private charter 3 Hours Whale Encounter puerto colon adeje

Pilot whales and dolphins are the main event here, but the best part is the private boat, which lets your group enjoy the sea at its own pace. From Puerto Colón, the crew explains the cetaceans you may see, then adds time for swimming, snorkeling, drinks, music, and views of Tenerife’s southwest coast.

I like the warm, family-friendly style of Captain Chris, Mickey, Jessica, and Alex, especially with children and mixed-age groups. I also like the simple three-hour format: long enough for whale watching and a sea swim, but not so long that younger children lose patience.

The main consideration is the food. Lunch appears to be a basic sandwich or roll with drinks, and larger groups may want to bring extra snacks if permitted. Wildlife is never guaranteed, and the trip depends on good weather.

Key points to know before booking

• Pilot whales are the regular target: The boat heads offshore around Costa Adeje, where groups have seen pilot whales, including families with young calves.
• Private means your group controls the mood: The charter is for up to 15 people, with no strangers sharing your boat.
• Swimming and snorkeling are part of the appeal: The outing may include a stop near turtle bay or a sheltered cove with clear water.
• The crew works well with children: Kids have been allowed to try steering under close supervision, and the crew includes them in the explanations.
• Expect a lively return trip: Music, singing, and dancing have been part of some outings, though the tone will depend on your group.
• Plan for a simple lunch: Sandwiches, drinks, beer, champagne, or a picnic-style stop may be provided, but the food is not the reason to book.

Leaving Puerto Colón for Costa Adeje

The meeting point is at Tenerife Yacht Lina or Kailanipier, at pontoon number 5 in San Eugenio, within Puerto Colón in Costa Adeje. The activity begins and ends here, which keeps the day easy if you are staying in the resort area.

The departure itself is part of the pleasure. You leave the marina and see the Costa Adeje coast from the water, with beaches and rocky stretches passing by as the boat moves offshore. The tour description promises an introduction to the outing, the cetaceans you may encounter, and the details of the trip.

That explanation matters. Whale watching is more rewarding when you know what you are looking for and understand that the animals are wild. You are not being taken to a guaranteed show. The crew has to search the water and work with the conditions on the day.

The boat is reserved for your party, with a stated capacity of up to 15 people. That is a useful size for a family gathering, birthday outing, or group of friends. You have more room to talk with the crew, ask questions, and move between sitting, watching, and taking photographs.

The private setup also changes the pace. On a large shared boat, you usually follow a fixed routine and compete for a good view. Here, the crew can give more attention to a two-year-old, an older family member, or children who want to understand how the boat works.

Watching pilot whales and dolphins offshore

The wildlife search is the heart of the trip. Pilot whales are the most consistent sighting described in the available information, with several outings seeing families and, on one occasion, newly born babies. Dolphins have also been seen, sometimes alongside the whales.

You should keep your expectations sensible. The boat may find whales, dolphins, or both, but no responsible operator can promise a particular animal on a particular day. Weather, sea conditions, and the animals’ movements all matter.

I like that the outing is framed around explanations rather than simply pointing at fins. Captain Chris and the other crew members talk about the animals and help your group follow what is happening. That is especially useful for children, who may otherwise lose interest during a quiet stretch of water.

The crew’s friendly approach comes through in the way they include children. Kids have been allowed to try steering the boat under supervision, which gives them a memorable role without turning the activity into a free-for-all. For families, this can be the difference between a pleasant morning and three hours of repeated questions about when you will arrive.

The reported sightings include pilot whales, dolphins, and turtles. Turtles may appear during the boat ride or around the swimming stop, but they should be treated as a welcome extra rather than the main goal.

For photographs, keep your camera ready, but do not expect perfect results every time. Wildlife moves quickly, and a phone photograph may catch only a fin or a back. The better reward is seeing the animals behave naturally, with the crew helping you understand what you are seeing.

A private three-hour format that works well

Three hours is a sensible length for this kind of outing. It allows time to leave the port, search offshore, stop for a swim, and return without taking over the entire day.

That shorter format suits families with young children and groups mixing swimmers with non-swimmers. You get a proper outing, but you can still plan lunch, an afternoon at the beach, or another Costa Adeje activity afterward.

The charter also works well for celebrations. Groups have used it for birthdays and family occasions, with music and a cheerful atmosphere on the return to port. The crew appears comfortable shifting from wildlife guide to host, which can make the trip feel personal rather than rigid.

That said, private does not mean silent or formal. Music, singing, and dancing have been part of some outings. If your group wants a calm wildlife trip, say so at the start. If you want a party atmosphere, the crew seems happy to help create one.

The boat may feel more active than a standard sightseeing cruise because the day combines several elements: wildlife, a coastal ride, food, swimming, and music. I would choose it for a group that wants variety, not for someone seeking a quiet, purely naturalist excursion.

