Sealife Dolphin & Whale Watching aboard Portuguese schooner

The best part of this Tenerife outing is the boat itself. You sail aboard an authentic Portuguese wooden schooner, a much more memorable setting than a standard white tour catamaran, while the crew searches for pilot whales and dolphins off Los Cristianos. I like the open upper deck and the chance to take photos without a roof or cabin window in the way. I also like that food and drink are provided, so you can focus on the sea rather than packing a picnic.

The main caution is that wildlife is never guaranteed, and the boat may spend a long time waiting in one area. One account found the whale and dolphin search dull, while others praised the crew, explanations, meal, and close sightings. Confirm exactly what lunch includes when you book, since there has been some confusion about the meal and extra cocktails.

Key points to know before you book

• A genuine Portuguese schooner: The wooden sailing vessel gives the trip a traditional, pirate-story feel that you will not get on a basic motorboat.
• Pilot whales and dolphins first: The main purpose is to search for cetaceans near Los Cristianos, with sightings dependent on nature.
• Lunch and swimming afterward: The boat anchors along the coast for a meal and a swim in the open Atlantic.
• Upper deck for sun and photos: You can relax above deck and enjoy unobstructed views during the cruise.
• Small enough to feel personal, but not tiny: The maximum group size is 60 people.
• Check the food details: Food and drink are included, but extra cocktails may be offered, and the exact lunch arrangement should be confirmed.

Sailing from Los Cristianos on a wooden schooner

The trip begins at 10:00 a.m. at the Fishermen’s Wharf in Puerto Los Cristianos, in Arona. This is the departure harbor, and the boat returns to the same meeting point after the cruise.

The schooner is the star before the wildlife even appears. Its traditional wooden design recalls old sailing ships and the pirate tales linked with the Atlantic islands. You are not booking a luxury yacht or a fast whale-searching craft. You are choosing a slower, more atmospheric boat with a family-cruise feel.

That distinction matters. The vessel has a large central table, two onboard services, and an upper deck for relaxing and sunbathing. You can move around rather than remain fixed in one seat, though space and views may change depending on how full the boat is. With a maximum of 60 people, it is not an intimate private sail, but it is also not an enormous cruise ship.

I would arrive early enough to find the correct harbor area without rushing. There has been a problem with map directions leading some people to the wrong location, although the crew was able to help and wait in one case. The practical lesson is simple: use the written meeting point, Puerto Los Cristianos Muelle de Pescadores, rather than relying only on an online map pin.

Searching for pilot whales and dolphins

The first part of the cruise is devoted to finding cetaceans. The boat heads from Los Cristianos toward the area where a colony of pilot whales and dolphins can often be found.

This is the part that requires the right expectations. You are going out to look for wild animals, not visiting an aquarium with a scheduled performance. The crew may need to slow down or remain in roughly the same area while watching the water. If you enjoy the patience and uncertainty of wildlife watching, that can be rewarding. If you need constant movement and activity, the pace may feel quiet.

Several kinds of sightings are possible, but no fixed number of animals or viewing distance is promised. One outing produced sightings of both dolphins and whales, and the onboard explanations were praised as clear and useful. Another account described seeing a few animals but felt the boat spent too long in one place. Both reactions are fair. The same waiting period that feels exciting to one person can feel repetitive to another.

Bring your camera, but do not spend the whole time looking through it. The open deck gives you a better chance at unobstructed photographs than a boat with enclosed viewing windows, yet wildlife appears without warning. Keep your eyes on the water and use your phone when the opportunity comes.

The crew’s role is important here. The strongest feedback points to friendly staff and good explanations, including an energetic response when a turtle needed help. That does not turn the outing into a rescue tour, but it suggests that the crew pays attention to what is happening around the boat.

Lunch at anchor and a swim in the Atlantic

After the wildlife search, the schooner sails toward the coast and anchors for lunch. This changes the mood from watchful wildlife trip to relaxed boat outing.

Food and drink are stated as included. A meal described from the cruise consisted of rice, chicken drumsticks, salad, bread rolls, and one drink. That is useful context because you should expect a straightforward boat lunch, not a restaurant meal with several choices.

There is also an open bar onboard. The wording can be read in different ways, so I would not assume every cocktail is included. One account complained that staff tried to sell different cocktails after lunch and that no lunch was provided. Other accounts specifically praised the meal. Since these details conflict, ask before departure what food, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks are covered by your fare, and which cocktails cost extra.

The swim stop is about 15 minutes according to one account. That makes it a pleasant chance to cool off, but not a long beach-style swimming session. The boat anchors in open Atlantic water, so you should be comfortable entering the sea from the vessel. The information provided does not specify the exact entry arrangement, water temperature, or equipment, so ask the crew if you need those details.

For families, the stop can be a welcome break after the wildlife search. Children who grow restless while the boat is waiting may enjoy the chance to get into the water. Still, keep in mind that the overall experience remains a maritime cruise. Swimming is one short part of it, not the central activity.

What the open deck adds to the experience

The upper deck is useful in two ways. It gives you space to sunbathe between the wildlife search and lunch, and it offers a better position for watching the sea.

On a boat, small differences in seating can shape the whole day. The upper deck may be the place to choose if you want open air and wide views. The central table is more practical for eating and socializing. I would move around when appropriate rather than remain at the table for the entire trip.

