3h Whale Watching Private tour Beneteau Oceanis 440

Pilot whales are the main attraction on this private sailing trip, and the boat gives you a calm, roomy way to search for them off Tenerife’s south coast. You’ll sail from Puerto Colón toward Costa Adeje, pause for marine life, and finish with a swim and snacks near Los Cristianos. Pilot whales and dolphins are the stars, not a scripted show.

I like the private-group format, which lets your party share the boat rather than squeeze into a large excursion vessel. I also like the generous food and drink service, with local cheeses, salami, jams, olives, hummus, Canarian mojo, bread, fruit, nuts, and chilled drinks. The main thing to consider is simple: whales are wild animals, so sightings are never guaranteed, and three hours can pass quickly if you want plenty of sailing, wildlife watching, snorkeling, and food.

Key points to know before booking

• Pilot whale country: The trip runs in the south of Tenerife, where resident pilot whales live in Canarian waters.
• Private boat for up to 11: The $623 price covers the group, making the cost more sensible when shared by a larger party.
• Puerto Colón departure: Meet at Gate 5, with the boat returning to the same port after three hours.
• Sailing and wildlife time: The route includes about 45 minutes of sailing toward Costa Adeje and roughly 20 minutes set aside for whale and dolphin watching.
• Snacks are a real part of the trip: Expect local cheeses, salami, mojo sauce, hummus, olives, bread, nuts, and cold drinks.
• Swimming near Los Cristianos: Snorkeling equipment is available, and the final stop includes time in the water and food tasting.

Sailing out of Puerto Colón on the Beneteau Oceanis 44

Your trip begins at Puerto Colón, one of the main boating points on Tenerife’s southern coast. The meeting point is Gate 5, and the excursion ends back there, so you do not need to arrange a second port transfer after the boat ride.

Madoudou is a Beneteau Oceanis 44 sailing boat authorized for whale watching in the south of Tenerife. The boat is described as roughly 12 meters long, with another trip detail referring to 14 meters, so expect a sizable sailing yacht rather than a small speedboat. That matters because you get more room to move, sit in shade, and enjoy the ride without feeling packed in.

The boat has a roof that provides shade throughout the trip. That is useful in Tenerife, where a few hours on open water can mean strong sun even when the air feels pleasant. Bring a sun hat anyway, since shaded seating may not be the best place for spotting whales.

The interior is set up for longer sailing trips, with spacious cabins, storage, bathrooms with showers and hot water in the aft cabins, a large sitting area, two sofas, and a table for eight. You may not use most of these features on a three-hour outing, but they help explain why this boat feels more like a small private yacht than a basic sightseeing craft.

There is also an outside table and awning. That gives you another place to sit while eating or watching the water. Solar panels, an outboard raft, and a 900-liter water supply are part of the boat’s equipment, though these details are more useful for the crew and the boat’s longer-range comfort than for your short excursion.

The first 45 minutes toward Costa Adeje

Once the boat leaves Puerto Colón, the trip heads toward Costa Adeje under sail. About 45 minutes are set aside for this part of the route. The pace is the point here. You are not racing from one sight to the next.

A sailing boat gives you a quieter ride than a motor vessel when the wind is favorable. You can watch Tenerife’s volcanic coast from the water, feel the boat move with the waves, and settle into the day before the wildlife search begins. If you enjoy the actual business of being at sea, this sailing time may be one of the best parts of the trip.

The route runs along Tenerife’s south coast, where the shore has been shaped by volcanic rock, wind, and waves. From the water, you get a different view of the island than you do from roads and resort promenades. The trip description calls attention to this coastal setting, so keep your eyes on both the water and the shore.

The boat has authorization for whale watching, which is important. It indicates that the operator is set up for this activity in the area rather than simply adding wildlife watching to a general sailing trip. Still, authorization is not a promise of sightings. Pilot whales live in these waters, but marine animals move freely and may remain out of view.

Searching for pilot whales and dolphins

The wildlife stop is listed as about 20 minutes at a secret location. That wording means you should expect the captain and crew to choose a place based on conditions and where marine life may be found, rather than follow a fixed viewpoint.

Pilot whales are the main species named for the tour. Dolphins and turtles may also appear. The focus is on observing local marine fauna from the boat, not on a guaranteed performance or close approach.

You will get the most from this part if you stay patient and scan a broad area of water. Look for movement, dark shapes, blows, and groups traveling together. Keep your camera ready, but do not let the screen replace the view in front of you. A whale-watching trip can deliver a memorable sight in a few seconds, followed by several quiet minutes.

The strongest praise connected with this experience is the relaxed feel and the successful sighting of pilot whales. One outing also included a swim and a beautiful sunset, with the guide receiving especially warm praise. Sunset is not listed as a guaranteed part of every departure, so treat it as a possible bonus tied to the starting time you choose.

The guide can speak English, Spanish, or Italian. No individual guide name is provided, so you should not expect to request a named guide when booking. A multilingual guide is useful on a private boat, where you can ask questions more easily than you might on a large group cruise.

A 50-minute yacht stop for slowing down

After the wildlife search, the itinerary allows about 50 minutes aboard the yacht. This is the least sharply defined part of the route, but it appears to be the time for relaxing, taking in the coast, and enjoying the boat itself.

That open stretch is a plus for people who dislike tightly packed sightseeing schedules. You can sit under the awning, watch the sea, talk with your group, and take photos without being pushed straight into the next activity. It also gives the crew time to serve food and drinks at a comfortable pace.

