No chase Whale & Dolphin tour putting Marine Life first – we care

The best thing about this Tenerife whale and dolphin trip is its strict no chase policy. The Bahriyeli does not pursue animals for a closer photograph. Instead, the crew looks for resident pilot whales and dolphins, then lets the boat’s quiet presence do the work. That makes sightings less predictable, but far more respectful.

I like two things right away: the 23-meter Bahriyeli is a traditional two-mast Turkish gulet rather than a small, cramped speedboat, and the tour supports marine protection through its work with Sea Shepherd UK, also known as Neptune’s Pirates UK. The crew also includes certified marine life specialists who can identify what you see.

The tradeoff is simple. Wild animals set the timetable. You could see dolphins circling the boat, pilot whales surfacing nearby, and even a turtle, or you could get only distant fins. Two hours is a sensible length, but it is still a wildlife trip, not a guaranteed show.

Key points at a glance

• A traditional Turkish gulet: The Bahriyeli is a 23-meter, two-mast sailing boat with a salon, toilets, and a bar area.
• Wildlife comes first: The crew follows a no chase policy and does not promise close encounters.
• Resident pilot whales: Tenerife’s southern waters are known for regular pilot whale sightings, with dolphins often sharing the trip.
• A scenic coastal setting: You’ll look back toward Tenerife’s south coast and up to Mount Teide, Spain’s tallest mountain.
• A short, manageable outing: The cruise lasts about two hours, useful if you are cautious about seasickness or have a busy day.
• Practical family option: Service animals and pets are allowed, and most people can take part.

Setting sail from Los Cristianos

The meeting point is at Los Cristianos, identified by the location code 27XJ+JG. You return to the same place after the cruise, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup point.

Plan to arrive early. Parking around the pier can be very difficult, and the boat may be busy. One especially important warning is that a weather cancellation on an earlier day can create extra demand on the next sailing. Getting there ahead of time gives you a better chance to board calmly and find a useful viewing position.

The Bahriyeli is a Turkish gulet, a traditional wooden sailing design with two masts. You are not simply stepping onto a basic harbor boat. The larger hull gives you room to move around, while the indoor salon offers shelter from wind, sun, and spray. A toilet is available onboard, and a bar area may offer drinks, although food and beverages are not included in the ticket.

The maximum group size is listed as 136 people. That is not a small private cruise, so do not expect a quiet boat with a personal guide beside every seat. On the other hand, the size of the vessel helps explain why the trip includes a salon and onboard facilities.

The first hour: coast, sea, and patient watching

The cruise begins with views of Tenerife’s southern coast. This is valuable even before any animals appear. You get a different view of the island from the water, with the volcanic slopes rising inland and Mount Teide visible above them when conditions allow.

The boat then reaches the marine area where resident pilot whales and dolphins are commonly sought. The crew watches the surface and communicates sightings to the group. Because the Bahriyeli does not chase animals, the captain may wait, adjust position gently, or move on if wildlife does not want to approach.

That waiting is part of the experience. It can also be the least exciting part. You may spend much of the two hours looking at open water, with the occasional splash, bird, jellyfish, or distant fin. If you need constant action, this may feel slow. If you want to see animals behaving on their own terms, the slower pace is the point.

The crew can explain what you see and identify different species. The information available for the tour names pilot whales, sperm whales, fin whales, several dolphin species, turtles, jellyfish, and marine birds as possible sightings. Migration routes also bring other species through these waters. None of them is guaranteed on a particular departure.

Some trips produce excellent encounters. Pilot whale pods have come close enough for clear views, and bottlenose dolphins have been seen circling the boat. On other departures, dolphins remain elusive and whales surface far away. You should think in terms of a chance to observe marine life, not a scheduled animal performance.

Pilot whales and dolphins without the pursuit

Pilot whales are the main resident attraction. When a pod surfaces nearby, the sight can be surprisingly calm. You may see a dark back rise, a blow, and then the animal disappear again. A female and young whale may remain at the surface for a while, giving you time to understand what you are seeing.

Dolphins can behave differently. Bottlenose dolphins and Atlantic Ocean dolphins may pass close to the boat, circle it, or appear only briefly. The no chase policy means the crew will not race after a pod that moves away. That can result in a shorter sighting, but it prevents the frantic boat maneuvers found on some wildlife excursions.

This approach also affects photography. You might get a beautiful close view, but you might not get the perfect image. Keep your phone ready, yet spend some time watching without it. Whales and dolphins do not wait for a camera to focus.

The crew’s identification work adds value when it is done well. Pictures of whale and dolphin breeds can help you tell one species from another, and multilingual commentary makes the explanations accessible to more people. The guide’s role is not only to point and shout when something surfaces. It is to help you understand the animal’s shape, movement, and place in the local waters.

The quality of commentary may vary during a particular departure. Some passengers have found the explanations detailed and clear, while others wanted more marine facts and longer talks. Wind can also make announcements hard to hear from the upper deck. If hearing every explanation matters to you, sit in the lower salon or near the front lower area when possible.

Mount Teide and the south coast from the water

Mount Teide gives the boat ride a second subject beyond wildlife. At 3,715 meters, it is Spain’s tallest mountain, and from the coast it rises dramatically above the island. Views depend on cloud, haze, and your position offshore, but the mountain adds scale to the trip.

The south coast also looks different from the sea. Resorts and harbor buildings become part of a wider volcanic shoreline, while the boat provides a clear angle back toward the island. This makes the cruise worthwhile even during a quieter wildlife period.

