Whale & Dolphin Watching Boat Trip in Tenerife On a Sailing Boat (3 Hr)

Whales make a good day at sea better. This three-hour sailing trip from Puerto Colón keeps the group to 12 people, giving you more room and a calmer feel than a large excursion boat. I like the small-group setup, and I like that the outing combines whale and dolphin watching with a swim stop rather than ending as soon as wildlife appears.

The open bar and snacks add real value at $52.35 per person, especially for a half-day activity. My main reservation is that the quality of the commentary may vary: the trip promises wildlife information, but one guest found the captain offered little explanation. Sightings are also never guaranteed, and poor weather can cancel the trip.

Key points before you book

• Small sailing group: The boat carries no more than 12 people, a major advantage if you dislike crowded whale-watching boats.
• Pilot whales are a strong possibility: The waters between Tenerife and La Gomera are known for pilot whales, and one outing produced a particularly memorable sighting.
• Three hours with a swim stop: You get time for wildlife watching, a stop in a secluded bay, and a relaxed return sail.
• Open bar and snacks included: Drinks and food are part of the package, though the exact snack menu is not specified.
• Three departure times: Multiple daily departures make it easier to fit the trip around beach time, sightseeing, or an evening meal.
• Weather matters: You can receive a new date or a full refund if conditions make sailing unsafe.

Setting sail from Puerto Colón

You meet at Puerto Colón in Playa de las Américas, a convenient marina meeting point near public transportation. The trip returns to the same place, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup location at the end.

The exact departure times are not provided, but there are three departures each day. That is useful in Tenerife, where you may want to keep the morning free for a road trip, reserve the afternoon for the sea, or choose a later sailing after time at the beach.

You must arrange your own way to the marina because private transportation is not included. Build in enough time to find Puerto Colón and locate the boat without rushing. Your booking confirmation is issued within 48 hours, subject to availability, so do not assume your place is secured until that confirmation arrives.

The boat is limited to 12 people. That number matters more than it may seem. You are less likely to spend the trip looking past rows of heads, and you should have a better chance of finding a comfortable place on deck. A smaller group also makes it easier to ask questions, though the amount of commentary can depend on the skipper and the conditions at sea.

The first search for whales and dolphins

The central part of the trip is the search for marine life in Tenerife’s coastal waters. Your skipper uses local experience to look in the areas where whales and dolphins are most likely to appear. This is not a fixed sightseeing route, since wild animals set the schedule.

That uncertainty is part of the bargain. You may see dolphins, pilot whales, or both, but no responsible boat trip can promise a sighting on every departure. The available information specifically notes that pilot whales live between Tenerife and La Gomera and are usually fairly easy to find in that area. One outing produced a sighting of pilot whales that was praised as the highlight of the day.

Pilot whales are not the same as the giant whales many people picture. They are actually large members of the dolphin family, and seeing them in the open sea can be a striking experience. You may find yourself watching for a smooth back, a fin, or a group surfacing together rather than receiving a dramatic close approach.

The skipper’s local experience is one of the main reasons to choose this trip instead of simply hiring a boat without wildlife expertise. A good skipper can read the water, adjust the route, and give you a better chance of finding animals. The trip description also promises explanations about local whales and dolphins.

Still, I would keep your expectations measured about the educational side. One guest specifically felt the excursion offered little information from the captain, despite seeing dolphins. If wildlife facts are your main reason for booking, ask questions during the trip and do not assume you will receive a full naturalist lecture.

Why the 12-person limit matters

A maximum of 12 people gives this sailing trip a different feel from a large tourist boat. You are not paying only for a look at the animals. You are also paying for space, a quieter group, and a more personal boat experience.

That smaller capacity is especially helpful if you want to take photographs. You can move your attention between the horizon and the water without fighting for a viewing position. It may also suit couples, families, and small groups who want a half-day outing without the noise and crowds of a much larger vessel.

The tradeoff is that a small sailboat may offer fewer amenities than a big catamaran or excursion ship. The available information does not promise a cabin, onboard toilets, special seating, or professional photography equipment. I would choose this experience for its intimate scale, not for a long list of shipboard facilities.

The boat is also dependent on the sea and weather. A calm day should make the outing more pleasant, but conditions can change. If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you are offered another date or a full refund. That is useful protection, though it may disrupt your holiday plans if the forecast turns bad near the end of your stay.

The secluded bay swim stop

After the wildlife search, the boat anchors in a secluded bay for a swim stop. This changes the pace nicely. Instead of spending three straight hours scanning the horizon, you get a chance to cool off and enjoy Tenerife from the water.

The bay is described as safe and scenic, but no further details are provided about its name, depth, facilities, or access to shore. You should treat it as an onboard swim stop rather than a beach visit. You may be swimming directly from the boat, so bring the things you need for time in the water.

The swim is optional in practical terms, even though the trip includes the stop. You can remain onboard, enjoy a drink, and watch others swim if you prefer not to enter the water. That makes the activity more flexible for mixed groups, where one person wants a swim and another would rather stay dry.

This stop also gives you a break if the wildlife search feels slow. Sightings can be exciting, but waiting for animals at sea requires patience. A swim and some time in a quiet bay help keep the outing enjoyable even if the animal activity is modest.

