Puerto Colon : Whale & Dolphins Sailing Excursion

Tenerife’s pilot whales are the main event here, and you may hear them before you get a good look. The boat carries a hydrophone, so the outing is not just a search for fins and splashes. You listen to the calls of whales and dolphins as you sail through the Teno-Rasca Special Conservation Zone, one of the best parts of this trip.

I like the small group, limited to 10 people, and the relaxed stop at Diego Hernández Beach. I also like the chance to ask Captain Daniel, also called Dani, about turtles, dolphins, and whales while enjoying a proper Canarian lunch instead of a quick snack. The main drawback is simple: wildlife is never guaranteed, and sea conditions can make the boat ride uncomfortable for anyone prone to seasickness.

Key points to know before booking

• Pilot whales and hydrophone listening: Look for Tenerife’s resident pilot whales, dolphins, loggerhead turtles, and possibly fin whales while listening to underwater calls.
• A small sailing group: With no more than 10 people, you get more space and easier access to the captain than on a large sightseeing boat.
• Diego Hernández Beach stop: Swim or snorkel from a quiet beach known locally as Hippie Beach, reached only on foot or by boat.
• The six-hour choice: Pick the longer trip for Los Gigantes, more swimming time, and better odds of extended dolphin watching.
• Lunch included: Expect Canarian food, drinks, fruit, and, according to the supplied experience details, pastries and small savory bites on some outings.
• A strong conservation ethic: You are expected not to touch animals, and the crew takes care to watch wildlife without disturbing it.

Sailing from Puerto Colón into whale country

You begin at Puerto Colón and board a sailboat for a coastal outing around southern Tenerife. The exact meeting point can vary with the option you book, so check your confirmation carefully. One booking email reportedly gave the wrong pontoon, causing a delay, so I would allow extra time to find the boat.

The route heads toward the Teno-Rasca Special Conservation Zone. That name matters because this is not simply a scenic cruise along the hotel coast. The area is known for marine life, including a large population of pilot whales. These animals live in the waters around Tenerife, giving you a better chance of seeing them in their natural setting rather than during a fast, luck-based search far offshore.

The sailing format also changes the mood. You are not packed into a large motorboat with dozens of people pointing at the same patch of water. A maximum of 10 participants makes it easier to move around, ask questions, and hear the captain when wildlife appears.

You should still set realistic expectations. A captain can choose good areas and read the water, but no one can order a whale or dolphin to surface. A calm attitude helps. Some moments may be full of activity, while others are quiet stretches of open sea.

Meeting pilot whales, dolphins, and turtles

The main wildlife targets are pilot whales, dolphins, loggerhead turtles, and fin whales. The most likely focus is the pilot whale population, while dolphin sightings can bring sudden bursts of energy as animals splash near the boat.

I like that the experience is not built only around getting a photograph. The hydrophone lets you listen to whale and dolphin calls beneath the boat. That gives you something to do during the waiting periods and helps you think about the animals as living creatures, not just moving shapes on the horizon.

Captain Daniel or Dani explains the marine life and answers questions in English or Spanish. The supplied information describes him as especially attentive to animal welfare, and one detailed account notes that he kept the group safe, explained the wildlife clearly, and worked hard to give everyone a good experience. He also appears to take the hosting side seriously, serving food and drinks with a personal touch.

You are asked not to touch the animals. That is both a practical rule and the right approach. Dolphins and whales are wild animals, and the best encounter is one where the boat keeps a respectful distance.

A fin whale sighting is possible, but you should not book this trip expecting one. The clearest promise is the chance to search for pilot whales and dolphins in their natural habitat. Turtles may also appear, but they are just as unpredictable.

The hydrophone adds a second way to watch wildlife

Many whale-watching trips depend entirely on your eyes. Here, the hydrophone gives the outing another layer. You may hear calls from whales or dolphins even when the animals are below the surface or difficult to see.

That is useful for families and curious adults who want more than a quick wildlife checklist. The captain can connect what you hear with what you see, helping you understand why the boat pauses or changes direction.

It also makes the trip feel less rushed. Instead of treating a quiet patch of water as wasted time, you can listen and learn. I would consider this one of the most distinctive parts of the experience, especially if you have already taken a standard coastal cruise.

Still, sound equipment does not guarantee a close encounter. The hydrophone is an educational tool, not a promise of constant whale song. You should think of it as a thoughtful extra that improves the search.

Diego Hernández Beach and the swimming stop

After the wildlife search, the boat heads to Diego Hernández Beach, sometimes called Hippie Beach. The beach can be reached only on foot or by boat, so arriving by sailboat gives the stop a quieter feel than a typical resort swimming area.

The plan is to anchor, then give you time to swim or snorkel in the clear blue water. While you are in the sea, the crew prepares lunch and drinks. This is a good break after time spent watching the horizon, and it gives the six-hour option a more leisurely rhythm.

The beach itself is not the reason to book the excursion, but it balances the wildlife portion nicely. You get a chance to move around, cool off, and enjoy the coast rather than spending every minute seated on the boat.

Bring your own towel and swimwear. Sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, and a second hat are also listed as useful items. The sun can feel strong on the water, and there is little reason to spend the swimming stop worrying about equipment you left behind.

Snorkeling is an option, not a requirement. If you would rather stay dry, you can swim or simply enjoy the stop from the boat. The information provided does not promise specific underwater species or snorkeling equipment, so I would not book this as a dedicated snorkeling tour.

Canarian lunch, drinks, fruit, and a little hospitality

Food is included, which improves the value of the trip. You receive a Canarian-style lunch, drinks, and fruit. One detailed account also highlights pastries, cured meats, and assorted savory bites, though the exact spread may vary.

