Private 2 hour Whale Watching Tour

Pilot whales glide beneath the boat. Atlantic spotted dolphins race toward the bow. A loggerhead turtle appears on the ride home. This private Tenerife trip keeps you close to the sea without crowding you onto a large boat, and the biologist guide explains what you are seeing as it happens.

I especially like two things here: the small private group, which gives everyone a clear view and plenty of room, and the hydrophone, which lets you hear whales underwater. The guide also takes the wildlife photos, so you can watch instead of fumbling with a camera.

The main drawback is the boat’s size. The custom-built vessel is only 8 meters long, and one family found that it caused a child some motion sickness when the boat stopped and bobbed on the water. If you know you get seasick, prepare before boarding.

Key points to know before booking

• Private boat for up to 10 people: Your group has the vessel to itself for about two hours.
• Wildlife usually close to Costa Adeje: The captain generally heads no more than 3 miles offshore.
• Marine biologist on board: Guides such as Ion, Carlota, and John explain whale, dolphin, and ocean biology in English or Spanish.
• Hydrophone included: You may hear whales and dolphins communicating beneath the boat.
• Photos sent after the trip: The guide photographs the animals and emails the images later.
• Responsible viewing: The captain follows local whale watching rules and allows animals to approach on their own terms.

Why this private Tenerife boat trip feels different

Tenerife has plenty of boats offering whale watching, but the private format changes the mood. You are not joining a large crowd with strangers competing for the best view. Your group can listen, ask questions, shift around the boat, and take in the sea at a calmer pace.

That matters most when wildlife appears. Pilot whales may surface beside the boat, dolphins may bow-ride, or a turtle may show itself for only a few seconds. A small group makes it easier to share the moment without a chorus of people shouting over one another.

The price is $617.02 for up to 10 people. That sounds steep for one short boat trip, but a full group brings the cost to about $61.70 per person. For four people, it is about $154 per person, so the value depends heavily on your group size and how much you care about privacy.

I would compare this with the cost of joining a standard shared excursion. If you are traveling with family or friends and can fill most of the 10 seats, the private boat becomes a reasonable splurge. If you are alone or traveling as a couple, the price is much harder to justify.

Starting at Puerto Colón Marina

You meet the staff at Pantalán Number 3 in Puerto Colón Marina, in Costa Adeje, 15 minutes before departure. Arriving early is sensible. The marina has bathrooms, restaurants, and parking right beside the departure point, with parking listed at roughly €1 per hour.

The trip ends at the same dock, so you do not need to arrange a separate ride back. The marina is also near public transportation, which helps if you are staying in the Costa Adeje area and do not have a car.

Once aboard, you receive a short safety briefing from the captain. The marine biologist then introduces the local marine ecosystem and the cetaceans you may encounter. Didactic materials are provided, giving children and adults something useful to follow rather than simply waiting for an animal to surface.

The guides named in the trip’s feedback include Ion, Carlota, and John. You should not assume which person will lead your departure, but the pattern is clear: this is designed as an educational trip, not just a fast ride to a photo opportunity.

A small 8-meter boat with a close-to-the-water view

The custom-built boat measures 8 meters. That is large enough for a private group of up to 10, but it remains a small vessel compared with many commercial whale watching boats.

The benefit is visibility. You are closer to the water, and the boat can offer a more personal view when whales or dolphins surface nearby. One family also appreciated that the smaller boat allowed the captain to keep a respectful distance while still giving everyone a good look.

The tradeoff is movement. When the boat is underway, the ride may feel fine, but stopping to watch whales can mean rolling and bobbing on the open water. One nine-year-old became briefly seasick while the boat was stationary. The guide offered advice and kept an eye on the child, but motion on a small boat cannot be removed entirely.

If you are prone to seasickness, ask a medical professional about suitable motion sickness tablets before your tour. Eat lightly, follow any personal precautions that work for you, and remember that the boat’s compact size is both part of its charm and part of its limitation.

The experience welcomes all ages, but it is not suitable for everyone. Restrictions include pregnancy, neck or back problems, mobility problems, recent surgery, and certain participants over 120 kilograms when back problems are involved. Most people can take part, but you should read the restrictions carefully before booking.

Finding whales and dolphins off Costa Adeje

After the safety talk, the captain heads toward the current viewing area. The usual distance is no more than 3 miles from shore, so much of the trip takes place close to Tenerife’s coast rather than far out at sea.

Wildlife sightings are never fully predictable. You might see pilot whales, dolphins, flying fish, or a loggerhead sea turtle. The species and behavior change from trip to trip. One particularly full outing included Atlantic spotted dolphins, many with calves, along with pilot whales. Other trips included two separate pilot whale groups, flying fish, and a turtle on the way back to the marina.

That variety is worth keeping in mind. This is not a performance with guaranteed animal behavior. The captain takes you to a promising area, then slows the boat and watches carefully. The reward comes from seeing wild animals choose how close to come and how long to stay.

Pilot whales are a regular highlight of the experience. They may travel in family groups, and you could see adults and young animals together. A close approach is possible, but the best encounters happen when the animals come toward the boat on their own.

Dolphins can be more active. Atlantic spotted dolphins may travel in groups and sometimes ride the bow. You could also spot flying fish or a turtle during the journey between viewing areas. Keep watching even when the boat is moving. Some of the most memorable sightings happen away from the main stop.

