Tenerife: Sailing Excursion with Whale and Dolphin Watching

The ocean is the star of this three-hour trip. From Puerto Colón, you sail along Tenerife’s southern coast on a comfortable 52-foot yacht, looking for pilot whales, dolphins, and turtles in open water. I like the small-group feel and the thoughtful wildlife approach, especially when the captain cuts the engine and lets the animals choose how close to come.

I also like that this is more than a wildlife search. You get time to sit on deck, enjoy fruit, sandwiches, and drinks, then stop in a quiet bay for swimming or snorkeling. The main caution is the sea itself: large waves can make the ride bumpy, and a few people may feel seasick.

Key points to know before booking

• Pilot whales are the main sighting: The waters off southern Tenerife are well known for regular pilot-whale encounters, and many sailings see several, sometimes including mothers and calves.
• The yacht keeps the group small: Previous trips have carried as few as seven people and about 10 passengers, leaving more room than the large excursion boats nearby.
• You get a proper water stop: The captain anchors in a sheltered bay for swimming, snorkeling, or relaxing, although the exact swim time depends on how long the wildlife watching takes.
• The crew treats the animals with care: Captains have stopped the engine and maintained distance instead of chasing whales and dolphins.
• Food and drinks are included: Expect fresh fruit, sandwiches, water, juice, soft drinks, beer, wine, and cava.
• Bring very little aboard: You need swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. Large bags are not allowed, and the boat has a barefoot policy.

Setting out from Puerto Colón on a 52-foot yacht

Your meeting point is at dock number zero in Puerto Colón. Look for Miishi Restaurant as a nearby reference, and arrive 15 minutes before departure. Two port car parks are available, costing about €1 per hour according to the supplied information.

There is no hotel pickup, so you need to arrange your own way to the marina. A bus may work well, depending on where you are staying, while a rental car gives you more control but requires attention to parking. Once you reach the dock, look for the meeting point and the crew rather than expecting a long check-in process.

The boat is a 52-foot sailing yacht, not a large party vessel. That distinction matters. You have more open deck space, a calmer feel, and a better chance to speak with the captain. Several sailings had only a handful of people aboard, while another group reported 10 passengers plus crew and still found the boat comfortable.

Before leaving, an expert guide explains the plan. The crew also covers the local marine life and the general rhythm of the trip. The mood is usually relaxed, though the water can change quickly. On calm days, you may get a gentle ride and even raise the sails. On rougher days, the yacht can pitch and roll, particularly near the front or side of the boat.

Searching for pilot whales and dolphins off Tenerife

The wildlife portion is the heart of the experience. The crew heads toward the area where pilot whales and dolphins are commonly seen, keeping watch while the yacht follows the southern coast.

Pilot whales are the most dependable sighting described in the supplied information. Several trips saw large groups, including smaller whales, mothers, and babies. Some came close to the boat after the engine was turned off. That can be a powerful moment, but it depends on the animals, the weather, and ordinary luck. No wild-animal trip can promise a particular species.

Dolphins are also possible, though sightings appear less certain than pilot whales. One outing saw many dolphins and pilot whales, while another found only one dolphin but plenty of small whales. Turtles have also been spotted, including one swimming beside the yacht.

The best part is the way the crew handles these encounters. Captains such as Alex, Jesus, Yuri, and Mauricio have been praised for explaining what you are seeing and giving the animals room. On one trip, the captain stopped the motor rather than pursuing the whales. The boat then waited while the animals decided whether to approach.

That style makes the experience feel less like a chase. You are not promised a close encounter, but the waiting often produces a more natural one. It also gives you time to listen to the crew’s explanations about marine life instead of simply rushing from one sighting to the next.

Bring sunglasses and a hat because you may spend much of this part of the trip watching the horizon. Sunscreen is essential, even on a cloudy day. If you are prone to motion sickness, take that seriously. One December sailing encountered unusually tall waves, and another group described the water as bumpy. Sitting near the center of the yacht may help, though one person with a history of seasickness found the front comfortable on a calmer outing.

Sailing past Tenerife’s southern coast

Wildlife watching does not take place in isolation. The yacht also gives you a sea-level view of Tenerife’s southern shoreline, with the coast unfolding beside you as the crew searches for whales and dolphins.

The exact route can vary. The supplied information does not promise a visit to Los Gigantes, and one sailing specifically did not reach that area. If Los Gigantes is your priority, check the route before booking. This is primarily a whale and dolphin outing along the southern coast, not a coastal sightseeing cruise built around a particular landmark.

On days with enough wind, the crew may raise the sails. That changes the mood at once. The motor noise drops, the boat moves more quietly, and you get the simple pleasure of sailing rather than only riding in a powered vessel. One person described this as a particularly memorable part of the trip.

There may not always be enough wind to sail. A family on one outing enjoyed the trip but noted that the sails could not be used. That is not a flaw in the crew’s planning. It is simply part of sailing. You are booking time on a sailing yacht, not a guaranteed sail under canvas.

The open water also explains why this trip feels different from a standard coastal boat ride. You are exposed to wind, sun, spray, and movement. I would choose it for the sense of being on the sea, not if you need a perfectly smooth, fixed platform.

A quiet bay for swimming and snorkeling

Before returning to Puerto Colón, the captain anchors in a secluded bay. This is the second major part of the experience, and it breaks up the wildlife search nicely.

You can swim, use the basic snorkeling equipment, or stay aboard with a drink and watch the water. The bay has been described as beautiful, calm, and clear, with blue water that made a strong impression on several people. For many visitors, this stop turns the trip from a simple wildlife cruise into a complete half-day outing.

