Tenerife Whale watching on private charter

The best part of this Tenerife outing is the freedom to shape the day around your own group. From Puerto Colón, you sail the southwest coast in search of resident pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins, then anchor in a quiet cove for swimming, snorkeling, or a long, lazy stretch on the deck. Victor and Conrado are named crew members associated with the boat, and the service is a major part of the appeal.

I like two things right away: the catamaran is private for your group, and the price includes food plus unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks. That makes the outing feel more like a catered day on the water than a basic wildlife boat trip. The main consideration is timing: the advertised duration can run from three to eight hours, so you need to confirm the exact route and length before booking.

Key Details Before You Book

• Private catamaran for up to 12 people: You share the boat only with your own family or friends.
• Whale and dolphin watching: The southwest coast is home to resident pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins.
• Swimming stop included: The boat anchors in a clear-water cove where you can swim or use your own snorkeling gear.
• Food and drinks are covered: Catering, unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks are included.
• Flexible three to eight-hour format: The longer trips allow more time for the coast, swimming, and possible stops near Masca Bay or Los Gigantes.
• Departure from Puerto Colón: The meeting point is Av. de Colón, 11, in Playa de las Américas.

Sailing From Puerto Colón Into Tenerife’s Whale Country

You meet at Club Náutico Puerto Colón, a practical departure point in Playa de las Américas. The tour begins and ends at the same location, which keeps the day simple, especially if you are staying in the southern resort area.

Once aboard Abrazo, the focus shifts quickly from marina logistics to open water. The southwest coast of Tenerife is a favored place for whale and dolphin watching because pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins live in these waters year-round. That resident population matters. You are not simply passing through an area where an animal might appear by chance, although wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed.

I appreciate the private setup here. On a shared boat, you usually need to accept someone else’s preferred pace, noise level, and seating choices. With your own group, you can spend more time looking for marine life, ask the crew to explain what you are seeing, or settle into the cushions and nets when you want a break.

The boat itself is presented as a spacious, comfortable catamaran. The deck and forward nets give you several ways to spend the sailing time. You can sit upright for a better view, stretch out on the cushions, or lie over the nets with the sea below. If you are prone to motion sickness, a private charter also gives you more control over where you sit, though the boat will still move with the sea.

Watching Pilot Whales and Bottlenose Dolphins

Wildlife watching is the heart of the trip, but it works best when you approach it with realistic expectations. Pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins are resident species in this part of Tenerife, so the setting is promising. Still, these are wild animals, not performers arriving on a timetable.

The crew provides live commentary throughout the trip. That gives the search more purpose than simply scanning the horizon. You can learn what to watch for and get a better sense of the coast and marine life as you sail.

The strongest wildlife experience will depend on the conditions and the animals’ behavior. One especially good outing may bring dolphins close to the boat and pilot whales into view, while another may offer more distant sightings. The private format helps because you are not competing with a large crowd for the best view or trying to hear commentary over a noisy deck.

Bring a light layer even if the day starts warm. The supplied details do not specify what clothing is provided, so it is sensible to prepare for wind while sailing. Comfortable clothes and swimwear are the practical choice, since the day combines wildlife watching with a swimming stop.

A Quiet Cove for Swimming and Snorkeling

After time offshore, the boat anchors in a secluded cove with clear water. This is where the experience changes pace. You can swim, explore with your own snorkeling equipment, or simply stretch out on the deck and enjoy the stillness.

Snorkeling gear is not included, so you need to bring your own if you want to look underwater. That is a small but important detail. Do not assume equipment will be waiting on board.

The water temperature is described as roughly 18 degrees Celsius in winter and up to 26 degrees in summer. Summer swimmers will find the conditions easier, while winter visitors may prefer a shorter swim followed by time in the sun. Since the boat anchors in a quiet bay rather than rushing from one sight to the next, you get a proper chance to enjoy the stop.

This is also the part of the day that suits mixed groups best. Strong swimmers can get in the water, while anyone who would rather stay dry can use the spacious deck and nets. Children must be accompanied by an adult, but most people can take part.

Los Gigantes, Masca Bay, and the Southwest Coast

The route can include Masca Bay, the Los Gigantes Cliffs, and other points along the Tenerife coast. The exact route depends on the length of charter you choose and the day’s conditions, so confirm the plan when you check availability.

Los Gigantes is known for its towering coastal cliffs, and seeing them from the sea gives you a different perspective than viewing them from a road or lookout. The cliffs form a strong visual part of a longer charter, especially when combined with the open-water wildlife search.

Masca Bay offers another possible coastal setting. The supplied information does not promise that every charter visits both Masca Bay and Los Gigantes, so I would not book the three-hour option expecting the full coastal route. A shorter outing may center more tightly on whale watching and the swimming cove.

That flexibility is useful for private groups. You can choose a shorter charter if your priority is a relaxed half-day on the water, or ask about a longer trip if you want more coastline and a slower pace. The tradeoff is that the exact itinerary is less fixed than on a standard sightseeing cruise.

