Tenerife Motor Boat Whale Watching & Snorkeling Experience

The main draw is the chance to see pilot whales and dolphins in the wild, not in a marine park. After time on the water, you stop at Playa del Puertito for swimming and snorkeling, with a chance of spotting turtles.

I like the small 11-person group, which gives the trip a more personal feel than a large sightseeing boat. I also like the simple three-hour plan: wildlife first, then a relaxed bay stop with drinks and snacks. The catch is space. The boat has comfortable seating for 11, but the front sunbeds require a narrow climb, and some people may prefer the shaded area.

Key points to know before booking

• Wild pilot whales and dolphins: The main two-hour portion is spent looking for marine life off Tenerife’s southern coast.
• Small motor boat: The 10.8-meter boat carries a maximum of 11 people, creating a quieter setting than a large cruise vessel.
• Playa del Puertito stop: You get about 30 minutes to swim, snorkel, enjoy snacks and drinks, and possibly see turtles.
• Two seating choices: Pick the large shaded seating area or the sunbeds at the front, keeping in mind that the bow involves a narrow climb.
• Puerto Colón start and finish: The port is easy to pair with a walk, shopping, beach time, or a look at the clear water nearby.
• Weather-based planning: You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before departure, and poor weather may lead to a new date or full refund.

A small boat with a clear purpose

This is a compact sea outing rather than a full-day cruise. You leave Puerto Colón, spend most of the time searching for pilot whales and dolphins, then pause in a sheltered bay for swimming and snorkeling before returning to the port.

That order makes sense. The whale-watching portion gets the largest share of the trip, about two hours, while Playa del Puertito adds a pleasant change of pace. You are not simply sitting on a boat for three hours. You get moving wildlife, coastal views, and time in the water.

The boat measures 10.8 meters and takes no more than 11 people. That matters. A small group usually makes it easier to hear the captain, move around, and enjoy the outing without the scale of a party boat. It also means the available seats are limited, so you should think about how comfortable you are with the seating arrangement before booking.

The team is described in the feedback as friendly and professional, with particular praise for the captain’s attention to everyone on board. No captain’s name is provided, but the service is clearly one of the stronger parts of the outing.

Leaving Puerto Colón for Tenerife’s southern coast

The meeting point is on Avenida de Colón in Costa Adeje, at Puerto Colón. This is both the departure and return point, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup location at the end.

Puerto Colón is one of the larger tourist ports in Tenerife. That makes it useful for planning the rest of your day. Before or after the boat trip, you can walk around the harbor, shop, spend time on the nearby beach, or look into the clear water around the port.

Once you leave the marina, the boat follows Tenerife’s southern coastline. The coastal views are part of the appeal, but the wildlife search is the real focus. Keep your attention on the water and listen for instructions from the captain and crew.

The boat gives you two basic ways to sit. The shaded seating area is the practical choice if you want protection from the sun or a steadier place to settle in. The front has large sunbeds, which offer a more open position for enjoying the ride and watching the sea.

There is one important detail here. Reaching the front involves a narrow climb. One person specifically found that manageable and enjoyed sunbathing at the bow, but it may not suit everyone. If you prefer easy access and shade, stay in the main seating area.

Two hours looking for pilot whales and dolphins

The longest part of the outing is the search for wild marine life. You spend about two hours around Tenerife, looking for pilot whales and dolphins in their natural setting.

That wording matters. This is not a show with scheduled animal performances. The boat takes you into the sea where these animals live, and sightings depend on what is in the area during your trip. The reported sightings include a pod of pilot whales, a family group of whales, and dolphins.

Pilot whales are the main animal associated with this trip. Seeing a pod gives you a chance to watch natural group behavior rather than a single animal passing by. The feedback also records dolphin sightings, so the trip is not limited to one type of wildlife.

The captain’s role is important during this section. You want someone who watches the water, handles the boat carefully, and keeps an eye on the people on board. The available feedback gives the captain high marks for attentiveness and good service.

The small boat helps here. With a maximum of 11 people, you have fewer heads blocking your view than you would on a large vessel. You can also expect a less crowded feel while the boat is underway. Still, do not book this as a guaranteed whale sighting. The outing is designed around searching for wildlife, and nature decides what appears.

The southern coast also gives you something to look at between sightings. Tenerife’s shore changes as you move along the water, and seeing it from offshore provides a different angle than walking along the resort areas. I would keep your phone or camera ready, but give yourself time to watch without trying to record every second.

Playa del Puertito brings a welcome change

After the wildlife portion, the boat stops at Playa del Puertito for about 30 minutes. This is the most relaxed section of the trip.

You can swim or snorkel in the bay, enjoy the snacks and drinks provided during the stop, and look for turtles. A turtle sighting is possible rather than promised, but one outing recorded a turtle along with the whale sightings.

The bay stop works well because it breaks up the time at sea. After two hours of watching the water, getting in for a swim gives the afternoon a more active feel. It also lets you enjoy the setting without the pressure of searching for animals.

