Private Yacht Tour With Whale and Dolphin Watching 42 Foot Boat

The best part of this Tenerife cruise is simple: the whole yacht is yours. From Puerto Colón, you head into Atlantic waters known for pilot whales, dolphins, and sea turtles, with room to spread out instead of sharing the boat with a large crowd.

I like the private format and the useful extras: sonar equipment helps you listen for marine life, while snorkel gear, drinks, and snacks are already on board. The main drawback is that wildlife is never guaranteed, and the advertised boat size varies between 40 and 42 feet, so ask if the exact vessel matters to you.

Key Points

• Private boat for up to 11: Keep the yacht to your own family or group.
• Whale waters near Playa de las Américas: Pilot whales are present locally year-round, with dolphins and turtles also possible.
• Three or six hours: Pick a shorter outing or give yourself more time at sea.
• Swim and snorkel stop: The skipper anchors so you can enter the water if conditions allow.
• Drinks and food included: Champagne, unlimited wine, beer, soft drinks, bottled water, and light snacks are provided.
• Experienced named hosts: Past trips have been led by skippers called Guy, Juan Angel, and Maxi, although the crew for your date may differ.

Setting Out From Puerto Colón

You meet at Puerto Colón, Pantalan 2, in Costa Adeje. This is the starting and ending point, and the first ten minutes are used for boarding, introductions, and a safety briefing.

That short briefing matters on a private boat. You will learn how to move around the deck, where to sit, and what to expect once the yacht leaves the marina. The skipper is also your guide to the sea, so this first meeting sets the tone for the trip.

The yacht is described as a 40-foot, or 12.19-meter, sailing boat, while the product title calls it a 42-foot boat. It carries up to 11 passengers and has open deck space, a saloon cabin, a kitchenette, and other onboard facilities. If you are choosing this trip because of the exact boat size, confirm the vessel before booking.

The private setup is the main reason to consider this outing. You are not squeezed into a standard group excursion with strangers. Your group can settle into the deck space, talk with the skipper, and choose how much time to spend watching, eating, swimming, or simply sitting on the water.

The First Views From the Water

As the boat leaves Puerto Colón, you get a different view of Playa de las Américas and the Costa Adeje coast. The town becomes a backdrop while the yacht heads toward open Atlantic water.

The three-hour option gives you a compact sea outing. It suits a family that wants whale watching without giving up most of the day, or a couple looking for a private activity between beach time and dinner. The six-hour choice allows a slower pace, more time to search for wildlife, and a longer swim or snorkeling stop.

You can choose a morning or afternoon departure. That flexibility helps if you are arranging this around other plans, though the exact wildlife conditions and sea state can change by day. The operator requires good weather, so a poor forecast can lead to a new date or a full refund.

I would not choose a departure time based only on the hope of seeing a particular animal. Instead, pick the time that fits your schedule and think of the cruise as a sea outing first, with whale and dolphin watching as the main possibility.

Watching for Pilot Whales and Dolphins

The yacht heads toward parts of the coast associated with sightings of pilot whales and dolphins. Pilot whales are present in these local waters year-round, which gives this trip a stronger wildlife focus than a simple coastal cruise. Dolphins and sea turtles may also appear, and one trip included two turtles along with whales and dolphins.

You will need patience. The skipper can guide you toward areas where animals are known to occur, but no responsible whale-watching operator can promise a sighting, a close approach, or a particular species. The sea decides the schedule.

The onboard sonar equipment adds something useful. Instead of relying only on what you can see above the surface, you can listen for whales and dolphins through the equipment. That makes the search more active and gives the skipper another tool while the boat is in the wildlife area.

You might also see smaller marine life. One outing included fish and flying fish, showing that the trip is not limited to large animals. Still, keep your expectations sensible. If your top priority is guaranteed wildlife, no boat tour can offer that. If you like being on the water and enjoy the search itself, the format works much better.

The skipper’s role matters here. Guy, Juan Angel, and Maxi are names connected with past departures, and the available reports describe the crew as relaxed, attentive, and able to point out where to look. Your skipper may be someone else, but the service clearly depends on having a captain who watches the water and explains what you are seeing.

A Private Boat Makes the Difference

A private charter changes the feel of a three-hour trip. You can bring your own group and avoid the usual problem of sharing limited deck space with a full boatload of people.

The yacht holds up to 11 passengers. That makes it suitable for a family group, a few couples, or a small celebration. At maximum capacity, it will not feel empty, but it should still offer more control than a large shared excursion because everyone on board is part of your booking.

The open deck is useful for wildlife watching. You can move your attention from one side of the boat to the other, sit with your group, and return indoors to the saloon cabin if you want a break from the sun. The cabin and kitchenette also make the boat more practical for a longer six-hour outing.

You should still think about the needs of your group. Anyone prone to seasickness may prefer a shorter cruise and a calm-weather date. The tour is offered in good weather, but a smooth day cannot be guaranteed. If children are coming, the private format lets you manage breaks and meals more easily, but the sea remains a moving environment.

Snorkeling, Swimming, and the Sea Stop

At some point, the skipper drops anchor for a swim stop. You can enter the water or stay aboard. This is a welcome change after the wildlife search, especially on a warm Tenerife day.

Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to bring your own mask and snorkel to take part. You may see fish, turtles, or other marine life close to the boat, but the exact underwater conditions depend on the location and the day.

The swim stop is optional. That matters if someone in your group does not want to swim, has limited confidence in the water, or simply prefers to enjoy the boat. You can remain on deck while others use the gear.

Do not treat this as a dedicated snorkeling expedition. The central purpose is a private whale and dolphin cruise, and the swim is one part of the outing. If you want a long session focused only on underwater wildlife, you may prefer a specialist snorkeling trip. If you want a balanced day on the sea, this combination is more appealing.

Champagne, Drinks, and Light Food

Food and drink are included in the price, which makes the trip easier to enjoy without packing a full picnic. You receive a glass of Champagne, unlimited wine, beer, soft drinks, and bottled water. Light refreshments are also provided.

The food appears to be more than a token snack. One outing included nibbles and baguettes, which is useful if you choose the six-hour option or book around lunchtime. Still, this is not presented as a full restaurant meal, so anyone with a large appetite should plan accordingly.

A vegetarian option is available if you request it at booking. That is worth doing early rather than waiting until boarding. The operator also allows service animals, and most people can participate, though the supplied information does not give detailed access notes for every part of the boat.

The open bar adds value mainly because this is a private charter. You are paying for the group rather than per person, and drinks are part of the package instead of a series of extra purchases. If you fill all 11 places, the listed $716.45 price works out to about $65 per person for three hours. That is a strong group value for a private boat with food, drinks, equipment, and a skipper.

For two or three people, the per-person cost is much higher. You are then paying for privacy, not budget transport. I would book it for a small group only if having the boat to yourselves is central to the plan.

Is $716.45 Good Value?

The price is $716.45 per group of up to 11. The group limit is important. This is not a per-seat fare, so the value improves sharply as your party gets larger.

At full capacity, the approximate cost is $65.13 each. For six people, it is about $119.41 each. For four, it is about $179.11 each. Those figures help you compare the charter with a standard shared whale-watching trip.

The value comes from several parts working together:

• A private yacht rather than a shared boat
• A skipper for your group
• A three-hour or six-hour choice
• Wildlife watching with sonar equipment
• Snorkel gear and a swim stop
• Champagne, unlimited drinks, water, and light food
• Morning or afternoon scheduling

I consider the price fair for a full group that wants privacy and a flexible day at sea. I would be more cautious with a small party, particularly if whale watching is your only goal. A shared boat may cost less, while this charter makes the most sense when you value space, privacy, and control over the mood of the trip.

The six-hour option should also be judged by how your group likes to travel. If you enjoy slow days on the water, it offers more room for wildlife watching and swimming. If your group gets restless or wants a packed sightseeing schedule, three hours may be enough.

Meeting Details and Pickup Advice

The meeting point is Puerto Colón, Pantalan 2, Costa Adeje, with the cruise ending at the same jetty. Hotel pickup is not included, despite pickup being offered as a possible arrangement. Contact the operator at least 24 hours before departure if you want to ask about pickup details, and contact them as soon as you book for the clearest instructions.

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the activity is offered in English. The operator says it is near public transportation, which helps if you are making your own way to the marina.

The experience is usually booked well ahead, with an average lead time of about 57 days. That is a useful warning for families, larger groups, and anyone traveling during a busy period. The private capacity is limited, so do not assume you can arrange it a day or two before sailing.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. Since the sea controls the weather, a cancellation caused by poor conditions results in a different date or a full refund.

Who Will Enjoy This Cruise Most?

I would recommend this charter to:

• Families who want the boat to themselves
• Groups of friends sharing the cost
• Couples looking for a more private outing
• Anyone who wants wildlife watching combined with swimming
• People who value drinks, snacks, and equipment included in one price
• Small groups that prefer a relaxed pace over a fixed large-boat schedule

It is less suited to someone looking for the cheapest possible whale-watching ticket. It is also not the best match if you need a guaranteed sighting, a full meal, or a trip devoted entirely to snorkeling.

The private format helps groups with mixed interests. One person can watch for whales, another can enjoy a drink, and another can wait for the swim stop. That flexibility is hard to get on a basic shared cruise.

Should You Book It?

Book this Tenerife yacht tour if you have a group large enough to share the cost and want the day to feel personal. The combination of pilot-whale watching, sonar equipment, swimming, snorkeling, and an open bar gives you more than a simple boat ride.

For the best value, bring enough people to use much of the 11-person capacity. Choose three hours if you want a focused outing, or six hours if the sea itself is part of your holiday plan. Keep your wildlife expectations realistic, confirm pickup and boat details early, and request vegetarian food when booking.

If privacy matters more than the lowest price, this is a strong choice from Puerto Colón.

FAQ

How much does the private yacht tour cost?

The price is $716.45 per group, with up to 11 people allowed in one booking.

How long is the cruise?

You can choose a cruise of approximately three hours or a longer six-hour option.

Where does the tour start?

The yacht departs from Puerto Colón, Pantalan 2, 38660 Costa Adeje, Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Where does the tour finish?

The cruise returns to the original meeting point at Puerto Colón.

Can I choose a morning or afternoon departure?

Yes. The experience is offered in the morning or afternoon.

Are whale and dolphin sightings guaranteed?

No. The cruise visits waters known for pilot whales, dolphins, and sea turtles, but sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and the skipper stops so you can swim if you wish.

What drinks and food are included?

The package includes a glass of Champagne, unlimited wine, beer, soft drinks, bottled water, and light refreshments. A vegetarian option is available if requested at booking.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund.