Tenerife south: safari with luxury boat , animals encounters

The main draw here is simple: you get three hours on Tenerife’s south coast with a strong chance of seeing whales, plus time to swim from a two-story luxury boat. The route heads toward quieter bays and less developed stretches of coast, giving you a different view of the island than you get from the road.

I like the small-group feel and flexible pickup, especially if you are staying in southern Tenerife and do not want to arrange your own way to Las Galletas. I also like the easy rhythm: cruise, look for marine life, stop for a swim, have a snack and two drinks, then make a relaxed return.

The main thing to keep in mind is that the word luxury describes the boat and setting more than a full-service yacht experience. Food is light, the cruise lasts three hours, and wildlife sightings can never be fully controlled, even though the experience advertises whales as a 100 percent feature.

Key points before you book

• Whale watching is the star: The experience specifically advertises whale encounters, and recent trips have included pilot whales and dolphins.
• A swim stop breaks up the cruise: Halfway through the trip, the boat pauses in an area where you can get into the sea.
• Las Galletas is the base: The boat portion begins there, with about 20 minutes of van travel each way if you use the included transfer.
• The two-story boat gives you choice: You can find a place to sit, stretch out, or use the bathroom during the cruise.
• You get simple refreshments: Food and two free drinks are included, with pizza mentioned on one trip.
• Pickup saves planning time: Hotel or location pickup is available in the south, normally about 35 minutes before the boat departure.

Leaving Las Galletas for Tenerife’s south coast

The experience begins in Las Galletas, a practical starting point on Tenerife’s southern coast. If you use the pickup service, the van collects you in the south of the island and takes roughly 20 minutes to reach the boat. You need to provide the exact pickup point, and the collection is scheduled about 35 minutes before the boat trip.

That transfer is useful if you are staying elsewhere in the south and do not want to deal with parking or finding the marina. It also keeps the morning or afternoon simple. Just confirm your pickup details carefully, since the advertised information contains mixed wording about transport and food. The clear operating instruction is that pickup is included in southern Tenerife when arranged in advance.

Las Galletas itself is not the point of the activity. Think of it as the launch point for a coastal outing. The real value begins once you are on the water, with the island’s built-up southern resort areas gradually giving way to quieter coastal views and secluded swimming spots.

What the two-story boat adds

The boat has two levels, several places to relax, and a bathroom. That matters on a three-hour trip. You are not confined to one seat, and you can move around to find a better view or a calmer place to sit.

The upper level should appeal to you if you want a broad view while watching for whales and dolphins. The lower areas can be more comfortable if the sun is strong or the sea breeze picks up. Since exact seating arrangements are not specified, I would treat the boat as a relaxed sightseeing platform rather than expect reserved lounge seating.

The term luxury should be understood in context. You get a larger, comfortable boat with room to move, a bathroom, refreshments, and an organized crew. This is not described as a private yacht charter with a full meal or premium onboard service. That distinction helps you judge the $73 price fairly.

For a three-hour coastal cruise with wildlife watching, swimming, transport from southern Tenerife, food, and two drinks, the price is reasonable if you value convenience. If you mainly want a cheap boat ride, you may find shorter or more basic options elsewhere. The extra value here comes from the combination of pickup, the larger boat, the swimming stop, and the focus on marine animals.

Searching for whales and dolphins

The wildlife portion is the heart of the trip. The experience strongly promotes whale encounters, and the supplied information specifies whales at 100 percent. You should read that as the operator’s advertised promise and focus, not as a guarantee that every outing will produce the same close view or the same species.

Recent outings have included pilot whales and dolphins. One report also described seeing a group of whales and dolphins, while another specifically noted pilot whales. Orcas were also mentioned in one account, but you should not book expecting that particular sighting. Marine life moves on its own schedule.

The crew explains the boat rules and answers questions during the trip. That is useful because wildlife watching works best when everyone understands how to behave around animals and where to look. The staff’s role is not just to point out animals, but also to keep the outing organized and comfortable.

One particularly thoughtful touch was a short video about a sea turtle the crew had rescued after it became tangled in plastic. The plastic was removed, and the turtle was able to swim away. That detail gives the marine-life focus a practical side. You are not only looking for animals, you are also hearing about the problems they face in the same waters.

Do not expect a constant show. There may be stretches when the boat cruises with no immediate sighting. That is normal for a wildlife outing. The appeal is the possibility of seeing animals in their natural setting, combined with time on the open sea and a swim stop.

The halfway swimming stop

Around the middle of the cruise, the boat pauses in an area where swimming is possible. This is a welcome change of pace after watching the water for whales and dolphins.

The stop is aimed at relaxation rather than a structured water-sports session. You can swim in the bay, cool off, and enjoy the setting from the boat. The trip description presents these places as some of Tenerife’s more exclusive and less contaminated coastal areas, though no exact bay name is supplied.

