Whale & Dolphin Watching Boat Trip in Tenerife On a Sailing Boat (3 Hr)

Tenerife’s pilot whales and dolphins are the main event here, but the small sailing boat changes the feel of the outing. With a maximum of 12 people, you get more room to watch the water than on a large excursion boat, and the skipper can share local information while searching for wildlife. I especially like the small group size and the chance to finish with a swim in a quiet bay.

The other strong point is the simple all-in price: snacks and an open bar are included during the three-hour trip. The trade-off is that the experience may feel light on interpretation. One report praised the pilot whale sighting and value, while another found the trip offered little commentary and felt expensive. Weather can also cancel the sailing, so keep some flexibility in your plans.

Key points to know before you book

• Pilot whales are a regular target: The waters between Tenerife and La Gomera are known for pilot whales, which can make sightings more likely, though wildlife is never guaranteed.
• Only 12 people can join: This is a quieter alternative to a large sightseeing boat, with less crowding around the rail.
• The swim stop adds variety: After the wildlife search, the boat anchors in a secluded bay for a refreshing swim.
• Three departures help with planning: You can choose a sailing time that fits around other plans in Playa de las Américas.
• Snacks and drinks are included: The open bar covers alcoholic beverages, but the minimum drinking age is 18.
• The tour returns to Puerto Colón: You arrange your own way to and from the marina because private transportation is not included.

Setting out from Puerto Colón in Playa de las Américas

Your three-hour trip begins at Puerto Colón, the marina in Playa de las Américas. The activity ends at the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup location. Public transportation is nearby, but private transportation is not part of the experience.

I would allow enough time to reach the marina without rushing. The meeting point is listed as Puerto Colón, Playa de las Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Since there are three departures each day, you have some choice when fitting the cruise into your schedule, though the available sailing time is subject to booking availability.

The boat carries no more than 12 people. That limit matters. On a whale and dolphin trip, people naturally want a clear view, and a smaller group means fewer bodies competing for the same stretch of rail. It also gives the outing a more personal feel than a large vessel carrying a crowd.

Still, a small boat is not automatically better for everyone. If you are sensitive to motion, the sea conditions will affect your comfort. The operator states that the trip depends on good weather. If poor conditions cancel the outing, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Searching the Tenerife waters for whales and dolphins

Once underway, the main task is to look for marine life. The skipper has years of local experience and uses knowledge of the area to improve your chances of seeing dolphins and whales. That local knowledge is the central reason to choose this trip rather than simply taking a boat ride along the coast.

The most useful detail is the presence of pilot whales between Tenerife and La Gomera. They are the wildlife most closely associated with this outing, and a pilot whale sighting has been one of its strongest reported moments. You should treat that as a good possibility, not a promise. Wild animals decide the schedule, not the timetable on your booking.

You may also see dolphins during the search. One account describes dolphins appearing during the excursion, while another highlights pilot whales as the memorable sighting. The variety is part of the appeal, but the exact experience can change from one departure to the next.

The boat’s pace and route are not given in detail, so you should not expect a fixed sightseeing circuit with named coastal stops. The focus is on finding wildlife in the open water. That can mean periods of watching, waiting, and scanning the sea rather than constant action.

I see this as a strength if you enjoy the uncertainty of wildlife watching. It is less suited to you if you want a tightly scripted tour with a new attraction every few minutes. Bring patience, and give yourself time to watch the water properly. A brief glimpse can be easy to miss if you are focused only on conversation or your phone.

What the skipper adds, and what may be missing

The skipper’s local experience is promoted as a key part of the trip. Someone who knows the area can make practical decisions about where to search and can help you understand what you are seeing. That is especially useful when a whale surfaces for only a short time or when a group of dolphins appears at a distance.

The tour also promises information about Tenerife’s local wildlife. That said, the amount of commentary may vary in practice. One account specifically found the trip short on explanation, even though dolphins were seen. If you want detailed natural history, ask at the start how much commentary the skipper normally provides.

This is an important distinction. The trip offers wildlife information, but it is not presented as a formal marine biology lesson. Its main ingredients are sailing, searching, watching, swimming, food, and drinks. You can enjoy the day without needing a long lecture, but you should adjust your expectations if learning about whale behavior is your top reason for booking.

I would choose this outing for the setting and the small boat first, then treat the wildlife talk as an added benefit. If the guide gives lively explanations, the experience becomes stronger. If the commentary is brief, the value rests more heavily on the sightings and the swim stop.

The secluded bay swim stop

After the wildlife search, the boat anchors in a secluded bay for a swim. This gives the trip a welcome change of pace. Instead of spending all three hours scanning the horizon, you get time to cool off and enjoy the water in a scenic setting.

The stop is described as safe and secluded, but no exact bay is named. That means you should not book this expecting a particular cove or landmark. The location can depend on the day’s conditions and the skipper’s route.

The swim is also a useful test of what kind of outing you want. If you like combining wildlife watching with a relaxed break, it adds real value. If you are mainly interested in whales and dolphins, the stop takes time away from searching. Three hours is enough for both, but it is not an extended marine wildlife expedition.

Food and drinks are served on board around the experience. The included food is described as snacks, not a full meal, so plan accordingly. The open bar includes alcoholic beverages, and the minimum drinking age is 18. You can enjoy a drink during the cruise, but drinking should not distract from the wildlife or the sea conditions.