The Bahriyeli itself adds atmosphere. A traditional gulet feels more relaxed than a fast, sharply turning vessel. That does not remove all motion, and the Atlantic can still cause seasickness, but several people who felt unwell were helped by the crew. If you are prone to motion sickness, choose a calm-weather departure, stay in the salon when needed, and avoid treating the upper deck as your only option.

Dress for changing conditions. Tenerife can feel warm at the dock, then windy offshore. Bring layers and protection from splashes. The useful combination is light clothing for sun, a warmer layer for wind, and footwear that feels secure on a moving deck.

What the two-hour schedule really gives you

Two hours is a good compromise for many people. It is long enough to reach the wildlife area, spend time watching, and return without turning the whole day into a boat excursion. It is also short enough for families, first-time whale watchers, and anyone worried about seasickness.

The schedule can feel tight when animals appear late. If the boat finds whales or dolphins near the end, the return to port may begin soon afterward. You might see a pod for only a few minutes before the captain has to keep to the departure time. That is frustrating, but it is part of a fixed two-hour trip.

Do not book this excursion expecting a full-day sailing adventure. Food and drinks are not included, souvenir photos cost extra, and the main activity is observing the sea. A bar is available onboard, though you should not rely on it as a full refreshment service. Bringing your own permitted drinks is sensible, but check the crew’s instructions before boarding.

The boat has a large salon where you can escape the elements. This is useful for children, older adults, anyone feeling seasick, and people who need a break from strong sun or wind. Seating can become limited when many people gather on one side for a sighting, so move early when the crew announces activity.

Is $30.23 good value?

At about $30.23 per person, the trip is priced as an accessible wildlife outing rather than a luxury charter. You get the boat ride, a professional guide, marine life commentary, onboard toilets, and the chance to see several kinds of animals. The traditional gulet also gives the experience more character than a basic transport boat.

The value depends on what you count as success. If you see dolphins beside the hull, pilot whales in clear view, and perhaps a turtle, the price feels very strong. If the animals remain distant, you are mainly paying for the boat, the scenery, and the chance to observe wildlife without pursuit.

The environmental purpose improves the value for me. The provider collaborates with Sea Shepherd UK and describes the cruise as an eco-friendly operation focused on protecting marine life and the sea. Part of the excursion cost goes toward donation, according to the tour information. That does not guarantee a better sighting, but it gives the trip a clear ethical reason to choose it over a chase-oriented operator.

Check prices carefully when comparing boats. A low last-minute price reported elsewhere should not be assumed to apply here. The advertised cost can also change with dates and booking conditions, so judge the current price against the length, boat facilities, and conservation policy.

Who should book this cruise?

I would choose this trip if you want a short wildlife outing with a clear ethical rule. It suits families, couples, first-time whale watchers, and anyone who prefers a steady boat with shelter and a toilet. Pet owners may also find it useful because pets are allowed onboard, and service animals are accepted.

It is also a good fit if you want scenery as well as wildlife. The views of Mount Teide and Tenerife’s south coast give you something to enjoy during quiet stretches.

I would be more cautious if your only goal is a close dolphin encounter. No responsible operator can control wild animals, and this boat will not pursue them to improve your photographs. The maximum capacity of 136 people also means you should not expect an intimate outing.

If you are sensitive to noise or crowds, arrive early and position yourself thoughtfully. A loud group can affect the atmosphere, and standing room may become limited when an animal appears on the opposite side of the boat. The large salon gives you a retreat, but it may not provide a perfect view during every sighting.

Booking, weather, and useful details

Your booking confirmation is issued at the time of purchase. The tour is offered in English, with multilingual crew members helping cover several other languages onboard.

Most people can participate, and the boat is near public transportation. The supplied information does not list a specific boarding age limit or detailed accessibility arrangement, so contact the provider if you need a particular seating or mobility setup.

The cancellation rule is straightforward. Cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside 24 hours are not accepted and are not refunded.

Weather matters. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same choice applies if the minimum number of people is not reached. Since earlier weather cancellations can affect demand on later sailings, confirm your departure and arrive with time to spare.

Final call: book it for the principle as much as the wildlife

Book the Bahriyeli if you want a reasonably priced, two-hour cruise that puts animal welfare ahead of a guaranteed close-up. The best moments can be excellent: pilot whales surfacing near the boat, dolphins circling without pursuit, a sea turtle crossing the water, or a quiet pod appearing just when the trip seems uneventful.

Do not book it expecting constant commentary, guaranteed dolphins, or a private boat. Conditions, animal behavior, group size, and seating all affect the day. For many people, the combination of a traditional gulet, Mount Teide views, expert identification, and a firm no chase rule makes the uncertainty a fair exchange.

FAQ

Where does the whale and dolphin tour depart?

The tour begins at the meeting point in Los Cristianos, Tenerife, identified as 27XJ+JG Los Cristianos.

Where does the boat trip finish?

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

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately two hours.

What type of boat is used?

The Bahriyeli is a 23-meter, two-mast Turkish gulet, also described as a traditional Bahriyeli schooner sailing boat.

Does the crew chase whales or dolphins?

No. The tour follows a strict no chase policy and allows the animals to remain in control of the encounter.

What animals might I see?

Possible sightings include resident pilot whales, dolphins, sperm whales, fin whales, turtles, jellyfish, and marine birds. Sightings are not guaranteed.

Is Mount Teide visible during the tour?

The cruise includes views of Tenerife’s south coast and the chance to see Mount Teide, Spain’s tallest mountain. Visibility depends on conditions.

Are food and drinks included?

Food and drinks are not included unless specifically stated. A bar is available onboard, and souvenir photos can be purchased separately.

Is there shelter on the boat?

Yes. The boat has a large salon where you can get away from sun, wind, and spray.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded. If bad weather or insufficient numbers cancel the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund.