Tenerife: 3 &-6 Hour Private Whale & Dolphin Watching

Sea life is the star here. This private sailing trip takes you from Puerto Colon in a small group of up to nine, with chances to see pilot whales, dolphins, and sea turtles in their natural setting. I like the private yacht setting and the way the trip mixes wildlife watching with swimming, snorkeling, food, drinks, and a relaxed cruise along Tenerife’s coast. I also like the onboard sonar, which lets you listen for whales and dolphins instead of only scanning the water.

The main consideration is that wildlife is never scheduled. You could see pilot whales close to the yacht, as one booking did, or spend more of your six hours enjoying the coast and open water. One guest also wanted more explanation about the places and animals, so this is likely a better fit for people seeking a pleasant private boat day than a highly academic marine biology tour.

Key Points To Know Before You Go

• Pilot whales can come surprisingly close: One six-hour outing saw several pilot whales nearby and dolphins at roughly 50 meters.
• Gran Azor keeps the group small: The luxury sailing yacht carries no more than nine people, a useful contrast to crowded shared excursions.
• The six-hour trip is more than wildlife watching: About half of one outing became a coastal cruise, which the group enjoyed.
• Food and drinks are included: The quantity was praised, making the price easier to assess for a full private group.
• Snorkeling gear is supplied: Bring your swimsuit and towel, then swim when conditions and the captain’s plan allow.
• Sonar adds another way to spot wildlife: You can listen for whales and dolphins, not just watch the water.

Leaving Puerto Colon on Gran Azor

Your meeting point is dock number 2 at Puerto Colon, the marina on Tenerife’s south coast. The boat is the Gran Azor, described as a luxury sailing yacht with a professional captain. Since this is a private charter, the group can include up to nine people, giving you far more room and privacy than a large sightseeing boat.

That group size matters. You are not competing with dozens of other passengers for a place at the rail or trying to hear a guide over a crowded deck. If you are booking for family or friends, the $1,101 group price works out to about $122 per person when nine people join. For a smaller party, the cost per person rises quickly, so the value depends heavily on how many people share the boat.

The exact departure time depends on availability. The supplied information describes both three-hour and six-hour options, while the detailed booking information focuses on the six-hour trip. Check the selected option carefully before paying, since the length changes the feel and value of the day.

Once you leave the marina, you can expect a mix of sailing and motor cruising in the calm, warm, clear waters off Tenerife South. The trip is not presented as a nonstop search for wildlife. It is a proper boat outing, with time to look for animals, enjoy the views, swim, eat, and sit in the sun.

Watching Pilot Whales and Dolphins Off Tenerife

The south coast is known here for sightings of dolphins, whales, and sea turtles. The attraction is not a show or a feeding session. You are looking for animals moving freely in the sea, which makes each sighting feel less predictable and more genuine.

Pilot whales are the strongest example of what you might see. One group encountered many of them close to the boat, a memorable moment for anyone interested in marine life. The same outing saw dolphins from around 50 meters away. That is close enough for a good view, but not so close that you should expect animals to perform beside the yacht.

The captain may also use the onboard sonar. This gives the wildlife search another layer. You can listen for whales and dolphins beneath the surface, then watch the water for movement or a fin. It is a nice feature because the sea can look empty even when animals are nearby.

Still, you should set sensible expectations. No departure can promise whales, dolphins, or turtles. The captain can search known waters, but wild animals decide where they go. If the boat spends part of the day cruising rather than finding a large pod, that is not necessarily a failed trip. It is the normal trade-off of nature watching.

Sea turtles are also listed among the possible sightings. The information does not promise a particular species or a guaranteed encounter, so treat turtles as an added possibility rather than the main reason to book.

The rules are simple and important: fishing and feeding animals are not allowed. That protects the wildlife and keeps the experience focused on watching natural behavior.

The Coast Cruise Is Part of the Experience

A six-hour charter gives you time to enjoy Tenerife from the water even when animal sightings are limited. One booking described the other half of the trip as more of a coast tour, and the group still enjoyed it. That is useful context when choosing between the shorter and longer options.

From the yacht, you get views while moving in and out of Puerto Colon Marina and along the south coast. The appeal is the change of pace. You might spend one stretch scanning the water, another listening to the sonar, and another simply sitting back with a drink while the shoreline passes.

I would choose the six-hour version if you want a full boat day and have a group to share the price. It allows more room for wildlife searching and leaves time for swimming and lunch-style snacks without making every minute feel rushed.

The three-hour option may suit you better if you mainly want a short taste of sailing and wildlife watching. It should also be easier for anyone unsure about spending a long time at sea. The available information does not provide a separate detailed schedule for the shorter trip, so confirm what is included before booking that version.

Swimming and Snorkeling in Clear Water

At a suitable point during the cruise, you can jump overboard for swimming and snorkeling. Snorkel equipment is included, which saves you from packing your own mask and fins. You still need to bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen.

The water is described as warm, calm, and clear around Tenerife South. That makes the swim stop an important part of the outing, not just a quick extra. If wildlife watching is slow, swimming gives the day another purpose.

The information does not specify the exact swim location, water depth, or length of the stop. Conditions and the captain’s judgment will shape the plan. You should think of it as a chance to swim at leisure, not a structured snorkeling lesson or a guided underwater tour.

If you prefer not to swim, you can stay aboard and enjoy the sun, coast views, food, and drinks. The trip is designed so that relaxing on deck is a valid way to spend the time. Bring a camera, but protect it carefully around the water.

People prone to seasickness should think twice. Even calm waters can feel uncomfortable on a yacht, and six hours is a long time if you already know that boat motion bothers you.

Food, Drinks, and the Captain’s Style

All food and drinks are included. One particularly positive account described the amount as generous and the quality as very good, with the group joking that they felt like rich people for a day. That detail matters because catering can change the value of a private charter.

You do not need to plan the trip around buying lunch on shore. Instead, snacks and drinks become part of the relaxed rhythm of the cruise. The supplied information does not give a menu or list dietary options, so contact the operator directly if you have allergies or specific food needs.

The captain is described as friendly, informative, and fun. Captain Maxi received specific praise for being a very nice and entertaining host. That personal touch can make a private trip feel like a day with a local boat captain rather than a formal sightseeing ride.

There is one useful qualification. One guest wanted more explanation about the coastal locations and the kinds of cetaceans that might appear. If you want detailed interpretation at every stage, ask questions as you go and make your expectations clear early in the trip.

The language information varies slightly. The main activity details list English, German, and Spanish, while the captain description also mentions Russian and Polish. English, Spanish, and German are the clearest listed guide languages, but confirm your preferred language when reserving if it matters to your group.

Is $1,101 a Fair Price for Nine People?

The listed price is $1,101 per private group of up to nine people. That is not a cheap boat ride for a couple, but it can be reasonable for a full group. With nine people, the cost is about $122 each for six hours, including the yacht, captain, food, drinks, and snorkel equipment.

The value improves if you want privacy. You are paying for control of the boat space, a small group, and a longer outing rather than simply buying a seat on a large whale-watching vessel. You also avoid the awkwardness of strangers sharing the swim stop and food area.

For four people, the cost is about $275 each. At that point, you should be very sure that a private charter is what you want. A smaller group may still value the comfort and flexibility, but the price becomes harder to justify if your only goal is a quick look at dolphins.

The six-hour duration helps support the price. You receive wildlife watching, a coastal cruise, swimming, snorkeling, snacks, drinks, and time to relax. The important question is not just how many animals you see. It is whether your group wants a full private day at sea.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the reserve-now, pay-later option provide useful flexibility. You still need to check the exact selected duration and departure time before confirming.

What To Bring to Puerto Colon

Keep your packing simple:

• Sunglasses
• Swimwear
• Towel
• Camera
• Sunscreen

You should wear practical clothing for a boat day and keep loose items secure. Snorkel equipment is supplied, while food and drinks are included.

At Puerto Colon, go to dock number 2. The information provided does not mention hotel pickup, so plan to reach the marina on your own unless your booking confirmation says otherwise.

Because the trip includes time in direct sun, sunscreen and sunglasses are not minor extras. They will make the long cruise much more comfortable, especially if you spend part of the day sitting on deck.

Who Will Enjoy This Private Charter Most?

I would recommend it most strongly to a group of friends or family members who can share the full price. The private setup, generous catering, swimming stop, and relaxed schedule work well when everyone wants the same kind of day.

It also suits people who prefer a flexible boat outing over a rigid sightseeing program. You can watch the water, listen to the sonar, swim, snack, or simply sit in the sun.

It may not suit you if you need guaranteed animal sightings, dislike open water, or want a detailed naturalist lecture throughout the trip. The captain is friendly and informative, but the available information does not describe a formal educational program.

People prone to seasickness should choose carefully. A three-hour option may be easier than six hours, but the activity is still at sea and may not be comfortable for everyone.

Should You Book the Tenerife Whale and Dolphin Charter?

Book it if your group can fill much of the nine-person capacity and wants a private day that combines wildlife watching with swimming and coastal scenery. The strongest points are the small group, the chance to see pilot whales close to the boat, the sonar system, and the generous food and drinks.

I would be more cautious if you are a couple or a small group focused only on guaranteed sightings. Wild animals set the timetable, and part of the day may become a coast cruise. For the right group, though, that is part of the appeal: you get a relaxed day on Tenerife’s water, with wildlife as the highlight rather than the only thing that has to go right.

FAQ

Where does the whale and dolphin trip meet?

Meet at Puerto Colon Marina and go to dock number 2.

How long does the experience last?

The detailed activity information gives a duration of six hours. The experience is also described as having three-hour and six-hour options, so check the duration you select when booking.

How many people can join the private yacht trip?

The private group can include a maximum of nine people.

What animals might I see?

You may see whales, dolphins, and sea turtles off Tenerife’s south coast. Pilot whales and dolphins are specifically mentioned, but sightings are not guaranteed.

Is food included?

Yes. All drinks and food are included in the activity.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkel equipment is included.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, a camera, and sunscreen.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.