Private Yacht Tour With Whale and Dolphin Watching 33 Foot Boat

The main appeal here is simple: you get a private 33-foot yacht for your own group, then spend six unhurried hours looking for pilot whales, dolphins, turtles, and other marine life along Costa Adeje. The captain can also take you to a quiet bay for swimming and snorkeling, rather than keeping you tied to a fixed sightseeing route.

I like the personal feel and the generous onboard setup. You have snacks, bottled water, soft drinks, beer, and wine included, plus snorkeling gear and sonar equipment for listening to whales and dolphins. I also like the flexible size: the boat takes up to nine people, so a family or small group can spread out without sharing the cruise with strangers.

The main caution is that wildlife is wild. One highly rated outing found excellent snorkeling but no whales or dolphins, while another saw pilot whales and returned through crystal-clear water filled with fish. You pay for the private sailing experience, not a guaranteed animal sighting.

Key points before you book

• Private 33-foot yacht: Your group has the boat to itself, with room for up to nine people.
• Six hours on Costa Adeje: The route includes coastline, caves, beaches, and areas where marine life is often spotted.
• Captain-led and personal: Captains such as Maxi tailor the outing to the group, with time for sailing, swimming, and snorkeling.
• Wildlife sightings vary: Pilot whales, dolphins, and turtles have been seen, but no sighting can be promised.
• Food and drinks included: Snacks, bottled water, unlimited soft drinks, beer, and wine are provided.
• Puertito snorkeling stop: The calm bay and fish-filled water can be the highlight, even when wildlife stays out of sight.

Setting sail from Puerto Colón

Your day begins at Puerto Colón, pier 2, in Costa Adeje. Check in with Tenerife Sailing Charters, then walk down to the boat with the crew. Once aboard, you stow your personal items, meet the captain, and receive a safety briefing along with a short explanation of the day ahead.

That first ten minutes is not sightseeing time, but it matters. You learn how the boat works, where to keep your things, and what to expect before leaving the harbor. After that, you can settle in with a drink and let the captain take over.

The meeting point is near public transportation, and the cruise returns to the same place. That makes this an easy add-on to a day in Costa Adeje, though you should allow enough time to arrive before departure. The activity requires at least two people per booking, and confirmation is provided when you book.

What a private boat changes

A private trip feels different from a standard whale-watching cruise. You are not working around a large crowd or trying to find a free patch of deck. Your group can sit together, move around the boat, and talk directly with the captain about the balance between wildlife watching, swimming, snorkeling, and sailing.

That flexibility was especially useful for one mixed-age family group of four adults and two children. Captain Maxi welcomed the family, searched for pilot whales, then took them to a secluded bay for swimming before sailing back to the harbor. The format worked for grandparents, parents, and children because the day did not depend on one demanding activity.

The boat holds up to nine people. For a full group, the cost of $594.75 works out to about $66 per person. With six people, it is about $99 each, and with four people, about $149 each. Those figures make the trip more attractive for a larger family or group of friends than for a couple, although two people can still book if privacy matters more than price.

The 33-foot boat is large enough for a comfortable private outing, but it is not a giant yacht with separate rooms or endless deck space. If nine people book, you should expect a shared onboard area rather than total personal space. The private format means your group is exclusive, not that everyone has a private cabin.

Looking for pilot whales and dolphins

Wildlife watching is the first big reason to choose this cruise. The waters off Costa Adeje are home to marine life, and the captain takes you out with the hope of finding pilot whales and dolphins. Sonar equipment is also provided so you can listen for whales and dolphins while on the water.

Some outings have seen many pilot whales and dolphins close to the boat. Turtles have also been spotted. Those encounters can be memorable because you are on a small private vessel rather than watching from a crowded deck, but the setting is still unpredictable.

You should set your expectations correctly. There is no guarantee that animals will appear on the day you sail. One group had an excellent time snorkeling at Puertito but did not see whales or dolphins. That is not a failure of the cruise so much as the basic risk of nature-based outings.

I would book this for the whole experience, with wildlife as a possible bonus. If your only goal is to photograph a whale, this may feel risky. If you like being on the sea and can enjoy a swim, a quiet bay, snacks, and open water even without a sighting, the value is stronger.

Costa Adeje’s caves, beaches, and coves

The cruise takes place along Costa Adeje, a stretch of Tenerife coastline known here for caves, beaches, and marine life. The captain can point out places you might miss from shore and choose quieter areas for a stop.

The exact route is not presented as a rigid list of landmarks. That is a benefit if you want a relaxed day, since the captain can respond to conditions and the interests of your group. It also means you should not book this expecting a guaranteed sequence of named coastal stops.

A secluded bay can be more valuable than another hour of sightseeing. You get time to swim, float, or simply sit on deck with a drink. One family group described swimming in clear water with plenty of fish, while another singled out snorkeling at Puertito as the best part of the day.

Caves and beaches give the cruise visual variety, but the quiet pauses are what make the private format worthwhile. You are not just passing the coast. You have time to enjoy it at a slower pace.

Snorkeling at Puertito

Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to arrange your own gear for the stop. Puertito is specifically associated with the snorkeling portion of the trip, and the water there has been described as clear with plenty of fish.

The experience can suit a mixed group because not everyone has to snorkel. Some people can swim, others can remain aboard, and anyone who prefers to watch the coastline can make the most of the sailing time. The crew also provides a safety briefing at the start, which gives you basic orientation before the boat leaves the harbor.

