Puerto Colon : Whale & Dolphins Sailing Excursion

Whales are only part of the day. This Tenerife sailing trip pairs wildlife watching with a quiet beach stop, a Canarian lunch, and time in the water. I like the small group of up to 10 people, which gives you more room on deck and easier access to Captain Daniel, also called Dani. I also like the use of a hydrophone, letting you hear whale and dolphin calls instead of simply watching from a distance. The main consideration is that sightings are never guaranteed, and the sea can be rough for anyone prone to motion sickness.

The six-hour option adds more sailing time, a better chance to reach Los Gigantes, and longer for swimming. The shorter trip makes more sense if you want a half-day outing. One practical warning: the meeting point can vary by booking option, and one visitor had trouble after receiving an incorrect pier location by email, so confirm the departure point before setting off.

Key points at a glance

• Pilot whales in Tenerife’s conservation zone: Sail through the Teno-Rasca Special Conservation Zone, home to one of Europe’s largest populations of pilot whales.
• Hydrophone listening: Hear whale and dolphin calls beneath the boat, a more memorable lesson than simply pointing at a fin.
• Diego Hernández Beach stop: Anchor at the secluded beach, also known as Hippie Beach, for swimming and snorkeling.
• Captain Dani’s personal touch: Expect clear explanations about whales, dolphins, turtles, and the local coast, along with attentive hosting.
• Canarian food on board: Lunch includes local specialties, drinks, fruit, and, according to one recent outing, pastries and generous snack plates.
• Six hours for Los Gigantes: Choose the longer cruise if the cliffs, extra swimming time, and more time searching for dolphins appeal to you.

Setting out from Puerto Colón

Your day begins at Puerto Colón, a working marina on Tenerife’s southwest coast. You board a sailboat and head toward the waters around Costa Adeje, leaving the harbor behind as the coast opens up.

The group limit is 10 people, a useful detail here. Whale watching works best when you can move your gaze from one side of the boat to the other without jostling through a crowd. A small group also makes it easier to ask questions, hear the guide, and settle into a comfortable spot on deck.

The exact meeting point may change with the option you book. Check the pier and boarding instructions carefully, and allow extra time to find the correct location. This is not a glamorous concern, but missing a sailing because of a wrong marina entrance would be a poor start to an otherwise relaxed outing.

The boat is used for both sightseeing and transport to the swimming stop. You should bring sunglasses, a hat, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Bring a second hat if you are prone to losing the first one to the wind, though the official advice lists both sunglasses and a sun hat or hat.

Searching for pilot whales and dolphins

The first major part of the trip is the search for marine life around Tenerife. The boat sails through the Teno-Rasca Special Conservation Zone, an area set aside for the protection of marine species and their habitat.

Pilot whales are the main attraction. The waters here support one of the largest populations of pilot whales in Europe, so the trip offers more than a quick coastal cruise with a vague hope of spotting something. You may also see dolphins, loggerhead turtles, and fin whales.

Sightings are still wild encounters, not a scheduled show. The crew can take you into the right waters and explain what to look for, but no honest boat operator can promise a particular species on a particular morning. Keep your eyes moving, listen for directions, and enjoy the open-water setting even during quiet stretches.

The boat gives you a useful viewing platform. Dolphins may splash near the vessel, while whales can appear as a back, fin, or blow before slipping below the surface. That brief appearance is part of the thrill, but it also means you should avoid staring at your phone or camera the entire time.

There is an important rule: do not touch the animals. This protects the wildlife and keeps the encounter at a respectful distance. The crew’s approach is built around watching rather than chasing or handling marine life, which matters in a protected area.

Hearing the ocean through a hydrophone

The hydrophone is one of the most distinctive parts of the trip. It allows you to listen to whale and dolphin calls beneath the boat.

This changes the outing from a simple sighting trip into a short lesson in how marine animals communicate. You may spend several minutes watching an empty patch of water, then hear activity below the surface and understand that the sea is far from empty.

Captain Dani is praised for explaining the animals and answering questions during the sailing. His role is not just to steer the boat. He helps you make sense of what you see, from the behavior of pilot whales to the presence of turtles and dolphins in these waters.

That personal contact is easier in a 10-person group than on a large excursion vessel. If you are curious about marine life, ask questions as they come to you. The format is well suited to people who want more than a quick photograph and a general announcement over a loudspeaker.

Anchoring at Diego Hernández Beach

After the wildlife search, the boat sails to Diego Hernández Beach, also called Hippie Beach. The beach is accessible on foot or by boat, and the boat provides a calm way to reach it without a longer walk.

Here the pace changes. The boat drops anchor, and you can swim or snorkel in the sea while the crew prepares lunch. This is the part of the outing that makes the cruise feel like a full coastal day rather than a wildlife-only trip.

The water stop is also the clearest reason to pack a towel and proper swimwear. Snorkeling is an option, not an obligation. You can swim, stay aboard, or simply enjoy the view of the secluded beach if you would rather not enter the water.

The shore is described as quiet, but do not expect a private island or a completely empty coastline. The attraction is its access by boat and its change of pace. After concentrating on distant fins and blows, you get time to relax without needing to watch the horizon every second.

The six-hour option gives you more time for this part of the day. That matters if you want to swim without feeling rushed, especially if you are traveling with people who have different ideas about how long to stay in the water.

Canarian lunch and drinks on the sailboat

Lunch is included, along with drinks and fruit. The food is based on Canarian cuisine, giving the meal a local angle rather than treating the boat as a floating snack counter.

