Tenerife: Catamaran Cruise with an Open Bar

The best part of this Tenerife cruise is the chance to see the island from the water, especially on the longer route past the Cliffs of Los Gigantes. Add a swim stop at Masca Bay, possible dolphin or pilot whale sightings, and a large catamaran with an open bar, and you have a pleasant half-day out.

I like the helpful crew and the easy swim access from the boat’s lowered steps. I also like the choice of a shorter 3-hour sailing or a fuller 4.5-hour trip with lunch. The main catch is that the food receives mixed marks, and a double sunbed costs an extra 25 euros.

Key points to know

• Los Gigantes and Masca Bay: The 4.5-hour route gives you the strongest scenery and includes a swim stop.
• Whale and dolphin watching: Pilot whales and dolphins can be seen, but sightings depend on the day.
• Two very different cruises: The 3-hour option offers snacks, drinks, and bubbly, while the longer sailing includes lunch.
• Open bar: The 4.5-hour trip includes unlimited drinks, including beer and soda.
• Extra sunbed charge: A double sunbed costs 25 euros, which is worth noting before you board.
• Practical comfort: The boat has air conditioning and a toilet reached by steep, fully vertical wooden ladder steps.

Choosing between the 3-hour and 4.5-hour cruise

This booking gives you two versions of the same basic outing. The 3-hour cruise is the simpler choice. You sail along Tenerife’s western coast, enjoy snacks, drinks, and bubbly, and spend time on the Freebird catamaran without the longer meal and swim program.

The 4.5-hour option is the more substantial day. It reaches the Cliffs of Los Gigantes, includes a stop at Masca Bay for swimming, and serves a meal of chicken, rice, or meatballs with unlimited drinks. If you are paying $55 per person and want the best use of your time, I would look closely at the longer sailing first.

The shorter trip may suit you if you want a boat ride without giving up most of the day. It also makes sense if you mainly want sun, sea views, and a relaxed drink on deck. Just do not book it expecting the Los Gigantes and Masca Bay portions described for the longer route.

Starting times vary, so check the available departure when you book. The activity lasts between 3 and 4.5 hours, depending on your selected option.

Boarding the Freebird from southern Tenerife

You can make your own way to the marina or use hotel pickup if you are staying in southern Tenerife. Pickup is not offered from every hotel, and rural areas are not covered. If transport is included for your booking, you receive the nearest assigned pickup point rather than necessarily being collected at your hotel entrance.

The transfer uses an air-conditioned coach. That matters in Tenerife, where a sunny wait beside a marina can feel much warmer than expected. It also removes the need to work out the route to the port, though you should confirm your pickup point and allow time to reach it.

At the marina, you meet the English or Spanish-speaking host and crew before boarding the Freebird catamaran. The boat is the main setting for the day, so the character of your seat matters. You can relax on the upper deck, take in the western coast, and choose between sun and shade as conditions allow.

One useful detail came from a passenger who was using a walking stick. The crew provided a designated coach seat and helped with early boarding. That suggests the staff can be considerate when they know about a mobility need in advance, but the boat itself has some serious limitations, discussed below.

Sailing along Tenerife’s western coast

Once the catamaran leaves the marina, the outing settles into a slow, open-water rhythm. You watch the western coast from a different angle, with the dark sea below and Tenerife’s rugged shore rising inland. The appeal is less about a long list of stops and more about having time to sit, talk, take photographs, and enjoy the air.

I like that this is not sold as a rushed sightseeing circuit. The catamaran lets you spread out, and the top deck gives you a clear view in several directions. Drinks are available while you sail, and the open bar on the longer option includes beer and soda.

The music may shape your opinion of the trip. It creates a party atmosphere, but loud music plays while the boat is moving. If you want a quiet hour listening to the sea, you may find the soundtrack intrusive. If you enjoy a social boat setting, it may add to the mood.

The reviews are mixed on age and atmosphere. One passenger found the crowd heavily weighted toward people in their seventies and felt the trip was not ideal for younger people. Another described a great atmosphere and praised the crew. I would treat this as a relaxed shared cruise, not a young-person-only boat party, even though the provider is called Utopia Boat Party.

Los Gigantes from the water

The longer cruise reaches the Acantilados de Los Gigantes, the towering cliffs on Tenerife’s west coast. Their pale rock faces drop sharply toward the ocean, making the boat a useful way to appreciate their scale. From land, you can see the cliffs from viewpoints and roads, but from the water you get the full wall-like effect.

