Tenerife: Sailing Excursion with Whale and Dolphin Watching

The best part of this three-hour trip is the chance to watch pilot whales at close range without chasing them. The crew often stops the engine and gives the animals room to choose the distance, then turns the yacht toward a quiet bay for a swim.

I like the small-group feel and the proper 52-foot sailing yacht, which gives you space to sit at the bow or relax on deck. I also like the simple food and drinks: fresh fruit, sandwiches, water, soft drinks, wine, cava, and beer are included. The main drawback is the sea itself. Large waves can make the ride bumpy, and a short wildlife stop may leave little time for swimming.

Key points to know before you book

• Pilot whales are the main attraction: Dolphin and turtle sightings are possible, but whales are the most consistent highlight.
• A small yacht makes a difference: Groups often have enough room to avoid the crowded feel of larger boats.
• The crew watches wildlife with care: Captains may turn off the engine and wait rather than pursue the animals.
• The swim stop depends on timing: If the whales keep you out longer, your bay stop may be brief.
• Food and drinks are included: Expect sandwiches, fresh fruit, water, juices, soft drinks, beer, wine, and cava.
• Plan for a barefoot boat: Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat, but leave oversize luggage behind.

Why pilot whales are the star of this Tenerife sailing trip

Tenerife’s south coast is one of the better places in the Canary Islands for seeing marine life, and this outing focuses on the waters where pilot whales and dolphins are commonly found. You are not visiting an aquarium or watching a staged performance. The animals remain in the open sea, so the crew searches, waits, and works with the conditions.

Pilot whales are the sight you have the best chance of seeing. Several trips have included mothers with calves, small whales, and groups that stayed near the yacht for an extended time. Dolphins also appear, though sightings are less certain. Turtles have been seen close to the boat as well.

I appreciate the crew’s approach to wildlife. When the yacht reaches the animals, the captain may switch off the motor instead of circling them. That makes the encounter quieter and lets the whales decide how close they want to come. You may get a striking view of a whale surfacing near the boat, but you should not expect a guaranteed close approach every time.

That uncertainty is part of the deal with any responsible whale-watching trip. Sea conditions, animal movement, and time spent searching all matter. The crew can point out the busiest areas and explain local marine life, but no operator can promise dolphins on a particular morning.

Leaving Puerto Colón on a 52-foot yacht

The meeting point is at dock number zero in the Pantalán at Puerto Colón. Search for Miishi Restaurant if you are using a map, and arrive 15 minutes before departure. The port has two parking areas, with parking listed at approximately €1 per hour.

There is no hotel pickup, so you need to arrange your own way to the marina. That is worth considering if you are staying away from the southern resort area. Once you reach the dock, the process is straightforward, with a crew member meeting you before boarding.

The yacht is 52 feet long, large enough to feel stable and comfortable but still personal compared with the packed sightseeing boats common along the coast. Small groups are one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip. Past departures have had around seven to ten people apart from the crew, with enough deck space for everyone to spread out.

The boat has a barefoot policy. You should expect to remove your shoes before or during boarding, except when a health issue makes that difficult. Wear clothing that is easy to move in, and do not bring a large suitcase or oversize bag. A small day bag for sunscreen, a hat, and a towel is more practical.

Watching the southern coastline from the water

The sailing route gives you a different view of Tenerife’s southern coast. Instead of moving between resort streets and hotel pools, you see the shoreline from the open water, with the yacht’s movement setting the pace.

The sailing itself varies with the wind. Some outings have enough breeze for the crew to raise the sails, producing the quiet, smooth stretch that many people hope for from a yacht trip. On other days, there is not enough wind, so the motor does more of the work.

That is not a flaw, but it is an important expectation. You are booking a sailing yacht, not a guaranteed full-sail cruise. Even when the engine is running, you still get the yacht, the open deck, and the view along the coast. When the sails do go up, the mood changes at once. The motor noise fades, and the ride becomes a calmer part of the day.

The route does not appear to include Los Gigantes. If seeing those cliffs is your priority, choose a separate excursion that specifically names them. This trip is built around the southern coastline, marine life, and a swim stop rather than a long coastal sightseeing route.

How the whale and dolphin search works

After a short briefing, the guide explains the plan and introduces you to the kinds of marine life you may see. The crew then heads toward the area where pilot whales and dolphins are most often found.

The exact order can change. The yacht may spend more or less time searching, depending on what appears and how the sea behaves. That flexibility is useful because it gives the crew time to make the most of an active sighting.

A good encounter may involve several whales surfacing in sequence, including younger animals. You might see dolphins moving beside the yacht or a turtle near the surface. On another day, you might see only one type of animal, or none at all. One outing included many whales but no dolphins, while another had a single dolphin and several small whales.

Bring patience. The first part of the trip is not a fast ride to a guaranteed show. It is a search on the sea, with the reward of seeing animals in their own setting. Keep your sunglasses on and your camera ready, but do not spend the whole time looking through a screen. A whale can surface and disappear in seconds.

The crew’s local experience adds real value here. Guides including Alex, Jesus, Mauricio, Marta, Monica, and Yuri have been praised for explaining the marine life and keeping people comfortable. Language support is available in English, Spanish, French, and Italian.

The quiet bay swim stop

Before returning to Puerto Colón, the captain anchors in a secluded bay. This is the second major part of the outing, and it gives you a chance to change pace after watching the water for whales.

You can swim, use the basic snorkeling equipment, or stay on deck with a drink and enjoy the view. The water has been described as clear and blue on calm days, and the setting can feel like a welcome break from the motor and wildlife search.

