Excursion to see the whales – 3 Hours

The best feature here is the chance to watch whales and dolphins in open Atlantic waters, then peer below the surface through underwater viewing. This is not a quick coastal cruise. You spend three hours searching the sea, enjoying broad views of Tenerife, and making time for a swim.

I like the small-group feel and the practical extras. The boat carries up to 12 people in the main description, though another part of the information says 18, so confirm the exact capacity before booking. I also like that the crew includes a cetacean guide and skilled captain, with a sandwich and beer, water, or soft drink included.

The main drawback is simple: wild animals do not follow a timetable. You may see dolphins, pilot whales, or sperm whales, but no sighting can be guaranteed. One February 2026 departure was canceled because of engine trouble, and the replacement date did not suit the passenger, so keep a little flexibility in your schedule.

Key points to know before you book

• Three hours from Lina Yacht: The trip leaves from Lina Yacht at Puerto Colón and returns there.
• Wild cetaceans, not a marine park: The focus is on dolphins, pilot whales, and sperm whales in their natural Atlantic setting.
• Underwater viewing included: Glass-bottom or underwater vision lets you look beneath the boat when conditions and wildlife allow.
• A real swim break: The captain anchors at El Puertito or Playa de Las Vistas for about 25 minutes, according to one detailed account.
• Food and drink are covered: You receive a sandwich plus beer, water, or a soft drink.
• Flexible booking terms: You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund and reserve now while paying later.

Three hours on Tenerife’s Atlantic coast

This Ocean Blue outing begins at Lina Yacht in Puerto Colón. From there, you head out for a guided three-hour boat trip, returning to the same place at the end.

That three-hour length is useful. A shorter cruise can feel rushed if the boat needs time to find marine life. Here, the crew has time to search different areas, pause when animals appear, and still fit in the swim stop. You also get enough time to enjoy the coast rather than treating the boat as a simple taxi to one viewing point.

The experience is described as a private group, with a small and friendly setting. The stated maximum is 12 passengers in the highlights, while the fuller description gives 18. I would ask Ocean Blue which boat and group limit applies to your date. The difference matters if you want a quiet ride with plenty of room around the viewing areas.

The guide service is offered in French, English, Spanish, Dutch, and Italian. No individual guide names are provided, but a specialist cetacean guide and experienced captain are listed as part of the crew. That combination is important: the captain handles the boat, while the guide can help explain what you are seeing and keep the outing focused on marine life.

Searching for dolphins, pilot whales, and sperm whales

The main purpose is wildlife watching. Possible sightings include dolphins, pilot whales, and sperm whales, all seen in the Atlantic rather than in an enclosed attraction.

I like this approach because the animals remain in their own habitat. It also means you should set the right expectation. A boat can search, but it cannot call a whale to the surface. The trip promises whale and/or dolphin watching, not a guaranteed sighting of a particular species.

One detailed account describes enough time to watch whales at two separate locations. That is a useful clue about the pace of the trip. The crew may not simply stop once, take a few photos, and leave. If animals are found in different areas, you may have a chance to watch from more than one position.

The Atlantic setting is part of the appeal. You get open-water views and a broad look back toward Tenerife’s coast. The coastline can be just as enjoyable during quiet stretches, especially when the animals are below the surface or the boat is moving between viewing spots.

Wildlife trips work best when you are comfortable with some waiting. Bring patience, keep your eyes on the water, and listen to the guide’s instructions. The most rewarding moments may be brief, so staying attentive is more useful than expecting a nonstop show.

Looking below the surface through underwater vision

The boat includes underwater viewing through a glass-bottom or underwater-vision setup. This gives the trip an extra layer beyond watching fins and blows on the surface.

You might see movement beneath the boat, or you might simply gain a better sense of the water around you. The feature is especially useful for children and for anyone who finds it hard to spot distant animals on the horizon. It does not turn the sea into an aquarium, and visibility will depend on the water and conditions, but it adds something to do between surface sightings.

I would treat this as a bonus rather than the main reason to book. The best part of the trip remains the chance to see free-ranging cetaceans. Still, underwater viewing makes the boat feel more suited to families and mixed-age groups, since not everyone wants to spend three hours scanning the horizon.

The clear open-water views also help. You can watch the coast from offshore, then shift your attention to the water below. That change of focus keeps the trip varied without loading it up with unrelated activities.

The swim stop at El Puertito or Playa de Las Vistas

After the wildlife portion, the boat anchors at El Puertito or Playa de Las Vistas for a swim. One account puts the swimming time at about 25 minutes, enough for a proper dip without turning the outing into a full beach day.

This is a smart use of the final part of the trip. After sitting and watching the sea, you get a chance to cool off and move around. The stop also gives you a fixed activity even if wildlife sightings are brief.

The exact anchorage can vary between El Puertito and Playa de Las Vistas. That means the surroundings and water conditions may differ from one departure to another. The supplied details do not promise snorkeling equipment or a guided water activity, so plan on a straightforward swim rather than a full water-sports session.

If swimming is important to you, bring the basics you need for the stop. The activity includes the swim break, but no additional equipment is specified. You should also remember that the boat returns to Lina Yacht after the stop, so this is a timed pause, not an open-ended visit to the beach.

