Tenerife: Luxury Private Whale & Dolphin Watching Tour

The most appealing part of this Tenerife outing is the mix of wildlife watching and private sailing. You leave Puerto Colon on a proper yacht, not a crowded sightseeing boat, then spend the day looking for pilot whales, dolphins, and turtles before stopping in a sheltered bay.

I like the easygoing setup: drinks and food are included, and your group can settle into the salon, stretch out on the sunbathing area, or use the cabins and bathroom. I also like the freedom of a private boat, especially for a group of friends or family that wants to choose its own pace and can even play its own music.

The main thing to consider is the price for a small party. At $701 per group of up to 11, it is strong value when full, but much less so for only two or three people. Wildlife sightings are also never fully guaranteed, even in these productive waters.

Key things to know before sailing

• Private yacht for up to 11 people: You get the whole boat for your group rather than sharing the cruise with strangers.
• Pilot whales are a main attraction: They may appear soon after leaving the harbor, with dolphins and turtles also possible.
• Three or six hours: Pick the shorter cruise for a taste of the coast, or the longer option for more time on the water and at anchor.
• Food and drinks are part of the fare: Cava, beer, white wine, soft drinks, baguettes, fruit, and snacks are provided.
• Swimming and snorkeling are built in: The captain anchors in a secluded bay, and snorkeling equipment is available.
• Bring your own practical items: Towels and sun cream are not included, so pack both along with swimwear, sunglasses, and a hat.

Leaving Puerto Colon on a private yacht

Your meeting point is Puerto Colon, Pantalan Number 2. Arrive 15 minutes before departure, since a private charter works best when everyone is ready to board on time.

The yacht has the sort of facilities that make a half-day or full-day outing comfortable: a bathroom, cabins, a large salon, a kitchen, and an open area for sunbathing. That matters more than it may sound. On a small boat, having somewhere to sit out of the sun, use a proper toilet, or spread out with food makes the trip feel relaxed rather than cramped.

You are welcomed aboard by the captain with a complimentary glass of cava. It is a pleasant start, but you should still dress for a beach day. Wear light summer clothing, a swimsuit, and a hat. Sunglasses are useful once the boat reaches open water, and a camera is worth bringing if you want photos of the coast or wildlife.

The yacht is private for your group, with a maximum of 11 people. That gives you more control than a standard shared cruise. You can sit together, talk without a boatload of strangers around you, and make the most of the captain’s guidance without feeling like you are part of a large crowd.

The available languages are Spanish, English, German, French, and Italian. A multilingual guide is especially useful on a wildlife trip, since the captain needs to explain what you are looking for and how to behave around animals.

Watching pilot whales near Tenerife

Once you leave the harbor, the first main task is spotting pilot whales. The information for this cruise says they may come into view soon after departure, which gives the outing a strong start when conditions cooperate.

Pilot whales are the signature sighting here, but this is not a staged animal show. You are looking across open water, waiting for movement and watching the captain’s direction. That makes patience part of the experience. The captain’s local knowledge helps, but no wildlife tour can promise that every animal will appear on cue.

I like that the cruise does not treat whale watching as the whole day. If the animals take time to find, you still have a comfortable yacht, food, drinks, sea views, and a swimming stop ahead. That balance helps keep the trip enjoyable for people who are excited about wildlife and for those who mainly want a pleasant day at sea.

Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the entire cruise looking through a screen. A whale or dolphin can surface only briefly, and the best moment is often the one you see directly. Sunglasses also cut glare, making it easier to scan the water.

Looking for dolphins and turtles

Dolphins and turtles are also part of the expected wildlife search. The exact order depends on where the animals are and what the captain finds during the sailing time.

Dolphins can be fast and difficult to photograph, so you may get a quick sighting rather than a long close look. Turtles are a different kind of encounter, particularly once the boat anchors in a quiet bay. The trip specifically includes the chance to swim with turtles, though you should treat that as a possibility rather than a promise.

This is a good point to set realistic expectations. You are booking time on the ocean in search of free-ranging animals, not a guaranteed performance. The 4.9 rating from 14 bookings reflects very strong satisfaction, but even a highly praised wildlife trip depends on weather, sea conditions, and animal behavior.

The captain’s role is important here. A good day is not only about the number of species seen. It is also about receiving useful information, knowing where to look, and feeling that the boat is being handled with care. The captain has also allowed groups to play their own music, which adds a personal touch for private parties, provided everyone in the group agrees on the soundtrack.

The secluded bay and time in the water

At some point, the captain anchors in a secluded bay. This is where the cruise changes from wildlife search to easy beach-day relaxation.

You can swim, use the included snorkeling equipment, or stay aboard with a drink and a snack. If you have children, non-swimmers, or anyone who simply prefers dry clothes, the yacht’s salon and sunbathing area give them a comfortable alternative. You do not have to spend every minute in the water to enjoy this stop.

The bay is also where the six-hour option earns its keep. Three hours can give you wildlife watching and a swim, but six hours leaves more room for a slower pace. You can spend longer at anchor, eat without rushing, and enjoy the boat itself instead of treating the cruise as a quick checklist.

Bring a towel. It is not included, and sitting in a swimsuit without one is an unnecessary nuisance. Sun cream is not included either, so pack it before boarding. The water and breeze can make the sun feel less intense than it is.