The stop is not always the same length. If the yacht spends a long time with whales, you may have only a quick dip. One outing allowed roughly ten minutes for swimming because the wildlife viewing took priority. Another had a more generous stop in a beautiful bay.

For that reason, do not book this trip mainly as a snorkeling tour. The equipment is basic, and the swim is a pleasant extra rather than the central purpose. If you want a longer session in the water, look for an excursion built around snorkeling or a full beach stop.

Still, the bay adds balance to the day. Children can enjoy a swim, confident swimmers can use the water, and anyone who prefers to stay dry can relax with fruit, sandwiches, or a cold drink.

What is served on board

The included food is simple but useful. You get fresh fruit and sandwiches, along with water, juices, soft drinks, beer, wine, and cava. The food helps make the three-hour trip feel like a complete outing rather than a short boat transfer.

Sandwiches may be prepared while the yacht is sailing or while the crew has time during the swim stop. The exact selection is not specified, so if you have strict dietary needs, check before booking rather than assuming a special menu is available.

One practical point is worth noting: bring water if you prefer to drink often. Water is included, but one outing found it useful to have extra personal water available. Sunscreen and a hat are also essential, since you are exposed on deck for much of the trip.

The barefoot rule, limited storage, and open deck make this a poor place for bulky beach gear. Pack lightly. Swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a small bag are enough.

How rough can the sea be?

Tenerife’s south coast can have calm, pleasant water, but conditions are not guaranteed. Several outings had smooth seas and an easy ride. Others encountered large waves, with children becoming seasick even though they still enjoyed the trip.

If you are prone to motion sickness, take this seriously. Sit near the front of the yacht if the crew allows it, keep your eyes on the horizon, and avoid arriving on an empty stomach. The trip includes food, but you may want to carry any medication you normally use.

A yacht is not the same as a large ferry. It can move more with the waves, especially when the sea is rough. The smaller group and open-deck comfort are advantages, but the boat’s size also means more motion.

The crew’s care helps. Captains have been praised for checking that everyone is comfortable and for adjusting the pace to the conditions. Still, no skipper can remove all movement from a three-hour trip. If you know that boat motion is a serious problem for you, a land-based wildlife activity may be a wiser choice.

Is $88 a fair price?

At $88 per person, the value depends on what you want from a boat trip. You are paying for three hours on a 52-foot yacht, a small-group setting, a guide, wildlife searching, a swim stop, snorkeling equipment, sandwiches, fruit, and a wide selection of drinks.

That compares well with a basic wildlife cruise if the smaller boat and relaxed pace matter to you. A large vessel may offer more capacity, but this yacht can feel closer to a shared private charter, especially when only seven to ten people are aboard.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want a long swim, a guaranteed dolphin encounter, or a full coastal sightseeing route. Your wildlife time and swim time can shift with conditions, and the trip does not promise Los Gigantes.

The strongest value comes from the combination. You get a marine-life search, a proper yacht ride, and time in a bay without paying for separate activities. I would consider it a good use of money for couples, families who enjoy boats, and small groups looking for something more personal than a crowded cruise.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times vary, so check the schedule before you build the rest of your day around it.

Who will enjoy this three-hour outing most?

This trip suits you if you want to see marine life but also care about the quality of the boat ride. It works well for couples, families, and small groups who like a quieter atmosphere and do not need constant entertainment.

It is also a good fit if you value respectful wildlife viewing. The crew may shut down the engine near the whales and wait for them to approach, which creates a calmer encounter than a boat that keeps circling.

Families should think about sea conditions and the length of the outing. Children have loved seeing baby whales, but rough water has caused seasickness. The crew can be attentive, but parents should bring the usual motion-sickness precautions.

You may want a different tour if you need hotel pickup, plan to bring large luggage, want a long snorkeling session, or specifically want to see Los Gigantes. The lack of pickup is easy to manage if you are near Puerto Colón, but it adds planning if you are not.

The boat is listed as wheelchair accessible, though the barefoot policy and the practical layout of a yacht mean you should confirm any specific access needs before booking.

Should you book this Tenerife sailing trip?

Book it if your priorities are pilot whales, a small yacht, and a relaxed swim stop. The combination of respectful wildlife watching, friendly multilingual guides, included food and drinks, and room to move around makes this more appealing than a standard crowded boat ride.

Go with realistic expectations. Dolphins and turtles are possible, not promised. Full sailing depends on wind. The bay stop may be short if the whales are active, and rough seas can make the ride uncomfortable.

For $88, I would choose this excursion for the personal feel and the chance to watch pilot whales without a noisy chase. Pack light, arrive early at dock zero, sit near the front if you worry about motion sickness, and let the day’s sea conditions shape the experience.

FAQ

How long is the Tenerife sailing excursion?

The excursion lasts three hours, including the wildlife search, coastal sailing, and the stop in a secluded bay.

Where does the boat leave from?

The meeting point is at Pantalán dock number zero in Puerto Colón. You can search for Miishi Restaurant to help locate the entry point.

How early should I arrive?

You should arrive 15 minutes before the activity begins.

Are hotel transfers included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to Puerto Colón.

What marine life might I see?

The trip looks for pilot whales and dolphins, and you might also see turtles. Sightings depend on natural conditions and cannot be guaranteed.

Is swimming or snorkeling included?

Yes. The captain anchors in a secluded bay where you can swim, snorkel with the basic equipment provided, or relax on board.

What food and drinks are included?

The boat provides fresh fruit, sandwiches, water, juices, soft drinks, beer, wine, and cava.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, a sun hat, and sunscreen. Oversize luggage is not allowed, and the boat follows a barefoot policy except when a health issue prevents it.