Royal Dolphin Whale watching excursion

The best part of this Tenerife outing is the chance to watch dolphins and whales from several angles. You can look through the catamaran’s large windows, head onto the deck for the live-stream, or try the underwater viewing windows when conditions allow.

I like the two-hour length, which gives you a proper sea outing without taking up an entire day. I also like the low price of about $35.74 per person, especially for families who want a simple wildlife trip. The main caution is crowding: finding a clear place to watch or take photos may be difficult, and rough water can cause seasickness.

Key points to know before you book

• Underwater viewing panels give you another way to look for marine life beneath the boat.
• Dolphins and whales are both possible sightings, with crew members helping you spot them.
• The catamaran departs from Puerto Colón in Playa de las Américas, and you return to the same place.
• The advertised trip lasts about two hours, while the supplied details also mention a three-hour version with food and drinks, so check exactly which option you select.
• Groups are limited to a maximum of 20 people, though one sailing report still found the boat crowded.
• Bring motion-sickness medicine if you need it, along with a swimsuit, towel, hat, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes.

Setting out from Puerto Colón

The meeting point is the Royal Delfin Catamaran at Pantalán 12 in Puerto Colón, Playa de las Américas. This is both the starting and ending point, so you do not need to arrange a separate return transfer after the cruise.

There is no pickup from your hotel. That keeps the price down, but you need to reach the marina yourself. The port is near public transportation, which makes the arrangement fairly straightforward if you are staying in the Playa de las Américas area or nearby.

I would arrive with enough time to find Pantalán 12 without rushing. The exact boarding process matters here because one booking problem led to a long and unpleasant discussion before a family was allowed aboard. Keep your confirmation ready on your phone, and make sure the names and booking details are easy to show.

The operator is Tour2b, while the boat is presented as the Royal Delfin Catamaran. That distinction is worth noting because a reservation made through a third party may not immediately look familiar to staff at the dock. If there is any confusion, stay calm and ask for the issue to be checked before boarding.

What the Royal Delfin Catamaran offers

This is not just an open-deck boat ride. The catamaran gives you several ways to look for marine life, which helps when the sea is busy or the animals are below the surface.

The large windows let you watch from inside or from a sheltered viewing position. On deck, a live-stream gives you another way to follow what is happening, especially if the best rail position is already taken. The underwater windows are the most distinctive feature, though they depend on visibility, sea conditions, and the animals coming near the boat.

I like this mix because it gives you options. If you want photographs, the deck may be best. If the sun is strong, the windows offer a break. If the crew spots something below the boat, the underwater panels may give you a useful look that you would miss from the surface.

Do not treat the underwater windows as a guaranteed aquarium-style view. Marine wildlife moves on its own schedule, and water clarity can change. The feature improves your chances of seeing something from a different angle, but it cannot promise a close encounter.

Dolphins, whales, and the value of the crew

The main purpose of the trip is to find dolphins and whales in the waters around Tenerife. The professional crew helps scan the sea and points out animals that you might miss on your own.

That guidance matters. A fin or brief splash can disappear quickly, and an experienced spotter may notice it before you do. You should still expect quiet stretches between sightings. Wildlife watching is a search, not a staged performance.

The crew also provides information during the sailing. The guide speaks several languages, although English may be difficult for some passengers to follow. If understanding every explanation is important to you, the spoken commentary could be less satisfying than the actual wildlife viewing.

The strongest part of the experience is likely the chance to see both dolphins and whales from the deck and through the glass-bottom viewing area. That combination gives the tour real value at its price. Still, the quality of your outing depends on where you can stand, how clear the water is, and how active the animals are that day.

The two-hour route, step by step

The published two-hour experience is built around one main stop: the catamaran itself. Puerto Colón is the departure point rather than a sightseeing stop, so you should not expect time ashore at another port.

After boarding, the boat heads out from the marina and begins the wildlife search. The crew watches the sea while you choose between the large windows, deck viewing area, live-stream, and underwater panels.

The deck is the natural place for broad views and photographs. It may also be the busiest area, especially when dolphins or whales appear. Move with care and be ready to share the best viewing space rather than expecting an empty rail.

The windows are useful when the sun is bright or the wind picks up. They also let you keep watching if you prefer not to remain outside for the full trip. Families may find this flexibility helpful, particularly with younger children.

The underwater viewing area adds a second stage to the search. You may see movement below the catamaran, but it is best viewed as an extra opportunity rather than the main reason to book. Surface sightings remain central to the outing.

At the end of the sailing, the boat returns to Puerto Colón. The full trip lasts about two hours, which leaves plenty of time for another activity the same day.

A note about the three-hour version

The supplied details refer to both a two-hour tour and a three-hour tour. The two-hour version includes insurance and a professional crew. The three-hour version adds an aperitif, drinks, lunch, and professional guides.

That difference is important when comparing prices and choosing an option. Do not assume that lunch or drinks are part of the $35.74 two-hour fare. Check the exact duration and inclusions shown for your selected booking before paying.

If you want a short wildlife outing, the two-hour trip is the cleaner choice. It is long enough to get out to sea, search for animals, and return without making the activity the centerpiece of your day.

If your booking specifically selects the three-hour version, the food and drinks make the longer outing more self-contained. The available details do not provide a separate price for that version, so you should compare the final fare rather than judging it by the two-hour price.

Is $35.74 good value?

At about $35.74 per person, the two-hour sailing is priced as an accessible introduction to whale and dolphin watching. I see the strongest value in the combination of a short duration, a professional crew, insurance, and several viewing areas.

