From Tazacorte: Discover the Northwest Coast by Speedy Yacht

The best part of this trip is seeing La Palma from the Atlantic, where cliffs, sea caves, tiny cliffside settlements, and black volcanic rock come together in one compact cruise. The Fantasy hydrofoil also has underwater viewing, so you can look beneath the surface as the boat moves along the northwest coast.

I like the chance to stop at La Playa de la Veta for a swim and snacks, and I like the small-boat feel, which can make the outing seem almost private. The main consideration is the sea: cave entry, swimming, boat choice, and wildlife sightings can all change with weather and water conditions.

Key points at a glance

• Two hours from Tazacorte: A short but full coastal outing that fits neatly into a day on La Palma.
• Two sea caves: The route includes La Cueva Bonita and La Cueva Colorada, with attempts to enter when conditions allow.
• A swim and snack stop: At La Playa de la Veta, you may bathe, relax, and enjoy included tapas and drinks.
• Cliffside places seen from the water: Prois de Candelaria and Puntagorda offer a different view of the island’s northwest coast.
• The 2021 volcanic lava delta: The return route reaches the new lava area created by the Tajogaite eruption.
• Wildlife is possible, not promised: Dolphins and a pilot whale have been seen, but animals are an extra bonus rather than the main product.

Why this Tazacorte cruise is worth your time

La Palma is often explored by road, but the northwest coast tells a different story from the water. High rock walls drop toward the Atlantic, and small settlements appear tucked into places that seem almost impossible to reach from land. A boat gives you the angle you cannot get from a roadside lookout.

At $72 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend two hours on the island, but the price covers more than a simple ride. You get a guide in Spanish or English, snacks, drinks, a life jacket, and blankets, along with the coastal route and the possible swim stop. The small vessel matters too. With fewer people aboard than on a large sightseeing boat, you should have a better chance of seeing the coast without feeling lost in a crowd.

I would think of this as a scenic outing with several added features, not as a guaranteed whale-watching trip or a dedicated swimming excursion. The best value comes when you care about the coast, volcanic geology, and sea caves, with wildlife and a pleasant swim as possible extras.

Setting out from Puerto de Tazacorte

You meet at Puerto de Tazacorte, at the harbor in Tazacorte, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, listed as Puerto de Tazacorte, s/n, 38770 Tazacorte. The trip lasts two hours, so the timing is easy to fit around other plans, though you should check the available departure time when booking.

The boat is the Fantasy hydrofoil. Its underwater viewing feature gives you a chance to see below the boat as you travel, adding something beyond the usual view of cliffs and open water. This is especially useful during calmer stretches, though visibility below the surface will naturally depend on sea conditions.

Bring sunscreen, comfortable clothes, and beachwear. Sunscreen is not supplied, and the mix of open water, sun, spray, and wind can catch you out even on a mild day. Blankets are included, which is a useful touch for the ride back or for anyone who finds the sea breeze cool.

Large bags and luggage are not allowed. Pack lightly and keep your belongings to the essentials.

La Cueva Bonita and La Cueva Colorada

The first major appeal is the pair of coastal caves. La Cueva Bonita and La Cueva Colorada are reached from the sea, and the boat may try to enter them to give you a view inside. That wording matters: getting into a cave depends on waves, wind, and the boat’s conditions on the day.

From the water, the caves offer a close look at how the Atlantic has shaped the island’s volcanic rock. You are not simply passing a dark opening in the cliff. The guide can place these formations in context and help you understand what you are seeing, while the boat’s smaller size makes it possible to get closer than you could on a larger vessel.

Do not book this expecting a long cave visit or a walk inside. This is a boat-based view, and the captain may choose not to enter if the sea is rough. That is the right call, even if it means the cave portion is shorter than expected.

Prois de Candelaria and Puntagorda from the sea

The cruise continues past Prois de Candelaria and Puntagorda. These places are especially interesting because the coast reveals how people have used the cliffs and shoreline over time.

From land, you may see only a small part of these settlements. From the boat, the relationship between the homes, rock walls, and sea becomes clearer. Some of the buildings appear set into or against the cliffs, giving the route a human side as well as a geological one.

This section is one reason I would choose the boat even if you have already explored parts of northwest La Palma by car. The viewpoint changes the scale of the island. Roads and lookout points show you the coast from above, while this trip places you below the cliffs, looking up at the rock and the small communities attached to it.

The guide is part of the value here. The tour operates in Spanish and English, and the guide provides explanations during the ride. You should expect information about the island and the places along the coast, not just a silent transfer between stops.

The Tinizara well and La Playa de la Veta

The route also passes the Tinizara well before reaching La Playa de la Veta. These are the less famous parts of the outing, but they help make the trip feel like a tour of the coast rather than a single attraction.

At La Playa de la Veta, the boat stops for a break. If the season and sea conditions allow, you can take a swim, relax, and enjoy tapas and drinks from onboard. This is the most casual part of the trip, and it gives you time to get out of sightseeing mode.

The swim is optional, and conditions may prevent it. Bring beachwear if you would like to take part, but do not treat the swim as guaranteed. The Atlantic can be cool, and the stop is shaped by the day’s weather and water conditions.

Snacks and drinks are included, so you do not need to arrange food for this short cruise. The offering is best viewed as a light onboard break, not a full meal. If you need a substantial lunch, eat before or after the tour.

Reaching La Palma’s newest volcanic coast

After the northwest point of the island, the boat heads farther from the coast on the return route. This gives you a more open-water view before reaching the lava delta created by the Tajogaite volcano eruption in 2021.

Seeing this new volcanic area from the sea adds useful perspective. On land, you may focus on the dark lava itself. From the water, you can better understand how much coastline was changed and how the new material meets the Atlantic.

This part also gives the outing a clear sense of place. La Palma is not only an old volcanic island with established villages and caves. It is still changing. The 2021 eruption left a fresh mark, and viewing the lava delta from a boat connects the island’s active geology with the older rock formations seen earlier in the trip.

The route does not promise a landing at the lava area. You see it from the water before returning toward Tazacorte.

Dolphins and pilot whales are a lucky extra

Marine life can appear during the trip, particularly on the return journey and the open-water sections. Dolphins have been seen, and one excursion encountered a pilot whale several times while dolphins moved around the boat.

That can become the emotional high point of the morning, but you should keep your expectations sensible. Wildlife is unpredictable, and no sighting is guaranteed. The caves, cliffs, settlements, and lava delta remain the dependable reasons to book.

The small boat can help the experience feel more personal when animals do appear, since the group is not spread across a huge deck. Still, the crew should always give the animals space, and the boat may continue on if no wildlife is found.

What the small boat changes

The limited size of the vessel is one of the strongest features of this experience. A small group makes the ride feel less like a mass excursion and more like a shared coastal outing. You can usually see the rock formations without looking over rows of heads, and the guide’s explanations are easier to follow.

There is a tradeoff. A smaller boat tends to feel the sea more than a large ship, so anyone prone to motion sickness should consider that before booking. The tour is also not suitable for pregnant women, children under two, or people under 17. The information provided lists the activity as for people aged 17 and older.

The boat is pet-friendly, but you need to tell the activity provider in advance. Large luggage is not allowed, so this is not a practical trip for moving between hotels or carrying beach gear for the whole day.

Weather, comfort, and what to pack

The sea controls this outing more than any timetable does. Weather can alter the route, prevent cave entry, cancel the swimming stop, or lead to a change of boat. One outing shifted from the listed Fantasy boat to the Fancy 2 because of weather, so stay flexible if conditions are unsettled.

Wear comfortable clothes that can handle spray and wind. Bring beachwear if you want to swim, sunscreen for the open water, and only a small personal bag. Life jackets are included, and blankets are available if the ride becomes cool.

I would avoid planning a tight connection immediately afterward. The activity is scheduled for two hours, but the captain’s decisions should follow sea safety rather than a rigid promise to reach every point in exactly the same way.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your island plans depend on weather.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it to you if you want a compact way to see several northwest coast features without committing to a full-day boat trip. It suits people who enjoy cliffs, caves, volcanic geology, and a quiet swim stop more than people looking only for guaranteed wildlife.

It is also a good choice if you have limited time in La Palma. Two hours gives you a strong coastal sample, and the departure from Tazacorte keeps the outing focused rather than turning it into a long transfer.

Families with very young children cannot book this activity, and anyone who dislikes small boats or open water should think carefully. The ride may be comfortable for you, but the sea can still be lively. Pregnant passengers are specifically excluded.

I would also choose another activity if your priority is a long beach stop, a full meal, or guaranteed entry into the caves. This cruise offers brief access and changing conditions, not a fixed beach day.

Should you book the Fantasy hydrofoil trip?

Book it if you want the coast to be the main event. The combination of two sea caves, cliffside settlements, a possible swim at La Playa de la Veta, included refreshments, and the 2021 lava delta gives the two hours plenty of variety.

The strongest reason to go is the viewpoint. La Palma looks different from below the cliffs, and the small boat lets you get close to parts of the coast that are difficult to appreciate from land. Add dolphins or a pilot whale and you may come away with a very special memory, but the trip remains worthwhile even without wildlife.

Skip it if you need a guaranteed schedule, dislike sea movement, or want a longer swim. For everyone else who can accept weather-led changes, $72 is a fair price for a small-group coastal tour with food, drinks, equipment, and a guide included.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip depart from?

It departs from Puerto de Tazacorte, s/n, 38770 Tazacorte, Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

How long does the activity last?

The cruise lasts two hours.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $72 per person.

Which languages are available?

The live guide speaks Spanish and English.

Which caves are included on the route?

The boat visits La Cueva Bonita and La Cueva Colorada, with attempts to enter when sea conditions allow.

Is swimming included?

A swimming stop is planned at La Playa de la Veta, depending on the season and sea conditions.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. Snacks, tapas, and drinks are included onboard.

What should I bring?

Bring sunscreen, comfortable clothing, and beachwear if you want to swim.

Can I bring luggage or a large bag?

No. Luggage and large bags are not allowed.

Are pets allowed on the boat?

The boat is pet-friendly, but you must advise the activity provider in advance.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve now and pay later is also available.