Swimming and snorkeling near turtle bay

The swimming stop is one of the strongest reasons to choose this charter instead of a simple whale-watching ride. Several outings included time in a sheltered cove or near turtle bay, with clear water, snorkeling, and a chance to swim.

The stop gives you a break from sitting and scanning the horizon. Children can enjoy the water, while adults can take in the coast from a different angle. Even the youngest members of a group have joined the swim on some outings, although each family must make its own call about supervision and comfort.

Do not assume the water stop will be identical every time. The exact location and length will depend on conditions and the crew’s judgment. The tour requires good weather, and the captain may adjust the plan when the sea is unsuitable.

The available details do not promise snorkel equipment, so ask the provider what is supplied before departure. The outing is described as including mask-and-snorkel time in at least some programs, but equipment details are not fully specified.

This stop also adds value to the private format. Your group can enjoy the cove together instead of being one small section of a large crowd. It is a more relaxed way to mark a birthday or family day, especially if not everyone is equally interested in whale watching.

Lunch, drinks, and the practical trade-off

Food is included in the general experience, but you should keep your expectations modest. The meal has been described as a ham and cheese roll or sandwich, with drinks and, on some occasions, beer or champagne.

That is fine as a light picnic during a three-hour boat trip. It is not a full meal, and the food may be dry or limited. For a group of 12, supplies have reportedly run out before everyone had eaten, especially after swimming.

If you are booking for a large group, ask exactly what food and drinks are included. It is wise to eat something beforehand and bring extra snacks if the operator allows them. This is particularly important for families with children, who may be hungry well before the boat returns.

The food stop is still useful because it breaks up the outing. You can eat in a cove, look back at the coast, and enjoy a drink before heading home. Just treat it as a picnic, not a catered lunch.

The simple meal also helps explain the value of the price. At $481.17 per group, the cost is not a cheap individual ticket. But split among 10 people, it works out to about $48 per person. With 15 people, it is about $32 per person. For a private boat, crew, whale search, swimming stop, and three hours on the water, that can be fair value for a full group.

For only two or three people, the same price becomes much harder to justify. The charter makes the most financial sense when you can fill much of the stated capacity.

The crew makes the difference

The crew is repeatedly praised for being welcoming, attentive, and easy to talk with. Captain Chris is named often, along with Mickey or Micki, while Jessica and Alex are also mentioned as friendly guides on different outings.

You can expect a personable style rather than a formal lecture. The crew explains the whales and dolphins, answers questions, and brings children into the activity. French-speaking support has also been available on some outings, while the tour is offered in English.

That family focus is one of the strongest reasons to book. The crew has handled groups ranging from young children to people in their seventies, and the private setting gives them room to adapt. A child can try steering with supervision, an older relative can enjoy the coast without pressure, and the group can set its own tone.

The staff also seem comfortable making the return trip festive. Music and dancing have been part of some charters, which is a nice touch for celebrations. Still, do not expect a scripted performance. The mood depends on your party, the crew, and the sea conditions.

Weather, comfort, and who should book

The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You may cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

That policy is reasonable for a boat trip, but leave some flexibility in your Tenerife plans. The ocean can change the day’s schedule, and a weather cancellation may require you to move the excursion rather than squeeze it into a fixed itinerary.

The activity is near public transportation, service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. Specific details about boat access, swimming aids, or equipment are not provided, so anyone with mobility concerns should contact the operator before booking.

I would choose this trip for:

• Families who want wildlife and swimming in one outing
• Groups celebrating a birthday or special occasion
• Friends who prefer a private boat to a large shared cruise
• Mixed-age parties that need a flexible, friendly crew
• People who value personal attention more than a formal tour

I would hesitate if you want a guaranteed whale encounter, a substantial lunch, or a quiet nature trip with no music. I would also compare the price carefully if your party is small.

Is this Puerto Colón charter worth booking?

Yes, if you can share the cost with a reasonably large group and want more than a simple whale-watching ride. The strongest combination is the private boat, the crew’s warm treatment of children, the chance to see pilot whales and dolphins, and the added swim or snorkel stop.

Book it for the people, the flexibility, and the full three-hour mix of wildlife and sea time. Do not book it for gourmet food or a guaranteed sighting. Ask about the meal, swimming equipment, and preferred atmosphere before you go, then arrive ready for a wild-animal encounter rather than a scheduled show.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching charter begin?

It begins at Tenerife Yacht Lina or Kailanipier, pontoon number 5, in San Eugenio at Puerto Colón, Costa Adeje.

How long does the experience last?

The charter lasts approximately three hours and returns to the same meeting point.

How many people can join the private boat?

The private activity is for your group only, with capacity for up to 15 people.

Which animals might I see?

You might see pilot whales, dolphins, and turtles. Sightings are not guaranteed because the animals are wild.

Is swimming or snorkeling included?

The outing may include swimming and snorkeling near turtle bay or in a sheltered cove. The available information does not fully specify what equipment is supplied.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the experience is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.