Review · TENERIFE

Luxury Catamaran Cruise with Brunch and Unlimited Drinks

4.5 · 350 reviews 3 hours (approx.) From $72 Operated by Five Star Boat · Bookable on Viator
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Tenerife’s south coast is best seen from the water, and this three-hour catamaran cruise gives you a polished way to do it. From Marina del Sur in Las Galletas, you’ll pass Punta Rasca Lighthouse, Diego Hernández Beach, Los Cristianos Cliff, and other stretches of the island’s volcanic coast while the crew watches for whales and dolphins.

I like the unlimited beer, soft drinks, and water, plus the chance to swim in the Atlantic instead of simply looking at it. I also like the local angle: the brunch uses Canarian ingredients, and live commentary covers the islands and marine life. The main concern is that the food service can be slow or more basic than the description suggests, and a full boat can make the experience feel less private.

Key points to know before booking

Luxury Catamaran Cruise with Brunch and Unlimited Drinks - Key points to know before booking

  • Whale and dolphin watching is part of the cruise: Sightings are possible, but never guaranteed.
  • The route includes Tenerife’s southern coast: Expect views of Las Galletas, Punta Rasca Lighthouse, Diego Hernández Beach, and Los Cristianos Cliff.
  • Brunch is light and Canarian in style: The meal is served on board, but timing and menu quality may vary.
  • Drinks are included: Beer, soft drinks, and water are available without a set limit during the cruise.
  • Swimming is built into the experience: You may have time for a dip, depending on sea and sailing conditions.
  • The catamaran can carry up to 66 people: This is a shared outing, not a quiet private charter.

Setting out from Marina del Sur in Las Galletas

Luxury Catamaran Cruise with Brunch and Unlimited Drinks - Setting out from Marina del Sur in Las Galletas

The cruise begins at Marina del Sur, Pantalán 3, in Las Galletas. This is a useful starting point for exploring Tenerife’s southern shore, especially if you are staying around Las Galletas, Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos, or nearby resorts.

If pickup is arranged for you, wait at the designated point at least 10 minutes before departure. Drivers wait no more than five minutes after the scheduled pickup time, so this is not the moment to stroll in at the last second with a coffee in hand.

The listed tour is offered in English, and the boat can carry as many as 66 people. That number matters. The catamaran may feel spacious compared with a small rigid-hull boat, but it is still a group cruise. You will have more room to move around than on a compact whale-watching vessel, yet the best seats and sunniest spots can fill quickly.

The boat is presented as a 5-star catamaran, with Balinese beds and a more dressed-up feel than a basic harbor trip. Several people particularly liked the clean boat, polite crew, and comfortable setting. That polished atmosphere is one of the strongest reasons to consider this outing.

Watching Tenerife’s coast from the Atlantic

Luxury Catamaran Cruise with Brunch and Unlimited Drinks - Watching Tenerife’s coast from the Atlantic

Once the catamaran leaves the marina, the attraction is the open water and the changing view of Tenerife’s southern shoreline. The route takes in Las Galletas, Punta Rasca Lighthouse, Diego Hernández Beach, and Los Cristianos Cliff.

Punta Rasca Lighthouse gives the cruise a clear coastal landmark and helps you see how quickly the built-up resort zone gives way to more open shoreline. Diego Hernández Beach is another appealing stretch, best appreciated from offshore, where the shape of the coast is easier to take in.

The approach to Los Cristianos Cliff adds a different view of the south coast. From the sea, you get a better sense of the island’s steep volcanic edge and the contrast between cliffs, beaches, and resort development. Bring your camera, but also give yourself time to simply watch the water. The light changes quickly, and the boat offers a moving view that you cannot get from a roadside lookout.

Live commentary covers the islands and marine life. The exact amount of commentary may vary, but this is more than a simple ride out and back. You are given some context as the crew points attention toward the sea and the coast.

Whale and dolphin watching, with realistic expectations

Luxury Catamaran Cruise with Brunch and Unlimited Drinks - Whale and dolphin watching, with realistic expectations

The cruise also works as a cetacean-watching outing. The crew looks for whales and dolphins, and sightings can be a major highlight. Some departures have seen dolphins close to the boat, as well as whales nearby.

