Private Boat Tour on Royal Ocean Yacht, Tenerife

The best part of this private Tenerife boat trip is the mix of open-water wildlife and easygoing time in a quiet bay. You sail from Las Galletas toward the whale and dolphin grounds, then anchor near the cliffs of Los Cristianos for swimming, snorkeling, food, and drinks.

I like the private setting, which lets your group of up to eight set the tone instead of sharing the boat with a large crowd. I also like the generous onboard package: towels, snorkeling gear, a SUP, restroom, snacks, lunch, soft drinks, coffee, tea, and alcoholic drinks are all included.

The main caution is the sea itself. Some people in one family became seasick, so bring your usual medicine if you are prone to motion sickness. The boat also needs decent weather, and wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed.

Key points to know before you book

• Whale and dolphin watching from Las Galletas: The first part of the sailing heads toward the waters where pilot whales, dolphins, and other marine life may appear.
• A private yacht for up to eight people: The $900.18 group price makes the most sense for a family or small group sharing the full boat.
• Swimming stop near Los Cristianos: You anchor in clear water by a bay in the cliffs, with time for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and a short walk near caves.
• Food and drinks are part of the day: Expect fruit, snacks, Spanish tapas, jamón, meats, cheeses, unlimited drinks, and lunch.
• Pickup can simplify the morning: The listed pickup point is the main entrance of X-Sur Mall, while the boat leaves from Marina del Sur in Las Galletas.
• Captain Lui and a friendly crew: The crew handles food, drinks, equipment, and the practical details while you enjoy the coast.

Setting sail from Marina del Sur in Las Galletas

The trip begins at Royal Ocean S.L. in Marina del Sur, Puerto Deportivo, Las Galletas. This is Tenerife’s southern end, a useful starting point for reaching the marine area between the south coast and Los Cristianos without spending the whole outing getting to the main attractions.

Pickup is offered from the main entrance of X-Sur Mall. The information also indicates that hotel pickup was available for at least some bookings, so confirm the exact arrangement when you reserve. If you make your own way to the port, build in enough time to find the marina and meet the crew.

The boat is set up for comfort rather than a bare-bones sailing outing. You have several seating areas, a restroom, towels, and air conditioning. That matters on a three-hour trip, especially if some people in your group want sun and open views while others prefer shade or a quieter seat.

This is a private activity, so only your group participates. The maximum group size is eight. That gives you room to spread out and makes the boat a practical choice for two families, a birthday outing, or a small group that wants more privacy than a shared excursion provides.

The first hour: searching for whales and dolphins

Once away from the port, the boat heads toward the area known for whale and dolphin sightings. The wildlife portion takes about an hour, although the exact timing can change with sea conditions and where animals appear.

Pilot whales are among the animals you might see. Dolphins and porpoises have also been spotted on this trip. One outing included sightings of perhaps nine whales and dolphins, while another group saw whales and porpoises. Those reports give you a fair idea of the possible payoff, but they are not a promise. Marine animals move freely, and the crew cannot summon them on schedule.

You’ll want to keep your camera ready, but remember that the boat may be moving and sightings may be brief. The open-water view is part of the appeal, with Tenerife rising behind you and the coast appearing from a different angle than it does from land.

The crew’s role is important here. Captain Lui has been praised for making the trip relaxed and for pointing out attractive coastal spots. The crew also keeps an eye on the group’s comfort, which is useful when some people want to focus on wildlife and others are already thinking about the swimming stop.

If your top priority is a guaranteed close encounter with whales, no boat tour can promise that. Book this for the chance to see marine life in its natural setting, not for a staged animal show.

Drinks, fruit, and snacks on the way to Los Cristianos

After the wildlife search, the boat makes a short transit toward a bay near Los Cristianos. During this stretch, the crew serves drinks, fruit, and snacks.

This is a small detail, but it changes the feel of the trip. You are not rushing from one activity to the next or expected to bring all your own food. You can sit back, watch the coast, and let the crew take care of the refreshments.

Alcoholic drinks are included, along with bottled water, soda, coffee, and tea. The practical point is to pace yourself, especially if the sea is moving. Alcohol can make seasickness worse, so if you know you are sensitive, start with water and wait until you are safely anchored.

The food is more substantial at the swimming stop. The spread includes jamón, meats, cheeses, Spanish tapas, and lunch. The exact menu can vary, but this is more than a packet of crisps and a drink. It gives the outing a social, leisurely rhythm, particularly for groups celebrating a birthday or spending the day together.

Anchoring near Los Cristianos for swimming and snorkeling

The second main part of the trip takes place in a bay near Los Cristianos, where the boat anchors in clear turquoise water. Here you can swim, snorkel, or use the stand-up paddleboard.

Snorkeling equipment is included, as are towels, so you do not need to pack a full set of gear. You should still bring the personal basics you prefer for a day near the water. The supplied information confirms the equipment and towels, but not specific details such as wetsuit availability or the exact time spent in the water.

This stop is likely the most flexible part of the excursion. Strong swimmers can get in and explore, while others can remain aboard, eat, enjoy a drink, or watch the cliffs from the deck. That flexibility helps mixed-age groups, since not everyone wants the same level of activity.

Sea conditions matter here. The crew chooses the swimming area according to the weather, and the stop may feel different from one day to another. Clear water is part of the attraction, but do not expect a perfectly calm swimming pool. If you are not a confident swimmer, ask the crew about conditions before entering the water.

