Tenerife Whale watching on private charter

The best part of this Tenerife outing is the freedom to shape the day around your own group. On the Abrazo catamaran, you can search for pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins, then anchor in a quiet cove for swimming, sunbathing, or time on the deck. The crew, including Victor and Conrado, takes care of the food and drinks while you enjoy the south-west coast.

I like the private format, especially for families or friends who want space and a relaxed pace instead of sharing a boat with strangers. I also like the mix of wildlife and coast scenery: Los Gigantes Cliffs, Masca Bay, and clear water for a swim give the trip more variety than a simple whale-watching run.

The main consideration is price. At $1,055.39 for up to 12 people, it can be good value for a full group, but it is a serious expense for only two or three people. You also need to bring your own snorkeling gear, and the longer routes depend on availability and weather.

Key points to know before booking

• Private catamaran for up to 12 people: You get the boat for your own group, with no strangers joining the trip.
• Three to eight hours on the water: The shorter charter suits a half-day outing, while longer options allow more time for wildlife, cliffs, and swimming.
• Pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins: Tenerife’s south-west coast has resident populations, though sightings are still wildlife encounters and cannot be guaranteed.
• Food, beer, wine, and soft drinks included: The crew serves catered food during the trip, with vegetarian food available if requested in advance.
• Swimming stop in a quiet cove: Bring your own snorkeling equipment if you want to explore below the surface.
• Departure from Puerto Colón: The meeting point is at Av. de Colón 11 in Playa de las Américas, and the boat returns there.

Why a private Abrazo charter feels different

A private charter changes the mood from a standard excursion to a personal day at sea. You are not working around a large group’s schedule or competing for the best place to sit. Your group can spread out on the spacious deck, rest on cushions, or use the nets at the front of the catamaran.

That extra space matters on a boat. Families can settle into their own corner, while friends can talk, eat, and move around without feeling packed in. The crew remains available throughout the trip, so you can ask about the route, the wildlife, or the timing of the swimming stop.

The Abrazo is designed for relaxing rather than racing. The point is not to pack every minute with activities. You may spend part of the trip quietly watching the sea, then shift your attention when dolphins or whales appear. That slower pace suits people who want a polished day on the water without a fixed sightseeing checklist.

The strongest praise for this experience focuses on the boat, the crew, cleanliness, and attention to detail. Victor and Conrado are specifically named as standout members of the crew. That is useful to know because the service element is a large part of what you are paying for here, not just transportation from one point to another.

Leaving Puerto Colón for Tenerife’s whale country

The outing starts at Club Náutico Puerto Colón, at Av. de Colón 11 in Playa de las Américas. This is a practical base for a charter along the south-west coast, and the activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Once underway, the main aim is to look for whales and dolphins in their natural habitat. The coast is known for resident pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins. You are not visiting an aquarium or watching animals in a controlled setting, so sightings depend on nature, sea conditions, and the crew’s ability to locate the animals.

That uncertainty is part of the appeal, but it is also worth keeping your expectations sensible. No wildlife trip can promise a close encounter every time. The boat’s private setup helps because your group can enjoy the sailing and coastal views even if the animals take their time appearing.

The southwest coast gives you plenty to look at between sightings. The water, cliffs, and open views create a changing backdrop, and the route can include well-known places such as Los Gigantes Cliffs and Masca Bay. The exact route depends on the charter length and availability, so ask about the plan when booking if one particular sight matters most to you.

Looking for pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins

The wildlife portion is the heart of the trip. Pilot whales are one of the resident species in these waters, and bottlenose dolphins are also commonly associated with the area. Seeing them from a catamaran gives you a direct view of the sea rather than a staged performance.

Keep your camera ready, but do not let the search turn into a constant photo session. Wildlife can appear briefly, and the best part may be watching the animals move through the water rather than trying to capture every second.

The crew provides live commentary on board. That adds useful context as you travel, though the available information does not specify the exact subjects or language of the commentary. You can expect the crew to be involved during the whole trip and to make the most of the conditions on the day.

A private charter is especially helpful here. If someone in your group is keen on wildlife, you can give that search more time. If children lose interest, the boat still offers food, open-air seating, and a swimming stop. You are not locked into a single activity from start to finish.

Los Gigantes Cliffs, Masca Bay, and the coastal route

The coast is more than a route to the wildlife. Los Gigantes Cliffs bring a dramatic visual element to the outing, with high rock walls meeting the sea. Masca Bay offers another change of setting and can make the longer charter feel like a proper coastal exploration rather than a short cruise offshore.

The itinerary is flexible enough to include other spots along the Tenerife coast. That flexibility is one of the reasons to contact the operator about availability before you commit to a specific duration. A three-hour booking may focus more tightly on wildlife and a swim, while a longer charter gives the crew more time to combine coastal stops with the whale-watching search.

You should not assume every charter reaches every named location. The information describes these areas as possible highlights rather than a guaranteed sequence for every departure. Weather, sea conditions, and the chosen length of the trip all matter.

If your group mainly wants a swim and a relaxed meal, the shorter option may be enough. If you want a wider coastal route with more time for wildlife, the six to eight-hour choices make more sense, subject to availability.

A quiet cove for swimming and snorkeling

At some point, the catamaran anchors in a clear-water cove. This is when the outing shifts from sightseeing to leisure. You can swim, sit on the deck, stretch out on cushions, or lie in the nets at the front of the boat.

