3 hrs. Whale Watching and Relaxing Chill Out Catamaran with glass floor

Tenerife’s southwest coast is one of Europe’s rare places to see whales and dolphins in the wild all year. This three-hour catamaran trip gives you a good chance to spot them, then adds a relaxed stop for swimming, lunch, and a drink on deck. One especially memorable report describes whales jumping from the water.

I like the small group limit of 12 people, which should make it easier to find a clear viewing place and ask the crew questions. I also like the simple rhythm: wildlife first, then 30 to 45 minutes in a bay with cushions, nets, snorkeling, food, and drinks.

The main consideration is that wildlife is never guaranteed, and the trip depends on good weather and a minimum number of bookings. Snorkeling equipment is not included, and the listed price of $0 should be checked carefully at booking before you rely on it as the final cost.

Key points to know before you sail

• Whale and dolphin watching comes first: The boat begins searching as soon as it leaves Puerto Colón.
• A maximum of 12 people: This is a more personal setup than a large sightseeing boat.
• A 30 to 45 minute bay stop: You can swim, snorkel, stretch out on cushions, or use the front nets.
• Lunch and drinks are provided: Beer, wine, soft drinks, and the meal are included in the onboard experience.
• The glass floor adds another view: You may be able to watch the water below while the boat is underway or anchored.
• The return follows Tenerife’s west coast: The final part is about relaxing with views rather than chasing wildlife.

Whale watching from Puerto Colón

The trip begins at Club Náutico Puerto Colón in Playa de las Américas. After boarding, the catamaran heads out and starts looking for whales and dolphins right away. There is live commentary on board, so you are not left guessing where to look or what you may be seeing.

That timing matters. The outing is built around finding marine life first, not spending most of the morning or afternoon at anchor. Keep your camera ready, but also remember that the best moments can arrive without warning. A whale may surface far from the boat, and a dolphin sighting may last only a short time.

The supplied information does not name the captain or commentary guide, so you should not expect a particular host by name. What is clear is that the crew provides running information during the search. That is useful when you are trying to distinguish a distant fin from a wave or follow an animal moving across the water.

The tour is specifically designed for whale and dolphin watching in their natural setting. You are not visiting an aquarium or a managed animal attraction. That makes the experience less predictable, but also more worthwhile when an animal appears on its own terms.

One report describes seeing whales jumping out of the water. Treat that as a lucky highlight, not a promise, but it shows the kind of sighting that can make the whole outing memorable. You may also get good photographs of the open sea, Tenerife’s coast, and animals at the surface.

Why the 12-person limit matters

A maximum of 12 people is one of the strongest features here. On a crowded boat, a wildlife sighting can turn into a scramble for space at the rail. A small group gives you more room to move between the decks and a better chance of hearing the live commentary.

The boat also offers several places to sit or stretch out. You can use cushions on the spacious decks, settle in the shaded seating area at the rear, or rest in the nets at the front. Each spot suits a different part of the trip.

For wildlife watching, you may want an open position with a clear view. For lunch, shade at the back is likely to be more comfortable. The front nets are a pleasant choice while sailing, though you should expect them to be more exposed to spray and movement than the covered seating.

The small group does not remove every limitation. You still need to share the best viewing positions, and the boat’s schedule cannot control the animals. Still, this format should feel less hectic than a large excursion with many dozens of people.

A glass floor for a second view

The glass floor gives the trip an extra way to look at the sea. Whale and dolphin watching naturally pulls your eyes toward the horizon, while the glass section lets you check the water below the boat.

Do not treat it as a guarantee of constant underwater viewing. Visibility depends on the water, light, and the boat’s position. The information provided does not promise a particular species or a long period of marine life beneath the glass.

Its value is that it adds variety to a three-hour outing. You can watch the horizon for whales, look down through the floor, and then turn toward the coast. That change of focus helps keep the trip interesting during stretches when no animals are visible.

The glass floor is also useful for children, who may enjoy having something to watch while the crew searches. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and most people can take part in the activity.

The bay stop: swimming, snorkeling, and lunch

After the wildlife search, the catamaran heads to a small bay in the southwest of Tenerife. The boat anchors there for about 30 to 45 minutes, giving you a proper break from scanning the water.

This is the most relaxed part of the trip. You can lie on the cushions, use the front nets, swim, or ask the captain for snorkeling equipment. The supplied details also make clear that snorkeling equipment is not included, so confirm how access works when you board rather than assuming gear is part of the base price.

The swim stop is short enough to keep the outing focused, but long enough to get into the water if conditions suit you. If you prefer not to swim, you can stay aboard and enjoy the bay from the deck. That flexibility makes the trip work for mixed groups, including people who want wildlife watching more than water activities.

Lunch is served in the shaded seating area at the back of the boat. You do not need to bring food for the scheduled meal, and vegetarian food is available if you request it when booking. Specific dietary requirements should also be given in advance.

The meal details are not specified, so do not book this expecting a particular menu. If food is a major part of your decision, ask for the current menu and confirm your dietary request before the sailing date.

Drinks, shade, and the pace of the afternoon

Unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks are included in the tour description. That gives the trip a holiday feel, particularly during the bay stop and the slow return to port. You can raise a glass after the wildlife search without arranging a separate stop on shore.

The shaded seating area matters in Tenerife. You may want time out of the sun, especially during lunch or while the boat is anchored. At the same time, the open decks and front nets provide the better viewing positions, so you can move between shade and sun as the trip changes pace.

The outing is not a high-speed ride from start to finish. Its pattern is search, pause, eat, swim, and sail back. That makes it a good match for you if you want marine wildlife with a comfortable social setting, rather than a short, single-purpose wildlife chase.

Alcohol is part of the package, but it is still wise to pace yourself. The boat moves between open water and the coast, and swimming after drinking requires sensible judgment.

The return along Tenerife’s west coast

After lunch and the bay stop, the catamaran heads back toward Puerto Colón along the west coast. The return is designed for relaxing and taking in the views rather than searching with the same intensity as the outbound section.

This final stretch gives you time to enjoy the boat itself. You can sit in the shade, use the deck cushions, settle into the nets, or take more photographs of the coast. If your whale and dolphin sightings happened early, the return provides a calmer ending instead of rushing straight back to port.

You should expect the full activity to last about three hours. Since the trip begins and ends at Puerto Colón, you do not need to arrange a separate drop-off at the end. Private transportation is not included, so you are responsible for getting to the meeting point in Playa de las Américas.

Puerto Colón is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying in the resort area. The exact transport arrangement is not part of the boat trip, so allow enough time to reach the marina before departure.

Is the price good value?

The listed price is $0, which cannot be treated as a normal final tour price without checking the booking page carefully. Confirm the total charge, any taxes or fees, and the conditions for the date you want before making plans around it.

At a genuine all-inclusive price, the package offers several useful inclusions: a three-hour catamaran trip, live commentary, lunch, unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks, a swimming stop, and access to a small-group boat. Those extras can make the cost reasonable compared with paying separately for food and drinks after a basic wildlife cruise.

The strongest value comes from the combination of activities. You are not paying only for a chance to spot a whale. You also receive time in a bay, a meal, drinks, coastal views, and the option to swim or snorkel.

Still, the wildlife element is uncertain. If you need a guaranteed animal sighting, no responsible whale-watching trip can provide that. The value is better if you see the trip as a three-hour sea outing with a strong chance of marine life, not as a guaranteed show.

Souvenir photos are not included, though they are available to purchase. Bring your own camera or phone if you want to control your spending, and keep it secure around the water.

Who will enjoy this catamaran most?

I would choose this trip for couples, families with older children, and small groups who want a relaxed sea outing with several activities built in. The 12-person maximum should appeal to you if a quieter boat matters more than a large party atmosphere.

It also suits people who want a clear plan. You know the day includes wildlife watching, a bay stop, lunch, drinks, and a coastal return. You do not need to organize a boat rental, shop for lunch, or find a separate place to swim.

This is less suitable if your main goal is a long snorkeling session. The bay stop lasts only 30 to 45 minutes, and the boat is primarily organized around whales and dolphins. It may also disappoint you if you want a private charter, since the boat is shared with other participants.

The trip is not ideal for anyone expecting a guaranteed sighting or a fixed wildlife route. The crew searches for animals after leaving port, and nature sets the schedule. That uncertainty is part of the appeal, but you should accept it before booking.

Practical details before booking

Confirmation is provided when you book, and the activity ends back at Puerto Colón. Children must be with an adult, and the operator says most people can participate.

Give the operator any dietary needs when booking. Vegetarian food is available, but it should be requested ahead of time rather than left to chance on the boat.

The activity depends on good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. It also requires a minimum number of participants, with the same basic choice of a new date, another experience, or a refund if that minimum is not reached.

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, and cut-off times use Tenerife local time.

Should you book this Tenerife boat trip?

Book it if you want a small-group whale and dolphin outing with lunch, drinks, a short swim stop, and a relaxed sail back along the coast. The 12-person limit, live commentary, glass floor, and chance to see whales jumping give it more character than a basic harbor cruise.

Skip it if you want guaranteed wildlife, a long snorkeling session, or a private boat. Also verify the listed $0 price before booking, since the final charge is not clear from the supplied details. For the right expectations, this is a well-balanced three-hour sea trip that combines nature watching with an easy holiday pace.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching catamaran depart?

It departs from Club Náutico Puerto Colón in Playa de las Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

How long does the activity last?

The full experience lasts approximately three hours and ends back at the Puerto Colón meeting point.

Are lunch and drinks included?

Yes. Lunch is provided, and the tour description includes unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks.

Can I swim or snorkel during the trip?

Yes. The catamaran anchors in a small bay for about 30 to 45 minutes, where you can swim and ask the captain for snorkeling equipment. Snorkeling equipment is not included in the tour inclusions.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Most people can participate, but children must be accompanied by an adult.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes the activity to be canceled, you are offered another date or a full refund.