Bring what you need for getting wet, and keep in mind that sea conditions can affect how comfortable the swim feels. The information does not specify the length of the stop, water-entry equipment, or whether flotation gear is provided, so do not assume extras beyond the basic boat setup.

I like this part because it prevents the outing from becoming three straight hours of sitting and scanning the horizon. It also gives you a chance to enjoy Tenerife from sea level, where the coast feels more open and less crowded than it can from land.

Snacks, drinks, and the ride back

Food and two free drinks are included. The description calls the food a snack, and one recent outing included pizza. You should plan on a light bite rather than a full lunch.

The drinks are basic, not a full bar service. If you have dietary needs or want more food than a snack, confirm what is available before departure. The supplied information does not list the exact menu or drink choices.

After the swim and refreshments, the boat makes a short, relaxed return to port. That final stretch gives you time to sit back and enjoy the coast without another major activity built into the schedule. The boat portion lasts three hours, followed by the return van ride of about 20 minutes if you used the pickup service.

The total time from pickup to drop-off will be longer than three hours because collection takes place about 35 minutes before the boat trip and the van ride adds time on each end. Keep that in mind if you have a dinner reservation, airport transfer, or another fixed plan.

The crew and the tone of the outing

The trip is available with Spanish, English, or Italian guiding. The staff explains the rules, answers questions, and handles the practical parts of the cruise.

Nico is one crew member associated with a recent outing, and the team was credited with keeping the day well organized. The captain also took a music request during one trip, playing a Green Day track after a passenger mentioned liking the band. That is a small detail, but it suggests a friendly and personal tone rather than a rigid sightseeing script.

You should still expect a real boat excursion, not a private party. The atmosphere can vary with the group, the weather, and the day’s wildlife sightings. Private and small-group options are available, but the exact size and price difference are not provided, so check the choice at booking.

The crew’s friendliness matters most when conditions are less predictable. A clear explanation of rules, a calm approach to wildlife watching, and good timing around the swim stop can make the difference between a pleasant outing and a disorganized one.

Who will get the most from this trip

I would recommend this cruise if you are staying in southern Tenerife and want several experiences combined into one half-day plan. It works especially well for you if you want:

• Whale and dolphin watching without arranging your own transport
• A relaxed sea outing rather than a fast-paced activity
• A swim stop in a quieter coastal area
• A boat with more room than a small open craft
• A simple snack and two drinks included
• Guiding in Spanish, English, or Italian

Families may appreciate the bathroom, the room to move around, and the straightforward three-hour length. Couples and small groups may like the combination of wildlife, swimming, and coastal views without committing to a full-day sailing trip.

This may not suit you if you need a guaranteed sighting of a particular animal, want a substantial meal, or dislike the possibility of spending part of the cruise simply waiting and watching. It is also less useful if you are staying in northern Tenerife, since pickup is included only in the south.

Practical value at $73 per person

At $73 per person, the experience sits in the middle range for an organized boat outing, but the price includes more than a basic cruise. You are paying for the three-hour boat trip, wildlife-searching focus, swim stop, two drinks, a snack, and southern pickup when arranged.

The strongest value comes from reducing the number of separate decisions you need to make. You do not need to find a marina, plan a boat route, or arrange a separate wildlife trip and swimming stop. The van transfer also makes the outing easier if you are staying near the southern resorts.

The weaker point is that the food is limited and the luxury label should not raise expectations of a full meal or private service. If you are comparing this with a cheaper shared boat, ask yourself what matters most. The larger two-level boat, bathroom, pickup, and wildlife focus can justify the difference for many people.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve now and pay later make the booking less rigid. Starting times vary, so check availability against your daily plans.

Should you book the Santa Marta Boats cruise?

Book it if you want an easy, well-rounded sea outing from southern Tenerife, with whale watching, a swim, light refreshments, and transport handled in one booking. The recent experience details point to friendly staff, good organization, pilot whale and dolphin sightings, and personal touches such as the turtle rescue story and music request.

I would be more cautious if your main goal is one exact species or a long, serious wildlife expedition. The boat trip lasts three hours, and nature does not follow a schedule. For most people, though, the mix of open-water views, possible whale encounters, a swim in a quiet bay, and a comfortable two-story boat gives the $73 price solid value.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip begin?

The boat trip begins in Las Galletas on Tenerife’s south coast.

Is pickup included?

Pickup is included in the south of Tenerife when arranged in advance. You must provide the exact pickup location, and collection is scheduled about 35 minutes before the boat trip.

How long does the experience last?

The boat cruise lasts three hours. The listed van journey takes about 20 minutes each way, so the full outing takes longer if you use the transfer service.

Can I see whales and dolphins?

The experience is focused on whale encounters and advertises whales at 100 percent. Dolphins are also possible, but marine animal sightings and species can vary.

Is swimming included?

Yes. The boat stops halfway through the cruise in an area where swimming is possible.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. Food and two free drinks are included. The food is described as a snack, and pizza was served on one reported outing.

What languages are available?

Guiding is available in Spanish, English, and Italian.