Private boat tour

A trip like this is interesting because it mixes Tenerife coast views from the ocean with real time in the water, not just photos from a harbor. I like the way the plan focuses on marine life, including the chance to see whales such as pilot whales, while also giving you an easy snorkeling stop right in the bays. One thing to consider: this is a good-weather outing, so if the sea is rough you may have to switch dates.

I also love how personal it feels. It is private, up to 8 people, and the captain’s vibe matters, because you are trusting them to find the best angles, anchor spots, and swim windows. If you are hoping for scuba-level adventures, note that it is snorkeling, not scuba.

Key highlights to look for before you book

• Private boat time, up to 8 people, so you are not squeezed into a big crowd
• La Caleta swimming and snorkeling in clear water off Tenerife’s south coast
• Whale watching from the Barco 33, with a solid shot at sightings like pilot whales
• Fish, turtles, and local marine life are part of the on-water experience
• A second swim break at El Puertito de Armenime, short but scenic
• Snorkeling gear and WiFi included, plus snacks and drinks to keep the mood easy

A private boat day from Puerto Colón, up to 8 people

Your day starts at Av. de Colón, 4, Costa Adeje, and the tour ends back there. The boat leaves from Puerto Colón and runs for about 3 hours, with most of the time spent at the best swim and wildlife area. You get a mobile ticket, and the tour is offered in English, which makes it simple to ask questions on the spot.

The big value here is the private format. Up to 8 people means less waiting, more flexibility, and more direct attention from the captain when conditions change. Even better, you are not just riding around, you are stopping for real time in the water.

The boat setup also looks made for a comfortable half-day: snacks, bottled water, alcoholic beverages, and WiFi are included, plus snorkeling equipment. That combination matters because it turns the outing from a strict activity into a relaxed coastal experience.

La Caleta from the sea: cliffs, calm anchoring, and swimming

The heart of the tour is time at La Caleta, a bay where you can see Tenerife’s coast the way most people never do, from the waterline. You head out from Puerto Colón toward La Caleta, with views of cliffs and shoreline geometry that look totally different than from the road.

Then the plan turns more practical. The boat heads north briefly and drops anchor in the bay area, so you are not constantly moving while you are trying to enjoy the water. This is where the tour really earns its reputation: swim in clear water, check out exotic fish, and keep your eyes open for turtles when conditions allow.

There is also a fishing element described as part of the experience. If you like the idea of trying your luck, La Caleta’s Atlantic setting is the right kind of place to ask the captain what is possible and where you might find the best chance. Even if you skip fishing, the on-water time is the payoff.

Potential drawback: because this is the main stop, if the sea is choppy or visibility drops, your time in the water may feel shorter or less comfortable than you hoped. The tour is built around good weather, so you are choosing a day that can swing your experience.

Snorkeling gear, what you can expect to see, and how to make it count

Snorkeling here is not treated like a quick checkbox. The schedule sets aside enough time at the anchored bay that you can actually explore, swim, and get a good feel for the underwater life. Snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from renting gear separately and lets you focus on enjoying the water.

What you might see is the kind of marine mix that makes snorkelers smile: local fauna, a variety of fish, and sometimes turtles. The tour wording even suggests you are seeing life you would not find in the same way elsewhere around the island, which makes La Caleta feel like a targeted stop rather than a random swim.

Here is how I’d approach it to get the most out of your limited time:

• Put your snorkeling on early in the stop, before you get distracted by boat photos and sea views.
• Swim slow. Fast kicks just stir up water and hide what you came to see.
• If you are not a strong swimmer, stay close to where the captain instructs, and treat it as a calm, drifting experience.

One more note: scuba equipment is not included. So if your goal is underwater diving with tanks, this is not that kind of tour. You can still have a great time snorkeling, but you should match your expectations to the gear provided.

The El Puertito de Armenime lagoon stop: a shorter swim with a great payoff

After the main La Caleta time, you head along the southern coast and end up at El Puertito de Armenime for a shorter stop. This is a nice change of pace because it is described as having a beautiful lagoon where you can swim and spend time in the water.