Still, the ocean sets the schedule. You may see several animals, or you may see none. One enjoyable trip included no whales or dolphins but still felt worthwhile because of the boat, food, drinks, and time at sea. That is a useful way to judge this cruise: book it as a coastal sailing trip with a chance of wildlife, not as a guaranteed animal show.

When marine life is found, the boat may alter its route or speed to observe it responsibly. That can affect when brunch is served and how long you spend at a particular point. If your main goal is eating at a precise time, this flexible approach may frustrate you. If your main goal is seeing wildlife in the sea, it makes sense.

The cruise is not designed to rush from sighting to sighting. The crew’s response to sea conditions and animal location shapes the day. You should expect some waiting, open-water travel, and changes in pace.

The Canarian brunch: local idea, mixed execution

Luxury Catamaran Cruise with Brunch and Unlimited Drinks - The Canarian brunch: local idea, mixed execution

Brunch is included in the fare and is described as using local, 100 percent Canarian foods. That gives the meal a welcome sense of place. You are not simply being handed a generic snack while the boat moves along the coast.

The meal is best understood as a light brunch rather than a full restaurant lunch. Portions, service time, and presentation may not match what you picture when you hear luxury catamaran. Some passengers found the food tasty and high quality, while others found it basic, cold, or different from what they expected.

Timing is the main practical issue. On some departures, food was served later than expected, in part because the crew was focused on navigation and wildlife. If you are prone to seasickness or need to eat early, have a small snack before boarding. Do not rely on the onboard meal as your first food of the day.

The strongest approach is to treat brunch as one part of the outing, not the central reason to pay for it. You are paying for the boat, the coast, the drinks, the sea time, and the possibility of wildlife. The food adds value, but it is not consistently the star.

Unlimited drinks and time in the water

Luxury Catamaran Cruise with Brunch and Unlimited Drinks - Unlimited drinks and time in the water

Beer, soft drinks, and water are included without a stated limit. That is a real benefit on a sunny Atlantic outing, especially because buying drinks separately on a boat can quickly push up the final cost.

The crew has been praised for keeping drinks flowing when requested. Water is important here, even if you plan to enjoy beer. Three hours in the sun can catch up with you, and the open sea can make the heat feel less obvious than it is.

The cruise also includes the chance to swim. A dip in the ocean can be the best break in the schedule, giving you something active to do between coastal viewing and wildlife spotting. The exact swimming time depends on conditions and the day’s route, so do not treat it as a guaranteed long stop.

Bring suitable swimwear and take care on deck. One poor experience raised concerns about slippery surfaces. A wet catamaran deck requires sensible footing, especially when moving between seating areas, the rail, and the water access point.

Balinese beds, regular seating, and the VIP question

Luxury Catamaran Cruise with Brunch and Unlimited Drinks - Balinese beds, regular seating, and the VIP question

The Balinese beds are part of the cruise’s luxury pitch, but the seating arrangements deserve close attention before you book. Some passengers understood the beds to require an additional payment, with one report citing €30 per person for a bed, a towel, and one drink. Other feedback praised the VIP package and felt it was worth paying for.

That tells you to check exactly what your selected fare includes. Do not assume the standard ticket automatically gives you a private or reserved Balinese bed. The difference between regular and VIP seating may affect boarding order, food service, access to a bed, and the overall feel of the trip.

VIP passengers may board first and receive food first. That can be useful if you care about a particular place to sit, but it does not automatically mean you will have the best conditions. One point raised was that VIP beds lacked a sunroof, while some central seating had more shade.

For many people, the standard option should be enough. You can still enjoy the catamaran, sun, drinks, views, and swimming without paying extra. Consider VIP only if a dedicated bed and a more premium setup are central to your plans, and confirm the inclusions before paying.

