Private Charter Private Charter to see the whales – 3 Hours

Whale watching from Tenerife gets personal on this private cruise, where your group has the boat to itself and three hours to look for dolphins, sperm whales, and pilot whales. I like the glass-bottom viewing and the chance to pause for a swim at El Puertito or Playa de las Vistas. You also get a sandwich and one beer, soft drink, or bottle of water, which keeps the outing simple.

I especially like the privacy and the presence of a specialized cetacean guide alongside the captain. The main thing to check before paying is capacity: the price is shown as $447 per group of up to 12, while another activity detail says the boat can take up to 18 passengers. Confirm the exact limit and price for your date.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat from Puerto Colón: Your group shares the boat only with the crew.
• Three hours on the Atlantic: The time allows for whale and dolphin searching plus a swim stop.
• Cetacean guide onboard: A specialist helps identify the marine life you may see.
• Glass-bottom viewing: Look below the surface without leaving the boat.
• Swim at El Puertito or Playa de las Vistas: The crew anchors for a refreshing break.
• Food and drink included: Expect a sandwich and one beer, soft drink, or water.

Setting out from Lina Yacht in Puerto Colón

The experience begins at Lina Yacht in Puerto Colón, a practical starting point for a boat outing from Tenerife. From here, you board the private vessel and head out into open Atlantic water with your own group, captain, and guide.

The private format changes the feel of the trip. You are not joining a large shared excursion with strangers, so your group can enjoy the boat together and listen directly to the guide. That matters if you are celebrating a special occasion, traveling with family, or simply prefer a quieter trip at sea.

The advertised price is from 380 euros, also shown as about $447 per group of up to 12 people. For a full group of 12, that works out to roughly $37 per person, which is a fair price for a private three-hour boat trip with fuel, crew, port taxes, IGIC, refreshments, and a swim stop included.

There is one point to settle before booking. The details also describe the group size as up to 18 passengers. Since the summary gives a limit of 12, ask Ocean Blue to confirm the maximum for your specific boat and rate. The difference could affect both comfort and the per-person value.

Three hours looking for dolphins and whales

Once underway, the main goal is to spot cetaceans in the Atlantic. The listed possibilities include dolphins, sperm whales, and pilot whales. These are wild animals, so no tour can promise a sighting or a particular species, but the guide and captain are there to help you make the most of your time on the water.

I like that the tour does not reduce whale watching to a quick photo stop. Three hours gives you time to travel out, search, watch the sea, and still fit in a swim break. The guide can help you focus on signs of marine life and explain what you are seeing when an animal appears.

The open-ocean views are part of the experience even when the animals stay out of sight. From the boat, you get broad views across the Atlantic and a different perspective on Tenerife. Bring your patience. Wildlife watching involves quiet stretches, changing conditions, and plenty of looking before anything appears.

The crew includes a specialized cetacean guide and a skilled captain. That pairing is useful: the captain handles the boat and route, while the guide focuses on marine life. The supplied information does not give the crew members’ names, so you should not expect to select a named guide when booking.

Glass-bottom viewing below the surface

A particularly useful feature is the underwater vision through glass-bottom viewing. This lets you look beneath the boat while remaining on deck, adding another way to see the water during the cruise.

The glass-bottom section is not a separate snorkeling session or underwater excursion. Think of it as a simple window into the sea, useful when the boat is moving slowly, stopped, or anchored. It gives children and adults something to watch between sightings and adds interest even when the surface looks quiet.

I would treat this as a bonus rather than the main reason to book. The central activity is still wildlife watching from the boat. Conditions, light, and water clarity can affect what you see below the surface, and no specific underwater animals are promised.

A swim stop at El Puertito or Playa de las Vistas

The cruise includes time to anchor at El Puertito or Playa de las Vistas for a swim. This is a welcome change after time spent scanning the water. You can get in for a refreshing dip, enjoy the view from the boat, or simply use the pause to relax.

The exact stop is not fixed in the information provided. The crew may choose El Puertito or Playa de las Vistas, so do not book expecting one particular beach. Both locations are presented as places for the swim break, not as long shore visits.

This stop also helps make the three-hour schedule feel varied. You begin with open-water wildlife watching, then shift to a calmer pause before returning to port. Pack swimwear and anything you need for time on the boat, though the listed inclusions do not specify towels or snorkeling equipment.

If swimming is not your priority, you can still enjoy the stop from onboard. The important point is that the tour includes a chance to enter the water, not a guarantee that every passenger must swim.

What food and drink are included

The cruise includes a sandwich and one complimentary beverage. Your drink choice is listed as beer, water, or a soft drink. This is modest but practical, especially during a three-hour outing when you may not want to arrange your own meal.

Do not read this as a full lunch or open bar. The details promise a sandwich and one drink. If you have dietary needs, ask Ocean Blue in advance, since no alternative menu or specific sandwich filling is provided.

The refreshments also make the private format more convenient. You can enjoy the food during the cruise rather than ending the outing hungry and searching for a café at the port. Still, I would bring any extra snacks or drinks you need only after checking what the operator permits onboard.

