Private Boat Tour on Royal Ocean Yacht, Tenerife

Tenerife from a private yacht is interesting for one simple reason, you get to chase sea life and then switch to swim time without the hassle of moving around. I love the chance for whales and dolphins, and I love that your group gets a true private 3-hour sea day with restrooms onboard. The one real consideration is motion sickness, since this is time on the water, and the tour is not recommended if you usually get seasick unless you take medicine.

The Royal Ocean Yacht is built for comfort. You get lots of seating, a restroom onboard, and easy time to grab snacks and drinks between stops, not just at one peak moment. You’ll also get snorkeling equipment and the option to paddleboard with SUP, so you’re not limited to looking only.

The crew runs the day in a relaxed, organized way. In past trips, the vibe felt especially warm with Captain Lui, plus a friendly booking touch from Dmitri, which helps if you just want the whole thing to run smoothly. If you like your food to matter, you’ll likely enjoy the lunch spread, including jamon, meats, cheeses, and Spanish tapas.

Key things to know before you go

• Private yacht for up to 8 people on a Royal Ocean Yacht, so you set the pace.
• Whale and dolphin spotting time built into the route from Las Galletas toward Los Cristianos.
• Snorkeling plus swimming in clear water at the bay stop, with gear provided.
• Onboard perks include alcoholic beverages, snacks, coffee or tea, soda, and bottled water.
• SUP and towels are included, so the water time can be active, not just a dip.
• A real lunch onboard, including jamon, meats, cheeses, and Spanish tapas.

Royal Ocean Yacht: comfort that makes a short trip feel long

A 3-hour private boat day can vanish if the vessel is tight or you spend half your time figuring out where to stand and what to do. On Royal Ocean Yacht, you’re in a better setup. There’s plenty of seating and a restroom onboard, which sounds basic until you are actually on the water and want comfort without stress.

You also get the practical “small stuff” that makes the trip feel complete. Towels are provided, and you have coffee or tea plus soda and bottled water in addition to the alcoholic beverages. If you want a calm, “we’re just going to enjoy this” pace, this kind of layout helps a lot.

One more thing: this tour is private, so you are not sharing the experience with strangers from several boatside groups. Up to 8 people is a size that still feels personal, while still allowing a few different personalities to enjoy the day.

The Las Galletas to Los Cristianos route and why it matters for sea life

This tour is designed around where marine life tends to show up and where you can shift quickly from spotting to swimming. You start out from the area around Marina del Sur in Las Galletas, then head out looking for whales and dolphins. That first chunk of time is all about being present, getting photos, and staying ready for sightings.

Then the route feeds into the Los Cristianos coastline, where you’ll anchor in a bay that’s more about swimming and snorkeling. The smart part is you don’t have to guess how to balance “wildlife time” with “water time.” The schedule does it for you, and you get a full transfer between those moods.

In reviews, the animal sightings have been a big deal, including pilot whales and dolphins. Even when you are not seeing much at one moment, the day stays enjoyable because you still have snacks, drinks, and the chance to enjoy the coastline from the water.

Stop 1 by the cliffs: spotting whales and dolphins, then moving to a wild bay

Your first stop begins with sailing out from the Las Galletas area toward the zone where you can look for whales and dolphins. This is when you slow down and pay attention, because these animals are not always close or predictable. The crew and captain focus on getting you in the right places for viewing, and you’ll have time to take photos when you spot movement.

After the wildlife time, you set off toward a wild bay in the cliffs of Los Cristianos. The point here is scenery plus atmosphere. Instead of just a straight line to the main swimming area, you get a more varied coastline experience, including views that feel rugged and real.

A short reminder that matters for comfort: the tour notes it is not recommended for people with seasickness unless they take their medicine. If you’re on the fence, think about your own history on boats. If you usually feel fine, you’ll likely enjoy this day a lot. If you’ve struggled before, plan ahead rather than hoping it works out.

Stop 2 in Los Cristianos: snorkeling, swimming, and a lunch that actually hits

This is the part most people dream about when they book a private yacht day. You’ll anchor in clear turquoise waters in the Los Cristianos bay, then you get time for snorkeling and swimming with the included gear.

During the transition, you’ll be served drinks, fruits, and snacks, so you’re not waiting around hungry while the boat positions. Once anchored, the fun becomes physical and relaxed at the same time. Reviews specifically mention swimming where the water felt clear and inviting, plus people using the snorkeling setup and spending time just hanging in the shallower areas.

Then comes the lunch. This is not a sad “snack plate” situation. You’ll be served unlimited drinks and quality food, including jamon, meats, cheeses, and Spanish tapas. It’s the kind of spread that makes sense out on the water, because it’s filling without being heavy.

There’s also a short walk along the cliffs, with a chance to enter caves. That adds a bit of variety, so the day is not only about being on deck. When you return to the boat, you head back toward port with all the good sea air still in your clothes.

Onboard food and drinks: the real value of a private charter

Plenty of boat tours offer “something to eat.” What makes this one feel like good value is that the included menu lines up with what you want during a short sea day. You get snacks plus coffee or tea, soda, and bottled water. And then you get the step-up portion: alcoholic beverages and a full lunch with tapas-style items.

If you’re comparing costs, think about it this way. You’re paying for a private boat day, but the price is softened by the fact that you don’t need to budget separately for meals and drinks. For families or small groups, that can add up fast, especially if you’d otherwise eat out near the marina before and after swimming.

The reviews point to the crew and captain being attentive and easy to trust. That’s not a small thing. On a private tour, service is the difference between feeling like you booked a cool boat versus feeling like the boat day is actually taken care of. People mention being greeted warmly and having a relaxed flow from arrival to departure.

SUP, caves, and the 3-hour time window

A common worry with short tours is that you’ll feel rushed. Here, the pacing is built around two anchored moments plus smaller in-between activities. You get wildlife spotting first, then you switch to active water time at the bay, with the option to paddleboard using the included SUP equipment.

SUP can be a highlight if you like light adventure. Even if you’ve never done it before, you typically get to try during the bay stop, when conditions are more manageable. In reviews, people mention paddle boarding along with spotting marine life, and that combo can make the day feel extra full.

Then there’s the cliff walk and cave time. Even though it’s short, it’s a nice contrast to the ocean part of the day. It gives your group a chance to stretch legs, get different views, and break up the experience.

The key is what you do with that time. If you treat it as “just go with the flow,” you’ll likely have the best day. If you’re the type who wants to pack in every activity, you may need to be flexible because wildlife spotting is never fully controllable.

Price per group, and when this is a smart buy

The price is listed as $900.18 per group up to 8 for about 3 hours. That can sound steep if you’re thinking per person the way you would for a public tour. But this is a private setup, and your per-person cost drops fast as the group size rises.

A practical way to judge value is to ask yourself what you’d spend if you tried to recreate this day on your own:

• You would likely pay separately for a boat, plus you’d still need snorkeling gear.
• You’d pay for lunch and drinks at the marina or nearby, which adds up quickly.
• You’d also lose the convenience of having everything staged for you at the right moments.

In other words, you’re not just buying a ride. You’re buying a managed sea day, with lunch, snacks, and snorkeling included. For groups of friends, two families, or celebrations like birthdays, this model tends to make a lot of sense.

If you’re traveling solo or as a couple, it can still be worth it if you truly want private time and you’d rather pay for comfort than share space. Just don’t treat it like a budget whale tour. Treat it like a short luxury outing.

Who this private yacht tour suits best

This tour fits best if you want an easy, well-managed private experience in Tenerife. It’s especially good for:

• Small groups who want privacy and a shared plan
• People who care about food and drinks as part of the day, not an afterthought
• Anyone who wants both wildlife spotting and actual water time, like snorkeling and swimming

The tour includes snorkeling equipment, towels, and lunch, so you don’t have to plan gear or meals. That’s a big win if your itinerary has a busy schedule on land. It also helps if you prefer not to negotiate with multiple suppliers.

One more match note: the tour says most travelers can participate, but it’s not recommended if you have seasickness unless you take medicine. If you’re unsure, you can plan with that in mind and bring what you need.

Booking, pickup, and how the day actually starts

You’ll meet at Royal Ocean S.L at Puerto deportivo Marina del Sur, 38631 Las Galletas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife. If you choose pickup, it’s at X-Sur Mall, Main entrance. The tour is offered in English, so you’ll get clear guidance throughout the day.

After booking, you receive confirmation, and you’ll have a mobile ticket. The activity ends back at the meeting point, so it’s a closed loop, which is exactly what you want on a short excursion.

If weather turns poor, the tour requires good weather, and you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. That matters in Tenerife, because sea and comfort are part of the experience.

And yes, tips are not included, so decide what you want to leave based on how your crew treated you.

Should you book Royal Ocean Yacht in Tenerife?

Book it if you want a private sea day that mixes whale and dolphin spotting with snorkeling, swimming, and an onboard lunch that feels like a proper meal. It’s one of those tours where the inclusions shape your experience, not just the scenery.

Skip or reconsider if you know you get seasick easily, because the schedule is time on the water. Also, if you only want to watch from afar and hate the idea of being active in any way, the snorkeling and SUP options may feel like pressure. Otherwise, this is a strong pick for couples, small groups, and families who want a memorable Tenerife outing without juggling details.

FAQ

What is the duration of the private boat tour?

The tour lasts about 3 hours.

How many people can join the private group?

It’s up to 8 people per group.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with towels.

Where do we meet, and is pickup available?

The meeting point is Royal Ocean S.L, Puerto deportivo Marina del Sur, 38631 Las Galletas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Pickup is available at X-Sur Mall, Main entrance.

Is lunch and drinks included?

Yes. Lunch is included, and you’ll also get snacks. Alcoholic beverages are included as well, along with coffee or tea, soda, and bottled water.

What if the weather is bad or I need to cancel?

The tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.