The 30-minute limit keeps the whole tour within roughly three hours, but it is not a long beach stop. If you want an extended swim, a full snorkeling session, or several hours on the sand, this trip will feel brief. If you want a short swim added to a wildlife cruise, the timing is more suitable.

The descriptions also mention swimming in thermal pools, though the formal stop is Playa del Puertito. Treat the swim as a bay stop with possible turtles, not as a dedicated thermal-water excursion.

What the $69 price gives you

At $69, this tour offers three hours on the water, a small group, a motor boat, wildlife watching, and a swimming and snorkeling stop. The value depends mainly on what kind of boat trip you want.

For a compact outing, the price is reasonable. You are paying for access to a small vessel rather than a large sightseeing cruise, and the limited capacity is a real benefit if you dislike crowded boats. The whale and dolphin search also takes up most of the trip, so the price is not built around a short animal encounter followed by hours of idle cruising.

The value is less clear if you want luxury seating, a large amount of personal space, or a long time in the water. The bow sunbeds sound appealing, but they are not the easiest seats to reach. The shaded section may be more practical, especially if you want to remain in one place.

I would also judge the price by your interest in wild animals. If seeing pilot whales and dolphins is your main goal, the two-hour search makes this a focused purchase. If your priority is snorkeling, only 30 minutes is set aside for that part.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most

This outing suits people who want a small-group wildlife trip with a short swim built in. Couples, families, and solo visitors can all take part, and the supplied information says anyone can participate. Most people can join, and service animals are allowed.

It is also a good fit for people who prefer an active but short outing. Three hours is long enough to feel like a proper boat trip without taking over the entire day. You can arrange it around time at the port, nearby beach, or other plans in Costa Adeje.

You should think carefully about the boat layout if climbing to the bow is difficult for you. The shaded seating area is available, but the front sunbeds require a narrow climb. The information does not give detailed accessibility specifications, so contact the provider if you need exact help with boarding or movement around the boat.

Families should also consider the length of the wildlife search. Two hours of looking at the sea can be exciting for children who enjoy animals, but some children may prefer a trip with more swimming time. The 30-minute bay stop is a useful change, though it is not the main event.

Practical planning at Puerto Colón

The tour starts and ends at Av. de Colón, 128, 38660 Costa Adeje, Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Since the activity returns to the same meeting point, it is easy to combine with time around Puerto Colón.

The port has nearby public transportation, and the meeting area is close to shops, a beach, and places to walk. You might plan to arrive with enough time to find the exact meeting point without rushing, especially if you are unfamiliar with Costa Adeje.

This is a mobile-ticket activity. Confirmation is provided at booking, so keep the ticket available on your phone. The information does not state that hotel pickup is included, so plan to make your own way to Puerto Colón.

The trip requires good weather. If conditions lead to cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.

The main strengths and the fair drawbacks

The strongest feature is the combination of wildlife watching and a bay swim in one short outing. You get a serious amount of time looking for pilot whales and dolphins, then a chance to swim, snorkel, and possibly see a turtle.

The captain and team also receive consistent praise for friendly service, organization, and attention on board. That matters on a small boat, where good handling and clear care for the people aboard shape the whole outing.

The main drawback is the limited space. The boat carries up to 11 people, but that does not mean every seat has the same style or ease of access. The front sunbeds require a narrow climb, and the shaded area may be the better choice for comfort.

The second consideration is the wildlife factor. You may see pilot whales, dolphins, and possibly turtles, and several outings have recorded those sightings. Still, you are going into the animals’ natural habitat, so you should be comfortable with a search rather than a fixed show.

Should you book the Tenerife motor boat trip?

Book it if you want a three-hour, small-boat outing focused on wild pilot whales and dolphins, with a short swim and snorkeling stop added at the end. The 11-person limit, attentive captain, and return to Puerto Colón make it a practical choice for a half-day plan.

Skip it if your main goal is a long snorkeling session, generous space, or a large stable vessel with easy access everywhere. You should also be comfortable with the possibility that wildlife sightings depend on conditions at sea.

For most people who want a focused wildlife trip rather than an all-day cruise, the mix is well judged. Choose the shaded seats if the narrow climb to the bow is a concern, and leave room in your day to enjoy Puerto Colón before or after the boat returns.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip start?

The trip starts at Av. de Colón, 128, 38660 Costa Adeje, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, at Puerto Colón.

Where does the activity finish?

The boat returns to the same meeting point at Puerto Colón.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about three hours.

How many people can join the boat trip?

The boat has a maximum capacity of 11 people.

What animals might I see?

The main wildlife focus is pilot whales and dolphins. You may also see turtles during the stop at Playa del Puertito.

Is swimming or snorkeling included?

Yes. The tour stops at Playa del Puertito for swimming and snorkeling.

How long is the stop at Playa del Puertito?

The stop lasts about 30 minutes.

Are snacks and drinks available?

Yes. The Playa del Puertito stop is a chance to enjoy snacks and drinks.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.