3h Whale Watching Share Tour Beneteau Oceanis 440

The main draw here is the chance to watch pilot whales in Tenerife’s southern waters from a sailing boat rather than a large sightseeing vessel. Madoudou, a 13.76-meter Beneteau Oceanis 440, leaves Puerto Colón for three hours of open-water sailing, marine-life watching, and a short swimming stop.

I like the small group limit of 11 people, which gives you more room to sit outside and follow the action. I also like that the $63 price includes sailing, whale and dolphin watching, snacks, cold drinks, and snorkeling equipment.

The main thing to consider is the guiding style. Captain Max speaks Spanish, English, and Italian, but one account describes limited English and very little spoken explanation during the trip. You may get a quiet outing with simple pointing rather than a full naturalist talk.

Key points to know before you book

• Pilot whales are the main target: The boat has official authorization for cetacean watching in southern Tenerife.
• Small sailing group: The maximum is 11 people, a comfortable size for a 44-foot boat.
• Captain Max leads the trip: Spanish, English, and Italian are available, though spoken commentary may be limited.
• Food and drinks are included: Expect snacks, sandwiches, and cold soft drinks rather than a full meal.
• A 30-minute swim stop is planned: Snorkeling equipment is available, but bring your own towel and sun hat.
• Puerto Colón is both start and finish: Meet at Gate 5 and return to the same port after three hours.

Sailing from Puerto Colón on Madoudou

Your outing begins at Gate 5 in Puerto Colón, Costa Adeje. This is the working base for the trip, and the boat returns here at the end, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup point.

Madoudou is a Beneteau Oceanis 440, a sailing yacht built for longer passages as well as relaxed coastal trips. The boat measures 13.76 meters and has a roomy interior, outdoor seating, an awning, and a table outside. For a three-hour trip, that matters. You are not locked into one small bench from start to finish.

The boat has several cabins, storage space, bathrooms with showers and hot water in the aft cabins, a large living area, and a galley with two refrigerators. You probably will not need most of these features on a short excursion, but they help explain why Madoudou should feel more like a proper sailing yacht than a basic open excursion boat.

The outside table and shade are useful details. You can sit in the open air while watching the coast, then move under the awning if the sun becomes strong. Space is still limited on any 44-foot boat, so the group cap of 11 is important. With a full group, you should expect a friendly shared outing, not a private charter.

Watching Tenerife’s volcanic coast from the water

Once Madoudou leaves the port, the first part of the outing is simply sailing along the southern coast. This is where the trip earns its relaxed character. You get time to watch Tenerife from offshore, with the island’s volcanic shoreline rising behind you and the Atlantic opening ahead.

The boat is equipped for deep-water navigation and carries solar panels, an outboard raft, and 900 liters of water. You will not notice every technical feature during a short trip, but the equipment supports a more capable vessel and helps the crew operate independently of a shore power point.

The sailing itself is part of the attraction. The boat may travel under sail for some of the route, giving you a quieter, slower view of the coast than a fast motorboat provides. The exact sailing conditions can change, so do not book this expecting a fixed-speed ride or a guaranteed amount of time under sail.

I would treat this first section as a chance to settle in. Find a comfortable place, take in the sea air, and keep your eyes moving across the water. Marine animals do not appear on a schedule, and the best approach is patient rather than hurried.

Pilot whales, dolphins, and one hour on the water

The marine-life portion lasts about one hour. The main animal associated with this outing is the pilot whale, known in Spanish as calderón, which lives in the waters around the Canary Islands. Dolphins may also be seen.

The boat is authorized for whale watching in the south of Tenerife. That is an important point because this is not simply a scenic sail that happens to pass through open water. The route is intended to look for cetaceans, while still leaving room for the normal uncertainty of wildlife watching.

You should keep your expectations sensible. No whale-watching trip can promise a sighting, a close approach, or a particular number of animals. The experience is about searching the sea, spotting movement, and watching the animals from the boat when conditions allow.

Captain Max handles the outing. The tour supports Spanish, English, and Italian, but the amount of explanation may vary. One account describes the captain as pointing out dolphins and whales without offering much introduction or commentary in English. If you want a detailed lesson about behavior, migration, or marine ecology, this may feel light on interpretation.

For some people, the quiet approach will be a plus. You can watch the sea without a constant stream of announcements. For others, especially anyone booking a whale trip for the educational side, the limited commentary may be a drawback. I would choose this outing mainly for the sailing atmosphere and chance to see animals, not for a formal lecture.

The boat’s size gives you a better chance to move around than you would have on a packed passenger vessel. Still, the most useful viewing position can change quickly. Listen to the captain’s directions, keep your camera ready, and avoid spending the whole hour looking through a phone screen.

The 30-minute secret stop

After the wildlife search, the boat makes a stop at an undisclosed location for about 30 minutes. This is the most flexible part of the itinerary, combining a break, food, and the chance to snorkel.

Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to pack a mask and fins unless you prefer your own. The provided information does not promise a particular reef, beach, or underwater species, so think of this as a short swim stop rather than a dedicated snorkeling tour.

