Tenerife: Private Boat Charter with Tapas & Drinks

Tenerife’s south coast looks best from the water, where dark volcanic cliffs, mountain peaks, sea caves, and open Atlantic views unfold without hotel blocks in the way. This private three-hour charter takes up to six people from Puerto Colon aboard Libby, a 30-foot twin-engine Rio 850 Cruiser.

I like two things right away: you get your own boat rather than sharing space with a large crowd, and the crew combines sightseeing with a proper swim stop, tapas, and drinks. Captains including William, Noel, Robert, and Havier have been praised for friendly service and good local knowledge. The main consideration is that the price works best for a full group of six, and the drink choice may be narrower than the phrase premium brand drinks suggests.

Key points to know before booking

• Private boat for up to six: The $530 group price works out to about $88 per person when six people share it.
• Libby is a 30-foot Rio 850 Cruiser: You get bow seating, sun pads, two interior cabins, a bathroom, and a freshwater shower.
• Whales and dolphins are possible: Pilot whales, dolphins, and even a turtle have been spotted, but no wildlife sighting can be promised.
• Swimming and snorkeling are part of the appeal: The crew may anchor in a sheltered bay, though the sea is not still water and you should be a confident swimmer.
• Tapas and drinks are included: One useful caution is that the actual drink selection may focus on beer and wine rather than spirits or cider.
• Sunset departures are available: The 6:30 pm slot can be especially pleasant for a smaller group wanting cooler light and an ocean sunset.

Leaving Puerto Colon on Libby

You meet at Pantalan 3 in Puerto Colon, in Adeje, and board Libby with the captain and crew. Transportation to the harbor is not included, so plan your own way to the marina and leave enough time to find the correct pontoon.

The boat is small enough to feel personal but large enough to offer useful comforts. Up front, the bow has ample seating and padded sun beds. You can stretch out, sit upright with a drink, or move inside when the sun becomes too strong. Two interior cabins offer shade, while the private bathroom and freshwater shower make the three-hour outing easier than a basic open-deck boat ride.

That size matters. A private charter for six feels social without becoming crowded, and you can set the tone for your group. You might keep things quiet and scenic, play your own music through Bluetooth, or turn the trip into a birthday or family celebration. Several outings have included personal playlists, which is a small feature but a useful one for a private booking.

The boat has twin engines and fuel is included, so you are not watching extra charges appear as the captain takes you along the coast. The crew handles the boat while you settle into the day.

The south coast from the water

Once out of Puerto Colon, the focus shifts from the marina to Tenerife’s rugged Atlantic edge. From the boat, you see volcanic rock, steep mountain slopes, and coastal corners that are easy to miss from the road. The view changes constantly as Libby moves along the southern shore.

The coastline is not a soft, sandy postcard. It is rougher and more dramatic, with dark rock, small inlets, and caves shaped by the ocean. That gives the outing a sense of place. You are not simply sitting offshore in open water. You are seeing the physical character of southern Tenerife from an angle that a coach tour cannot provide.

The crew can point out sights and talk about life around Tenerife. Captains such as William and Noel have been praised for making the time informative without turning it into a formal lecture. If you want to know more about the coast, marine life, or local conditions, ask questions as you go.

Wildlife adds another layer. Pilot whales have been seen in large numbers on some trips, and other outings have included dolphins and a turtle. The south of Tenerife is known for marine wildlife, but sightings depend on the day, the sea, and the animals. Book this for the boat ride first, with wildlife as a welcome bonus. That keeps expectations sensible.

Tapas, drinks, and the pace of the afternoon

Food is served onboard, so you do not lose part of the charter looking for lunch. The tapas are best thought of as a generous snack board rather than a full meal. Tomatoes have received particular praise, and the food has included a selection suitable for grazing while you watch the coast.

I would eat something before boarding if you arrive hungry. One rating specifically noted that the food felt more like snacks, and that is fair advice for a three-hour outing. Tapas work well with the relaxed format, but this is not a restaurant lunch at sea.

The booking includes unlimited premium brand drinks. In practice, you should confirm the exact selection before you go if your group has firm preferences. One useful caution is that a drink choice was described as limited to beer and wine, without spirits or cider. Other outings included cava and drinks matched to personal preferences, so the offer may depend on the booking and the day.

That is not a major problem for many people. Beer, wine, and soft drinks can be enough for a sunny afternoon, and unlimited service means you do not need to count each glass. Still, do not book on the assumption that every premium spirit or favorite cider will be available. Ask ahead if that detail matters to you.

Sun, shade, swimming, and snorkeling

The bow is the place for sun and open views. You can lie on the padded seating, watch the cliffs slide past, and enjoy the breeze. Bring a hat, sunscreen, swimwear, towel, camera, and comfortable clothing. High heels are not allowed, and sensible footwear is the better choice on a moving boat.

The interior cabins give you a break from the heat. This is useful in the bright southern Tenerife sun, especially if your group includes someone who does not want to spend three hours outdoors. The freshwater shower is handy after swimming and snorkeling.