The stop is brief, so it works best if you treat it as a bonus: a second swim chance, a chance to stretch your legs on deck, and another look at Tenerife’s coastline from a different angle. If you already used your full snorkeling energy at La Caleta, this second stop still feels good as a lighter, float-and-enjoy kind of break.

Practical consideration: because this is not the long swim anchor time, you might want to arrive ready to go when the boat pulls in. Have your swimsuit situation sorted, so you lose less time to changing and gear fiddling.

The captain and Ruslan Zavilohhin: where the comfort comes from

What makes this tour feel worth it, beyond the route, is how it runs. The outing is described with a very friendly, approachable captain, and that matters more than people expect. On a private boat, you are not just buying sights. You are buying guidance, safety, and smooth timing.

I also like that this experience is run by Ruslan Zavilohhin. That kind of operator identity helps because it signals continuity and a real person behind the day, not just a generic ticket.

When you are trying to spot whales from the ocean, small changes in speed and angle can make a big difference. A captain who knows the area and stays upbeat keeps the whole vibe positive, even when whales are not showing up at the exact moment you want them.

In a recent experience on this boat, the highlight was that the group managed to see families of pilot whales, and the snorkeling was described as brilliant. That combination tells me the day is built around marine encounters, not just a scenic cruise.

Price and value: why $417 per group can work out well

The price is $417 per group, up to 8 people, and the total time is about 3 hours. That can sound pricey until you do the math for your own group size.

• If you fill the boat with 8 people, it works out to roughly $52 per person.
• If you go as a smaller group, your per-person cost rises, but you keep the private format, included drinks, and included snorkeling gear.

This is where the value becomes clearer. You are getting snorkeling equipment, snacks, bottled water, alcoholic beverages, and WiFi included. You are also getting a private boat format with time anchored in a swim bay, plus a second short lagoon stop. That is a lot of “included” items compared with many island tours where you end up paying extra for gear or basic refreshments.

So I’d judge this tour on what you actually want. If you want a quiet, adult-friendly outing with real water time and a realistic shot at whale sightings, it can be a smart use of vacation money. If your priority is long stops for hiking or big shore excursions, this is not that kind of day.

Practical tips for a smooth 10:00 am start

This tour starts at 10:00 am, so plan for a morning that is not too tight. Because the itinerary includes swimming, you should treat the day like a water activity, not a casual stroll.

Here’s what I recommend you bring (or prepare before you meet the boat):

• Swimwear under your clothes, plus a change plan for later
• Sunscreen and a hat. The sun reflects off the water, even when it feels mild at first
• A small waterproof phone pouch if you want pictures without risk
• A light cover-up for the deck time between swims
• Towel, if you prefer your own. (Nothing in the provided info lists towels as included.)

Also, think about sea conditions. The experience requires good weather, so be ready for the possibility of switching dates if the sea is not cooperating.

Who this tour suits best

This is ideal for couples, small friend groups, and families who want the feel of a private day without the hassle of planning the route themselves. Because it is private and capped at 8, it also fits travelers who do not want to share space with a big crowd.

I especially think it suits you if:

• You love the ocean and want more than one swim stop
• You want a real shot at wildlife time, including whales such as pilot whales
• You value included snorkeling gear so you can go straight into the water

If your plan is mainly shopping, nightlife, or day trips filled with many shore stops, you might find this too focused. It is about the water, the wildlife, and the calm flow of a private boat day.

Should you book this private boat tour to La Caleta and El Puertito?

Book it if you want a 3-hour Tenerife experience that is practical and fun, with snorkeling gear included, real swim time, and a wildlife-first approach. The private format, plus snacks and drinks, makes it feel like a treat without turning it into a complicated production.

I would think twice if you are booking purely for dry-land sightseeing, or if you are set on scuba diving, because scuba equipment is not included. And if you are traveling at a time when weather can be unsettled, keep a little flexibility in your schedule.

If your vacation has room for one day that centers the Atlantic Ocean and Tenerife’s marine life, this is a strong choice. It is the kind of outing where the boat ride is part of the fun, and the water time is the point.