Whale and Dolphin Watching Yacht Trip in Puerto Colon

The ocean is the real guide here. From Puerto Colón in Playa de las Américas, this three-hour cruise takes you offshore in search of whales and dolphins, with a small group of no more than 12 people. I like the intimate boat size and the chance to see marine life without joining a huge catamaran packed with passengers. I also like that drinks, snacks, snorkeling gear, and a swim stop are included.

The main caution is that the boat experience can vary. Some departures use a sailboat with limited room to move, and the exact vessel may not always match the photos you expect. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, and rough weather can make the ride choppy.

Key points before you book

• Maximum of 12 people: A small group makes it easier to see the water, ask questions, and enjoy a quieter cruise.
• Pilot whales are the main regular sighting: Dolphins, turtles, and other whales are also possible, but nature sets the schedule.
• Three hours on the ocean: The usual trip combines wildlife watching, a swim or snorkeling stop, drinks, and simple food.
• English and Spanish every day: Other languages may be possible, but you need to ask before booking.
• Food requests need attention: Ham and cheese baguettes are provided, with vegetarian options available if requested in advance.
• Sunset departure is different: The 19:00 trip runs for two hours until the end of August and includes either wildlife watching or a swim stop, not both.

Leaving Puerto Colón for open water

The meeting point is Puerto Colón, a convenient marina in Playa de las Américas. The cruise returns to the same place, so you do not need to arrange a separate ride back from another harbor.

The boat carries a maximum of 12 people, which is one of the strongest reasons to consider this trip. You have a better chance of getting a clear view from the sides of the boat, and the skipper can speak to the group without shouting across a crowded deck. You also avoid the rather impersonal feeling that can come with a large excursion boat carrying dozens or hundreds of people.

That small size comes with a trade-off. A compact sailboat does not offer the same amount of walking space as a large catamaran. One passenger found the boat cramped and hard to move around on, especially while the skipper handled several jobs at once. If you value room to spread out, this may not feel like a luxury yacht in the traditional sense.

There is also an important booking detail for families and groups. The operator uses more than one boat for this activity, so if you book separate reservations, tell the company at the time of booking that you want to stay together. Waiting until later may be too late.

The search for pilot whales and dolphins

Once the boat reaches the open sea, the main activity begins: scanning the water for movement. The captain gives live commentary and looks for the areas where whales and dolphins are most likely to appear.

Pilot whales are the sighting mentioned most often in the experience details. Several outings have included groups of pilot whales moving alongside the boat, and some have produced repeated sightings during the cruise. A family group swimming nearby can be a quiet, memorable moment, especially when the captain stops the boat and lets you watch instead of rushing on.

Dolphins are part of the advertised wildlife search, but you should not treat them as a promise. The same applies to turtles. Some trips have included a sea turtle along with whales, while others have focused on pilot whales. You are paying for time at sea in a wildlife area, not a guaranteed animal performance.

This is also why the captain matters. The best moments depend on spotting distant movement, judging where the animals are going, and giving everyone time to see them. The captain and guide are praised for pointing animals out so nobody misses them. On one outing, the captain was also singled out for sharing seafaring stories and making the trip feel personal.

Still, the quality of commentary can vary. One unhappy account described a guide who offered very little explanation, leaving a long quiet stretch after a brief whale sighting. If you want constant narration, it is worth confirming the language and guide arrangements before you go.

What the three-hour itinerary feels like

The standard outing lasts about three hours, though the exact rhythm depends on conditions and wildlife. You leave the marina, travel along the coast, and head toward the open water where pilot whales and other marine life may be found.

The coastal ride gives you more than a simple animal search. You can see Tenerife from the water, and the skipper may point out landmarks while explaining the plan. This makes the journey useful even during the waiting periods, when the sea appears empty and everyone is watching for a fin.

The wildlife section can be calm or exciting. You may spend time moving slowly through the water, waiting for a sighting, then suddenly find whales traveling close to the boat. You need patience. A three-hour cruise does not mean three hours of continuous animal activity.

After the search, the boat may stop in a sheltered cove for swimming and snorkeling, provided the weather allows. This is a welcome change of pace. Several outings have included a swim in a beautiful bay, and the stop gives you a chance to cool off after sitting in the sun or bracing against sea spray.

The order may change. The captain needs to respond to the sea, the animals, and the wind. You may reach the swim stop after the whale search, or spend more time looking for wildlife if conditions are promising.

Swimming and snorkeling when the sea allows

Snorkeling equipment is included, as are life vests. Swimming and snorkeling are weather dependent, so you should not book this trip solely for the water stop.

When the stop goes ahead, it adds real value to the outing. You are not simply riding out and returning to the marina. You get time to enter the water, look around with the provided equipment, and enjoy a quieter cove before the journey back.

The information does not promise a particular reef, beach, or underwater species, so keep your expectations sensible. The swim is best seen as an optional bonus that rounds out the cruise rather than the main event.

If you are not comfortable swimming in open water, life vests are available. You can also remain on the boat and enjoy the views, food, and drinks. The trip is suitable for most people, and service animals are allowed.

Drinks, baguettes, and the practical comforts

Beer, wine, soft drinks, and water are included. That is a useful touch on a three-hour boat ride, especially after time in the sun or seawater. The food is simple rather than elaborate: ham and cheese baguettes.

