Tenerife: Luxury Private Whale & Dolphin Watching Tour

Seeing pilot whales soon after leaving Puerto Colón is the main draw here, but the best part may be having the whole yacht to your group. You get cabins, bathrooms, a kitchen, a salon, and room to stretch out rather than a crowded boat ride.

I like the easygoing setup: cava when you arrive, food and drinks through the trip, plus snorkeling gear for the swimming stop. I also like the choice of a 3-hour outing or a longer 6-hour cruise. The catch is simple: wildlife is wild, and whale, dolphin, and turtle sightings cannot be treated as a promise.

Key points to know

• Pilot whales are often the first wildlife sighting: The boat heads out from Puerto Colón, with whales expected soon after leaving the harbor.
• A private yacht changes the mood: Your group of up to 11 people has the boat to itself, with indoor and outdoor areas.
• The 6-hour option gives you more time: You can spend longer looking for animals, sailing, eating, and swimming.
• Food and drinks are part of the fare: Cava, beer, white wine, soft drinks, baguettes, fruit, and snacks are included.
• The anchor stop adds a beach-day feel: You can swim, use the snorkeling equipment, or stay aboard with a drink.
• Pack the items the operator does not provide: Bring a towel and sun cream, along with sunglasses, swimwear, a hat, and a camera.

Leaving Puerto Colón on a private yacht

You meet at Puerto Colón, Pontoon Number 2, 15 minutes before departure. That extra time matters because a private boat trip is less forgiving of late arrivals than a large group excursion. Have your swimwear on or close at hand, and keep your camera and sunglasses easy to reach.

The yacht is fully equipped for a half-day or full-day outing. You have a bathroom, cabins, a large salon, a kitchen, and a sunbathing area. That mix makes the boat useful in different weather and for different moods. You can sit inside, stretch out in the sun, or move around while the captain handles the sailing.

You are welcomed aboard with a glass of cava. It is a small touch, but it sets the tone. This is not simply a quick wildlife ride with a seat and a safety briefing. It is a private day on the water, with food, drinks, and space to settle into your own pace.

The group limit is 11 people. That is a particularly good fit for a family, a group of friends, or several couples traveling together. At full capacity, the price works out to roughly $64 per person before any currency changes, which makes the private setup far more appealing than it first appears. For a smaller group, the cost per person rises, so the value depends on how many people share the boat.

Looking for pilot whales beyond the harbor

The first stretch is focused on wildlife. Once the yacht leaves the harbor, pilot whales should soon come into view. You will want to keep watching the water rather than expecting a staged animal encounter. The captain is the person directing the boat toward sightings, but the timing and distance depend on where the animals are.

Pilot whales are the main species highlighted for this cruise. Dolphins and turtles may also appear during the outing. That mix gives the trip more variety than a ride built around one animal alone, though nature does not follow a schedule. You may see animals quickly, or you may spend time scanning the water between sightings.

I would bring a camera, but I would not plan the trip around getting perfect photographs. A whale or dolphin can surface at the wrong angle, and a phone camera may struggle with distance and movement. Binoculars are not listed as included, so if you own a compact pair, they could be useful, though they are not on the required packing list.

The private format helps here. Your group can share the excitement without competing with a large boatload of people for every view. You can also ask the guide or captain questions as the cruise continues. The live guide service is available in Spanish, English, German, French, and Italian, which is useful for mixed-language groups.

Dolphins, turtles, and the rhythm of the sea

A good whale-watching trip has pauses. You may spend one moment watching pilot whales and the next sitting quietly with only open water around you. The drinks and snacks make those slower stretches pleasant rather than awkward.

Dolphins are another possible highlight. Their movement can be fast and unpredictable, so keep watching after the first sighting. Turtles are also part of the wildlife search and may be seen before the boat anchors. The program then adds a chance to swim in a secluded bay, where you might encounter turtles in the water.

The wording matters: this is a chance to see marine life, not a guaranteed wildlife performance. If your top priority is seeing a particular species, you should be comfortable with some uncertainty. The cruise offers a good setting for sightings, but the animals decide when and where they appear.

I like that the trip does not end with the last whale sighting. The quieter part of the cruise gives you time to talk, eat, take photographs, and enjoy the yacht itself. One group of 11 was even allowed to play its own music, though you should treat that as a possible courtesy rather than a standard feature promised for every departure.

Anchoring in a secluded bay

The captain eventually anchors in a sheltered bay for a break. This is where the trip shifts from wildlife excursion to private boat day. You can swim, try the included snorkeling equipment, or stay aboard and enjoy the food and drinks.

If you want to get in the water, wear your swimsuit from the start. Towels are not included, so bring one from your accommodation. Sun cream is also not provided, and the combination of open water, bright sun, and a sunbathing area makes protection important. A hat and sunglasses are specifically recommended.

The swim stop is a strong reason to consider the 6-hour option. On the 3-hour cruise, you still have time for wildlife, sailing, refreshments, and a swim, but the schedule will feel tighter. Six hours gives the captain more room for wildlife viewing and lets you enjoy the anchored stop without checking the clock every few minutes.

The bay is described as secluded, but no exact location is provided. I would not book this expecting a named beach or a particular snorkeling site. Think of it as a quiet place selected during the cruise, with the simple goal of letting you swim and relax.

