Sealife Dolphin & Whale Watching aboard Portuguese schooner

Old sails, wild whales, and Atlantic air. This small-group boat trip from Los Cristianos combines a search for pilot whales and dolphins with an old-fashioned sailing setting aboard a Portuguese wooden schooner. I like the authentic boat and the chance to see cetaceans in open water rather than from a crowded sightseeing vessel. I also like that food, drinks, and a swim stop are part of the plan.

The main caution is simple: wildlife watching is never guaranteed, and the boat may spend long stretches waiting in one area. There is also some confusion about the meal, since one account says lunch was not provided, while others describe a meal of rice, chicken, salad, bread, and a drink. Confirm the current food service before you book.

• A genuine Portuguese schooner: A wooden sailing boat gives the trip a more characterful setting than a standard motor cruiser.
• Pilot whales and dolphins: The main outing is a search for Tenerife’s resident marine life off Los Cristianos.
• Open bar and central table: Food and drink are included in the advertised experience, with onboard service available.
• Upper deck: You can relax, sunbathe, and look for wildlife from a higher position.
• Atlantic swim stop: After the cetacean search, the boat anchors near the coast for lunch and a swim.
• Small maximum group: The boat accepts no more than 60 people, so it is not an enormous party ship.

Setting Sail from Los Cristianos at 10 a.m.

Your morning begins at the fishermen’s quay in Puerto de Los Cristianos, in Arona. The listed meeting point is Muelle de Pescadores, Los Cristianos, 38650 Arona, Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The boat returns to this same place at the end.

I would give yourself extra time to locate the exact quay. The meeting-point information has caused trouble for at least one family, whose map directions led them to the wrong spot. The crew managed to help and waited for them, but you should not count on that every time. Check the location carefully before leaving your hotel, especially if you are unfamiliar with the port.

The advertised start time is 10 a.m. The boat itself is part of the appeal. This is an authentic Portuguese wooden schooner from the last century, designed to recall the sailing boats and pirate stories associated with these waters. It is a family cruiser, not a luxury yacht, and that distinction matters. You are choosing atmosphere and character over sleek modern fittings.

The schooner has an open bar and a large central table. There is also an upper deck where you can sit, relax, or sunbathe. That gives you several ways to spend the two-hour outing, although your best position may change depending on where the crew is looking for whales and dolphins.

Searching for Pilot Whales and Dolphins

The first main part of the trip focuses on the cetaceans that live or pass through the waters around Tenerife. The stated target is a colony of pilot whales, along with dolphins.

You should think of this as a genuine wildlife search, not a scheduled animal show. The crew can take you to the right area, explain what you are seeing, and point out movement in the water, but no boat can order a whale or dolphin to appear. The most successful accounts describe seeing both dolphins and whales, with clear explanations from the crew.

The boat’s open sides and upper deck create good chances for photographs. You do not have to peer through windows, and there are no viewing panels between you and the water. That is useful when an animal surfaces quickly, though it also means you need to keep watching. A whale may appear on one side while you are looking at the other.

This part can also test your patience. One account describes spending about three hours moving very little and remaining close to the coast, with dolphins visible but not much else happening. The advertised trip lasts about two hours, so the exact timing may vary, but the lesson is clear: the sea does not provide a constant show.

I would choose this trip if you enjoy the waiting as much as the sighting. The quiet periods are part of wildlife watching. If you need steady action every few minutes, you may find the pace slow.

The Schooner’s Best Viewpoints

The upper deck is the natural place to sit when you want sun, air, and a broad view around the boat. It should also help with photography, since you can scan the water without having people directly in front of you.

The central table offers a more social setting. It is practical for the included meal and drinks, and it gives families a place to gather. The open bar adds convenience, since you do not need to bring refreshments for the trip.

Still, the onboard service deserves a careful note. The experience is promoted with food and drink included, and several details support that. One account describes lunch as rice, chicken legs, salad, a bread roll, and one drink. Another describes the meal as very good. But a separate account says there was no lunch and that staff repeatedly offered different cocktails for sale.

That mixed experience means you should ask what is included when you board. Pay attention to the difference between the included drink and optional cocktails. If lunch is a major reason you are booking, confirm the current arrangement with the provider before departure.

Lunch and Swimming in the Atlantic

After the whale and dolphin observation, the schooner sails toward the coast and anchors for lunch. This changes the feel of the trip. Instead of scanning the horizon, you can sit at the central table, eat, and enjoy a short break on the water.

The meal appears to be straightforward rather than elaborate. The reported plate of rice, chicken, salad, bread, and a drink sounds like a filling boat lunch, especially for families. It is the sort of food that works well after time in the sun, though you should not expect a restaurant menu.