This is more than a minor convenience. A three to six-hour boat trip can feel long if you must carry all your own food and water. Having lunch prepared while you swim makes the beach stop feel like part of the experience rather than an interruption.

The food also gives you a taste of local cooking, although this is not a formal food tour. I would think of it as a pleasant meal served in an unusual setting. You are eating on or near the boat, not sitting down in a restaurant with a full menu.

Drinks are included, but you should pay attention to the seasickness advice. If you often feel unwell on boats, the supplied guidance recommends eating a solid breakfast while avoiding excessive liquid intake the night before and the morning of the trip. It also advises against mixing drinks such as coffee with milk, tea, water, orange juice, or high-water-content fruit before boarding.

The instructions mention Biodramina, with different versions and amounts for adults and children. Because medication affects people differently, ask a pharmacist or medical professional for advice before using it, especially for a child or if you take other medicine.

Three hours or six hours?

The shorter option lasts about three hours. It gives you time to sail out from Puerto Colón, search for whales and dolphins, listen with the hydrophone, and usually reach the swimming and lunch portion of the outing.

The six-hour option is the better choice if you want a fuller day on the water. It includes the chance to see Los Gigantes, gives you more time to swim, and allows a longer search for dolphins. More time does not guarantee more animals, but it gives the captain more room to work with changing conditions.

I would choose three hours if you have limited time, are unsure about seasickness, or mainly want a taste of whale watching. I would choose six hours for a birthday, a special occasion, or a day when the boat itself is part of the plan.

One group chose the six-hour trip for a birthday and found that Captain Daniel helped everyone feel safe and welcome. That makes the longer version appealing for a celebration, though you should still remember that six hours at sea is a commitment.

What the $88 price really covers

At $88 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Tenerife from the water. The price makes more sense when you count what is included: the sailing trip, marine-life commentary, hydrophone listening, lunch, drinks, fruit, the beach stop, and a small group capped at 10 people.

The small-group limit is important. A cheaper large boat may give you a similar coastal view, but it will not necessarily offer the same access to the captain or the same quiet atmosphere at the beach. Here, you are paying partly for space and attention.

You are also paying for a combined experience rather than a single activity. Whale watching, a local meal, snorkeling or swimming, and a coastal sail are packed into one outing. If you want only a short wildlife cruise, the price may feel high. If you would otherwise book separate sea, food, and swimming activities, it is easier to see the value.

The rating supplied for this experience is 4.9 from 46 ratings. The strongest praise centers on Captain Daniel or Dani, the food and drinks, wildlife sightings, the small group, and the careful treatment of animals. Those are the parts I would give the most weight to when deciding.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most?

I would recommend it to couples, families, and small groups who want a personal day on the water rather than a loud party cruise. It also suits anyone interested in marine animals, especially people who like asking questions and learning how whales and dolphins behave.

The six-hour version works well for a birthday or another special occasion. A private option is available for up to 10 people, so a group that wants the boat to itself can choose that format.

It is less suitable for anyone who dislikes open-water travel or becomes seriously seasick. The long option may feel tiring if you are not comfortable sitting or standing on a moving boat for several hours.

It is also not the right choice if your main goal is guaranteed close contact with dolphins. You watch wildlife from the boat, and touching animals is not allowed. That is a positive conservation rule, but it means this is a viewing and learning experience, not an animal-interaction activity.

Practical details that make the day easier

Wear swimwear under light clothing, and pack a towel, sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen. The water stop is a central part of the trip, so arriving without swimwear means missing one of the best portions.

Check the meeting point for your exact booking. The starting location can vary by option, and one incorrect pontoon message caused a group to lose time finding the boat. Puerto Colón is the stated starting area, but do not rely on that alone.

The tour is offered in English and Spanish. It is a small group experience, with no more than 10 participants unless you choose the private option for up to 10 people.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Tenerife schedule is still changing. Check the available start times because they vary by date and option.

Should you book the Puerto Colón whale excursion?

I would book it if you want a small, friendly sailing trip that combines wildlife watching with a swim, a local lunch, and time around Los Gigantes on the longer option. The hydrophone, the 10-person limit, and Captain Daniel’s personal attention give it more character than a basic boat ride.

Choose three hours for a compact introduction. Choose six hours if you want the best chance of extended dolphin watching and do not mind committing most of a day to the sea.

Book with the right expectations. You may see pilot whales, dolphins, turtles, or other marine life, but nature sets the schedule. If you can accept some quiet stretches and possible motion on the water, the $88 price is reasonable for a meal, drinks, swimming stop, marine-life guidance, and a small sailing group in one package.

FAQ

Where does the whale and dolphin excursion begin?

The excursion begins at Puerto Colón in Tenerife. The exact meeting point may vary depending on the option booked, so check your booking details before departure.

How long does the experience last?

You can choose an option lasting about three hours or an option lasting about six hours.

What marine animals might I see?

The trip searches for pilot whales, dolphins, loggerhead turtles, and fin whales. Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.

What is the Teno-Rasca Special Conservation Zone?

It is the protected marine area around Tenerife where the boat searches for whales, dolphins, turtles, and other sea life.

Can I hear whales and dolphins underwater?

Yes. The boat uses hydrophone equipment so you can listen to the calls of whales and dolphins.

Is swimming or snorkeling included?

Yes. The boat stops at Diego Hernández Beach, where you can swim or snorkel in the sea.

What is Diego Hernández Beach also called?

Diego Hernández Beach is also known as Hippie Beach. It can be reached on foot or by boat.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Canarian cuisine, drinks, and fruit are included. The food may also include pastries and savory bites.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide service is available in English and Spanish.

How many people are in the group?

The standard experience is limited to 10 participants. A private option is available for up to 10 people.