Tenerife: Catamaran Cruise with Brunch and Unlimited Drinks

Sunshine, sea air, and whales make this Las Galletas catamaran cruise an easy choice for a slow afternoon in Tenerife. I like the chance to watch for pilot whales, dolphins, turtles, and flying fish while the crew explains what you are seeing. I also like that hotel pickup, food, swimming, and unlimited beer, soft drinks, and water are bundled into the $71 price.

The main catch is the food and drink wording. The four-hour brunch is more substantial than the three-hour snack option, but it is still served as a prepared box rather than a full restaurant meal. Also, unlimited does not mean unlimited everything: cocktails, wine, and champagne cost extra, and the boat can travel far enough offshore to trouble anyone prone to seasickness.

The cruise leaves from Marina del Sur near Las Galletas and follows Tenerife’s southern coast toward Punta Rasca, Diego Hernández Beach, Playa de las Américas, Los Cristianos, and Palm-Mar. It is a good fit if you want wildlife watching without a hard-going excursion, and the roughly 50-person group size feels social without making the catamaran feel packed.

Key points before you book

• Wildlife watching near Punta Rasca: The route gives you a chance to see pilot whales, dolphins, turtles, and flying fish, though sightings are never guaranteed.
• Two food options: The three-hour version includes a turkey sandwich, fruit, and cheesecake. The four-hour version adds a suckling pig burrito and vegetable dumplings.
• Unlimited drinks have limits: Beer, soft drinks, and water are included. Wine, cocktails, and champagne are not.
• Swimming at Diego Hernández Beach: You can get into the sea, relax on deck, or use the stop for snorkeling. Snorkel equipment is not included.
• Optional premium seating: VIP seating and Balinese-style day beds offer more comfort, but the standard seats can still make for a good outing.
• Pickup covers much of southern Tenerife: Select hotels and meeting points are served, but the coach ride can take about 45 minutes before the boat even leaves.

From your hotel to Marina del Sur

Pickup is available from a long list of hotels and meeting points in Tenerife’s south, including Costa Adeje, Playa de las Américas, Los Cristianos, Palm-Mar, and Las Galletas. You need to wait at the designated point 10 minutes before pickup, since the driver may leave after five minutes.

The coach ride is listed at about 45 minutes. That matters if you are staying near Costa Adeje or farther west, because a three-hour cruise can become a much longer half-day outing once transfers are included. On the other hand, hotel pickup removes the need to find Marina del Sur or arrange a taxi.

The marina is in Las Galletas, a working coastal town rather than one of Tenerife’s grand resort promenades. Once you reach the port, the change of pace is welcome. You leave the buses behind, find your place on the catamaran, and head out along the coast.

The boat carries about 50 people on a typical departure, based on the reported experience of one passenger. That is large enough to create a friendly atmosphere, but small enough that the crew can serve food and explain the sights without shouting across a huge vessel. The crew also needs to steer, watch the sea, serve drinks, and keep an eye on wildlife, so service may not be instant at every moment.

The catamaran route along Tenerife’s south coast

The first part of the cruise gives you around 30 minutes on the water before the wildlife section. This is a good time to settle in, find a comfortable seat, and get used to the motion of the catamaran.

The view changes as you move past Las Galletas and toward the western side of the island. You will see beaches, rocky shore, cliffs, and coastal resorts from a more open angle than you get from the road. The live commentary is provided in English and Spanish, with information about the coast and the marine life around the boat.

At Punta Rasca Lighthouse, the crew begins looking for dolphins and whales. This is one of the most appealing parts of the trip, but it is important to keep expectations sensible. Marine animals move freely, so nobody can promise a sighting. On several recent departures, passengers saw pilot whales, dolphins, turtles, and flying fish, which gives the wildlife portion a strong record, but it remains a matter of nature and timing.

A useful detail is that the crew has been praised for keeping its distance from the animals rather than chasing them. That makes the experience calmer and more respectful. You may spend some time scanning the water before anything appears, so bring patience along with your camera.

Punta Rasca and the search for marine life

Punta Rasca Lighthouse marks one of the most scenic parts of the route. The lighthouse itself is a simple coastal landmark, but the open water around it gives you a wide view of Tenerife’s southern shore.

This section lasts about 45 minutes in the stated schedule. You may be standing, sitting, or moving between viewpoints as the crew searches for signs of marine life. Flying fish can appear suddenly close to the boat, while whales and dolphins may surface farther away.

I like this part best for people who want more than a beach transfer. You are not simply being taken from one port to another. The purpose is to watch the sea, listen to the crew, and notice small changes in the water. The downside is that wildlife watching can feel slow if you need constant activity.

Sea conditions also matter. One passenger described the offshore ride as difficult for a person with seasickness. If you know you are sensitive to boat motion, think carefully before booking. A day bed may help because you can lie down, but it does not remove the movement of the sea.

Brunch at Diego Hernández Beach

The main stop is Diego Hernández Beach, where the boat remains for about an hour. This is the point for lunch, swimming, and snorkeling, although you must bring or arrange your own snorkel equipment because it is not included.

The four-hour option includes a sandwich with roast turkey, a suckling pig burrito, vegetable dumplings, and cheesecake. The meal is described as fully Canarian and built around local ingredients. It is best understood as a neatly prepared brunch box, not a buffet or sit-down meal.

