From Tazacorte: Discover the Northwest Coast by Speedy Yacht

The best views of La Palma come from offshore. Fancy’s two-hour hydrofoil trip from Puerto de Tazacorte gives you a fresh look at the island’s steep northwest coast, where cliffs, sea caves, tiny settlements, and black volcanic rock meet the Atlantic. The boat also has underwater vision, so you can look below the surface as you pass the shoreline.

I like the small-boat feel and the mix of sightseeing, cave visits, swimming, and food. I also like that the route reaches the recent volcanic area before returning farther from shore, where dolphins or other marine life might appear. The main drawback is simple: the Atlantic can be rough, and the swimming stop depends on the season and sea conditions.

The price is $72 per person for two hours. That is not the cheapest way to see the coast, but snacks, drinks, a guide, life jackets, and blankets are included. For a short outing with a scenic route and a chance to see marine animals, it offers fair value, especially if you want more than a standard harbor cruise.

Key Points Before You Book

• Two hours from Puerto de Tazacorte: The trip covers a lot of coastline in a short time, with little time wasted getting out to sea.
• Two sea caves on the route: The boat visits La Cueva Bonita and La Cueva Colorada, sometimes trying to enter for a look inside.
• Swimming at La Playa de la Veta: You may stop for an Atlantic swim, followed by tapas and drinks onboard.
• A close view of the 2021 volcanic area: The route passes the lava delta created by the recent eruption.
• Small group atmosphere: The boat’s size can make the outing feel almost private, though the exact number of passengers is not given.
• Wildlife is possible, not promised: Dolphins and a short-finned pilot whale, also called a grind whale, have been seen, but nature controls the schedule.

Starting at Puerto de Tazacorte

You meet the boat at Puerto de Tazacorte, at the address Puerto de Tazacorte, s/n, 38770 Tazacorte, Santa Cruz de Tenerife. This is a useful departure point if you are already staying in western La Palma or visiting the port for the day.

The trip uses the Fantasy hydrofoil, a compact boat designed to move quickly along the coast. Its underwater viewing system adds something you do not get from a regular sightseeing boat. You can watch the water around the rocky shoreline and perhaps spot what lies below, although visibility will depend on the sea.

The boat’s smaller size is part of its appeal. You are closer to the water and the rock walls than you would be on a large excursion vessel. That also means the ride may feel more lively when the Atlantic is choppy. If you are prone to seasickness, consider taking sensible precautions before departure and choose a calm day if you can.

The crew provides life jackets and blankets. The blankets matter on the return journey, when wind can make the ride feel cooler than it did in the harbor. Bring comfortable clothes and beachwear, but leave large bags and luggage behind. Sunscreen is not included, so pack your own.

Seeing La Cueva Bonita and La Cueva Colorada

The first major section focuses on the coast’s sea caves. La Cueva Bonita and La Cueva Colorada are viewed from the water, and the boat may try to enter them to give you a look at their interiors.

That attempt is one of the more memorable parts of the trip because you are not simply passing a cave from a distance. The boat’s size allows the captain to approach close to the openings, though the actual entry depends on waves, tide, and safety conditions. You should treat this as a possibility rather than a guarantee of going all the way inside.

The caves also show why this part of La Palma is best appreciated from offshore. From land, many of these rock formations and coastal cavities are difficult or impossible to reach. From the boat, you get a clear view of the cliffs rising directly from the sea, along with the way the Atlantic has worn into the volcanic rock.

The guide speaks Spanish and English and explains the coast as you go. The strongest experiences on this kind of tour come when the commentary stays connected to what you are looking at, and the trip is designed around that moving view rather than a long lecture.

Prois de Candelaria and Cliffside Settlements

The route continues past Prois de Candelaria and Puntagorda. These places are especially striking from the sea because some of the coastal buildings and settlements appear tucked into or pressed against the cliffs.

From offshore, you see a side of island life that is easy to miss from the road. The coast is not just a wall of rock. It contains small pockets of human settlement, narrow access points, and structures that seem to cling to the steep terrain. The boat gives you time to take in those details without having to drive, park, and walk between separate viewpoints.

You also pass the Tinizara well. The exact amount of time spent at each location is not specified, so think of the itinerary as a moving coastal tour rather than a series of long shore visits. You remain onboard throughout this part of the route.

I particularly like this format for visitors who want context and variety. In two hours, you see caves, rock formations, settlements, and open water. The tradeoff is that you will not explore these places on foot. If you want a detailed visit to Prois de Candelaria or Puntagorda itself, you will need a separate land-based outing.

A Swim at La Playa de la Veta

Around the middle of the trip, the boat reaches La Playa de la Veta, where it may stop for a swim and a short rest. This is the most relaxed part of the outing. Instead of viewing the coast through a boat window, you can get into the Atlantic and see the cliffs from water level.

Do not assume the swim will happen on every departure. The stop depends on the season and sea conditions, and the crew has to judge whether the water is suitable. Bring beachwear, and remember that sunscreen is specifically not included.

The food and drink service comes out around this pause. Tapas and drinks are included, giving you something to eat while you dry off and settle back onboard. The exact menu is not provided, so you should not book this expecting a full meal. Think of it as a light snack with a drink during a scenic break.

This combination works well. A fast boat ride can feel active, so the swim and snack give the trip a slower middle section. If the sea is too rough for bathing, the outing still continues as a coastal cruise, but you will miss one of its most enjoyable elements.

Reaching La Palma’s Northwestern Point

After the swimming area, the boat continues toward the most northwesterly point of the island. This is where the route feels more exposed, with the boat moving from sheltered coastal sections toward open Atlantic water.

You will see the coast from a wider angle here. The cliffs and rock formations are no longer viewed only from close up. The boat begins to show how much of the island’s edge is shaped by volcanic rock and sea erosion.