This is the strongest sightseeing section of the 4.5-hour route. Have your camera ready, but also look up from the screen. The cliffs are best understood through their height and the way they meet the sea, not just as another scenic photograph.

The sailing schedule and sea conditions affect how much time you spend near the cliffs. The information provided does not promise a fixed viewing time, so think of Los Gigantes as a major part of the longer route rather than a private stop with a detailed guided talk.

There is no named guide or formal commentary listed. Your host speaks English or Spanish, but the focus is on the boat ride rather than a lecture about geology or local history. That works well if you prefer scenery to a constant stream of facts.

Watching for dolphins, whales, and seabirds

The waters off Tenerife are known for regular marine life sightings, and the cruise gives you a chance to scan the sea for dolphins, pilot whales, and seabirds. Sightings are never guaranteed, so I would book this for the whole outing, not only for a promised animal encounter.

Still, wildlife can transform the trip. A close group of pilot whales made one sailing especially memorable, and dolphins were also seen on another. The best approach is to keep looking in different directions and listen for crew announcements, rather than staring at one patch of water.

You should also keep your expectations in check. The boat is not described as a specialist wildlife vessel, and there is no guarantee of a particular species. A day with calm water and clear sightings can feel exceptional. A day with no close animals will be more about the coast, drinks, and swimming.

The chance to see rare seabirds is another small bonus. Bring a camera with a good zoom if wildlife photography matters to you, but do not let the equipment distract from the fact that sightings happen quickly.

Swimming at Masca Bay

On the 4.5-hour route, the catamaran heads to Masca Bay and drops anchor. This is the point where the cruise becomes more than a scenic sail. You can get into the water for a swim, cool off, and look below the surface for marine life.

A full set of steps lowers into the sea from the boat. I consider this one of the most useful features of the trip. It gives you a more controlled way into the water than jumping from the side, and it makes getting back aboard simpler.

The boat does not provide swimming or snorkeling equipment. Bring your own if you want to look below the surface, and do not count on a guided snorkeling session. The supplied details confirm swimming and marine life, but they do not promise snorkeling instruction or special equipment.

Sea conditions can affect how comfortable the stop feels. If you are not a confident swimmer, you can remain on deck. The information does not state that flotation gear is supplied for guests, so ask the crew directly about any safety equipment you may need before entering the water.

The swim stop also breaks up the longer sailing time. You can dry off on the sun-warmed deck before lunch, though you should bring a towel and sun protection since those items are not listed as included.

Lunch and the open bar

Food depends on the length of your cruise. The 3-hour sailing includes snacks, drinks, and bubbly. A sandwich is also described as part of the refreshments on that shorter outing, so expect light food rather than a full meal.

The 4.5-hour cruise includes lunch with choices such as chicken, rice, or meatballs, along with unlimited drinks. Descriptions also refer to chicken paella or vegetable rice, so the meal is built around straightforward buffet-style dishes rather than restaurant cooking.

This is the weakest part of the package for some people. One passenger found the chicken balls unpleasant and said the rice was nearly gone. Another called the lunch edible but not very good, while a different passenger enjoyed the food. I would approach lunch as convenient fuel after swimming, not as a reason to choose the cruise.

The open bar has clearer value. Unlimited drinks are included on the longer option, with beer and soda specifically mentioned. That can make the $55 price reasonable, especially if you plan to stay aboard for 4.5 hours and would otherwise buy several drinks separately.

The shorter trip includes drinks and bubbly, but it is not described as having the same full lunch or unlimited selection. Check the exact inclusions for your chosen departure so you do not assume both options offer identical catering.

Seating, sunbeds, and comfort aboard

The catamaran offers plenty of reasons to spend time on deck, but the best seating may cost extra. A double sunbed costs 25 euros. For two people, that is less painful than paying alone, but it still changes the advertised value of the trip.

You do not need the sunbed to take the cruise. I would only pay for it if having a reserved place to lie down matters to you. Otherwise, use the general seating and keep some of your budget for drinks or other Tenerife plans.

The boat has air conditioning, and the coach is air-conditioned as well. That is useful on hot days, though the main point of the trip is being outside. Bring sun cream, a hat, and something to cover your shoulders. The information does not list towels or snorkeling gear as included.

The toilet deserves a clear warning. It is reached by fully vertical wooden ladder steps, which can be difficult or unsafe if you have limited mobility, balance problems, or knee trouble. The boat may be manageable in some areas, but this toilet access is not suitable for everyone.

What the $55 price really buys you

At $55 per person, the price is fair if you choose the longer route and make use of the included drinks, swim stop, coastal views, and whale or dolphin watching. Hotel pickup and drop-off add value if you are staying in southern Tenerife and do not want to arrange transport.

The value is weaker if you choose the 3-hour option and want a full meal or a long list of organized activities. That version is mainly a catamaran ride with snacks, drinks, and bubbly. It can still be enjoyable, but you are paying for time on the boat rather than a packed sightseeing schedule.

Remember to budget for the optional double sunbed. The extra 25 euros is not hidden in the sense of being unavoidable, but it is easy to overlook when comparing the headline price.

I would also factor in the mixed food quality. If you are particular about lunch, eat a proper meal before sailing or bring realistic expectations. The included food is handy, but it should not drive your decision.

The activity has a 4 out of 5 rating from 20 reviews, which fits the overall picture. The crew, marine life, scenery, and swim stop can make this a very good half-day. Food, music, seating costs, and boat accessibility keep it from being a perfect choice for everyone.

Who will enjoy this catamaran cruise

I think the 4.5-hour version suits you best if you want several elements in one outing: a coastal cruise, a chance to see whales or dolphins, Los Gigantes, swimming, lunch, and unlimited drinks. It is particularly appealing if your hotel is in the south and pickup saves you a separate journey to the marina.

The 3-hour version suits you if you want something lighter. It gives you time on the sea without committing to most of an afternoon, and it keeps the food simple.

This is a good choice for couples, friends, and families who enjoy being outside and do not need every minute planned. It also works for solo passengers, especially since the crew has shown care toward people who need help with boarding or seating.

I would think twice if you need step-free access, quiet surroundings, specialist snorkeling equipment, or a high-quality meal. I would also avoid booking solely because you expect a guaranteed whale sighting. Nature decides that part.

Should you book the Freebird cruise?

Book it if your priority is a relaxed boat day with strong coastal scenery, an open bar on the longer route, and a real chance of seeing dolphins or pilot whales. The Masca Bay swim stop and the lowered sea steps add useful variety, while Los Gigantes gives the 4.5-hour sailing its clearest sightseeing payoff.

Choose the 3-hour trip for a shorter, simpler outing. Choose the 4.5-hour trip if you want the best value from the $55 price and are happy with basic buffet food, onboard music, and a shared boat atmosphere.

Before booking, check your pickup point, remember the 25 euro sunbed charge, and consider the vertical ladder to the toilet. With those details understood, this is a solid Tenerife cruise for scenery, sea air, and the possibility of a memorable wildlife sighting.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise take place?

The cruise takes place along Tenerife’s western coastline in the Canary Islands, Spain. The boat is the Freebird catamaran.

How long is the cruise?

You can choose a 3-hour cruise or a 4.5-hour cruise. Starting times depend on availability.

What is included on the 3-hour cruise?

The 3-hour option includes snacks, drinks, and bubbly. A sandwich is also described as part of the refreshments.

What is included on the 4.5-hour cruise?

The 4.5-hour option includes lunch with chicken, rice, or meatballs, plus unlimited drinks. It also includes the longer coastal route, Los Gigantes, and a swim stop at Masca Bay.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup and drop-off are available from southern Tenerife, but not every hotel is covered. Rural areas are not included, and you may be assigned the closest pickup point.

What languages are spoken by the host?

The host or greeter speaks English and Spanish.

Can I swim during the cruise?

Swimming is included on the 4.5-hour cruise at Masca Bay. The catamaran has a full set of steps that lowers into the water.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No snorkeling or swimming equipment is listed as included. You should bring your own if you want to use it.

Are dolphins and whales guaranteed?

No. Dolphins, pilot whales, and seabirds are commonly sighted in the area, but wildlife sightings depend on conditions and cannot be guaranteed.

Is there an extra charge for a sunbed?

Yes. A double sunbed costs an additional 25 euros.

Is the cruise suitable for people with mobility difficulties?

The crew can assist with some boarding and seating needs, but the toilet is reached by fully vertical wooden ladder steps. That setup may not be suitable for people with mobility or balance difficulties.