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

The cleverest part of this Tenerife boat trip is not the whale watching. It is the hydraulic boarding platform, which lets wheelchair and mobility scooter users roll aboard without leaving their equipment. A second strong point is the sea-access platform, giving people with reduced mobility a real chance to enter the water rather than simply watch from the deck. The small 10-person limit also keeps the boat from feeling like a floating bus.

I especially like the shaded stern seating and the relaxed three-hour pace. You can look for pilot whales and dolphins, stop near Las Vistas Bay for snorkeling, and enjoy Italian-style cold pasta with soft drinks. The main consideration is that marine life is wild, so the 17 possible whale species are not a guarantee, and the boat may feel less suited to you if you want a fast, action-packed water ride.

Key points to know before booking

• Santa Rita is built for access: Ramps, secure wheelchair and scooter spaces, an accessible bathroom, and a hydraulic boarding platform remove several common barriers.
• The boat carries up to 10 people: That means more room to move, quieter wildlife watching, and more personal help from the crew.
• Wildlife watching is the main event: The route searches Tenerife’s coast for dolphins, pilot whales, turtles, and other marine life.
• Water access is part of the plan: A special platform and water wheelchairs help people enter the sea at Las Vistas Bay.
• You get both shade and open-air seating: The artificial-grass deck, shaded stern, and cushioned bow let you choose how you spend the trip.
• The $58 price is reasonable for the access equipment: It includes the three-hour cruise, snacks, soft drinks, and snorkeling gear, but not hotel transport.

Boarding Santa Rita at Los Cristianos

The boat departs from the BAT4ALL meeting point in Los Cristianos. At the port, follow the signs for Zone B, then follow the blue line on the ground to the meeting area. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own way to the marina.

Boarding is where this trip earns its place in Tenerife’s tour scene. Santa Rita has been designed around people who use wheelchairs or mobility scooters, with a hydraulic platform that brings you aboard without requiring a difficult transfer. Ramps and secure spaces are available for different types of wheelchairs and scooters.

That does not mean you should skip the practical check before booking. If you use a larger scooter or a specialized chair, confirm that it can fit the boat’s designated space. The supplied information says the boat welcomes all types of wheelchairs and scooters, but it does not give exact measurements.

The boat holds a maximum of 10 people. That is a useful limit, not just a marketing detail. On a larger sightseeing boat, a wheelchair user may find it hard to reach the rail, move between seating areas, or get close to the wildlife action. Here, the crew can offer more direct help, and you have a better chance of finding a comfortable viewing spot.

Three hours along Tenerife’s whale coast

Once underway, the focus turns to the water off Tenerife’s southern coast. The trip searches for as many as 17 whale species, along with dolphins, pilot whales, turtles, and smaller marine life. Sightings are never fixed, so think of the wildlife search as the core activity rather than a promise of a particular animal.

Pilot whales are a key possibility in this part of the outing. One particularly successful trip included a turtle and many pilot whales, which gives you a fair idea of the kind of encounter that can make the day special. You might also see dolphins moving through open water or turtles near the fish farm.

The boat’s layout gives you several ways to watch. Sit in the shaded area at the stern if you want protection from the strong sun. Choose the bow cushions for a more open view, or use the artificial-grass deck if you prefer to stretch out in the sun. The boat is described as well maintained, with plenty of shaded seating, so you do not have to treat sun exposure as part of the price.

A three-hour trip is long enough to reach the wildlife areas and include a water stop, but short enough to fit into a day around Los Cristianos. You will not get the full-day feel of a private charter, and the route may feel brief if you want hours of swimming and fishing. For most people, though, three hours keeps the outing focused and manageable.

Guaza Fish Farm and the busy marine life around it

One of the most interesting sections is the Guaza Fish Farm. Sea bream and bass are raised here, while sardines and mackerel gather around the farm. Those smaller fish can attract turtles and dolphins looking for food.

