Tenerife: Private Boat Charter with Tapas & Drinks

The chance to spot pilot whales, dolphins or turtles from a small private boat is a fine reason to head out from Puerto Colón. On Libby, you have three hours to follow Tenerife’s rugged southern shore, share tapas and drinks, and, if the captain chooses a suitable spot, stop for a swim or snorkel.

I like two things in particular: the private group size, up to six, makes the trip feel like time on the water with your own party, and the boat has useful comforts, including sun pads, two cabins, a bathroom and a freshwater shower. One consideration: the Atlantic can be choppy, and swimming is best for confident swimmers. Wildlife sightings are a bonus, not a promise.

At a glance

• A private boat for up to six: The $530 group price works out to about $88 per person when you fill all six places.
• Libby is a 30-foot twin-engine cruiser: There is bow seating and sun pads outside, plus two cabins for shade.
• Three hours along Tenerife’s south coast: Expect rugged coastal views and mountain peaks, with the captain determining the route.
• Tapas and drinks are included: The offer includes unlimited premium-brand drinks, though it is sensible to confirm your preferred choices before departure.
• Swimming and snorkeling may be part of the outing: Gear is included, and captains have stopped in bays for swimming when conditions allow.
• Meet at Pantalan 3 in Puerto Colón: Transportation to and from the harbor is not included.

Leaving Puerto Colón aboard Libby

The trip starts at Pantalan 3, in Puerto Colón, Adeje. You board Libby, a 30-foot, twin-engine Rio 850 Cruiser, with a captain and crew looking after the boat and your group. The charter is private, so you are not sharing the outing with a boatload of strangers.

That size is part of the appeal. Libby is large enough to offer a bow with ample seating and comfortable sun pads, but small enough to feel personal. You can stretch out outside to watch the coast pass, or retreat to one of the two interior cabins when the sun gets strong. A private bathroom and freshwater shower are useful details on a three-hour trip, especially if you plan to swim.

You can choose from several departure times, subject to availability. A morning or afternoon trip gives you a different feel from the sunset slot: one family booked the 6:30 p.m. departure and particularly enjoyed watching the sun go down over the ocean. Check the available times for your date rather than counting on a particular hour.

Following the rugged southern coast

Once underway, the main event is the coast itself. The route runs down Tenerife’s south shore, where rugged Atlantic edges, mountain peaks and caves make a more engaging view than an open-water crossing. You are on a boat, not a bus, so the changing angle of the shoreline is part of the pleasure.

The captain chooses where to go, and the supplied details do not set out a fixed sequence of stops. That flexibility can be useful: the crew can adapt the outing to conditions and, when wildlife appears, spend time watching from the water. Captains Noel, Robert, Javier and William are among those named by people who have taken this charter. They have been praised for explaining local life and sea life, helping the group feel at ease, and making room for questions.

Pilot whales are a notable possibility in these waters, and groups have also seen dolphins and, on one outing, a turtle. But no captain can guarantee a sighting, so book for the boat time and coast as well as the wildlife. If you are lucky enough to meet whales, the view from a small boat can feel close and immediate. Keep your camera handy, but take a moment to watch without a screen in front of you.

Sun pads, shade and a swim stop

The bow is where you will likely spend much of the trip if the weather suits you. There is room to sunbathe or sit together, with the coastline in view. Tenerife sun can be strong, so bring sunscreen and a hat, and use the cabin for shade when you need a break.

A stop to swim or snorkel is a popular possibility, not a fixed promise. The charter includes snorkeling gear, and captains have anchored in a bay so people could get into the water. Ask the captain what conditions are like before you jump in. One family specifically noted that swimming was enjoyable but best suited to good swimmers because the sea is not still water.

Pack swimwear and a towel if you hope to get in. Comfortable clothes make sense for the boat, and leave high heels at home. The freshwater shower can help rinse off after a swim, while the bathroom is a welcome practical feature even if you never leave the boat.

Tapas and drinks: a generous onboard touch

Tapas and unlimited premium-brand drinks are included, so you can settle in without planning a separate meal stop. The food is described as a selection of tapas or a snack board, rather than a full lunch. I would eat beforehand if you want a substantial meal, especially if you tend to get hungry after swimming.

