Review · PRIVATE WHALE WATCHING CHARTERS
private charter 3 Hours Whale Encounter puerto colon adeje
The best part of this private Costa Adeje charter is the mix of wildlife and easygoing family time. You may see pilot whales, dolphins, and turtles, then stop in a sheltered cove for swimming and snorkeling. The crew, including Chris, Mickey, Jessica, and Alex on different outings, makes the trip feel personal rather than mass-produced.
I like the private boat for up to 15 people, especially for families or a birthday group, and I like the supervised chance for children to help steer. The main drawback is simple: wildlife sightings depend on sea and weather conditions, and the lunch portions may feel light for a large group.
Key points
- Three hours from Puerto Colón: The trip leaves and returns to Puerto Colón in Costa Adeje.
- Pilot whales, dolphins, and turtles: Sightings have included families of pilot whales with young, dolphins, and turtles.
- Private group setting: Your party has the boat to itself, with a maximum group size of 15 listed for booking.
- Swimming and snorkeling stop: The route can include a stop near turtle bay or a clear-water cove.
- Family-friendly crew: Children have been invited to steer under close supervision, and very young children have joined the outing.
- Simple picnic lunch: Expect sandwiches and drinks, not a full meal. Bring realistic expectations, especially for a group of 10 or more.
Leaving Puerto Colón for the open water

You meet at Tenerife Yacht Lina, also identified as Kailanipier, at pontoon number 5 in San Eugenio, Costa Adeje. The wider port address is Puerto Colón S.A., Avenida de Colón, 38660 Costa Adeje. The trip returns to this same meeting point after roughly three hours, so you can fit it neatly into a day based in the resort area.
Once away from the port, the guide explains the outing, the cetaceans you may encounter, and how the trip will run. That opening briefing matters. You are not simply being driven around in search of a fin. You get some context about the animals and a better idea of what to watch for on the water.
The private format changes the mood right away. You are not sharing the boat with a large public crowd, and the crew can pay attention to your group’s ages, questions, and comfort. A family with children, a birthday group, or a party of friends can enjoy the boat together without having to fit into someone else’s schedule.
The booking price is $481.17 per group of up to 15 people. For two people, that is a high price per person. For 10 to 15 people, it becomes far more appealing, especially when you compare it with paying separate fares on a larger shared boat. The value is not just the three hours on the sea. It is the privacy, flexible atmosphere, and chance to make the outing your own.
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Searching for pilot whales and dolphins

The main wildlife target is the pilot whale. Outings have encountered several families, including a family with newly born babies. That kind of sighting can be special, but you should treat it as a possibility rather than a promise. The sea is unpredictable, and the activity requires good weather.
Dolphins have also been seen, sometimes on the same trip as pilot whales. The captain and guide explain the animals as you go, giving you something useful to focus on instead of scanning the horizon without knowing what to look for.
The private setting helps here. The crew can respond to what your group wants to know, and children can remain part of the action. Chris and Mickey have been praised for making families feel welcome, while Jessica has been singled out for being an engaging guide. Alex has also led an outing that combined whale watching, explanations, lunch, and swimming.
You should still pack patience. A whale encounter is not a staged performance. The boat may spend time looking across open water, and a cloudy day does not automatically spoil the trip. One outing in overcast conditions still found several families of pilot whales. Good conditions improve comfort and visibility, but nature makes the final decision.
What the three-hour route includes
The entire activity lasts about three hours, with the port departure, wildlife search, explanations, possible swim stop, food, and return all included in that window. There is no separate admission charge for the Costa Adeje portion of the trip.
The route is not presented as a series of formal shore stops. Most of your time is spent on the boat. You leave Puerto Colón, head offshore to look for cetaceans, and then may stop near a cove or turtle bay for swimming and snorkeling before returning along the coast.
Several outings included turtles as part of the wildlife experience. That gives the trip a pleasant variety. You are not waiting for one type of animal for the whole morning or afternoon. Still, turtles are wildlife too, so the crew cannot guarantee a sighting.
The coastal return adds a scenic finish. You can see the beaches and shoreline from the water, which gives you a different view of Costa Adeje than you get from the promenade. Some groups have returned with music, singing, and dancing, while others have focused more quietly on the scenery and sea life.
Swimming at turtle bay

The swimming stop is one of the strongest reasons to choose the private charter instead of a basic whale-watching ride. The crew has stopped at a clear-water cove where people could swim with a mask and snorkel and look for marine life.
This part works especially well for mixed groups. Some people can enjoy the water while others remain on the boat. A family outing included children as young as one year old, and a two-year-old was able to take part in a fun, relaxed day. That does not mean every child will handle the boat or sea equally well, but the crew has experience including very young children.
The swimming stop also breaks up the wildlife search. Three hours of looking out to sea can feel long for a young child. A swim, a snack, and a change of pace make the outing easier to enjoy.
Bring your own confidence level and do not assume everyone has to swim. The exact length of the stop is not stated, and the schedule can depend on sea conditions and the wildlife search. If snorkeling is your main goal, ask the operator about the equipment and conditions before booking, since the supplied details only confirm that mask-and-snorkel swimming has taken place.
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A crew that works well with families

The human side of this trip receives unusually strong praise. Chris and Mickey are described as warm hosts who included both children and adults. Jessica has been praised for her guiding, and Alex has led a family outing with detailed explanations and a well-planned mix of activities.
The crew has also let children steer the boat under supervision. That is a memorable extra for families, though it should be understood as a guided opportunity, not independent control of the vessel.
The age range on one outing stretched from five to 77. Another group included 12 family members, and a separate party had 11 friends. These details suggest the charter can work for a broad age range and different group types.
The crew’s attitude matters most when the sea is not perfect. On a cloudy day, the captain and hostess remained friendly and helped make the whale search worthwhile. The tone seems informal and welcoming, with music and a party atmosphere available when your group wants it.
If you prefer a quiet, naturalist-style trip with little conversation, tell the crew at the start. The available information points to an outgoing, social experience rather than a silent wildlife survey.
Lunch, drinks, and the practical trade-off
The trip includes a simple picnic-style meal with sandwiches and drinks. A ham-and-cheese roll has been served, along with beer and champagne on at least one outing. This is useful after time in the water, but you should not book the charter expecting a substantial catered lunch.
Food quantity is the clearest practical weakness. On a private outing for 12, the sandwiches ran out before everyone had eaten after swimming. Another person found the ham-and-cheese roll dry. For a small group, the food may be enough. For 10 to 15 people, I would bring extra snacks if the operator allows it, or ask ahead about the amount provided.
The drinks and picnic add convenience, but they do not transform the trip into a full-day sailing meal. Think of them as refreshments during a short sea outing.
The birthday groups have made good use of the format. One group celebrated family birthdays with whales, turtles, swimming, music, and dancing on the return. That sort of occasion suits the private charter well, since the boat can feel like a shared celebration rather than a standard transport ride.
Who gets the best value from the $481.17 price
The price makes the most sense when you fill the boat. At the stated rate, a group of 15 pays about $32 per person before any currency differences or booking costs. A group of 12 pays about $40 per person, while two people would pay more than $240 each.
That calculation makes the charter particularly attractive for:
- Families traveling together
- Birthday or anniversary groups
- Groups of friends
- Families who want privacy and a flexible pace
- Mixed-age parties with children and older adults
For a couple or a small family, a shared whale-watching trip may offer better value if you are mainly interested in seeing whales and dolphins. The private charter earns its higher price through exclusivity, personal attention, and the ability to keep your own group together.
You also book into a weather-dependent activity. If poor weather cancels the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside 24 hours are not accepted for a refund, so keep an eye on the forecast and your schedule.
The activity is offered in English. Service animals are allowed, public transportation is nearby, and most people can participate. These details make the outing fairly easy to fit into a Costa Adeje stay, though the supplied information does not give specific details about boat access or onboard facilities.
How far ahead should you plan?
The activity is booked an average of 29 days ahead, so I would not leave it until the final morning of your holiday if the private format matters to you. This is especially true for a group of 10 to 15 people, since there are fewer private departures than seats on a large shared excursion.
Confirmation arrives at booking. Check the meeting point carefully: Tenerife Yacht Lina, Kailanipier, pontoon number 5, San Eugenio, Costa Adeje. Since the trip ends back at the starting point, you do not need to arrange a separate return transfer from another part of the coast.
Plan around the three-hour duration, but leave a little breathing room afterward. Wildlife sightings and sea conditions can affect the rhythm of the outing, and a swimming stop may leave you wanting time to change or dry off before your next plan.
Is this Costa Adeje charter right for you?

Book it if you are traveling with a group and want a private day on the water that combines wildlife, swimming, and a friendly crew. It is particularly well suited to families, birthday celebrations, and groups with children who will enjoy a supervised turn at the helm.
I would hesitate if you are a couple seeking the lowest-cost whale-watching option, or if a generous lunch is important to you. The food is simple and may not stretch far for a full boat.
For most larger groups, the $481.17 price is reasonable because the boat is yours, the crew can include children and older family members, and the outing offers more than a quick search for whales. Just bring realistic expectations: the wildlife is wild, the weather controls the schedule, and the picnic is modest. With those points clear, this is an appealing three-hour taste of Tenerife’s Atlantic coast.
FAQ
Where does the private whale charter start?
It starts at Tenerife Yacht Lina, also called Kailanipier, at pontoon number 5 in San Eugenio, Costa Adeje. The wider port address is Puerto Colón S.A., Avenida de Colón, 38660 Costa Adeje, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.
Where does the activity finish?
The trip ends back at the same meeting point in Costa Adeje.
How long does the experience last?
The charter lasts approximately three hours.
How many people can join the private charter?
The booking information allows a private group of up to 15 people.
What animals might I see?
The outing has included pilot whales, dolphins, and turtles. The crew also explains the different cetaceans you may encounter.
Is swimming or snorkeling included?
The outing can include a swimming and snorkeling stop near turtle bay or a clear-water cove. The exact stop depends on the conditions and the day’s route.
Is food included?
A simple picnic with sandwiches and drinks is included. The food is not presented as a gourmet meal, and larger groups may want to ask about portions before booking.
Is the experience suitable for children?
Most people can participate, and children have joined the outings. The crew has also allowed children to steer the boat under supervision. Very young children have taken part, but the supplied information does not give a specific minimum age.
What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?
If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.
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