Tenerife: Whale & Dolphin Watching with Drinks and Snacks

Pilot whales and dolphins are the main event here, and the small sailboat gives you a better chance of seeing the sea without a crowd of heads in front of you. The boat carries no more than 11 people on the shared trip, with private sailing also available.

I like the personal scale and the crew’s care for the animals. Guides such as Guy and Maxi are praised for explaining the sea life, spotting whales early, and helping anyone feeling queasy. I also like the simple finish: swim or snorkel in a quiet bay, then enjoy sandwiches, fruit, and drinks on board.

The main catch is the sea itself. Wildlife is never guaranteed, and this trip is not a good match if you are prone to seasickness. The water can also feel cold outside the warmest months, so bring the jacket and motion sickness remedy listed by the operator.

Key points at a glance

• Small boat, small group: Shared trips carry a maximum of 11 passengers, with some departures feeling almost private.
• Pilot whales are a strong possibility: The boat visits known whale and dolphin areas around Southern Tenerife.
• Swimming with turtles: The crew anchors in a secluded bay for swimming and snorkeling, with gear supplied.
• Careful wildlife viewing: Guides are expected to keep a respectful distance and avoid chasing animals.
• Food and drinks included: Expect baguettes with ham, cheese, and salad, plus fruit, chips, nuts, beer, champagne, soft drinks, and water.
• Hotel pickup may be available: Pickup is offered within a 10-kilometer radius if arranged at least 24 hours ahead.

Why a small yacht changes the experience

Southern Tenerife has plenty of boat trips, but size matters when you are looking for wildlife. A large excursion boat may carry far more people, while this sailboat takes up to 11 passengers on the shared option. That gives you more room to look out over the bow, move around for a better view, and hear the guide without fighting a crowd.

I like this format for families, couples, and anyone who prefers a calm outing over a party cruise. Several departures have carried fewer than the maximum, sometimes only a handful of people. That can make the trip feel almost private without paying for a fully private charter.

The boat is described as a luxury yacht, but this is still an outdoor sea experience, not a formal cruise. You will be exposed to sun, wind, spray, and the movement of the Atlantic. Bring a light jacket even on a warm Tenerife day, and keep your sunglasses and hat secure.

The crew may use the engine while searching, then sail for part of the return when conditions allow. That adds a pleasant, quieter stretch to the trip and gives you a better sense of being on the water rather than simply being transported across it.

Leaving Puerto Colón for the Atlantic

The meeting point is at Puerto Colón, near gate number 2. You should wait at the top of the dock by the sign marked Pantalan Nº4, arriving 15 minutes before departure. Check your exact confirmation carefully because the pickup location can vary with the option you book.

If you arrange pickup, the operator can collect you within a 10-kilometer radius, but you need to make contact at least 24 hours before the trip. The listed transfer takes about 20 minutes each way, so allow a little extra time around the three-hour sailing.

Once on board, the crew gives a safety briefing before heading out. This is useful rather than decorative. The captain can explain where to sit if the sea becomes uncomfortable, and one guide, Guy, has been especially praised for moving an unwell passenger to the rear of the boat where soaking their feet in the water helped settle the seasickness.

You should still take your own precautions. Eat lightly before sailing, consider motion sickness medication, and choose a seat with a clear view of the horizon. If you already know that boats make you ill, this may not be the right excursion for you.

Searching for pilot whales and dolphins

The boat heads into the waters off Southern Tenerife, a protected conservation area known for marine life. Pilot whales and dolphins are the main targets, with turtles, flying fish, and seabirds also possible.

Pilot whales are not the giant whales many people picture. They are social, dark-bodied animals often seen in family groups, and the excitement comes from watching their movement and surfacing patterns close to the boat. Several departures have found pods within the first part of the trip, while others have spent longer searching.

That difference is worth understanding before you book. The crew knows the regular whale and dolphin zones and can often spot animals before you do, but no ethical wildlife tour can promise a particular sighting. The ocean is not a zoo, and conditions, animal movements, and visibility all matter.

The best guides make this uncertainty part of the experience instead of pretending every trip will produce a perfect show. Guy has been praised for explaining that the animals are visitors’ hosts in their own home, not performers. The crew aims to watch without chasing, crowding, or feeding them. Feeding animals is not allowed.

That approach matters to me. You may get close views, but the goal is not to force the encounter. A calm boat and respectful handling are better signs than a captain racing toward every fin on the horizon.

The guide also provides local information about the coastline, ocean, and Canarian culture. Guides have included Guy, Maxi, Max, Dani, Kevin, Raul, and others, depending on the departure. Their style varies, but the strongest part of the trip is consistently the personal explanation from the person steering the boat.

Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the entire sailing staring through a screen. Wildlife can surface quickly, and the wider view often helps you spot movement first. You should also look upward now and then for seabirds.

A quiet bay for swimming and snorkeling

After the wildlife search, the boat anchors in a sheltered bay. This is the slower part of the outing, and it balances the alert, stop-and-start rhythm of whale watching.

You can swim, snorkel, or stay aboard and relax. Snorkeling gear is included, and the crew provides time in the water rather than rushing through a quick photo stop. Turtles may be seen around the area, although the included information does not promise a turtle sighting on every trip.

