REVIEW · TENERIFE
From Puerto Colón: Private Fishing Boat Charter with Lunch
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by Royal Boat · Bookable on GetYourGuide
One hour from booking to heading out—this is a very hands-on way to see Tenerife. What I like most is the true private setup plus the focus on real fishing techniques, whether you’re new or you want to work tackle hard. The possible drawback is that it’s fishing, not a guaranteed catch, so some days may mean smaller action even with the best gear and guidance.
I also appreciate the food-and-drinks plan (especially on the 7-hour option) because you’re not forced into a separate lunch stop on land. You’ll be out on the south coast, away from the busy Las Américas scene, and that shift alone makes the half- to full-day feel like a real escape. Just keep your expectations clear: you’re paying for a top fishing day on the water, not a fishing-only magic trick.
In This Review
- Key points worth knowing before you go
- Why this Puerto Colón fishing day feels different
- Getting on board at Royal Garden Boat (and what to expect from the boat)
- The 3-hour charter: light tackle trolling and bottom fishing
- The 7-hour big game option: heavy tackle and serious offshore ambitions
- Food and drinks that make the day feel complete
- Captain Mariano’s style: why this works for beginners and serious fishers
- What techniques you might use (and how the day is likely paced)
- Making it your best day: practical tips before you board
- Price and value: $589 per group, and what you’re really paying for
- Who should book this charter (and who might skip it)
- Should you book From Puerto Colón: Private Fishing Boat Charter with Lunch?
- FAQ
- FAQ
- How long is the fishing charter?
- How many people are on the private group?
- Where do we meet the boat?
- Is hotel pick-up included?
- What’s included for drinks?
- Is lunch provided?
- What fishing techniques are used?
- What languages are spoken by the instructor/captain?
- What’s the cancellation policy?
- Can I reserve without paying right away?
- What’s the price?
Key points worth knowing before you go

- Royal Garden Boat meeting point: you’ll start right at the marina setup in Puerto Colón.
- Private group limits: up to 4 on the 3-hour option, up to 6 on the 7-hour option.
- Two fishing styles: 3-hour light-tackle inshore trolling and bottom fishing vs 7-hour heavy tackle big game.
- Big game species potential: the Canaries are described as having good odds for marlin, tuna, wahoo, and more.
- Captain Mariano is a recurring highlight: praised for skill and for being good with beginners.
- Meals are built in: drinks plus a boxed brunch package on the 7-hour trip, snacks on the 3-hour trip.
Why this Puerto Colón fishing day feels different

If your Tenerife plans mostly involve beaches, viewpoints, and buses, this charter gives you a sharp change of pace. You’re on a private fishing boat leaving from Puerto Colón, heading out along the south coast where you can spend hours focused on one thing: lines in the water.
I like that the experience doesn’t pretend you need to be a competitive angler. The operator explicitly supports different techniques, and the captain’s role shows up in the reviews in a big way. In other words, you’re not just renting a boat and hoping for the best—you’re getting a guided fishing day, with the gear and know-how to match.
The other reason it feels worthwhile is the setting. The Canaries location matters, and the charter description leans on the Atlantic-current advantage. Even if you don’t catch your dream species, the day is built around the kind of water where big-game fishing is a serious pursuit.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Tenerife.
Getting on board at Royal Garden Boat (and what to expect from the boat)

You’ll meet at Royal Garden Boat. That matters because it keeps things simple: you’re not piecing together schedules, hunting down distant pick-up points, or losing time. One note for your planning: hotel pick-up and drop-off are not included, so you’ll want to get yourself to the marina on time.
The day is run by a captain and sailor, and the boat is described in reviews as in good condition and very clean, with equipment that’s ready to use. That cleanliness point sounds small, but for fishing it’s huge. A tidy setup also means you’re less likely to waste time figuring out gear or dealing with worn tackle.
Language support is practical here too. The instructor/captain pairing lists Spanish and English, so if your fishing vocabulary is rusty, you’re not stuck.
The 3-hour charter: light tackle trolling and bottom fishing