What the three-hour schedule feels like

Luxury Catamaran Cruise with Brunch and Unlimited Drinks - What the three-hour schedule feels like

The cruise lasts about three hours and returns to Marina del Sur in the afternoon. That is long enough to get beyond the harbor, watch the coast change, look for marine life, eat, drink, and swim, without taking up an entire day.

The timing also makes this easy to pair with other plans in Tenerife. You can spend the morning elsewhere and use the cruise as an afternoon activity, though you should allow enough time for pickup and check-in. If you are arranging your own transport, remember that the end point is the same marina where you started.

The pace can feel relaxed when the sea is calm and wildlife is active. It can feel less exciting if the boat spends a long period searching without a sighting. That is the nature of a sea-based experience. You are not moving through a fixed sequence of attractions with a guaranteed payoff at every stop.

I would choose this outing for the broad rhythm of the day: marina, open coast, wildlife search, brunch, swimming, and return. If you want a tightly scripted sightseeing trip with constant narration and activity, this may feel too loose.

Price and value at $72.59 per person

Luxury Catamaran Cruise with Brunch and Unlimited Drinks - Price and value at $72.59 per person

At $72.59 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water around Tenerife. It can still be fair value if you use the full package: a 5-star catamaran, roughly three hours at sea, Canarian brunch, unlimited beer and soft drinks, coastal views, live commentary, and a chance to see whales or dolphins.

The value is strongest for couples, families, and friends who want a comfortable social outing rather than a specialist wildlife expedition. The drinks alone add up on a resort holiday, and the boat provides more than a short sightseeing transfer.

The value weakens if you mainly want guaranteed wildlife or a quiet, uncrowded boat. With capacity for up to 66 people, this is not the choice for personal space. A smaller and cheaper boat may suit you better if your priority is focused whale watching and less time spent around other passengers.

Extra charges also matter. If a Balinese bed, towel, or VIP seating costs more, include that in your calculation. The standard ticket may offer the best balance for most people, while VIP may make sense for a celebration or anyone who places a high value on reserved comfort.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want several holiday pleasures in one outing: views, food, drinks, sun, swimming, and a chance of marine life. It suits couples marking an anniversary, as well as families and groups who prefer a comfortable shared boat to a bare-bones excursion.

It also works well for people who like a relaxed day at sea but do not want to organize a private charter. The crew has been praised for being friendly, attentive, and good at creating a welcoming mood.

You may want to choose another option if you dislike crowds, need a quiet boat, or expect a substantial gourmet meal. You should also think twice if your entire decision depends on seeing whales or dolphins. The wildlife is a possibility, not a promise.

Book at least a little ahead if possible. The cruise is commonly reserved about 20 days before departure, which suggests that popular dates can fill before your holiday begins. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. If poor weather cancels the trip, you can receive another date or a full refund.

Should you book Five Star Boat?

Book it if you see the outing as a comfortable coastal cruise with added wildlife watching. The clean catamaran, attentive crew, included drinks, swimming stop, and southern Tenerife views give you plenty to enjoy even if the animals stay out of sight.

I would choose the regular option first unless the VIP benefits are clearly important to you. Confirm the bed and seating costs, eat a small snack before boarding, arrive early, and keep your expectations realistic about the brunch.

For a special occasion, the polished boat and open-water setting can feel memorable. For serious wildlife watching or a quiet trip, compare smaller boats before committing. At $72.59, this is a good all-rounder, but its value depends on enjoying the whole three-hour experience rather than chasing one guaranteed sighting.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start?

The cruise starts at Five Star Boat Trip Catamaran, Marina del Sur, Pantalán 3, 38631 Las Galletas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

Where does the cruise finish?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point at Marina del Sur.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately three hours and returns in the afternoon.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is offered, but you should wait at the designated pickup point 10 minutes before the scheduled time. Drivers will not wait more than five minutes after pickup time.

What drinks are included?

Unlimited beer, soft drinks, and water are included during the cruise.

Is food included?

Yes. The cruise includes a brunch made with local Canarian foods. It is intended as a light brunch, and service timing can vary.

Are whales and dolphins guaranteed?

No. The crew looks for whales and dolphins, but sightings depend on marine life and sea conditions on the day.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund.

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