Food, Drinks, and the Feel of a Catered Day

Food and drinks are included, which adds real value to a private charter. The crew serves special catering before the return sail to the harbor, and the package includes unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks.

The details do not specify a fixed menu, so you should ask what food will be served if anyone in your group has dietary needs. A vegetarian option is available, but you need to request it when booking. That is worth doing early rather than hoping it can be arranged at the last minute.

I like this setup because it prevents the trip from feeling like an expensive boat ride where every extra drink costs more. You can settle into the day without planning a separate lunch stop. The drinks also help the charter feel social for an adult group, while soft drinks keep the arrangement suitable for families.

Do remember that included catering does not mean every personal need is covered. Souvenir photos cost extra, and private transportation to Puerto Colón is not included. You need to make your own way to the meeting point.

What the Private Price Really Buys You

The listed price is $1,055.39 per group of up to 12 people. At full capacity, that works out to about $88 per person. For a smaller group, the per-person cost rises quickly, but you are paying for exclusive use of the boat rather than a seat on a large shared cruise.

That distinction is the main value question. For 10 to 12 people, the price is easier to justify, particularly because food, unlimited drinks, live commentary, and the crew are included. For four or five people, a shared whale-watching trip may cost less, although it will not give you the same privacy or control over the pace.

The private format is especially useful for a birthday, family day, small celebration, or group of friends who want a quiet setting. It also suits people who dislike crowded decks and fixed group schedules. If your only goal is to spot dolphins as cheaply as possible, this is probably more boat than you need.

The charter runs for approximately three to eight hours. Since that is a broad range, ask for the available departure and duration before you pay. A longer sailing gives you more time for the coast, wildlife watching, swimming, and food, but it also means more time in the sun and on a moving boat.

Crew Service and the Details That Matter

The crew stays available throughout the trip and aims to handle the practical details while you enjoy the boat. Victor and Conrado are specifically associated with the crew, and their attention to service is one of the strongest reasons to consider this option.

The boat is described as clean and well maintained, with attention to presentation and comfort. Those details matter more on a private charter because you spend several hours using the same small set of spaces. A tidy boat, comfortable cushions, and an organized crew can make the difference between a restful day and a cramped one.

Live commentary is also included. You should expect guidance about the marine life and the route, not a formal land-style tour with a long scripted lecture. The format is better suited to questions and conversation as the day unfolds.

There is no need to dress formally. You will want swimwear, sun protection, and a light layer for the sailing portion. Bring snorkeling equipment if you plan to use it, since it is not supplied.

Booking, Weather, and Practical Limits

Confirmation is provided at the time of booking. The tour is near public transportation, but private transportation is not included, so plan your route to Av. de Colón, 11, in Playa de las Américas.

Children can participate when accompanied by an adult, and most people can take part. The information does not provide specific details about wheelchair access or other mobility needs, so contact the provider before booking if that applies to anyone in your group.

The experience depends on good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded or accepted.

That policy makes it sensible to keep a little flexibility in your Tenerife schedule. A weather-related change is not a flaw in this kind of outing. It is simply part of booking time on the sea.

Who Will Enjoy This Tenerife Charter Most

I would choose this trip for a group that values privacy more than the lowest possible price. Families can split their time between swimming, wildlife watching, and relaxing on deck. Friends can enjoy the catered setting without sharing the boat with strangers.

It is also a good fit for anyone who wants a slower coastal day rather than a tightly packed sightseeing schedule. The ability to anchor in a quiet cove gives the trip a restful center, while the chance to see pilot whales and dolphins adds a real sense of purpose.

I would be more cautious if you need a fixed itinerary, guaranteed wildlife sightings, or included snorkeling equipment. The route can vary, the animals are wild, and you must bring your own gear. The broad three to eight-hour duration also means you should confirm exactly what you are booking.

Should You Book the Abrazo Private Charter?

Book it if your group can share the cost and you want a polished day on the water with food, drinks, swimming, and a chance to see resident whales and dolphins. The strongest points are the private boat, spacious deck, attentive crew, and the way the trip combines wildlife with time to relax.

Think twice if you are traveling alone, with only one other person, or mainly want the cheapest possible whale-watching option. The price makes the most sense for a larger group, especially one that will use the full service and longer sailing time.

For a group of up to 12, this is a strong choice for a special Tenerife day. Confirm the duration, route, menu, and availability with White Tenerife, bring your own snorkeling gear, and leave room in your plans in case the sea sets the schedule.

FAQ

How many people can join the private charter?

The boat can accommodate a private group of up to 12 people. Only your group participates in the activity.

Where does the tour begin and end?

It begins at Av. de Colón, 11, 38660 Playa de las Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, at Club Náutico Puerto Colón. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the charter last?

Private charters are offered for approximately three to eight hours. You should confirm the exact duration and availability before booking.

What marine life might I see?

The southwest coast is home to resident pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins. Sightings are possible, but the animals are wild and cannot be guaranteed.

Is food included?

Yes. Catering and meals are included as part of the itinerary. A vegetarian option is available if you request it when booking.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. You need to bring your own snorkeling gear if you want to snorkel during the swimming stop.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.