Tenerife: Sailing Excursion with Whale and Dolphin Watching

The best part of this Tenerife outing is the chance to watch pilot whales at sea level from a 52-foot sailing yacht, rather than from a large sightseeing boat. The captain may cut the engine near the animals, giving you a quieter view while you look for dolphins, turtles, and whale calves along the southern coast.

I like the small-group feel, which leaves room to sit near the bow or spread out on deck. I also like the simple finish: fresh fruit, sandwiches, drinks, and a swim stop in a secluded bay. One thing to consider is the sea state. Several departures had large waves, so motion sickness can be an issue, and there may not always be enough wind to sail under canvas.

Key points

• Pilot whale watching: Southern Tenerife is a strong area for sightings, and the boat may stop its engine to avoid disturbing the animals.
• A 52-foot yacht: You get a more intimate setting than on a crowded excursion boat, with room to move around.
• Swimming in a secluded bay: The final stop allows time to swim, snorkel, or simply enjoy the water.
• Food and drinks included: Fresh fruit, sandwiches, water, soft drinks, juices, beer, wine, and cava are provided.
• Small-group atmosphere: Past departures have carried as few as seven people and about ten people plus crew.
• Practical meeting point: Meet 15 minutes early at Pantalán, dock number zero, in Puerto Colón.

Pilot whales along Tenerife’s southern coast

This is not just a sightseeing cruise with a chance of spotting something far away. The main purpose is to reach the sea area where pilot whales and dolphins are often found, then spend time watching them in their natural setting.

Pilot whales are the star of the trip. You might see adults traveling with smaller whales, as well as groups moving together near the yacht. Dolphins are also possible, and turtles have been spotted close to the boat. Sightings are never guaranteed, of course, since these are wild animals, but the excursion takes place in an area known for regular marine life encounters.

I especially like the approach described by several captains: when the yacht reaches whales, the motor can be turned off so the animals decide how close they want to come. That makes the encounter feel less like a chase. You may hear the water, the wind, and the reactions of the people around you instead of a constantly running engine.

The crew also explains the marine life and points out areas where dolphins and whales are commonly seen. Guides named Alex, Jesus, Mauricio, Marta, Monica, and Yuri have all been praised for being friendly, attentive, and well informed about the ocean. The exact guide depends on the departure, but you can expect the tour to include commentary in English, Spanish, French, or Italian.

A 52-foot yacht instead of a crowded boat

The yacht is 52 feet long, large enough to feel stable in normal conditions but still personal enough for the crew to speak with everyone. A few past departures had only seven people aboard, while another had ten people plus crew. That is not the same as a private charter, but it can feel close to one for a price of $88 per person.

The open deck is important here. You can move around to find a good view, sit toward the front, or take a quieter spot while the boat is underway. One useful tip from a past outing is to sit near the front if you are prone to motion sickness. That position worked well for one person who normally gets seasick.

There is a barefoot policy on board, except for health reasons. Wear shoes to reach the marina, but be ready to remove them before or after boarding. Oversize luggage is not allowed, so bring only a small day bag with the items you need.

The yacht does not always sail with the sails up. Wind conditions decide that. Some outings included a beautiful stretch under sail, while another had too little wind for actual sailing. If your main goal is sailing rather than marine life, keep that point in mind. The whale and dolphin watching remains the focus.

What happens during the three-hour outing

You meet at Puerto Colón and should arrive 15 minutes before departure. The entry is at Pantalán, dock number zero. The meeting instructions suggest searching for Miishi Restaurant, which is a useful landmark inside the port.

After a short briefing, the captain and guide explain the plan. You then leave the marina and follow the southern Tenerife coast toward the whale and dolphin area. The first portion is about getting into open water, finding the animals, and enjoying the view back toward the island.

The pace is not built around a long list of shore stops. You spend your time on the water, moving between marine life viewing and the later swim break. That makes the trip a good fit if you want a calm half-day activity rather than a packed sightseeing schedule.

When whales or dolphins appear, the crew points them out and shares information about the species. The best moments may be brief, or they may last long enough for several people to watch the same group. On one outing, so much time was spent with pilot whales that only about ten minutes remained for swimming. That is worth knowing: the crew may give priority to a special wildlife encounter, and the swim stop can become shorter.

The swim and snorkel stop

Before returning to Puerto Colón, the captain drops anchor in a secluded bay. This is the second main part of the experience and gives you a change of pace after watching the open sea.

You can swim, use the basic snorkeling equipment, or stay on deck with a drink. The bay has been described as having clear blue water and a beautiful setting. You should not expect a formal snorkeling lesson or a guided reef tour. The equipment is basic, and the activity is mainly a relaxed swim stop.

Bring your own towel, swimsuit, sunglasses, hat, and sunscreen. Sunscreen matters even when the air feels mild, since you are exposed on the deck for much of the three hours. The boat provides water and other drinks, but bringing a personal bottle of water is still a sensible choice.

The amount of swimming time depends on the wildlife portion and the day’s conditions. If you are booking this mainly for a long swim, ask about timing before departure. If you see a large group of whales, the captain may reasonably spend more time watching them.

Fruit, sandwiches, and drinks on deck

The food is straightforward and useful rather than a full meal. Fresh fruit and sandwiches are included, and the crew may prepare or serve them when the sailing schedule allows. Drinks include water, juices, soft drinks, beer, wine, and cava.

