Tenerife: Catamaran Cruise with an Open Bar

Cliffs, whales, and a free-flowing bar sounds like a perfect half day. This Tenerife catamaran cruise along the western coast mixes big scenery with an easy going vibe, and you spend the best parts sitting on deck. I especially like the unlimited drinks feel on the boat and the chance to cool off with a swim in Masca Bay.

The main thing to keep in mind is that the onboard food can be hit or miss. On the longer cruise you get a buffet lunch, but it is not gourmet, and the shorter option is snacks only.

Key Highlights Worth Planning For

• Freebird catamaran comfort, with sun-drenched time on deck and easy access to sea time
• Los Gigantes on the 4.5-hour option, when you want that dramatic cliff backdrop
• Masca Bay swimming with a full set of steps, which usually feels simpler than jumping in
• Dolphins and even pilot whales may appear, plus rare seabirds depending on conditions
• Open bar on the longer cruise, with beer and soda available from the onboard bar
• Extra-cost details exist, like additional sunbeds and stair-style access to toilets

First Steps: Pickup, Coach Seats, and Boarding the Freebird

Most people appreciate how this day starts without fuss. If you are in the south of Tenerife, hotel pickup is included, then you ride to the marina by air-conditioned coach. A key detail here is that pickup is only from the south, and not every hotel gets a direct stop, so you may be directed to the closest pickup point.

Boarding is where the tour really earns its keep. You meet the crew, then climb onto the Freebird catamaran and get settled fast. One traveler using a walking stick noted that a designated coach seat and getting on early reduced the stress of standing around.

Once you are onboard, the vibe shifts quickly. You trade traffic and sidewalks for sun, salt air, and wide views. The whole trip works best if you treat it as a relaxed outing, not a strict checklist of sights.

3 Hours vs 4.5 Hours: What You Gain (and What You Skip)

Choosing between the shorter and longer cruise is the biggest decision you make. The 3-hour cruise is lighter on food and focuses more on the ride: you get snacks, drinks, and bubbly, plus plenty of deck time. It is a good choice when you want ocean views without committing to a longer half day.

The 4.5-hour cruise adds major payoffs. You get an unlimited onboard bar, plus a buffet lunch and more time for the day to unfold. On top of that, this is the option that includes the dramatic Cliffs of Los Gigantes, along with more chances to spot dolphins and seabirds.

Think of it like this: the 3-hour trip is for pure cruise time. The 4.5-hour trip is for cruise time plus the full set of experiences, including lunch and the big cliff scenery.

Along the Western Coast: Views, Wildlife, and the Best Deck Time

From the moment you leave, you are on Tenerife’s curvy western coastline, with views that feel untouched and open. This is not a “zoom from stop to stop” style outing. Instead, you spend stretches moving along the coast, looking out at the shoreline and the changing colors of the water.

Wildlife is the fun bonus. The route is set up to scan the sea for dolphins and rare seabirds, and you may also catch other surprises. One guest even reported seeing pilot whales very close to the boat, which is the kind of moment that changes how the whole trip feels.

If you want the best photo angles, give yourself time to roam. Aim for the periods when the boat slows or shifts direction, because that is when you tend to get steadier views. And yes, sun matters here, so bring sunscreen and a hat, then alternate between deck shade and open sunlight.

Los Gigantes on the Longer Cruise: The Cliff Moment You Came For

On the 4.5-hour option, you get to marvel at the Cliffs of Los Gigantes. These cliffs are the visual anchor of the western coast, towering above the ocean and dropping straight down into crashing waves. Even if you have seen cliff photos before, being close to the real thing usually makes the scale sink in.

You also get a practical benefit from having time. You are not just passing by at high speed. You get moments to look, aim your camera, and settle into that “how is this even real?” feeling that big geography creates.

One small reality check: the exact feel depends on sea and weather. The ocean can be calm, or it can be choppy. Either way, you will still get the core experience of seeing those cliff walls up close.

Masca Bay Swim: Steps Into the Water and the Snorkel Question

The highlight for many people is the swim stop at Masca Bay. The day does not just tell you to jump in and figure it out. You typically drop anchor, then the boat makes swimming straightforward with a full set of steps lowering into the water.

That matters more than you might think. A swim stop can be awkward on boats where access is ladders or awkward climbing. Here, the step setup tends to make it easier to get in, and it also makes it simpler to climb back out when you are done.

What you should know going in: no snorkeling or swim gear is included in the info you have here. So if you are hoping for a full snorkel kit moment, you might be disappointed. Still, even a quick dip feels like a reset button, especially after hours on deck.

Also plan on spending time drying off on the sun-saturated deck afterward. It is part of the rhythm of the cruise, and it is where you get that slow, post-swim calm.

Lunch, Snacks, and the Drinks Reality Check

Food on a catamaran day is tricky. You want something filling, but it also has to survive heat, movement, and a short service window. On the 4.5-hour cruise you get lunch with chicken, rice, or meatballs, plus unlimited drinks. On the 3-hour cruise you get snacks, drinks, and bubbly, but not the full lunch.

Here is the honest part. Some people find the lunch edible but not especially tasty. Others are less kind, saying the food was terrible, with items like chicken balls not working for them and rice running low. In other words, manage expectations.

Drinks are the stronger selling point. The longer cruise includes unlimited onboard bar drinks, and you can expect choices like beer and soda. The whole open-bar setup is what turns the cruise from just scenic into genuinely social.

One more detail to budget for if you like extra comfort: there may be an additional cost for a double sunbed on board. If you care about having prime seating, factor that in.

Onboard Atmosphere: Crew Service, Music Levels, and Group Vibes

Good crew service can make or break a boat day. The consistent theme in the feedback is that the staff are helpful and attentive, and you can feel that the crew is running the show smoothly. Boarding order, finding seats, and getting people settled tends to be handled well.

That said, the atmosphere can be more lively than you might want. One traveler mentioned loud music playing while the boat was moving, which can make it harder to enjoy the natural quiet that comes with open ocean views. If you are the type who likes sea sounds and silence, pack earplugs.

The crowd profile also matters. One person felt the group skewed more toward 70+ and that it was not ideal for younger travelers. It does not mean you cannot have a good time, but it is worth knowing if you are expecting a party atmosphere.

If you want the calmest experience, choose your moments. Spend the early cruise scanning the horizon, then later go to the water and then back to deck. When the boat slows down, the trip usually feels more peaceful.

Price and Value: Is $55 Good for What You Get?

At around $55 per person, the value mostly depends on which cruise you choose and what you expect from food. The price includes transport by catamaran, hotel pickup and drop-off from the south, and drinks. So you are paying for a whole “package day,” not just a boat ticket.

On the 3-hour option, the deal is mainly the scenery and the easy ride. You will get snacks and drinks, plus the chance to enjoy the water. If you do not need lunch, it can feel like a smart cut.

On the 4.5-hour option, the price is harder to beat because it adds lunch and unlimited drinks, along with the Los Gigantes cliff time. That is where you get the most full half-day experience for your money, especially if you want both wildlife spotting and a proper swim plus a meal.

What could reduce value for some people is food quality. If you are picky about meals, plan on eating more for calories and convenience than for culinary joy. Also, the potential extra fee for a double sunbed is worth noting if you are booking with someone and want prime deck space.

Who Should Book This Cruise, and Who Should Rethink It?

This is a great fit if you want an easy ocean day with open drinks, scenery, and a real swim stop. You do not need to be an expert swimmer, because the steps make it more approachable. If you love wildlife, your odds are helped by the scanning time for dolphins and rare seabirds.

It is also a good choice if you do not want to plan a route. Pickup is included from the south, and the rest of the day runs on the boat’s schedule.

Where you might rethink it is if food quality is your top priority. The buffet lunch can disappoint some people. Also consider mobility and bathroom access. One traveler reported that toilets are reached via fully vertical wooden ladder steps, which would be difficult for anyone who struggles with climbing.

If you hate loud background music, be prepared for that possibility. And if you are expecting snorkel gear, you should know it is not part of what is stated here.

Should You Book It? My Practical Take

I would book this cruise if you want a low-effort, high-sun, half-day on the water, with a strong chance of wildlife sightings and a swim that is easier than it sounds. The 4.5-hour version is usually the better value if you can handle the extra time, because you get Los Gigantes plus lunch and the unlimited bar.

I would skip or reconsider if you are picky about onboard food, highly sensitive to music, or need bathroom access that avoids ladders. In those cases, the parts that are meant to relax you might end up being the parts that frustrate you.

If you match the cruise to your style, this can be a really satisfying Tenerife day. You will come away with ocean time, cliff photos, and that strong feeling that you used your daylight well.

FAQ

What is included on the 3-hour catamaran cruise?

On the 3-hour cruise, you get snacks, drinks, and bubbly. You also have catamaran transport and the scheduled cruise time for enjoying the coast.

What’s included on the 4.5-hour cruise, and is lunch part of it?

On the 4.5-hour option, you get drinks plus a lunch buffet with chicken, rice, or meatballs. This option also includes unlimited selection of drinks.

Do I get hotel pickup on this Tenerife cruise?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included, but only from the south of Tenerife. Pickup does not cover rural areas, and not every hotel may have a direct pickup, with the closest pickup point used instead.

Are drinks included, and is there an open bar?

Drinks are included on both options. The 4.5-hour cruise specifically mentions an unlimited onboard bar, while the 3-hour cruise includes drinks and bubbly as part of the onboard refreshments.

Do you stop for swimming?

Yes. You drift to Masca Bay, drop anchor, and then have time to swim from the boat.

Are the boat toilets easy to access?

One guest noted that the boat toilets are accessed via fully vertical wooden ladder steps. If mobility is a concern, that is an important factor to consider before booking.