The exact dishes are not specified, so you should not book this expecting a named menu. Still, the meal is an important part of the value. You get a proper break from sightseeing, and the crew serves food while you are anchored near the beach.

One recent birthday outing with Captain Daniel included local food, drinks, pastries, and a generous selection of meats and small snacks. That suggests the hospitality can go beyond the basic lunch promise, though menus and portions may vary by departure.

I like that the food is served after the active wildlife search. You can swim first, then eat, rather than trying to balance lunch while the boat is moving and everyone is scanning the water. If you are sensitive to seasickness, a meal at anchor may also feel easier than eating during the open-water portion.

Drinks and fruit are included, but the practical advice about motion sickness deserves attention. If you think you may feel ill, avoid excessive liquids the night before and the morning of the trip. The supplied guidance recommends a solid breakfast while limiting mixed drinks such as coffee with milk, tea, water, orange juice, or fruit with high water content. It also mentions Biodramina before boarding, with different versions and amounts for adults and children. Ask a pharmacist or medical professional if you are unsure what is suitable for you.

Choosing three hours or six hours

The duration ranges from three to six hours, depending on the option you select. The shorter trip suits you if you want wildlife watching, lunch, and a swim without giving the excursion most of your day.

The six-hour sailing is the better choice if you want to enjoy Los Gigantes, have more time in the water, and increase your chances of seeing dolphins. More time does not guarantee sightings, but it gives the crew a wider window for searching and gives you a less hurried beach stop.

Los Gigantes adds a scenic goal to the longer outing. The supplied details do not promise a specific amount of time beside the cliffs, so think of this option as a longer coastal sail rather than a tightly timed visit with a guaranteed viewpoint.

For a birthday or special occasion, the six-hour version makes more sense. The extra time allows the meal, swimming, wildlife search, and coastal views to breathe. If you are fitting the boat trip between other Tenerife plans, three hours is easier to manage.

What the $88 price includes

At $88 per person, the outing costs more than a basic large-boat whale-watching cruise, but the comparison is not quite equal. The price includes the sailing trip, hydrophone listening, a Canarian lunch, drinks, fruit, wildlife interpretation, and a swimming stop at a beach reached by boat.

The small group is the strongest value point. With a maximum of 10 people, you are paying for space, a quieter atmosphere, and direct contact with the captain. The experience also combines several separate activities into one booking: marine wildlife, coastal scenery, snorkeling or swimming, and lunch.

The value is best if you plan to use the whole outing. Someone who only wants a quick whale sighting may find a shorter, larger cruise cheaper. You are paying here for the fuller day and the more personal format, especially with the six-hour option.

Captain Daniel’s hosting is repeatedly praised in the supplied feedback. He is described as making people feel safe and welcome, explaining the whales, dolphins, and turtles, and taking care not to disturb the animals. One recent birthday group also singled out the food, drinks, pastries, and attentive service.

Those details matter because a boat trip can feel very different depending on the crew. Wildlife is unpredictable, but a captain who explains the quiet moments and treats the sea carefully can keep the day worthwhile even when animals stay below the surface.

Who will enjoy this sailing trip most

I would choose this excursion for couples, families with older children, small groups of friends, and anyone who prefers a quieter boat to a packed sightseeing vessel. It also fits a birthday or another occasion where food and personal service matter.

It suits you particularly well if you want three things in one outing: wildlife watching, time in the sea, and a meal with local flavor. The chance to ask questions makes it a good pick for anyone curious about marine animals rather than interested only in taking pictures.

You should think twice if you strongly dislike open water, cannot tolerate boat movement, or need a guaranteed wildlife sighting. The crew can improve your chances, but nature keeps control of the schedule.

The trip is also not designed around touching animals or close contact. That is a benefit for responsible wildlife watching, but it may disappoint anyone expecting a hands-on animal encounter.

Booking details worth checking

English and Spanish are available. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Tenerife plans are still shifting.

The meeting point depends on the option booked. Confirm the exact pier rather than relying only on a general Puerto Colón label, particularly after one booking email gave an incorrect pier and caused a delay.

Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, swimwear, and a towel. You may also want a light cover-up for the boat ride, though that is not listed as required. Keep your camera ready, but do not let it replace watching the water.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching excursion begin?

The excursion begins at Puerto Colón in Tenerife. The exact meeting point may vary depending on the option booked, so check your departure details carefully.

How long does the experience last?

You can choose an excursion lasting approximately three or six hours. The six-hour option includes more time for Los Gigantes, swimming, and searching for dolphins.

What marine animals might I see?

The trip looks for pilot whales, dolphins, loggerhead turtles, and fin whales. Sightings are not guaranteed because the animals live freely in the sea.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Canarian cuisine is provided for lunch, along with drinks and fruit. The exact menu is not specified.

Can I swim or snorkel?

Yes. The boat anchors at Diego Hernández Beach, also called Hippie Beach, where you can choose to swim or snorkel.

What languages are available on the tour?

The live guide service is available in English and Spanish.

Should you book it?

Book this sailing trip if you want a small-group day that combines wildlife, a beach stop, swimming, and Canarian food. The hydrophone, the conservation-zone setting, and the chance to speak directly with Captain Dani give it more substance than a simple boat ride.

Choose three hours for a compact half-day. Choose six hours if Los Gigantes, extra swimming time, and a wider search for dolphins are worth giving the trip most of your day. Confirm the pier, prepare for possible seasickness, and remember that the animals set the timetable. If you can accept that uncertainty, the $88 price offers solid value for a personal and well-rounded Tenerife outing.