This adds real value to the $88 price. You are paying for a three-hour yacht trip, a live guide, wildlife viewing, a swim stop, basic snorkeling gear, and refreshments. A similar outing with food and drinks can cost more when booked as a private boat, while larger group cruises may offer less space and a less personal feel.

Do not expect a restaurant-style lunch. The food is best treated as a light meal during the trip. If you have dietary needs, the supplied information does not specify special menus, so ask the provider before booking.

Sea conditions and motion sickness

The biggest practical warning is the possibility of a bumpy ride. Southern Tenerife can have calm water, but some outings encountered unusually tall waves. Children on one December departure became seasick, even though they still enjoyed the trip. Another group found the sea bumpy but had a fantastic time overall.

If you often get motion sick, prepare carefully. Sit toward the front, keep your eyes on the horizon, and avoid arriving with a heavy meal in your stomach. The yacht can feel comfortable, but no boat can remove the movement of open water.

Conditions also affect sailing. You may get a peaceful stretch with the sails raised, or the captain may need to use the motor for much of the trip. The wildlife and the coastline remain the main reasons to book, so treat sailing under canvas as a welcome bonus rather than a promise.

Is the group size right for you?

This excursion suits you if you prefer a quieter boat with room to move. A small group makes it easier to hear the guide, ask questions, and get a clear view when an animal surfaces. It also creates a more social setting without the feeling of being packed onto a large vessel.

Families can enjoy it, but young children should be comfortable around boats and waves. The experience is wheelchair accessible, though the barefoot policy and the physical layout of a yacht may make personal planning important. Confirm the exact boarding arrangements if you use a wheelchair.

Couples and small groups of friends are likely to appreciate the relaxed mood. You can sit together, share a drink, watch the coast, and switch between wildlife viewing and swimming without a full day commitment.

This is less suitable if you need a guaranteed dolphin sighting, a long snorkeling session, or a completely smooth ride. It is also not the right choice if you want to visit Los Gigantes, since this route does not include that sight.

Getting to Puerto Colón

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to reach Puerto Colón yourself, so allow extra time if you are coming from another part of Tenerife.

The marina has two parking areas, with parking costing about €1 per hour. Search for Miishi Restaurant to help locate the meeting area, then find dock number zero, Pantalán. Arriving 15 minutes early is important because a marina can take longer to navigate than expected.

Because oversize luggage is not allowed, leave suitcases at your accommodation. Bring a small bag with your towel, swimwear, sun protection, and sunglasses. The barefoot rule means you should also wear easy-to-remove footwear for the journey to the dock.

The experience is offered in English, Spanish, French, and Italian. You can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want.

How the $88 price compares in real terms

At $88 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water in Tenerife. Its value comes from what is bundled into the three hours and from the smaller yacht setting.

You receive the sailing excursion, a live multilingual guide, whale and dolphin searching, a swim stop, basic snorkeling gear, sandwiches, fresh fruit, and a broad selection of drinks. You also avoid paying separately for a meal and a short boat ride.

The price makes the most sense if you value space and a calmer group atmosphere. It is especially fair for couples or small groups who want something more personal than a large coastal cruise but do not want to pay private-charter prices.

The value is weaker if you mainly want to swim or if you need guaranteed sailing time. Wind and wildlife decide how the schedule unfolds. I would book it for the combination of marine life, yacht time, food, and a swim, not for one single feature.

Who should book this yacht trip?

I would recommend it to you if you want to see Tenerife from the water and care about respectful wildlife watching. The captains have been praised for leaving animals room and turning off the engine when appropriate, which adds to the quality of the encounter.

It is also a good pick for a special morning or afternoon during a beach holiday. Three hours is long enough to feel like a proper outing without taking over your entire day.

Families should prepare for waves, and anyone sensitive to motion should use sensible precautions. Bring the required items, pack light, and accept that the swim may be short if the whale watching is especially good.

Should you book it?

Book this Tenerife sailing excursion if you want a small-group yacht trip with strong chances of seeing pilot whales, plus the possibility of dolphins and turtles. The crew’s friendly care, the quiet approach to wildlife, and the included food and drinks make the $88 price reasonable.

Skip it if you want a guaranteed smooth ride, a long snorkeling session, or a fixed sailing route with no changes. For most people who can handle open water, this is a well-balanced three-hour experience, and the wildlife encounters may become the highlight of your Tenerife stay.

FAQ

How long is the Tenerife sailing excursion?

The excursion lasts three hours.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $88 per person.

Where does the boat leave from?

The meeting point is Puerto Colón, at Pantalán, dock number zero.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive 15 minutes before the activity starts.

What marine life might I see?

You may see pilot whales, dolphins, and turtles in their natural habitat. Sightings are not guaranteed.

Is swimming included?

Yes. The captain stops in a secluded bay where you can swim, snorkel, or relax.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Basic snorkeling equipment is included.

What food and drinks are included?

Fresh fruit, sandwiches, water, juices, soft drinks, beer, wine, and cava are included.

Is hotel pickup available?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Is the activity suitable for wheelchair users?

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. The boat also has a barefoot policy except in cases of health issues, so confirm any specific boarding needs before departure.