Reviewed · TENERIFE SNORKELING TOURS

Private Catamaran Charter with Transfer, Buffet and Snorkeling

★ 5.0 · 63 reviews 3 hours (approx.) Operated by Monte Cristo Catamaran · Bookable on Viator
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Tenerife’s south coast is best appreciated from the water, where the mountains rise behind the shoreline and whales and dolphins may appear offshore. This three-hour private catamaran charter lets your group set the pace: watch for wildlife, relax on deck, or stop for a swim and snorkel.

I like two things in particular: the flexible itinerary gives you room to make the outing your own, and the included food, drinks, and snorkeling gear mean less to plan and pack. Pickup is available in the south of Tenerife, too.

One consideration: wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, and three hours can feel short if your group wants a long sail and plenty of time in the water. Towels are not provided, and the published group limit needs clarifying: the price is listed for up to 15 people, while the tour description says the boat can carry up to 24.

At a glance

Private Catamaran Charter with Transfer, Buffet and Snorkeling - At a glance

  • A private boat, not a shared cruise: Your group sails with its own crew, so you can agree on the day’s pace and route.
  • Watch for local wildlife: Whales and dolphins are possible, and sea turtles may also be seen, but no sighting is assured.
  • Snorkeling gear is included: You do not need to bring your own mask and snorkel; bring a swimsuit and towel.
  • Food and drinks are part of the outing: Expect snacks and a meal selection, plus water, soft drinks, beer, and champagne.
  • Pickup is offered near Puerto Colón: Hotel pickup is available in the south of Tenerife, within about 20 km of the port.
  • Check the passenger limit before booking: The advertised group price covers up to 15, while the boat’s stated capacity is up to 24.

Leaving Puerto Colón for open water

The trip starts at Puerto Colón, at Pantalan 6, where you meet the catamaran and crew. If you are staying in the south of Tenerife, pickup may be available within 20 km of the port. If your hotel falls outside that area, you will need to make your own way to the departure point.

From the marina, the boat heads along the coast into waters where whales and dolphins live freely. There is no fixed list of stops: your group decides on the itinerary with the crew, and the captain can take you toward suitable places to look for wildlife or swim. That freedom is the main difference between a private charter and a standard group cruise. You are not simply following someone else’s schedule.

It is worth keeping expectations realistic. The crew can take you through whale and dolphin habitat, but animals are wild and sightings cannot be promised. If a sighting is part of your reason for booking, treat it as a welcome possibility rather than the sole measure of a successful trip. The coastline, fresh air, and time together on the water are part of the outing too.

The charter lasts about three hours, including the boat time from Puerto Colón and the return to the same meeting point. That is long enough for a taste of sailing, wildlife watching, and a water stop, but it is not a full-day cruise. If your group wants a leisurely meal and an extended swim, agree early on what matters most and let the crew know.

Making the most of a private itinerary

Private Catamaran Charter with Transfer, Buffet and Snorkeling - Making the most of a private itinerary

A private boat gives your group room to shape the outing. You can ask to spend more time relaxing on deck, keep watch for wildlife, or make time for a swim and snorkel, subject to the captain’s route and sea conditions. The skipper’s judgment matters: a planned water stop depends on finding a suitable place and conditions that make getting in and out sensible.

That flexibility is especially useful for a mixed-age group or a celebration. One person can sunbathe while another watches the coast, and the group can gather for food without having to keep pace with strangers. A family celebrating a birthday, for example, may value the privacy and shared setting as much as any particular wildlife sighting.

There is a practical limit to that freedom: three hours goes quickly. If you spend a lot of time watching for animals, you may have less time to swim. If snorkeling is the priority, say so rather than hoping the schedule will stretch. The route is decided with your group, but the time and weather still set the boundaries.

The catamaran has spacious sundecks, a flybridge with seating, and a sofa inside. That gives you a choice between sun and shelter, though the boat will still move with the sea. A restroom is onboard, a useful comfort on a short trip when you are carrying food and drinks and expect to be away from shore.

Wildlife watching, with no guarantees

Private Catamaran Charter with Transfer, Buffet and Snorkeling - Wildlife watching, with no guarantees

The waters off Tenerife are known for whales and dolphins, and this charter is designed to give you a chance to look for them in their natural habitat. You may also see sea turtles. Keep your eyes on the water and the coastline, and be ready for a sighting to be brief or far from the boat.

Seeing wildlife in open water is different from seeing it in a show or aquarium. You cannot schedule an animal to appear on cue, and the captain cannot promise one. That uncertainty is part of the experience, but it is also a reason to enjoy the whole outing: the broad views of Tenerife’s coast and mountains, the sea breeze, and the time on deck all remain even if wildlife stays out of sight.

The crew has been praised for being welcoming and attentive, including when someone in the group feels seasick. Tell them early if you are queasy rather than waiting until you feel worse. A stable catamaran helps, but it does not remove all movement; if you are prone to motion sickness, the operator suggests considering ginger tablets or Dramamine before boarding.

Swimming and snorkeling in clear coastal water

Private Catamaran Charter with Transfer, Buffet and Snorkeling - Swimming and snorkeling in clear coastal water

Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to pack your own mask and snorkel. When conditions allow, the captain can take the boat to a suitable place for snorkeling or a swim. Bring a swimsuit, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a towel. Towels are not included, and wet gear can make the return journey less comfortable if you have nothing dry to wrap up in.

Keep the water stop in perspective. This is a coastal sailing trip with a chance to get in the sea, not a dedicated snorkeling expedition with a long session underwater. If your group has young children or anyone who is unsure in the water, check with the crew about the conditions and their comfort before anyone gets in.

Sunscreen is especially worth remembering. You will be exposed on deck, and even a pleasant breeze can make the sun feel less intense than it is. Take breaks in a shaded area and drink water, even if the champagne and beer are calling your name.

Lunch, snacks, and a glass on deck

Private Catamaran Charter with Transfer, Buffet and Snorkeling - Lunch, snacks, and a glass on deck

Food and drinks are included, which makes the price easier to assess and saves you from organizing a separate meal during the outing. The food selection may include tortillas, cheese, quiche, bread, crisps, and a meat selection, along with fruit, snacks, and tapas. Drinks include bottled water, soft drinks, beer, and champagne.

Think of this as a relaxed onboard meal rather than a restaurant lunch with a formal menu. The selection is practical for a boat: easy-to-share items that let you eat without stopping the day. If someone in your group has a dietary restriction, do not assume the standard food will suit them; ask the operator before booking.

Alcohol is included, but moderation is sensible when you are in the sun and may be swimming. Water is available, so make a point of drinking it. The crew’s attention to the group is one of the most useful parts of a private charter, especially if someone is feeling unwell or needs a quieter spot to sit.

What the private price buys

Private Catamaran Charter with Transfer, Buffet and Snorkeling - What the private price buys

The listed price is $1,792.13 per group, with the price described as covering up to 15 people. At a full group of 15, that works out to about $120 per person. For a smaller party, the per-person cost rises quickly, so this is best value when you can fill much of the group allocation and split the charge.

That price includes the private catamaran, private transportation, fees and taxes, snorkeling gear, lunch, snacks, nonalcoholic drinks, bottled water, and alcoholic beverages. You are paying for privacy and a crewed boat as well as the meal and gear. For a birthday or family gathering, the ability to share the boat without a larger group can be worth more than the individual extras.

There is an important detail to settle before you pay: the price information says up to 15 people, but the tour description says the charter can accommodate up to 24 passengers. Do not assume the listed group price automatically covers 24. Confirm the exact capacity and any price difference for your party size directly with the operator.

The tour is booked, on average, about 71 days in advance. That suggests you should not leave a popular date to the last minute, particularly if you are planning around a birthday or another fixed event. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. The trip depends on good weather; if poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Who will enjoy this charter most

Private Catamaran Charter with Transfer, Buffet and Snorkeling - Who will enjoy this charter most

This outing suits families, couples travelling with friends, and groups marking a special occasion. Its strongest appeal is the combination of a private boat, a flexible schedule, food and drinks, and the chance to see wildlife or swim. The crew’s care with pickup and with people feeling seasick also matters if you are arranging the day for a group with different needs.

It may be less appealing if you are travelling alone or as a couple and prefer a lower-cost shared cruise. It is also not the right choice if you need wheelchair access: the boat is not wheelchair accessible. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed, but check with the operator if you have a particular mobility or access concern.

If your main goal is a long snorkeling session, a full-day voyage, or a guaranteed wildlife encounter, this short charter may not match your expectations. If you want a comfortable three-hour outing where the boat, food, and company are the point, with wildlife and swimming as welcome possibilities, it makes a strong case.

A few practical details before you set out

Private Catamaran Charter with Transfer, Buffet and Snorkeling - A few practical details before you set out

The meeting point is Diamant, the Glass Bottom Boat, at Puerto Colón, Pantalan 6, Costa Adeje. The activity ends back at the same point. Hotel pickup is available in the south of Tenerife within a 20 km radius of the port; outside that area, you will need to travel to the marina yourself.

Wear your swimsuit or pack it, and bring sunglasses, sunscreen, and a towel. Snorkeling gear, lunch, snacks, drinks, and bottled water are included. The boat has a restroom and places to sit on the flybridge and inside, though it is not wheelchair accessible.

Should you book this Tenerife catamaran?

Book it if you want a private, easygoing outing for a group and value the time together as much as the chance to see dolphins or whales. The included food, drinks, gear, and nearby hotel pickup help make the day straightforward, while the flexible route gives you some say in how the three hours unfold.

Before booking, confirm the passenger limit and price for your exact group size, and be realistic about wildlife sightings and the short duration. If those terms suit your plans, this is a memorable way to trade a few hours on land for Tenerife’s coast from the water.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran leave from?

The meeting point is Diamant, the Glass Bottom Boat, at Puerto Colón, Pantalan 6, in Costa Adeje. The activity returns to the same point.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is available from hotels in the south of Tenerife within a 20 km radius of Puerto Colón. If you are staying outside the pickup area, you need to make your own way to the departure point.

How long is the charter?

The experience lasts about three hours.

What is included in the price?

Snorkeling equipment, private transportation, fees and taxes, lunch, snacks, alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, and bottled water are included. Towels are not included.

Can we swim or snorkel?

Yes. The captain can take your group to a suitable snorkeling spot, and snorkeling equipment is provided. Swimming and snorkeling depend on the route and conditions.

How many people can join the private charter?

The price is listed for a group of up to 15, while the tour description says the boat can accommodate up to 24 passengers. Confirm the capacity and price for your group before booking.

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