3h Whale Watching Private tour Beneteau Oceanis 440

Pilot whales are the main attraction here, and the south coast of Tenerife gives you a good setting for watching them from a proper sailing boat rather than a crowded motor vessel. The three-hour trip heads out from Puerto Colón, with time for marine wildlife, a swim, and food aboard Madoudou, a Beneteau Oceanis 44.

I like the private format, which lets your group of up to 11 enjoy the boat without sharing it with strangers. I also like the generous spread of local cheeses, salami, jams, olives, hummus, Canarian mojo, bread, fruit, nuts, and cold drinks. The main consideration is the short duration: three hours goes quickly, and wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed.

Key points

• Pilot whales are the main target, with dolphins and turtles also possible in the waters south of Tenerife.
• Madoudou is a 44-foot Beneteau sailing boat with shaded outdoor space, indoor seating, cabins, bathrooms, and a galley.
• The booking is private for up to 11 people, making the $648 group price more attractive for families or friends sharing the cost.
• A stop near Los Cristianos includes snorkeling, swimming, and food tasting, weather and sea conditions permitting.
• Pickup is free for groups of up to eight from Costa Adeje, Playa Paraiso, Palm Mar, and Los Cristianos.
• A real sailing experience is part of the appeal, though the boat may also use its engine when needed.

Setting Sail From Puerto Colón

The trip begins at Puerto Colón, a useful departure point in Costa Adeje. The meeting point is Gate 5. If your group is staying in Costa Adeje, Playa Paraiso, Palm Mar, or Los Cristianos, free van pickup is available for up to eight people. That is a practical touch, especially if you are carrying towels and sun gear or staying away from the marina.

Once aboard, you set out toward the Atlantic. The advertised route allows about 45 minutes of sailing toward the Costa Adeje coast before the wildlife-search portion begins. The phrase full sail gives you the right idea about the mood: this is meant to feel like a sailing outing, not just a whale-watching boat with sails attached.

The Oceanis 44 is about 12 to 14 meters long, depending on how the size is described, and it has enough room for a private group to spread out. You have an outside table beneath an awning, shaded areas, a large salon with two sofas, and a dining table for eight. That matters in Tenerife, where strong sun can turn an uncovered deck into a hot seat.

The boat is authorized for whale watching in the south of Tenerife. That authorization does not promise a sighting, but it means the activity is set up for this part of the island’s marine environment rather than being an improvised coastal cruise.

Why Pilot Whales Are the Main Attraction

Pilot whales live in the waters around the Canary Islands, so they are the species you are most likely to hope for on this outing. They are not the enormous whales many people picture first. They are social, dark-colored toothed whales that often move in groups, which can make a sighting especially rewarding from a sailing boat.

The experience can be particularly good for people who prefer a quieter scale. A private sailboat places you close to the water, with the wind, sea, and volcanic coast all part of the setting. You do not get the high viewing platform of a large vessel, so sightlines depend on where you are seated and how the boat approaches the animals. Still, a smaller boat can feel more personal and less hurried.

Dolphins are also part of the search, and turtles may appear in the surrounding waters. The exact wildlife is never certain. That is worth keeping in mind before booking. You are paying for time on the ocean in a strong wildlife area, not for a guaranteed animal show.

The most useful attitude is to treat the whale search as one part of the day. If you see pilot whales up close, as happened for a group of six adults and three boys aged four to six, that is the major prize. If the animals stay out of sight, you still have sailing, coast views, food, and a swimming stop built into the plan.

The Secret Stop and Wildlife Watch

The route includes a roughly 20-minute stop described for dolphin and whale watching. The location is referred to as a secret stop rather than given a fixed public name. This likely gives the crew some flexibility to follow current sea conditions or move toward a promising area, though the exact choice of location is not specified.

This is the part of the trip where you will want to keep your camera ready, but do not spend the whole time looking through a screen. Pilot whales and dolphins can surface quickly, and the best view may be over a different side of the boat from where you first sit.

A private group can make this easier. You can shift seats, talk with the guide, and keep the mood relaxed without worrying about holding a place among a large crowd. The guide speaks Italian, Spanish, and English, so you can ask questions and receive instructions in those languages.

The wildlife period is listed as about 20 minutes, but the full route also includes sailing time around the search area. Since conditions at sea can change, the precise order and length of each part may vary. The information provided does not promise a set number of sightings or a fixed distance from the coast.

Sailing Toward Los Cristianos

After the wildlife stop, the itinerary allows about 50 minutes aboard the yacht before reaching the Los Cristianos area. This is a chance to settle into the boat and enjoy the southern coast from the water.

I like this middle section because it prevents the outing from becoming a single-purpose wildlife chase. You can sit under the awning, take in the volcanic shoreline, or use the indoor salon if the sun becomes too strong. The boat has solar panels, a 900-liter water capacity, and equipment for longer-distance comfort, although this particular outing lasts only three hours.

The cabins are spacious and include wardrobes, drawers, and storage areas. The aft cabins have direct access to bathrooms with showers and hot water. You are unlikely to need the cabins during such a short cruise, but their presence helps explain why this boat feels more like a small yacht than an open sightseeing craft.

The boat also has a galley with three burners, two sinks, an oven, and two refrigerators. That equipment supports the food service and cold drinks. It does not mean you are joining a cooking class or receiving a full restaurant meal. Think of the food as a generous onboard spread to enjoy between swimming and sailing.

Snorkeling and Food Near Los Cristianos

The Los Cristianos stop is scheduled for about 30 minutes and combines a break, snorkeling, and food tasting. Snorkeling equipment is available, so you do not need to bring your own mask and fins unless you prefer your personal gear.

Bring a towel. That is specifically recommended, and you will want one after swimming. A sun hat is also a smart item to pack, since the boat has shade but you may still spend time in exposed areas while watching wildlife or moving around the deck.