Sandwich, drink, and the value of the fare

Food and drink are included: a sandwich plus your choice of beer, water, or a soft drink. That is a small detail, but it improves the value of a three-hour outing. You do not need to arrange a separate meal during the cruise, and the refreshment fits naturally into the slower parts of the trip.

The listed price needs a careful look. The headline price is $53 per person, while the detailed fare gives 45 euros for adults and 22 euros for children ages 2 to 10. Because those figures do not match exactly, check the price shown for your booking date and currency before paying.

At 45 euros, the package is reasonable if you value the full three-hour duration, guide, captain, fuel, port taxes, swim stop, sandwich, and drink. You are not paying only for a boat ride. The crew, fuel, port taxes, and IGIC are included, which reduces the chance of small charges appearing later.

The value depends on what you want from a sea trip. If your main goal is a guaranteed animal encounter, no wildlife cruise can offer that. If you want a compact morning or afternoon that combines open-water viewing, a possible whale or dolphin sighting, food, and a swim, the price makes more sense.

Children’s pricing is notably lower at 22 euros for ages 2 to 10. That can make this a practical family activity, especially with the underwater viewing and short swim stop. I would still consider each child’s comfort on a small boat before booking, since the supplied information does not describe onboard motion or sea conditions.

What the small group changes

A small boat can make the day feel more personal. With fewer people, you have a better chance of hearing the guide and moving your attention quickly when an animal appears. You also avoid the scale of a large sightseeing vessel.

The exact group limit is unclear. The highlights specify a maximum of 12 passengers, while the main activity details say a maximum of 18. Treat 12 as the more intimate target, but ask for confirmation if group size is a deciding factor.

One useful sign is the report of a cheerful guide who passed that good mood to the group. Another account gives the staff high marks and specifically recommends the trip. Those details suggest that the crew’s manner is a meaningful part of the experience, not just the wildlife itself.

There is no named guide in the information provided, so I cannot tell you who will be onboard. I can tell you that the listed languages cover French, English, Spanish, Dutch, and Italian. That wide language range helps if your group is mixed or if you are more comfortable receiving safety and wildlife information in one of those languages.

Practical timing and booking advice

The trip starts and finishes at Lina Yacht in Puerto Colón. The duration is three hours, but the exact departure time depends on availability, so check the schedule before building the rest of your day around it.

I would avoid booking this as the final activity before an important flight or fixed dinner. The engine problem reported on one February 2026 departure shows that mechanical trouble can happen, even though it appears to be an isolated issue in the supplied information. The operator offered a next-day replacement, but that was not useful to a passenger with other plans.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, with a full refund. You can also reserve and pay later, which is helpful if your Tenerife schedule is still moving. These terms give you some protection, but they do not remove the need to check the booking platform’s final payment and cancellation details.

The trip is listed as wheelchair accessible. If you use a wheelchair, contact the operator before booking to confirm the boarding arrangement for your particular boat. Accessibility can depend on the vessel and the port setup, and the provided information does not explain the transfer from dock to boat.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most

I would recommend this excursion to you if you want a short, focused wildlife outing rather than a full-day cruise. Three hours is long enough to feel substantial but short enough to fit into a Tenerife holiday without taking over the day.

It suits couples, families, and small groups who like the idea of wildlife watching but also want a swim and simple refreshments. The underwater viewing is useful for children or anyone who may lose interest during quiet stretches.

It is also a good fit if you care about language support. French, English, Spanish, Dutch, and Italian are listed, giving you a better chance of following the guide comfortably.

I would hesitate if you need a guaranteed whale sighting, dislike open-water searching, or have a very tight schedule. I would also ask about the passenger limit if a truly private feel matters to you, since the supplied capacity figures conflict.

The strongest praise is aimed at the crew, the chance to watch whales in more than one place, the relaxed swim at the end, and the views along Tenerife’s coast. Those are the parts I would use to judge the trip, not the promise of a particular animal appearing on cue.

Should you book the Ocean Blue excursion?

Book it if you want a well-priced three-hour sea experience with possible cetacean sightings, underwater viewing, a sandwich, a drink, and a 25-minute swim stop. The friendly crew reports and multilingual guide service add real value, while the smaller group size should make the boat feel more personal than a large cruise.

Before confirming, verify the adult price in your currency, the child age range, and whether your departure has 12 or 18 passengers. Leave some flexibility in your schedule because wildlife and boat mechanics are both outside your control.

If you can accept that uncertainty, this is a sensible choice for a compact Tenerife outing. You get the best chance at whales and dolphins without giving up half a day, and the swim stop keeps the trip enjoyable even during quiet periods at sea.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching trip begin and end?

The excursion starts at Lina Yacht in Puerto Colón and returns to Lina Yacht after three hours.

How long is the boat trip?

The experience lasts three hours. Check the available departure times when booking.

Which animals might I see?

The trip looks for dolphins, pilot whales, and sperm whales. Sightings are in the animals’ natural Atlantic habitat, so a specific species is not guaranteed.

Is food or a drink included?

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

Where does the swimming stop take place?

The boat anchors at El Puertito or Playa de Las Vistas for a swim. One detailed account describes the swim as lasting about 25 minutes.

What languages are available, and is the boat wheelchair accessible?

Guiding is offered in French, English, Spanish, Dutch, and Italian. The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, but you should confirm boarding arrangements for your specific departure.