Royal Delfin 3H Dolphin & Whale Watching! Swimming & Lunch!

Wildlife can make a morning memorable. Royal Delfin’s three-hour catamaran cruise gives you a good shot at seeing whales and dolphins along Tenerife’s southwest coast, then adds a swim at Diego Hernandez Bay, lunch, and drinks. I especially like the 16 underwater viewing windows, which give you another way to watch marine life beneath the boat, and the relaxed mix of wildlife, food, and swimming.

The main caution is capacity. The catamaran can carry up to 200 people, and one account describes a crowded upper deck, difficult wildlife viewing, and an uncomfortable swim stop. Wildlife is never guaranteed either. You may see dolphins close to the boat, or whales at a distance, or have a quiet day at sea.

What Makes This Cruise Worth Considering

• Sixteen underwater windows: You can go below deck for panoramic views through the water, a useful feature when the railings are crowded.
• A proper three-hour outing: The boat has time to leave Puerto Colón, follow the coast, stop at Diego Hernandez Bay, and return without turning the trip into a rushed sprint.
• Wildlife in open water: Dolphins and whales are seen in their natural setting, not in a show pool. Sightings depend on the day.
• Lunch and drinks included: Beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, and water are provided, along with a courtesy lunch.
• A swim in Diego Hernandez Bay: You can get into the sea during the stop, and children can receive life jackets for swimming.
• A useful family option: Restrooms, drinks, food, and a three-hour schedule make this easier for families than a bare-bones boat ride.

Leaving From Puerto Colón at 10:30

The tour starts at Av. de Colón 11, in the Playa de las Américas area, with boarding scheduled for 10:30 a.m. It returns to the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup location at the end.

That simple out-and-back setup helps. You can plan the rest of your day around the cruise instead of worrying about a one-way transfer. Parking fees are not included, so if you arrive by car, check your parking arrangements before setting off. The meeting point is near public transportation.

The boat is the Royal Delfin, a purpose-built catamaran designed for sightseeing. It has a restroom, indoor and outdoor areas, and the underwater viewing section. I would arrive with enough time to find the pier and get settled, especially if you care about choosing a particular place on deck.

The stated maximum is 200 people. That is a large group for wildlife watching. A big boat gives you more space than a small open motorboat, but a full sailing can make the best viewing spots hard to reach. If the crew announces an animal on one side, many people may move there at once.

Along Tenerife’s Whale and Dolphin Coast

From Puerto Colón, the Royal Delfin follows the coast from Playa de las Américas toward Diego Hernandez Beach. The focus is not a staged animal encounter. You are looking out over open water for movement, fins, blows, and groups of dolphins traveling near the boat.

That makes the experience exciting, but also unpredictable. Several strong outings included dolphins, whales, and even flying fish. One particularly good sighting involved a large group of dolphins close to the boat, with clear blue water making them easy to see. Another outing produced whales at a distance but no dolphins.

I appreciate that difference because it sets the right expectation. You are paying for a chance to observe wildlife, not a guaranteed dolphin performance. Even when the animals stay far away, the coast and open sea provide the setting. But if your main goal is a close dolphin encounter, you should accept that nature may not cooperate.

The crew adds real value here. They provide information during the cruise, and several people found the commentary clear and helpful. Good guiding matters on a wildlife trip because an experienced eye can spot a distant animal before you do and explain what you are seeing.

Bring patience. The best moment may last only a few seconds, and the person next to you may spot it first. Keep looking across the water instead of staring at one fixed point. If the upper deck is crowded, use the underwater viewing area as an alternative rather than trying to push toward the rail.

The Underwater Viewing Area

The Royal Delfin’s most distinctive feature is its underwater submarine vision. Sixteen panoramic glass windows let you look beneath the surface from inside the catamaran.

This is useful in two ways. First, it offers a different view of the sea than the open deck. Second, it gives you somewhere to go if the rail is packed. You might not see every animal through the windows, but the feature makes the vessel more than a standard sightseeing boat.

I would not treat the glass viewing area as a guarantee of underwater wildlife. Visibility, sunlight, waves, and animal movement all affect what you can see. Still, it is a sensible addition, especially for children who enjoy watching the water at close range.

The windows also make the cruise more workable for people who do not want to spend three hours in direct sun. You can move between the deck and the indoor viewing area as the morning unfolds.

Lunch, Sangria, Beer, and Soft Drinks

Food is included, along with beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, and water. That improves the value of the $60.15 price because you are not paying for a boat ride and then buying every drink separately.

The food received mixed reactions. Some people found the lunch and drinks very good, while another account described the meal as poor, with soggy coleslaw, dry rice, meatballs with an odd texture, and stale bread. That is a wide gap, so I would keep expectations modest.