The water can be chilly outside summer. One March departure found the sea noticeably cold, which is hardly surprising in the Atlantic. Bring swimwear and a towel, but remember that towels are not supplied. A jacket is useful before and after the swim, when wind on wet skin can make the boat feel cooler.

This stop works well for people in a mixed group. Strong swimmers can snorkel, children or cautious swimmers can stay near the boat, and anyone who does not want to get wet can enjoy the coast and refreshments. Nudity is not allowed.

The bay also gives the crew a chance to slow the pace. You are not being pushed from one attraction to the next. After the excitement of seeing whales or dolphins, a quiet swim can be the part you remember most clearly.

What is served on board

The food is straightforward and practical rather than elaborate. You can expect ham, cheese, and salad baguettes, along with fruit, chips, and nuts. That is enough to make the three-hour trip more comfortable, especially after time in the water.

Drinks are unlimited and include champagne, beer, soft drinks, and water. I would treat the alcohol as an optional extra, not the purpose of the trip. The sea can move beneath you, and drinking heavily is a poor plan if you are prone to motion sickness.

The refreshments also add value to the price. At about $77 per person, you are paying for a three-hour sailing, a small group, a guide, wildlife searching, snorkeling equipment, food, drinks, and optional hotel transportation. A cheaper boat trip may exist, but it may not offer the same passenger limit or included catering.

The value is strongest if you use the whole experience: enjoy the sailing, listen to the local information, take part in the wildlife search, and swim or snorkel at the bay. If you only want a fast whale sighting and plan to skip the water stop, the price may feel less compelling.

How the crew handles comfort and safety

The crew receives unusually strong praise for looking after people who feel sick. That is important because seasickness can spoil even a beautiful day. Guides have slowed the boat, moved passengers to more comfortable positions, and in one case returned early so a passenger could reach a pharmacy.

This does not remove the risk. The activity specifically excludes people prone to seasickness, and that warning should be taken seriously. The Atlantic may be calm, but conditions can change.

The safety briefing comes before sailing, and the crew remains available for questions during the trip. You can ask about the animals, the coastline, or local life in Tenerife. Guides such as Guy and Maxi are often described as friendly and easy to talk to, which suits a small group better than a scripted announcement on a large vessel.

Families should find the format manageable, provided children are comfortable on boats. A family of four can share the space without feeling lost in a large crowd, while solo passengers and couples can usually meet people without being packed shoulder to shoulder.

Who will enjoy this Tenerife boat trip

I would choose this excursion if you want several experiences in one outing: sailing, wildlife watching, a swim, and a relaxed lunch on the water. It suits you if you prefer a small group and want the guide close enough to answer questions.

It is also a good choice for anyone who cares about responsible wildlife viewing. The crew’s stated approach is to avoid chasing animals, keep distance, and treat the ocean as their home. Sightings are not guaranteed, but that is an honest tradeoff for a more respectful trip.

You may want another option if you dislike open water, get seasick easily, or want a guaranteed beach day. This is also not a good fit if you expect a luxury yacht in the polished, formal sense. The boat is comfortable and offers plenty of room, but wind, spray, and motion are part of the deal.

Bring:

• Sunglasses and a sun hat
• Sunscreen
• Swimwear and a towel
• A camera
• A jacket
• Motion sickness prevention if you need it

Booking details worth knowing

The advertised price is $77 per person, and the trip lasts three hours, not counting the optional transfer time. Shared departures hold up to 11 people, while private options are also available.

The tour operates with guides in English, French, German, and Spanish. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included when selected, but pickup within the stated 10-kilometer area must be arranged at least 24 hours in advance. If you do not need pickup, go directly to Puerto Colón gate number 2 and arrive 15 minutes early.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. Availability and start times vary, so check the date carefully before booking.

Should you book it?

I would book this trip if you want a small-scale Tenerife wildlife outing rather than a crowded boat ride. The combination of pilot whale and dolphin watching, a quiet bay swim, included snacks and drinks, and attentive guides gives you a lot for three hours.

Book with realistic expectations. You might see whales within minutes, or you might spend more time scanning the sea. The animals are wild, the water can be choppy, and the swim may feel cold. If you accept those conditions and take sensible precautions for seasickness, this is a well-balanced way to experience the Atlantic off Southern Tenerife.

FAQ

How long does the Tenerife whale and dolphin tour last?

The boat trip lasts three hours. If you use hotel pickup and drop-off, allow additional time for the listed van transfers, which take about 20 minutes each way.

What animals might I see?

The main animals are pilot whales and dolphins. You may also see turtles, flying fish, and seabirds. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included, and the boat stops in a secluded bay where you can swim or snorkel.

What food and drinks are included?

Food includes ham, cheese, and salad baguettes, plus fruit, chips, and nuts. Unlimited drinks include champagne, beer, soft drinks, and water.

Where do I meet the boat?

Meet at Puerto Colón, near gate number 2. Wait at the top of the dock by the sign marked Pantalan Nº4, arriving 15 minutes before your scheduled departure.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes, pickup is available as an optional service within a 10-kilometer radius. You must contact the operator at least 24 hours in advance if you need it.