Tenerife: Luxury Private Whale & Dolphin Watching Tour

The best part of this Tenerife cruise is the combination of wildlife watching and private-yacht comfort. You leave Puerto Colon by sailboat, search for pilot whales, dolphins, and turtles, then anchor in a secluded bay for swimming or a lazy drink in the sun. It feels more personal than a large sightseeing boat.

I like the generous food and drink service, and I like that your group gets the whole yacht rather than sharing the outing with strangers. The 6-hour option gives the day a relaxed pace. The main thing to consider is that wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, and a private boat is a bigger spend if you have only two or three people.

• Pilot whales may appear soon after leaving Puerto Colon, making the opening part of the cruise especially exciting.
• Your group has a private yacht for up to 11 people, with cabins, bathrooms, a salon, kitchen, and sunbathing area.
• The secluded-bay stop changes the outing from a wildlife trip into a swimming day, with snorkeling gear included.
• Cava, beer, white wine, soft drinks, baguettes, fruit, and snacks are included, so you do not need to plan a separate lunch.
• The 3-hour and 6-hour choices suit different days, from a compact sea outing to a leisurely half-day on the water.
• The activity has a 4.9 out of 5 rating from 14 ratings, with particular praise for the captain, food, relaxed service, and whale sightings.

Setting Out From Puerto Colon

Your meeting point is Puerto Colon, at Pontoon Number 2. Arrive 15 minutes before departure. That small time cushion matters because a private charter works best when everyone is aboard and ready to go.

The yacht is fully equipped for a proper day at sea. You have a bathroom, cabins, a large salon, kitchen, and an outdoor sunbathing area. Those features make a real difference, especially on the 6-hour trip. You are not limited to one bench or one patch of deck, and you can move inside if you want shade or a break from the wind.

The captain welcomes you with a glass of cava. It is a pleasant start, but the practical value is just as important: you can settle in without rushing to find a seat or organize supplies. The private format also lets your group enjoy its own pace. One group of 11 used the boat as a shared outing and was even able to play its own music, an appealing touch for families or friends celebrating together.

The languages listed are Spanish, English, German, French, and Italian. That gives mixed-language groups a better chance of getting clear explanations throughout the trip.

Finding Pilot Whales Beyond the Harbor

Once the yacht leaves Puerto Colon, the focus turns to the water. Pilot whales are the main wildlife sighting highlighted for the trip, and they may come into view soon after departure. You will need patience and a bit of luck, since marine animals move freely and no operator can promise a particular sighting.

That uncertainty is part of the deal. This is not a show with scheduled performances. You are watching open water and waiting for a fin, a back, or a sudden movement. The reward is a more genuine encounter, but you should book this as a chance to see marine life, not as a guarantee of a full wildlife checklist.

The captain provides information during the outing, and the service has been praised for being friendly and informative. I would pay attention during this first section, since it gives the cruise a sense of purpose beyond simply sailing along the coast.

You may also see dolphins and turtles. The exact order is not fixed, and the time spent looking for each species can vary with conditions. Bring your camera, but keep it ready rather than buried in a bag. Sunglasses are also listed as essential, since glare off the water can become tiring quickly.

Dolphins, Turtles, and the Value of a Small Group

A private group changes the feel of wildlife watching. You can share the sighting with your own companions, rather than competing for a view with a crowded deck. If someone in your group wants to watch quietly while another person takes photos, both can do so without getting in the way of a larger crowd.

The maximum group size is 11 people. That is not a tiny boat party, but it is still small enough to feel social and manageable. For a family group, a birthday outing, or several couples traveling together, the arrangement makes sense. You pay the listed rate per group, not per person, so the value improves as your party gets closer to the 11-person limit.

For two people, the cost is harder to justify unless privacy and comfort matter more than the lowest price. At $701 per group, the price works out to about $64 per person with 11 people, before considering the included food, drinks, sailing, and snorkeling equipment. With four people, it is about $175 per person. That is a premium outing, but the private yacht and included refreshments soften the difference.

The 4.9 out of 5 rating from 14 ratings supports the strongest parts of the experience: pleasant service, good food, a relaxed day, and memorable wildlife sightings. The number of ratings is still modest, so I would treat it as encouraging rather than final proof for every possible departure.

The Secluded Bay Stop

At some point, the captain anchors in a secluded bay. This is where the cruise shifts gears. Instead of scanning the horizon, you can swim, use the snorkeling equipment, or stay aboard with a snack and drink.

The plan allows for swimming near turtles, but you should understand the wording carefully. Turtles are among the animals you may see, and the stop offers a chance to swim in the area. It does not mean you are guaranteed to swim directly alongside turtles. Wildlife should be watched without chasing or touching it.

This stop is a strong reason to choose the 6-hour option. A 3-hour cruise has to fit departure, wildlife watching, anchoring, and the return to Puerto Colon into a shorter window. The longer trip gives you more breathing room for a swim and a proper pause on the boat.

