Tenerife: Catamaran Cruise with Brunch and Unlimited Drinks

Tenerife’s south coast is at its best from the water, where volcanic cliffs, working beaches, lighthouses, and open sea come together in one easy half-day outing. This catamaran cruise adds a Canarian brunch and unlimited beer, soft drinks, and water, so you can settle in without constantly checking the bar tab.

I like the chance to swim at Diego Hernández Beach and the respectful approach to marine life. I also like the wide hotel pickup network, which saves you a taxi ride to Las Galletas. The main caution is the open sea: if you get seasick, a three to four hour boat ride can feel long, especially when the catamaran heads well offshore.

Key points to know before booking

• Wildlife near Punta Rasca: The route searches for dolphins, pilot whales, whales, turtles, and flying fish, though sightings can never be promised.
• Two food versions: The three-hour trip includes a turkey sandwich, fruit, and cheesecake. The four-hour option adds a suckling pig burrito and vegetable dumplings.
• Swimming stop: You get about an hour at Diego Hernández Beach for lunch, swimming, and snorkeling.
• Drinks are limited to a clear list: Beer, soft drinks, and water are included. Cocktails, wine, and champagne cost extra.
• A paid seating upgrade exists: VIP seating or a Balinese-style day bed may suit you if you want more room to stretch out.
• Pickup covers much of south Tenerife: The coach ride can take about 45 minutes, so factor that into the total outing.

Setting off from Las Galletas and Marina del Sur

The day begins with pickup from selected hotels and meeting points across Costa Adeje, Playa de las Américas, Los Cristianos, Palm-Mar, and nearby parts of south Tenerife. The list is unusually broad, including large resorts such as the Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife, Gran Hotel Bahía del Duque, Hotel Riu Palace Tenerife, and H10 Costa Adeje Palace, as well as taxi stops and the Five Star Boat Trip Catamaran office.

You need to wait at your designated pickup point 10 minutes early. The driver waits no more than five minutes after the scheduled time, so this is not the morning for a leisurely hunt through a big resort lobby.

The coach ride to Marina del Sur takes about 45 minutes. That sounds lengthy for a boat trip, but it can be worthwhile if you are staying around Costa Adeje or Playa de las Américas. You avoid arranging a separate transfer, and the return drop-off is handled at the end.

At Marina del Sur, you board the catamaran and begin with roughly 30 minutes of cruising. This first stretch gives you time to find a seat, get a drink, and settle into the pace of the outing. The catamaran is not simply a transport platform. The point is to spend the afternoon outside, with sea air, sun, and changing views doing much of the work.

The group can be around 50 people, based on the operating experience described for this trip. That is large enough to create a friendly social feel but small enough that the boat need not feel packed when everyone spreads out. Seating is not automatically a private sun bed, however. If stretching out matters to you, check the VIP or preferred seating option before paying.

Watching for dolphins and pilot whales at Punta Rasca

The boat heads west along Tenerife’s southern coast toward Punta Rasca Lighthouse. This is the key wildlife section, with about 45 minutes set aside for dolphin and whale watching.

Punta Rasca is a useful point of reference as the coast changes from resort areas to more open volcanic scenery. Keep your eyes on the water rather than only on the lighthouse. Dolphins, pilot whales, turtles, and flying fish have all been seen on this route, but marine life is wild and sightings depend on conditions and luck.

I particularly like the reported approach to the animals. The crew keeps its distance instead of chasing them, which makes the experience calmer and more responsible. You may not get the close-up encounter promised by a staged wildlife show, but the boat ride feels better when the animals are allowed to set the terms.

The live commentary is given in English and Spanish. It covers the coast, landmarks, and marine life, helping you understand what you are looking at instead of simply scanning the horizon. The commentary may be harder to follow if you are at the far end of the boat or busy with lunch, so move closer when the crew points out something worthwhile.

