Sealife Dolphin & Whale Watching aboard Portuguese schooner

The main draw here is the boat itself: an old-style Portuguese wooden schooner sailing from Los Cristianos in search of pilot whales and dolphins. After the wildlife watch, the crew anchors off the coast for lunch and a swim in the Atlantic.

I like the combination of wildlife watching and time in the water, and I like that food and drinks are included rather than leaving you to pack a picnic. The main caution is that nature sets the schedule. You may see whales and dolphins, but you may also spend a long stretch waiting at sea, and one account found the outing dull despite seeing dolphins.

Key things to know before you book

• A real sailing vessel: You ride aboard a Portuguese wooden schooner designed to recall older sailing ships and pirate tales.
• Two-part outing: The cruise first seeks pilot whales and dolphins, then moves to a coastal anchorage for lunch and swimming.
• Food is part of the plan: The meal has been described as rice, chicken legs, salad, bread rolls, and a drink, though one booking raised concerns that lunch was not provided.
• Useful deck space: You have an upper deck for sunbathing, plus a large central table and open bar.
• Small enough to feel personal: The maximum group size is 60 people, so this is not an enormous ferry, but it can still feel busy at full capacity.
• Simple cancellation terms: You can cancel for a full refund at least 24 hours before departure, while bad weather may lead to a new date or refund.

Sailing out of Los Cristianos at 10:00

You meet at the Fishermen’s Wharf in Puerto de Los Cristianos at 10:00 in the morning. The stated meeting point is Muelle de Pescadores, Puerto de Los Cristianos, Arona, Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Allow a little extra time to find the correct section of the harbor. One family nearly went to the wrong place because the location information led them astray. The crew helped them reach the boat, and the boat waited, but you should not count on such a lucky rescue. Check the exact harbor details before leaving your hotel.

The schooner is the setting, not just transport. Its wooden design gives the trip a more characterful feel than a standard motorboat. You get a taste of old sailing, with stories connected to pirates who once crossed these waters. That atmosphere may matter as much to you as the wildlife itself.

The boat has a large central table and two onboard services, including an open bar. There is also an upper deck where you can relax and sunbathe. I would choose your place with care, since the upper deck should suit anyone seeking sun and views, while the central table is more practical when food is served.

Searching for pilot whales and dolphins

The first active part of the trip is the search for cetaceans, especially the pilot whale colony and dolphins. The boat heads away from the harbor and spends time looking for animals in the waters around Tenerife.

This is the part that requires patience. You are not visiting an aquarium with a guaranteed show. The crew can take you into the right area, but whales and dolphins decide when and where to appear. One outing spent about three hours moving very little offshore, yet still produced dolphin sightings. Another account described seeing both dolphins and whales and praised the explanations from the crew.

That difference captures the nature of this activity. If your idea of a good morning includes watching the sea, listening for updates, and accepting a little uncertainty, you may find the search exciting. If you need constant action, the slow pace can test you.

The schooner gives you unobstructed photo opportunities from the deck. There are no large cabin windows or rows of seats blocking every view, so you can look directly across the water. Keep your camera ready, but do not let photography take over. Sightings can be brief, and the best moment may arrive when you are simply watching the horizon.

The crew’s explanations are another part of the value. Specific guide names are not provided, but the crew has been praised for explaining the excursion clearly. That helps turn a simple boat ride into an introduction to the animals and the waters around Tenerife.

Anchoring for lunch and an Atlantic swim

Once the cetacean watch ends, the boat sails toward the coast and anchors in open Atlantic water. This changes the mood completely. The first section is about searching and waiting. The second is about eating, sitting in the sun, and getting into the sea.

The meal is described as included, and one detailed account lists rice, chicken legs, salad, bread rolls, and a drink. Another account praised the meal. That is useful information if you are deciding between this cruise and a shorter wildlife-only trip.

There is one point to clarify before booking. A separate account paid for two people and felt the advertised lunch was missing, while also feeling that the crew repeatedly tried to sell different cocktails. Since the main description says food and drink are included, the safest practical advice is to confirm exactly what the included meal and drinks cover before departure. Do not assume every cocktail or bar item is part of the price.

The swimming stop lasts about 15 minutes according to one account. That is enough for a refreshing dip, but not a long beach-style swim. You remain aboard the schooner, so this is not a shore excursion with time to explore the coast on foot.

The swim also depends on sea conditions and your own comfort in open water. The information provided does not specify dedicated swimming equipment, changing rooms, or a lifeguard service. Bring only what you can manage easily and follow the crew’s instructions when the boat is anchored.

What the schooner adds to the experience

The boat is the tour’s strongest character feature. A Portuguese schooner feels slower and more old-fashioned than a modern sightseeing catamaran. That slower pace suits the theme of the trip, especially when you are watching the water for distant fins and blows.

You can move between the upper deck and the central area. The upper deck is the natural choice for relaxing and sunbathing, while the central table gives you a place to gather during lunch. The open bar adds convenience, though you should confirm what is included rather than assuming every drink is free.