Vegetarian options are available on request, but you should make the request clearly and early. The operator says this option can be provided, yet one serious complaint involved a vegetarian request that had been confirmed but not properly honored. Do not assume that removing ham from a prepared sandwich will solve the problem. Ask for the vegetarian food to be confirmed before departure, and consider sending the request again when you receive the trip details.

Vegan food is also listed as available on request in the tour description. Since food handling can vary, I would confirm exactly what will be provided if you follow a strict vegan diet.

Blankets have been provided on colder or windier outings. That matters because Tenerife may feel warm on land while the boat ride becomes cool and exposed. Bring a light layer anyway. A windy day can also produce a choppy ride, which may affect how much you enjoy the trip.

Sunset departures and the shorter two-hour option

A special 19:00 sunset departure is available until the end of August. It lasts two hours, not three, and the price remains the same.

This late departure does not include both main elements. It will either search for whales and dolphins or go to the swim stop, depending on the plan. If you want the best chance of combining wildlife watching with swimming, choose one of the regular three-hour departures instead.

The sunset option makes sense if you want to fit the cruise around a full day of sightseeing or prefer being on the water later in the day. Just read the shorter format carefully before booking. The price is unchanged, but the program is not.

Is $62.56 a fair price?

At $62.56 per person, the value depends mainly on the boat size and what happens at sea. You receive about three hours on the water, a small group capped at 12, drinks, baguettes, snorkeling equipment, and a possible swim stop. Compared with a very large boat excursion, the personal space and quieter atmosphere help justify the cost.

The price is less compelling if your main goal is a guaranteed whale encounter. No wildlife cruise can promise that, and some outings may produce only brief sightings. The trip also costs the same for the two-hour sunset version, so the regular departure is the better deal if you want the fullest program.

I see this as a good middle ground between a private charter and a large commercial cruise. It is not a fully private boat, but 12 people is small enough to feel personal. You also avoid paying separately for every drink or piece of basic food.

The activity is booked, on average, 11 days in advance. That suggests you should not leave it until the last morning if your schedule is tight, especially if you want a particular departure time or need a special food request.

Weather, comfort, and managing expectations

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.

Even when the trip runs, conditions can change the feel of the outing. Wind and waves may make the boat rock, and one outing was described as particularly choppy. Blankets helped in that case, but you should still bring sun protection and a light jacket.

If you are prone to seasickness, the combination of open water and a smaller boat deserves some thought. The supplied information does not mention medication or a sheltered cabin, so ask the operator about conditions if this is a concern. Choose a day when you feel comfortable spending several hours at sea.

The boat may be a sailboat, and the exact vessel can vary. Some people appreciate the smaller sailing feel, while others may expect the polished yacht shown in promotional images and feel disappointed. I would treat yacht here as a small leisure boat rather than a large luxury vessel.

Who will enjoy this Puerto Colón cruise?

This is a strong choice for couples, families, and small groups who want a calmer alternative to a large whale-watching boat. It also suits anyone who values a friendly skipper, drinks included, and the possibility of swimming after the wildlife search.

Families can benefit from the small group, and one outing included six adults, four children, and a baby with the necessary supplies available. Still, young children should be comfortable around open water, wind, and a moving boat.

The trip is also a good fit if you want a flexible half-day activity. Daily departures give you room to plan around beaches, sightseeing, or an evening meal. English and Spanish are spoken on every tour, every day. If you need another language, contact the operator before booking rather than assuming it will be available.

I would choose another option if you need a large deck, constant commentary, a guaranteed swimming stop, or a fixed boat design. I would also be cautious about booking if your diet is strict and you cannot get clear confirmation about the food.

My verdict: should you book it?

I would book this trip if your priority is a small group, a relaxed boat ride, and a genuine chance to see pilot whales in their natural setting. The strongest parts are the 12-person limit, the friendly captain-led approach, the included drinks and snacks, and the possibility of stopping to swim in a cove.

Go in with realistic expectations. Wildlife can appear for minutes or not at all, the boat may feel tight, and the commentary may depend on who is assigned to your departure. Confirm vegetarian or vegan food, request the same boat for separate bookings, and choose the regular three-hour trip if you want both wildlife watching and swimming.

For many people, the chance to watch a family of whales travel beside a small boat will be worth the price. Just remember that the ocean, not the timetable, has the final say.

FAQ

Where does the whale and dolphin trip start?

It starts at Puerto Colón in Playa de las Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

Where does the activity finish?

The boat returns to Puerto Colón, the same meeting point where the experience begins.

How long is the standard experience?

The standard trip lasts approximately three hours.

How many people can join the boat?

The boat has a maximum capacity of 12 travelers.

What animals might I see?

The trip searches for whales and dolphins. Pilot whales are commonly seen, and some outings have also included sea turtles.

Is swimming included?

Swimming and snorkeling are included when weather conditions allow. The trip provides snorkeling equipment and life vests.

What food and drinks are provided?

Beer, wine, soft drinks, water, and ham and cheese baguettes are included. Vegetarian options are available on request, and vegan options should be requested before booking.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You can choose another date or receive a full refund if the activity is canceled because of poor weather. Free cancellation is available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time.