Drinks, snacks, and the real value of $52.35

At $52.35 per person, the trip is priced as a midrange half-day boat activity rather than a bare-bones wildlife ride. You receive whale and dolphin watching, the small group, a swim stop, an open bar, and snacks.

The open bar includes alcoholic beverages, but the minimum drinking age is 18. You should not treat the drinks as the main reason to book. Alcohol and the open sea are not always the best combination, particularly if you are prone to motion sickness or plan to swim. Nonalcoholic options are not specifically listed, so check what is available if that matters to you.

Food is included, with snacks specifically listed among the inclusions. The description also says tasty food is served onboard, but it does not provide a menu or promise a full meal. I would eat something before departure and regard the onboard food as a pleasant extra rather than lunch.

The value is strongest if you would otherwise pay separately for a boat ride and a swim outing. You get both in one three-hour experience, along with drinks and the chance to see pilot whales. The value is weaker if you want a guaranteed close wildlife encounter, a detailed marine biology talk, or a substantial meal.

One guest described the trip as excellent fun and good value after seeing pilot whales. Another felt the price was too high because the excursion provided little explanation. Both reactions make sense. The trip earns its price through the boat size, wildlife search, and included refreshments, but the educational value may depend heavily on how actively the skipper engages with the group.

Three hours is the right length for most plans

The tour lasts about three hours, which is long enough to make the journey worthwhile without taking over your entire day. You still have time for lunch, the beach, shopping, or another Tenerife activity.

I like this length for a first boat outing. A one-hour trip can feel rushed, while a much longer wildlife cruise asks you to commit a large part of your day to a sighting that may not happen. Three hours gives the skipper time to search and leaves room for the swim stop.

You should remember that the duration includes the full experience, not three hours of nonstop whale watching. Time is divided between leaving the marina, searching for animals, explaining the wildlife, anchoring in the bay, swimming, enjoying food and drinks, and returning to Puerto Colón.

If you are planning a tightly packed itinerary, allow additional time around the stated three hours. The meeting and return point is the marina, but the precise departure schedule and any minor delays are not specified. I would avoid booking another fixed activity immediately afterward.

Who will enjoy this sailing trip most

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a smaller boat, a relaxed pace, and several parts to the experience. It suits people who like wildlife but also want time to swim, sit in the sun, and enjoy a drink instead of spending the entire trip in search mode.

It is a good fit for couples and families who prefer a quieter boat. The small capacity may also appeal to anyone who finds large excursions tiring. Most people can participate, according to the activity information, though the trip still involves being on a boat and may not suit every person with mobility or seasickness concerns.

You should think twice if your top priority is expert-level marine education. The excursion promises local wildlife information, but one account found the commentary disappointing. If you want a structured lesson with detailed identification and conservation facts, look for a trip that clearly names a marine biologist or naturalist.

It may also be a poor match if you need certainty. Weather can cancel the trip, and wild animals cannot be scheduled. The best attitude is to value the sailing, scenery, and swim stop while treating wildlife sightings as the main bonus. Pilot whales appear to be a realistic possibility, but no sighting is guaranteed.

Booking and cancellation details worth knowing

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted, and cancellations inside that window are not refunded.

Bad weather is handled differently. If the operator cancels because conditions are poor, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. That policy is important in Tenerife, where a change in wind or sea conditions can affect a small sailing boat quickly.

The experience is often reserved around 10 days in advance, so I would not leave it until the final morning of your holiday. The boat holds only 12 people, and the limited capacity is one of the strongest reasons to choose it. Confirm the booking before making a long drive to Puerto Colón, especially since one past departure involved a cancellation issue close to sailing time.

The published score is 3.5 out of 5 from 10 ratings. That is a mixed result, not a reason to reject the trip outright. The strongest praise centers on pilot whale sightings, enjoyment, and value, while the main criticism concerns price and limited commentary. Those are exactly the points I would weigh before paying.

Should you book this Tenerife whale-watching trip?

I would book it if you want a small-group sailing outing with a realistic chance of seeing pilot whales, plus a swim and included drinks. At $52.35, it offers a fair package for three hours, especially if you value space and dislike crowded boats.

I would skip it if you need a guaranteed sighting, a full meal, or consistently detailed wildlife commentary. Before booking, choose a departure that fits your day, confirm the meeting details, and keep a little flexibility in case weather changes.

For most people, the best reason to go is the combination: a local skipper, a 12-person boat, open water, a secluded bay, and the possibility of seeing Tenerife’s pilot whales. You get more than a quick animal-spotting run, but you should still view the wildlife as wonderfully unpredictable.

FAQ

Where does the whale and dolphin boat trip start?

The trip starts at Puerto Colón, Puerto Colón, Playa de las Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

Where does the activity finish?

The boat returns to the same meeting point at Puerto Colón.

How long does the sailing trip last?

The experience lasts approximately three hours.

How many people can join the boat?

The maximum group size is 12 people.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. Snacks and alcoholic beverages are included, and the trip has an open bar. The exact food and drink menu is not specified.

Is swimming part of the experience?

Yes. The boat anchors in a secluded bay for a swim stop after the wildlife search.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You can choose a different date or receive a full refund if poor weather causes the operator to cancel.