Tenerife: Sailboat Tour with Food and Snorkeling

The best part of this Tenerife boat trip is its scale. The 12-meter Roulette carries no more than 10 passengers, so you get a proper view of the water instead of peering past a crowd. The crew, including captains such as Salvador and Rafa, combines wildlife spotting with a stop for swimming and snorkeling.

I like the quiet sailing time, especially when the crew can switch off the engine and let the boat move under sail. I also like the care taken with food and drinks: baguette sandwiches, crisps, cake, cava, beer, wine, soft drinks, and water make this feel like a small outing rather than a bare-bones wildlife run.

The main consideration is the Atlantic. Some days bring choppy water, and seasickness is possible. Wildlife is wild, too, so whales and dolphins cannot be promised, though this crew has strong local experience finding them.

Key points to know before booking

• Small boat, maximum 10 passengers: The limited capacity gives you more room, easier wildlife viewing, and a calmer feel than a large excursion boat.
• Pilot whales are a frequent highlight: Dolphins, turtles, seabirds, flying fish, and red fin tuna have also been seen, but sightings are never guaranteed.
• Snorkeling is part of the three-hour outing: Expect time to swim in warm water, usually in a sheltered bay along the Costa Adeje coast.
• Food is more than a token snack: The usual spread includes ham and tomato baguettes, crisps, cake or dessert, and a choice of drinks.
• The crew makes the difference: Salvador, Rafa, Silvio, Jenny, and Yani are among the crew members praised for marine-life knowledge, attentive service, and a friendly manner.
• You meet at Puerto Colón dock 5: Find the Roulette at the first jetty beyond the port parking barrier and arrive 10 minutes before departure.

Why the Roulette feels different from a large whale-watching boat

Puerto Colón has many boat trips, but the Roulette offers a more personal outing. Its capacity is 10 passengers with two crew, and that ratio matters. You can move around the deck without fighting for space, ask questions without shouting, and get a fair chance to look over either side of the boat.

The yacht has three double cabins, two bathrooms, and mats on deck for comfort. You are not booking a luxury cruise with a polished hotel-style interior, but you are getting a real sailing boat with enough room for a small party. Some departures carry six people, while others approach the full 10, so the exact amount of elbow room can vary.

I especially like the absence of the usual party-boat feel. There is no mention of loud music or a packed upper deck. The outing is built around the sea, the coast, and the animals, with conversation and quiet stretches under sail when the wind allows.

The boat may sail for much of the outward and return journey. When the wind is up, you can enjoy the Atlantic without the constant engine noise. If the wind drops or the skipper needs to reach the wildlife area, the engine may be used, so do not treat silent sailing as a guarantee.

Meeting the crew at Puerto Colón

Your starting point is Roulette Charters at Puerto Colón in Costa Adeje. Go to dock number 5, which is the first jetty after passing the port parking barrier. Look for the boat named Roulette and arrive 10 minutes before departure.

This detail is worth taking seriously. Puerto Colón has several piers, and finding the right one can take longer than expected if you arrive at the last minute. Hotel pickup and return are not included, so you need to make your own way to the port.

The live guide service is offered in Spanish, English, French, and German. The crew members named in the feedback include Salvador, Rafa, Silvio, Jenny, and Yani, though the people working your departure may vary. Their role is not just to steer the boat. They explain local geography and marine life, help passengers feel at ease, and keep watch for animals without treating them as a performance on demand.

That last point is important. The best wildlife trips allow animals to remain wild. The crew’s job is to search carefully and respectfully, not to force an encounter.

Sailing along Tenerife’s Costa Adeje coast

Once the Roulette leaves Puerto Colón, the trip opens onto the south coast of Tenerife. From the water, you get a different view of the island’s volcanic shoreline, beaches, and steep coastal scenery. You can also see across toward La Gomera when conditions are clear.

The three-hour format gives the outing a useful balance. You have enough time to get away from the port, search for marine life, stop for a swim, eat, and return without spending an entire day at sea. That makes it easy to fit into a holiday schedule.

The open deck is the place to watch from. Keep your eyes moving, since wildlife can appear on either side of the boat. The crew may position the Roulette so both sides have a chance to see an animal, but a good view can still depend on where you are sitting and how quickly you respond.

This is not a guaranteed whale show. The crew has extensive experience with cetacean sightings, and pilot whales have been a regular highlight on many outings. Dolphins, including bottlenose dolphins and calves, have also appeared close to the boat. Turtles, seabirds, flying fish, and red fin tuna are other possible sightings.

Reports of a pod of 20 to 30 whales show what a superb day can bring. Other departures have seen only some of the expected species. Book this because you enjoy being on the ocean and looking for wildlife, not because you need a fixed list of animals.

Watching pilot whales and dolphins in open water

Pilot whales are the species most often associated with this trip. The crew can explain what you are seeing and share facts about the animals and their surroundings. A pod may surface near the boat, sometimes including calves, and dolphins may play near the bow.

The close scale of the Roulette helps here. A small boat does not guarantee a close encounter, and the skipper must still respect wildlife rules and conditions. But with fewer people onboard, you are less likely to lose the moment behind a forest of heads or phones.

The crew also aims to give both sides a chance to see. On one outing, the boat stayed with groups of pilot whales and dolphins for about 15 minutes each. That kind of patience is more valuable than rushing from one sighting to another.

You may also hear about local geography, the island ecosystem, and the marine species found around Tenerife. This turns the search into something more than a simple photo stop. You begin to understand why the waters off Costa Adeje are such a productive place for marine life, at least from the practical viewpoint offered by the crew.

Bring patience. Wildlife may take time to find, and the sea may be quiet for stretches. Those pauses are part of the outing, not wasted time.