This section is also where seasickness can become an issue. The boat goes farther from shore than some short harbor cruises, and open water tends to produce more movement. Sit where you can keep your eyes on the horizon, avoid drinking too quickly, and consider the sea conditions before booking if you know you are prone to motion sickness.

Lunch and swimming at Diego Hernández Beach

The main stop is Diego Hernández Beach, with about an hour for lunch, swimming, and snorkeling. This is the part of the trip that breaks up the wildlife search and lets you enjoy the sea rather than only look at it.

The four-hour brunch includes a turkey sandwich, a suckling pig burrito, vegetable dumplings, and cheesecake. The menu uses local ingredients and is designed as a Canarian-style meal rather than a formal restaurant lunch. It is practical food for a boat: easy to handle, filling enough for an afternoon, and served without making you leave the deck for long.

The three-hour version is lighter. You receive a sandwich with roast turkey, seasonal fruit, and cheesecake. Pay close attention to the option you choose, since the shorter outing does not include the full brunch menu.

Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and allergen-free menus are available, but you need to contact the operator no later than the day before. Do not wait until boarding. The crew needs time to prepare the right food.

After eating, you can swim in the ocean or remain on board. Snorkeling is included as an activity stop, but snorkel equipment is not included. If snorkeling is important to you, arrange your own equipment rather than assuming it will be waiting on the boat.

The water stop is one of the strongest reasons to choose this cruise over a simple sightseeing boat. You get a real pause in the schedule, and the combination of lunch, a swim, and sea views feels less rushed than a route made entirely of photo stops. Still, the time is limited to about an hour, so you will not have time for a long beach visit and an extended swim.

Unlimited drinks, brunch, and the true cost of the trip

At $71 per person, the cruise sits in a useful middle range for a half-day boat outing that includes hotel pickup, food, and drinks. The value depends on what you would otherwise spend on transport, lunch, and a separate boat trip.

Beer, soft drinks, and water are unlimited. That is generous if you mainly want cold beer, water, or something without alcohol. It is not an open bar in the usual resort sense. Cocktails, wine, and champagne are not included.

This distinction matters. A small champagne or sparkling wine option may be available for an extra charge, but it is not part of the standard package. If you are expecting unlimited wine with brunch, this is the wrong assumption to make.

The drink policy works best for a relaxed afternoon rather than a party cruise. You can remain hydrated, have a beer after swimming, and avoid adding several small purchases to the bill. Bring cash as a backup for extras. Card payment may not work reliably once the boat is offshore, especially when the crew is busy serving everyone and operating the vessel.

The meal is presented as a boxed or neatly arranged serving rather than a full buffet. I would set expectations accordingly. You are paying for a pleasant meal on the water, not a long restaurant brunch with multiple courses. The four-hour menu is more substantial than the three-hour snack version.

Passing Playa de las Américas and Los Cristianos

After the swimming stop, the catamaran cruises past Playa de las Américas and Playa de Los Cristianos. Each area gives you a different view of Tenerife’s developed south coast.

From the water, Playa de las Américas shows the resort side of the island, with beaches and a busy coastal setting. Los Cristianos adds a working harbor and another angle on the densely built shoreline. These are short viewing sections, around 15 minutes each, so think of them as moving photo stops rather than shore visits.

You will not get off to explore either resort. That is a strength if you want to keep the day simple, but a weakness if you hoped to combine the cruise with time in town. The boat lets you see both places without traffic, parking, or another transfer, then continues along the coast.

The live commentary helps these places feel less like scenery sliding past. Listen for the crew’s explanation of the landmarks and coastline, especially if you have spent most of your Tenerife holiday inland or around the hotel pool.

Palm-Mar and the return to Marina del Sur

Palm-Mar is the final major section, with about 45 minutes of cruising and a photo stop. This gives you another chance to photograph Tenerife’s volcanic shoreline and the sea-facing side of the resort area.

