Tenerife: Whale & Dolphin Watching with Drinks and Snacks

The best part of this small yacht cruise is the chance to watch pilot whales and dolphins without joining a crowded excursion boat. Captains such as Guy and Maxi take time to explain the sea life, and several trips have included close views of whales, dolphins, turtles, and even flying fish.

I like the personal feel, with a maximum of 11 people, and the simple extras: a sandwich, fruit, snacks, and unlimited drinks are all included. I also like that the outing ends in a quiet bay for swimming and snorkeling. The catch is the sea itself. If you are prone to seasickness, a three-hour ride in open water may be hard, even on a well-run boat.

Key points to know before you book

• Pilot whales are the main prize: Southern Tenerife is a strong area for spotting pilot whales and dolphins, though wildlife sightings can never be promised.
• Small groups change the mood: The shared boat carries no more than 11 people, with a private option also available.
• Swimming comes after the wildlife search: The boat anchors in a secluded bay where you can swim and use the included snorkeling gear.
• Captain Guy earns repeated praise: He is known for calm safety advice, good wildlife explanations, and caring for people who feel seasick.
• Food and drinks are part of the deal: Expect ham, cheese, and salad baguettes, fruit, chips, nuts, water, beer, soft drinks, and champagne.
• Plan for sun and spray: Bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, swimwear, a towel, a jacket, and motion sickness medicine if you need it.

Why this Tenerife whale-watching trip feels different

Southern Tenerife has plenty of boat excursions, but the group size is the key detail here. A maximum of 11 people gives you more room to look out from the yacht, rather than trying to see around a packed crowd. You can move your attention from the sea to the coast, the birds overhead, or the captain’s explanation without feeling squeezed in.

The boat visits waters used by dolphins and pilot whales. You may see animals close to the yacht, as several outings have done, but you should treat each sighting as a gift rather than a promise. The sea is not a wildlife park, and conditions, timing, and animal behavior all matter.

That uncertainty is part of the appeal. You are looking for animals in their own home, not watching a scheduled performance. One captain, Guy, makes that point clearly by keeping a respectful distance and avoiding a chase. That approach is better for the animals and gives you a calmer way to watch them.

The experience has a useful balance. The first part focuses on sailing and wildlife. The second part slows down at a sheltered bay, where you can swim, snorkel, or stay dry with a drink and a snack. You get more than a quick sighting followed by a straight ride back to port.

Leaving Puerto Colón with a small crew

The meeting point is at Puerto Colón, near gate number 2. You should wait at the top of the dock by the sign marked Pantalan Nº4, arriving 15 minutes before departure. That detail matters because the marina has several pontoons and signs, and searching for the boat at the last minute is not a good start to a short tour.

Hotel pickup is optional within a 10-kilometer radius. If you want it, contact the operator at least 24 hours in advance. The transfer takes about 20 minutes each way, so pickup adds some road time but can save you the hassle of finding the marina.

Before leaving, you receive a safety briefing. This is especially useful if you are not comfortable on boats. Captains have also given practical advice for reducing seasickness, including where to sit and how to keep your body comfortable when the water gets choppy.

The yacht carries up to 11 people on the shared tour. That is small enough for the captain to speak with everyone and keep an eye on how people are doing. A private version is also available if you want the boat to yourself, though the supplied price of $77 per person refers to the standard per-person experience.

Three hours on the Atlantic near Tenerife

Once the yacht leaves the marina, the trip heads into the Atlantic along Southern Tenerife. The coast looks different from the water, and the open view gives you a clear sense of the island’s setting. You have room to watch from the boat instead of being tied to a single viewing platform.

The captain provides commentary in English, French, German, or Spanish. The best part of this is not a stream of facts for its own sake. It gives you context for what you are seeing, from pilot whales and dolphins to birds and other small signs of life on the water.

Captain Guy is especially good at making the trip feel personal, while Captain Maxi has also been praised for explaining the wildlife and the region. Other captains named during the outings include Kevin, Dani, Raul, Danny, Ancor, and Maria in the pickup and hosting team. The exact captain depends on the day, but the recurring strength is attentive, friendly guidance.

Some outings have found pilot whales within the first part of the cruise. Others have watched dolphins play near the boat or spotted turtles and flying fish. You might see one of these animals, several species, or fewer than expected. Keep your eyes open and listen when the captain points toward the water, since a distant fin can be easy to miss.

Watching pilot whales and dolphins responsibly

Pilot whales are one of the most common highlights of this trip. They may travel in family groups, and sightings have included several animals close to the boat. Dolphins can be more lively, appearing in pods and sometimes jumping or playing near the yacht.

The small vessel is a real advantage for viewing. You are closer to the water than you would be on a large excursion ship, and there are fewer heads blocking your view. You also have a better chance of hearing the captain when an animal appears.

Still, do not book this as a guaranteed dolphin show. The captain can search known whale and dolphin areas, but wild animals decide where they go. A good captain will not speed after them or crowd them for a photograph. That may mean the boat moves away sooner than you expect, but it is the right trade-off.

The area is also being considered for UNESCO World Heritage status, which reflects the wider value placed on these waters. The important point for you is simple: this is a conservation area, not just a scenic route. Do not feed the animals, and follow the crew’s instructions about keeping a respectful distance.

A secluded bay for swimming and turtle snorkeling

After the wildlife portion, the yacht anchors in a quieter bay. Here you can swim, snorkel with the supplied equipment, or stay aboard and enjoy the view. Turtles have been seen during this part of the outing, but again, there is no guarantee that they will appear on your particular day.

The stop gives the trip a welcome change of pace. Three hours of scanning the sea can feel long if wildlife stays out of sight, while a swim breaks up the ride and lets you enjoy the water in a more active way. If you prefer not to swim, you can relax with a drink and watch the others.

Bring your own towel. Towels are not included, and there is no indication that one will be supplied on the boat. Swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, a sun hat, and a light jacket are sensible choices. The jacket matters even on a warm Tenerife day, since the wind can make the return ride feel cooler.

Water temperature can also vary by season. One spring outing found the water cold, which is hardly surprising, but useful to remember if swimming is a major reason for booking. You can choose to stay aboard if the conditions do not suit you.

Food, drinks, and the value of $77

At $77 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water, but the price covers a fair amount. You receive the sailing trip, wildlife search, safety briefing, commentary, swimming stop, snorkeling equipment, and optional hotel transfer within the stated area.

Food is straightforward rather than fancy. Expect ham, cheese, and salad baguettes, along with fruit, chips, and nuts. The meal is practical for a half-day outing and means you do not need to bring lunch.

Drinks are unlimited and include water, soft drinks, beer, and champagne. That makes the cruise feel more like a relaxed yacht outing than a bare transport ride. I would still judge the value mainly on the small group and the captain’s care, not on the alcohol. The real cost of a whale-watching trip is the time on the water and the quality of the experience around the animals.

The inclusions are particularly useful for families and couples who want one easy activity rather than separate charges for snacks, drinks, and snorkeling. If you only want a quick boat ride and are not interested in swimming or wildlife, the price may feel high.

How the crew handles seasickness and safety

You should take the seasickness warning seriously. The boat travels in open water, and even a calm day can feel different once you leave the marina. Bring motion sickness prevention if you use it, eat lightly before departure, and tell the captain early if you start to feel unwell.

This is one area where the crew’s attention matters. Guy has helped people find a more comfortable place on the boat, slowed down when someone felt sick, and in one case returned early so a passenger could reach a pharmacy. That does not remove the risk, but it shows that the captain is paying attention rather than treating discomfort as your problem alone.

The safety briefing, life-saving equipment, and captain’s instructions are part of the experience. You should follow them, especially around the swimming stop. Nudity and feeding animals are not allowed.

The boat is a better choice for people who want a calm, guided outing than for anyone seeking a high-speed thrill ride. The mood is generally relaxed, with time to talk, watch, and ask questions.

Who will get the most from this cruise?

I would choose this trip if you want a personal introduction to Tenerife’s waters and prefer a small boat to a large group excursion. It suits couples, families, and solo visitors who like a mix of wildlife, scenery, swimming, and simple refreshments.

It is also a good choice if you care about responsible wildlife watching. The captain’s job is to find animals without chasing them, and that respectful approach may matter as much as the sightings themselves.

Families should note that the water and boat conditions can change. A child who is comfortable near the sea may enjoy the animals and swimming, while someone prone to motion sickness may struggle. Adults should decide in advance who will supervise children during the snorkeling stop.

This is less suitable if you need a guaranteed encounter, dislike open water, or want a long snorkeling session. The snorkeling stop is one part of a three-hour cruise, not the whole activity. You also need to bring your own towel, and pickup requires advance contact.

Practical details for a smoother day

The tour lasts three hours, with roughly 20 minutes by van each way if hotel pickup is arranged. Return drop-off locations include Puerto Colón, with the boat returning to the marina area.

Bring:

• Sunglasses and a sun hat
• Sunscreen and a camera
• Swimwear and a towel
• A light jacket
• Motion sickness prevention if needed

Wear something comfortable and easy to manage around the water. Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the entire cruise looking through a screen. Wildlife can appear suddenly, and the best view may be the one you catch with your own eyes.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the available starting times when booking, since the schedule varies.

Should you book the Tenerife whale and dolphin cruise?

Book it if you want a small-group wildlife trip with a good chance of seeing pilot whales and dolphins, plus a swim, snacks, and drinks. The strongest reason to choose it is the captain-led atmosphere. Guy, Maxi, and the other crew members help turn a simple boat ride into a more thoughtful look at the sea.

I would be more cautious if you are very prone to seasickness or if a guaranteed wildlife sighting is essential. For everyone else, $77 is a sensible price for three hours on a small yacht, especially when food, drinks, snorkeling gear, and optional local pickup are included. Bring a towel, protect yourself from the sun, and give the animals room. That is the best way to enjoy this piece of Tenerife.

FAQ

How long does the Tenerife whale and dolphin tour last?

The cruise lasts three hours. If you use hotel pickup, allow about 20 minutes for the van journey each way.

Where does the boat leave from?

The meeting point is Puerto Colón, near gate number 2. Wait at the top of the dock by the sign marked Pantalan Nº4, arriving 15 minutes before departure.

How many people can join the shared cruise?

The shared tour has a maximum of 11 passengers. A private tour option is also available.

Are hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Pickup is optional within a 10-kilometer radius. You must contact the operator at least 24 hours ahead if you want this service.

What wildlife might I see?

The cruise looks for dolphins and pilot whales, and sightings may also include turtles, birds, flying fish, and other marine life. Wild animals are not guaranteed to appear.

Can I swim and snorkel during the tour?

Yes. The boat anchors in a secluded bay for free time to swim and snorkel. Snorkeling gear is included.

What food and drinks are included?

You receive ham, cheese, and salad baguettes, plus fruit, chips, and nuts. Unlimited drinks include champagne, beer, soft drinks, and water.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, swimwear, a towel, a camera, a jacket, and motion sickness prevention if needed. Towels are not provided.