Whale & Dolphin Watching in Tenerife (Puerto Colon) On a Large Catamaran

Tenerife’s southern coast is one of Spain’s better places to look for whales and dolphins, and this three-hour catamaran trip gives you more than a simple wildlife cruise. You’ll spend time at sea, hear about the species around the island, eat, drink, and stop in a bay for a swim.

I like the included alcoholic drinks, since the price does not suddenly climb with every beer or glass of wine. I also like the large boat and its maximum of 70 passengers, which should give you more room than a small, tightly packed excursion vessel. The main consideration is wildlife: whales and dolphins are wild animals, so sightings cannot be promised, and the boat’s exact route can change.

Key points to know before you book

• Whale and dolphin search first: The main purpose of the trip is to look for marine wildlife around Tenerife.
• A swim stop follows the wildlife outing: The catamaran anchors in a small bay, giving you free time in the water.
• Food and an open bar are included: Alcoholic drinks are part of the package, not an extra purchase.
• Large catamaran, maximum 70 people: You get a roomy boat setting rather than a tiny excursion craft.
• Puerto Colón meeting point: Go to Av. de Colón, 11, in Playa de las Américas, and the tour returns there.
• Two departures each day: The schedule gives you some choice, though the exact departure times are not provided here.

Why this catamaran trip works well for a Tenerife day

A boat trip from Puerto Colón lets you see Tenerife from the water and gives your day a clear purpose. You are not simply cruising along the coast. The crew heads out to search for whales and dolphins, then adds a meal, drinks, and a swim stop.

That mix matters. A dedicated wildlife outing can feel too narrow if the animals stay out of sight. Here, the swimming and meal give you something else to enjoy during the three-hour trip. If the sea is quiet, you still have time on the catamaran, a chance to get in the water, and drinks included in the price.

At $54.29 per person, the value depends on how much you use those extras. A basic boat ride may cost less, but it may not include alcoholic drinks, food, or swimming time. You should think of this as a short marine outing with several parts, not as a guaranteed wildlife encounter.

The English-language format is useful if you want explanations about the animals and the waters around Tenerife. The available information does not give the names of the guides, so you should not book this expecting a particular host or naturalist.

Leaving Puerto Colón for the open water

You meet at Av. de Colón, 11, 38660 Playa de las Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife. This is the Puerto Colón marina area, and the tour ends back at the same meeting point.

Private transportation is not included. You will need to make your own way to the marina, so allow time to find the correct boarding point. The booking information gives the address, but it does not provide a hotel pickup service or private transfer.

Once aboard, the size of the catamaran becomes important. A maximum of 70 passengers is not a private outing, but it is a manageable number for a large boat. You should have more space to move around, find a place to sit, and look out over the water than you would on a much smaller vessel.

The boat’s roomier design may also suit families and mixed-age groups. Someone can sit back with a drink while another person watches the sea. That flexibility is one reason I would choose a large catamaran over a cramped speedboat for a relaxed half-day outing.

Searching for whales and dolphins around Tenerife

The wildlife portion is the heart of the trip. The crew takes you out from the marina to look for whales and dolphins and provides information about the species that live around the island.

The supplied details do not promise a specific species, sighting rate, or viewing distance. That is normal for a wildlife trip. You may see animals, but you should not treat the excursion like a zoo visit with a fixed schedule.

Pilot whales are among the animals that may be found in Tenerife’s surrounding waters, but the trip is also described as a search for dolphins and other local marine life. Keep your eyes on the water and listen to the crew’s information. The value of the outing is partly the chance to see wildlife and partly learning what lives around the island.

I would bring patience. Wildlife watching can involve periods of scanning the sea, and the experience depends on weather, water conditions, and animal movement. If you need constant action, the quiet searching may test you. If you enjoy the possibility of an unexpected sighting, it is a fair trade.

The crew’s explanations should help you understand what you are looking at and why Tenerife’s waters attract marine animals. The exact length of the wildlife search is not specified, so expect the timetable to remain flexible before the boat anchors for the swim stop.

The small-bay swim stop

After the wildlife search, the catamaran anchors in a small bay. This is the second major part of the trip and gives you time to leave your seat, get into the water, and cool off.

The stop changes the pace nicely. You begin with open-water wildlife watching, then shift to a more relaxed break. If you enjoy swimming, this may be the most memorable part of the trip because it gives you direct contact with the sea rather than another hour of sitting on deck.

