Santa Cruz de Tenerife: Private Family Fishing Tour

The best part of this Santa Cruz outing is the freedom to make it your own. You can troll for larger fish, switch to bottom fishing so everyone has a chance to catch something, or stop in a lagoon for a swim. I like the private boat setup and the fact that drinks are included, so the day works for keen anglers and family members who would rather sit back.

I also like the thoughtful family touches. Captain Ruslan has let children briefly take the wheel, checked often for seasickness, and prepared a clean boat with snacks and a stocked fridge. The main drawback is the open ocean: the boat can move quite a bit, so take seasickness medicine before leaving if you are prone to it.

Key points to know before you book

• Two fishing styles in four hours: Try trolling for bonito, barracuda, mahi mahi, and possibly sailfish, then switch to bottom fishing.
• A genuinely private outing: The boat is reserved for your group of up to six, so you can set the pace.
• Good for mixed interests: Anglers can fish while others enjoy beer, white wine, soft drinks, or the views.
• A lagoon stop breaks up the fishing: Swim or use the provided masks and goggles while children can fish from a float.
• Captain Ruslan speaks English: He confirms arrangements and helps beginners use the equipment.
• Full-group value: At $573 for up to six people, the cost works out to about $95.50 per person if you fill the boat.

A private boat day from Santa Cruz

This is a four-hour trip on the water with a simple plan: meet at Barco 33, go out with Captain Ruslan, fish using professional equipment, stop for a swim if you wish, and return to the same place.

That simple structure is part of the appeal. You are not locked into a long fishing charter aimed only at serious anglers. If one person wants to keep fishing and another wants a drink in the shade, both can do so. The private format also means you do not need to match the mood of a larger group.

You should still see this as a real sea outing, not a calm harbor cruise. The boat may rock, and the fishing depends on season, weather, and luck. The four-hour length gives you enough time to try different methods without taking up an entire day in Tenerife.

The group limit is six people. That is a useful size for a family or a small circle of friends because everyone can take part without waiting behind a crowd. At the full-group price, the cost is quite reasonable for a private captain, boat, fishing gear, drinks, and the flexibility to stop for swimming.

Meeting Captain Ruslan at Barco 33

Your meeting point is Gate 3, in front of Cafe Victoria. The boat is Barco 33, and you return there after the trip.

No transfer is included, so you need to make your own way to the port. There is paid parking at the port if you are driving. I would allow time to find the gate and parking rather than arriving at the last moment, especially if you are bringing children, towels, or a cooler bag.

Captain Ruslan speaks English and takes an active role in the day. He has confirmed arrangements shortly before departure and checked in with passengers during the trip. That matters on a fishing charter, since a clear explanation of the equipment and plan helps beginners settle in quickly.

You do not need to arrive as an angler. The tour supplies the fishing equipment, and the activity is designed for both first-timers and experienced fishers. Ask the captain how the day is shaping up, then be ready for the plan to change if the fish are biting in another spot.

Trolling for larger seasonal catches

Trolling is the more exciting option if you want the chance of a strong fish taking the line while the boat is moving. Depending on the season, the possible catch includes barracuda, mahi mahi, bonito, and even sailfish.

There are no guarantees, and that is worth keeping clear in your mind. Fishing trips are governed by the sea, the season, and luck. The value here comes from having professional equipment and a captain who can guide you, not from a promise that every person will land a big fish.

A family group may find trolling especially memorable because it creates a shared moment. You can take turns watching the lines and reacting when something bites. If you are lucky, the catch becomes the main story of the day.

One family using this trip caught two bonito while trolling. Captain Ruslan prepared some of the fish as sashimi on board, and another fish was taken home. That is an appealing possibility, but you should treat it as a special outcome rather than a standard part of the trip. The provided information does not promise that fish will be cleaned or prepared every time.

Bottom fishing gives everyone a chance

Bottom fishing is the steadier choice for a group that wants several people to catch fish. The captain may change locations, and one family was able to get everyone fishing successfully after moving to several spots.

This style often suits children and beginners better than waiting for one large fish to appear. It gives each person something practical to do and makes the fishing feel less dependent on a single dramatic strike.

The captain can help you handle the equipment, but you should expect to take part. This is not a sightseeing ride with a crew doing everything for you. That hands-on element is part of the fun, particularly if you have never tried sea fishing.

Children can also catch fish from a float during the lagoon stop. That gives younger passengers a separate activity when the main fishing becomes tiring. Parents should still keep a close eye on children around the water, as the supplied information does not describe childcare or safety supervision.

A lagoon stop for swimmers and non-anglers

If you want a break from fishing, the boat can stop in a lagoon for swimming. Masks and goggles are included, so you do not need to bring your own basic equipment. You do need to bring a bath towel if you plan to get in the water.

This stop makes the trip more flexible for a family with mixed interests. You can swim, use the masks and goggles, or relax on board while others get in the water. Children can fish from a float, adding a gentler option to the day.

The lagoon is not a separate sightseeing destination with a detailed shore visit. It is a pause in the boat trip, designed to cool off and change the rhythm. If your top priority is swimming, ask about the timing at the start, since the captain will need to balance the lagoon stop with the fishing.

The open-water setting also means you should prepare sensibly. If you are susceptible to seasickness, take medicine before departure rather than waiting until you feel unwell. The boat can be quite lively, and a swim stop will not necessarily solve motion sickness for everyone.

Drinks, snacks, and the option to do less

The boat includes water, soft drinks, beer, and white wine. That is useful because people can relax between fishing sessions without arranging their own refreshments. The boat has also been described as having a well-stocked fridge and snacks.

Sandwiches are available only if arranged in advance. Do not assume they are included automatically. If your group needs more than drinks and snacks, ask for sandwiches before the day of departure.

I like this setup for groups where not everyone is obsessed with fishing. One person can keep an eye on the lines while another enjoys a beer or glass of wine. You can also simply sit back and let the captain handle the boat.

Alcohol and the open sea call for restraint, of course. The boat may rock, and too much alcohol can make seasickness worse. For a family outing, water and soft drinks may be the better choice for anyone who feels uneasy.

What the four-hour timing feels like

Four hours is long enough to try both fishing methods and still leave room for a lagoon stop, but it is not an all-day expedition. The exact balance depends on the fish, conditions, and what your group wants.

A likely flow is:

• Meet at Barco 33 and go over the plan with the captain.
• Begin trolling or head to a bottom-fishing area.
• Change methods or fishing locations as needed.
• Stop in a lagoon for swimming, masks, goggles, or float fishing.
• Return to Barco 33 after four hours.

The order is not fixed, and that is a strength. If trolling looks promising, you may spend more time with it. If the group wants everyone to catch fish, bottom fishing may take priority. Tell Ruslan what matters most to your group early in the trip.

Four hours also keeps the outing manageable for children. Young passengers may lose interest during a long charter, while this shorter format gives them several different activities without committing the whole day.

What makes the price reasonable

The private group price is $573 for up to six people. If six people join, that is about $95.50 each. For a private boat with a captain, fishing equipment, drinks, a lagoon stop, and four hours on the water, that is a fair price for a special family activity.

The value drops if only one or two people use the booking, since the cost is charged by group rather than per person. For six people, though, you are paying for privacy and control as much as for the fishing itself.

You are also avoiding the usual compromise of a shared charter. Your group can decide how much fishing to do, when to stop, and how to include people who are not anglers. That flexibility is more useful than it may sound when children or different age groups are involved.

The price does not include transport, parking, or sandwiches arranged separately. Add those costs if they apply to your plans. Drinks are included, and the fishing equipment and masks and goggles are supplied.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this trip to a family or small group that wants a flexible sea day rather than a narrowly focused fishing contest. It fits beginners especially well because the captain provides equipment and can show you how to use it.

It is also a good match for mixed groups. Strong anglers can try trolling, children can fish from a float, and non-fishers can swim or relax with a drink. The private boat keeps those different interests from becoming a problem.

You should think twice if you are very prone to seasickness. The boat can rock, and the tour operator specifically advises taking medicine before going out. Anyone over 95 is not suitable for this activity.

This is not the best choice if you want guaranteed large fish, a quiet harbor ride, or included hotel pickup. It is a better choice if you accept that fishing is unpredictable and value the chance to spend time together on the water.

Practical planning for your day

Wear clothes that can handle spray and bring a bath towel if you plan to swim. The provided information does not specify a dress code, so practical clothing is the sensible choice.

Take seasickness medicine before departure if you need it. Waiting until the boat is moving may be too late, particularly since the sea can feel rougher away from the port.

If you want sandwiches, arrange them before the trip. Bring your booking details to the meeting point at Gate 3, in front of Cafe Victoria, and allow extra time if you need paid port parking.

The activity is offered in English. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want.

Should you book this private fishing trip?

Book it if you want a small, flexible boat day where fishing is only one part of the experience. The private format, included drinks, professional equipment, and lagoon stop make it work well for families and friends with different interests.

I would be especially inclined to book for a group of six, since the per-person cost becomes much better. Go prepared for a moving boat and uncertain fishing, and use the captain to shape the balance between trolling, bottom fishing, and swimming. If that sounds like fun rather than a risk, this is one of the more adaptable ways to spend four hours around Santa Cruz.

FAQ

How long is the private fishing tour?

The tour lasts four hours, including the boat ride, fishing, any lagoon stop, and the return to Barco 33.

Where do I meet the boat?

Meet at Gate 3, in front of Cafe Victoria. The boat is called Barco 33.

How many people can join?

The private group can include up to six people.

What fish might I catch?

Depending on the season, you might catch barracuda, mahi mahi, bonito, or sailfish while trolling. Bottom fishing is also available.

Are fishing equipment and drinks included?

Yes. The captain, fishing equipment, water, soft drinks, beer, and white wine are included. Masks and goggles are also provided.

Can I swim during the trip?

Yes. The boat can stop in a lagoon for swimming. Bring your own bath towel if you plan to get in the water.

Is hotel transfer included?

No. Transfer is not included, and there is paid parking at the port.