3 hrs. Whale Watching and Relaxing Chill Out Catamaran with glass floor

Tenerife’s southwest coast is one of Europe’s few places where whales and dolphins can be seen in the wild all year. This three-hour trip pairs that wildlife search with a relaxed catamaran outing, including lunch and drinks rather than a bare-bones boat ride.

I especially like the small maximum group of 12 and the useful mix of activity and downtime. You can watch for marine life, take photos, stretch out on deck cushions, or swim in a sheltered bay. The main consideration is simple: wildlife is wild, so no sighting can be promised, and rough weather can change the plan.

Key points to know before booking

• Year-round whale and dolphin watching: The trip begins with a search for marine life soon after leaving Puerto Colón.
• Small group size: A maximum of 12 people gives the catamaran a more personal feel than a large excursion boat.
• 30 to 45 minutes at anchor: You get time to relax, swim, and use snorkeling equipment if available from the captain.
• Lunch and drinks included: Beer, wine, soft drinks, and a meal are served in the shaded rear seating area.
• Glass-floor views: The boat offers another way to look below the surface while you are at sea.
• Three hours on the water: The timing gives you wildlife viewing, a coastal sail, and a proper break without taking up the whole day.

Leaving Puerto Colón for the open water

You meet at Puerto Colón in Playa de las Américas, on Tenerife’s southwest coast. The activity ends back at the same port, which keeps the day easy to plan if you are staying nearby or using local public transport.

The trip starts with the main purpose of the outing: searching for whales and dolphins. The crew begins looking soon after departure rather than saving the wildlife portion for later. That matters because the first stretch of water is your best chance to focus on sightings without a meal, swimming, or sunbathing competing for your attention.

The boat carries no more than 12 people. That is a useful limit for wildlife watching. You should have a better chance of finding a clear place along the rail, and the captain can provide live commentary as the boat moves and searches.

Do not expect a formal wildlife lecture or a guaranteed show. The experience depends on the animals, the sea, and the weather. Still, the location gives this trip a strong reason to go. The waters around Tenerife are known for year-round whale and dolphin sightings in their natural setting, which is a very different experience from watching animals in an aquarium or marine park.

Whale and dolphin watching in Tenerife

The most rewarding part of the trip is the possibility of seeing marine life behaving on its own terms. You may catch a fin, a sudden splash, or a larger animal breaking the surface. A reported outing included whales jumping out of the water, the kind of sight that can turn a pleasant boat ride into the highlight of a Tenerife visit.

Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the whole search staring at a screen. Wildlife appears quickly, and the best view may be on the opposite side of the boat. The live commentary helps you follow what is happening and understand where to look.

The tour is also good for photographs of the coast. As the catamaran moves away from the port, you get views back toward the resort area and later along the island’s west coast. The combination of open sea, volcanic shoreline, and changing light gives you plenty to photograph even when the animals stay below the surface.

The boat’s glass floor adds another viewing option. It will not replace looking out across the water, but it can make the ride more interesting during quiet stretches. You should treat it as an extra feature rather than a guarantee of constant underwater viewing. Sea conditions, light, and the movement of the boat all affect what you can see below.

A quiet bay and 30 to 45 minutes to slow down

After the wildlife search, the catamaran heads to a small bay in the southwest of Tenerife. The boat anchors here for about 30 to 45 minutes, giving the trip a clear change of pace.

You can stretch out on cushions across the spacious decks or use the nets at the front of the catamaran. The nets are likely to appeal most to people who want the classic catamaran feeling, with the water directly below. If you prefer shade and a firmer seat, the rear seating area is where the meal and drinks are served.

Swimming is part of this stop. You can ask the captain for snorkeling equipment and explore the water near the boat. The equipment is not included as a guaranteed part of the tour, so you should not assume that snorkeling gear comes with your booking. The available information specifically lists its use as not included.

That distinction is worth noting. This is not a dedicated snorkeling trip with long underwater sessions. Swimming and snorkeling are optional additions during a relatively short anchor stop. The main focus remains the wildlife search and the relaxed coastal cruise.

Lunch, wine, beer, and a practical break

Lunch is served on board in the shaded seating area at the back of the boat. That saves you from carrying food for the outing and gives the middle of the trip a natural pause.

The advertised drink service includes unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks. For many people, that makes the tour feel more like a leisurely sailing lunch than a simple wildlife transfer. You can have something cold while taking in the coast, though it is sensible to pace alcoholic drinks when you are in the sun and on a moving boat.

Dietary needs should be provided when booking. A vegetarian option is available if requested in advance. No other special menus are specified, so anyone with strict dietary requirements should give clear details before the trip rather than waiting until boarding.

