Whales show up fast here. This whale and dolphin watching sailing trip from Puerto Colón, Tenerife feels like a small-yacht day—maximum 11 people—with captains such as Guy who search respectfully and share what they’re seeing.

I love how this tour pairs wildlife time with ready-to-use snorkeling equipment, so your swim stop is actually useful, not just a quick dip. I also like the onboard hospitality: a glass of Champagne plus snacks and unlimited drinks keep the mood relaxed while you’re out on open water.

One thing to consider: marine sightings and how long you truly get in the water can shift with conditions, and some people felt the “premium” side (snacks and the swim/snorkel experience) didn’t always match the price.

Key things to know before you go

• Maximum 11 travelers keeps it calmer than the big-deck tours and makes it easier to hear the captain
• Champagne plus unlimited drinks (beer, wine, soft drinks) with light bites and a freshly made sandwich
• Snorkeling gear included, so you can jump in when they offer water time
• Captains like Guy, Alex, Maximilian, and Dani steer the trip and work to spot pilot whales, dolphins, turtles, and even sharks
• Quiet wildlife watching habits, including slowing down and sometimes turning the boat off to let you watch in peace
• Bring towel, swimwear, and sunscreen, because you’ll have a real chance to swim, weather-permitting

A Small-Group Sailing Trip From Puerto Colón

Your day starts in Puerto Colón, Costa Adeje area, at Pantalan 2, Gate 2. Aim to arrive 15 minutes early—this matters because the whole experience runs on a tight 3-hour clock once you’re pulling away.

What you’re buying here is not a big party cruise. With a max of 11 travelers, the boat feels more like a hosted outing than a cattle-line boat trip. That smaller size also helps on wildlife time: if a pilot whale pod is nearby, you’re not listening through noise and shoulder-checking crowds.

It’s also the kind of tour where the captain really sets the tone. I saw repeat mentions of Captain Guy as a friendly naturalist-style host who keeps an eye on the group, shares ocean info, and stays mindful about how close the boat gets. Other groups also described captains such as Alex, Maximilian, and Dani, with the same theme: find wildlife, but don’t treat it like a show.

What’s On Board: Champagne, Unlimited Drinks, and Real Food

The onboard menu is one of the biggest reasons this sailing trip punches above its price point.

You should expect:

• a glass of Champagne
• light refreshments/snacks, including a freshly made sandwich
• unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks
• snacks like strawberries showed up in some groups alongside the sparkling drink

One practical takeaway: because drinks are unlimited, you don’t have to manage your money or order timing mid-cruise. You can focus on looking outward for spouts and fins, then eat and drink when you come back from the swim stop.

Vegetarian travelers are also supported. If you’re vegetarian, you need to tell the provider at booking so the onboard snack and sandwich plan matches your needs.

A balanced note, though: a few people felt the food portion didn’t feel as “premium” as they expected for the cost. You’re getting a freshly made sandwich and light snacks, not a full buffet meal. If you come hungry, it’s smart to eat something light before you arrive.

How Whale and Dolphin Searching Actually Feels

Wildlife is the whole point, and the right expectation is simple: you’re searching in their natural habitat, not collecting guaranteed sightings.

On Tenerife cruises like this, the stars often include pilot whales. Multiple groups reported a close, memorable encounter, including pods with babies. Dolphins also show up sometimes—some people got them right alongside the boat—while other outings focused mostly on whales (with dolphins and turtles appearing less often).

Here’s what I like about how this tour is described and how captains run it: the better captains don’t just point. They steer you to the right water, then keep the boat in the right posture so you can watch calmly. Some groups specifically mentioned the captain turning the boat off to reduce disturbance and let everyone enjoy a quieter moment.

If you want to maximize your odds during the search, do the boring things:

• stay seated and look where the captain is scanning
• don’t crank your phone up so bright that it ruins your night-vision habits (yes, it happens even in daylight)
• pay attention quickly when the captain calls something out

Also, if you get sea-shy easily, tell the captain early. One group mentioned the captain checked in for possible sea sickness and offered practical tips. That kind of attention can make the difference between a fun outing and a “just get me back” outing.

The Swimming and Snorkeling Stop: Included Gear, Mixed Conditions

This is a swim-and-snorkel cruise, and the key practical detail is that snorkeling equipment is included. That means you’re not gambling money on rentals once you’re already on the water.

Bring:

• towel
• swimwear
• sunscreen

What you’ll do with the snorkel gear depends on conditions and how the captain positions the boat. Some guests described a quick swim opportunity. Others wanted more snorkeling time or found that the water stop location limited what they could see underwater.

So, I’d set your expectations like this: the snorkel gear is provided, but the quality of what you see and the length of the water time can vary with sea state and distance from shore.

Two more realistic points from the trip style:

• If the water is chilly or choppy, you might find it harder to spend time underwater, even with the equipment
• The captain’s decision on whether to snorkel may come down to what’s actually visible and safe at that moment

If your top goal is a long, shore-close reef snorkel experience, this may not replace a dedicated snorkeling excursion. But if you want a boat day where you get a real chance to get in the water during a whale watch cruise, it’s a strong add-on.

