3h Whale Watching Share Tour Beneteau Oceanis 440

The main draw is simple: you get three hours on the water aboard Madoudou, a proper Beneteau Oceanis 440 rather than a crowded sightseeing boat. From Puerto Colón, Captain Max sails along Tenerife’s volcanic coast while you look for the pilot whales that live in these Canarian waters. The small maximum of 11 people makes the outing feel more personal.

I like the balance of sailing and wildlife watching, and I like that snacks, cold drinks, and snorkeling equipment are included. The main caution is communication. One recent rating noted that the captain spoke limited English and gave little explanation beyond pointing out dolphins and whales. If you want lively guiding, that matters.

At a glance: what makes this sail different

• A 13.76-meter Beneteau Oceanis 440: Madoudou has a spacious interior, two sofas, a dining table, cabins, bathrooms, and an outside seating area with shade.
• A small shared group: The boat takes a maximum of 11 people, a useful middle ground between a private charter and a large excursion boat.
• Resident pilot whales: The outing is authorized for cetacean watching in southern Tenerife, with pilot whales as the main target and dolphins also possible.
• A proper sailing experience: The trip is not only a wildlife cruise. You’ll spend time moving under sail around the southern coast.
• A 30-minute stop: The scheduled break includes food, drinks, and snorkeling equipment for a short swim if conditions allow.
• A quiet guiding style: Captain Max may point out wildlife without providing much running commentary, especially in English.

Setting out from Puerto Colón

Your meeting point is Gate 5 at Puerto Colón, in Costa Adeje on Tenerife’s south coast. The excursion returns to the same place after three hours, which keeps the plan easy to fit into a day around Costa Adeje.

Puerto Colón is a useful base for this kind of trip because you can go straight from the marina into open water. There is no long transfer across the island, and the activity begins and ends in the same port. Check the available start times when booking, since the exact departure depends on the selected date and schedule.

This is a shared trip, not a private charter. The advertised maximum is 11 people, so you should expect company on board, but the group is still small enough to move around the yacht without the feel of a large boat excursion.

Bring a sun hat and towel, since neither is supplied. Food, drinks, and snorkeling equipment are included. The supplied information does not specify the exact menu, but one account described ordinary sandwiches and soft drinks. That gives you a useful expectation: this is light boat food, not a full meal.

Life aboard the Beneteau Oceanis 440

Madoudou is a Beneteau Oceanis 440 measuring 13.76 meters. It was built for longer sailing and has the sort of layout that makes a three-hour trip more comfortable than a basic open motorboat ride.

Inside, the salon has a table for eight and two sofas. The cabins include wardrobes, drawers, and storage space, while the aft cabins connect directly to bathrooms with showers and hot water. You are unlikely to need most of those facilities on a short excursion, but they show that the yacht is designed as a live-aboard sailing boat rather than a simple day-trip platform.

Outside, a table and awning provide a shaded place to sit. That is useful in Tenerife, where the sun can feel strong even on a pleasant sailing day. You can spend time outside for the views, move inside for shade, or use the seating around the boat as the mood changes.

The galley has three burners, two sinks, an oven, and two refrigerators. The yacht also carries solar panels, an outboard raft, and 900 liters of water. These details are not central to whale watching, but they help explain why Madoudou is equipped for independent sailing and longer stretches at sea.

The boat’s size also affects the experience. A sailing yacht moves differently from a large excursion vessel, and the pace may feel calmer and less mechanical. At the same time, a sailboat can be more sensitive to wind and sea conditions. If you are prone to motion sickness, the trip’s three-hour length is worth considering.

Sailing along Tenerife’s volcanic coast

The first part of the outing is devoted to sailing from Puerto Colón into the waters off southern Tenerife. The coast here is shaped by volcanic activity and Atlantic erosion, and the boat gives you a water-level view of cliffs, coves, and wave-cut shores.

The sailing portion matters because the trip is not just a race to a wildlife viewing point. You get time to settle into the yacht and watch the coast pass at a slower pace. Depending on the wind and the captain’s handling, the boat may travel under sail or use its engine as needed. The provided information does not promise a specific amount of time under sail, so treat sailing as a central part of the outing, not a guarantee of nonstop wind-powered travel.

This is also where expectations should be realistic. Wildlife watching is never fully controlled. The boat has authorization for cetacean watching, but no sighting can be guaranteed. The main species associated with the trip are pilot whales, which live in the waters around the Canary Islands. Dolphins are also included in the wildlife search.

Looking for pilot whales and dolphins

The wildlife stop lasts about one hour. During this time, the crew looks for marine life, with pilot whales as the main focus. The boat may also encounter dolphins and other sea life, but the confirmed focus is on the pilot whales that inhabit Canarian waters.

The best part of a small boat is the feeling of being close to the sea. You can watch the horizon, listen for instructions, and follow the captain’s direction when an animal appears. A small group also means less competition for a clear view than you might face on a much larger vessel.

Still, the guiding style may be fairly quiet. One rating gave the trip four stars after a vessel problem caused a change from the originally booked activity. That person found that the captain did not speak English well and mostly pointed out where dolphins and whales were, without much introduction. This is an important distinction: you may see the animals, but you should not book this expecting a long naturalist lecture in English.

Captain Max is named as the skipper of Madoudou, and Spanish, English, and Italian are listed as available languages. The language listing means those languages are supported, but it does not guarantee the same depth of explanation in each one. If learning about whale behavior is your top priority, ask about the guiding language and level of commentary before paying.

The 30-minute secret stop

After the wildlife search, the itinerary includes a 30-minute stop at an unspecified location. It is described as a break with brunch and snorkeling, giving you a chance to leave the watching routine and enjoy the water.

The phrase secret stop does not provide a precise location, so you should not expect a named beach or famous cove. The value is in the pause itself. Three hours can feel long if you remain seated and focused on the horizon the whole time. A short break, some food, and the option to use snorkeling equipment add variety.

The snorkeling gear is included, but the available information does not promise a particular reef, beach, or range of fish. Conditions at sea can affect whether swimming is suitable. Bring your own towel, as one is not included, and remember that a sun hat is also your responsibility.

The food is practical rather than elaborate. One account described sandwiches and soft drinks, while the activity details promise snacks and cold drinks. Plan for a light refreshment, not a restaurant-style brunch. If you have dietary needs, ask the provider before departure because no special menu information is supplied.

What the $63 price gets you

At $63 per person, the trip offers a fair amount for a three-hour shared sailing excursion. The price includes the yacht, whale watching, sailing, snorkeling equipment, food, and drinks. You are paying for time aboard a relatively large sailing yacht, not only for a short wildlife sighting.

The value is strongest if you want several elements in one outing: a small group, sailing, marine life, and a swimming stop. Booking each part separately would usually take more planning, and the included refreshments keep the day simple.

The value is weaker if your only goal is guaranteed whale watching or detailed wildlife interpretation. The animals are wild, and the available feedback points to limited commentary from the captain in English. You are paying for the full sea experience, with wildlife as an important part of it, rather than for a guaranteed close encounter.

The boat’s facilities also add comfort, though you should not confuse a well-equipped yacht with a luxury cruise. The listing gives an overall rating of 3.8 from four ratings, including one five-star assessment that found everything great and one four-star account that praised the sightings but criticized the limited communication. With such a small number of ratings, I would treat the score as a useful signal, not a final verdict.

Who will enjoy this experience most

I would choose this tour if you like the idea of being on a sailing yacht and are happy to let the day unfold around the sea conditions. It suits couples, small groups, and solo visitors who prefer a calm shared outing over a packed boat.

It also works well for people who want a short marine activity rather than a full-day cruise. The three-hour format leaves room for lunch, a beach visit, or another Costa Adeje plan afterward.

Families may like the mix of wildlife and snorkeling, but the activity details do not give an age limit or specific child facilities. For younger children, ask the provider directly about suitability and safety arrangements.

I would hesitate if you need constant entertainment, a formal presentation, or detailed explanations in English. The captain may keep quiet and simply indicate where the animals are. That can feel peaceful to one person and under-explained to another.

The same applies to visitors who dislike motion on the water. This is a sailing boat, not a fixed shore activity. The details do not state what seasickness measures are available, so bring any personal remedy you normally use.

Practical details before you book

The tour lasts three hours, and the exact start time depends on availability. It begins and ends at Puerto Colón, Gate 5. The shared boat holds no more than 11 people.

Food, cold drinks, and snorkeling equipment are included. A sun hat and towel are not. The supported languages are Spanish, English, and Italian.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately, which is useful if your Tenerife schedule is still changing.

The provider is Madoudou SL, and the boat is named Madoudou. Captain Max is identified as the skipper. That personal connection is part of the appeal, but the communication note means you should confirm what language will be used for the safety briefing and wildlife information.

Should you book Madoudou?

Book this outing if you want a small-group sailing trip with a real yacht, a chance to see resident pilot whales, included refreshments, and a short snorkeling stop. At $63, it is good value when you care as much about the time on the water as the wildlife itself.

Skip it if your priority is a guaranteed sighting, a polished wildlife presentation, or nonstop conversation in English. The strongest reason to choose Madoudou is the relaxed boat experience. Go in ready to watch, listen, and enjoy the Atlantic, with the understanding that the captain may offer only brief commentary.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching tour start?

The tour starts at Gate 5 in Puerto Colón, Costa Adeje, in southern Tenerife.

How long does the activity last?

The activity lasts three hours. Starting times depend on availability.

How many people can join the shared tour?

The Beneteau Oceanis 440 takes a maximum of 11 people for this shared trip.

What marine life might I see?

The main wildlife focus is on pilot whales living in Canarian waters. Dolphin watching and general marine life viewing are also part of the experience.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, food, and cold drinks are included. A towel is not included.

Which languages are available?

The listed languages are Spanish, English, and Italian. Captain Max is the named skipper of Madoudou.