A yacht trip off Tenerife beats the usual bus-to-viewpoint routine, because you get to move between spots at sea. I love the private, up-to-8 yacht setup and the included food and drinks that make it feel like a proper day out, not a basic excursion. One thing to consider is that this trip is not ideal if you get seasick, unless you bring your medicine.

You also get an easy start, with an optional pickup at X-Sur Mall and a return to the same meeting point. Expect a relaxed pace, real time on the water for photos and swimming, and plenty of comfort onboard, including a restroom and different seating areas.

Key reasons this private yacht works

• Whales and dolphins on a 3-hour schedule: You sail out early to look for marine wildlife, then switch gears to swimming time.
• Food and drinks are built into the experience: Snacks, lunch, coffee or tea, soda, and alcoholic drinks are included.
• Water toys without extra hassle: Snorkeling equipment and SUP are part of the day.
• Comfort onboard, not just views: Restrooms, towels, and room to spread out help if your group includes kids or mixed ages.
• Crew energy that sets the tone: The captain and crew are repeatedly described as welcoming and attentive, including help with what you need during the trip.

Las Galletas to Los Cristianos: the itinerary makes sense

This is a private boat tour on Royal Ocean, for up to 8 people. That matters because your day stays flexible, without the stop-and-wait feeling that can come with larger group tours. The whole experience runs about 3 hours, so it is long enough for wildlife spotting and a serious swim, but not so long that you feel stuck.

The flow is simple: you head out from Marina del Sur in Las Galletas, spend time looking for whales and dolphins, then anchor near the cliffs of Los Cristianos for swimming, snorkeling, and even a SUP session. You wrap up back at the port where you started, so you are not piecing together multiple transfers.

A nice practical detail is the way the food and drinks are timed. There is a chance to snack during the boat’s transit, then you get a more substantial spread at the anchored bay. The tour also includes towels and a restroom onboard, which makes the whole thing feel easier, especially if you are traveling with family or just want your day to be smooth.

Price and value for a private group of up to 8

The price is $900.18 per group, up to 8 people. If you split it evenly at the maximum group size, you are roughly at $112 to $113 per person. That is the kind of number that makes you stop and ask, what exactly is included, and does it feel like more than a paid boat ride.

Here is why the value often lands well for this tour:

• You get alcoholic beverages along with coffee or tea, soda, bottled water, snacks, and lunch.
• You also get snorkeling equipment, towels, and SUP, which are usually the add-ons that inflate a day at sea.
• You are booking a private experience, which means you are not sharing the boat with strangers.

Is it cheap? No. Is it often a smart use of money for a memorable Tenerife day? Yes, because so much is bundled, including the part that most people really want, time on the water. If you are traveling as a couple or small group, the per-person cost stays higher, but the private vibe and included meals can still make it feel worthwhile.

Marina del Sur start: pickup, timing, and where you meet

The meeting point is Royal Ocean S.L., Puerto Deportivo Marina del Sur, 38631 Las Galletas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The tour also offers pickup, with the pickup detail listed as the X-Sur Mall, main entrance.

In practice, this reduces friction on your travel day. Instead of figuring out parking or racing across town, you can let the operator handle the first step. And since the tour ends back at the meeting point, you do not need to organize a separate return plan.

The boat portion begins with sailing out from Las Galletas. Even though you are out only about three hours total, you still get real movement between locations. That is important: it keeps the day from feeling like you sat at one anchor spot the whole time.

If your group includes anyone sensitive to motion, plan for a calmer start. This is not sold as a rough-weather adventure, but the ocean is still the ocean.

Spotting whales and dolphins near Las Galletas

Stop one is where the morning promise starts. You sail from Las Galletas to an area where you can see whales and dolphins. You spend time out there for wildlife watching and photos, then you head toward the next stop.

A key point for expectations: wildlife spotting is never guaranteed. But this part of the tour is designed around the best chance to look. What you take away is not just the act of spotting, but the experience of being on the water with big views around you, rather than watching from a shore point.

Photo fans usually appreciate the way the boat can reposition as conditions shift. And if you like the idea of seeing marine life even before you enter the water, this segment gives you that first hit of excitement.

If you are with kids, this is also a good stretch to keep energy high. Even if animals are distant, scanning the horizon on a boat feels like an activity, not waiting around.

The wild bay stop by Los Cristianos: swimming and calm water time

After you finish whale and dolphin watching, the tour sets off to a wild bay in the cliffs of Los Cristianos. This is the moment where your day turns from watching to doing. You anchor in clear, turquoise waters, and the focus shifts to swimming and snorkeling.

This stop is where the tour earns its reputation for being “a real day out.” You are not just stepping into the water for five minutes. There is time to enjoy the bay, put on snorkeling gear, and swim at your own pace.

You also get served food and drinks while you are anchored. The spread is described as quality and includes things like jamón, meats, cheeses, and Spanish tapas. On top of that, you get unlimited drinks during this part of the day. That combination is a big deal, because it turns the anchored swim into an actual meal break, not a hunger gap.

One more detail that adds a bit of texture: after time near the water, there is a short walk alongside the cliffs, including entering caves. It is not framed as a long hike, but it gives you a change of scene before heading back to the port.

Snorkeling gear, SUP, and making the most of the water time

The included gear list is refreshingly practical. You get snorkeling equipment, towels, and SUP. That means you can choose your version of fun:

• If you want an easy entry into marine life, snorkeling gear helps you explore without needing to swim far.
• If your group likes something playful and active, SUP gives you a different way to enjoy the bay.
• If you just want to cool off, swimming is the simplest option.