Food, drinks, and the practical comfort of the boat

The included refreshments are more substantial than a token drink. You receive soft drinks, beer, white wine, baguettes, fruit, and snacks during the cruise. That is useful because a 3 or 6-hour outing can span a normal meal period, especially when you add the time spent swimming and watching wildlife.

The baguettes make the offering more practical than fruit and crisps alone. You can have a light lunch on board, although the information does not specify fillings, quantities, or a formal meal service. If someone in your group has strict dietary needs, ask before booking rather than assuming the food will suit everyone.

The kitchen and salon also matter. A yacht with indoor space and a bathroom is easier for a mixed-age group than a basic open boat. You can take a break from the sun, change your position, or use the facilities without cutting the trip short.

There is no mention of towels, sun cream, or special equipment beyond snorkeling gear. Bring your own towel and protection. Wear light beach clothing, a swimsuit, and a hat, as requested. Comfortable clothing is more useful than dressing up for the cava welcome.

Choosing three hours or six

The 3-hour trip is the sensible choice if you want a compact taste of sailing and marine wildlife. It can suit a group with other plans in Tenerife, or anyone unsure how much time they want on the water. You still receive the welcome cava, wildlife search, refreshments, and access to the swim stop.

The 6-hour version is better for people who want the boat itself to be part of the day. You have more time to watch for whales, dolphins, and turtles, linger at anchor, eat without rushing, and enjoy the yacht’s indoor and outdoor areas. It is also the better pick for a group that wants a relaxed social outing rather than a quick activity between other stops.

The longer cruise is not automatically better for everyone. Six hours on open water can feel long if you do not enjoy boats, and the price and time commitment are higher. If your group mainly wants to spot a whale and take a swim, three hours may be enough.

Availability determines the start time. Since the tour runs privately, your preferred time may not always be open. Check the available departure slots before building the rest of your day around it.

Is $701 good value for your group?

The listed price is $701 for a private group of up to 11 people. That is a large headline number for one activity, but it includes the yacht rather than a single seat. With 11 people, the rough cost is $64 each. With six people, it is about $117 each, and with four people, about $175 each.

That calculation explains who gets the strongest value. A full family group or a gathering of friends receives a private yacht, a captain, a guide, refreshments, snorkeling gear, and a swim stop without paying separately for each person’s food or drink. A small group still gets privacy, but the per-person cost becomes much higher.

The private nature is the key benefit. You are not paying only for animal sightings. You are paying for control of the boat, space for your group, a bathroom and salon, a relaxed food-and-drink setup, and a more personal day on the water.

I would compare the price with what a large shared cruise offers in the same area, but do not compare only by duration. A shared boat may cost less per person, while this experience gives your group its own yacht. If privacy, flexibility, and time together matter, the premium can make sense.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Families or friend groups that can fill much of the 11-person capacity
• People who want wildlife viewing combined with swimming and a relaxed meal
• Groups with different comfort needs, since the yacht has cabins, a salon, a bathroom, and outdoor space
• Visitors who want a private celebration or social day on the water
• Anyone who prefers a 6-hour outing with time to slow down

It may be less suitable if you want a guaranteed close-up encounter with one particular species. It is also not ideal if you dislike open-water activities, do not want to swim, or would rather spend a short, low-cost morning on a shared boat.

The multilingual guide service is a useful advantage for international groups. You can book the live tour in Spanish, English, German, French, or Italian. No guide’s personal name is provided, so I would focus on the language option and the private format rather than expecting a named host.

Booking details worth knowing

You should arrive at Puerto Colón, Pontoon Number 2, 15 minutes before departure. Bring sunglasses, swimwear, a hat, a camera, a towel, and sun cream. The operator asks you to wear summer beach clothing, so there is no need to dress formally for the yacht.

Snorkeling equipment is included. Towels and sun cream are not. Cava is served on arrival, while beer, white wine, soft drinks, baguettes, fruit, and snacks are available during the cruise.

The activity has free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Tenerife plans are still moving around. Check the available starting times before booking, especially if you are choosing the 6-hour option.

Should you book Tenerife Sailing Charters?

Book this cruise if you have a group large enough to share the $701 cost and want more than a quick whale-watching ride. The strongest combination is the private yacht, included food and drinks, and secluded-bay swim stop. The high 4.9 rating from 14 bookings also fits the practical strengths here: relaxed service, good food, and an enjoyable day for a full group.

Choose three hours if wildlife and a swim are your main goals. Choose six hours if you want a full private outing with time to sail, eat, watch for animals, and linger in the water. Just keep expectations sensible. The captain can take you where sightings are likely, but pilot whales, dolphins, and turtles remain wild animals, not scheduled attractions.

FAQ

Where does the yacht depart from?

The meeting point is Puerto Colón, Pontoon Number 2. You should arrive 15 minutes before departure.

How long is the cruise?

You can choose between a 3-hour and a 6-hour private sailing trip, depending on availability.

How many people can join the private group?

The yacht can accommodate a private group of up to 11 people.

What animals might I see?

The cruise looks for pilot whales, dolphins, and turtles. Sightings are not guaranteed because the animals are wild.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. The cruise includes cava on arrival, soft drinks, beer, white wine, baguettes, fruit, and snacks.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included for the swimming stop. Towels and sun cream are not included.

Which languages are available?

The live guide service is available in Spanish, English, German, French, and Italian.