The stop is short, so plan on a quick swim rather than a long session in the water. Sea conditions will affect how comfortable snorkeling feels, and the schedule may not allow much time for lingering. Families with young children should keep a close eye on them around the water, even though the boat is set up for comfort.

The food is one of the stronger parts of the trip. You can expect various cheeses, local salami, jams, olives, tomatoes, hummus, nachos, Canarian mojo sauce, bread, fresh items, and nuts. Cold drinks include cava, white wine, beer, cola, Sprite, Fanta, and water.

This spread gives you a taste of local flavors without turning the cruise into a formal meal. Canarian mojo, in particular, adds a local touch. If you have food allergies or restrictions, the supplied details do not specify special menus, so you should ask the provider before booking.

What Madoudou Is Like on the Water

Madoudou is designed for comfort during longer periods at sea. The covered outdoor table is useful for eating, while the indoor salon gives you a place to sit out of the sun. The boat has two sofas and a table for eight, so your full group may use both indoor and outdoor areas at different times.

The boat is equipped with an outboard raft and solar panels. Those details matter more on a full-day trip, but they also show that the vessel is prepared for independent sailing away from the marina. Water autonomy is listed at 900 liters.

You should not expect luxury in the hotel sense. This is a working sailing boat with practical facilities, not a floating resort. The appeal comes from space, privacy, the open sea, and the chance to move between the deck, shaded areas, and salon.

The group limit is 11 people. At $648 per group, the price works out to about $59 per person if all 11 places are filled. For six people, it is about $108 each, and for a smaller group of four, about $162 each. That makes this much better value for a full family or group of friends than for a couple booking alone.

The price includes the whale-watching cruise, snacks, cold drinks, and snorkeling equipment. Free pickup is included from the listed southern Tenerife areas for up to eight people. These inclusions reduce the number of extra costs to plan for.

How the Three Hours Feel

Three hours sounds generous until you divide it among sailing, wildlife watching, the Los Cristianos stop, food, and the return to Puerto Colón. The timetable suggests about 45 minutes toward Costa Adeje, 20 minutes focused on wildlife, 50 minutes aboard the yacht, and 30 minutes near Los Cristianos. Some of those periods overlap with the general sailing experience, but the schedule is still full.

The quick pace is a benefit if you want a compact outing that fits into a beach day or a wider Tenerife schedule. It is less ideal if your main goal is to spend hours watching whales or snorkeling.

A sunset outing may be available depending on the departure time. One verified booking from Belgium described seeing pilot whales, swimming, and enjoying a beautiful sunset. Sunset light can add a pleasant finish, but you should check the available start time rather than assume every departure has sunset views.

The high points are clear: one group of six adults and three young boys saw many pilot whales close to the boat and dolphins as well. That makes the trip suitable for families, provided children are comfortable on a boat and supervised near the water.

Who Will Get the Most From This Cruise

This outing suits you best if you want several experiences in one short booking: sailing, wildlife watching, swimming, snorkeling, and a casual meal. It also makes sense for a family or group that can share the private price.

The boat’s size and indoor facilities help families with mixed interests. One person can watch for whales, another can relax in the shade, and children can look forward to a swim and snacks. The review from the group with three boys aged four to six suggests young children can enjoy the format, though every child responds differently to movement at sea.

It is also a good fit for people who want a more personal trip than a large shared excursion. You have the boat to yourselves, and the guide can communicate in English, Spanish, or Italian.

I would think twice if you want a guaranteed whale encounter, a long snorkeling session, or a full day under sail. The wildlife is wild, the swim stop is only about 30 minutes, and the total trip lasts three hours.

Practical Details Before You Book

Meet at Puerto Colón, Gate 5. Free van pickup is available from Costa Adeje, Playa Paraiso, Palm Mar, and Los Cristianos, with a maximum of eight people in the van. If your private group has nine to 11 members, the boat can still take the whole group, but the supplied information only confirms van capacity for eight.

Pack a sun hat and towel. You may also want comfortable clothing for sitting outdoors, though the required items specifically listed are a hat and towel. Snorkeling equipment is available aboard.

The activity allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times depend on availability. The guide service is offered in Italian, Spanish, and English.

The experience has an overall rating of 4.5 from six reviews. The strongest praise centers on close pilot whale sightings, dolphins, the relaxed pace, swimming, and the guide. Those are the elements I would put at the center of your decision.

Should You Book the Beneteau Oceanis 44?

Book it if you can fill several places, want a private boat, and like the idea of combining pilot whale watching with sailing, snacks, and a quick swim. The $648 price is reasonable for a full group of up to 11, especially with drinks, food, snorkeling gear, and selected pickup included.

Choose another option if you want a guaranteed sighting, a long wildlife session, or a large vessel with extensive viewing space. For everyone else, Madoudou offers a pleasant three-hour slice of Tenerife’s southern coast, with the possibility of seeing pilot whales close to the boat and the comfort of having the whole sailing experience reserved for your own group.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching tour start?

The tour starts at Puerto Colón, Gate 5, in the south of Tenerife.

How long is the sailing experience?

The activity lasts three hours.

How many people can join the private group?

The private boat booking accepts a group of up to 11 people.

What wildlife might I see?

The main target is the local population of pilot whales. Dolphins and turtles may also be seen.

Is the boat authorized for whale watching?

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

Is food included?

Yes. Local snacks such as cheeses, salami, jams, olives, tomatoes, hummus, nachos, Canarian mojo sauce, bread, fresh items, and nuts are included.

What drinks are included?

Included drinks are cava, white wine, beer, cola, Sprite, Fanta, and water.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is available aboard the boat.

What languages does the guide speak?

The guide service is available in Italian, Spanish, and English.