Fishing trip, Tenerife Sea Passion

Fish, cliffs, and open water await. Sea Passion takes you from Playa San Juan’s traditional fishing harbour for a four-hour outing along Tenerife’s coast, with fishing styles that range from light tackle to deep-sea work. I like the calm start away from a crowded marina, and I like the small maximum group of 11, which allows for more help from the captain. The main caution is that weather changes and occasional port confusion have caused serious problems for some customers.

This is best seen as a half-day on the Atlantic, not a guaranteed catch. You could return with tuna, barracuda, or several smaller fish, or you could spend much of the morning watching the lines and enjoying the sea. At $96.54 per person, the value depends on how much you care about the boat time, equipment, scenery, and personal attention.

Key points to know before booking

• Traditional departure point: The boat leaves from Puerto de Playa San Juan, one of Tenerife’s remaining working fishing harbours.

• Small group size: A maximum of 11 people keeps the outing more personal than a large fishing charter.

• Three fishing approaches: You may try bottom fishing, jigging with artificial bait, or deep-sea fishing at depths from 200 to 600 metres.

• Four hours on the water: The 10:00 a.m. start gives you a useful half-day without taking over your entire holiday.

• Fishing is never promised: Some outings produce tuna, barracuda, or several fish, while others produce little or nothing.

• Weather can change plans: Poor conditions may lead to a new date or a full refund, but communication around changes deserves careful attention.

Setting out from Playa San Juan’s working harbour

Playa San Juan is on Tenerife’s west coast, and the departure point is Puerto Pesquero de Playa San Juan. Sea Passion describes this as one of the island’s last traditional fishing harbours. That matters because you are not starting from a huge commercial marina filled with excursion boats and crowds.

The quieter setting gives the morning a more local feel. You meet at Sea Passion Charter & Fishing, at the fishing port in Playa San Juan, and the outing finishes at the same place. The listed start time is 10:00 a.m., so you have a clear morning schedule and still have much of the afternoon available.

The meeting point is near public transportation, though the information provided does not specify routes or fares. I would save the exact port address on your phone before leaving your accommodation. One past booking involved a last-minute move to another nearby port, and the change created confusion over the boat’s location. That problem was unusual enough to mention, but important enough not to ignore.

If the operator sends a new departure point, read it closely and confirm the exact pier. Keep your booking confirmation handy. One customer was asked for extra money after arriving, apparently because the crew thought the reservation had not been paid through the booking platform. The operator later said this was a mistake, but carrying your confirmation can prevent an awkward start.

Four hours of fishing, not a full-day ordeal

The four-hour format is one of the strongest parts of this trip. Fishing from a boat can be tiring if you are not used to the motion, sun, or long periods of waiting. A half-day gives you enough time to try several methods without using up an entire holiday day.

The boat leaves at 10:00 a.m. and returns to the same meeting point. Drinks are included on board, according to the details for the deep-sea option. One past customer also praised the cold beer, though snacks are not included. If you need food during the morning, eat before departure and bring anything permitted by the operator.

The group limit is 11 people. That is not a private charter, but it is small enough to avoid the packed-boat feeling found on some coastal excursions. The exact number on your date may be lower. A group of seven, for example, was taken out on one outing.

A small group also helps when the fishing changes from one method to another. You should have a better chance of getting access to equipment and asking questions than you would on a much larger boat. Still, space is shared, so this is not the same as hiring the entire vessel for your party.

Bottom fishing along Tenerife’s coast

The first fishing style is bottom fishing. The boat stops at different fishing spots along the coast and remains steady while you work with light tackle. This is the most straightforward option for someone who wants to hold a rod, feel a bite, and learn the basic rhythm of fishing from a boat.

Bottom fishing can suit beginners because the boat is not constantly moving at speed. It also gives you more time to look toward the coast and enjoy the scenery. The crew can explain where the boat is fishing and how the local waters are used.

The other light-tackle method is jigging, which uses artificial bait. This calls for more active movement than simply waiting with bait near the bottom. You may enjoy it if you want to keep your hands busy, but the results depend on conditions, timing, and fish activity.

There is no promise of a catch. That point deserves plain language. One outing produced no fish, while another brought in tuna, barracuda, and several fish during the deep-sea portion. Fishing is part skill, part local knowledge, and part luck. The operator cannot control the bite.

Moving into deep-sea fishing at 200 to 600 metres

Sea Passion also offers deep-sea fishing in water from 200 to 600 metres. This is a different kind of outing from fishing close to shore. The equipment includes an electric reel, which is useful at those depths because bringing a line up by hand can be demanding.

The boat may travel at about eight knots while several lines are set at different depths. That means you may spend part of the trip moving steadily across the water rather than sitting over one fishing spot. The changing pace can make the outing feel more active, though it can also mean longer stretches without a bite.

The supplied details state that equipment and drinks are included on board for this deep-sea option. Before departure, I would ask the captain which methods are planned for your particular morning. The description covers several forms of fishing, but it does not promise that every method will be used on every trip.

You should also ask how any catch is handled. The information does not explain whether fish are kept, released, cleaned, or shared. That is a reasonable question for anyone choosing a fishing charter, especially if the chance of catching larger fish is a major reason for booking.

The captain and the feel of the boat

The captain, identified in one account as Raoul, is described by the operator as having long experience in the area and a strong understanding of the Canarian coast. A good captain makes a major difference on a fishing trip. The value is not just in finding fish, but in choosing the right method, setting the boat correctly, and helping people who have little experience with the equipment.

The strongest praise for this outing centers on the captain’s friendliness, the quality of the equipment, and the beautiful surroundings. One successful trip included tuna, barracuda, and several fish during deep-sea fishing. That is the kind of morning that makes the price feel fair.

The equipment has also received favorable comments. Good gear matters because poor reels or worn tackle can turn a slow fishing day into a frustrating one. Still, even excellent equipment cannot guarantee a catch.

Communication is the weaker point. A few problems involved postponed departures, port changes, unanswered calls, and unclear instructions. The operator says weather caused some changes and that attempts were made to contact customers, including one case where the wrong phone number was attached to the booking. I would not treat these reports as proof that every trip is disorganized, but I would take a few simple precautions:

• Confirm the departure port the day before.
• Check the start time again if weather looks uncertain.
• Save the captain’s contact number and your booking confirmation.
• Ask directly if there will be any extra charges.
• Allow extra time to find the correct pier.

What $96.54 buys you

At $96.54 per person, Sea Passion is not the cheapest way to spend a morning at the coast. You are paying for a four-hour boat outing, fishing equipment, the captain’s time, drinks for the deep-sea option, and a small group rather than a large sightseeing boat.

The price looks reasonable if you value hands-on fishing and personal help. It becomes less attractive if you mainly want guaranteed action or a sightseeing cruise. A fishing charter can produce a memorable catch, but it can also produce a quiet morning with little activity.

One customer described an agreed extra-person price of 50 euros that became 80 euros at the port. The details do not explain the full circumstances, and the operator did not accept responsibility for a planned price increase. The sensible approach is to confirm the total cost in writing before you go. Do not assume an informal conversation about an added passenger will be honored unless it is recorded.

Food is another value consideration. Drinks are included for the deep-sea option, but snacks are not. Eat before you arrive, especially if you are prone to motion sickness or do not like fishing on an empty stomach.

Weather, postponements, and the practical risk

The trip requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can accept another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted under the stated policy.

The weather issue is more than a footnote. One customer drove 90 kilometres and found the trip had been postponed. The operator apologized and said weather had made sailing unsafe, but the customer still lost time and fuel. If you are staying far from Playa San Juan, check the status before starting a long drive.

Another booking involved a departure time moved one hour earlier and a port change. The customer had trouble finding the boat and could not reach the listed captain immediately. The operator later explained that the change had been made because of a nearby port issue and apologized for the confusion.

These cases point to a useful rule: treat the confirmation as a starting point, not the final word. Contact the operator before departure, especially if the forecast is poor or your reservation was made well in advance.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend Sea Passion to someone who wants a genuine fishing morning rather than a polished sightseeing cruise. It suits people with some patience, a basic interest in fishing, and an appreciation for coastal scenery even when the fish are not biting.

It can also work for beginners. Light tackle, a small group, and crew assistance make the outing less intimidating than arranging a large private charter. Families may enjoy it, but the information does not give a minimum age or specific child policy, so confirm that before booking with young children.

Experienced anglers should set expectations carefully. If your main goal is serious big-game fishing, ask what species are targeted, which fishing method will be used, and how much time is normally spent in deeper water. The information here confirms deep-sea fishing and electric reels, but it does not promise a dedicated large-game program.

This is less suitable for anyone who needs a firm schedule, dislikes uncertain weather plans, or expects a meal and a guaranteed catch. It is also not ideal if you are uncomfortable with the possibility of a port or departure-time change.

Should you book Sea Passion?

I would book this trip if I wanted a manageable four-hour fishing outing with a small group and a local harbour setting. The best parts are clear: good equipment, an intimate group, varied fishing methods, and a captain who appears committed to sharing Tenerife’s marine life and coastal culture.

I would book only after confirming the port, time, total price, and weather status. That extra check is especially important if you are driving from far away or connecting this outing to another fixed plan.

Choose Sea Passion for the chance to fish, not the promise of fish. If you accept that distinction, the trip can offer a fine morning on the water and perhaps a memorable catch. If you need certainty, a guaranteed schedule, or a meal included, spend your money elsewhere.

FAQ

Where does the fishing trip start?

It starts at Sea Passion Charter & Fishing, Puerto Pesquero de Playa San Juan, 38687 Playa San Juan, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

What time does the trip begin?

The scheduled start time is 10:00 a.m.

How long does the trip last?

The outing lasts approximately four hours and ends back at the meeting point.

How many people can join?

The maximum group size is 11 people.

What types of fishing are available?

The trip may include bottom fishing, jigging with artificial bait, and deep-sea fishing at depths between 200 and 600 metres using an electric reel.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You can choose a different date or receive a full refund if the operator cancels because of poor weather.