How the $52.35 price works out

At $52.35 per person, this is priced as a mid-range half-day activity rather than a luxury private charter. The value depends on what happens during your particular departure.

The price looks fair if you place a high value on the 12-person limit, a sailing boat, snacks, drinks, a swim stop, and the chance to see pilot whales or dolphins. A large boat may offer a lower basic fare, but the smaller group can make watching more comfortable and less crowded.

The calculation changes if wildlife stays out of sight or if you want detailed guiding. One account described the outing as good value after seeing pilot whales. Another found the cost too high because the trip offered little explanation, despite dolphins appearing. Those two reactions point to the main risk: you are paying for a complete three-hour experience, not a guaranteed animal encounter or a formal educational program.

I would also compare the price with your other Tenerife plans. If you already have several boat excursions booked, the included swim and open bar may feel repetitive. If this is your one chance to get on the water, the combination of wildlife watching and swimming makes the fare easier to justify.

Choosing the right departure and group size

Three daily departures make this easy to fit around a beach day, a meal, or another attraction in southern Tenerife. You can select a time that works with your plans rather than giving up an entire day.

The trip lasts about three hours, and it returns to Puerto Colón. That makes the timing fairly contained, but you should still account for getting to the marina and leaving afterward. Since transport is not included, you need to organize your own route to the meeting point.

The maximum group size is 12. This suits couples, families, and small groups who want a more personal boat ride without paying for a private charter. Most people can participate, according to the activity information, though no detailed accessibility information is provided. If you have specific mobility needs, contact the operator before booking rather than assuming the boat will suit you.

Because the experience requires good weather, I would avoid placing it on the final morning of your Tenerife stay. A cancellation can be handled with a different date or a full refund, but a new date is not useful if you are flying home.

Weather, cancellation, and the importance of flexibility

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.

Weather is the main exception to watch. If conditions make the trip unsafe or impractical, the operator offers another date or a full refund. This policy is reassuring, but it also means you should leave room in your schedule if the cruise is a priority.

There has been at least one dispute involving a last-minute change after a long drive to the marina. The practical lesson is simple: confirm the departure status before setting out, particularly if the forecast is uncertain. Keep your booking confirmation available on your phone, since the tour uses a mobile ticket.

Who will enjoy this sailing trip most

I would recommend this experience to you if you want several things in one outing:

• A small boat rather than a large group vessel
• A reasonable chance of seeing pilot whales and dolphins
• A swim stop in a secluded bay
• Snacks and drinks included in the price
• A three-hour activity that fits easily into a Tenerife itinerary

It is a good match for couples and small groups who enjoy being on the water but do not need a private boat. Families may also like the mix of wildlife and swimming, provided everyone is comfortable with the sea and the boat.

I would be more cautious if your main goal is detailed wildlife education. The skipper has local experience, but the amount of commentary may be limited. I would also think twice if you want a guaranteed sighting, a full meal, or hotel pickup, since none of those is promised.

Practical details that can affect your day

The activity provider is Best Excursions Tenerife. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability, so do not assume your preferred departure is final until the booking is confirmed.

The tour starts and ends at Puerto Colón in Playa de las Américas. You receive a mobile ticket, and the marina is near public transportation. Private transportation is not included.

Alcoholic beverages and snacks are included, with a minimum drinking age of 18. The maximum capacity is 12 people, and most people can participate. No guide names are provided, so you should not book expecting a particular skipper.

The published score is 3.5 out of 5 from 10 ratings, which fits the mixed picture. The strongest praise centers on pilot whale sightings and value for money. The main criticisms concern limited commentary, the price, and confusion around a weather-related cancellation. I would read that as a sign to book for the overall boat experience, not for one guaranteed highlight.

Should you book this Tenerife whale and dolphin trip?

Book it if you want a relaxed, small-group sailing trip with a real chance of seeing pilot whales or dolphins, plus a swim and refreshments. The 12-person limit is the strongest feature, and the three-hour format works well for a busy Tenerife holiday.

Skip it if you need a fully narrated wildlife tour, private transportation, or certainty that animals will appear. You should also keep your schedule flexible because weather can affect the departure.

For the best value, choose this as your main boat outing in southern Tenerife, confirm the sailing before leaving for Puerto Colón, and judge the price against the full package: local skipper, wildlife search, secluded bay swim, snacks, and open bar. That combination makes the tour appealing, as long as you are comfortable with nature setting the timetable.

FAQ

Where does the whale and dolphin trip start?

The trip starts at Puerto Colón, Playa de las Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

Where does the activity end?

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

How long does the sailing trip last?

The experience lasts approximately three hours.

How many people can join the boat?

The activity has a maximum of 12 participants.

How often does the tour depart?

There are three daily departures from the marina, subject to availability.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. Snacks and an open bar are included. Alcoholic beverages are available, and the minimum drinking age is 18.

Will I definitely see whales or dolphins?

No wildlife sighting can be guaranteed. The trip searches for dolphins and pilot whales, with pilot whales commonly found in the waters between Tenerife and La Gomera.

Is swimming part of the experience?

Yes. The boat anchors in a secluded bay for a swim stop after the wildlife search.

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.