The stop also includes brunch or light food. The practical expectation is modest: one account describes sandwiches and a soft drink. That fits the price and the three-hour schedule, but it is not a restaurant meal. If you need a substantial breakfast or have dietary needs, eat beforehand and ask about food details before departure.

Cold drinks and food are included in the $63 price. That is a useful value point, especially on a sunny boat trip where buying refreshments separately would be inconvenient. The outing does not include a sun hat or towel, so pack both. A towel is especially important if you plan to use the snorkeling equipment.

A 30-minute stop goes quickly. You may have time to eat, swim, and look around, but probably not to linger. If you prefer long beach breaks or serious snorkeling, this schedule may feel rushed. If you want a quick swim added to a sailing and whale-watching trip, the timing works well.

What the $63 price really buys you

At $63 per person, this is priced as an accessible shared sailing trip rather than a private yacht charter. The cost includes the boat, captain, whale and dolphin search, sailing, snacks, cold drinks, and snorkeling equipment.

The strongest value comes from the combination. You are not paying only for a short wildlife cruise. You also receive a proper sailing experience, a small group setting, food, and a water stop. If you would otherwise book separate sailing and snorkeling activities, this single outing may be a good use of your time and money.

The value is less clear if your top priority is expert wildlife interpretation. The available account describes very little commentary in English. You may see dolphins or pilot whales and enjoy the setting, but you should not assume the captain will provide a detailed talk about every sighting.

The maximum group of 11 helps the price feel fair. A small yacht gives you a more personal setting than a large boat, though it does not turn the trip into a private experience. You still share the deck, seating, food, and viewing opportunities with the rest of the group.

Cancellation is flexible: you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which is useful if you are still arranging your Tenerife schedule. Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want.

Comfort, space, and practical packing

Madoudou has a large salon, two sofas, an indoor dining table for eight, an outdoor table, an awning, and several cabins. These features suggest a comfortable yacht for a short outing, with places to sit both inside and out.

You should bring a towel and sun hat because neither is included. Light clothing, a swimsuit, and protection from the sun make sense for the swimming stop, though only the hat is specifically identified as something to bring.

The boat carries 900 liters of water and has bathrooms with showers and hot water in the aft cabins. The information does not state the exact bathroom arrangement available to day passengers, so do not assume the shower will be part of the normal tour routine. It is enough to know the yacht is fitted out for longer trips and onboard comfort.

Food is included, but the meal is basic. Have something to eat before meeting at the port if you are prone to hunger after time on the water. The trip lasts three hours, and part of that time is spent sailing and searching, so you will not be sitting down to a large meal.

Who will enjoy this sailing trip most

I would recommend this experience to you if you want a small-group boat trip with several elements packed into one morning or afternoon. It suits people who enjoy a calm pace, open water, and the possibility of seeing marine life without needing a full-day cruise.

It is also a good fit if you prefer a sailing yacht to a large motor vessel. The Beneteau Oceanis 440 provides indoor and outdoor areas, and the small group limit keeps the outing from feeling like a crowded harbor transfer.

Families may like the mix of dolphins, whales, sailing, snacks, and swimming. The supplied information does not give age limits or child-specific facilities, so check those details before booking for young children.

This is less suitable if you want guaranteed wildlife, a long snorkeling session, a full meal, or a detailed guided lesson in English. It may also disappoint you if you expect constant narration. The most accurate way to picture it is as a relaxed sailing excursion with a wildlife search and a short swim break.

Should you book Madoudou?

Book this trip if you value the boat ride as much as the animals. At $63, the package includes a small group, a capable sailing yacht, cold drinks, light food, snorkeling gear, and about an hour devoted to dolphins and pilot whales.

Skip it if your main goal is an intensive whale-watching program with detailed commentary or a long underwater session. The available information points to a quieter style, and the English explanations may be limited.

For the best fit, arrive at Puerto Colón’s Gate 5 with a towel, sun hat, swimsuit, and modest expectations about food and wildlife sightings. If you are happy to let the sea set the pace, Madoudou offers a pleasant way to spend three hours off Tenerife’s south coast.

FAQ

How long is the whale-watching trip?

The experience lasts three hours, including sailing, marine-life watching, a break, and the return to Puerto Colón.

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Puerto Colón in Costa Adeje, Tenerife. The meeting point is Gate 5.

Where does the tour finish?

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

How many people can join the shared tour?

The maximum group size is 11 people.

Which animals might I see?

The main target is the pilot whale, also called calderón. Dolphins and other marine life may also be seen.

Is the boat authorized for whale watching?

Yes. Madoudou has authorization for cetacean watching in the south of Tenerife.

Who is the captain?

The captain is named Max.

Which languages are available?

The tour is offered in Spanish, English, and Italian.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. Snacks, food, and cold drinks are included. One described offering includes sandwiches and a soft drink.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, with a 30-minute stop scheduled for swimming and snorkeling. Towels and sun hats are not included.