Private Yacht Tour With Whale and Dolphin Watching 42 Foot Boat

A private yacht, a small group, and Tenerife’s resident pilot whales make this more personal than a standard sightseeing cruise. You leave Puerto Colón in Playa de las Américas, listen for whales and dolphins with onboard sonar, and watch the water for fins, shells, and splashes. I like the year-round whale sightings, though wildlife is never guaranteed.

I also like that the boat is yours alone. You get room to spread out on deck, a saloon cabin, and a skipper who can keep the mood easy while pointing out wildlife. The open bar, Champagne, snacks, and included snorkeling gear remove much of the usual tour-day fuss.

The main consideration is price: $716.45 per group of up to 11 is good value with a full party, but costly for a small group. The standard trip lasts about three hours, and the ocean can be choppy or wildlife can remain out of sight.

Key points to know before you book

• Private 40-foot sailing yacht: Your group has the entire boat, with room for up to 11 people and both open deck and indoor seating.
• Pilot whales live here year-round: The cruise heads toward known whale and dolphin areas, with sonar equipment to help listen for marine life.
• Swimming and snorkeling are included: The skipper anchors during the cruise so you can enter the water and use the onboard gear.
• Drinks and food are part of the deal: Expect Champagne, unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks, bottled water, and light snacks.
• Choose three or six hours: Morning and afternoon departures are available, giving you some control over the pace and length.
• A strong choice for a full group: The flat group price works best when shared among family or friends.

Leaving Puerto Colón for the Atlantic

Your trip begins at Puerto Colón, pontoon 2, in Costa Adeje. Allow time to find the marina jetty and the correct boarding point. The first part is a short welcome and safety briefing, followed by an introduction to the skipper and time to settle aboard.

The yacht is described as a 40-foot, or 12.19-meter, sailing boat, while the tour title calls it a 42-foot boat. Either way, you are stepping onto a proper yacht rather than a large shared excursion vessel. It carries a maximum of 11 people and has open deck space, a saloon cabin, a kitchenette, and other basic amenities.

I like the private format at this point. You are not trying to find a seat beside a group of strangers or follow a guide through a crowded boat. You can sit together, move around, and set the mood for the outing.

The marina gives you a first look at Playa de las Américas from the water. After leaving the harbor, the boat heads out onto the Atlantic toward areas used for whale and dolphin watching. The view changes quickly from hotels and marina activity to open water, with Tenerife’s coast providing the backdrop.

There is no long list of shore stops. This is a sea day built around the boat ride, wildlife, swimming, and time together. That simplicity is part of the appeal, but it also means the quality of your day depends on the ocean and weather.

Searching for pilot whales and dolphins

Pilot whales are present in the local waters year-round, which gives this trip a better wildlife foundation than an outing based only on seasonal sightings. Dolphins and sea turtles may also appear, and the crew uses sonar equipment so you can listen for whales and dolphins below the surface.

That sonar is a useful touch. Whale watching often involves long stretches of looking at an apparently empty sea, so hearing activity underwater gives you another way to understand what may be happening beneath the boat. It does not guarantee a sighting, but it makes the search more engaging.

Keep your expectations sensible. The crew can take you to areas where sightings are known to happen, but no responsible operator can promise a whale, dolphin, or turtle on a particular three-hour trip. The provided experience includes reports of pilot whales, several dolphins, two turtles, and even flying fish, but nature sets the timetable.

Your skipper is an important part of the outing. The crew members named in the supplied feedback include Guy, Juan Angel, and Maxi, though the specific skipper for your departure is not stated. Guy is described as relaxed and good at explaining wildlife, Juan Angel as a friendly host, and Maxi as someone who kept watch and directed attention to whales, turtles, and fish.

That gives you a useful picture of the guiding style to expect: informal, attentive, and focused on helping you spot what is already out there. You may need patience and a sharp eye. The crew can point, listen, and explain, but you still need to watch the water.

Champagne, snacks, and an open bar onboard

Food and drinks are included, which matters more than it may first appear. Three hours in the sun and wind can feel long without refreshments, and you will not need to arrange a separate lunch or carry a full picnic.

You receive a glass of Champagne, unlimited wine, beer, soft drinks, and bottled water. Light refreshments are included, with food described in the supplied feedback as nibbles, baguettes, and a good spread. The exact selection may vary, so I would not book this as a formal meal, but it should cover the casual appetite that builds during a boat trip.

I especially like the balance between a celebratory drink and practical water and soft drinks. The Champagne sets a festive tone for a birthday, family gathering, or special afternoon, while bottled water remains important in Tenerife’s sun.

The open bar is also part of the value calculation. If your group will use the drinks and snacks, the flat price becomes easier to justify. If only two or three people are booking, the included refreshments will not fully solve the cost issue.

Remember that alcohol and swimming do not mix well. If you plan to enter the water, pace yourself and use the safety guidance from the skipper. The tour includes a safety briefing for a reason.

Dropping anchor for swimming and snorkeling

At some point during the cruise, the skipper drops anchor so you can swim. This breaks up the wildlife search and gives you an active part of the day rather than three hours spent sitting and scanning the horizon.

Snorkeling equipment is included. You can use it to look below the surface for sea turtles and other marine life, although sightings remain dependent on conditions and location. The trip information does not promise a particular reef, beach, or underwater site, so think of this as an opportunity for a sea swim with snorkeling gear rather than a dedicated snorkeling expedition.

The boat’s private format helps here. Your group can enjoy the stop at its own pace within the skipper’s safety limits. Families may appreciate having the whole boat together, while friends can alternate between swimming, relaxing on deck, and watching for wildlife.

