3H Shared Barrier-Free Cruise with Turtles Dolphins & Whales

The most unusual feature here is not the wildlife. It is the way you reach the water. Santa Rita uses a hydraulic platform so wheelchair and mobility scooter users can board without leaving their equipment, then use a special water wheelchair to enter the sea. That makes this a rare chance to enjoy Tenerife from the ocean with far fewer barriers.

I like the small maximum of 10 people, which gives the crew room to help without turning the boat into a floating crowd. I also like the shaded stern, cushions at the bow, and accessible restroom, practical touches that matter during a three-hour trip.

The main consideration is that wildlife is never guaranteed. You may see dolphins, pilot whales, turtles, or other species, but the boat is searching in open water. The snorkeling and swimming stop can also depend on sea conditions and your comfort in the water.

Key points to know before booking

• Santa Rita uses a hydraulic boarding platform, allowing many wheelchair and mobility scooter users to roll aboard without transferring.
• The boat carries up to 10 people, giving this cruise a quiet, personal feel compared with larger sightseeing boats.
• Wildlife sightings focus on Tenerife’s southern coast, including dolphins, pilot whales, turtles, and up to 17 possible whale species.
• Las Vistas Bay is the water stop, with snorkeling equipment and assistance available for people who need it.
• Your fare includes soft drinks and cold Italian-style pasta, while alcoholic drinks cost extra.
• The three-hour trip returns to the same meeting point, and you need to arrange your own transport to the harbor.

Why this Tenerife boat trip is different

Most boat trips solve accessibility by adding a ramp or asking passengers to transfer into a seat. Santa Rita takes a more useful approach. Its platform is designed for wheelchairs and mobility scooters, with secure spaces on board and a fully accessible restroom.

That changes the whole mood of the trip. You are not simply watching the sea from the dock or staying on deck while others swim. If you need assistance, the crew can help you use the special water wheelchair and reach the sea through the boat’s platform.

The boat is limited to 10 people. I see this as one of the strongest reasons to choose it. The crew can spend time helping people individually, and you are less likely to feel lost in a large crowd when wildlife appears or when it is time to enter the water.

Santa Rita also has several areas where you can settle in. The stern has shade, the bow has cushions, and the artificial grass deck is suited to sitting in the sun. Bring sunscreen and beachwear, but do not forget comfortable shoes for boarding and moving around the boat.

Starting at the harbor and finding the boat

The meeting point is BAT4ALL Barco Accesible Tenerife. At the harbor, follow signs for Zone B, Excursions, then follow the blue line painted on the ground.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so allow enough time to reach the meeting point on your own. Check the available departure times when booking, since the three-hour tour does not have one fixed starting time for every day.

The boat returns to the same place after the cruise. That is useful if you have a car, taxi, or another activity planned nearby. It also keeps the day simple for anyone who prefers not to manage a one-way transfer.

Spanish, English, and Italian are available. Private trips and small-group bookings are also offered, so ask about the format if you need more privacy or extra flexibility.

Along Tenerife’s coast toward Guaza Fish Farm

Once on the water, the cruise heads along Tenerife’s southern coast. One important area is Guaza Fish Farm, where sea bream and bass are raised.

The farm creates a busy marine feeding area. Schools of sardines and mackerel gather nearby, and those fish can attract dolphins and sea turtles. This is one of the more interesting parts of the route because you are not only looking across open water. You are watching how a working marine site affects the animals around it.

Wildlife sightings can include dolphins, pilot whales, and turtles. The trip also advertises the possibility of spotting 17 whale species along the coast. That number describes the range of species that may be seen in the area, not a promise that you will see all of them during a three-hour cruise.

Keep your expectations sensible. Wildlife watching is a search, not a scheduled performance. Your crew will look for signs of animals and guide your attention, but the sea decides what appears and how long it stays nearby.

The open-ocean section is likely to appeal most to people who enjoy watching natural behavior rather than ticking off a fixed list. You may see animals surfacing, moving through the water, or appearing briefly near the boat. Bring patience, and keep your camera ready without spending the entire trip looking at a screen.

Lover’s Cave and the photo stop

Lover’s Cave is a sea cave with clear water and a dramatic setting for photographs. The stop adds a change of pace after the wildlife search.

You can expect time for photos and a closer look at the rock and water around the cave. Exact time at each stop is not specified, so the crew may adjust the schedule to suit sea conditions, wildlife activity, and the overall pace of the outing.

This is not a land excursion with a long cave walk. The attraction is seen from the water, which makes it accessible to people who find uneven paths or shore access difficult. Have your phone or camera ready, but protect it from spray.

Swimming and snorkeling at Las Vistas Bay

The water stop takes place at Las Vistas Bay. Snorkeling equipment is included, and swimming is optional. You can simply remain on board and enjoy the bay if you do not want to enter the water.

The boat has a platform designed to help people reach the sea, plus a special water wheelchair. Assistance is available for those who need it. This is the part of the trip that gives Santa Rita its strongest practical value: the accessible design is not limited to boarding, it also reaches the swimming stop.

Snorkeling can reveal the underwater ecosystem in the bay, but conditions can affect visibility and comfort. The description calls the water crystal clear, yet visibility in any marine setting can change with weather and sea movement.