The catamaran also gives you more than a simple ride along the coast. Large windows, an outdoor deck, a live-stream, and underwater viewing panels create several ways to take part. That makes the fare more appealing than a basic boat trip with no interpretation or viewing setup.

The tradeoff is space. A low-cost group outing is unlikely to feel private, and one account found the boat crowded enough to make photography and clear viewing difficult. The supplied maximum is 20 people, but even a group of that size can gather quickly around a sighting.

I would consider this good value if you mainly want a reasonably priced chance to see marine life and do not require a private boat or a quiet deck. If your priority is personal space, uninterrupted photography, or a relaxed pace, you may prefer to spend more on a smaller boat, though that is not part of this booking.

Crowding, comfort, and seasickness

The biggest practical concern is finding a good viewing position. When wildlife appears, passengers naturally move toward the same rail, window, or underwater panel. You may need to wait your turn and accept that some photographs will be taken from behind other people.

Comfort also depends on the sea. One sailing took place in rough water, and motion sickness affected passengers. If you are prone to seasickness, bring the medication you normally use, such as the motion-sickness tablets suggested in the supplied advice. Do not wait until the boat is already moving if you know you are sensitive.

Pack a swimsuit and towel because the outing may involve water exposure or simply make them useful for the day. A hat, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes are also specifically advised. Comfortable footwear matters on a moving boat, where standing and walking around can be less steady than on land.

The trip is suitable for most people, and the maximum group size is listed as 20. No special participation restriction is given. Still, parents with very young children should think about the length of time on a moving boat, the open deck, and the possibility of rough water.

The tone of the service

The crew is described as professional and helpful with spotting wildlife. That is important because a good spotter can turn a distant glimpse into a sighting you understand.

Service, however, may not be perfectly smooth. A serious boarding mix-up involved staff questioning a family’s reservation and asking them to leave the boat before later allowing them to board. The problem was not handled with an apology, and the passenger found the exchange rude and upsetting.

That incident does not tell you how every departure will go, but it is a useful reason to keep your confirmation accessible and arrive prepared. If the reservation was made through a booking platform, show the full confirmation rather than only a payment screen.

The English commentary may also be hard for some people to follow, even though the guide speaks several languages. I would focus on the crew’s spotting help and treat the narration as a bonus unless clear English explanation is essential to your enjoyment.

Who should book this Tenerife sailing?

I would choose this outing for someone who wants a short, affordable sea activity with a real chance of seeing dolphins and whales. It suits families, first-time wildlife watchers, and anyone who likes having both indoor and outdoor viewing choices.

It is also a sensible add-on to a Playa de las Américas holiday. Because the boat returns to Puerto Colón and the standard trip takes about two hours, you can fit it around other plans rather than surrendering a full day.

The tour is less suited to someone who dislikes crowds, gets motion sick easily, or wants a private and quiet wildlife experience. It may also disappoint you if you expect guaranteed close views through the underwater windows or a polished, highly detailed English presentation.

For photographers, the outing offers several shooting positions but not much control over them. You may get a fine surface image from the deck, but the best spot can fill quickly. Bring realistic expectations and enjoy the sighting itself, not only the perfect photograph.

Booking details and cancellation

Confirmation is provided at the time of booking, and the activity is offered in English. You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the local start time.

Cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded, and changes within that period are not accepted. This is worth remembering if the weather, your health, or your schedule may change at short notice.

The meeting point is Royal Delfin Catamaran, Whale Watching Tenerife with Underwater Views, Tenerife Dolphin, Calle Colón, Pantalán 12, Puerto Colón, 38660 Playa de las Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain. The activity finishes back at that same meeting point.

Should you book the Royal Dolphin Whale Watching excursion?

I would book it if you want an inexpensive, compact wildlife trip and you are comfortable with a shared boat. The combination of dolphins, whales, deck viewing, large windows, and underwater panels gives you plenty to look for during the two-hour sailing.

I would skip it if your priority is a small, quiet boat, guaranteed close wildlife encounters, or a highly polished English talk. The price is attractive, but crowding and rough seas can shape the experience as much as the animals do.

For the best chance of enjoying it, arrive with your confirmation ready, bring sun protection and a towel, prepare for motion, and check whether your reservation is for two or three hours. With those expectations in place, this is a practical way to get out on the water from Puerto Colón without committing your entire day.

FAQ

Where does the Royal Dolphin Whale Watching tour start?

It starts at the Royal Delfin Catamaran, Pantalán 12, Puerto Colón, Playa de las Américas, Tenerife.

Where does the activity finish?

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

How long is the standard tour?

The tour summary describes an approximately two-hour experience.

Is there also a three-hour option?

The supplied details also refer to a three-hour version. Check the selected option carefully because the duration and inclusions differ.

What is included in the two-hour tour?

The two-hour tour includes insurance and a professional crew.

What is included in the three-hour tour?

The three-hour version includes insurance, an aperitif, drinks, lunch, and professional guides.

Are hotel pickups included?

No. Pickup is not included, so you need to make your own way to Puerto Colón.

What animals might I see?

The tour is designed for dolphin and whale watching.

How can I look for the animals?

You can watch from the deck, use the large windows, follow the live-stream, and look through the underwater viewing windows.

What should I bring?

Bring a swimsuit, towel, hat, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes. If you are prone to motion sickness, bring the medication you normally use.

How many people can join?

The activity has a maximum of 20 people.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The activity is offered in English.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded or accepted.