The drinks are part of the value, but do not assume every possible beverage is available. One group found the selection limited to beer and wine, while other accounts describe cava and different alcohol preferences being accommodated. If you have a particular drink in mind, check with the operator before booking. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed as items to bring aboard, so rely on the drinks supplied as part of the charter.

There is also a fun, personal touch: some groups have been able to connect their own music by Bluetooth. That detail is not listed as a guaranteed feature, so ask first if having your playlist matters. It can make the boat feel like your own little party, but the coastline and conversation are perfectly good entertainment too.

What $530 buys your group

At $530 for up to six people, the full boat costs about $88 per person if you bring six. For a private three-hour charter with a captain and crew, fuel, tapas, unlimited premium-brand drinks, snorkeling gear and onboard facilities, that is a strong value for a group who will make use of the privacy.

The arithmetic changes if there are only two or three of you. The group price stays the same, so the per-person cost rises to $265 for two or about $177 for three. You are paying for exclusive use of the boat, not simply a seat. For a birthday, family outing or a group of friends, sharing that cost can make the arrangement more attractive than booking separate places on a larger tour.

Transportation to the harbor is not included. Factor in your own way to reach Puerto Colón, and confirm the meeting point at Pantalan 3 before setting off. The charter offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, and a reserve-now, pay-later option is available, which can help if you are still sorting out your plans.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most

This charter makes sense if you want a relaxed outing with your own people rather than a tightly scheduled group tour. Couples can book it, but the price works best when shared among several people. It is also a good fit for a special occasion: one group used it for a 60th birthday, with time to swim, spot dolphins and even take a turn at steering.

Families can enjoy the private setting, but think about the sea conditions and your child’s comfort on a moving boat. The three-hour duration is manageable for many groups, and the cabins offer somewhere to get out of the sun. Still, anyone prone to seasickness should consider a different activity. The trip is explicitly not suitable for people who are prone to it.

You will get the most from this outing if you like a mix of scenery, social time and the chance to swim, rather than expecting a wildlife tour with guaranteed sightings. The captain and crew are a central part of the experience, and the people who have named captains such as Noel, Robert, Javier and William have valued their friendly, attentive approach.

A few practical choices before you go

Choose your departure time based on the mood you want. A sunset outing can bring a memorable end to the day, while earlier times leave more of the day free afterward. Since several departure times are offered, check what is available rather than planning around an assumed schedule.

Bring a hat, sunscreen, swimwear, a towel, a camera and comfortable clothes. Snorkeling gear is provided, so you do not need to pack your own for the included activity. Leave high-heeled shoes behind, and do not bring smoking materials, alcohol or drugs.

If you are unsure about drinks, swimming conditions or whether you can play music, ask the operator before you go. Those details can shape your plans, and the supplied information does not promise every preference or stop on every departure.

Should you book the Puerto Colón charter?

I would book Libby if I wanted three easy hours on the water with a small group, good coastal views and room to swim if conditions cooperate. The private format, capable onboard facilities and included food and drinks make the price appealing when split among five or six people.

I would look elsewhere if anyone in the group is prone to seasickness, if you need a full meal, or if you are booking mainly for a guaranteed whale or dolphin sighting. Go for the coastline, the company and the chance of an encounter, then treat a swim or wildlife sighting as an extra. For a celebration or a relaxed group outing, that is a sensible way to set expectations.

FAQ

How long is the boat charter?

The charter lasts three hours.

Where does the boat depart from?

You meet at Pantalan 3 in Puerto Colón, Adeje, on Tenerife’s south coast.

How many people can join the private charter?

The listed price covers a private group of up to six people.

What is included in the price?

The charter includes the private boat, captain and crew, fuel, tapas, unlimited premium-brand drinks, snorkeling gear, a private bathroom and a freshwater shower.

Is swimming included?

Snorkeling gear is included, and the captain may stop for a swim when the route and conditions allow. Swimming is best for confident swimmers because the sea is not still water.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.