A private fishing charter means the boat is reserved for your group alone. No other anglers, no shared schedule — the crew's attention and the day's plan are built around what your party wants to catch. It suits families, couples, groups of friends, and serious anglers who want more control over pace, technique, and timing than a shared trip allows.
This page explains what private charters typically involve, who they suit best, how they differ from shared fishing tickets, and what to confirm before you book.
What "Private" Actually Means on the Water
Booking private does not change the ocean — conditions, fish behaviour, and sea state are the same for every boat out of South Tenerife on a given day. What changes is the structure of your trip.
On a private charter, the crew works exclusively for your group for the duration of the booking. That generally means:
- Exclusive use of the vessel — nobody outside your party is on board.
- A trip shaped around your goals — the captain can lean the plan toward a specific target species, a family-friendly pace, or a more technical session, within what the day's conditions allow.
- Flexibility on who fishes and how — beginners can take it slow, experienced anglers can push harder, and the group can rotate turns as it suits them.
- Privacy for celebrations or quiet time — useful for birthdays, proposals, or simply not wanting to share the boat with strangers.
What is not implied by "private" is a guaranteed catch, a guaranteed species, or a fixed route. The captain still reads the day — wind, swell, current, and where the fish are showing — and adapts the plan accordingly. Exact inclusions, trip durations, and vessel options vary and should be confirmed directly with the team when you enquire.
Who a Private Charter Suits
Private charters tend to work best for:
- Families who want to set their own pace, especially with children or first-time anglers on board.
- Groups of friends who want the boat to themselves rather than splitting it with strangers.
- Couples looking for a quieter, more personal day on the water.
- Serious or experienced anglers who want the crew's full focus on a specific technique or target, such as offshore trolling for larger pelagic species — see our Big Game Fishing page for that specific format.
- Special occasions — a birthday, anniversary, or a day out that's meant to feel exclusive rather than shared.
If you're travelling solo, as a pair on a tighter budget, or you simply want to meet other anglers, a shared trip may suit you better — see the comparison below.
Private vs Shared: At a Glance
| Private Charter | Shared Trip | |
|---|---|---|
| Who's on board | Your group only | Your group plus other anglers booked separately |
| Flexibility on pace and target | Higher — crew focuses on your group's goals | Lower — trip follows a plan suited to the whole group |
| Best for | Families, groups, couples, focused anglers, celebrations | Solo travellers, pairs, budget-conscious anglers |
| Typical cost structure | Priced for the whole boat, not per person | Priced per person |
| Suitability for children | Can be adapted more easily to a family's pace | Depends on the mix of anglers on that sailing |
Exact pricing structures, trip durations, and vessel assignments vary and should be confirmed when you enquire. For the shared-trip format in detail, see our [Shared Fishing Trips](/fishing-tours/shared-trips/) page.
What Varies From Trip to Trip
Even within the "private charter" format, no two bookings look identical. Things that typically vary include:
- Trip length — shorter sessions suit beginners and families; longer sessions suit anglers targeting species that require more time offshore.
- Target species and technique — trolling, jigging, or bottom fishing may be more or less suitable depending on the day, the season, and what your group wants.
- Sea conditions — South Tenerife's coastline offers some shelter from the trade winds, but the Atlantic is still the Atlantic. Wind and swell can affect where the boat fishes and how the day unfolds.
- Boat assignment — which vessel is used for your charter depends on group size, trip goal, and availability on the day.
Because of this variability, the most useful thing you can do before booking is be specific about your group size, experience level, and what you'd like to catch, so the crew can match you to the right day and format.
How South Tenerife's Waters Work in Your Favour
South Tenerife sits in the lee of the island's volcanic terrain, which generally gives calmer conditions than more exposed stretches of coastline nearby. The Atlantic seabed also drops away quickly not far from shore, which typically means deeper water — and the species that come with it — is reachable without as long a transit as in many other destinations.
These are general, well-documented features of the island's geography rather than trip-specific guarantees. Conditions still vary by day and season, and the captain will always make the final call on where it's sensible to fish.
What to Confirm Before You Book
Before requesting a private charter, it helps to have the following ready so the team can match you to the right boat and day:
- Your preferred date and any flexibility around it.
- Group size, including how many are actively fishing versus along for the ride.
- Your fishing goal — a relaxed family morning, a specific species, or a more technical session.
- Experience level, so the crew can pitch the day appropriately for beginners or seasoned anglers.
- Any departure location preference, if you're based near a particular marina in South Tenerife.
Trip duration, inclusions, pricing, and the specific vessel used are confirmed at enquiry stage, since they depend on group size, goal, and availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a private charter more expensive than a shared trip? Private charters are priced for the whole boat rather than per person, so the total cost is generally higher than a single shared ticket. Whether it works out better value depends on your group size — ask the team for current pricing when you enquire.
Can beginners book a private charter? Yes. Private charters can be a good fit for beginners because the crew can set a slower pace and spend more time on the basics. Let the team know your group's experience level when you enquire so the day can be planned accordingly.
Can I choose what we fish for? You can share a target species or technique preference, and the crew will build the day around it as far as conditions allow. No trip can guarantee a specific catch — the ocean, season, and sea state all play a part.
How many people can join a private charter? Group size limits depend on the vessel assigned to your booking. Confirm your group size when you enquire so the team can match you to a suitable boat.
What should I bring? General preparation — sun protection, appropriate clothing, and planning ahead if you're prone to motion sickness — makes any day on the water more comfortable. If seasickness is a concern, general prevention tips are useful to review beforehand; for anything beyond general preparation, speak to a pharmacist or doctor.
Ready to Book Your Private Charter?
If a private fishing charter sounds right for your group, get in touch with your preferred date, group size, and fishing goal, and the team will confirm availability, format, and current details. Visit our Fishing Tours hub to compare all trip formats first, or contact us with your questions.
[Enquire About a Private Charter →](https://wa.me/message/7ET3L5V65NLEF1)