You should still think about your own comfort in the water. The supplied information does not promise a shallow entry, calm conditions, or a particular amount of time in the water. Treat snorkeling as a planned opportunity, not a fixed guarantee that conditions will be perfect.

For many people, this is the strongest backup plan if the animals do not appear. A wildlife cruise with a good swimming stop gives the day more than one way to succeed.

Six hours with food, drinks, and room to relax

Six hours is long enough to make this a full half-day on the water rather than a quick harbor outing. It also means the included refreshments matter. Bottled water, snacks, soft drinks, beer, and wine are available throughout the cruise.

The unlimited drinks are useful on a long sailing, especially when your group includes people with different tastes. The minimum drinking age is 18, so alcoholic drinks are for adults only. A vegetarian option is available if you request it when booking.

The food is described as snacks rather than a full meal. I would not treat this as a substitute for lunch unless the operator confirms otherwise. Eat beforehand or plan around the cruise, especially if you know you need a substantial meal during a six-hour outing.

The boat gives you room to relax between sightings. That is easy to overlook when comparing tours, but it can shape your day more than the wildlife search itself. You can watch the coast, listen for marine life, take a drink, and let the captain handle the route instead of constantly changing activities.

Captain Maxi and the human side of the trip

The captain is central to this experience. A private boat is only as good as the person running it, and the day depends on clear communication, good judgment, and a welcoming manner.

Captain Maxi has been praised for making a family group feel comfortable while balancing wildlife watching, swimming, and the return sail. The captain is not simply transporting you from one point to another. The role includes hosting the group, explaining the trip, and adjusting the pace to suit the people aboard.

That personal contact is useful if you have a particular interest in snorkeling, sailing, or finding marine life. It is worth telling the captain what matters most to your group early in the day. You might prefer more time in the water, a slower return, or a stronger focus on wildlife watching.

The experience is offered in English. If clear instructions and easy conversation matter to you, that removes one possible source of friction.

Is $594.75 good value?

The price looks high beside a shared boat trip, but the comparison is not quite fair. This is a private six-hour cruise for up to nine people, with drinks, snacks, snorkeling equipment, and a captain included.

For nine people, the cost is roughly $66 per person. For a group of six, it is roughly $99 per person. A family of four pays about $149 per person, so the value depends heavily on group size and how much you value privacy.

The strongest value comes when your group would otherwise book several seats on a shared cruise and wants control over the day. The private boat also gives you a more relaxed setting for a family celebration, a reunion, or a group with different ages and interests.

It is less compelling if you are a couple focused only on guaranteed wildlife sightings. In that case, the price buys privacy and time on the water, but not certainty that dolphins or whales will appear. Souvenir photos are not included and can be purchased separately.

Who should book this yacht trip?

I would recommend it for families and friend groups who want a private day with several possible highlights. The format worked well for a group that included children aged eight and six along with parents and grandparents, and the private setting lets the captain adjust the day without a large crowd setting the pace.

It also suits adults who want a comfortable sailing experience with drinks included. You can spend part of the day watching for wildlife, part swimming or snorkeling, and part simply enjoying the coast.

It is a good choice for people who value space and privacy. It is not the best choice if you need a guaranteed whale or dolphin encounter, want a full meal included, or prefer a tightly scheduled list of sightseeing stops.

A mobile ticket keeps check-in simple, and service animals are allowed. Most people can participate, but the information does not provide detailed mobility access or specific boarding arrangements. If those points matter to you, ask the operator before booking.

Booking timing and weather rules

This experience is often booked about 16 days ahead, so reserving early is sensible if your dates are fixed or your group is large. The minimum booking is two people, and the maximum is nine.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off uses local Tenerife time.

The cruise depends on good weather. If poor weather forces cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. This policy is useful, but you should still avoid placing the cruise on the final morning of a short holiday if a cancellation would leave no time to reschedule.

Should you book it?

Book this private yacht trip if you want six relaxed hours on the water with your own group, flexible time for snorkeling, and a real chance to see pilot whales or dolphins. The strongest parts are the private boat, the captain-led pace, the Puertito swimming stop, and the included drinks and equipment.

Go in with realistic expectations. Wildlife sightings are possible, not promised, and the food is snacks rather than a full meal. For a larger group, the price can be very reasonable. For two people, it is a premium choice built around privacy, comfort, and the freedom to shape the day.

FAQ

Where does the yacht tour start?

The tour starts at Puerto Colón, pier 2, in Costa Adeje, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

Where does the tour finish?

The cruise returns to the same meeting point at Puerto Colón.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately six hours. The initial boarding and briefing take about ten minutes before sailing.

How many people can join the private yacht?

The private boat can accommodate up to nine people, and a minimum of two people is required per booking.

Is the tour conducted in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. Bottled water, snacks, unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks are included. Vegetarian food is available if you request it when booking.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included for use during the cruise.

Can I listen for whales and dolphins?

Yes. Sonar equipment is provided so you can listen for whales and dolphins.

Are whale and dolphin sightings guaranteed?

No. Pilot whales, dolphins, and turtles may be seen, but sightings depend on wildlife and sea conditions and are not guaranteed.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you can receive a full refund or choose a different date. You can also cancel for a full refund if you give at least 24 hours notice before the start time.