A yacht morning in Tenerife, minus the private price. You board in Puerto Colón and start with a glass of champagne, then settle into a small-group cruise with tapas and serious time on the water. It’s the kind of trip that feels a bit fancy, without turning your afternoon into a complicated project.

I like this experience because you get both the calm cruise feel and the active water-gear stuff. You’ll also have real chances to spot marine life, and the crew often helps you time your viewing and swimming. One consideration: it’s not suitable for people prone to seasickness, and the cruise needs a minimum of 4 people to run (otherwise you’ll be moved to another day).

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• Welcome champagne right when you step aboard, setting the tone fast
• All-inclusive drinks (champagne, wine, beer, soft drinks, water) so you’re not tracking tabs
• Beneteau Antares 42 on a shared charter that keeps the group intimate
• La Caleta water time with snorkeling gear plus paddleboard and sea scooters
• Dolphin and whale watching potential during scheduled marine-life viewing windows
• Small group limit of 10 for a more personal, less chaotic feel

Setting Sail From Puerto Colón With Champagne Energy

This cruise starts in Puerto Colón, and the whole experience is built around an easy, “show up and relax” rhythm. You arrive at Puerto Colón Patalan Nº2, about 15 minutes early, and it helps to go in where the gate is at the top. If you chose a pickup, you’ll wait outside your hotel reception and staff will approach you at the scheduled time.

At 10:30 AM departure, you get that quick initial moment that makes people smile: a glass of champagne as you settle in. That first sip matters because it turns the setting-up part of the trip into part of the fun, not a prelude to something you have to wait for.

The Boat: Why a Beneteau Antares 42 Changes the Mood

You’ll be cruising on a Beneteau Antares 42 for about 3 hours. That’s a sweet size for this kind of outing: big enough to feel like a proper yacht, but not so huge that you’re walking a marathon just to find a drink or a view.

Onboard, the crew provides life jackets and full safety equipment, and they also run a safety briefing. You’ll feel taken care of without feeling like you’re in a training session. The vibe most people love is that everything feels organized, but relaxed—like the crew wants you to have a good time more than they want to herd you.

The cruise is shared, so you’re not getting a whole boat to yourself. Still, the group is limited to 10 people, which keeps lines short and attention high. Many visitors point out that this is where the “premium-but-affordable” feel comes from.

Drinks and Tapas: The Deck-Food Plan Actually Works

This is not a “snack and hope” situation. The cruise includes Spanish tapas served during the sailing, plus a welcome glass of champagne at boarding. Expect items like Tortilla Española, Spanish jamón, cheese, baguettes, and fresh fruit.

For drinks, it’s all-inclusive: champagne, wine, beer, soft drinks, and water. That means you can focus on the scenery instead of deciding what’s worth ordering. It also makes the cruise feel like an event—especially in cooler seasons when a warm drink moment isn’t really the point, but good bubbles and sunshine are.

A practical note: if you’re planning on spending lots of time in the water, drink at a normal pace. It’s easy to get carried away when the crew keeps things flowing. And if you’re the type who prefers to switch between sips and swims, the layout makes it easy to do both.

Wildlife Viewing Windows: Dolphins and More, Without the Frenzy

The itinerary builds in marine-life viewing time rather than just cruising past sights. You get scheduled periods for marine life viewing and wildlife spotting, including about 45 minutes on the Tenerife stretch, plus another viewing window back toward Tenerife.

In practice, this is where the crew’s local navigation habits matter. Captains and guides often help you understand what you’re seeing and where to look from the best angle. Names you might meet include Juan, Michelle, Maxi, Martina/Martinez, Raul, and Eduardo/Edouardo—people who tend to combine friendliness with a lot of respect for wildlife.

You might spot dolphins, and many departures are celebrated for seeing turtles and even whales. The big idea is that the cruise doesn’t feel like a rushed “eyes on, next!” loop. You get enough time to look carefully, then get a turn to enjoy the water stop.

La Caleta: The Best Part of the Trip for Swimming and Toys

Most of your “in the water” time clusters at La Caleta. The schedule shows about 1.5 hours there, with a mix of photo stop time, free time, and swimming. This is also where snorkeling gear is part of the plan, and where you’ll use the water toys.

Here’s what you can expect to work into your time at La Caleta:

• Snorkeling gear is included, which is a nice way to see what’s happening below the surface
• Paddleboard use is included
• Sea scooters are included (electric motors that help you move more smoothly through the water)

One thing I’d keep in mind: the tour is designed around fun, not a rigid checklist. So even if you want to snorkel, you’ll probably also end up with at least a few minutes on the toys—especially because the water time is the main activity block.