The route then returns to Marina del Sur in about 30 minutes. By this point, the outing has moved through several moods: open-water wildlife watching, a food and swimming stop, resort views, and a quieter ride back to port.

The stated length is three to four hours, though the complete day includes hotel transfers. With pickup, a 45-minute coach ride each way, waiting time, and the cruise itself, you should reserve much of an afternoon. It is not a quick add-on between two tightly scheduled attractions.

Return drop-offs are available at the same broad group of south Tenerife hotels and meeting points. That makes the trip especially easy for people staying in Costa Adeje, Playa de las Américas, Los Cristianos, or Palm-Mar.

Seating, comfort, and the paid VIP option

Standard seating is enough for most people. The boat gives you space to sit, watch the water, eat, and move around during the cruise. You do not need to pay extra to enjoy the route or the food.

A VIP seat with priority access and preferred seating is available only if selected. Some departures also offer a paid Balinese-style day bed. That upgrade makes the most sense if you want to lie down, dislike sitting upright for several hours, or are concerned about motion sickness.

A day bed is not essential. The main wildlife views, swimming stop, food, and drinks remain the heart of the trip. I would consider paying extra for it if you value personal space more than keeping the price close to $71.

The catamaran has a toilet, and smoking is allowed at the back according to the operating details provided. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed beyond the drink service, and nudity is prohibited. Pack sun protection and a swimsuit, but remember that snorkeling equipment is not supplied.

Who will enjoy this catamaran cruise most

This outing fits you well if you want several Tenerife highlights in one package:

• You want to get on the water without arranging your own transport.
• You like wildlife watching but also want lunch and a swim.
• You prefer a social boat with live commentary to a private sailing trip.
• You are happy with beer, soft drinks, and water instead of a full cocktail menu.
• You are staying in south Tenerife and can use one of the listed pickup points.
• You want a relaxed half-day rather than a full-day excursion.

Families, couples, and groups of friends can all make good use of it. The swimming stop adds something for active people, while the onboard seating lets you stay dry and simply watch the coast.

I would be more cautious if you strongly dislike boats, need guaranteed whale sightings, or expect a fine-dining meal. The sea may move under the catamaran, wildlife is never certain, and the food is a practical brunch box rather than a restaurant spread.

Is this Tenerife catamaran cruise worth booking?

I would book it if you want good value in one half-day package: hotel pickup, a coastal route, wildlife watching, a swim, food, and unlimited beer, soft drinks, and water. The strongest parts are the friendly crew, the respectful distance from marine life, and the chance to combine open sea with a proper swimming stop.

Choose the four-hour version if food and time on the water matter most. Choose the three-hour option if you want a shorter outing and are content with the lighter meal. Add VIP seating only if stretching out is important to you.

Skip it if you need a quiet private boat, a guaranteed close wildlife encounter, or included wine and cocktails. For most visitors based in Tenerife’s south, though, this is a practical way to trade the hotel pool for the Atlantic without making the day complicated.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart from?

The catamaran departs from Marina del Sur in Las Galletas, Tenerife.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included from selected locations in south Tenerife, including hotels and designated meeting points around Costa Adeje, Playa de las Américas, Los Cristianos, Palm-Mar, and nearby areas.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise option lasts three or four hours. The included coach transfer from many hotel areas takes about 45 minutes each way.

What food is included?

The three-hour option includes a roast turkey sandwich, seasonal fruit, and cheesecake. The four-hour option includes a roast turkey sandwich, suckling pig burrito, vegetable dumplings, and cheesecake.

Are drinks included?

Unlimited beer, soft drinks, and water are included. Cocktails, wine, and champagne are not included.

Can I swim or snorkel?

Yes. The itinerary includes time for swimming and snorkeling at Diego Hernández Beach. Snorkel equipment is not included.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. Live commentary is available in English and Spanish.

Can special meals be arranged?

Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and allergen-free menus are available. You need to contact the operator by the day before the cruise so the meal can be prepared.