I would check your comfort with open-water swimming before booking. The activity information says most people can participate, but it does not describe a pool-like setting or a shallow entry. If you do not want to swim, you can remain aboard and enjoy the stop from the deck.

A sea turtle sighting would be a wonderful bonus, but do not make it the sole reason for booking. The strongest case is the combination of private sailing, wildlife watching, and a chance to swim.

Three hours or six hours on the water

The experience offers three- and six-hour cruises, with morning and afternoon options. The listed duration is approximately three hours, so confirm the exact length when selecting your departure.

The three-hour version is likely the easiest fit for a holiday schedule. You have time to leave the marina, search for wildlife, enjoy refreshments, stop for swimming, and return without giving up most of the day. It suits first-time boat passengers and families who want a manageable outing.

The six-hour choice gives the search more breathing room. A longer sailing can make sense if whale watching is your main purpose, since you have more time to sit patiently and cover more water. It also allows a more leisurely rhythm for swimming, eating, and relaxing.

The trade-off is simple: six hours is a bigger commitment. If someone in your party gets seasick, tires quickly, or dislikes being away from shore, three hours is the safer choice. A longer trip also does not guarantee more wildlife, though it gives you more time for chances to arise.

Morning and afternoon departures let you fit the sailing around other plans in Costa Adeje and Playa de las Américas. Since the experience requires good weather, keep some flexibility if your holiday schedule allows it.

What the private price really means

The listed price is $716.45 per group of up to 11. That is not a per-person fare. With 11 people, the cost works out to roughly $65 per person, which is competitive for a private yacht trip with drinks, snacks, sonar, snorkeling gear, and a skipper.

With six people, it is about $119 per person. With four, it is about $179 per person. For two people, the price becomes a major splurge, even with the private boat and included refreshments.

This is why the tour makes the most financial sense for a family group, several couples, or a group of friends. You are paying for privacy as much as for the sailing itself. A full boat lets you control the company, seating, music-free atmosphere, and general pace within the skipper’s instructions.

The boat size also affects value. Up to 11 people can board, but that does not mean 11 people will have unlimited personal space. The yacht has ample deck room and a saloon cabin, yet a full group will feel more social than spacious. For a party of six to eight, the balance between cost and room may be especially comfortable.

Souvenir photos are not included but are available to buy. Hotel pickup is also not included, although pickup may be offered if you contact the operator at least 24 hours before the trip. Ask as soon as you book so you know the exact arrangement and cost, if any.

Who will enjoy this yacht tour most

I would choose this for people who value private time more than a rock-bottom fare. It suits families celebrating together, groups of friends, couples traveling with another couple, and anyone who wants a quieter boat day without a large shared crowd.

It is also a good fit for wildlife fans who understand that sightings are possible, not guaranteed. The year-round presence of pilot whales gives the trip a strong reason to exist, while sonar, dolphins, turtles, and flying fish add variety to the search.

The cruise works for mixed groups because not everyone has to do the same thing. Some can watch for whales, others can swim, and anyone who prefers to stay dry can sit with a drink and enjoy the view from the yacht.

Vegetarian food is available if requested when booking. Service animals are allowed, the meeting point is near public transportation, and most people can participate. The supplied information does not give detailed guidance about mobility access, so ask the operator directly if anyone in your party has specific access needs.

I would think twice if your only goal is guaranteed wildlife or if you strongly dislike open-water motion. The boat is dependent on weather, and the ocean may not cooperate with your plans.

Practical details for a smooth departure

The meeting point is Tenerife Sailing Charters at Puerto Colón, pontoon 2, 38660 Costa Adeje, Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The trip ends at the same place, so you do not need to arrange a separate return transfer from another port.

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the ticket is mobile, which makes the process simple. Still, contact the operator about pickup at least 24 hours before departure if you need it. Hotel pickup is not automatically included.

Wear clothing that can handle sea spray and bring anything you normally need for a comfortable day outdoors. The supplied information confirms drinks, snacks, snorkeling equipment, and swimming time, but it does not list towels, so ask before assuming one will be provided.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather forces cancellation, you receive the choice of another date or a full refund.

Is this Tenerife sailing worth booking?

Book it if you can fill much of the boat and want a private day that combines whale watching, swimming, and a relaxed onboard spread. The skipper-led search, sonar equipment, year-round pilot whale presence, and included drinks give the trip more substance than a simple harbor cruise.

The value drops sharply for a very small party. In that case, compare the private price with a shared whale-watching boat. But if you have a family group or a circle of friends, splitting $716.45 can make a private yacht, open bar, snacks, and flexible time on the water a sensible Tenerife treat.

FAQ

Where does the yacht tour begin?

The tour begins at Puerto Colón, pontoon 2, in Costa Adeje, Tenerife.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the original meeting point at Puerto Colón.

How long is the cruise?

The listed experience lasts approximately three hours. A six-hour option is also available.

Can I choose a morning or afternoon departure?

Yes. The cruise is offered in the morning or afternoon.

How many people can join the private tour?

A maximum of 11 people can be included in one booking, and only your group participates.

Are drinks and food included?

Yes. The tour includes a glass of Champagne, unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks, bottled water, and light refreshments.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and the skipper anchors so you can swim and snorkel.

What wildlife might I see?

The local waters have pilot whales year-round. You may also see dolphins, sea turtles, other marine life, and flying fish, though sightings are not guaranteed.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup is not included automatically. Pickup may be available if you contact the operator at least 24 hours before the trip and arrange the details.