Think of lunch as convenient boat catering rather than a meal you choose from a menu. Snacks are not included, though extra snacks are available for purchase onboard. If you have strong food preferences, bring your expectations down and consider arranging your own backup snack if permitted by the operator. The supplied information does not specify dietary alternatives.

Lunch is served during the outing, including around the swimming stop. That makes the boat feel more like a half-day social cruise than a strict wildlife expedition. You can eat, have a drink, and watch the coast without needing to return to shore for refreshments.

Beer and sangria are available, but remember that the boat still has a swimming stop and a moving deck. Water and soft drinks are also included, so you can keep things simple.

Swimming at Diego Hernandez Bay

The cruise stops at Diego Hernandez Bay, near the beach, for a swim in the warm water. This is the second major part of the experience after wildlife watching.

The stop breaks up the time at sea. You can get off the sightseeing routine, cool down, and enjoy the water while lunch and drinks are served. Families may appreciate the chance for children to swim, and children’s life jackets are available according to the experience details.

There is an important crowd issue here. If the boat is full, the swim area at the rear can feel tight. One account described people being packed together, with accidental kicks and scratches, including a child who was hit in the face by a flipper and cut his forehead. That is not a small concern.

If you swim, stay aware of fins and other swimmers. You may prefer to wait a few minutes until the first rush eases, or remain onboard if the water area looks too crowded. The swimming stop is included, but it is optional in practice. You do not need to enter the water to enjoy the wildlife portion.

How Much Value Do You Get for $60.15?

At $60.15 per person, the price is reasonable if you use most of what is included. You get about three hours on a purpose-built catamaran, wildlife viewing, underwater windows, a swim stop, lunch, beer and sangria, plus nonalcoholic drinks.

A basic short boat trip might cost less, but it may not include food, a swimming stop, or the underwater viewing area. Here, the package covers several activities in one morning. That is particularly useful if you want an easy family outing and do not want to organize lunch separately.

The value drops if your only goal is a guaranteed close-up dolphin sighting. No boat can promise that, and this one has a maximum capacity of 200. You are also accepting a set lunch, possible crowds, and a busy swim stop in return for the broader package.

The average booking lead time is 13 days, which suggests that you should not leave this until the last minute during a busy Tenerife holiday. Confirmation is normally sent at booking. If you book within 12 hours of departure, confirmation comes as soon as possible and depends on availability.

Who Will Enjoy Royal Delfin Most?

I would recommend this cruise to families, couples, and first-time visitors who want several Tenerife activities in one outing. The restroom, food, drinks, life jackets, and indoor viewing area make it more practical than a stripped-down wildlife boat.

It also suits you if you enjoy the possibility of wildlife rather than needing a guaranteed result. The strongest days can be excellent, with dolphins close to the boat, whales, flying fish, and clear water.

You may want to choose another style of outing if you dislike crowds or need a quiet, personal boat experience. A vessel carrying up to 200 people can feel social and busy, especially when an animal appears or everyone heads into the water.

Children can take part, and most people can participate. Service animals are allowed. The activity requires good weather, and it can be canceled if weather conditions are poor or if the minimum number of participants is not reached. In either case, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Practical Ways to Improve Your Morning

A few simple choices can make this cruise easier:

• Arrive early enough to find the meeting point and board without rushing.
• Keep your phone or camera ready, but do not spend the whole cruise looking at a screen.
• Watch both the open water and the underwater windows.
• If you want a clearer view, move around rather than assuming one deck is always best.
• Treat the wildlife as a bonus, not a promise.
• Bring a sensible attitude toward the included lunch, since the food quality may vary.
• Be careful in the swim area, especially when the boat is busy.
• Keep water in mind even though drinks are included, since sun and sea air can leave you thirsty.

Photos and videos may be available to buy as souvenirs. That can be a pleasant extra, but it is not part of the listed price.

Should You Book the Royal Delfin?

I would book it if you want a convenient three-hour package with several chances for enjoyment: dolphins or whales, underwater views, lunch, drinks, and a swim. The best praise centers on the friendly crew, useful commentary, close dolphin sightings, and the easy all-in-one format.

I would hesitate if crowding would spoil the day for you. The 200-person capacity is the key fact to weigh, especially because both wildlife viewing and the swim stop can become congested. Also remember that whales may stay far away and dolphins may not appear at all.

For most families and casual visitors, the Royal Delfin offers fair value at $60.15. Book it for the full sea experience, not for a guaranteed animal photo. Cancel at least 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and keep the weather policy in mind when planning your Tenerife schedule.

FAQ

Where does the Royal Delfin cruise start?

It starts at Av. de Colón 11, 38660 Playa de las Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain. The cruise ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 10:30 a.m.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately three hours.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A courtesy lunch is included, along with beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, and water. Snacks are not included but can be bought onboard for an extra charge.

Is swimming included?

Yes. The boat stops at Diego Hernandez Bay for swimming. Children’s life jackets are available for the swim.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. The same choice applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.