The meal also affects the value. If you were planning to buy lunch and drinks separately near the port, having them handled during the excursion makes the three-hour schedule easier. The actual price shown for this experience is $0.00, which may reflect a placeholder rather than a normal fare. Check the final booking price carefully before comparing it with other Tenerife catamaran trips.

Sailing back along Tenerife’s west coast

Once the swim, meal, and rest stop are finished, the catamaran heads back toward Puerto Colón along the west coast. This return leg is not just a ride back to the starting point. It gives you a calmer chance to enjoy the coastal views after the busier wildlife search.

You can settle into the shaded seating area, return to the deck cushions, or use the front nets if conditions allow. The trip has a pleasant rhythm: search first, stop for a break, then sail back while taking in the coast.

The three-hour duration feels well suited to this format. A shorter outing might feel rushed, while a much longer trip could be tiring for anyone prone to seasickness or uncomfortable in strong sun. You still have much of the day left for another activity in Tenerife.

What the small group changes

A maximum of 12 people is one of the strongest practical features. Large catamarans can offer more space, but they also make wildlife viewing less personal and can turn a quiet bay into a crowded swim stop.

With this group size, you should find it easier to hear the live commentary and ask the captain for snorkeling gear. It also gives the boat a more relaxed social feel without making the trip private.

The small capacity does not remove the usual limits of a shared tour. You still follow the captain’s route and timing, and everyone shares the anchor stop. If you want complete control over departure time, food, and swimming location, a private boat would offer more freedom, but this trip avoids the work and cost of organizing your own rental.

Who will enjoy this catamaran trip

I would recommend this outing to people who want several Tenerife experiences in one manageable package:

• Families who want wildlife viewing, lunch, and a swim without planning each part separately
• Couples looking for a relaxed half-day on the water
• Photographers who want whales, dolphins, and coastal scenery
• First-time visitors who prefer a guided trip from a convenient port
• Anyone who likes a small group rather than a large party boat
• People who want drinks included and do not want to pack a meal

Children must be accompanied by an adult. The information says most people can take part, but it does not give specific accessibility details or sea-condition guidance. Anyone with mobility concerns should ask the operator before booking, since the experience involves boarding a boat, moving around its decks, and potentially entering the water.

You should also consider your comfort at sea. The tour requires good weather, and a poor-weather cancellation may lead to a different date or a full refund. Even in good weather, the sea can feel unsettled. If you are prone to motion sickness, prepare accordingly, though no specific medication advice is provided here.

What is included, and what is not

The package includes meals according to the planned schedule and live commentary on board. The wider tour description also includes beer, wine, and soft drinks, plus the catamaran ride, the wildlife search, and the stop in a small bay.

You should budget separately for souvenir photos if you want them. Private transportation is not included, so you need to reach Puerto Colón on your own. The meeting point is Puerto Colón, Playa de las Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, and the return is to that same location.

Snorkeling equipment is not listed as included. You can ask the captain about using gear during the bay stop, but confirm the arrangement if snorkeling is important to you.

The tour has a 5 out of 5 rating from 25 ratings, with 100 percent recommending it. That is a small sample, but it fits the strongest features of the experience: whale sightings, a comfortable boat, included food and drinks, and enough free time to enjoy the sea without rushing.

Booking and cancellation details

You receive confirmation at the time of booking, and the activity is near public transportation. Specific pickup service is not provided, so plan to arrive at Puerto Colón rather than expecting hotel collection.

Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time. Cancel at least 24 hours ahead for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Weather and minimum group size can also affect departure. If poor weather cancels the tour, you are offered another date or a full refund. If the minimum number of participants is not reached, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Should you book this Tenerife boat trip?

Book it if you want wildlife watching plus a relaxed sailing day, not a fast, tightly packed excursion. The combination of a 12-person group, live commentary, lunch, drinks, a glass floor, and a 30 to 45 minute bay stop gives the trip more range than a simple whale-spotting boat ride.

The best reason to choose it is the setting and the chance to see whales or dolphins in the wild. The best reason to hesitate is that sightings cannot be guaranteed, snorkeling gear is not included, and the final price should be checked because the displayed amount is $0.00.

If you are happy to let the captain search, enjoy the coast, and accept nature’s timetable, this is a strong choice for a three-hour outing from Playa de las Américas. If your priority is guaranteed animal viewing, a private itinerary, or a serious snorkeling session, choose a different type of boat experience.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour start and finish?

It starts at Puerto Colón, Puerto Colon, Playa de las Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately three hours.

Are whales and dolphins guaranteed?

No. The trip is designed to search for whales and dolphins in their natural habitat, but sightings depend on the animals and conditions at sea.

Is food included?

Yes. A meal is served during the trip, and dietary requirements should be provided when booking. A vegetarian option is available if requested in advance.

Are drinks included?

The tour description includes unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks. The drinks are served during the boat trip.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded.