Puerto Colon: Whale-Watching Sailing Tour with Meal & a Swim

The big draw here is the chance to see pilot whales and dolphins from a small sailboat, not from a crowded sightseeing vessel. You leave Puerto Colón, head into open water with a local captain, then return by way of a sandy beach for a swim.

I like the small group of up to 11 people, which should make it easier to find a good place on deck and hear the captain’s explanations. I also like the simple mix of wildlife, swimming, food, and sailing time. The main consideration is that this is an open-ocean trip, and sightings are not guaranteed. The tour is also conducted in Spanish.

Key points to know before you book

• Pilot whales are a real highlight: The trip has produced a close look at a family of pilot whales, a memorable moment if the animals come near the boat.
• Mola Mola 2 leaves from Pantalan 1: Look for the boat by name at Puerto Colón, with no hotel pickup included.
• The group is limited to 11 people: This gives the trip a more personal feel than a large whale-watching boat.
• Swimming comes after the wildlife search: The boat stops near a warm, sandy beach and anchors for a refreshing swim.
• Food and drinks are included: Expect a meal or dinner based on departure time, plus drinks. The description refers to paella and cava, and also mentions sandwiches, beer, or another drink while anchored.
• Bring your own towel: Swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, beachwear, and a towel are all useful. Towels are not supplied.

Setting out from Puerto Colón on Mola Mola 2

Your meeting point is Pantalan 1 at Puerto Colón. Look for the boat named Mola Mola 2. The tour returns to this same point, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup location.

Hotel transportation is not included. I would allow enough time to find the marina, reach the correct dock, and identify the boat before departure. The meeting instructions are short, so the boat name matters.

The small group size is one of the better features here. With no more than 11 participants, you should have a reasonable chance of getting a clear view of the water and staying close enough to follow the captain’s commentary. It also avoids the feel of a large excursion where people gather several rows deep around the rails.

The captain speaks Spanish. That is important to consider before booking. You may still enjoy the scenery and wildlife even if you do not speak Spanish, but the explanations and spotting information will be delivered in that language.

Searching the Atlantic for whales and dolphins

Once the boat leaves the marina, the tour heads into the open ocean. The main activity is watching the water for movement, fins, and groups of animals. Your captain knows the local waters and looks for the best chance of finding whales and dolphins.

The wildlife portion works best if you treat it as a search rather than a scheduled animal show. Marine life moves freely, and sightings can vary. You may see dolphins, pilot whales, or both, but no responsible whale-watching trip can promise a particular animal on a particular day.

Pilot whales are especially important to this trip. A close encounter with a family of them has been one of the strongest moments associated with the outing. Seeing several animals together near the boat can make the open-water search worthwhile, particularly when the captain can point out what you are watching.

I like that the tour combines the wildlife search with time under sail. You are not only waiting for animals to appear. You are also out on the Atlantic with the breeze, sun, and changing view of Tenerife’s coast. If you enjoy being on the water even when wildlife stays out of sight, the three-hour format gives the trip more value.

Keep your sunglasses and sunscreen handy. The deck can feel bright, and the boat spends a good part of the tour away from shade and land. Beachwear is sensible as well, since swimming is part of the plan rather than an optional extra.

Why a small boat changes the outing

A boat carrying up to 11 people creates a different mood from a large group cruise. I would choose this format if I cared about having some breathing room, hearing the captain, and keeping the day relaxed.

The tradeoff is that a small sailing boat may feel more exposed to the sea. This tour goes into open water, so conditions can affect how comfortable the ride feels. The available details do not promise calm seas, and you should keep that in mind if you are sensitive to motion.

The captain’s role matters here. One particularly positive point is the friendly manner and clear explanations provided during the trip. Since the captain is also the person searching for wildlife and choosing the swimming stop, the quality of the day depends heavily on that local judgment.

There is no promise of a formal naturalist talk or commentary in another language. What you get is a Spanish-speaking captain who guides the boat, explains what you see, and looks for whales and dolphins.

The swimming stop near a sandy beach

On the way back to Puerto Colón, the boat stops near a warm, sandy beach and anchors in the bay. This is where you can leave the deck, get into the cool water, and enjoy a change of pace after the wildlife search.

The swimming stop is a useful part of the design. If the animals remain distant, you still have a second activity that does not depend on luck. It also breaks up the time at sea and lets you cool off before returning to port.

Bring a towel. It is not provided, and the tour specifically advises swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, and beachwear. You should also be comfortable getting in and out of the water from the boat, since the details do not describe a beach landing or a dedicated access system.

The swimming location is described as a pleasant spot, but the tour does not provide exact beach facilities or a list of water equipment. Plan for a straightforward swim rather than a full beach day with changing rooms and services.

Food, drinks, and the pause at anchor

Food is included, which helps justify the $68 price. The tour highlights paella and a glass of cava, giving the meal a distinctly Spanish touch. The practical description also refers to sandwiches with beer or another drink while the boat is anchored.

Because both descriptions appear, the exact food service may depend on the departure time or the operating setup. The included meal is described as lunch or dinner, depending on when you book. If the meal is important to you, check the current details at the time of booking so you know whether to expect paella, sandwiches, or another arranged meal.

Either way, having food and drinks on board means you do not need to plan a separate meal during the three-hour outing. You can eat while anchored, enjoy a beer or a glass of cava, and take in the water around you.

I would not book this as a food-focused cruise. The meal supports the sailing and swimming program rather than replacing it. The best value comes from the combination: a small boat, a wildlife search, drinks, a meal, and a swimming stop in one half-day activity.

What the $68 price really covers

At $68 per person, the price includes the boat trip, a meal, drinks, and the swimming stop. It also includes the benefit of a small group, limited to 11 people.

That is a fair package if you want several parts of a Tenerife day handled together. You would otherwise need to arrange a separate boat trip, find a place to swim, and buy food and drinks. Here, those elements are tied into one three-hour outing from Puerto Colón.

The price is less compelling if your only goal is guaranteed whale viewing. Sightings depend on conditions and animal movements, and the trip goes into the open ocean. You are paying for the chance to see marine life plus the full sailing experience, not for a guaranteed encounter.

The inclusion of drinks and a meal makes the cost easier to accept, especially for someone who wants a relaxed outing instead of a bare wildlife transfer. The small group also adds value for people who dislike large boats.

Who will enjoy this sailing trip most

I would recommend this tour to you if you like a short, social day on the water and want more than one activity. It suits couples, families with older children, and small groups who enjoy wildlife, swimming, and an easy meal in the sun.

It is also a good choice if you want a more personal boat setting. The limit of 11 people is small enough to keep the outing from feeling like a mass excursion.

You should think twice if you need wheelchair access, have a mobility impairment, or are visually impaired. The activity is specifically not suitable for those needs. The open-ocean setting and swimming stop also make it less suitable for anyone who needs specialized boarding or water access arrangements.

Language matters too. The live guide service is in Spanish. If you want detailed explanations in English or another language, this is not the safest choice.

Practical advice for a smoother three hours

Wear swimwear under your clothes and pack a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and beachwear. The tour takes place on the Atlantic, so sun protection is useful even when the breeze makes the air feel mild.

Do not expect hotel pickup. Go directly to Pantalan 1 at Puerto Colón and look for Mola Mola 2. Since the meeting instructions are simple, confirming the boat name before you leave your accommodation is sensible.

Keep your expectations flexible during the wildlife search. The strongest possible moment is a close view of pilot whales or dolphins, but animals decide the schedule. I would enjoy the sailing, the sun, and the chance to swim even if the search produces only distant sightings.

The tour lasts three hours, with departure times depending on availability. A morning departure may be listed as lunch or a later departure as dinner, so check the available time before booking.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Tenerife plans are still shifting.

Should you book Mola Mola 2?

Book this tour if you want a compact Tenerife boat day with a real chance to see pilot whales and dolphins, plus a swim, food, and drinks. The close family sighting described for this outing shows what can happen when the wildlife comes near, while the friendly captain and small group make the trip feel more personal.

Skip it if you need guaranteed animal sightings, English-language guiding, hotel pickup, or accessible boarding. For everyone else, $68 is reasonable for three hours that combine wildlife watching, sailing, a beach stop, and a meal. Just bring a towel, accept the open-ocean setting, and let the day unfold at sea.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching sailing tour start?

The tour starts at Pantalan 1 in Puerto Colón. Look for the boat named Mola Mola 2.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Puerto Colón.

How long does the sailing tour last?

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

What animals might I see?

The tour searches for whales and dolphins. Pilot whales are specifically associated with the trip, including the possibility of seeing a family close to the boat.

Is swimming included?

Yes. The boat stops near a sandy beach and anchors for a swimming stop.

Is food included?

Yes. A meal is included, described as lunch or dinner depending on the tour time. The details also refer to paella, cava, sandwiches, beer, and another drink.

What drinks are included?

Drinks are included. The tour information mentions a glass of cava, beer, or another drink.

Is hotel pickup provided?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You must go to Pantalan 1 at Puerto Colón.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear. A towel is not provided.

Is the tour conducted in English?

No. The listed live tour guide language is Spanish.

How many people are in the group?

The group is limited to 11 participants.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, or visually impaired people.