Before you choose
What you need to know about this experience
Luxury yacht charter in Tenerife is a private charter on a large yacht, with a captain and service crew, food and drink on board and extras such as water toys or jet skis. It is booked by the hour, for a day or for multi-day trips between islands.
What sets it apart from a standard private boat is the level of service: dedicated crew, catering, comfort and personalisation. This page helps you know what to ask for and what to check before signing the contract.
At a glance
| Aspect | What to expect |
|---|---|
| What it is | Private charter of a large crewed yacht |
| Length | Around 18–25 metres on the offers reviewed |
| Capacity | According to the boat’s certificate; pleasure craft for hire can carry at most 12 passengers |
| Crew | Captain and at least one service crew member |
| Duration | From 3 to 8 hours, a full day or several days |
| Usual port | Puerto Colón (Costa Adeje) |
| Usual extras | Catering, drinks, water toys, jet skis, transfer |
| Conditions | Deposit and a written contract |
| Price | Per boat. Depends on the length, duration and services |
What sets it apart from a private boat
| Aspect | Standard private boat | Luxury yacht |
|---|---|---|
| Boat | Speedboat, sailing boat or small catamaran | Large motor yacht or sailing yacht |
| Crew | Skipper | Captain and service crew |
| Food | Snacks or nothing | Catering or an elaborate menu |
| Comfort | Basic | Lounge, cabins, stabilisers on some |
| Extras | Snorkellingling | Water toys, jet skis, photographer |
| Typical use | Leisure trip | Celebrations, events, VIP clients |
What happens
- Transfer to the port, on some offers.
- Welcome on board and safety briefing.
- Sailing along the coast, with the Los Gigantes cliffs as a common destination on longer trips.
- Anchoring for swimming, snorkelling and water toys.
- Lunch or dinner on board, as agreed.
- Return to port or continuation of the voyage.
Formats
| Format | Suits you if… |
|---|---|
| 3–5 hour trip | A celebration, anniversary or meal on board |
| Full day | You want to go further, eat and swim without rushing |
| At sunset | Dinner or cocktails at sunset |
| Several days between islands | You want to sleep on board and visit La Gomera or other islands |
| Events and corporate | Presentations, incentives, weddings or marriage proposals |
Groups of more than 12 people
Pleasure craft used for charter cannot carry more than 12 passengers. For larger groups there are passenger vessels or large catamarans chartered exclusively, under different rules and with a different kind of service. If you are organising a large event, ask about this from the start.
Who it suits
- Special celebrations: anniversaries, birthdays, marriage proposals.
- Groups of up to 12 people looking for comfort and service.
- Companies that want an exclusive setting for clients or teams.
- Travellers who want to sleep on board and sail between islands.
Who it may not suit, and what to weigh up
- Tight budget: a standard private boat or a shared trip covers the essentials for much less.
- Groups of more than 12: you will need a different type of boat.
- Anyone prone to motion sickness: ask whether the yacht has stabilisers.
How to choose well
- Which yacht exactly? Model, length, year and real photos.
- How many passengers does its certificate allow?
- Which crew is included? Captain, deckhand, host, chef.
- What food and drink are included? Can the menu be personalised?
- Which extras are included, and which are paid separately? Water toys, jet skis, extra fuel.
- What deposit is required, and when is it returned?
- Written contract and invoice including tax?
- What happens if the captain cancels because of sea conditions? A new date or a full refund?
- Can it do whale watching? Only with Barco Azul and AROC authorisation.
What is usually included and what to check
| Item | Usual practice | Check |
|---|---|---|
| Captain and crew | Included | Number of crew |
| Fuel | Included for the standard route | Surcharge for distance |
| Catering and drinks | Common | Menu, allergies, alcohol |
| Water toys | Common | Which ones |
| Jet skis | Often with a surcharge | Qualification or instructor |
| Transfer | In some offers | Area covered and number of people |
| Photographer, decoration | On request | Cost |
Safety and requirements
- Safety briefing and life jackets for everyone.
- Jet skis: a qualification or an instructor may be required; ask.
- Alcohol and swimming: do not mix them.
- Children: check there are life jackets in their size and safe areas on board.
Weather and sea
- The captain decides whether you can go out. Their judgement comes before any plan.
- On inter-island trips, sea conditions may alter the route or timings.
Price: what it depends on
We do not give a reference figure: the luxury yacht market is very varied and prices depend on the specific boat.
The price depends on:
- The length and model of the yacht.
- The duration.
- The crew and the catering.
- Extras: jet skis, water toys, decoration.
- The season.
What to bring
- Swimwear, towel and a change of clothes.
- Sun protection, a cap and sunglasses.
- Soft-soled shoes (many yachts ask you to go barefoot on board).
- A jacket for the return.
Alternatives and how to compare them
| If you are looking for… | Best option |
|---|---|
| Private boat with a skipper, without luxury service | Private boat in Tenerife |
| Sailing | Sailing excursion |
| Sunset from the sea | Sunset boat trip |
| Canarian wine tasting at your villa | Private Canarian wine tasting |
Frequently asked questions
How many people fit on a luxury yacht?
It depends on the boat’s certificate. Pleasure craft for hire cannot carry more than 12 passengers.
What is usually included?
Captain, crew, fuel for the standard route and often food, drinks and water toys.
Can you sleep on board?
Some yachts offer multi-day trips between islands with overnight stays.
Do I have to leave a deposit?
Many providers ask for a deposit to secure the date. Ask about the terms.
What happens if the sea is too rough to go out?
The captain decides. Ask whether a new date or a refund is offered.
Can you organise events?
Yes: marriage proposals, birthdays or corporate events, within the passenger limit.
Do you see dolphins?
Only if the yacht is authorised for whale watching.