The water temperature is described as roughly 18°C in winter and up to 26°C in summer. That is a useful guide for packing. Summer swimmers may find the water comfortable, while winter swimmers should be ready for a brisk entry.

Snorkeling equipment is not included, so bring your own mask and fins if you want to look below the surface. The cove offers the chance to explore underwater, but the equipment issue is easy to overlook when booking. If snorkeling is central to your plans, put your gear in your day bag rather than assuming the boat will supply it.

You can also skip the water entirely. The deck, cushions, and nets give you a good alternative for reading, sunbathing, or simply enjoying the quiet. That makes the charter workable for mixed groups, where one person wants to swim and another would rather stay dry.

Food and drinks served at sea

Meals are included according to the itinerary, and the crew serves special catering during the trip. The available details do not specify the exact menu, so contact the provider if you need to know the dishes in advance.

Vegetarian food is available, but you must request it when booking. This is the kind of small detail that can make a big difference on a private day out. Tell the operator about dietary needs early rather than waiting until you board.

Unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks are included. That helps explain part of the cost and means you do not need to plan a separate supply of drinks for the boat. It also supports the relaxed format, particularly for adults marking a birthday, reunion, or special day.

You should still think about the balance of your group. Alcohol and a moving boat do not suit everyone, and children must be accompanied by an adult. The private setting gives you more control over the atmosphere, but it does not change the need to pace yourself on the water.

How the $1,055.39 price works for your group

The price is $1,055.39 per group of up to 12 people. With a full group, that works out to about $88 per person before you consider the private boat, crew, food, drinks, live commentary, and coastal route.

That is a stronger value for eight to twelve people than for a small party. A couple would pay the same group price, so you need to decide if privacy and a custom day are worth the premium over a shared sailing excursion.

The included food and unlimited drinks make the price easier to understand. So does the fact that the entire boat is reserved for your party. You are paying for space, service, and control as much as for whale watching.

I would consider this for a family group, a reunion, or several friends traveling together. For a small group on a tight budget, a shared trip may be the more sensible choice. For a full group that wants a special day without strangers aboard, the charter can be a reasonable use of money.

Choosing three, six, or eight hours

The charter options run from approximately three to eight hours. The three-hour version gives you a compact outing with time for whale and dolphin watching, a coastal sail, and the possibility of anchoring for a swim.

A longer charter gives the day more breathing room. You may have more time to search for wildlife, visit coastal areas such as Masca Bay and Los Gigantes, enjoy the cove, and eat without rushing. It is also the better choice if your group wants the boat itself to be the main event.

The exact availability of each duration is not guaranteed, so contact White Tenerife before making firm plans. Ask which route is practical for your chosen length and what stops are likely on that departure.

The boat returns to Puerto Colón at the end of the activity. That makes the outing easy to fit into a day based in Playa de las Américas, provided you arrange your own way to the meeting point. Private transportation is not included, but the departure point is near public transportation.

Who will enjoy this charter most

This works best for people who want a relaxed private day rather than a tightly programmed attraction. Families can appreciate the room to spread out and the option to choose between swimming, wildlife watching, and sitting on deck.

It also suits couples or friends who want a special occasion, but the price makes most sense when several people share it. The catamaran gives a group a pleasant setting for conversation, meals, and time at sea.

Wildlife fans should like the chance to search for resident pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins. Still, you should be comfortable with nature’s timetable. The boat offers a good setting for the search, not a guarantee of a particular animal or close approach.

People who want a full snorkeling setup, a fixed menu, or a guaranteed stop at every named coastal site should ask questions before booking. The experience is flexible, and that is a strength, but it means some details depend on the day.

Practical details to settle before you board

You receive confirmation at the time of booking. The meeting point is Av. de Colón 11, 38660 Playa de las Américas, at Club Náutico Puerto Colón, and the activity returns to that same location.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Most people can participate, and the tour is private, meaning only your group joins the charter.

Bring swimwear, sun protection, and your own snorkeling equipment if you plan to use the clear-water cove. Ask for the vegetarian option when booking, and contact the operator about availability for your preferred three to eight-hour duration.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted or refunded, and poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund.

Should you book the Tenerife private charter?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the cost and you want a quiet, well-serviced day on the sea. The combination of a private catamaran, whale and dolphin watching, Los Gigantes or Masca-area scenery, a swimming cove, catered food, and drinks gives you more than a basic wildlife cruise.

I would be cautious if you are traveling alone, as a couple, or on a strict budget. I would also ask about the planned route if one particular bay or cliff stop is essential. For a group of family or friends that values privacy and a relaxed pace, the Abrazo charter offers a strong Tenerife day out, with Victor and Conrado helping make the service feel personal.

FAQ

Where does the Tenerife private charter start?

The charter starts at Club Náutico Puerto Colón, Av. de Colón 11, 38660 Playa de las Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

Where does the activity finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Puerto Colón.

How long does the private charter last?

You can choose a charter lasting approximately three to eight hours. Availability should be confirmed with White Tenerife before booking.

How many people can join?

The private charter is for up to 12 people, and only your group participates.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. Meals listed for the itinerary are included, along with unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. You need to bring your own snorkeling equipment if you want to snorkel at the swimming stop.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Poor weather may result in a different date or a full refund.