Before you choose
What you need to know about this experience
A private boat in Tenerife is a pleasure boat hired with a skipper just for your group, for a few hours or a day, to sail along the coast, swim in coves, watch wildlife or celebrate something. It can be a speedboat, a sailing boat or a small catamaran.
The advantage is that you decide the pace, the route (within what the sea allows) and who comes with you. This page helps you choose the type of boat, understand the capacity limits and check what matters before booking.
At a glance
| Aspect | What to expect |
|---|---|
| What it is | Hire of a boat with a skipper just for your group |
| Types | Speedboat, sailing boat, small catamaran or motorboat |
| Capacity | According to the boat’s certificate; for hire, never more than 12 passengers on pleasure craft |
| Duration | From 2 hours to a full day. Depends on the provider |
| Usual ports | Puerto Colón, Los Cristianos, Los Gigantes, San Miguel and others |
| Includes | Skipper and fuel on most offers; drinks and snorkelling on many |
| Cetaceans | Only if the boat has specific authorisation |
| Price | Per boat. Depends on the type, length and duration |
Types of boat
| Type | What it offers | Suits you if… |
|---|---|---|
| Speedboat | Fast, ideal for short trips and coves | Small groups who want to get around |
| Sailing boat | Calm sailing under sail | Couples or groups looking for calm; see the sailing excursion |
| Small catamaran | Stable and spacious | Families or people who get seasick |
| Motorboat with a cabin | Comfort and shade | Groups who want to swim and eat on board |
| Luxury yacht with crew | Full service | See the luxury yacht charter |
Why there is a maximum of 12 passengers
Pleasure craft used for charter are entered in a specific register (List 6, lista sexta, or the Canary Islands Special Register) and cannot carry more than 12 passengers, under Spanish national rules on pleasure craft, in addition to the limit set by each boat’s certificate.
If there are more of you, you will need two boats or a larger passenger vessel, such as those used for shared excursions.
What happens
- Meeting at the port at the agreed time.
- Safety briefing from the skipper.
- Sailing along the coast: cliffs, coves or beaches depending on the departure port.
- Swimming and snorkelling stop, if the sea allows.
- Snacks or a meal on board, depending on what you book.
- Return to port.
Which areas you cover
- From Los Gigantes: the cliffs and coves of the west coast.
- From Puerto Colón or Los Cristianos: the coast of Adeje and Arona, with coves for swimming.
- From San Miguel or other ports in the south: the south-east coast.
The skipper chooses the route on the day according to the wind and sea conditions.
Whale watching on a private boat
Watching whales and dolphins is a regulated activity. The boat needs the Barco Azul badge and the Ministry’s AROC authorisation for the Teno-Rasca area. If you want to include cetaceans, ask specifically whether that particular boat has both. For more information, see the whale and dolphin watching trip.
Who it suits
- Families and groups of friends who want privacy.
- Celebrations: birthdays, anniversaries, stag and hen parties.
- Couples looking for a calm trip, especially at sunset.
- People who want to stop and swim in coves without rushing.
Who it may not suit, and what to weigh up
- Groups of more than 12 people: you will need several boats or a passenger vessel.
- Anyone prone to motion sickness: choose a catamaran and a short trip.
- Tight budgets for a few people: a shared trip works out cheaper.
- Anyone who wants to steer the boat: when you hire with a skipper, the skipper is in command; to hire without a skipper you need a nautical qualification.
How to choose well
- What type of boat, what length and how many seats?
- Are the skipper, fuel and insurance included?
- What is included on board? Drinks, food, snorkelling gear, towels, paddle board.
- Is the boat cleared for charter? Ask whether it is registered for commercial use.
- Can it do whale watching? Only with Barco Azul and AROC.
- What happens if the sea is too rough to go out? Change of date or refund?
- Is there a deposit or cancellation policy?
- Can you bring your own food or drink, or decorate for a celebration?
What is usually included and what to check
| Item | Usual practice | Check |
|---|---|---|
| Skipper | Included | Language |
| Fuel | Included on many offers | Whether there is a surcharge for distance |
| Insurance | Compulsory | That it covers the passengers |
| Drinks and snacks | Common | What it includes |
| Snorkellingling gear | Common | Sizes |
| Food | On long trips | Menu and dietary needs |
| Whale watching | Only with authorisation | Barco Azul and AROC |
Safety and requirements
- Life jackets for everyone, including children’s sizes.
- Safety briefing on boarding.
- Alcohol: if there are drinks on board, the skipper must not drink, and it is wise to drink in moderation before swimming.
- Swimming: only when the skipper says so and with the engine off.
- Pregnancy, back problems or reduced mobility: mention it beforehand; speedboats are not suitable.
Weather and sea
- Wind and swell may force a change of route or cancel the trip.
- In many areas of the south the sea is usually calmer in the morning, although it depends on the day.
- The skipper decides whether you can go out; their judgement comes before any plan.
Price: what it depends on
We do not give a reference figure: the price varies widely depending on the type of boat, length, duration and what is included.
The price of a private boat depends on:
- The type and size of the boat.
- Duration: 2, 3 or 4 hours, or a full day.
- What is included: food, drinks, equipment.
- The season and the port.
What to bring
- Swimwear, towel and a change of clothes.
- Sun protection, a cap and sunglasses.
- Soft-soled shoes that do not mark the deck.
- A light jacket.
- Motion sickness remedy, if you need one.
Alternatives and how to compare them
| If you are looking for… | Best option |
|---|---|
| High-end service with crew | Luxury yacht charter |
| Sailing | Sailing excursion |
| Sunset from the sea | Sunset boat trip |
| Seeing cetaceans with an authorised operator | Whale and dolphin watching |
| Fishing | Sport fishing in Tenerife |
Frequently asked questions
How many people fit on a private boat?
It depends on the boat’s certificate. For hire, pleasure craft cannot carry more than 12 passengers.
Do you need a qualification?
Not if you hire with a skipper. To hire without a skipper, you need a suitable nautical qualification.
Can you see dolphins?
Only if the boat is authorised for whale watching (Barco Azul and AROC).
What happens if the weather is bad?
The skipper decides whether you can go out. Ask whether the date is changed or the money refunded.
Can you celebrate a birthday on board?
Yes, it is common. Ask what you can bring and what the provider includes.
Is food included?
On some offers, yes, especially on long trips. On others, only drinks and snacks.
Which port is best to leave from?
It depends on what you want to see and where you are staying. Los Gigantes for the cliffs; the south for coves and swimming.
Can I bring children?
Yes. Check that there are life jackets in their size.