Also, a small reality check: some boats or departures may not match every photo detail you might imagine. One traveler noted a slide pictured in marketing wasn’t part of their boat setup. The core inclusions are still the paddleboard and sea scooters, so if you’re curious about any specific equipment seen in photos, ask before you board.

Paddleboard and Sea Scooters: When Active Fun Feels Safe

Using sea scooters and paddleboards isn’t just a gimmick here. The Atlantic can be inviting, and the gear gives you a way to explore without requiring strong paddling skills for long distances.

The crew provides life jackets, and you’ll get the safety briefing before things get playful. That helps the experience feel controlled—so you can focus on enjoying the water instead of thinking about logistics mid-swim.

If you’re not an experienced swimmer, you don’t necessarily need to “go far.” You’ll get a good feeling for the area right near the boat, and you can treat this as an exploration zone rather than a workout.

The Cruise Flow: What Each Segment Feels Like

This trip has a clear shape, and that makes it easy to enjoy even if you’re not a “boat person.”

1) Boarding and sailing out of Puerto Colón

You start with champagne, then transition into the relaxed cruising pace. Early in the trip, the focus is on getting oriented and settling in.

2) Tenerife marine-life viewing (about 45 minutes)

This is your “watch first, decide second” segment. You’ll have a chance to look for dolphins and other wildlife while drinks and tapas keep you comfortable.

3) La Caleta (about 1.5 hours)

This is the action hub: photo stop, swimming, snorkeling gear, paddleboard time, and sea scooter use. Plan on this being your main water block.

4) Tenerife viewing window (another about 45 minutes)

After the main water time, you return to viewing mode. The boat cruise back gives you more chances to spot wildlife and enjoy the coastline from a different angle.

5) Drop-off

You end with drop-off at two options: Playa de las Américas or back at Puerto Colón (pantalan 2), depending on what was selected.

Group Size and Crew Attention: The Real Value

For the price, this is where you feel the difference between “big cruise” and “small yacht charter.” A group capped at 10 means you’re not fighting for space, and it’s easier for crew to check on everyone.

Many people highlight that crew members keep drinks flowing, manage fresh food service, and give helpful wildlife guidance. You also see mention of crew support if someone feels sea sick. In short: the crew isn’t just there to run the boat; they’re there to make sure you enjoy it.

Timing, Pickup, and What to Bring

You’re out for 3 hours, leaving at 10:30 AM. That makes it a great mid-morning activity when you want something memorable without losing an entire day.

Bring the basics:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunglasses, hat, and sunscreen
• A camera (the coastline and wildlife moments are the kind you’ll want to keep)

If you’re choosing this as part of your Tenerife plans, I recommend planning for a relaxed afterward. You’ll likely be sun-kissed and pleasantly tired, not cooked.

Price: Why $100 Feels Fair for This Mix

At around $100 per person for a 3-hour shared yacht charter, you’re paying for a specific combo: a premium boat experience plus welcome champagne, all-inclusive drinks, Spanish tapas, and access to paddleboard and sea scooters—plus snorkeling gear.

The value is that you’re not just buying transportation or a short cruise. You’re buying time on a yacht, time in the water, and food and drinks handled for you. If you’ve ever done “cheap boat tours” where you get tired quickly from overcrowding or inconsistent food, this format is a practical upgrade.

The other value point is the small-group limit. In many experiences, that kind of cap is what makes the trip feel personal rather than industrial.

Who This Yacht Cruise Fits Best (And Who Should Skip It)

Best fit:

• Couples and small groups who want a relaxed, intimate experience
• People who want a mix of sightseeing and water toys, not just sitting and watching
• Anyone who wants a shot at marine life viewing with guidance and enough time to enjoy it

Consider skipping if:

• You’re prone to seasickness (this tour is explicitly not suitable for you)
• You want a heavy, multi-stop itinerary with lots of long land excursions—this is about water time and coastline, not touring towns

If you do get motion discomfort sometimes, consider planning to sit where the crew suggests and be honest with them. The staff’s job is keeping you safe and comfortable, and they’ve been helpful in past situations.

Should You Book This Tenerife Yacht Cruise?

I think this is a strong booking if you want a Tenerife highlight that feels special without turning your schedule into a puzzle. The combination of welcome champagne, all-inclusive drinks, Spanish tapas, and hands-on water fun (paddleboard plus sea scooters) gives you a full, satisfying 3-hour block.

Book it if:

• You love the idea of a small group on a real yacht
• You want a good chance at marine life spotting
• You’d actually use the water gear rather than just watch from deck

Skip or rethink if:

• Seasickness is a real issue for you
• You’re expecting every photo detail to match your exact boat setup (confirm anything you care about)

If you’re in Puerto Colón or nearby and you want an easy, memorable morning with local wildlife potential and plenty of relaxation, this one is worth putting near the top of your list.