.

What is included on the 3-hour cruise?

The 3-hour option includes snacks, drinks, and bubbly. It does not include the full lunch provided on the longer sailing.

What food is included on the 4.5-hour cruise?

The longer option includes a buffet with dishes such as chicken, rice, or meatballs. Chicken paella and vegetable rice are listed as examples.

Are drinks unlimited?

Unlimited drinks are included on the 4.5-hour option. The 3-hour cruise includes drinks and bubbly.

Can I swim during the cruise?

Swimming is included on the 4.5-hour sailing at Masca Bay. A full set of steps lowers into the sea. Swimming and snorkeling equipment are not provided.

Is the cruise accessible for people with mobility difficulties?

Some assistance may be available during coach pickup and boarding, but the onboard toilets are reached by fully vertical wooden ladder steps. Check with the operator before booking if you have mobility concerns.