The fish farm adds a useful bit of context to the wildlife search. You are not simply cruising in the hope that an animal appears beside the boat. Certain areas have more activity because food brings smaller fish together, and larger animals follow them.

The wording of the experience also refers to marine wildlife sightings in captivity. The wider description presents the fish farm as a working marine ecosystem, while the whale and dolphin search takes place in the open sea. If seeing animals in completely untouched surroundings is your top priority, ask the crew how much time is spent near the farm and how much is spent offshore.

Do not expect a formal lecture or a long nature presentation. The supplied details promise live guiding in Spanish, English, and Italian, but they do not name individual guides or provide a set educational program. The value here is the setting, the small group, and the chance to see animals in the water around Tenerife.

Lover’s Cave and the photo stop

The route also includes Lover’s Cave, a sea cave with clear water and strong photo appeal. This is a shorter scenic pause rather than a separate cave excursion. You will likely appreciate it most as a change of pace between wildlife watching and the swim stop.

Clear water makes the cave useful for photographs, but the experience does not promise a long landing or a walk inside. You remain on the boat, so this part works well for anyone who wants a scenic stop without a shore transfer.

Bring a phone or camera only if you can keep it secure around spray. Comfortable shoes, sunscreen, and beachwear are the recommended basics. A hat or light cover-up is also sensible, though it is not specifically listed as required.

Swimming and snorkeling at Las Vistas Bay

The water stop at Las Vistas Bay is the most important feature for anyone who wants more than a sightseeing cruise. Snorkeling gear is included, and the crew can assist people who need help getting into the water.

Santa Rita has a diving platform for wheelchairs and special water wheelchairs for sea access. The wording describes this as optional, so you can remain aboard if swimming is not for you. That choice matters: you are not pressured to turn the cruise into a swimming session.

For people with reduced mobility, the platform changes the nature of the trip. Many boat outings can take you near the water but cannot offer a practical way to enter it. Here, you can potentially move from the deck into the bay with equipment and crew assistance.

The supplied information does not specify water temperature, depth, current, or the exact transfer process. Ask the crew about the conditions on the day if those details affect your comfort. Snorkeling can also depend on sea conditions and personal ability, so treat it as an available activity rather than a guaranteed highlight.

The bay stop is also a good reason to bring beachwear even if you are mainly interested in whales. You can swim, use the snorkeling equipment, or simply watch others from the shaded deck.

Food, drinks, and the relaxed deck setup

Food is simple but useful. The trip includes Italian Mediterranean-style cold pasta, described as freshly prepared with Mediterranean flavors. A pasta salad and tuna salad have both been served on the experience, along with a glass of fizz on at least one outing.

Soft drinks are included. Alcoholic drinks cost extra, so do not assume beer or wine is part of the $58 fare. The boat also promotes snacks, and the food gives you something substantial during a three-hour trip rather than leaving you with only a packet of crisps.

I would treat the meal as a pleasant onboard refreshment, not a full restaurant lunch. The details do not promise a choice of dishes, a vegetarian menu, or allergy handling. If you have dietary needs, contact BAT4ALL before booking rather than relying on the standard pasta salad.

The seating is one of the trip’s quiet strengths. You have shaded seating at the stern, cushions at the bow, and an artificial-grass area for sunbathing. That variety lets you change position during the wildlife search, which is useful when the sun is strong or the boat is moving at a steady pace.

What the $58 price really covers

At $58 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get onto the Atlantic. A basic group boat trip may cost less, especially if it offers little more than a short wildlife search. Santa Rita asks you to pay for more than the cruise itself.

The fare includes:

• Three hours on the boat
• Small-group access for up to 10 people
• Whale, dolphin, pilot whale, turtle, and marine life watching
• Snorkeling equipment
• Italian-style cold pasta
• Soft drinks
• Use of the accessible facilities and sea-access equipment

The value is strongest if you need the hydraulic platform, accessible toilet, secure wheelchair space, or water wheelchair. Those features are difficult to find together on a standard excursion. A wheelchair user who wants a genuine chance to enter the sea may find the fare particularly fair.