Responsible viewing, with space for the animals

The strongest feature of this tour is its approach to wildlife. The captain follows local whale watching rules and makes a careful approach once the boat reaches the animals. The goal is not to chase or surround them.

That can mean cutting the engines and waiting. On one trip, the pilot whales were given plenty of space, then approached the boat by choice. This is exactly the kind of encounter I prefer: close enough to observe, but not forced by engine noise or aggressive driving.

The guide also explains animal behavior and biology as you watch. You learn why a group may change direction, how calves remain with adults, and what the animals’ movements can tell you. The experience becomes more meaningful when you understand the difference between a curious approach and a boat pursuing wildlife.

One memorable moment involved the guide stopping to collect a large piece of clear plastic from the sea. A nearby loggerhead turtle could have mistaken it for food. That detail makes the conservation message practical rather than abstract. You see how a piece of litter can become a real hazard for marine life.

The tour is not presented as a rescue operation or a conservation project, and you should not expect a formal beach cleanup. Still, its careful conduct on the water and respect for marine habitat are important reasons to choose it over a faster, more crowded outing.

Hearing whales through the hydrophone

A hydrophone is one of the most unusual inclusions. The guide lowers it into the water, allowing you to hear sounds from whales and dolphins below the surface.

This adds something a pair of binoculars cannot provide. You are not only watching animals appear and disappear. You are also listening to their underwater world while the biologist explains what may be happening.

On one outing, the hydrophone was used as pilot whales passed beneath the boat. Hearing them communicate made the sighting feel more complete. The sound may be brief, and the exact result depends on where the animals are, but the equipment gives the trip a strong educational edge.

The biologist’s role is especially valuable here. You can ask questions about calls, behavior, migration, and the local ecosystem rather than relying on a quick announcement from a captain. Ion received particular praise for his detailed explanations and his ability to discuss not only the animals but the ocean around them. Carlota was also singled out for combining scientific information with a clear respect for the whales.

Photos after the boat ride

The guide takes photographs during the trip and sends wildlife photos to you by email afterward. This is a small detail, but it solves a common problem on wildlife excursions.

You can keep your eyes on the water instead of trying to frame every surfacing whale. Dolphins move quickly, pilot whales appear without warning, and a turtle may be visible for only a moment. Having the guide handle the camera lets you remain present.

The photos are wildlife images, not a guaranteed portrait of every person in your group. Their quality and number will depend on the light, distance, sea conditions, and animal behavior. Still, receiving a link afterward gives you a useful record of the outing without making photography your main task.

This works particularly well for families. Children can watch the sea and listen to the guide rather than seeing the entire trip through a phone screen. The photos also help bring back details you may miss during a fast encounter.

What is included, and what you should bring

The price includes local taxes, live commentary from the biologist, use of the hydrophone, and wildlife photos sent by email. Food and drinks are not included.

You may bring food and non-alcoholic drinks on board. Since the trip lasts about two hours, you may not need a full meal, but water is sensible. The marina also has restaurants if you want to eat before or after the boat ride.

The guide speaks English and Spanish. English is listed as an available tour language, so confirm your preferred language at booking if that matters to your group.

The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you receive the choice of another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted.

Who will get the most from this experience

I would choose this trip for a family, couple, or group of friends that wants a private morning or afternoon on the water and values careful wildlife viewing. It is particularly suited to people who want to ask questions and learn, rather than simply ride around hoping for a dramatic photograph.

It also works well for children who are interested in animals. The chance to hear whales through a hydrophone, see pilot whale families, and receive photos afterward gives the outing more substance than a simple sightseeing cruise.

The trip may not suit you if you dislike small boats, have significant mobility or back concerns, or suffer badly from seasickness. It is also a costly choice for a very small group. A shared trip could make more financial sense if privacy is not important to you.

Should you book this private whale watching tour?

Book it if your group can share the cost and you care about respectful wildlife viewing, expert explanation, and time on a small boat. The hydrophone, marine biologist, and emailed photos make this more than a standard ride along the coast.

I would be realistic about two things: wild animals do not perform on schedule, and the boat may move beneath you. If you accept those limits, this is a thoughtful way to see Tenerife’s pilot whales and dolphins while giving them room to behave naturally.

FAQ

Where does the whale watching tour begin?

It begins at Whale Watch Tenerife, Puerto Colón Marina, Pantalán Number 3, 38660 Costa Adeje, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

How early should I arrive?

Meet the staff 15 minutes before your scheduled departure.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately two hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The private tour is for your group only and can accommodate up to 10 people.

What animals might I see?

Possible sightings include pilot whales, dolphins, Atlantic spotted dolphins, flying fish, and loggerhead sea turtles. Wildlife sightings and behavior can vary.

How far from shore does the boat travel?

The viewing area is usually no more than 3 miles offshore.

Is a marine biologist included?

Yes. A biologist provides live commentary about the local marine ecosystem and the whales and dolphins you may see.

Can I hear the whales underwater?

Yes. A hydrophone is included, allowing you to listen to whales and dolphins beneath the boat.

Are food and drinks included?

No. You may bring food and non-alcoholic drinks on board.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You can choose a different date or receive a full refund if poor weather causes the cancellation.