Boat Rental Tenerife, Book Your Charter with Skipper

You want to charter a boat in Tenerife but don’t have a skipper licence. That’s fine, every rental on BoatHire24 comes with a licensed skipper, so you just turn up and enjoy the sun, the sea, and the views of Mount Teide. We list motor yachts, catamarans, sailing yachts, and RIBs from ports all around the island, from Los Cristianos to Puerto Colón. Prices start from around EUR 250 for a half-day on a speedboat, and go up to EUR 3,000 for a luxury catamaran with crew. No hidden fees, no licence checks, just a straight-up booking.

This page is your practical guide to boat rental Tenerife. You’ll find what’s included, which ports to depart from, what types of boats are available, and how to book without the usual headaches. We cover weather, seasons, and who this is for, whether you’re a family, a group of friends, or a couple wanting a private sunset cruise. Let’s get you on the water.

What’s Included in Every Boat Rental Tenerife

Every charter you book through BoatHire24 includes a licensed skipper. That means you don’t need a boating licence, and you don’t have to worry about navigation, docking, or safety. The skipper handles all that, and they know the local waters, hidden coves, dolphin hotspots, and the best spots for swimming. Most rentals also include fuel, a safety briefing, and basic insurance. Some include food and drinks, but check the listing details. You can also add extras like a barbecue, snorkelling gear, or a photographer. The price you see is the price you pay, except for a refundable damage deposit on some boats.

Departure Ports for Boat Rental Tenerife

Tenerife has several marinas and ports where you can start your charter. The most popular are Los Cristianos (south-west, sheltered bay, lots of restaurants), Puerto Colón (Costa Adeje, close to Playa del Duque and fancier hotels), and Santa Cruz (main city, for east coast trips). You can also depart from Playa de las Américas, Puerto de la Cruz (north), or smaller harbours like Radazul and San Miguel. Each port gives you access to different parts of the coast, from the cliffs of Los Gigantes to the black sand beaches of the north. Pick the one closest to your accommodation to save travel time.

Types of Boats Available

Motor yachts are the most common, fast, stable, and good for covering distance. You’ll find everything from 6-metre speedboats (around EUR 250 for 3 hours) to 15-metre luxury yachts with cabins (EUR 1,500+ for a full day). Catamarans are great for larger groups and stability, they don’t roll as much, so less seasickness. Sailing yachts are quieter and more eco-friendly, but slower. RIBs and speedboats are for thrill-seekers who want to bounce over waves and explore caves. Fishing boats are also available, with rod hire included. Licence-free day boats (under 6 metres, no skipper needed) are rare in Tenerife because of local regulations, most require a skipper anyway, so we include one.

Pricing Guidance for Boat Rental Tenerife

Prices vary by boat size, type, season, and duration. A half-day (4 hours) on a 6-metre RIB costs from around EUR 250. A half-day on a 10-metre motor yacht is about EUR 600-800. Full-day catamaran charters (8 hours) for up to 12 people start at EUR 1,200 and go to EUR 3,000 for premium vessels with crew. Superyachts (over 20 metres) are price on request, expect EUR 5,000+ per day. Most operators offer morning (10:00-14:00) or afternoon (15:00-19:00) slots, and sunset charters are popular for 2-3 hours at a lower price. Always check what’s included, fuel is usually included, but extras like food, drinks, or water toys cost more.

Best Seasons for Boat Rental Tenerife

Tenerife has a subtropical climate, so you can charter a boat year-round. Summer (June to September) is the busiest, air temperatures hit 30 degrees C, sea water is 24 degrees C, and the trade winds blow from the north-east, making the south coast calmer. Winter (December to February) is cooler (20-22 degrees C) but still pleasant, with fewer crowds and lower prices. Spring and autumn are the sweet spots, warm, calm seas, and good visibility for spotting dolphins and whales. The only months to avoid are when there’s a calima (dust from the Sahara) or strong Atlantic swells, but these are rare and usually pass in a day or two.

How to Book Your Boat Rental Tenerife

Booking on BoatHire24 is straightforward. Use the search page to filter by port, boat type, date, and budget. You’ll see a list of available charters with photos, specs, and skipper details. Click on one that suits you, check the inclusions (fuel, food, cancellation policy), and book online with a deposit (usually 30-50%). The remaining balance is paid to the skipper on the day, in cash or card. We recommend booking at least a week in advance during summer, and 2-3 days for winter. You can also contact the operator directly through the platform if you have questions about itineraries or special requests. For more tips, read our blog on chartering in the Canary Islands.

Who Is Boat Rental Tenerife For

This is for anyone who wants to explore Tenerife’s coastline without the hassle of owning or driving a boat. Families with kids, the skipper keeps everyone safe, and you can stop for swimming at places like Playa de las Teresitas or the natural pools of Garachico. Groups of friends, take a party boat to the cliffs of Los Gigantes, play music, and drink cava. Couples, book a sunset cruise for two, with champagne and views of Teide. Solo travellers, join a shared charter (if available) or hire a small RIB for a solo adventure. It’s also for corporate groups, many yachts can host up to 20 people for a day trip with catering. No licence needed, no experience required.

What to Expect on the Day

On the day of your charter, arrive at the port 15 minutes early. Meet the skipper, who will do a safety briefing and show you the boat. You’ll then head out, typical itineraries include cruising along the coast, stopping for a swim at a quiet beach or cove, maybe seeing dolphins or turtles (common off the south coast). Some skippers take you to Masca Bay or the cliffs of Los Gigantes for photos. Lunch is usually at a beachside restaurant or on board if you’ve ordered catering. The skipper returns you to the port on time. Be aware that sea conditions can change, the skipper may adjust the route for safety. Bring sunscreen, a hat, and a towel. Most boats have a toilet, but not all have a shower.

Local Attractions and Highlights

Tenerife’s coast is packed with things to see. The cliffs of Los Gigantes are a must, 600-metre vertical drops into the sea, only accessible by boat. The whale and dolphin watching around the south-west coast is excellent, you’ll often see pilot whales, bottlenose dolphins, and even sea turtles. The black sand beaches of the north (like Playa Jardín in Puerto de la Cruz) are unique. For a longer trip, you can sail to the nearby island of La Gomera (about 30 NM from Los Cristianos), a full-day charter, but worth it for the remote beaches. The Teide National Park is visible from the water, especially at sunset. Some skippers offer a stop at the Cueva del Viento (wind cave) near Icod de los Vinos, though it’s a short walk from the beach.

Why Choose BoatHire24 for Your Tenerife Charter

BoatHire24 is a marketplace that connects you with local operators in Tenerife. We don’t own boats, so we can offer a wide range, from budget speedboats to luxury superyachts. Every listing includes a licensed skipper, transparent pricing, and real photos. You book online, pay a deposit, and the rest on the day. We don’t add booking fees, and we have a cancellation policy that’s fair, full refund if you cancel 48 hours before, subject to operator terms. Our customer support team speaks English and Spanish, and we can help with special requests like dietary requirements or extra activities. We’ve been operating in the Canary Islands since 2018, and we know the local market. For more details, check our blog for destination guides and booking tips.

Detailed Port Profiles for Your Tenerife Charter

Each departure port gives you a different starting point and a different day. Los Cristianos is the busiest, with the most charter boats and a sheltered harbour. From here you can reach the whale-watching grounds off the south-west coast in 20 minutes. Puerto Colón in Costa Adeje is more upmarket, surrounded by five-star hotels and the fancier end of Playa del Duque. It is a 15-minute walk from the beach, and the marina has a few decent restaurants for a pre-charter coffee. Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the capital, in the north-east. Departing from here lets you explore the Anaga mountains coast, which is rugged and less touristy, with small coves like Playa de Benijo. Puerto de la Cruz in the north is quieter, and from here you can head to the Orotava Valley coast or the natural pools of Garachico. Radazul and San Miguel are small, local marinas with fewer charter options but lower prices and less crowding. Choose your port based on where you are staying, and if you are flexible, pick one with the boat type you want, as some ports specialise in catamarans (Los Cristianos) while others have more RIBs (Puerto Colón).

Specific Boat Models and Their Costs

To give you a concrete idea, a 4.5-metre RIB with a 40hp engine, seating 4 people, costs from around EUR 200 for 2 hours. A 6-metre RIB with 115hp, seating 6, is EUR 300 for 3 hours. A 8-metre motor yacht (like a Jeanneau or Beneteau) with a cabin, toilet, and sunpad, seating 8, costs from EUR 600 for 4 hours. A 12-metre catamaran (like a Lagoon 42) with 4 cabins, 2 toilets, and a flybridge, seating 12, is EUR 1,200 for 4 hours and EUR 1,800 for 8 hours. A 15-metre luxury motor yacht (like a Azimut or Sunseeker) with full crew, air conditioning, and water toys, starts at EUR 2,500 for 8 hours. A sailing yacht of 10 metres (like a Bavaria 36) costs from EUR 400 for 4 hours, but it is slower and more weather-dependent. Fishing boats are usually 6-8 metres with rod holders and a fish finder, costing EUR 350 for 4 hours. These prices are for the boat and skipper only; fuel is included in most cases, but confirm when booking.

Seasonal Price Variations and Booking Tips

Peak season in Tenerife is July, August, and Christmas/New Year. Prices can be 30-50% higher than in low season (November, February, except Christmas). For example, a catamaran that costs EUR 1,200 in April might be EUR 1,800 in August. Shoulder months (March, May, June, September, October) offer a good balance of decent weather and lower prices. If you are on a budget, book a morning slot (10:00-14:00) rather than a full day, as you still get 4 hours of sun and sea. Sunset charters (17:00-20:00 in summer, 16:00-19:00 in winter) are cheaper, often EUR 100-200 less than the same boat in a daytime slot. Book at least 2 weeks ahead for peak season, 1 week for shoulder, and 3-4 days for low season. Last-minute bookings (1-2 days before) can sometimes get discounts of 10-20%, but only if the boat is not already chartered. Use the search page to compare prices across multiple operators for the same date.

Weather and Sea Conditions in Detail

The trade winds blow from the north-east, so the south coast (Los Cristianos, Costa Adeje) is generally calmer than the north (Puerto de la Cruz). In summer, the wind is lighter, often 10-15 knots, making for smooth seas. In winter, the wind can be 20-25 knots, with swells of 1-2 metres on the south coast and 2-3 metres on the north coast. Most skippers will not go out if the swell is over 2.5 metres, as it is uncomfortable. The sea temperature is 19 degrees C in February and 24 degrees C in August. The calima (Saharan dust) can reduce visibility and make the air hazy, but it rarely lasts more than 2 days. Check the wind forecast on Windy or Windguru before your charter. If the forecast is bad, ask the operator if you can reschedule, most will allow it for free if done 24 hours in advance. The best months for calm seas and clear skies are April, May, September, and October.

Whale and Dolphin Watching Specifics

The waters off the south-west coast of Tenerife are a year-round habitat for pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins. You are almost guaranteed to see them on any charter from Los Cristianos or Puerto Colón, especially in the morning. The whales are often found between the coast and the island of La Gomera, about 5-10 NM offshore. Some operators offer dedicated whale-watching charters with a marine biologist on board, costing from EUR 50 per person for a 2-hour trip. On a private charter, the skipper will take you to the known spots, but it is not guaranteed. If you want a higher chance, book a charter that specifically mentions whale watching in the listing. You can also see sea turtles, flying fish, and occasionally orcas (killer whales) in winter. Do not feed or touch the animals, it is illegal and harmful. The skipper will keep a safe distance, 50 metres for whales, 30 metres for dolphins.

Food and Drink Options on Board

Most charters include water and soft drinks, but not alcohol. You can bring your own food and drink, as long as you clean up afterwards. Some operators offer catering as an extra, ranging from a simple sandwich platter (EUR 15 per person) to a full paella lunch with wine (EUR 40 per person). For a sunset charter, champagne and canapés are common, costing around EUR 25 per person. If you are on a budget, buy your own supplies from a local supermarket (Mercadona or Lidl) and bring a cooler bag. The boat will have a small fridge, but space is limited. For longer charters (full day), the skipper can recommend a beachside restaurant where you can moor and eat ashore. This is common in Masca Bay or Playa de la Tejita. Always confirm the food and drink policy when booking, as some operators do not allow you to bring glass bottles for safety reasons.

Special Itineraries and Day Trip Ideas

For a half-day (4 hours), a classic route from Los Cristianos is south-west to the cliffs of Los Gigantes, stopping for a swim at Playa de la Arena or the small cove of Masca. You can also head east to the abandoned hotel at Playa de la Tejita and the Montaña Roja volcano. For a full day (8 hours), you can cross to La Gomera, 30 NM from Los Cristianos, and anchor at the beach of Valle Gran Rey. This is a 1-hour crossing each way, leaving 6 hours for swimming and lunch. Another full-day option is to go north from Santa Cruz to the Anaga mountains, stopping at the black sand beach of Playa de Benijo and the fishing village of Taganana. For a sunset charter, stay local in Costa Adeje, cruise past the hotels, and watch the sun set behind La Gomera. Some operators offer a “party boat” with a DJ and unlimited drinks, costing from EUR 80 per person for 3 hours. Always discuss the itinerary with the skipper before departure, they can tailor it to your interests.

Safety and Practical Considerations

All boats have life jackets for every passenger, a first aid kit, and a VHF radio. The skipper is licensed and trained in first aid. If you are prone to seasickness, take a tablet an hour before departure, and avoid a heavy breakfast. The boat will have a toilet, but not all have a shower. Bring biodegradable sunscreen and a rash guard, as the sun is strong even on cloudy days. Do not wear black clothing, it gets hot and shows every mark. The skipper will provide a briefing on emergency procedures and where the life jackets are. If you have any medical conditions, inform the skipper before departure. Children under 12 must wear a life jacket at all times on deck. Do not jump off the boat unless the skipper says it is safe, as currents can be strong near cliffs. The skipper has the final say on the route and schedule, they will not take risks with safety. For more safety tips, read our blog on boating in the Canary Islands.

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