Tenerife: Sailing Excursion with Whale and Dolphin Watching

Tenerife’s south coast is one of Europe’s better places to see pilot whales in the wild, and this trip gives you a calm, yacht-based way to look for them. You may also spot dolphins or turtles, then stop in a quiet bay for a swim before returning to Puerto Colón.

I like the small-group feel and the crew’s careful approach to the animals. I also like that sandwiches, fresh fruit, wine, cava, beer, soft drinks, juice, and water are included. The main drawback is the sea: even a beautiful day can bring large waves, so motion sickness is a real consideration.

The best tips are simple: arrive 15 minutes early at dock zero, sit near the front if you tend to feel queasy, and bring a towel, hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. On board, shoes come off unless you have a health reason to keep them on.

Key points at a glance

• Pilot whales are the main event: The crew regularly searches the waters south of Tenerife, where sightings can include adults, mothers, and young whales.
• A 52-foot yacht keeps the trip personal: Groups have included as few as seven people and around ten besides the crew, giving you room to move.
• The wildlife comes first: The captain may turn off the engine and wait rather than chase whales or dolphins.
• Swimming is part of the plan: The yacht anchors in a secluded bay for a short swim, snorkel, or rest on deck.
• Food and drinks are included: Expect fresh fruit, sandwiches, water, juices, soft drinks, beer, wine, and cava.
• The sea can be rough: Several outings were smooth, but tall waves made some trips bumpy and caused seasickness.

Why Tenerife is a strong place for whale watching

The waters off southern Tenerife are home to pilot whales, and the trip is built around finding them in their natural setting. That matters. You are not visiting an aquarium or watching animals trained to perform. Sightings depend on sea conditions and animal behavior, but pilot whales are a regular focus of the crew’s search.

Dolphins and turtles are also possible. Some departures have produced both dolphins and pilot whales, while others have found whales but no dolphins. One outing had only a single dolphin, and another included a turtle close to the boat. This is wildlife watching, not a guaranteed checklist, so you should value the time at sea as much as any particular sighting.

I especially like the way the crew handles the animals. The captain may stop the engine and let the whales decide how close they want to come. That creates a quieter experience and avoids the frantic feel of boats chasing a pod from one angle to another.

Pilot whales can appear in family groups, including smaller young whales. Seeing mothers and babies gives the trip a little more meaning than simply ticking off a species. Your guide also explains local marine life and points out the areas where whales and dolphins are most often found.

Boarding at Puerto Colón and settling onto the yacht

You meet at Pantalán, or dock, number zero inside Puerto Colón. Look for Miishi Restaurant as a useful landmark, and arrive at least 15 minutes before departure. There are two port parking areas, with parking listed at about €1 per hour, though you should allow time to find a space and walk to the dock.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to make your own way to the marina, which is easy to factor in if you are staying in the south of Tenerife, but less convenient if your base is elsewhere on the island. One party used the bus to reach the marina.

The yacht is 52 feet long, large enough to feel stable but small enough to keep the outing personal. Group size can vary, yet several trips had just seven to ten people besides the crew. That gives you space to sit on deck, move around when wildlife appears, and enjoy the boat without the packed feeling common on larger whale-watching vessels.

The crew gives a short briefing before leaving. You learn the rough plan, hear about the local sea life, and get a sense of how the three hours will be divided. Crew members have included Alex, Jesús, Marta, Mauricio, Monica, and Yuri. The operating language options are English, Spanish, French, and Italian.

Sailing along Tenerife’s southern coast

Once out of Puerto Colón, the yacht follows the southern coastline while the crew watches the water. The coastline is best enjoyed from the deck, where you get a broad view of Tenerife’s shore and open sea rather than a fast, crowded ride from point to point.

The yacht may raise its sails if the wind allows. That is one of the nicest parts of the outing, since the engine noise drops and the trip feels more like a proper sailing excursion. Do not treat sailing under wind power as guaranteed. One departure had too little wind to raise the sails, while others described the sailing portion as a highlight.

The pace is generally unhurried. You are not rushed straight to the wildlife area and then hurried back. The crew uses the journey to explain what you are seeing and to look for activity in the water. On a calm day, this makes the trip feel relaxed. On a rough day, the same open-water time may feel more active than you expect.

If you are prone to motion sickness, take the warning seriously. One family reported unusually tall waves, and another group found the boat bumpy in places. A passenger who often feels sick did well sitting near the front of the boat, but this is not a promise that you will have smooth conditions.

Bring sunscreen even if the day feels mild. The combination of sun, wind, and reflected light from the water can catch you quickly. Sunglasses and a hat are useful, and you should pack swimwear and a towel rather than assuming you can stay dry.

Meeting pilot whales and dolphins at sea

The wildlife portion is the heart of the trip. The crew searches known whale and dolphin areas, then slows down or stops when animals appear. You may see a pod at a distance, or you may get a much closer encounter if the animals approach the yacht.

The most frequent sightings are pilot whales. Several outings saw large numbers, including small whales and young animals. Dolphins are less predictable, but bottlenose dolphins have been seen close to the boat. Turtles are possible too, although they are an extra stroke of luck rather than the main target.

Your viewing position can change as the animals move. There is no fixed show and no set photo moment. Keep your phone or camera ready, but do not spend the entire trip looking at a screen. The most memorable part may be a quiet minute when the engine is off and a whale surfaces nearby.

This is also where the crew’s experience matters. The best approach is to give the animals space and let them set the pace. The trip’s skippers have been praised for explaining marine life, watching conditions, and keeping the atmosphere friendly without turning the outing into a loud performance.

You should also allow for variation. One trip spent enough time with whales that the swim was reduced to about ten minutes. That is a fair trade if your priority is wildlife, but it means you should not expect equal time for whale watching, sailing, and swimming on every departure.

The swim stop in a secluded bay

Before returning to the marina, the captain drops anchor in a sheltered bay. You can swim, use the basic snorkeling equipment, or stay aboard with a drink and watch the coastline from the water.

The bay is one of the strongest parts of the itinerary because it breaks up the wildlife search. After sitting and scanning the sea, you get a chance to move around and cool off. The water has been described as clear and blue on calm days, and several groups found the setting especially appealing.

The stop may be shorter than expected if the crew has spent a long time with whales or dolphins. Think of it as a welcome swim break, not a full snorkeling session. If swimming is your main reason for booking, you may find the wildlife portion takes priority.

Basic snorkeling equipment is provided. You still need your own swimwear, towel, and sunscreen. The barefoot policy applies on board except for health-related reasons, so wear footwear to the marina but expect to remove it when you step onto the yacht.

If you would rather not swim, you can relax on deck and enjoy the scenery. The trip is not dependent on everyone entering the water, which makes it workable for mixed groups with different energy levels.

Sandwiches, fruit, and drinks on board

The included food is practical rather than elaborate. You receive fresh fruit and sandwiches, with some meals prepared while the yacht is under sail or while the crew has time to focus on lunch. Beer, cava, wine, soft drinks, juice, and water are also available.

That adds real value to the $88 price. You are paying for a three-hour yacht trip with a multilingual guide, wildlife searching, a swim stop, food, drinks, and basic snorkeling gear. A small-group sailing experience can cost considerably more when booked as a private charter, so this offers some of that relaxed feel without requiring a full boat booking.

Bring extra water if you prefer to drink often. One outing had plenty of included drinks but still prompted advice to carry personal water. You may also want a light snack if you have dietary needs, since the available food is described as sandwiches and fruit rather than a menu designed around special diets.

The social side is easygoing. The crew has been described as friendly and attentive, and the small number of people on board makes it easier to chat or find a quiet corner. If you want a party boat with loud music and constant activity, this is probably not the right fit. If you prefer a calm deck, a drink, and time to watch the sea, it makes more sense.

Who will enjoy this three-hour outing

I would recommend this trip to couples, families, and small groups who want wildlife watching without a large excursion boat. Children can enjoy the whale sightings and swim stop, though parents should consider sea conditions and motion sickness before booking.

It also suits first-time sailors. You do not need sailing experience, and the crew handles the yacht while explaining the route and marine life. The boat has enough room for you to sit back, watch the coast, and join in when whales or dolphins appear.

It is a good match for people who care about the way wildlife is approached. The reported practice of stopping the engine and allowing animals to decide the distance is a strong reason to choose this kind of trip over a faster, more crowded chase.

You may want another option if you need guaranteed calm water, a long snorkeling session, or a specific view of Los Gigantes. One party specifically noted that Los Gigantes was not part of this outing, so check the route you want before booking.

The yacht is wheelchair accessible, according to the activity information, but the barefoot policy and boat setting may still make it worth checking the practical details in advance if you use mobility equipment. Oversize luggage is not allowed.

Practical value at $88 per person

At $88, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water in Tenerife. It is also not just a short whale-spotting ride. The price includes the yacht, crew, guided marine-life search, sandwiches, fruit, a wide range of drinks, and snorkeling equipment.

The strongest value comes from the small-group format. A larger boat may offer more seats, but a smaller yacht gives you more room and a better chance of hearing the guide when something appears. Several outings felt close to a private charter without the private-charter price.

The value depends on your priorities. If you see several pilot whales, enjoy a calm sail, swim in the bay, and make use of the included food and drinks, the cost feels fair. If the sea is rough, the wind is weak, or wildlife stays distant, the same price may feel less satisfying.

I would book with realistic expectations. You are paying for a well-run chance to see wild animals, not a guarantee of dolphins, perfect weather, or full-time sailing. That honesty is important when choosing any marine wildlife trip.

Booking details that matter

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and the reservation option allows you to pay later. The trip lasts three hours, with starting times available according to the date you choose.

Plan to arrive early at dock zero rather than wandering around the marina at departure time. Search for Miishi Restaurant, confirm you are at the correct dock, and keep your belongings compact since oversize luggage is not allowed.

Pack:

• Sunglasses and a sun hat
• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen
• A small amount of personal water if needed

The trip is offered with guides speaking English, Spanish, French, and Italian. Food and drinks are included, but hotel transport is not, so build the marina journey into your morning or afternoon plan.

Should you book this yacht trip?

I would book it if you want a quiet, small-group way to see Tenerife’s marine life and you like the idea of combining wildlife watching with a short swim. The crew’s careful approach, frequent pilot whale sightings, comfortable yacht, and included food make this stronger than a bare-bones boat ride.

I would hesitate only if you are highly sensitive to waves, need a guaranteed dolphin sighting, or mainly want a long snorkeling session. For everyone else, $88 is a reasonable price for three hours on the water, especially when the yacht is carrying a small group and the animals come close on their own terms.

FAQ

Where does the sailing trip meet?

Meet at Pantalán, or dock, number zero at Puerto Colón in Tenerife. Miishi Restaurant is a useful landmark.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive 15 minutes before the activity starts.

How long is the excursion?

The sailing excursion lasts three hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. You must make your own way to Puerto Colón.

What animals might I see?

The crew looks for pilot whales, dolphins, and turtles. Sightings depend on the animals and sea conditions.

Is food and drink included?

Yes. Fresh fruit, sandwiches, beer, cava, wine, soft drinks, juice, and water are included.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Oversize luggage is not allowed, and shoes are removed on board unless you have a health reason to keep them on.