The maximum group size is 60 people. That is not an intimate private charter, and a full boat could make the upper deck or best viewing spots more competitive. Still, it is smaller and more distinctive than a large excursion ferry.

Families can find plenty to like here. A family outing was especially memorable because crew members went out of their way to help after a turtle needed rescuing. That is an unusual moment, not a promised part of the itinerary, but it suggests the crew can respond well when something unexpected happens.

At the same time, young children may not enjoy the slow wildlife search. The trip works best for families who can accept periods of waiting and who see the boat ride itself as part of the holiday.

Is $57.96 a fair price?

At $57.96 per person, the price is reasonable if the main elements are delivered: a two-hour schooner cruise, wildlife watching, food, drinks, and a swim. Compared with paying separately for a boat trip and a meal, the package can offer solid value.

The value depends heavily on your expectations. You are paying for the chance to see wildlife, not a guaranteed whale show. You are also paying for the distinctive boat and the relaxed time at sea. If you only want fast sightings and a short return to shore, the old schooner may feel too slow.

There is also a small inconsistency in the supplied pricing experience. One account refers to EUR 98 for two people, which is close to the advertised per-person rate after currency conversion, but that person felt the lunch promise was not met. The lesson is simple: check the current inclusions at the time of booking, particularly the meal and bar service.

I would consider the price fair for a family or couple that values the full package. I would be less enthusiastic if you are booking only for a guaranteed whale encounter. No marine wildlife trip can honestly promise that.

The trip’s real rhythm

This is not a tightly packed sightseeing tour. The rhythm is easy to understand:

• Meet at Los Cristianos at 10:00.
• Board the wooden schooner.
• Sail out to search for pilot whales and dolphins.
• Listen to the crew’s explanations and watch the water.
• Anchor near the coast after the wildlife search.
• Eat lunch and swim for a short time.
• Sail back to the original harbor.

The total duration is listed as about two hours, although one account described spending about three hours in the same offshore area. That difference is worth clarifying when you book. Wildlife searches can run on sea time rather than city-tour time, and the exact schedule may shift.

The return is to the same meeting point at Los Cristianos. That makes the outing easy to fit into a day based in the south of Tenerife. You do not need to arrange a separate transfer back to the harbor.

Who will enjoy this most

I would choose this cruise if you want several simple pleasures in one outing: a distinctive boat, open sea views, wildlife watching, a meal, and a short swim. It suits couples, families, and anyone who enjoys being on the water without needing a packed program.

It is especially appealing if the wooden schooner matters to you. The vessel gives the trip a sense of occasion that a basic harbor boat may not provide.

I would think twice if you dislike waiting, get bored on slow-moving boats, or need a tightly timed schedule. One account found the trip boring because the boat remained in roughly the same area for a long time. That is not a fault unique to this operator. It is part of looking for wild animals, but you should know your own patience level.

You should also plan around the sun. The upper deck is suited to sunbathing, while the boat’s central table offers a shared place to eat. The supplied details do not state how much shade is available, so do not assume the whole boat is sheltered.

Practical booking advice

Confirmation is provided when you book, and the activity is offered in English. Most people can take part, with a maximum of 60 participants.

The experience requires suitable weather. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. If the minimum number of participants is not reached, the same type of alternative or refund applies.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that period are not accepted for a refund. These rules are useful if your Tenerife schedule is still shifting, so do not leave this booking until the last day if your plans are uncertain.

I would also verify three points before setting off: the precise harbor meeting location, the expected duration, and exactly what the included food and drink cover. Those details address the only practical complaints attached to this outing.

Should you book the Portuguese schooner cruise?

Book it if you want an easy half-day-style sea outing with a memorable wooden boat, a chance to see pilot whales and dolphins, lunch, and a short Atlantic swim. The friendly crew, clear explanations, open viewing areas, and family appeal all work in its favor.

Skip it if you need guaranteed sightings, constant movement, or a long swimming session. The wildlife search may be slow, and the food and drinks are worth confirming before you pay.

My call is cautiously positive. The schooner and the combination of wildlife, lunch, and swimming give you more than a basic dolphin ride. Just treat the whales as a possibility rather than a promise, allow for a patient pace, and check the lunch details at booking.

FAQ

Where does the dolphin and whale cruise start?

It starts at Muelle de Pescadores in Puerto de Los Cristianos, Arona, Tenerife.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 10:00 in the morning.

Where does the activity finish?

The boat returns to the original meeting point at Puerto de Los Cristianos.

How long does the cruise last?

The listed duration is approximately two hours. The time spent searching for wildlife may vary with sea conditions and sightings.

What animals might I see?

The cruise searches for a colony of pilot whales and dolphins. Sightings are possible but are not guaranteed.

Is food included?

Food and drinks are described as included. A meal has been described as rice, chicken legs, salad, bread rolls, and a drink. Confirm the current meal and drink inclusions before departure.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Weather or minimum-participant cancellations may also result in an alternative date or a full refund.