The boat’s traditional shape also makes the cruise feel less like transport and more like an outing in its own right. You get the sound and look of an old sailing vessel, along with stories of pirates and past seafaring. The boat is not presented as a restored museum piece, so do not book it for a formal history lesson. Its value is atmosphere.

The trip is offered in English. The crew also provides explanations during the wildlife portion, which helps you understand what you are looking at rather than simply hearing that an animal has appeared.

Is the $57.96 price good value?

At $57.96 per person, the price is reasonable if you value the schooner, included food, open bar, swimming stop, and a roughly two-hour outing. It becomes less attractive if you are booking only for guaranteed close whale sightings.

The key value comes from combining several elements in one cruise:

• A distinctive wooden vessel
• Wildlife watching
• A meal and drink
• Time to swim
• An upper deck for relaxing
• A return to the same harbor

A basic wildlife trip may offer more time focused only on animals, while a larger boat may provide more room or faster movement. This cruise trades some efficiency for character and a fuller family-day format.

The price also needs to be judged against the uncertainty of nature. You may see dolphins and pilot whales, as planned on some departures, but you may also spend much of the search waiting. That is not a fault in itself. It is simply the reality of a wildlife trip. I would book this for the complete boat experience, not as a guaranteed sighting machine.

Because the meal information has been described inconsistently, clarify the inclusions before paying. If lunch is important to you, ask whether it includes the rice, chicken, salad, rolls, and drink, and ask which bar items carry an added charge.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it most strongly to families and couples who want a relaxed half-day-style outing with several parts to it. The wooden boat, simple meal, wildlife search, and swim make it easy to enjoy without planning several separate activities.

It also suits people who like traditional vessels and open-air sea views. If you want photographs, the unobstructed deck is useful. If you enjoy watching the crew work and listening to explanations, the wildlife portion has more interest than a simple sightseeing ride.

The cruise may be less suitable if you need a fast-moving schedule. One account found it boring because the vessel stayed near the coast for a long period, even though dolphins appeared and the meal was good. That criticism is worth taking seriously. The experience is intentionally calm and dependent on animal behavior.

It may also disappoint you if you expect a long swim. The swimming period can be short, around 15 minutes, and the main aim remains cetacean observation.

Timing, group size, and weather concerns

The stated duration is about two hours, although the description of the meal and swimming stop suggests a compact outing with several stages. One account referred to three hours on the water, so allow some flexibility rather than scheduling an important appointment immediately afterward.

The maximum group size is 60 people. That is large enough for a lively family atmosphere, but small enough to avoid the scale of a major sightseeing ship. The central table and upper deck give you different places to spend the trip.

Good weather is required. If poor conditions cancel the cruise, you are offered another date or a full refund. The activity also requires a minimum number of participants, and a cancellation for that reason brings the same choice of another date, another experience, or a full refund.

You can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before the 10:00 a.m. start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off follows local Tenerife time.

Practical advice for a smoother day

Use the exact Puerto Los Cristianos meeting point and allow time to find the Fishermen’s Wharf. The wrong map location has caused confusion, so double-check the harbor before leaving your accommodation.

Wear clothing that works for both sun and sea spray. The upper deck is exposed, and the trip includes time outside. Bring sun protection and a towel if you intend to swim. These are sensible preparations for a boat outing, even though food and drink are provided.

Keep your camera ready, but do not expect a staged wildlife encounter. Dolphins and whales can appear quickly and disappear just as fast. If you are prone to motion sickness, ask about the vessel and sea conditions before booking, since the supplied details do not state what motion-sickness arrangements are available.

Finally, ask about the bar before ordering. The open bar is a useful inclusion, but cocktails may be offered as paid extras. A quick question can prevent a surprise on the final bill.

Should you book the Portuguese schooner cruise?

Book it if you want a characterful boat ride with wildlife watching, lunch, a short swim, and time in the sun. The schooner gives the trip a sense of occasion, and the best outings combine whale and dolphin sightings with friendly explanations and a good meal.

Think twice if your only goal is close wildlife photography or nonstop action. Sightings are not guaranteed, and the boat may spend a long time waiting in one area. I would also confirm the lunch and drink details before booking, since that is the clearest point of uncertainty.

For families, couples, and anyone who prefers a traditional boat to a plain motorized excursion, this is a solid choice at $57.96. Go with patience, check the meeting point, and treat the animals as a lucky part of the day rather than a promise.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

It departs from Puerto Los Cristianos, at Muelle de Pescadores in the port of Los Cristianos, Arona, Tenerife.

What time does the cruise start?

The stated start time is 10:00 a.m.

Where does the cruise finish?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point in the port of Los Cristianos.

How long does the experience last?

The stated duration is approximately two hours. Allow extra flexibility, since one account described spending about three hours on the water.

What animals does the cruise search for?

The cruise searches for pilot whales and dolphins.

Is food included?

Food and drink are listed as included. A meal described for the cruise included rice, chicken drumsticks, salad, bread rolls, and one drink. Confirm the exact inclusions before departure because paid cocktails may also be offered.

How many people can join the boat trip?

The maximum group size is 60 people.

What happens if the cruise is canceled because of weather?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund. The same options apply if the minimum number of participants is not reached.