A water-entry platform is also useful for people who can swim but need help getting in and out. Ask the crew what support is available before departure if you have specific mobility needs. The boat is built for access, but personal assistance requirements can vary.

The package information also includes jumping from the roof of the boat and sport fishing. These activities may not suit every departure or every passenger, so confirm the day’s plan with BAT4ALL before assuming they will be part of your three-hour outing. Private trips mention underwater activities with greater flexibility, while diving is listed only for private tours. I would treat these as optional extras, not the central reason to book.

Food, drinks, and time on board

Soft drinks are included. The food is a cold Italian-style pasta dish with Mediterranean flavors. One pasta salad has been described as especially good, and another menu description mentions tuna salad and a glass of fizz. Since the exact food can vary, ask what will be served on your departure.

This is not a full restaurant meal, but it is more useful than a packet of crisps after swimming. The pasta gives the cruise a relaxed lunch or brunch feel, and the shaded seating makes it easy to eat without rushing.

Alcoholic drinks cost extra. If you want wine, beer, or another alcoholic option, budget for that separately.

The boat can also be used for parties and private events. That may appeal to families or groups marking a special occasion, but a private event could have a different mood from the standard wildlife trip. Confirm the format and inclusions before booking.

What the $58 price gets you

At $58 per person, this cruise is reasonably priced if you want three things in one outing: a wildlife search, a swimming stop, and genuine wheelchair access.

You are paying for a small boat rather than a large group vessel, a three-hour coastal route, crew assistance, snorkeling equipment, soft drinks, and food. The access features are especially valuable because comparable sea trips may not provide a practical way for a wheelchair or mobility scooter user to board and enter the water.

For a passenger who does not need accessible facilities, the value depends more on the small group and the route. A larger boat might offer a lower headline price, but it may also provide less personal space and less help at the water stop.

For a private group, expect the price structure to differ. The available information confirms private options, but not the private-tour cost. Ask about the exact price, duration, meal, and water activities before committing.

The booking terms are useful for uncertain weather or changing plans. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and reserve now while paying later. Those options do not remove the risk of rough sea conditions, but they make planning less stressful.

Who will enjoy Santa Rita most

This is a strong choice for wheelchair users, mobility scooter users, and families who need a boat with real access rather than a vague promise of assistance. The platform, secure spaces, restroom, and water wheelchair address the parts of a sea trip that are often hardest to arrange.

It also suits anyone who prefers a quiet boat with room to move. Ten people is small enough for a personal outing, and the crew can focus on spotting wildlife and helping passengers.

Families may appreciate the mix of wildlife, swimming, photos, food, and open water. Couples could choose a private sunset or longer trip, though those options are different from the three-hour shared cruise described here.

This may not suit you if your main goal is a guaranteed close encounter with whales or dolphins. It may also disappoint if you want a tightly timed schedule, since the route depends on wildlife and sea conditions.

Practical advice for a smoother outing

Wear comfortable shoes for boarding and deck movement. Pack sunscreen and beachwear, even if you are not sure you will swim.

Bring a light cover-up for the boat ride, especially if you plan to spend time in the shaded stern. Keep cameras and phones secure around the water-entry area and sea cave.

If you use a mobility scooter, wheelchair, or another support device, share your needs when booking. The boat is designed for different wheelchairs and scooters, but the crew will be better prepared if they know what you use.

At the start, ask how much time is planned for Guaza Fish Farm, the wildlife search, Lover’s Cave, and Las Vistas Bay. The three-hour schedule includes several activities, so knowing the rough order will help you enjoy the trip without constantly checking the clock.

Should you book this accessible Tenerife cruise?

Book it if you want a small, calm boat with serious accessibility and a real chance to reach the sea. The hydraulic platform and water wheelchair are the key reasons to choose Santa Rita, while the wildlife search, pasta, shaded seating, and snorkeling make the outing worthwhile for the whole group.

Think twice if you need guaranteed animal sightings or a fixed schedule. Nature sets the timetable, and some optional activities may require a private booking.

At $58, the trip offers good value for three hours, especially for passengers who have found accessible boat trips hard to locate. For the right group, the chance to board comfortably and enter the water is worth far more than the wildlife checklist.

FAQ

How long is the cruise?

The shared cruise lasts three hours.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at BAT4ALL Barco Accesible Tenerife. Follow the signs marked Zone B, Excursions, then follow the blue line on the ground.

Where does the tour finish?

The boat returns to the same meeting point where the activity began.

Is the boat wheelchair accessible?

Yes. Santa Rita has a hydraulic platform, ramps, secure spaces for wheelchairs and mobility scooters, and a fully accessible restroom.

Can a mobility scooter board the boat?

Yes. Mobility scooter users can roll aboard without leaving the scooter, according to the activity information.

Can I enter the sea from the boat?

Yes. The boat has a platform for water access and special water wheelchairs. Assistance is available for people who need it.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and snorkeling takes place during the stop at Las Vistas Bay.

What wildlife might I see?

The cruise searches for dolphins, pilot whales, turtles, and other marine life. Up to 17 whale species may be found along Tenerife’s coast, but sightings are not guaranteed.

What food and drinks are included?

Soft drinks and Italian-style cold pasta are included. Alcoholic drinks cost extra.

Which languages are available?

The live guide service is available in Spanish, English, and Italian.