The tour description says you have free time to swim, but it does not specify the bay’s name, water temperature, depth, or available water equipment. Do not assume that snorkel gear, towels, or changing facilities are included. Bring what you need for a swim and protect anything you do not want splashed.

The stop may also work well for people in your group who are less interested in wildlife. They can enjoy the scenery and the boat while others get in the water. Since the trip has a maximum of 70 passengers, the swim stop may feel lively rather than private.

Food, drinks, and the value of the open bar

Food and drinks are included, with alcoholic beverages specifically listed as part of the package. The overview also describes an open bar, so you will not need to budget for every alcoholic drink during the outing.

That is a real value point at $54.29. A few drinks purchased separately at a marina or on a boat can quickly change the cost of a day out. Here, the price bundles the wildlife search, food, the swim stop, and alcoholic drinks.

The information does not describe the meal, menu, serving time, or options for special diets. You should therefore see the food as a practical part of the trip rather than booking it for a particular dining experience. If you have dietary needs, confirm them before booking because no special arrangements are stated.

The order of events is simple: search for wildlife, anchor in a bay, serve the food, and return to the marina. That makes the day easy to follow. You do not need to plan a separate lunch around the boat trip, although you should not assume the meal will replace every dietary requirement.

How crowded will the catamaran feel?

The maximum group size is 70 people. That is large enough for a social outing and small enough to avoid the scale of a major ferry. The catamaran’s size should help with movement and viewing, though a full boat will still feel busy at popular spots along the rail.

I like the balance here. You get the stability and room of a larger boat, along with a chance to meet other people and share the wildlife search. You do not get the privacy of a charter, and the tour is not designed as a quiet, personal cruise.

The boat is also presented as suitable for social distancing because it has plenty of room. That does not mean every passenger has a private area, but the catamaran’s layout should give you more breathing room than a small vessel.

If you are sensitive to crowds, board with realistic expectations. The tour accepts up to 70 passengers, and everyone may want a good view when an animal appears. If you are happy with a shared, easygoing boat trip, the group size should be workable.

Timing, language, and the practical details

The trip lasts approximately three hours and is offered twice daily. The exact departure times are not included in the supplied details, so check the selected time carefully before you plan the rest of your day.

The activity is offered in English. You can expect information about the animals and the species found around Tenerife, but the names and qualifications of the crew are not provided.

A mobile ticket is available, which means you can keep the booking on your phone. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. I would wait for that confirmation before treating the reservation as final.

The meeting point is near public transportation, and most people can participate. No private transportation is provided, so the marina address matters. The boat returns to the same point, which makes it easier to continue your day in Playa de las Américas afterward.

The trip requires good weather. If poor weather forces cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.

Who should book this Puerto Colón outing?

I would recommend this trip to you if you want several experiences in one outing. You get wildlife watching, a boat ride, food, included alcoholic drinks, and a swim stop without arranging each part separately.

It suits couples, families, and groups of friends who want a relaxed activity rather than a high-speed ride. The large catamaran and 70-person limit should be more comfortable for people who prefer space and stability.

It may also suit you if you are trying to control your spending. At $54.29, the included bar and food make the total cost easier to predict. The value is strongest if you plan to have a few drinks and use the swim stop.

I would be more cautious if your only goal is a guaranteed whale sighting. No responsible wildlife trip can promise that, and the details here do not identify a fixed species list or guaranteed viewing time. You should also look elsewhere if you want a private charter, hotel transfers, a named marine biologist, or a carefully described meal.

Should you book it?

Book this catamaran trip if you want a social, three-hour sea outing that combines wildlife watching with food, included alcoholic drinks, and swimming. The price is reasonable when you use the full package, and the large boat should feel less cramped than a small craft.

Skip it if you need guaranteed animal sightings or a private, highly specialized wildlife tour. For most people, the sensible choice is to treat the whales and dolphins as the bonus, while the boat time, swim stop, meal, and open bar form the dependable part of the day.

FAQ

Where does the whale and dolphin trip start?

It starts at Av. de Colón, 11, 38660 Playa de las Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, in the Puerto Colón area.

Where does the activity finish?

The catamaran returns to the same meeting point at the end of the activity.

How long does the excursion last?

The trip lasts approximately three hours.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. Food is included, and alcoholic beverages are included. The overview also describes an open bar.

Is swimming part of the tour?

Yes. The catamaran anchors in a small bay where you have free time to swim.

How many people can join the catamaran?

The activity has a maximum of 70 passengers.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.