The captain then returns farther from the coast. This change of direction is important because it provides a different view of La Palma. On the way out, you concentrate on caves and cliffside details. On the return, the island recedes, and the open water becomes part of the scenery.

This is also the best section for possible wildlife sightings. Dolphins have been seen around the boat, and one outing included several sightings of a short-finned pilot whale. That sounds wonderful, but you should keep expectations sensible. The trip is not sold as a guaranteed whale-watching tour, and wildlife may not appear.

If animals do show up, the small boat can make the moment feel personal. You are closer to the water and have a better chance of hearing the excitement around you without a large crowd. Still, the crew must respect the animals, and sightings may be brief.

The 2021 Lava Delta from the Sea

The return route passes the lava delta formed by the 2021 volcanic eruption. Seeing the new volcanic ground from the sea gives you a strong sense of the eruption’s scale. From a boat, the freshly formed coastal area connects the volcanic event directly to the Atlantic.

This section adds value beyond pretty scenery. You are looking at a part of La Palma that was created within recent memory. The view helps put the island’s volcanic character into physical terms: new rock reached the shore, changed the coastline, and now forms part of the route.

The boat does not turn this into a land excursion, and there is no information about getting ashore at the lava delta. You view it from the water before continuing to the port. That is enough for a strong coastal perspective, but anyone wanting a longer visit to the eruption area should make separate plans.

The timing of this stop also gives the route a clear shape. You begin with the older cliffs and caves, reach the far northwest, then return past one of the newest sections of La Palma’s coast. It feels like a compact story told through rock.

What the Crew Adds to the Trip

The guide and captain are central to the quality of this outing. The strongest comments describe a friendly crew, clear explanations, and a captain with plenty to say about the island. One guide and captain combination was praised for creating a calm, interesting atmosphere rather than rushing through a list of sights.

That matters on a two-hour trip. The boat moves quickly, and without useful commentary, you could easily miss the names and meaning of the places you pass. Spanish and English are available, so you can follow the main explanations in either language.

The trip is not built around formal luxury. It is a casual boat outing with snacks, drinks, blankets, and a small-group tone. At times, the compact boat can feel almost like a private cruise, but you should not expect an individually tailored charter unless you book one separately.

Weather can also affect the boat used and the route. One outing changed from the planned boat to the Fancy 2 because of conditions, while still covering the caves, the cliff settlements, open water, wildlife, and the volcanic area. That tells you the provider may adapt the operation for safety and sea conditions.

How Good Is the $72 Value?

At $72 per person, this works out to $36 per hour. That is a reasonable price if you value the boat itself, the guide, the coastal route, and the included food and drinks.

The price looks better when you consider what is packed into the two hours:

• A departure and return from Tazacorte
• Close views of La Cueva Bonita and La Cueva Colorada
• Passes by Prois de Candelaria, Puntagorda, and the Tinizara well
• A possible stop at La Playa de la Veta
• Tapas and drinks
• A route toward the 2021 lava delta
• A chance to see dolphins or other marine life

It is less attractive if you want a long swim, a full meal, or plenty of time at each coastal location. The trip is short and active. You are paying for access to a moving coastal viewpoint, not for a beach day.

I would choose this outing if you have limited time on La Palma and want a strong impression of the northwest coast. If you already plan a longer private boat charter, this may feel less necessary. For most people, though, the combination of scenery and short duration makes it a practical addition to a day in Tazacorte.

Who Should Book This Boat Trip?

I would recommend it to adults and older teenagers who enjoy sea views, volcanic scenery, and a little adventure. It suits you especially well if you want to see difficult-to-reach caves and cliffside settlements without committing to a full-day cruise.

It is also a good choice if you like small groups. The compact boat limits the crowded feel common on larger excursions, although the exact passenger capacity is not given.

You should think twice if you are pregnant, traveling with a child under two, or traveling with anyone under 17. The activity is listed as unsuitable for all of those groups, including people under 17. Pets are allowed, but you must tell the activity provider in advance.

Anyone sensitive to motion should also consider the conditions. The hydrofoil is fast, and the Atlantic can be unsettled. Blankets are supplied, but sunscreen, comfortable clothes, and beachwear are your responsibility.

Final Verdict: A Strong Short Cruise for Tazacorte

Book this trip if you want a compact but varied view of La Palma’s northwest coast. The caves, cliffside settlements, possible swim, included snacks, and recent lava delta give the two hours real substance.

I would not book it solely for dolphins, since wildlife is never certain. I would also keep your plans flexible around the weather, because the boat and swimming stop may change with sea conditions.

For $72, Fancy offers more than a quick harbor ride. You get a small-boat journey into some of the island’s most striking coastal areas, with a friendly Spanish and English speaking crew and enough time to enjoy the Atlantic without giving up half your day.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip depart?

It departs from Puerto de Tazacorte, s/n, 38770 Tazacorte, Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

How long does the experience last?

The trip lasts two hours.

How much does the activity cost?

The listed price is $72 per person.

Which languages are available?

The live guide speaks Spanish and English.

Are snacks and drinks included?

Yes. Snacks, tapas, and drinks are included onboard.

Is swimming included?

The boat may stop at La Playa de la Veta for swimming, but the stop depends on the season and sea conditions.

Which caves does the boat visit?

The route includes La Cueva Bonita and La Cueva Colorada. The boat may try to enter them to show you the interiors.

Can I see dolphins or whales?

You might see dolphins or other marine animals. A short-finned pilot whale has also been seen, but wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

What should I bring?

Bring sunscreen, comfortable clothes, and beachwear. Sunscreen is not included.

Can I bring a pet?

Yes. The boat is pet-friendly, but you must advise the activity provider in advance. Large bags and luggage are not allowed.