Tenerife: South Island Boat-Trip and Sea Excursion

The best part of this private boat trip is the freedom to leave the crowded excursion boats behind. From Puerto Colón, you head along Tenerife’s south coast in a fast motorboat, look for dolphins and whales, then stop at the La Caleta lagoon for swimming, snorkeling, and fishing. I like the small-group setting and the chance to use fishing lines and snorkels without paying for each extra. The main consideration is price: $412 per group of up to eight is good value for a full private boat, but expensive for one or two people.

I also like that Ruslan is named as the guide on several recent outings, and that the boat carries soft drinks, a life jacket, and, according to one account, a toilet. Wildlife is never guaranteed, so you should book this for the boat time, swimming stop, and sea views first, with dolphins as a welcome bonus.

Key points to know before you book

• Private boat for up to eight: You get your own group rather than sharing space with 50 or more people.
• Three hours from Puerto Colón: The trip begins and ends at Pantalan 4 in Costa Adeje.
• Wildlife watching: The crew looks for dolphins, pilot whales, turtles, and other marine life, but sightings depend on nature.
• La Caleta lagoon stop: You have time to swim among clear water and fish, with fishing lines and snorkels available.
• Drinks on board: Soft drinks are included, and recent outings also had water, beer, sparkling wine, and snacks.
• Best for active small groups: Families, friends, couples, and birthday groups can make good use of the private format.

Setting out from Puerto Colón

Your meeting point is Puerto Colón, Pantalan 4, in Costa Adeje. This is in the busy resort area of southern Tenerife, so you are not starting from a remote fishing village or a quiet natural harbor. That makes the trip easy to fit into a beach holiday, especially if you are staying around Costa Adeje.

Once aboard, the boat heads out into the Atlantic. The first few minutes give you a sharp change of scene: port buildings fall behind, the water opens up, and Tenerife’s coast begins to look different from sea level. You get the fresh breeze, bright water, and the lift of a fast white motorboat rather than the slow, steady feel of a large sightseeing vessel.

That speed matters. Three hours is not a long time, and a motorboat lets you cover more coast before settling at the swimming stop. It can also make the ride feel lively. If you prefer a calm, floating platform with very little movement, ask yourself how comfortable you are on a smaller fast boat before booking.

The trip is private, which is one of its clearest advantages. A group of eight can spread out more easily, talk among itself, and decide how much time to give the water, the wildlife search, and the lagoon. One family group with children aged 10, 7, and 5 particularly appreciated avoiding the packed boats that carry more than 50 people. That is useful context if you are comparing this with a standard shared cruise.

Looking for dolphins and whales along Tenerife’s south coast

The crew keeps watch for marine life soon after leaving port. The waters around southern Tenerife are known in the activity description for dolphins and other ocean creatures, and the crew works to find good viewing and photo opportunities. You should keep your camera ready, but you should also keep your expectations sensible.

Wild animals do not follow a schedule. One outing recorded three pilot whales and one turtle, but very few animals overall. That is not a fault in the boat or guide. It is simply the risk that comes with any wildlife trip. If seeing a particular animal is your main reason for booking, there is no guarantee. The value of the trip has to rest on the complete outing, not one sighting.

The sea itself is part of the experience. You will see Tenerife from an angle that roads and resort promenades cannot provide. Cliffs, coves, beaches, and the island’s southern shore take on a wider scale from the water. The crew may also stop for photos when the setting is right, so you have chances to capture the boat, coastline, and open Atlantic.

Ruslan is the guide named in several recent accounts. His role appears to combine boat handling, wildlife searching, and explanations about the marine environment. Clear communication also matters at a small port, where finding the right boat can be harder than expected. The listed languages are English, Estonian, and Russian.

Bring sunglasses. The glare off the water can be strong, and you will be outside for most of the three hours. You should also bring a towel if you plan to swim.

The La Caleta lagoon swimming stop

The main break comes at the La Caleta lagoon. Here, you get free time to enter the water, swim among fish, and use the supplied snorkeling equipment. Fishing lines are also available, giving you something to do if you would rather sit at the edge of the group activity than spend the whole stop swimming.

This is where the private format pays off most. You are not being moved through a long list of fixed stops with dozens of other people. Your group can enjoy the water at its own pace within the time available. One recent outing praised the clear water, small cove setting, snorkels, and fishing lines. Another described the stop as a place where everyone enjoyed getting in the water.

Still, the lagoon stop is not a full beach day. The total trip lasts three hours, including the ride from and back to Puerto Colón, so swimming time is limited. The exact length of the stop is not specified. You should think of it as a refreshing part of a boat outing, not as several hours at a beach with changing rooms and broad facilities.

Swimming ability also matters. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users, and the information provided does not describe an accessible boarding setup. If anyone in your group has mobility needs, check with the operator before paying. Life jackets are included, but normal care around open water still applies.

Fishing, snorkeling, and the useful extras

The fishing option is simple rather than a dedicated angling trip. You can try the lines while the boat is stopped at the lagoon, which adds a playful activity for children and adults. There is no promise of a catch, and the trip is not designed around fishing equipment or a particular species.