Swimming and snorkeling in a sheltered bay

After the wildlife search, the boat stops for swimming and snorkeling in warm water. The stop is commonly described as about 30 minutes, although the exact timing can depend on sea conditions and the skipper’s decisions.

Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to pack your own mask and fins. You can look for fish close to shore and enjoy a break from sitting on deck. Some outings have included a secluded bay and even a cave to explore, but specific swimming spots can change.

This section works well for families and mixed groups. One person can swim, another can stay on deck, and a child can watch the water without needing to commit to a long beach day. A toddler has taken part in the experience, but you remain responsible for your own children, especially around the water and boat edges.

The stop may not suit everyone. If the sea is choppy, swimming can feel less appealing, and the snorkeling conditions may not be perfect. The tour also does not promise a reef or a huge variety of fish. Think of it as a pleasant sea swim with a chance to see fish, not a specialist snorkeling expedition.

What you actually eat and drink onboard

Food is one of the better value points. The usual meal is simple rather than elaborate: fresh baguettes with ham and tomato, crisps to share, and a slice of cake or another sweet dessert. One account specifically describes Parma ham and tomato on a good baguette, while another mentions Iberian ham sandwiches and gingerbread cake.

That is exactly the right level for a three-hour boat trip. You get something filling after swimming without losing time to a formal meal. The food is also practical to eat on deck, though you should tell the operator about dietary needs in advance. The crew has accommodated requests, but the supplied information does not promise a set menu for every diet.

Drinks include mineral water, wine, cava, beer, and soft drinks. Cava gives the trip a festive touch, while water and nonalcoholic drinks matter more if you are sitting in the sun. Drinks are offered throughout the cruise rather than handed over only once.

Do not expect a restaurant meal or unlimited premium bar. You are paying for a good, generous picnic-style spread that fits the boat and the short schedule. For most people, that is more useful than a fancier menu.

Comfort, motion, and the small drawbacks

The Roulette is designed for comfort, with deck mats, two bathrooms, and room for 10 passengers. Still, it is a sailing boat on the Atlantic, not a stable harbor ferry.

Choppy water has affected some departures. One passenger became seriously seasick, and the crew took care of the situation with patience and practical help. That speaks well of the crew, but it does not remove the risk for you.

If you are prone to motion sickness, prepare before boarding according to your usual routine. Sit where you normally feel best, look toward the horizon, and tell the crew early if you feel unwell. You may have a smoother ride on the return, or the conditions may remain unsettled. No operator can control the sea.

The trip also involves time in direct sun and wind. A hat, sunscreen, light layer, and swimsuit are sensible. Bring only what you need, since deck space is limited. The boat has bathrooms, but do not assume the same storage space you would have on a larger vessel.

Is $68 a fair price for three hours?

At $68 per person, this sits above a basic short boat ride but below the cost of many full-day sailing outings. The price includes the yacht cruise, guide, wildlife search, snorkeling gear, food, and a broad selection of drinks.

The strongest value comes from the limited group size. A cheaper boat may carry far more people, while this one caps the group at 10 passengers. You are also paying for two crew members, one of whom can focus on steering and safety while the other looks after the people onboard.

The food and drinks add real value, especially if you would otherwise buy lunch and drinks separately. The use of the sails can also make the trip feel more like sailing and less like a standard motorboat ride.

The price is less compelling if your only goal is to see a particular animal. Wildlife is never certain, and three hours is not enough to cover every part of Tenerife’s coast. But if you value a small group, a proper sailboat, a swim, lunch, and a calm pace, $68 is a reasonable spend.

Flexible booking helps, too. You can reserve and pay later, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Starting times vary, so check the available departure before arranging the rest of your day.

Who will enjoy this outing most

I would choose this trip for anyone who wants marine wildlife without the scale of a large excursion boat. Couples get a relaxed setting, families get a manageable three-hour plan, and solo visitors can easily chat with the crew and the other passengers.

It also suits people who want variety. You are not spending the entire time watching the sea. The route includes coastal views, wildlife search, sailing, a swim, snorkeling, food, and drinks.

The outing may not be right for you if you dislike boats, cannot tolerate motion, or need guaranteed animal sightings. It is also not a dedicated sailing lesson, fishing trip, or long snorkeling session. The emphasis is on a friendly coastal cruise with wildlife along the way.

For a birthday or another small celebration, the crew has helped make the occasion special, including supplying a cake with candles. That is a nice extra when available, but arrange any special request before the trip rather than assuming it comes automatically.

Should you book the Roulette?

Book it if you want a small, personal boat trip with a serious wildlife focus and enough time for a swim. The pilot whales and dolphins may be the headline, but the real appeal is the complete package: a 12-meter sailboat, attentive crew, open-water scenery, simple lunch, drinks, and snorkeling.

I would be especially happy choosing it over a larger, louder boat. The chance to sail under wind power, sit close to the water, and speak directly with crew members such as Salvador or Rafa gives the trip a more genuine feel.

Just respect the limits. The ocean can be rough, sightings can vary, and the meal is picnic food. Arrive early at dock 5, prepare for motion, and go in ready to enjoy the sea even during quiet wildlife stretches. If that sounds like your kind of afternoon, this is a strong-value choice on Tenerife’s Costa Adeje coast.

FAQ

Where does the sailboat tour begin?

The meeting point is at dock number 5 in Puerto Colón. It is the first jetty past the port parking barrier, and the boat is named Roulette.

How long does the experience last?

The sailboat trip lasts three hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for the departure options.

How many people can join?

The group is limited to 10 participants. The boat carries up to 10 passengers and two crew members.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. The experience includes snacks, sandwiches, desserts, mineral water, wine, cava, beer, and soft drinks.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and the itinerary includes time for swimming and snorkeling in the sea.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to reach Puerto Colón independently and return there at the end of the trip.