The shorter option is a smart choice if you want a fishing hit without committing most of the day. It runs 3 hours and is limited to max 4 people, which helps keep it feeling personal even though you’re on a private boat.
Here’s the fishing style you can expect on the 3-hour trip: light tackle inshore trolling and bottom fishing. Translation: you’ll likely spend more time working lures and lines near the coast and in areas where inshore and bottom methods make sense. That’s the kind of setup that can be friendly for beginners because it doesn’t require the same heavy-game mindset as offshore big tackle.
A useful reality check from the reviews: even when the catches are not huge, people still found the experience enjoyable. One reviewer noted they were amateurs and had their fun despite having fewer and smaller takes. That tells me the captain’s instruction and the time on the water matter at least as much as the final fish count.
If you’re pressed for time, or you’re traveling with someone who wants a taste of fishing without the long haul, this 3-hour format is the easiest “yes.”
The 7-hour big game option: heavy tackle and serious offshore ambitions
If you’re aiming for the bigger story, you’ll want the 7-hour tour. It’s private, typically for up to 6 people, and it shifts gears into heavy tackle & big game fishing.
This is where the Canaries reputation gets very specific. The charter description points out that Atlantic currents influence the area and that the region is considered one of the best in the world for big game species. It goes further and claims that the Canaries are the only place in the world where there is a good possibility to catch blue marlin, plus a long list of other top-tier species like white marlin, spearfish, bluefin tuna, bigeye tuna, longfin tuna (albacore), yellowfin tuna, mako shark, swordfish, wahoo, and dorado.
Now, a balanced take: that list is about possibilities, not guarantees. But it does tell you what you’re actually buying. You’re paying for a long stretch of time using the techniques and gear that fit these kinds of targets.
Because the fishing techniques supported by the operator include things like jigging, bottom fishing, trolling, and big game, you can expect the captain to match the method to what the day is giving you. That flexibility is often what separates a fun fishing outing from a frustrating one.
Food and drinks that make the day feel complete
One of the easiest reasons this charter feels like a full experience is that it doesn’t leave you hunting for lunch on your own schedule. Drinks are included: water, soft drinks, and beer.
Then there’s the food difference between tour lengths:
- On the 3-hour tour, you get snacks. Enough to keep your energy up without turning the middle of the trip into a kitchen break.
- On the 7-hour tour, you get a full Brunch Box (served as part of the long day), including:
- Vegetable sandwich with guacamole
- Stewed egg and salmon
- Assortment of croquettes
- Spanish omelette
- Cheese platter with piquitos
- Fruit and pastries
What I like about this is it’s not just packaged bread-and-chips. It’s a real mix of Spanish comfort foods and finger-friendly items that make sense on a boat. Also, the “box” format is practical: you spend time fishing, not waiting for a restaurant.
Captain Mariano’s style: why this works for beginners and serious fishers

In the reviews, one name comes up again and again: captain Mariano. People praise him not just for being friendly, but for being skilled and adaptable. That matters because fishing skill isn’t only about casting. It’s about reading the conditions, managing tackle, and coaching you when the bite isn’t instant.
You can see the value of this in a couple of different ways. One reviewer described the boat and equipment as top-tier and recommended the trip for both pros and beginners. Another said the captain was skilled and sympathetic and that the choice was definitely good.
That combination suggests you’ll get two things at once:
- Technique support so you don’t feel lost.
- Big-game readiness so the experienced anglers don’t feel held back.
If you’re the kind of traveler who likes learning while you do, you’ll probably enjoy this format. You’re not stuck with a lecture. You’re getting corrections as you fish.
And yes, there’s a small humorous angle here: even if you’re an amateur, a good captain can turn a quiet stretch of time into something you actually look forward to, because he helps you stay busy and methodical.
What techniques you might use (and how the day is likely paced)

Even without a minute-by-minute schedule, the charter description gives you a clear idea of what the day’s fishing rhythm looks like. The operator says they specialize in different techniques such as jigging, bottom fishing, and trolling, plus big game methods on the longer trip.
So here’s how I’d expect your time to go, based on the tour type:
- On the 3-hour schedule, expect a stronger focus on light tackle inshore trolling and bottom fishing. That usually means repeated passes, lure work, and multiple chances to get your hands doing something.
- On the 7-hour schedule, expect heavy tackle & big game time blocks, with the captain likely adjusting methods depending on where fish are acting and how the day evolves.
In both cases, the private nature of the boat matters. On a shared tour, one or two people missing instructions can slow down the whole crew. On a private charter with a small group, the captain can spend more attention on you.
Making it your best day: practical tips before you board

You don’t need to be an expert angler to have fun. But you do need to show up ready to do the basics well.
Here are smart, low-effort ways to get more out of your charter:
- Dress for a day on the water. Even in Tenerife, you’ll want layers in case the wind changes.
- Bring sunglasses and sun protection. The coast and open water mean stronger light than you expect.
- If you’re prone to motion, plan for it. A boat trip is still a boat trip.
Also, set a mental goal that matches what this experience is. If you focus only on landing one of the headline species, you may feel disappointed. If you focus on the process—technique, time on the water, and staying engaged with the captain’s guidance—you’ll likely feel satisfied no matter what bites.
Price and value: $589 per group, and what you’re really paying for
At $589 per group up to 4, the pricing isn’t cheap by day-trip standards. But it’s important to frame it correctly: you’re paying for a private boat charter from Puerto Colón, with a captain and sailor, drinks included, and food that’s built into the longer trip.
For value, ask two questions:
- How much would it cost you to get a similar chunk of water time with private attention?
- Are you actually using the day to fish, not just ride around for views?
If your answer is yes, the cost starts to look more reasonable. You’re effectively buying a small-group, boat-based fishing session with instruction, plus a proper meal plan on the 7-hour itinerary.
And the private element matters. When you’re only with up to 4 or up to 6 people, you’re more likely to get time at the rod, clearer guidance, and a day that feels tuned to your comfort level.
Who should book this charter (and who might skip it)
This charter fits best if you want one of these:
- A private Tenerife activity that feels different from the usual sightseeing loop
- A half-day or full-day plan focused on fishing techniques rather than just cruising
- A captain-guided experience that works for beginners and serious fishers alike
It might not be your best match if:
- You only want a guaranteed “big fish photo” outcome. Fishing outcomes vary, and even the best technique can’t override the day’s conditions.
- You’re looking for a purely scenic cruise with no hands-on element. This is built around fishing.
Should you book From Puerto Colón: Private Fishing Boat Charter with Lunch?
I’d book it if you want a straight, practical Tenerife experience: you show up at Royal Garden Boat, head out on a clean, well-equipped vessel, drink something cold, eat from the included boxed meal plan (on the longer trip), and spend hours focused on real fishing.
If you’re traveling as a small group and you’re excited by the idea of big-game potential—marlin, tuna, wahoo, dorado—you’ll probably love the 7-hour format. If you want a lighter commitment and a beginner-friendly chance to fish with light tackle inshore trolling and bottom fishing, the 3-hour tour is the sensible starting point.
Either way, the strongest reason to consider it is the human one: captain Mariano gets repeated praise for skill and kindness, and that combination is what turns a fishing day into a memorable one.
FAQ
FAQ
How long is the fishing charter?
The duration is listed as 3 to 7 hours, depending on which option you choose.
How many people are on the private group?
The private group size is max 4 people on the 3-hour tour and max 6 people on the 7-hour tour.
Where do we meet the boat?
The meeting point is Royal Garden Boat.
Is hotel pick-up included?
No. Hotel pick-up and drop-off are not included.
What’s included for drinks?
You get water, soft drinks, and beer included.
Is lunch provided?
On the 7-hour tour, you get a Brunch Box included. On the 3-hour tour, you get snacks included.
What fishing techniques are used?
The 7-hour tour is described as heavy tackle & big game. The 3-hour tour is described as light tackle inshore trolling and bottom fishing.
What languages are spoken by the instructor/captain?
The listed languages are Spanish and English.
What’s the cancellation policy?
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Can I reserve without paying right away?
Yes. The listing states reserve now & pay later, so you can book and pay nothing today.
What’s the price?
The price is $589 per group up to 4.