The same goes for snorkeling. Equipment is provided, so you do not need to arrange a separate mask and snorkel for this activity. The clear water and fish make the stop more than a quick swim, but visibility and marine life can change with conditions.

Soft drinks are included throughout the cruise. Recent outings also had water, beer, sparkling wine, and snacks in a well-stocked refrigerator, though the formal inclusion lists soft drinks and does not promise every alcoholic drink or snack on every departure. If refreshments are important to you, confirm what will be available when you book.

The boat has been described as clean and well equipped, and one account specifically noted a toilet on board. That is a useful comfort on a three-hour sea trip. The formal details do not list the toilet as an included feature, so treat it as a likely boat amenity rather than a guaranteed promise unless the operator confirms it.

Is $412 good value for a private boat?

The price is $412 per group of up to eight. At full capacity, that works out to about $51.50 per person. For a group of six to eight people, the math is fairly attractive because you are paying for privacy, not just a seat on a boat.

For two people, the calculation changes. You are effectively paying $206 each, which makes this a premium outing. You should compare it with the cost of a shared whale-watching cruise and decide how much the private setting matters. The price makes more sense if you want time with family or friends, plan to celebrate a birthday, or want a quieter and more personal afternoon on the water.

The boat can also suit a proposal or romantic occasion. One couple used the lagoon swim and drinks as part of a marriage proposal, and the private format gives you room to create your own occasion without an audience of strangers. The experience provider also specifically presents it as a good birthday option.

You are paying for several things at once:

• A private three-hour boat
• A captain and live guide
• Wildlife searching along the coast
• A lagoon stop for swimming
• Snorkels and fishing lines
• Soft drinks
• Life jackets
• A small-group setting

You are not paying for hotel pickup and drop-off. You need to make your own way to Puerto Colón, and you should allow time to find Pantalan 4. The meeting address is Costa Adeje, Puerto Colón port, Pantalan 4, 38660 Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Who will enjoy this trip most?

I would recommend this outing to a group that values privacy and time on the water. Eight friends can split the cost and get a much more personal experience than they would on a large shared boat. Families may also like having snorkeling, fishing, swimming, and wildlife watching in one compact activity.

It works well for a birthday or a special occasion. The boat, lagoon, and drinks create a natural three-hour celebration without requiring a full-day commitment. Couples can also enjoy it, especially if they are happy to pay the higher per-person cost for a private boat.

This is less suitable if you dislike boat movement, want guaranteed wildlife sightings, need hotel transportation, or require wheelchair access. It is also not the right pick if your priority is a long beach stop. The lagoon is an important part of the trip, but the itinerary remains a coastal boat ride.

For families with young children, the private format gives you more control than a large shared cruise. You still need to supervise children around the water and follow the guide’s instructions. Life jackets are included, but the information does not give child-size details, so ask about fit if that matters for your group.

Practical advice for a smoother outing

Wear clothing that can handle sea spray and bring a towel. Sunglasses are essential, and you may want a secure way to carry your phone when you are near the water. The provided information specifically asks you to bring sunglasses and a towel if you plan to swim.

Do not treat the wildlife portion like a scheduled show. Keep watching, but enjoy the coastline and the boat ride even if the animals stay out of sight. The crew makes an effort to find photo opportunities, yet the Atlantic remains in charge.

If you want the best value, bring a full group. At eight people, the private price is easier to justify. If you are booking for only one or two, consider the privacy, flexible group atmosphere, and swimming stop carefully before deciding that the higher cost is worthwhile.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps the booking flexible. Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want.

Should you book the Barco 33 boat trip?

Book it if you want a private Tenerife sea outing with a real swimming stop, simple snorkeling, fishing, drinks, and a chance to see wildlife. The strongest reasons are the small group, the clean and well-equipped boat, and the personal attention associated with Ruslan.

I would be more cautious if you are booking for just one or two people. At that price, you need to value privacy highly. I would also avoid making dolphins the sole reason for booking, since sightings cannot be promised.

For a full group of family or friends, this is a well-rounded three-hour choice from Puerto Colón. You get more than a ride along the coast, but you should book it for the complete mix of sea views, lagoon time, and private company, not for a guaranteed animal encounter.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip start?

The meeting point is Puerto Colón port, Pantalan 4, in Costa Adeje, Tenerife.

How long does the boat trip last?

The experience lasts three hours, including the coastal boat ride, wildlife watching, lagoon stop, and return to the port.

Is this a private boat trip?

Yes. The group type is private, with space for up to eight people.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must reach Puerto Colón yourself.

What languages does the guide speak?

The listed guide languages are English, Estonian, and Russian.

Can I swim and snorkel during the trip?

Yes. The boat stops at the La Caleta lagoon, where you can swim and use the provided snorkeling equipment. Fishing lines are also available.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses and a towel, especially if you plan to swim. Life jackets are provided, and soft drinks are included.