The crew may stop in a beautiful bay and anchor so you can get in the water. Snorkeling gear is included. A swim stop changes the outing from a sightseeing cruise into an active break, but be honest about your ability. The Atlantic is not a swimming pool, and one family specifically noted that the water was not still and that the swim suited good swimmers.

You should also remember that a private charter does not mean the sea conditions are under your control. The captain decides where and when it is safe to stop. If you are prone to seasickness, this experience is not recommended. Even confident swimmers should follow the crew’s instructions and use care around the boat.

Choosing the best departure time

You can choose from several departure times, subject to availability. Morning departures can suit an early start and may leave more of your afternoon free. Afternoon slots work well for a relaxed day on the water, with the changing light making the cliffs look different as the hours pass.

The 6:30 pm departure has a special appeal. One family of three booked the sunset slot and enjoyed watching the sun drop over the ocean while swimming. It is a good choice for a couple, a small family, or anyone marking a birthday or anniversary.

A sunset departure may offer less bright sun for the final part of the trip, but you should choose based on your priorities. If snorkeling and a long swim are the main goal, a daylight slot gives you more useful light. If atmosphere matters most, the evening option can be the better pick.

What makes the private format worth the price

The cost is $530 per group of up to six. With six people aboard, that is about $88 per person for three hours. For a private boat with a captain and crew, fuel, tapas, unlimited included drinks, snorkeling equipment, a bathroom, and a shower, that is a fair price for a special occasion or a group holiday.

The value drops for a couple or a group of three because the full group price is still charged. A pair would pay about $265 each, and three people would pay about $177 each. At that point, compare the price with a shared whale-watching cruise or standard boat trip.

The private format brings benefits a shared trip cannot match. You control the mood, can play your own music, have room to move, and avoid strangers during a birthday or family outing. The crew can also focus on your group’s comfort rather than managing a large passenger list.

This is why the booking makes the most sense for six friends, two families traveling together, or a group celebrating something. For a couple on a tight budget, it may feel costly. For six people splitting the bill, it becomes a much more attractive way to spend part of a Tenerife holiday.

The crew and the personal touch

The captain matters on a small boat, and the names connected with recent outings include William, Noel, Robert, and Havier. Their roles have gone beyond steering. William has helped groups with drink preferences and music, Noel has brought guests closer to sea life when conditions allowed, and Robert has been praised for making a birthday outing feel special.

You may also be invited to have a go at steering under supervision. That will depend on the captain and the conditions, but it shows the relaxed style of the experience. The focus is not just on getting from one point to another. It is on making the boat feel like your group’s space for the afternoon.

The crew also handles practical details such as anchoring, serving food, and helping people feel safe in the water. That personal service is one of the strongest reasons to choose this charter over a basic sightseeing cruise.

Who should book this charter?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• A group of up to six friends who want privacy and drinks
• Families with older children who are comfortable in open water
• Couples planning a birthday, anniversary, or sunset outing
• Visitors who want coastal views with time to swim and snorkel
• Anyone who prefers a small boat to a large organized cruise

You should think twice if you suffer from seasickness, dislike being on open water, or need a full lunch rather than tapas. It is also less cost-effective for one or two people unless having a private boat is the main point of the day.

Children can take part, but the information provided does not set out a specific age policy. If you are bringing a child, ask about suitability and be sure they are comfortable around the sea. The water can move even when the weather looks calm from shore.

Practical details that matter

The charter lasts three hours and is offered in English and Spanish. It is a private group experience, so you are not sharing the boat with unrelated passengers.

Bring a hat, swimwear, towel, sunscreen, camera, and comfortable clothes. Smoking is not allowed, and neither are alcohol or drugs brought independently. The included drinks are supplied onboard, so there is no need to bring your own alcohol.

The meeting point is Pantalan 3 at Puerto Colon. Transport to the marina is not included. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and a reserve-now, pay-later option is available, which helps if your Tenerife plans are still changing.

Should you book Libby?

Book it if you can fill most of the six places and want a private, easygoing afternoon with coastal scenery, a swim, tapas, and the chance of dolphins or pilot whales. The boat, attentive crew, personal music option, and sunset departure give the outing more character than a standard cruise.

I would not choose it mainly for guaranteed wildlife or a full meal. Sightings are never certain, the sea may be choppy, and the food is a snack-style tapas spread. Confirm the drink selection if spirits or cider matter to you.

For a full group, this is a strong-value way to see Tenerife from the water. For a small party, compare the total cost with shared cruises before booking. If privacy, comfort, and a flexible celebration matter most, Libby is an easy choice.

FAQ

Where does the boat charter depart from?

The charter departs from Pantalan 3 at Puerto Colon in Adeje, Tenerife.

How long is the experience?

The private boat charter lasts three hours.

How many people can join?

The boat can take a private group of up to six people.

What boat will I be using?

You will board Libby, a 30-foot twin-engine Rio 850 Cruiser.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. Tapas and unlimited premium brand drinks are included. The exact drink selection can vary, and one available description notes beer and wine rather than spirits or cider, so confirm if you have a specific preference.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included, along with fuel, a captain and crew, a private bathroom, and a freshwater shower.

Can I swim from the boat?

Swimming may be available when the captain anchors in a suitable bay. The sea is not still water, so the activity is best for confident swimmers.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.