The length of the swim is not fixed. If the crew spends extra time with a large group of whales, the water stop may become brief. One group had only about 10 minutes for a quick dip after an extended whale encounter. Another outing had enough time for swimming and a relaxed meal.

That trade-off is worth understanding before you book. Wildlife sightings are the main event, and the captain will not cut short an exceptional encounter just to protect a scheduled swim period. If you want a long snorkeling session, a dedicated snorkeling cruise may suit you better. If you want a mix of wildlife, sailing, and a quick swim, this format works well.

The supplied information confirms basic snorkeling equipment, but you should still bring your own towel and swimwear. You may also want to pack a dry change of clothes, though the operator specifically asks you not to bring oversize luggage. Keep your personal items compact.

Fresh food, drinks, and a relaxed onboard pace

Included food is simple but useful: fresh fruit and sandwiches, along with water, juices, soft drinks, beer, wine, and cava. This is not a formal meal, but it removes the need to plan lunch around a three-hour activity.

The timing can vary. One person noted that sandwiches were made while the sails were up and the guide had more time. Another enjoyed the combination of sandwiches, fruit, and alcoholic drinks after the wildlife portion. You can expect refreshments during the trip, but not necessarily at one exact point.

The relaxed pace is one of the strongest features. There is time to sit on deck, talk with the crew, watch the sea, and enjoy the boat itself. It does not sound like a loud party cruise, and the small number of passengers helps keep the atmosphere personal.

Crew members have received especially strong praise for warmth and care. Alex was described as attentive and passionate about the ocean. Jesus has been singled out for friendly service and marine-life explanations. Mauricio was praised for professionalism, while Yuri was appreciated for explaining the species in the area. Names and crew assignments can change, but the pattern is clear: personal service is central to this sailing.

If you want a fully private charter, this is not one. You will share the yacht with other people. Still, the reported group sizes make it feel close to a private outing at a much lower price.

Is $88 a fair price?

At $88 per person, this sits above the cheapest large-boat whale trips but offers more than a basic ride to the viewing area. You are paying for three hours aboard a 52-foot yacht, a smaller group, a live guide, wildlife viewing, a swim stop, basic snorkeling gear, sandwiches, fruit, and a broad choice of drinks.

I think the value is strongest for couples, families, and small groups who care about comfort and atmosphere. A crowded vessel can get you to the same stretch of sea, but it may not give you the same room to sit quietly or speak with the captain. Here, the smaller setting is a genuine part of the product.

The value is less clear if you mainly want a long swim, a specific coastal landmark, or a guaranteed dolphin sighting. The trip is built around wild animals, so the result can vary. You might see pilot whales, dolphins, and a turtle on the same morning, or see only some of them.

The average rating is 4.7 from 226 ratings, with especially strong praise for the yacht, crew, whale sightings, and small-group atmosphere. The occasional four-star experience points to the one real variable: wind and sea conditions can limit sailing time or make the ride uncomfortable.

Who will enjoy this sailing most?

I would recommend this trip to:

• Wildlife fans who want to see pilot whales in their natural setting.
• Couples and small groups who prefer a quiet yacht to a packed excursion boat.
• Families with older children who can manage three hours on a moving vessel.
• First-time sailors who want a gentle introduction to a yacht, with food and guidance included.
• Swimmers who like the idea of a short bay stop after time at sea.
• People who value responsible wildlife watching and prefer a captain who does not chase animals.

I would think twice if you get severe motion sickness, dislike open water, or need a guaranteed route. Tall waves were reported on some trips, and even calm-looking conditions can change. Also consider the barefoot rule. You are expected to go without shoes aboard unless a health issue makes that impractical.

The trip is wheelchair accessible, but you should confirm the practical arrangements for your own needs before booking. No hotel pickup is included, and oversize luggage is not permitted.

Practical preparation for the marina and boat

Arrive 15 minutes early at dock number zero in Puerto Colón. Searching for Miishi Restaurant should help you find the entrance area. Allow extra time if you are driving, since the port has two car parks and spaces may require a short walk.

Pack only what you need:

• Swimsuit
• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Sun hat
• A small personal bag

You can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your schedule is still shifting. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. The live guide service is available in English, Spanish, French, and Italian.

Should you book the Tenerife yacht trip?

Yes, if you want a small-group wildlife cruise with a real sailing feel, rather than the cheapest possible whale-watching boat. The combination of pilot whales, possible dolphins and turtles, a comfortable yacht, food, drinks, and a bay swim gives you plenty for three hours.

Book with sensible expectations. Wildlife is never guaranteed, sailing depends on wind, and the sea can be rough. If those limits do not bother you, this is a well-priced way to spend part of a Tenerife holiday. I would choose it for the careful crew, the intimate boat, and the chance to watch whales without turning the encounter into a chase.

FAQ

Where does the Tenerife sailing excursion meet?

The meeting point is at dock number zero in Puerto Colón. You can search for Miishi Restaurant to help locate the entrance.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive 15 minutes before the activity starts.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. You need to make your own way to Puerto Colón. Parking is available at the port for about €1 per hour.

What wildlife might I see?

The trip looks for pilot whales and dolphins, and turtles may also appear. Sightings are not guaranteed because the animals are wild.

Is swimming or snorkeling included?

Yes. The captain stops in a secluded bay where you can swim, snorkel, or relax. Basic snorkeling equipment is included.

What food and drinks are provided?

Fresh fruit, sandwiches, water, juices, soft drinks, beer, wine, and cava are included.