The snorkeling gear is included, but no special underwater sights are promised. Think of it as a useful way to enjoy the bay if conditions suit, not as a dedicated reef excursion.

What food and drinks are included

The onboard catering is one of the strongest practical features. You receive soft drinks, beer, white wine, and baguettes, along with fruit and snacks throughout the cruise.

That makes the price easier to judge. You are not paying only for boat time and wildlife watching. Food and drinks are already covered, so you do not need to organize a separate lunch for your group or bring a cooler aboard.

The welcome cava adds a festive touch, while the baguettes and fruit provide something more substantial than a few nibbles. The food is best understood as casual boat catering rather than a formal meal. If anyone in your group has specific dietary needs, the supplied information does not confirm special menus, so you should ask before booking.

Alcohol is included, but moderation matters on a sunny boat, especially if you plan to swim. The most comfortable approach is to alternate drinks with water and food, even though the cruise provides several beverage choices.

For a group celebrating a birthday, reunion, or special holiday, this setup can feel particularly convenient. You have a private setting, a toast at boarding, time in the water, and no need to arrange a restaurant lunch during the sailing.

Three hours or six hours?

The three-hour cruise suits you if you want a compact yacht experience and do not want to give up most of a day. It should allow time for sailing out from Puerto Colon, searching for wildlife, and stopping to swim or relax, although the exact rhythm depends on conditions.

The six-hour cruise is the better choice if the boat itself is part of the attraction. You have more time to settle into the yacht, watch for animals without feeling rushed, enjoy the food and drinks, and spend longer at anchor.

The longer option also makes sense for a full group. A private boat can be a social space as much as an excursion, and six hours gives everyone time to enjoy it in different ways. Some people can sunbathe, others can swim, and others can sit in the salon with a drink.

The drawback is simple: six hours is a long time on the water for anyone prone to seasickness or uncomfortable in strong sun. The supplied information does not describe sea conditions or a specific motion-sickness policy, so consider your own comfort before choosing the longer departure.

Is $701 good value for your group?

The advertised price is $701 per group of up to 11 people. That works out to about $64 each if you fill every place, which is a reasonable private-charter price for a yacht, wildlife search, swimming stop, snacks, drinks, and snorkeling equipment.

For six people, the cost is about $117 per person. For three people, it is about $234 each, making the experience much harder to justify unless the privacy and yacht setting are especially important to you.

The group limit is therefore central to the value. A family reunion, two families traveling together, or a large group of friends can make excellent use of the fixed price. A couple may prefer a smaller shared cruise or a different private option, though this particular experience gives you more room and a more personal setting.

You also save the hassle of arranging food and drinks separately. Cava on arrival, beer, white wine, soft drinks, baguettes, fruit, and snacks are included. That does not make the trip cheap, but it makes the final cost easier to predict.

You can reserve now and pay later, which helps if you are still arranging a Tenerife itinerary. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Keep those terms in mind when planning around weather and other bookings.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would point this experience toward groups that value privacy more than the lowest possible price. It suits families, mixed-age groups, and friends who want wildlife watching without giving up a comfortable place to sit, eat, and swim.

It is also a good fit for people who want a special occasion at sea. The cava, private yacht, choice of music, and included refreshments make it feel more personal than a basic boat ride.

You should choose it if the group is happy with a flexible wildlife search. The captain can look for pilot whales, dolphins, and turtles, but nature decides how much you see and how long each sighting lasts.

I would be more cautious if your main goal is a guaranteed close encounter or a highly structured educational program. The focus here is a relaxed private cruise with wildlife along the way, not a formal lecture or an animal show.

People who dislike sun, boat motion, or open-water swimming should also think carefully. The yacht has a salon and cabins, but the core of the experience is still time at sea.

Final call: book it for a full group

Book this cruise if you can bring a sizeable group and want a private day that combines wildlife, swimming, food, and comfort. The value is strongest with 8 to 11 people, when the fixed price spreads well across the group.

Choose the three-hour option for a shorter taste of the coast. Choose six hours if you want the yacht, bay stop, and relaxed onboard meal to be as important as the whale and dolphin search.

Pack a towel, sun cream, sunglasses, swimwear, and a hat. Arrive at Puerto Colon Pantalan Number 2 15 minutes early, then let the captain set the pace. For a small party, the cost may be hard to defend, but for a full private group, this is a well-rounded Tenerife sailing day with unusually little to arrange once you are aboard.

FAQ

Where does the yacht depart from?

The meeting point is Puerto Colon, Pantalan Number 2. You should arrive 15 minutes before departure.

How long is the cruise?

You can choose a three-hour or six-hour sailing trip. Starting times depend on availability.

How many people can join the private cruise?

The private group can include up to 11 people.

What wildlife might I see?

The cruise looks for pilot whales, dolphins, and turtles. Sightings depend on conditions and animal behavior.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. The cruise includes cava on arrival, soft drinks, beer, white wine, baguettes, fruit, and snacks.

Can I swim or snorkel?

Yes. The captain anchors in a secluded bay where you can swim, and snorkeling equipment is available for use.

Should I bring a towel and sun cream?

Yes. Towels and sun cream are not included. You should also bring sunglasses, swimwear, a camera, and a hat.

What languages are available?

The live guide service is available in Spanish, English, German, French, and Italian.