Sealife Dolphin & Whale Watching aboard Portuguese schooner

The main appeal here is the boat itself. You are not boarding a plain modern ferry, but an authentic Portuguese wooden schooner with a central table, open bar, and upper deck for sunbathing. From Los Cristianos, the crew heads out to look for pilot whales and dolphins before stopping offshore for lunch and a swim.

I like the wildlife search and the simple family feel. The crew explains what you are seeing, and children have room to enjoy the novelty of being at sea. I also like that food and a drink are meant to be included, so the basic price is not just for a short ride and a view.

The main caution is that wildlife is never guaranteed, and the boat may spend long stretches moving slowly or waiting in one area. One passenger reported no lunch and repeated cocktail sales, while others received a satisfying meal, so confirm the food and drink arrangements before you set out.

Key points to know before booking

• A real Portuguese schooner: The wooden boat gives this outing more character than a standard whale-watching vessel.
• Pilot whales and dolphins: The first part of the cruise focuses on finding cetaceans off Los Cristianos.
• Lunch and swimming stop: After the wildlife search, the boat anchors so you can eat and swim in the Atlantic.
• Open bar and upper deck: You have a central dining area, drinks service, and a place to sit in the sun.
• Small-to-medium group size: The boat accepts up to 60 people, which is lively but not an intimate private charter.
• Useful timing details: The cruise begins at 10:00 a.m. at the fishermen’s pier in Puerto de Los Cristianos and returns there.

Sailing from Puerto de Los Cristianos at 10:00 a.m.

Your meeting point is Muelle de Pescadores in the port of Los Cristianos, Arona. The tour ends back at this same place, so you do not need to arrange a separate ride from another harbor.

The stated start time is 10:00 a.m. That makes this easy to fit into a morning in southern Tenerife, though you should allow time to find the correct part of the port. One family had trouble because an online map directed them to the wrong location. The crew helped them reach the boat, and the schooner waited, but I would not count on that kind of luck.

Bring your mobile ticket and check the meeting point carefully before leaving. The location is described as the fishermen’s pier in Puerto de Los Cristianos, not simply the general town or beach area. A little care here can prevent a rushed start.

Once aboard, you will find a large central table and two bar services. The setup is suited to a shared family outing rather than a quiet sailing lesson. The upper deck gives you a place to stretch out, sunbathe, and watch the coast recede.

What the Portuguese schooner adds

The vessel is the heart of the experience. It is presented as a Portuguese wooden schooner from the last century, designed to recall the sailing boats and pirate tales once associated with these waters. That does not turn the trip into a history tour, but it gives the two-hour outing a stronger sense of place.

I would choose this boat over a basic motor cruiser if the character of the vessel matters to you. The wood, open decks, and old-sailing style create better photo opportunities than a crowded enclosed cabin. You can move between the upper deck, central table, and outside viewing areas as the trip unfolds.

The tradeoff is comfort and pace. A traditional schooner is part of the attraction, but it may feel less polished or predictable than a newer boat. The experience is about being on the water, not racing to each sight. If you need constant action, the slow rhythm may test your patience.

The maximum group size is 60 people. That is not a private or especially secluded cruise, but it is still a manageable number for a boat with several areas. Families can gather around the table, while others can move upstairs for sun and photos.

Searching for pilot whales and dolphins

The first main section takes you out from Los Cristianos to look for a colony of pilot whales and for dolphins. The crew provides explanations during the excursion, and this guided element matters. You are not simply pointed toward the water and left to guess what you are seeing.

Pilot whales are the main target named for the trip, with dolphins as another possibility. The wording is important: this is a search, not a guaranteed wildlife display. Some outings may produce several sightings, while others may involve long periods of watching open water.

One highly positive account described seeing both dolphins and whales as planned, with clear explanations from a friendly crew. That is the best-case version of the tour. Another account saw only a few whales and dolphins and felt the cost was too high for the overall experience.

You should expect the crew to slow down or hold a course when cetaceans are nearby. This gives you time to watch and take photographs without a large cabin or railing blocking every view. The unobstructed photo access is one of the practical strengths of an open wooden boat.

Still, wildlife viewing demands patience. One passenger found the boat spent nearly three hours in much the same area, not far from shore, and considered the pace dull despite seeing dolphins. The listed duration is approximately two hours, while that account described a longer time at sea. Either way, you should be comfortable with quiet observation and repeated scans of the water.

This will suit you if the act of searching is part of the fun. It may not suit you if you want a packed schedule of sights, music, or fast movement.

Lunch, open bar, and the Atlantic swim

After the cetacean search, the schooner sails toward the coast and anchors for lunch. This changes the mood from wildlife watching to a relaxed break on the water. The central table gives the meal a shared, informal setup, and the open bar provides drinks during the cruise.

The food description is not highly detailed in the tour information, but one account gives a useful picture of what may be served: rice, chicken drumsticks, salad, bread, and one drink. That passenger found the meal tasty and had about 15 minutes for swimming.

This is also the part where you should clarify expectations. The outing is promoted with food and drink included, yet one passenger reported that lunch was not provided and that staff repeatedly tried to sell different cocktails. Other accounts specifically described the meal as good and said a drink was included. The safest approach is to ask the operator what the current lunch menu includes, what drink is covered, and which cocktails cost extra.

The open-water swim is a pleasant bonus, but it is not the main purpose of the trip. You are swimming from an anchored boat in the Atlantic, not visiting a beach with changing rooms, showers, or a long time ashore. If you want to get in, bring the practical items you need for a wet outing. If you prefer to stay dry, the upper deck lets you enjoy the stop without entering the water.

A short swim period may feel too brief if swimming is your top priority. For many people, though, 15 minutes is enough to cool off and add a memorable change of pace after the wildlife search.

Photos, sun, and the family atmosphere

The schooner gives you several ways to spend the trip. You can stand outside for pictures, sit around the central table, or go upstairs to relax and sunbathe. That variety helps families and mixed groups, since not everyone wants the same pace.

Parents may appreciate the clear sequence: boat ride, wildlife search, lunch, swim, return. One family described the outing as a good day with young children, and the crew made a strong impression by helping save a turtle during the cruise. That was an unusual moment, not a promised part of the itinerary, but it shows how the crew may respond when something unexpected happens at sea.

Children who enjoy boats and animals should find plenty to hold their attention. The wildlife portion can be exciting when a whale or dolphin appears, and the lunch stop breaks up the time on board. On the other hand, children who need constant activity may become restless during a long search.

The boat also works well for photography. You can take pictures of the schooner, the coastline, the open sea, and any wildlife that surfaces. I would not expect perfect wildlife photographs every time. Animals move quickly, and sightings may be distant, but an open deck gives you a better chance than a fully enclosed cabin.

Is $57.96 a fair price?

At $57.96 per person, the price covers more than transportation. You are paying for a traditional boat, a guided search for whales and dolphins, food and a drink as described, the upper deck, and a swimming stop. If you see several animals and receive the expected lunch, the package can offer fair value for a half-day-style outing.

The calculation changes if lunch is missing or if much of the experience becomes paid drink service. One account described €98 for two people as poor value after receiving no lunch, despite seeing some whales and dolphins. That criticism is worth taking seriously because the included meal is part of what makes the fare reasonable.

The boat type also affects value. If you only want the quickest possible dolphin sighting, a different vessel may suit you better. If you like the feel of an old wooden schooner, shared meals, and a slower day at sea, the character of this boat adds something you cannot measure by minutes of wildlife viewing.

The rating of 4.1 from seven published ratings suggests a generally positive but not uniform experience. I would book at this price when the lunch and drink details are confirmed and when you value the boat atmosphere as much as the animal sightings.

Who should choose this cruise?

I would recommend it to families, couples, and first-time whale watchers who want several activities in one outing. The combination of wildlife, lunch, and swimming means a quiet period at sea does not have to define the whole day.

It is also a good match for anyone who enjoys traditional boats and open-air views. You get a more distinctive setting than a standard sightseeing vessel, plus a central place to eat and an upper deck for sun.

I would hesitate if you dislike slow cruises, have no interest in swimming, or expect a guaranteed close encounter with whales. I would also be cautious if your main goal is a long, carefully timed meal. The food service appears to have been inconsistent for at least one passenger, so clarification before booking matters.

The maximum of 60 people means this is a group outing. If you want silence, privacy, or individual attention, look for a smaller charter instead. If you enjoy a sociable boat with families, shared tables, and a friendly crew, the format should work well.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

Confirmation is sent at booking, and the ticket is mobile, so you can keep it on your phone. The activity is offered in English, and most people can participate according to the supplied information.

The cruise depends on good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The same choice applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. Since the meeting point can be confusing, I would also check the exact harbor location on the morning of the cruise.

Should you book the Portuguese schooner cruise?

Book it if you want a characterful boat ride with wildlife watching, lunch, and a short Atlantic swim, and if you can accept that sightings and timing are not fully predictable. The schooner, upper deck, open viewing areas, and friendly explanations give the outing more personality than a basic boat transfer.

Before paying, confirm that lunch and the included drink are part of the current operation. That single point separates a fair-value day at sea from an expensive wildlife search with extra cocktail charges.

My call: this is a sensible choice for families and relaxed sightseers who value the full boat experience. It is less suitable for anyone seeking a guaranteed whale encounter, a private cruise, or nonstop activity.

FAQ

Where does the schooner cruise begin and end?

It begins at Muelle de Pescadores in Puerto de Los Cristianos, Arona, Tenerife, and returns to the same meeting point.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 10:00 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The listed duration is approximately two hours, although time on the water may feel longer depending on the wildlife search and the pace of the outing.

What animals does the crew look for?

The crew searches for pilot whales and dolphins.

Is lunch included?

Food and drink are included in the tour description. The meal has been described as rice, chicken drumsticks, salad, bread, and one drink, but you should confirm the current menu and included drink with the operator before departure.

Can I swim during the cruise?

Yes. After the wildlife observation, the boat anchors and offers time to swim in the open Atlantic waters.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the experience is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.