Puerto Colon: Whale-Watching Sailing Tour with Meal & a Swim

The best part of this three-hour sailing trip is the chance to see pilot whales close to Tenerife’s coast, then cool off with a swim from the boat. A small group of up to 11 people keeps the outing more personal than a large sightseeing vessel.

I like the combination of wildlife watching and unhurried time at sea. I also like the simple extras: a meal, drinks, sun, and a beach stop. The main consideration is that the live guide speaks Spanish, and wildlife sightings can never be promised. The open ocean may also feel rough to anyone prone to seasickness.

Key points at a glance

• Pilot whales are a real highlight: The boat can reach areas where families of pilot whales swim near Tenerife.
• Mola Mola 2 leaves from Pantalan 1: Look for the boat by name at Puerto Colón.
• A small group makes a difference: With a maximum of 11 people, you get more room and a better chance to speak with the captain.
• Food details depend on the departure: The experience includes a meal and drinks, with paella and cava highlighted, while the onboard description also mentions sandwiches and beer.
• The swim stop adds a welcome change of pace: After time on the Atlantic, you stop near a sandy beach for a swim in the bay.
• You need to bring your own towel: Pack swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, beachwear, and a towel.

Setting out from Puerto Colón on Mola Mola 2

You meet the boat at Pantalan 1 in Puerto Colón. Look for Mola Mola 2, then board for a sailing trip that lasts about three hours from start to finish. The outing returns to the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup.

This is a boat trip rather than a land excursion with hotel transport. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to the marina. That is easy to factor in if you are already staying near Puerto Colón, but it matters if your accommodation is elsewhere in Tenerife.

The group limit is 11 people. That is a useful size for a wildlife trip because you are not competing with a large crowd for every good view. It also gives the captain more room to answer questions and adjust the pace of the outing.

The guide language is Spanish. If you do not speak Spanish, you should consider that before booking. The tour is built around the sea, the scenery, and the wildlife, but explanations from the captain may be limited for anyone who cannot follow Spanish.

Searching the Atlantic for whales and dolphins

Once the boat leaves the marina, the focus turns to the open ocean. Keep your eyes on the water and watch for movement, fins, or a group of animals surfacing together. The trip is designed to look for both dolphins and whales, with the captain using local knowledge to search likely areas.

The most notable sighting connected with this trip is the pilot whale. These animals can travel in family groups, and seeing a group close to the boat can be a powerful moment. One reported outing saw a family nearby, which gives you a sense of what is possible, though it should not be treated as a guarantee for every departure.

Wildlife watching requires patience. You may spend stretches of time simply scanning the sea, listening to the captain, and waiting for a sign of movement. That is part of the experience, not a flaw, but you should book this as a sea outing with a chance of wildlife, not as a guaranteed whale show.

I suggest keeping your camera ready but not staring at the screen. A whale or dolphin can appear for only a few seconds, and you will have a better time if you first watch the water directly. Sunglasses help with glare, and sunscreen is essential because the sun feels stronger on the water.

The boat sails into the open ocean, so conditions can change. If you are sensitive to motion, take that seriously. The tour information does not promise calm water, and a small sailing boat can feel more movement than a large ferry. People who enjoy the feel of the sea will likely appreciate that closeness, while anyone worried about seasickness may prefer to plan carefully.

The captain shapes the wildlife search

A local captain leads the trip and knows the areas where whales and dolphins are often found. That matters more than a fixed route because marine animals do not follow a timetable. The captain can decide where to look and how long to stay focused on the sea.

The captain is also the person who makes the day feel personal. One of the strongest points in the available feedback is the friendly manner and clear explanations from the captain. That praise fits the small-group format well: you are not simply being carried around the coast, but spending time with the person running the boat.

The guide language is Spanish, so communication is an important practical point. If you understand Spanish, you should get more from the explanations about what you are seeing and where the boat is heading. If you do not, the basic structure remains easy to follow, but you may miss some of the commentary.

There is no named captain or guide supplied for this experience, so do not expect a particular individual by name when you book. The boat name, Mola Mola 2, is the detail you need at the dock.

Meal, drinks, and the practical food question

Food is included, but the supplied details describe it in two different ways. The highlights present a Tenerife-style paella with a glass of cava, while the onboard description mentions sandwiches served with beer or another drink while anchored. The safest approach is to expect food and drinks, but confirm the exact menu when booking or before departure.

That distinction may matter to you. If you are booking mainly for a proper paella lunch, ask for clarification about the departure time and meal arrangement. The activity includes lunch or dinner depending on when you sail, and the food may be served differently from one departure to another.

The meal is a useful part of the package because it lets you stay on the water without arranging food separately. You can settle into the boat, enjoy a drink, and take a break from watching the sea. It also makes the outing feel like more than a short wildlife ride.

Still, do not book this solely as a food tour. The main value is the combination of sailing, wildlife watching, and a swim. The meal is an added convenience and a pleasant part of the day, not the reason to choose this trip over every other boat experience.

If you have dietary needs, the supplied information does not explain available alternatives. Ask before booking rather than assuming the paella or sandwiches can be changed.

A swim stop near a sandy beach

On the way back to Puerto Colón, the boat stops near a warm, sandy beach and anchors in the bay. This gives you a chance to leave the lookout position and get into the water.

The swim is a welcome change after time in the open sea. You can cool off, enjoy the bay, and return to the boat for food or a drink. One of the clearest positive details about the outing is the quality of the swimming stop, so this part deserves real weight when you compare boat trips.

Bring your own towel. Towels are not included, and a wet swimsuit can be uncomfortable for the trip back to port. You should also pack swimwear, beachwear, sunscreen, and sunglasses. The instructions specifically recommend all of these items, and the small amount of luggage is easy to manage.

The stop is described as a swim near a sandy beach, not as a long beach visit. You are still on a sailing excursion, so expect time in the water rather than a full afternoon on shore. If swimming is not your main interest, you can treat this as a chance to relax on the boat while others use the water, though the tour is not designed around extensive land time.

What the three-hour timing really gives you

Three hours is a sensible length for this kind of outing. It gives the boat time to leave Puerto Colón, search for wildlife, stop for a swim and food, then return without taking up an entire day.

The timing also keeps the price easier to justify. At $68 per person, you are paying for the boat trip, a small group, a local captain, food, drinks, and the swimming stop. If you used the boat only for a short wildlife search, the price might feel less compelling. With the meal and swim included, it becomes a fuller half-day activity.

You should still judge the value by what you want from Tenerife. This is a good fit if you want several experiences in one outing: Atlantic views, possible whales and dolphins, a meal, and time in the water. It is less suitable if you want guaranteed wildlife, a long beach stay, or a fully guided experience in English.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which is helpful if your plans are still shifting. Check the available starting times when booking, since lunch or dinner depends on the departure.

Who will enjoy this sailing trip most

I would recommend this trip to couples, families with older children, and anyone who prefers a small boat to a crowded excursion vessel. The group limit of 11 gives the trip a quieter feel, and the mix of wildlife and swimming keeps the pace varied.

It also suits people who like a relaxed day on the water. You can sit in the sun, feel the breeze, watch the sea, and let the captain guide the search. You do not need a packed schedule to enjoy it.

Swimming ability is not stated, so you should make your own judgment about the water stop. The outing is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, or visually impaired people. That is important because access to a small sailing boat and the swimming stop may be difficult.

The Spanish-only guide is another clear filter. Spanish speakers should get the most from the captain’s explanations. Everyone else can still follow the basic outing, but language may limit the commentary.

How this compares with a large whale-watching boat

A large boat can offer more space and may feel steadier, but this sailing trip gives you a much smaller setting. With only 11 participants, you are closer to the captain and less likely to spend the entire trip behind rows of other passengers.

The tradeoff is comfort in rough conditions. A smaller sailing boat can feel the sea more directly, especially once it reaches open water. I would choose this option if the small group and personal setting matter more to you than maximum stability.

The boat also combines wildlife watching with a swim and meal. Many outings focus on one main activity, but this one gives you several shorter experiences. That variety is helpful if you want a compact introduction to the coast rather than a single-purpose wildlife cruise.

Keep your expectations realistic. No boat trip can control the animals, the weather, or the exact quality of the view. The captain’s local experience improves the search, but it does not turn the ocean into a scheduled performance.

Small details that make the day easier

Arrive at Puerto Colón with enough time to find Pantalan 1 and identify Mola Mola 2. The meeting point is specific, but a marina can still take a few minutes to navigate if you are unfamiliar with it.

Wear clothes that work for both sun and spray. Beachwear and swimwear are obvious choices, but a light extra layer may be useful if the breeze picks up. The supplied information does not promise storage space, so keep your belongings compact.

Apply sunscreen before boarding and bring it with you if possible. On the water, sun exposure can sneak up on you, especially when you are focused on looking for whales. Sunglasses reduce glare and make it easier to scan the surface.

Most of all, leave room in your schedule for waiting. The best wildlife moments may come after a quiet stretch, and rushing the captain will not help. Treat the boat ride itself as part of the day, not merely transportation to the animals.

Should you book Puerto Colón whale watching?

Book this trip if you want a small-group sailing outing with several elements in one package: possible pilot whales and dolphins, a meal, drinks, sun, and a swim near a sandy beach. The captain’s friendly explanations and the well-liked swimming stop add real value, while the $68 price is reasonable for a three-hour experience with food included.

Think twice if you need English commentary, guaranteed whale sightings, easy wheelchair access, or very calm water. Also confirm the meal details if paella and cava are central to your decision, since the description also refers to sandwiches and beer.

For the right reader, this is a relaxed and varied way to spend part of a Tenerife day. Bring a towel, accept that nature sets the timetable, and choose it for the full sea experience rather than a promise of constant wildlife action.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching sailing tour start?

The tour starts at Pantalan 1 in Puerto Colón. Look for the boat named Mola Mola 2.

How long does the sailing tour last?

The activity lasts three hours and ends back at the meeting point in Puerto Colón. Starting times depend on availability.

Are meals and drinks included?

Yes. Food and drinks are included, with lunch or dinner depending on the departure time. The information highlights paella and cava, and also describes sandwiches with beer or another drink, so confirm the exact meal details when booking.

Can I swim during the tour?

Yes. The boat stops near a sandy beach and anchors in the bay for a swim.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear. A towel is not provided.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The experience is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, or visually impaired people.