Tenerife: Catamaran Cruise with Brunch and Unlimited Drinks

Tenerife’s south coast is best seen from the water, where the cliffs, beaches, and volcanic shoreline make sense as one long scene. This cruise also gives you a real ocean swim, a Canarian meal, and a chance to watch for pilot whales, dolphins, turtles, and flying fish. I especially like the friendly, hands-on crew and the choice between a relaxed 3-hour outing and a fuller 4-hour brunch cruise. The main catch is that the sea can get rough, and the transfer from some Costa Adeje hotels takes about 45 minutes each way.

Two things make this a good-value day out: beer, soft drinks, and water are unlimited, and the boat route includes several memorable coastal points rather than one short whale-watching run. Just remember that wine, cocktails, champagne, snorkel equipment, and preferred seating cost extra. Bring cash as well as a card, since card machines may lose their connection offshore.

Key details before you book

• Whale watching near Punta Rasca: The boat heads west from Marina del Sur, with about 45 minutes set aside for dolphin and whale watching.
• Two food options: The 3-hour trip includes a turkey sandwich, seasonal fruit, and cheesecake. The 4-hour brunch adds a suckling pig burrito and vegetable dumplings.
• A proper swim stop: At Diego Hernández Beach, you have about an hour for lunch, swimming, and snorkeling.
• Drinks are more limited than the headline suggests: Unlimited service covers beer, soft drinks, and water, not wine or cocktails.
• Pickup covers many south Tenerife hotels: A 45-minute coach transfer is included from selected locations around Costa Adeje, Playa de las Américas, and Los Cristianos.
• A calm, respectful wildlife approach: The crew keeps distance from whales and dolphins rather than chasing them, which makes sightings less predictable but more responsible.

Setting out from Marina del Sur

Your day begins with pickup from one of 32 listed locations in south Tenerife. These include hotels around Costa Adeje, Playa de las Américas, Los Cristianos, Palm-Mar, and Golf del Sur. You need to wait at the designated point 10 minutes before pickup, and the driver may leave after five minutes, so this is not the time to wander down for a last coffee.

The coach ride can take about 45 minutes. That matters when you are comparing this cruise with a boat trip that starts directly at your hotel area. The transfer is useful if you are staying in Costa Adeje, but it adds a fair chunk of time to what is advertised as a 3 to 4-hour activity.

The boat leaves from Marina del Sur in Las Galletas. This is a practical departure point for the south coast, with the open water quickly replacing the marina scenery. The crew provides live commentary in English and Spanish, pointing out the coast and explaining what you are seeing in the water.

Expect a social outing rather than a private sailing trip. One recent sailing had about 50 people, a size that still felt manageable because the catamaran had room to move around. There are only about four crew members handling service, commentary, and the boat, so busy moments can happen when everyone wants a drink or needs help at once.

Heading west past Las Galletas and Punta Rasca

The first part of the cruise follows the coast past Las Galletas and toward Punta Rasca Lighthouse. The shoreline here gives you a different view of Tenerife than you get from the resort roads. From the water, you can watch beaches, dark volcanic sections, cliffs, and the low, dry southern terrain slide past at a steady pace.

Punta Rasca is the main wildlife-watching section, with around 45 minutes set aside for dolphins and whales. Pilot whales are among the sightings reported on this route, along with dolphins, turtles, and flying fish. Nobody can guarantee wildlife, of course, but this is a much better use of time than simply cruising without a purpose.

The crew’s approach is important. They keep their distance and do not harass the animals by chasing them. That means a sighting may be brief or may happen farther from the boat, but I prefer this to a forced spectacle. Keep your eyes moving across the water, especially when the crew points toward a fin or a splash.

This is also the point where the sea may feel most noticeable. The boat goes well out from shore, and one person had a particularly rough day with seasickness. If you are prone to motion sickness, sit where you can see the horizon, avoid arriving hungry, and consider whether a full ocean cruise is a good match for you.

Lunch and swimming at Diego Hernández Beach

The cruise then reaches Diego Hernández Beach, with about an hour for food and a swim. This is the most relaxed part of the outing. You can eat on board, take in the coast from the water, or get in for a dip if conditions allow.

The food depends on the option you book. The 3-hour version includes a sandwich with roast turkey, seasonal fruit, and cheesecake. The 4-hour version is closer to a brunch spread, with a turkey sandwich, a suckling pig burrito, vegetable dumplings, and cheesecake.

Calling the food a 100% Canarian brunch needs a little context. It is a convenient boat meal inspired by local ingredients, not a long restaurant lunch with several courses. A neatly prepared box or sandwich-style meal is exactly what works on a moving catamaran, especially when you want to get back to the views and swimming.

Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and allergen-free menus are available, but you must contact the operator by the day before. Do not wait until boarding to ask for a substitute. The standard food may be enough for a light afternoon, but anyone with a large appetite should know this is not an all-you-can-eat buffet.

Snorkeling is listed as an activity at the beach, but snorkel equipment is not included. Bring your own gear if you want to look below the surface. You can also simply swim or remain on board, and nobody is required to enter the water.

The swim stop is a strong reason to choose this cruise over a sightseeing-only boat ride. You are not just watching Tenerife from a deck. You get a chance to feel the water, cool off, and break up the wildlife and coastline viewing with something active.

Playa de las Américas and Los Cristianos from the sea

After the beach stop, the catamaran passes Playa de las Américas and Playa de Los Cristianos. Each section lasts about 15 minutes, so think of these as short coastal views rather than guided visits with time to walk ashore.

From the water, the resort coast takes on a different character. You see the beaches and waterfront from a broad angle, with the boat giving you a clear view back toward the built-up shore. This part is useful if you want photographs without spending the whole afternoon in a resort street.

Do not expect a quiet, untouched coastline all day. Playa de las Américas and Los Cristianos are major holiday areas, and their appeal comes from the contrast between busy resort life and the open sea. The boat lets you enjoy the view without committing to another land-based stop.

The route continues toward Palm-Mar and the Cliff of Los Cristianos before returning to Marina del Sur. Palm-Mar provides another photo opportunity and a chance to see how quickly Tenerife’s southern coast changes from beaches and hotels to more open volcanic country.

Food, drinks, and what costs extra

At $71 per person, the price is reasonable if you use the boat, meal, drinks, swimming, wildlife watching, and transfers. A similar half-day outing with separate transport and meals could easily become more expensive, though the value depends on how much you drink and whether you make use of the swim stop.

The drink package deserves careful reading. Unlimited beer, soft drinks, and water are included. Wine, cocktails, and champagne are not included, despite the general description mentioning Canarian wine. You pay extra for those, so do not book this expecting unlimited alcoholic drinks of every kind.

One booking option may include a VIP seat with preferred positioning and priority access. It costs extra and is not needed for a good day on the water. Several people found ordinary seating perfectly comfortable, while others liked paying for a Balinese-style day bed where available. A bed can be useful if you want to lie down, especially if you feel queasy, but it is a comfort upgrade rather than a requirement.

One account also described a VIP package with towels and a cocktail. Treat that as an option-specific extra, not a standard inclusion. For the basic booking, bring what you need for swimming and sun protection.

The crew serves drinks throughout the cruise, but there are only a few staff members doing several jobs. Be patient during the busiest moments. It is also wise to carry some cash. Card payment may work at the marina but fail once the boat is offshore.

Choosing between the 3-hour and 4-hour cruise

The shorter option suits you if you want a simple afternoon on the sea, a light meal, wildlife watching, and a swim without committing to a long outing. It includes the turkey sandwich, fruit, and cheesecake.

The 4-hour option is the better choice if you want the full brunch menu and more time to settle into the day. The extra food includes a suckling pig burrito and vegetable dumplings, which makes it more substantial. It is also a better fit if you want time for the complete route, rather than treating the cruise as a quick coastal ride.

Check the starting time when you book. The activity runs in the afternoon on some schedules, but exact times depend on availability. Remember that the listed duration does not include the coach ride. With pickup, the whole experience can occupy much of your day.

Who will enjoy this catamaran cruise

I would recommend this trip to couples, families, and groups of friends who want several Tenerife experiences in one booking. You get coastal sightseeing, a meal, open-water wildlife watching, a swim, and a drink package without having to arrange each piece separately.

It also suits people who prefer an easy social atmosphere. The boat is large enough to avoid feeling packed on a sailing of around 50 people, but it is not a silent private yacht. You will hear conversation, music or service activity, and the crew’s commentary.

This is a particularly good pick if you are staying in south Tenerife and do not have a car. Hotel pickup covers a wide group of locations, including many Costa Adeje resorts and hotels around Los Cristianos and Playa de las Américas.

I would be more cautious if you suffer badly from seasickness, dislike group outings, or want a gourmet meal. The boat reaches open water, and the standard lunch is practical rather than luxurious. You also need to arrange your own snorkel equipment if that matters to you.

Families should note the swimming element and alcohol service. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed to be brought on board, and nudity is prohibited. The outing is designed for shared use of the boat, not a private party charter.

Small details that make the day better

Bring a swimsuit, sun protection, a hat, and a light layer for the ride back. The sea breeze can feel pleasant in strong sun but cooler once you are wet.

Use the toilet before leaving the marina if you prefer not to wait. A toilet is available on board, but the crew is also handling navigation and service, so busy periods may slow things down.

Keep your phone or camera secure near the rail. The best wildlife moments can arrive without warning, but reaching for a camera should not come at the cost of dropping it into the Atlantic.

If you want a bed or preferred seating, select it when booking instead of assuming you can upgrade later. Some people found spare beds available on the day, but that depends on demand.

The operator offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option. Those terms are useful if your Tenerife plans are still shifting, though you should still check the exact departure time and pickup point before finalizing your day.

Should you book the FIVESTARBOAT cruise?

Book it if you want a well-organized half-day that mixes Tenerife’s south coast with wildlife watching, a real swim, a simple local-style meal, and unlimited beer or soft drinks. The crew’s friendly service and respectful treatment of marine life are the strongest reasons to choose it.

Skip it if you want a private sailing experience, unlimited wine and cocktails, or a guaranteed whale sighting. For most people staying in south Tenerife, though, the $71 price is fair, especially when hotel pickup, food, drinks, and the boat trip are included. Choose the 4-hour version if the fuller brunch and longer day matter to you, and bring motion-sickness precautions if open water tends to trouble you.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart from?

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

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included from selected locations in south Tenerife, including many hotels around Costa Adeje, Playa de las Américas, Los Cristianos, Palm-Mar, and Golf del Sur. Wait at the designated point 10 minutes early.

What drinks are included?

Unlimited beer, soft drinks, and water are included. Cocktails, wine, and champagne are not included unless you purchase them separately or select an option that includes them.

What food is served?

The 3-hour option includes a roast turkey sandwich, seasonal fruit, and cheesecake. The 4-hour brunch option includes a roast turkey sandwich, suckling pig burrito, vegetable dumplings, and cheesecake.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Snorkel equipment is not included, so bring your own if you want to snorkel during the stop at Diego Hernández Beach.

Can I request a special meal?

Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and allergen-free menus are available. Contact FIVESTARBOAT no later than the day before the cruise so the meal can be prepared.