The 3-Hour Pace and Route Vibe Around Tenerife

The tour runs for about 3 hours. That’s long enough to do more than just cruise past a coastline, but short enough that the day stays easy—even for families.

In practice, your time breaks into:

• meet, hop aboard, and head out from Puerto Colón
• search for wildlife across the Tenerife waters
• enjoy the onboard snacks/drinks
• one swimming stop with snorkeling gear available
• return back to the meeting point

A few groups noted that even though it’s a sailing boat, they didn’t always feel full sailing the whole time and were mostly cruising/motoring. That doesn’t mean it’s less enjoyable—it just means don’t plan your whole mood around being “under sail” the entire trip.

If the boat is calm, the coastline views are the bonus. People also described the trip as relaxing and peaceful, especially when the captain slows down for watching instead of pushing a strict timeline every minute.

Price and Value: Why This Costs More (and When It’s Worth It)

At $78.44 per person, this isn’t a budget activity. The value comes from what you’re getting bundled in—plus the small group size.

You’re paying for:

• a small max group (11 travelers)
• a hosted search for whales and dolphins
• snorkeling equipment included
• unlimited drinks and Champagne
• light food with a freshly made sandwich

If you compare it to paying for a boat ticket plus separate drink/snack expenses plus snorkeling rentals, the total adds up quickly. Also, with a smaller boat, you often feel closer to the action without feeling crammed.

Now the fair part: some guests felt the experience didn’t feel fully premium—either because food felt lighter than expected, snorkeling didn’t deliver as much as hoped, or because the wildlife time (especially for dolphins) was shorter than they expected during a 3-hour window. Wildlife timing is never fully controllable, so it’s smart to go in flexible.

My advice for judging value: if you’d be happy with pilot whales as a main highlight even without guaranteed dolphins, the tour is more likely to feel worth it. If dolphins and lots of snorkeling are non-negotiable, you may want to compare other Tenerife wildlife options too.

Who Should Book This (and Who Might Want Another Option)

This sailing trip fits best if you want:

• a smaller, calmer boat outing
• a hosted wildlife experience with a captain who respects animals
• onboard comfort with unlimited drinks and light food
• a chance to swim and use snorkeling gear

It also works for many different travelers. The tour notes that most travelers can participate, and service animals are allowed. Children can join, but must be accompanied by an adult. Vegetarian options are available if you request them at booking.

Who should think twice:

• If you’re extremely sea-sickness-prone, be careful. One review mentioned stronger effects than expected. Even if seas aren’t obviously rough, your body might disagree. Consider motion-sickness medication and sit where you feel steadier on the boat.
• If you expect a long, detailed snorkeling session every time, note that conditions can limit what happens during the water stop.
• If your idea of premium means a huge food spread, remember: you’re getting light refreshments and a sandwich, not a full meal program.

Before You Go: Practical Tips That Make the Day Smoother

The “do this, not that” part is simple, but it matters.

Arrive early. The provider asks you to be at Gate 2 about 15 minutes before departure. That’s the difference between relaxed boarding and rushing on a dock.

Pack smart for water time. Bring a towel, swimwear, and sunscreen. If you forget sunscreen, you’re stuck doing the squint-and-burn routine while you watch the captain scan the horizon.

Think about your comfort. Even a relaxing sail boat ride can feel noticeable if you’re sensitive to motion. If you start feeling off, tell the captain right away. Several guests highlighted captains checking in with sea-sickness concerns and helping with practical tips.

Plan for wildlife spontaneity. Wildlife doesn’t follow your schedule. If you see pilot whales, treat it like the main event. If dolphins show up too, that’s a bonus, not a failure condition.

Should You Book It? My Honest Take

Book this tour if you want a small-group whale and dolphin watching sailing experience from Puerto Colón, with Champagne, unlimited drinks, a freshly made sandwich, and snorkeling gear included. You’re likely to leave happy if your main goal is time on the water with a captain who looks for marine life thoughtfully and gives you a chance to swim when conditions allow.

Skip or shop around if you’re laser-focused on guaranteed dolphins every time, long snorkeling visibility, and a big “premium meal” experience. Wildlife and water stops can be short or limited by the day’s conditions, so you need to be flexible.

If you pick a day with decent weather and you’re okay with the uncertainty of the ocean, this is one of the better ways to spend a Tenerife afternoon.

FAQ

How long is the whale and dolphin watching sailing tour?

The duration is about 3 hours.

Where is the meeting point?

You meet at Puerto Colón, Pantalan 2, Gate 2, in Costa Adeje, Tenerife. The tour ends back at the meeting point.

Is pickup available from hotels or other locations?

Pickup is offered if you’re within a 10 km radius, but you must contact the provider at least 24 hours in advance. If you don’t need pickup, go directly to Gate 2.

What food and drinks are included?

You get a glass of Champagne, light refreshments/snacks including a freshly made sandwich, and unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included for you to use during the swimming time.

What happens if the weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

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