Since towels are provided, you do not need to plan your own kit beyond what you already travel with. And the boat has a restroom onboard, which helps keep the experience comfortable for everyone.

What I’d watch for is how the day’s conditions might affect how long you spend in the water. This tour is offered as a “requires good weather” experience, and that makes sense: clear water, safe anchoring, and comfortable movement all depend on conditions. If the weather is less cooperative, your time in the bay may feel more limited. That is just reality at sea, not a shortcoming of the tour.

Also, if anyone in your group is new to snorkeling or SUP, start slow. The calm anchored time is usually where you can find your rhythm.

Food and drinks onboard: more than snacks

The food side of this tour is one of the biggest reasons people feel spoiled in a good way. You get snacks and drinks during the transit, and then a more structured set of offerings at the anchored stop.

Included items list alcohol, soda or pop, coffee or tea, bottled water, snacks, and lunch. During the Los Cristianos segment, you are served unlimited drinks and a quality lunch with jamón, meats, cheeses, and Spanish tapas.

The practical value here is the “no empty time” effect. Once you are out on the water, you are often too busy enjoying it to think about food. By having it handled, you get to stay present. It also makes this a stronger option for groups with mixed preferences, because not everyone has to be in the water every minute to have a great day.

One detail from the overall tone of the trip is that the crew keeps things moving at a friendly pace. That includes making sure you have what you need during both the sailing and the anchored portions.

The crew and captain vibe: why service feels personal

This tour’s service shows up as a repeated theme. The crew is described as courteous and happy, and the experience is framed as relaxing. The captain is named in multiple accounts as Captain Lui, and there is also mention of Dmitri in connection with booking.

Why that matters for you: on a private yacht tour, the crew sets the emotional tone. If you feel cared for, the day feels effortless. If you feel rushed or ignored, it can turn into a pricey charter that is less fun than you hoped.

Here, the pattern is that the crew is attentive without hovering. People mention being greeted warmly from arrival to departure, and help with needs during the day. That can range from simple logistics, like making sure you get situated, to active assistance when someone needs extra care.

There is also a note that one person had sea sickness, and the group still enjoyed the trip. That fits with the tour’s advice: it is not recommended for travelers with seasickness unless they get their medicine. In other words, plan for it, and the crew can still make the day work.

Who this tour fits best (and who should rethink it)

This private boat tour is a strong fit if you want:

• A private experience for up to 8 people.
• Lots of time on the water with wildlife spotting plus swimming and snorkeling.
• A day that includes lunch and drinks, so you do not have to manage meals.
• A more relaxed pace than a packed shore excursion.

It is also a good choice for birthdays or small family celebrations, because the onboard setup and meal structure naturally feel special.

Who might reconsider:

• If someone in your group gets seasick, this is specifically flagged as not recommended unless you have medication.
• If you prefer a purely sightseeing style from land, you might miss some of what you get from a walking tour or a bus route. This is still very scenic, but the main action is at sea.

If you are traveling with kids, the SUP and time swimming can be a big win, and the included meals help keep everyone settled.

What to pack for a smooth day at sea

You do not need a backpack full of gear, because you have snorkeling equipment and towels included. Still, you should bring the essentials:

• Sunscreen and something to protect your face from sun glare on the water.
• A dry bag or sealed pocket for your phone if you plan to swim.
• Your swimwear and a change of clothes for afterward.
• Seasickness medicine if that applies to you.

If you are doing caves along the cliffs during the walk, wear shoes you feel confident in. The tour description points to entering caves, so you want traction you trust.

Also, keep your expectations flexible for weather. The operator notes the tour requires good weather, and if conditions are poor you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

Should you book Royal Ocean’s private yacht tour?

If you want a Tenerife day that feels like a real escape, this is an easy yes. The combination is hard to beat for the price type: private boat access, whale and dolphin watching, a long anchored swim window, and a meal setup that includes lunch and drinks.

I would book it when:

• You are traveling in a small group and can fill most of the up-to-8 slots.
• Wildlife spotting and water time are top priorities for your trip.
• You value comfort, like a restroom onboard and included towels.

I would think twice when:

• Seasickness is a major issue for anyone in your group and you cannot plan for it.
• You are looking for a land-heavy itinerary rather than a water-first day.

When it clicks, it really clicks. A day like this is one of those Tenerife experiences that turns your photos into more than just snapshots, because you remember the whole pacing: sailing, spotting, eating, and then spending real time in the water.

FAQ

How long is the Private Boat Tour on Royal Ocean Yacht?

The tour lasts about 3 hours.

How many people can be in a group?

It is a private tour, and the group size is up to 8 people.

Where does the tour start and is pickup included?

It starts at Royal Ocean S.L., Puerto deportivo Marina del Sur, 38631 Las Galletas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain. Pickup is offered at X-Sur Mall, main entrance.

What wildlife can you look for during the trip?

The tour includes time to look for whales and dolphins.

Is snorkeling and water gear included?

Yes. The tour includes snorkeling equipment, towels, and SUP.

What food and drinks are included?

You get snacks and lunch, plus coffee or tea, soda or pop, bottled water, and alcoholic beverages. During the Los Cristianos stop you are served unlimited drinks and a lunch with items like jamón, meats, cheeses, and Spanish tapas.

Is the tour suitable if someone gets seasick?

It is not recommended for travelers with seasickness unless they get their medicine.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. If canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.