For a person who does not need the access equipment, the value depends on the group size and food. Ten people maximum is more personal than a large catamaran, and the included snorkeling and meal help justify the cost. Still, you should not book expecting a private yacht experience, since the three-hour option can be shared.

Private tours are available, along with longer five-hour outings, full-day trips, and sunset cruises. Those options will change the price, but the supplied information does not state the rates. If you want private use of the boat or special arrangements, check the price before paying.

Who will get the most from this cruise

This trip suits you best if access is a major concern, you want a small group, and you like combining wildlife watching with a short swim stop. Families can also make good use of the flexible seating and simple onboard meal.

It is especially appealing for a wheelchair or mobility scooter user who wants more than a boat ride. The ability to roll aboard, move around the deck, use an accessible bathroom, and reach the sea through a platform gives the activity real purpose.

You should think twice if your priority is guaranteed whale watching, a long snorkeling session, or a full day of open-water activity. Wild animals may not appear, and the itinerary has several elements to fit into three hours: the fish farm, cave, wildlife search, bay stop, food, and return to Los Cristianos.

The trip also includes options such as sport fishing, jumping from the roof of the boat, and parties or private events. Those extras appear to be part of the wider BAT4ALL offering rather than essential parts of this three-hour shared cruise. Underwater activities are listed as available only on private tours, so clarify exactly what is included in the shared departure you choose.

Practical details that make the day easier

Wear beachwear and comfortable shoes. Apply sunscreen before boarding, since even with shaded seating you will spend time in open air. Bring any personal medication, mobility accessories, or protective covers that you normally need near salt water.

The available languages are Spanish, English, and Italian. The tour has a live guide, though no guide names are provided. If communication about transfers or medical needs is important, tell the operator before arrival.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now while paying later. Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want. The tour ends back at the same BAT4ALL meeting point in Los Cristianos.

The activity has an overall rating of 4.3 from nine ratings, with the strongest praise focused on the crew’s help, the sea view, the food, and the rare chance to enter the water from a wheelchair platform. Those are the areas I would weigh most heavily when deciding. The wildlife sightings are a welcome bonus, but the practical access design is the reason this outing is different.

Should you book BAT4ALL?

Book it if you want a small, calm cruise where access is part of the design, not an afterthought. The hydraulic boarding platform, accessible bathroom, water wheelchair, and sea-entry platform give this outing a clear advantage for wheelchair and mobility scooter users.

It is also a sensible choice if you want three varied hours: marine life near Guaza, a sea cave, whale and dolphin watching, snorkeling, and a simple meal. Just keep your expectations realistic. Wildlife is not guaranteed, the food is casual, and hotel transport is not included.

For most people, $58 is a fair price for the small group and specialist equipment. For someone who has often had to watch from shore while others enter the sea, the value may be much greater than the price alone suggests.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

It departs from BAT4ALL Barco Accesible Tenerife in Los Cristianos. Follow the signs for Zone B, Excursions, then follow the blue line on the ground.

How long does the cruise last?

The shared cruise lasts three hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for your chosen date.

How many people can join the boat?

Santa Rita can take up to 10 people. Private and small-group options are available.

Is the boat wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The boat has ramps, secure spaces for wheelchairs and mobility scooters, a hydraulic boarding platform, and an accessible bathroom.

Can wheelchair users enter the sea?

Yes. The boat has a platform for sea access and special water wheelchairs. Assistance is available for people who need it, although swimming and snorkeling remain optional.

What wildlife might I see?

The cruise searches for 17 whale species, dolphins, pilot whales, turtles, and other marine life. Sightings depend on natural conditions and are not guaranteed.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, with a water stop at Las Vistas Bay. Assistance is available for those who need it.

What food and drinks are included?

The cruise includes Italian Mediterranean-style cold pasta and soft drinks. Alcoholic drinks are available for an extra charge.

Is hotel transportation included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to make your own way to the BAT4ALL meeting point in Los Cristianos.