Whales and dolphins, plus a swim break. This Tenerife catamaran outing is built for wildlife watching, but it also gives you a real break with time in the water. I like that the drink situation is handled up front (alcohol is included), and I like that you’re not stuck staring from a seat the whole time. One thing to watch: wildlife sightings and how far offshore the boat goes can vary, so keep your expectations flexible.

On a practical level, the setup feels made for comfort. You’re on a large catamaran with room onboard (max 70 travelers), and the tour runs about 3 hours with two departures daily from the marina area. Still, don’t assume your day will run perfectly on rails—one person reported trouble finding the correct boat details and said the onboard comfort setup (like sun loungers) wasn’t as straightforward as they hoped.

Key Things I’d Focus On Before You Go

• Open bar (alcohol included) so you’re not paying for drinks mid-cruise
• Large catamaran, max 70 people for a calmer vibe and more space onboard
• Swim stop in an anchored bay where you actually get out of your seat
• Wildlife spotting with education onboard about species you might encounter
• Food served during the bay stop so you’re not hungry between searching and swimming
• Two daily departures so you can often match it to your day plan

Whale & Dolphin Watching in Tenerife: What This Catamaran Trip Is Really Like

This is a classic Tenerife “go look for whales and dolphins” format, but with a couple of upgrades that matter once you’re out on the water. You’re not just buying a ticket and crossing your fingers while you sip overpriced drinks. Alcoholic beverages are included, and food is served during the stop when the boat anchors in a bay.

The big picture: you spend the first part of the trip searching for wildlife, then you switch into a downshift mode—anchor up, swim, eat, and enjoy the sea time. After that, you head back to the marina. That rhythm is what makes this tour feel good for mixed groups, because not everyone has the same patience for long hours scanning the horizon.

It’s also a long-day-in-miniature. The cruise is only about 3 hours, so if you’re short on time in Tenerife, this is one of the more efficient ways to try for wildlife without committing to an all-day expedition.

Getting There (and Finding the Right Boat) Near Av. de Colón

Your meeting point is Av. de Colón, 11, 38660 Playa de las Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain. It’s also listed as near public transportation, which is helpful if you’re not planning to drive.

Here’s the practical tip: don’t treat the meeting point as the whole story. One critical review mentioned difficulty locating the correct boat because the confirmation didn’t give clear instructions for identifying it. Even if that was a special case, it’s still a smart move to arrive a bit early and get your bearings on the dock area.

What I’d do if I were planning your day:

• Bring your phone with the mobile ticket ready to show.
• Take a screenshot of any boat name or operator details included in your confirmation.
• If anything feels vague, ask staff on-site for the exact vessel for your departure time.

You’ll waste less time that way, and you’ll start the trip relaxed instead of hunting around with wet-weather stress.

The 3-Hour Plan: Search for Wildlife, Then Anchor for Swimming

The trip runs for about 3 hours and there are two departures daily. The day is basically two phases: wildlife search, then an anchored bay break.

Phase 1: Leaving the marina and scanning for whales and dolphins

Once you depart, the crew focuses on spotting whales and dolphins around Tenerife. You’re not left guessing in total silence—your experience includes onboard information about the wildlife you encounter and what species live around the island. That kind of narration can turn a blurry “something’s out there” moment into a “now I know what I’m looking at” moment.

Also, the catamaran format matters here. Catamarans are wide and stable, and that typically helps when you’re standing, taking photos, or trying to spot blows and fins against bright water. It won’t guarantee sightings, but it often makes the experience more comfortable while you wait.

Phase 2: Anchoring in a small bay and switching to swim time

After the search portion, the boat anchors in a small bay. This is when the tour changes pace and becomes more than just watching. You get free time to get out in the water and swim.

Food is served during this bay stop, which means you’re not stuck hungry while you’re waiting for the boat to move again. For many people, this swim portion is the “I actually did something” highlight—especially if you’ve already spent a day walking beaches on land and want a different angle on the sea.

One caution based on a critical review: the swim stop setup can have extra comfort costs. A reviewer reported sun loungers costing around €20, and they said that if you don’t pay for loungers you may end up sitting in a less comfortable arrangement on the boat. That doesn’t mean it will happen to you, but it’s a good reminder to plan for basic comfort and bring a towel or something you’ll be happy sitting on.

Open Bar and Food: Why the Price Can Feel Fair (or Not)

The price is $54.29 per person, and it includes an open bar with alcoholic beverages, plus food. On Tenerife, that inclusion is a big part of the value equation. If you’ve ever been on a water tour where drinks cost extra and meals are basically a snack, this is the more predictable style: you know the “comfort” extras are baked into the ticket.