A short walk along the cliffs includes access to caves. The available information does not specify the length or difficulty of this walk, so treat it as a brief coastal look rather than a separate hike. The caves add a change of pace after time on the water and let you see the rocky shore from close range.

Food, drinks, and the private-boat advantage

The strongest reason to choose this trip over a basic sightseeing cruise is the amount of time and service built into the price. You are not only paying for transport across the water. You are paying for a private boat, crew, wildlife searching, water equipment, food, drinks, and a stop in a scenic bay.

The price is $900.18 per group of up to eight. For a full group, that works out to about $112.52 per person before tips. For eight people, that is a reasonable way to buy a private half-day experience with lunch and drinks included. For two people, the same total becomes a major expense, even if the privacy and personal service are attractive.

I would compare the cost against the kind of day you want. A shared boat may cost less per person, but it will not give your group the same control over seating, conversation, food service, or time in the bay. A private yacht makes the most financial sense when several people split the fee.

The food is one of the most praised parts of the outing. Jamón, meats, cheeses, and Spanish tapas make the meal feel connected to Spain rather than like generic boat catering. Drinks are served throughout, and the crew takes care of the setup, which lets you focus on the coast and your companions.

Tips are not included. They are optional, but appropriate if the crew handles the boat, refreshments, equipment, and wildlife search with care.

What the boat is like for families and small groups

The yacht has plenty of seating areas and a restroom onboard. Those features may sound basic, but they matter on a three-hour trip. A restroom is especially useful for families and anyone who does not want to cut the outing short because of a basic need.

The boat also has air conditioning. You can use the seating areas according to your comfort, although the best place for wildlife viewing may be outside. Some people particularly enjoy sitting at the front as the yacht moves over the waves, but that position can feel more motion if you are prone to seasickness.

Families with children have several ways to enjoy the outing. Kids can watch for animals, swim, try the SUP, eat tapas, and explore the water with the included snorkeling equipment. The group size also means parents are not managing children in a large crowd.

Still, keep the sea in mind. Most people can participate, but the trip is not recommended for anyone with seasickness unless they take their usual medicine. If one person in your group is very sensitive, consider seating, medication, and whether a private boat gives that person enough flexibility to rest.

The crew and the feel of the day

Captain Lui and the crew are central to the experience. The captain has been singled out for his calm approach and for showing beautiful coastal spots. The crew has also been praised for welcoming service and for paying attention to individual needs.

Dmitri is associated with the booking process, and the trip has been described as easy to arrange through him. That is useful if you need to clarify pickup, group size, or the best date before committing.

The tone is relaxed rather than formal. You can spend time at the bow, sit with a drink, swim, paddle, eat, or simply watch Tenerife from the water. The crew supplies the practical items, but your group decides how active the day becomes.

That personal feel is the clearest advantage of booking privately. A birthday couple can make the outing quiet and unhurried. Two families can share food and activities without being packed into a larger boat. A group of friends can make better use of the drinks and swimming stop.

Timing, weather, and what to bring

The advertised duration is about three hours. The main structure is roughly one hour for the wildlife search, followed by the move to Los Cristianos and time in the bay. The exact balance can change according to animal sightings and weather.

The trip requires good weather. If poor conditions force cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not refunded.

For the day itself, bring the items you personally need for sun and swimming. Towels and snorkeling equipment are supplied, but the data does not specify other personal equipment. Keep your camera protected from spray, and take seasickness medicine before departure if that is part of your normal routine.

The boat leaves and returns to the same meeting point at Marina del Sur. That makes the outing easy to fit into a day based in southern Tenerife. It is also near public transportation, though the listed pickup from X-Sur Mall may be simpler if it matches your location.

Who should book this yacht tour?

I would choose this trip for a group that values privacy, food, and a flexible pace as much as wildlife viewing. It is particularly well suited to families, couples celebrating a special occasion, and small groups that can split the cost.

It is also a good match if you want several activities in one short outing. You get open-water sightseeing, whale and dolphin watching, swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, a short coastal walk, tapas, and drinks without committing to a full day at sea.

I would think twice if your budget is tight, your main goal is a guaranteed close whale sighting, or someone in your group is highly prone to seasickness. The private format offers comfort, but it does not remove the motion of the ocean.

Should you book the Royal Ocean private boat tour?

Book it if you can fill most of the eight places and want a polished, social day on the water rather than a simple wildlife cruise. The combination of private space, Captain Lui’s attentive style, the bay near Los Cristianos, swimming equipment, SUP, tapas, and included drinks gives the price real value for a full group.

For just two people, the cost is harder to justify unless privacy and a special occasion matter more than keeping the price low. Go with realistic expectations about wildlife, prepare for possible seasickness, and choose a weather-friendly date. For the right group, this is one of Tenerife’s more comfortable ways to pair marine life with time in the sea.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour start?

The tour starts at Royal Ocean S.L. in Marina del Sur, Puerto Deportivo, 38631 Las Galletas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity returns to the same meeting point at Marina del Sur in Las Galletas.

Is pickup available?

Pickup is offered from the main entrance of X-Sur Mall. Hotel pickup has also been available for some bookings, so confirm the exact pickup details when reserving.

How long is the experience?

The tour lasts approximately three hours.

How many people can join the private tour?

The price covers one private group of up to eight people.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. The package includes alcoholic drinks, bottled water, soda, coffee, tea, snacks, fruit, lunch, and Spanish-style food such as jamón, meats, cheeses, and tapas.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, towels, and a SUP are included. The boat also has a restroom onboard.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.