Why the private format matters

A private boat is most valuable when your group wants control over the mood of the outing. You are not sharing the experience with a busload of unrelated passengers, and your time at sea is reserved for your party.

This works well for families, couples traveling with friends, and small groups marking a birthday or other occasion. It also suits people who want to ask questions without feeling they are interrupting a large group.

The tradeoff is price. A shared whale-watching trip may cost less per person, while this charter charges a group rate. The value improves as your party gets larger, but only if you confirm the actual passenger limit. At $447 for 12 people, the cost is reasonable for a private boat. At a smaller party size, the same total becomes a more serious expense.

The supplied details also describe the trip as suitable for up to 18 passengers. If that capacity applies, the private charter could be especially good for a larger family or group of friends. Still, confirm the number before booking because the $447 summary specifically refers to 12 people.

Guides, languages, and access

Live guiding is available in English, French, Spanish, Italian, and Dutch. That gives mixed-language groups a better chance of following the wildlife explanations without relying on one person to translate everything.

The guide is described as a cetacean specialist, which is important on a wildlife trip. You are not simply getting a boat ride with occasional animal spotting. The guide’s role is to help identify whales and dolphins and add context to what you see.

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. Since the information does not explain boarding arrangements, deck layout, or restroom access, contact the provider if someone in your group uses a wheelchair and needs specific assistance. Accessibility on a boat can depend on the vessel and conditions at the port.

Timing, cancellation, and what to bring

The outing lasts three hours, and available start times depend on the date you choose. Check the schedule before planning other activities around it. A boat trip can leave you wanting a quiet meal afterward, especially if the sea is rough.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option also lets you hold the booking without paying immediately, which is useful when your Tenerife plans are still changing.

For the day itself, I would bring swimwear, sun protection, a hat, and a light layer. The provided information confirms a swim stop and open-ocean views but does not specify towels, lockers, or extra food. Keep valuables to a minimum and use a waterproof case for phones if you plan to swim.

The activity is all-inclusive in the operational sense: crew, fuel, port taxes, and IGIC are included. That means you are less likely to face a surprise charge for the basic cruise itself. Optional extras are not listed, so ask before assuming anything else is covered.

Who will get the most from this cruise

This experience suits you if privacy matters more than finding the cheapest boat trip. It is also a good match if your group wants several elements in one outing: wildlife watching, underwater viewing, open-ocean scenery, food, and a swim.

Families may like the changing pace. Children can look for dolphins, watch through the glass-bottom section, eat a sandwich, and swim before the boat returns. Adults may appreciate having their own space and a guide who can answer questions directly.

It is less suitable if you want a guaranteed whale encounter, a full meal, or a long beach visit. The animals are wild, the swim stop is limited to the cruise schedule, and the food offering is simple. You should also think twice if your group is very small and cost is your main concern, since the private rate may not beat a shared tour.

My take on the value

I see the strongest value in the combination of privacy and time. Three hours is long enough to make the trip feel like a proper outing rather than a short harbor ride, and the private boat gives your group room to enjoy it together.

The whale and dolphin sightings are the draw, but they are not the only reason to book. The cetacean guide, glass-bottom viewing, swim stop, sandwich, and drink give the cruise a fuller shape. If you divide the group price among 10 to 12 people, the cost becomes easier to justify.

The capacity mismatch is the only practical concern I would not ignore. Confirm whether your booking covers up to 12 or up to 18 passengers, and ask which price applies. That quick check protects you from planning around the wrong boat size or per-person calculation.

Should you book this private Tenerife charter?

Book it if you want a relaxed, private Atlantic outing and your group values personal space, a specialist guide, and a swim break. It is particularly appealing for groups large enough to share the cost.

Choose another option if you want the lowest possible fare, a guaranteed sighting, or a detailed snorkeling program. For everyone else, this is a well-rounded three-hour choice from Puerto Colón, with enough variety to keep the trip interesting even between wildlife sightings.

FAQ

Where does the private whale-watching cruise begin?

The cruise begins at Lina Yacht in Puerto Colón, Tenerife.

How long does the activity last?

The activity lasts three hours.

Is the boat private?

Yes. It is described as a private group experience with total privacy onboard for your party.

How many passengers can join?

The information gives two limits: up to 12 passengers in the price summary and up to 18 passengers in the activity details. Confirm the exact capacity with Ocean Blue before booking.

Which animals might I see?

The experience focuses on dolphins, sperm whales, and pilot whales. Sightings of wild animals are not guaranteed.

Is a guide included?

Yes. A live guide is included, along with a specialized cetacean guide and a skilled captain.

Which languages are available?

Guiding is available in English, French, Spanish, Italian, and Dutch.

Is swimming part of the experience?

Yes. The boat anchors at El Puertito or Playa de las Vistas for a swimming break.

What food and drinks are included?

You receive a sandwich and one complimentary beverage, chosen from beer, water, or a soft drink.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.