That said, value isn’t only about what’s included. A negative review complained that the food felt unlovely for the price. I can’t verify quality from a single comment, but it’s still a fair decision factor for you: if food is a top priority, don’t assume it will be a restaurant-level meal. Treat it as a “fuel stop” that helps the experience make sense between wildlife searching and swimming.

Also, consider what you personally count as part of value:

• If you like a glass in hand while you scan the sea, the alcohol inclusion is a genuine win.
• If you prefer to avoid alcohol, the open bar still likely makes the vibe more social and relaxed.
• If you’re picky about meals, mentally budget for simple food.

Large Catamaran Comfort and the Group Size Factor

This tour caps at 70 travelers. That number sounds big on paper, but on a catamaran it can mean you still find a spot to watch from without feeling packed shoulder-to-shoulder the whole time.

The highlights emphasize plenty of room for social distancing. Even if you don’t care about social distancing specifically, space onboard usually means:

• easier movement during boarding
• less crowding when you want a clear view
• a calmer feel when people are pointing out wildlife

And there’s another practical benefit: with a large vessel, you’re less likely to feel instantly trapped. During a wildlife search, you may want to change position as you look for movement—space makes that easier.

Wildlife Spotting Reality: Your Best Chance, Without Guarantees

Here’s the honest travel truth: whale and dolphin sightings are never 100% guaranteed. Even when a tour is great, the ocean has its own schedule.

The good news: this trip is designed around spotting wildlife, not around passing time. The crew provides information on species you might encounter and actively looks for whales and dolphins during the cruise.

The not-so-good news: how far offshore you go—and how long you spend there—can affect what you see. One critical review said the outing felt more like a cruise along the coast, with only a short detour out onto the sea. They reported luck with a few pilot whales, but they felt it didn’t match what they expected from a true whale-and-dolphin focused itinerary.

And here’s an important balance point: the operator responded to that complaint saying the review was about a different boat, not the vessel they provide. That suggests at least some of the mismatch may be tied to the specific ship used on that departure.

So how should you play it?

• Go with flexible expectations and a “try your luck” mindset.
• Maximize your odds by booking a day with good weather (the tour requires good conditions).
• Treat the swim stop as a real bonus, not a consolation prize. Even without a whale encounter, that’s still a solid sea experience.

Who This Tour Suits Best (and Who Might Want Another Style)

This experience fits best if you want a mix of wildlife and comfort. It’s a good match for:

• couples who want an easy, scenic outing that doesn’t require heavy logistics
• families or groups where people have different interests (wildlife + swimming + included food)
• travelers who want alcohol included and hate surprise costs mid-tour
• short-on-time visitors who want a 3-hour bite rather than a full day

It may not be the best fit if:

• you expect a guaranteed “big show” of whales and dolphins every trip
• you’re very sensitive to comfort details like sun loungers and seating arrangements
• you rely heavily on a very specific meeting-point description and don’t like ambiguity at docks

If you’re the type who only wants maximum time offshore, you might want to compare this style against other Tenerife wildlife formats before committing. But for a large-catamaran, included-drinks cruise with a swim stop, it checks a lot of boxes.

Should You Book This Whale & Dolphin Catamaran in Tenerife?

If your goal is a practical, value-focused whale and dolphin outing with included alcohol, food, and a real water break, I think this is worth considering. The pricing works better than many “watch-from-a-boat” tours because the open bar and food are part of what you pay for—not extras.

I’d make the decision based on two things:

1) You’re okay with variable wildlife sightings. This is sea life, not a theme-park schedule.

2) You’re prepared for dock-day clarity. Arrive early, double-check your confirmation details, and plan for the reality that the “where exactly is the boat” part can be the difference between a smooth start and an annoying one.

When the weather is good, this kind of trip can be a fun way to see Tenerife from the water—then rinse off and head back to land with stories, not just a few photos of open ocean.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is the whale and dolphin watching tour?

The tour lasts about 3 hours.

Where is the meeting point?

The meeting point is Av. de Colón, 11, 38660 Playa de las Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

What’s included in the price?

The tour includes alcoholic beverages (open bar) and also includes food, whale and dolphin watching, and a swim stop.

What activities are available besides spotting whales and dolphins?

You’ll have free time to get out in the water and swim during the anchored bay stop.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

How many people are in a group?

The tour/activity has a maximum of 70 travelers.

Does the tour run in bad weather?

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

What is the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation is available. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

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