You may prefer simply to stretch out on the sunbathing area. That is useful if one person in your group wants to swim while another wants a quiet break. Towels are not included, so bring your own. Sun cream is also not provided, and the open deck can leave you exposed for several hours.

Food, Drinks, and Life Aboard

The inclusions are more substantial than the usual token snack. You receive soft drinks, beer, white wine, baguettes, fruit, and snacks throughout the cruise. A glass of cava comes on arrival.

That matters because a 6-hour outing can feel long if you must bring or buy all your own food. The baguettes give you something more filling, while fruit and snacks suit the stop between wildlife watching and swimming. The food has been singled out as a highlight, along with the friendly service.

The drinks selection also makes the trip easy for a mixed group. Some people can choose soft drinks, while others have beer or white wine. Since this is a boat day with swimming and sun, keep your alcohol intake sensible. The included drinks are a convenience, not a reason to overdo it.

You will have access to the yacht’s kitchen and salon, but the available information does not promise a cooked meal or a formal lunch service. Expect simple, practical food rather than a restaurant meal. That is perfectly suitable for a casual sea outing and keeps the focus on the water.

Choosing Three Hours or Six

The 3-hour cruise suits you if you want a taste of private sailing without giving the whole day to it. It includes the central elements: departure from Puerto Colon, wildlife watching, drinks and snacks, and time at anchor. It may be the better choice for a family with young children, a short holiday schedule, or anyone unsure how much time they want to spend at sea.

The 6-hour cruise is the stronger pick if the boat itself is part of the attraction. You have more time to settle into the yacht, wait for wildlife, enjoy food, and swim without making every minute count. I would choose it for a group gathering or a relaxed day with no need to hurry back ashore.

The exact departure times depend on availability. Check the start time carefully against your other plans, since the longer version can take up a large part of the day. Both options are private, so you are paying for an experience shaped around your own group rather than a fixed public boat schedule.

What to Wear and Pack

Wear light summer beach clothing, a swimsuit, and a hat. Bring sunglasses, a camera, and your own towel. Sun cream is specifically not included, so pack it before you arrive.

A small, secure bag is useful for keeping your phone and camera close. The information does not specify storage arrangements, so avoid bringing anything you would worry about getting wet. The yacht has indoor and outdoor areas, but you should still expect spray, wind, and strong sun.

Snorkeling equipment is supplied. You do not need to bring your own mask or fins unless you prefer using personal gear. The most useful packing choice is simple: swimwear, dry clothing, sun protection, sunglasses, and a camera that you can handle easily on a moving boat.

Who Will Get the Most From This Cruise

I would recommend this for a group that values privacy, food, and time on the water as much as the wildlife itself. It works particularly well for families, friends, and larger parties who can share the $701 group price.

The outing also suits people who want a more polished boat experience. Bathrooms, cabins, a salon, kitchen, and sunbathing area make it more comfortable than a basic open boat. If you like the idea of combining nature with a glass of cava and a swim, the format is well judged.

I would be more cautious if your only goal is to see a specific animal. Pilot whales, dolphins, and turtles are possible sightings, not guaranteed appointments. I would also compare the 3-hour and 6-hour costs carefully if you have a very small group, since the private price is easier to defend with more people aboard.

Booking Details That Matter

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Tenerife plans are still shifting.

The meeting point is Puerto Colon, Pontoon Number 2. Be there 15 minutes early. The experience is private, and the listed guide languages are Spanish, English, German, French, and Italian.

The activity provider is Tenerife Sailing Charters. The rating is 4.9 out of 5 from 14 ratings, with the most praised features being the captain’s friendly service, the relaxed pace, the food and drinks, and the chance to see whales and swim.

Should You Book It?

Book this cruise if you have a group of up to 11 and want a comfortable, private day that blends wildlife watching with swimming and simple onboard dining. The strongest value comes when several people share the fixed group price, especially on the 6-hour version.

Choose the 3-hour trip if you want a shorter introduction to sailing. Choose 6 hours if you want time to wait for wildlife, enjoy the yacht, and linger at anchor. Just bring a towel and sun cream, and remember that sightings depend on nature. With that expectation, this is a polished and flexible way to spend time off Tenerife’s coast.

FAQ

Where does the whale and dolphin cruise depart from?

The cruise departs from Puerto Colon, at Pontoon Number 2. You should arrive 15 minutes before departure.

How long is the private boat trip?

You can choose between a 3-hour cruise and a 6-hour cruise. Starting times depend on availability.

How many people can join the private yacht?

The private group can include up to 11 people.

What animals might I see?

The cruise looks for pilot whales, dolphins, and turtles. Sightings are possible but are not guaranteed.

Is food and drink included?

Yes. The trip includes cava on arrival, soft drinks, beer, white wine, baguettes, fruit, and snacks.

Can I swim or snorkel during the cruise?

Yes. The captain anchors in a secluded bay, where you can swim or relax. Snorkeling equipment is included.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, a camera, a hat, sun cream, and a towel. Towels and sun cream are not included.