The swim stop is scheduled after the meal. You can enter the open Atlantic from the anchored boat for about 15 minutes, based on one account. This is a pleasant extra for confident swimmers, but it is not the central purpose of the trip. The timing may feel short if you have been looking forward to a full afternoon in the water.

The swim also depends on sea conditions and the crew’s judgment. The experience requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund. The same practical rule applies during the trip: nature controls the schedule.

How the Crew Handles the Day

The crew receives some of the strongest praise. They are described as friendly, helpful, and willing to go beyond the basic plan. In one memorable incident, crew members jumped in to rescue a turtle. That sort of action says more about the character of the people onboard than a polished sales description ever could.

The explanations during the wildlife portion are also a strength. Clear commentary helps you understand what you are looking at, particularly when a whale or dolphin appears only briefly. You will get more from the trip if you listen for the signs and information rather than treating the boat as a simple ride.

This is also a good choice for families. A parent can sit at the central table, a child can watch from the upper deck, and the swim stop breaks up the wildlife search. One family had a particularly good day with young children, helped by the crew’s attention.

The group limit is 60 people. That is not a private sailing trip, but it is more manageable than a very large excursion boat. Your experience will still depend on how full the departure is and where people gather when the crew spots something.

What the $57.96 Price Really Buys

At $57.96 per person, this is priced as a half-day-style boat experience, though the advertised duration is about two hours. You are paying for more than a quick dolphin sighting. The cost covers the schooner setting, the crew, the wildlife search, the included food and drink, the swim stop, and the return to Los Cristianos.

That can be fair value if you use the whole experience. The boat is unusual, the wildlife may be excellent, and lunch removes the need to arrange another meal immediately afterward. Families may also appreciate having several activities in one outing.

The value weakens if you only see a few animals and spend much of the time waiting. The report of extra cocktail selling is another reason to keep your expectations clear. Optional drinks can quickly change the final cost, especially for a family.

I would compare this with the price of a standard whale-watching trip in Tenerife, but the important difference here is the schooner and meal combination. If you want the most time possible with wildlife, another vessel may offer a longer dedicated search. If you want a more varied outing with sailing character, food, and a swim, this package makes more sense.

Who Will Enjoy This Schooner Trip

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Families who want wildlife, lunch, and a short swim in one outing.
• Visitors who prefer an unusual historic-style boat to a plain motor vessel.
• Anyone who enjoys open-air sightseeing and does not mind waiting for wildlife.
• Confident swimmers who want a brief swim from an anchored boat.
• Photographers who value unobstructed views from an open deck.

I would be more cautious if you dislike sitting at sea for extended periods. The wildlife search may feel slow when animals are distant or inactive. You should also think twice if a guaranteed meal is essential unless you confirm the food details first.

The trip is offered in English. The maximum capacity is 60, and most people can participate. No special physical requirement is stated, but you should be comfortable boarding a boat, spending time at sea, and using the swim stop if you choose to enter the water.

Booking, Weather, and Cancellation Details

You receive confirmation at the time of booking, and the ticket is mobile, so you can show it from your phone. The activity begins and ends at the Los Cristianos meeting point.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the 10 a.m. start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. The local Tenerife time controls the deadline.

Bad weather can cancel the trip. If that happens, you are offered another date or a full refund. The provider also requires a minimum number of participants, so a low booking level could lead to a different date or experience, or a full refund.

My Verdict: Book It for Character, Not Constant Action

I would book this schooner trip if I wanted a pleasant sea outing with a chance to see pilot whales and dolphins, rather than a nonstop wildlife expedition. The Portuguese boat, friendly crew, upper deck, included meal, and Atlantic swim give the day more variety than a simple boat ride.

Go in with realistic expectations. You may see wonderful wildlife, but you may also spend quiet time waiting. Confirm that lunch and the included drink are part of your departure, watch for the correct Los Cristianos meeting point, and treat optional cocktails as extras.

For families and visitors who like boats with personality, this is a worthwhile choice at $57.96. For anyone who needs guaranteed sightings, a long wildlife session, or a polished luxury service, I would choose a different style of excursion.

FAQ

Where does the dolphin and whale-watching trip begin?

It begins at Muelle de Pescadores in Puerto de Los Cristianos, Arona, Tenerife. The listed start time is 10 a.m.

Where does the boat return?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point in Puerto de Los Cristianos.

How long does the experience last?

The advertised duration is approximately two hours.

What animals does the trip look for?

The boat searches for pilot whales and dolphins off the coast of Tenerife.

Is food and drink included?

Food and drink are advertised as included. One described meal consists of rice, chicken legs, salad, a bread roll, and one drink. Confirm the current arrangement before departure because the meal service has not been consistent in every account.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants can also lead to another date or a full refund.