Luxury Opera 60 Whale & Dolphin Watching Experience

Seeing pilot whales, dolphins, and turtles from a roomy boat is the main draw here, but the Opera 60 adds more than a wildlife lookout. You get a swim and snorkeling stop, a meal, drinks, sunbeds, a toilet, and even showers after you leave the water.

I especially like the small maximum group of 15 and the boat’s generous open space. I also like that the crew respects a sensible distance from whales instead of chasing them for a closer photograph. The main caution is simple: wildlife is wild, and service can vary by departure. One report described a late drink service, lukewarm food, and an early return, though this appears unusual beside the much stronger overall response.

At a glance

• A 60-foot luxury RIB: The Opera 60 has two 740-horsepower Volvo Penta engines, inflatable side defenses, several seating areas, sunbeds, tables, and a toilet.
• Wildlife plus water time: The outing combines whale and dolphin watching with swimming and snorkeling in a bay.
• Small group by boat-tour standards: The maximum is 15 people, so you have a better chance of finding a comfortable seat and a clear view.
• Food and drinks included: Snacks, a meal, snorkeling equipment, and drinks are provided on board.
• A flexible wildlife encounter: You might see pilot whales, dolphins, turtles, or a mix of species, but sightings cannot be promised.
• Easy cancellation terms: You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before departure, subject to the stated weather and minimum-group rules.

Setting out from Puerto Colón

The tour begins at Puerto Colón in Playa de las Américas, on Tenerife’s southwest coast. You return to the same meeting point after about three hours, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup location or find your way back from another harbor.

The boat is the Opera 60, described as Tenerife’s largest and most spacious luxury RIB. RIB means rigid inflatable boat. Its hull is solid, while inflatable side sections add protection and help soften the edge of the boat. It is a much larger craft than the small speedboats used for some short wildlife trips.

That size matters. The Opera 60 is nearly 20 meters long and carries up to 15 people, leaving more room than you would expect on a fast boat. You have various seating areas, two large tables, sunbeds, quality speakers, a toilet, and showers for use after swimming. This gives the trip a social, relaxed feel rather than the cramped, all-eyes-forward setup of a basic sightseeing boat.

The two 740-horsepower Volvo Penta engines also explain why the boat can cover ground along the coast. At the same time, a fast, open boat can feel bumpy when the sea is rough. If you are prone to motion sickness, choose a seat carefully and keep in mind that the captain may adjust the route or timing to suit conditions.

The first hour, whale and dolphin watching

Wildlife watching begins once the boat leaves the harbor and reaches the open water. Some departures have sighted whales within roughly 20 minutes, while other days may require more searching. The route and sightings depend on the animals, sea conditions, and the captain’s decisions.

Pilot whales are among the likely highlights. Tenerife’s southwest waters are known for regular cetacean activity, and the sightings described for this trip include pilot whales, dolphins, and sea turtles. One outing had a full dolphin group, while another produced whales and turtles but no dolphins. That is the honest nature of a wildlife trip: you may see several species, one species, or nothing more than a few distant fins.

The crew’s handling of the animals is an important part of the experience. The boat keeps a respectful distance from whales and dolphins rather than rushing directly toward them. This can mean your photographs are not always close-up, but the encounter is calmer and better for the animals.

Bring patience. A whale may surface only briefly, and dolphins can change direction quickly. The wide boat helps because you can shift between seating areas and look from different angles. If the sea is calm, you may spend much of this section watching the water, listening for a blow, and waiting for the next appearance.

Some hosts explain the species and point out what to watch for. Fabrizio is one host praised for creating a warm atmosphere and keeping drinks flowing, but he may not be on every departure. The exact crew can change, so book this for the boat, format, and wildlife setting rather than for one named host.

Reaching the swimming bay

After the wildlife portion, the boat heads toward a bay for swimming and snorkeling. This change of pace is one of the tour’s best features. You move from scanning the horizon to getting into the water, with snorkeling equipment supplied rather than something you must pack or rent.

The bay gives you a calmer place to swim than the open sea. You can use the onboard equipment to look for fish, and one account describes seeing several fish species during the snorkeling stop. Sea turtles have also been seen during the wider trip, though you should not expect them to appear at the swimming location.

The swimming stop is not a separate add-on. It is built into the roughly three-hour schedule, so you get a proper break from the wildlife search. Pack your swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and a change of clothes. The onboard showers are particularly useful after salt water, though the supplied details do not specify how many showers are available or whether towels are included.

You should also allow for the possibility that water time changes with the weather. This experience requires good conditions, and rough seas can affect both the route and how comfortable you feel in the water. The company may cancel in poor weather and offer another date or a full refund.

Lunch, snacks, and drinks on board

Food is served during the stop in the bay, and the trip includes snacks and drinks. The strongest accounts describe a proper warm meal, with chicken and rice mentioned specifically, along with bread. Other food descriptions call it tasty, homemade, local, and simple.

That is the right expectation. This is a boat lunch, not a restaurant meal. It adds real value because you do not need to leave the boat in search of food during a short excursion, and you can eat while looking out over the coast. The meal also makes the outing feel like a full afternoon on the water rather than a short wildlife ride.

Drinks include cool soft drinks, beer, wine, and prosecco. Several departures are described as generous with the complimentary fizz. If you enjoy a glass of wine or prosecco while sitting at sea, that inclusion can make the $96.79 price feel more reasonable.