The boat’s layout helps here. The outside table offers a place for a meal in the open air, while the large interior salon gives you a shaded option. If the sea is lively, having an indoor area and covered seating is a practical comfort.

The boat carries an impressive range of provisions for a short trip. The food includes different cheeses, local salami, jams, snacks, olives, tomatoes, hummus, nachos, Canarian mojo sauce, bread, fresh fruit, and nuts. Drinks include cava, white wine, beer, cola, Sprite, Fanta, and water.

This is more than a token packet of crisps, and it adds value to a private charter. You can sample a few local flavors without arranging a separate restaurant stop. The inclusion of cava and wine also gives the trip a celebratory feel, though anyone drinking should remember that the boat is still moving and the sun can be strong.

Swimming and food near Los Cristianos

The final scheduled stop is near Los Cristianos. About 30 minutes are set aside for a break, snorkeling, and food tasting before the return to Puerto Colón.

This is a good change of pace after watching the sea for whales. Snorkeling equipment is available, so you do not need to bring your own gear. You should bring a towel, and a sun hat is specifically recommended. The supplied details do not describe the exact snorkeling site or water conditions, so keep your expectations flexible.

The swim stop is short. Thirty minutes includes the break and food tasting, so you may have time for a quick swim rather than a long session in the water. If snorkeling is your main goal, this may feel brief. If you want a balanced outing with sailing and wildlife watching, it fits the schedule well.

The food service makes more sense here, too. After time in the water, bread, fruit, hummus, olives, local cheese, and cold drinks are welcome. Canarian mojo sauce is a particularly useful taste of the islands, though it can have a noticeable kick depending on the version served.

After the break, the boat returns to Puerto Colón. The activity lasts three hours in total, so the route is compact and easy to fit into a Tenerife holiday.

What the $623 private price really means

The listed price is $623 for a private group of up to 11 people. That is a high total for a three-hour outing if you are only two people, but the calculation changes quickly when shared by a group.

At the full capacity, the price works out to about $57 per person. For six people, it is about $104 per person. For four, it is about $156 per person. Those figures include the private boat, guide, wildlife search, snorkeling equipment, food, and drinks.

The private format is the key value. You are paying for control of the boat and a more personal setting, not simply for a seat on a standard whale-watching cruise. A family group, group of friends, or small celebration can make better use of the price than a couple looking for the cheapest way to see whales.

A free pickup van is available for up to eight people from Costa Adeje, Playa Paraíso, Palm Mar, and Los Cristianos. If your group is larger than eight, the pickup arrangement may not cover everyone, so check the details before relying on it. The meeting point remains Puerto Colón, Gate 5.

The reserve-now, pay-later option gives you flexibility, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. Starting times vary, so check availability before building the rest of your day around the sailing.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would choose this experience for a group that wants several things in one outing: sailing, wildlife watching, a swim, and a generous spread of food. It suits people who value privacy and time on the water more than a guaranteed animal encounter.

It is also a good fit for families and mixed-age groups because the boat has shade, indoor space, bathrooms, seating, and room to move. The private setting lets your group settle into its own rhythm.

Couples can enjoy it as a special outing, particularly if they are comfortable paying the full group price. The food, cava, sunset possibility, and private setting make it suitable for a celebration, but the tour is still centered on nature rather than formal luxury service.

You should think twice if your priority is a long snorkeling session, a fast boat ride, or certainty that you will see whales. The wildlife portion is only about 20 minutes in the stated schedule, and marine sightings depend on nature. The full experience is a relaxed boat outing with wildlife as its central hope, not a guaranteed show.

Small details that make the day easier

Wear light clothing that can handle sea spray, and bring a sun hat and towel. The boat has shade, but you will still spend time outside if you want the best chance of spotting marine life.

Bring a camera, but keep it ready for quick sightings. Pilot whales and dolphins may not stay beside the boat for long, and the most useful moments can arrive without warning.

If you are prone to motion sickness, consider your usual needs before booking. The provided information does not state whether seasickness medication is available, so any personal remedy should be arranged in advance.

Ask about the sailing conditions and the planned swimming stop when you arrive. The route includes Costa Adeje, a secret wildlife stop, time aboard the yacht, and Los Cristianos, but the sea and animal activity can shape how long the crew spends at each point.

Most importantly, treat the whale sighting as a possibility, not a promise. The pilot whales are local to these waters, and the tour is authorized to look for them, but no responsible operator can control wildlife.

Should you book the Madoudou sailing trip?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the $623 price and want a private, easygoing day on the water. The strongest reasons are the spacious Beneteau Oceanis 44, the private setting, the included local food and drinks, and the chance to see pilot whales in their natural surroundings.

I would be more cautious if you are a small party watching every dollar or if snorkeling is your main aim. For the right group, though, this is a well-rounded three-hour outing with more comfort and food than a basic whale-watching ride. Keep your expectations realistic about wildlife, and you can enjoy the sailing, coast, swim, and relaxed pace even if the sea is quiet.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching tour start?

The tour starts at Puerto Colón, Gate 5, in the south of Tenerife.

Where does the activity finish?

The boat returns to Puerto Colón, at the same meeting point.

How long does the private sailing trip last?

The activity lasts three hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

How many people can join the private boat?

The private group can include up to 11 people.

What animals might I see?

The trip searches for pilot whales, dolphins, and turtles in the waters south of Tenerife. Sightings are not guaranteed.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Snorkeling equipment is available for the swimming stop near Los Cristianos.

What languages can the guide speak?

The guide service is available in English, Spanish, and Italian.