The three-hour option is lighter: a roast turkey sandwich, seasonal fruit, and cheesecake. If you are choosing between the two durations, the longer version makes more sense if food is part of the appeal. The extra items give you a fuller meal before swimming or relaxing on deck.

Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and allergen-free menus are available, but you need to contact the provider by the day before. Do not wait until boarding. The crew can prepare the right meal only if the request is made in advance.

After eating, you can swim in the sea or stay aboard. Several passengers especially enjoyed the clear blue water and the chance to get off the boat for a proper swim. The stop also breaks up the wildlife watching, which helps the outing feel varied rather than like several hours of sitting and scanning the horizon.

Drinks, seating, and the real value of $71

At $71 per person, the price is reasonable if you use several parts of the package: transport, a catamaran ride, live commentary, food, swimming time, and unlimited beer, soft drinks, and water. It is less compelling if you do not drink beer or soft drinks, dislike boat trips, or plan to spend the entire time lying down.

The drinks need a close reading. Beer, soft drinks, and water are included, while cocktails, wine, and champagne are not. The general description refers to Canarian wine, but the specific exclusions say wine and champagne are extra, so I would budget on the basis that only beer, soft drinks, and water are included.

Some premium options provide VIP seating, priority access, and preferred places on the boat. Balinese-style day beds are also available for an extra charge. A day bed can be useful if you get seasick or want to lie down during the cruise, and one passenger found the added comfort worthwhile. Still, another passenger felt the standard seating did not reduce the quality of the experience.

The VIP choice is most useful for comfort rather than sightseeing. You can still see the coast, eat, swim, and listen to commentary without paying for the upgrade. If you are traveling as a couple and want a more private, restful afternoon, the extra seating may make sense. For families or budget-conscious groups, the regular arrangement is likely enough.

One practical tip: bring cash as well as a card. Card payments may not work reliably once the boat is offshore. The crew has to balance serving a full boat with steering and commentary, so keeping small purchases simple helps everyone.

Playa de las Américas and Los Cristianos from the water

After Diego Hernández Beach, the boat passes Playa de las Américas and Playa de Los Cristianos. Each section is listed at about 15 minutes, so these are more like moving viewpoints than long stops.

From the sea, the resort coast looks different from the inland version. You see the built-up shore, beaches, and harbor areas in one sweep, with the cliffs and higher ground behind them. The short cruise past both resorts gives you a quick sense of how Tenerife’s southern holiday coast fits together.

Do not expect a guided walking visit in either place. There is no extended time to shop, explore streets, or visit attractions ashore. These stops are for views and commentary, and that is useful if you want a coastal overview without leaving the boat.

Palm-Mar and the return to Marina del Sur

The route continues toward Palm-Mar for a photo stop and another stretch of cruising. The Palm-Mar section is listed at about 45 minutes, giving you more time for photographs and open-water views.

This is also a good point to slow down. The swimming is finished, the main meal is over, and the boat is heading back toward Marina del Sur. You can use the time to watch the cliffs and beaches pass, finish a drink, or find a quieter place on deck.

The return cruise lasts about 30 minutes before the boat reaches the marina. Afternoon departures can make this a pleasant way to fill part of the day, though the total schedule varies by the selected three-hour or four-hour option and by the transfer time to your hotel.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it to couples, families, and solo visitors who want a social sea outing with food already arranged. It suits anyone who likes wildlife watching but does not want a specialist expedition, and it gives you a proper swim without requiring a full day on the water.

It is also a good choice if you are staying in southern Tenerife and value hotel pickup. The coach removes the hassle of reaching Las Galletas, especially when you are unfamiliar with the roads or do not want to rent a car.

I would be more cautious if you suffer from seasickness, dislike group excursions, or expect a premium dining experience. The boat can travel well offshore, the food is served in a box, and the standard package does not include wine or cocktails. Snorkelers should also remember to bring their own equipment.

The English and Spanish commentary adds useful context, but this is not a history-heavy tour. The focus is the sea, the coast, the animals, and time spent relaxing. That straightforward purpose is part of its appeal.

Six practical questions answered

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart?

The boat departs from Marina del Sur in Las Galletas, on Tenerife’s southern coast.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included from select locations in southern Tenerife, including listed hotels and meeting points around Costa Adeje, Playa de las Américas, Los Cristianos, and nearby areas.

What drinks are included?

Unlimited beer, soft drinks, and water are included. Cocktails, wine, and champagne are not included unless purchased separately or covered by a selected upgrade.

What food is served?

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.

Can I request a special meal?

Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and allergen-free meals are available if requested no later than the day before the cruise.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. You can swim and snorkel at Diego Hernández Beach, but snorkel equipment is not included.

Should you book the Tenerife catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want an easy, well-organized afternoon combining Tenerife’s coast, possible whale and dolphin sightings, a swim, food, and open-bar basics for $71. The strongest features are the friendly crew, respectful wildlife viewing, smooth transfers, and the chance to see flying fish, pilot whales, dolphins, or turtles.

Choose the four-hour version if you want the fuller brunch and more time on the water. Consider a day bed if you are prone to seasickness or simply want to lie down. Skip the premium seating if your main goal is swimming, wildlife watching, and coastal scenery.

This is not a luxury yacht meal or a guaranteed wildlife encounter. It is a relaxed group cruise with sensible inclusions and a good mix of activity and downtime. For many visitors staying in Tenerife’s south, that makes it a worthwhile way to spend an afternoon.