Service may depend on sea conditions and the crew’s timing. One departure did not offer drinks during the first hour because the water was too bumpy, and the food was judged poorly on that occasion. That criticism is worth keeping in mind, especially if you are booking for children or expect restaurant-level service. The much more common pattern described for the trip is plentiful food and drink, but a boat crew still has to balance service with safety.

What the Opera 60 feels like

The boat is designed to look stylish, with several places to sit and lie down. That design suits people who want a little comfort between wildlife sightings. You can sit at a table for lunch, stretch out on a sunbed, or move around to find a better view.

The spacious layout is particularly useful for families and groups of friends. A family of three adults had plenty of room with 14 people on board, and another group appreciated being able to sit together. With a maximum of 15, the boat should feel less crowded than a large excursion vessel, though the exact number on your departure may be lower.

The speakers and music add to the relaxed mood, but this is not a silent nature cruise. If you want a quiet, serious wildlife expedition with constant commentary, the music and social atmosphere may feel less focused. If you want whales, snorkeling, lunch, and a drink in one outing, the format works well.

The boat’s size also gives the trip a more polished feel than a basic inflatable ride. Still, do not expect everything to look brand new. One complaint described the exterior as old and worn. The boat’s comfort and capacity are stronger selling points than showroom condition.

The coastline from the water

The trip gives you a different view of Tenerife’s southwest coast. From the water, the resort area around Playa de las Américas becomes a starting point rather than the whole setting. You see the shore from offshore while moving between open-water wildlife areas and the bay used for swimming.

The coastal scenery is best enjoyed from the boat’s different seating areas. A sunbed works well when you want to relax, while an outer position gives you a better chance of spotting a fin or turtle. Since you are not tied to one seat, you can change position during the trip.

The coast is part of the pleasure, but wildlife remains the main purpose. Do not book this as a dedicated coastal sightseeing cruise. The route can change, and time is shared between searching for animals, moving to the bay, eating, and swimming.

Is $96.79 good value?

At $96.79 per person, this costs more than a basic whale-watching ride. The comparison is not quite like for like. The price includes about three hours on a large luxury RIB, a maximum group of 15, wildlife watching, snorkeling gear, swimming time, food, snacks, and drinks.

I consider the value strongest if you plan to use the whole package. Someone who wants only a short wildlife sighting may find the price high. Someone who wants a comfortable half-day at sea, with lunch and drinks included, gets much more from it.

The small capacity is also part of the value. You are not paying for a place on a large crowded boat with limited room to move. You are paying for space, a more personal setting, and the chance to sit at a table or stretch out between sightings.

The main variable is service. Most of the available feedback is very positive, with a 4.8 rating and 94 percent recommendation rate. Still, one poor departure shows that the experience is not immune to an off day. I would book it for the overall format, not for an absolute promise of unlimited drinks, a particular menu, or a guaranteed three-hour return.

Who should book the Opera 60?

This is a good match for families, couples, and groups of friends who want several activities in one outing. You can watch wildlife, swim, snorkel, eat, and relax without changing boats or adding separate bookings.

It also suits people who dislike crowded excursions. The 15-person maximum and multiple seating areas give you more breathing room. The toilet and post-swim showers are useful comforts on a short trip.

I would be more cautious if you want a highly structured naturalist program or a quiet trip with detailed interpretation throughout. The atmosphere is social, music is available, and the focus shifts between wildlife, food, and leisure.

People with mobility concerns should check directly with Tenerife First Excursions before booking. The supplied information says most people can participate and that service animals are allowed, but it does not explain boarding arrangements or onboard accessibility in detail.

The experience is offered in English, and confirmation is provided at booking. It is near public transportation, with both the start and end at Puerto Colón.

Practical advice before you go

Wear swimwear under your clothes and bring sunscreen, a towel, and a dry change of clothes. The boat supplies snorkeling equipment, but the information does not say that towels or personal sun protection are included.

Keep your phone or camera secure around spray, and do not spend the whole wildlife section looking at the screen. A short encounter can be easy to miss while you are framing a photograph.

If you are sensitive to motion, consider taking your usual precautions before departure. An open RIB can move sharply in choppy water, and the first part of the trip may be bumpier than the sheltered bay.

Book ahead if your schedule is fixed. This experience averages about 26 days of advance booking, which suggests that popular dates can fill before your holiday arrives. You can cancel without penalty up to 24 hours before the start time. Late cancellations and late changes are not refunded, and a weather or minimum-group cancellation brings the choice of another date, another experience, or a full refund.

Should you book it?

I would book the Opera 60 if you want a polished, small-group boat day rather than a single-purpose wildlife ride. The combination of wildlife watching, snorkeling, lunch, and drinks gives you plenty to do even when the animals stay shy.

Book with realistic expectations. Whales, dolphins, and turtles are possible, not guaranteed. Food and service are generally a strong part of the package, but one poor departure shows that the experience can vary. Bring swim gear, expect an active but relaxed three hours, and choose this trip for its roomy boat and varied format. For most visitors staying around Playa de las Américas, it is a well-rounded way to spend time on Tenerife’s southwest coast.

FAQ

Where does the Opera 60 tour start?

It starts at Puerto Colón in Playa de las Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

Where does the tour finish?

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

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately three hours.

How many people can join the boat trip?

The maximum group size is 15 people.

What animals might I see?

Possible sightings include dolphins, pilot whales, sea turtles, and other whales. Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Is swimming included?

Yes. The tour includes a swimming stop in a bay.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided on board.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. Snacks, a meal, and drinks are included. Drinks mentioned for the trip include soft drinks, beer, wine, and prosecco.

Is the activity offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded or accepted. If poor weather or an insufficient minimum group causes cancellation, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.