Luxury Opera 60 Whale & Dolphin Watching Experience

Tenerife’s Opera 60 puts you on a fast, roomy boat where pilot whales, dolphins, and turtles are the main event, not an afterthought. After wildlife watching, you stop in a sheltered bay for swimming, snorkeling, lunch, and drinks before returning to Puerto Colón.

I like the generous space and the small group of no more than 15 people. I also like the useful extras: snorkeling gear, food, drinks, a toilet, and showers are all on board. The main caution is that wildlife is never guaranteed, and one poor experience reported slow drink service, lukewarm food, and an early return.

Key points

• A 60-foot luxury RIB: The Opera 60 has two Volvo Penta engines producing 740 horsepower, with several seating areas, sunbeds, tables, speakers, and safety provided by its rigid hull and inflatable side defenses.
• Wildlife comes first: You may see pilot whales, dolphins, and sea turtles, with sightings reported soon after leaving the harbor.
• Swimming and snorkeling stop: The boat heads to a small bay where you can swim and use the supplied snorkeling equipment.
• Food and drinks included: Lunch, snacks, cool drinks, beer, wine, and prosecco are part of the onboard service, though service can vary.
• Small capacity: The boat carries a maximum of 15 people, giving you more room than a typical large excursion boat.
• Easy cancellation terms: Cancel at least 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Bad weather can also lead to a new date or full refund.

Setting Out From Puerto Colón

The trip begins at Puerto Colón in Playa de las Américas, one of the main departure points for boat trips in southern Tenerife. You return to the same harbor after roughly three hours, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup point or worry about finding your way back across the resort area.

The Opera 60 is not a small open dinghy. It is a 60-foot rigid inflatable boat, sometimes called a RIB, with a hard hull and inflatable side defenses. That design gives you a mix of speed, stability, and open-air seating. The two Volvo Penta engines produce 740 horsepower, so the boat can cover water quickly when conditions allow.

The boat has several seating areas, two large tables, sunbeds, speakers for music, a toilet, and showers. That matters more than the word luxury might suggest. Three hours in direct sun on a cramped boat can feel long. Here, you can move around, sit at a table for lunch, stretch out on a sunbed, or find a better position for wildlife watching.

The stated maximum is 15 people. Some departures have had 14 people aboard, leaving plenty of open seats for families and groups. This is one of the strongest reasons to consider the Opera 60 over a cheaper trip on a crowded vessel.

What the 740-HP Boat Adds

The large engine setup is useful for more than speed. You can reach whale-watching areas and the swimming bay without spending the entire outing in transit. In good conditions, sightings can happen within about 20 minutes of leaving the harbor.

The boat is designed with style, and the interior includes comfortable places to sit rather than a single row of hard benches. Still, keep your expectations sensible. This is an excursion boat used at sea, not a private yacht kept in a marina. One unhappy account described the exterior as old and worn, while the majority of the feedback praised the space and comfort.

A fast RIB also means you may feel the movement of the sea. The crew may delay drink service when the water is rough, and the boat can be less comfortable for anyone prone to seasickness. If that sounds like you, sit near the middle of the boat, keep your eyes on the horizon, and ask the crew where movement is gentlest.

Whale and Dolphin Watching Near Tenerife

The wildlife portion is the reason most people book this trip. The waters off Tenerife are known for pilot whales, and the sightings described for this excursion include dolphins and sea turtles as well.

You might see a family group of whales, a dolphin school, or a turtle near the surface. Some people have seen all three during one outing. Others have seen whales but no dolphins, or only had a brief whale sighting. That is the honest nature of a sea safari. The animals are wild, and no operator can promise a particular species or length of encounter.

The boat’s size helps here because you have room to change position when an animal appears. On a crowded boat, one person standing can block several others. With no more than 15 people, you have a better chance of finding a clear view from the side or front.

The crew also aims to keep a respectful distance from the whales and dolphins. That is good for the animals and makes the sighting feel less forced. A guide may identify the species and point out where to look, which is especially helpful when a whale surfaces for only a few seconds.

Bring patience. The best wildlife moments can be quick, and you may spend part of the ride scanning the water rather than watching constant activity. Children usually need a little help staying focused between sightings, but the boat ride, food, and swimming stop break up the waiting.

The Bay Stop for Swimming and Snorkeling

After the wildlife search, the Opera 60 heads toward a small bay for lunch, swimming, and snorkeling. The change of pace is welcome. You move from scanning the horizon to cooling off in the water and looking at fish below the surface.

Snorkeling equipment is provided, so you do not need to pack a mask and fins. The stop has been praised for clear enjoyment of the water, including views of different fish. Conditions can change, though, and the quality of the snorkeling depends on the day, the sea, and exactly where the boat anchors.

You should bring your swimsuit and a towel. The onboard showers are a useful touch after swimming, especially if you plan to continue your day around Playa de las Américas afterward. The boat’s toilet also makes the three-hour duration easier for families.

Swimming is optional. You can remain aboard, eat at the table, use a sunbed, or watch others in the water. That flexibility makes the trip suitable for mixed groups, where some people want an active stop and others prefer a quiet afternoon at sea.

Lunch, Snacks, and the Drinks Service

Food and drink are included, which makes the $96.79 price easier to assess. You are not paying only for a boat ride and a possible whale sighting. The outing also covers snorkeling equipment, lunch, snacks, and drinks.

The meal has been described in different ways. Many people enjoyed a warm chicken and rice meal, local-style cooking, and plentiful food. One account described the meal as simple but tasty. Another found the chicken and rice lukewarm and the bread stale. I would treat the food as a convenient included lunch rather than a restaurant meal.

Drink service is one of the most praised parts of the experience. Cool drinks, beer, wine, and prosecco are offered, and several outings included generous or unlimited drinks. Fabrizio is specifically praised for being a welcoming host and keeping the prosecco flowing.

There is one important qualification. On a rough outing, a passenger said drinks were not offered during the first hour and had to ask for water and sodas later. The boat operator described this as unusual, but it is still useful information. If you have children, need water regularly, or do not drink alcohol, ask the crew early about the drink setup.

The two large tables make lunch more social than eating from your lap. They also give families and friends a proper place to sit together. For a small group marking a birthday or special day, the food and drink service adds a festive feel without requiring a private charter.

Crew Style and Onboard Atmosphere

The crew is generally presented as friendly, attentive, and good at creating a relaxed mood. Some hosts explain the marine life, identify species, and keep people engaged during the search. Others focus on food, drinks, and making sure the boat feels welcoming.

Fabrizio is the only host named specifically in the available information. He is praised for a warm welcome and attentive prosecco service. You should not assume he will be on every departure, but his name gives you a useful sense of the personal service the operator aims for.

The atmosphere is social rather than formal. Music plays through quality speakers, drinks are served, and the boat has room for conversation. That may suit a family group or friends better than someone seeking a silent nature trip.

The crew also needs to balance safety, sea conditions, wildlife rules, and service. On a smooth day, that balance can feel effortless. When the water is rough, drink service and movement around the boat may be slower. Keep that in mind before judging the experience as a floating restaurant.

Is $96.79 a Fair Price?

At $96.79 per person, this is not Tenerife’s cheapest whale-watching trip. The value comes from the combination of features rather than from any single one.

You receive approximately three hours on a large, high-powered boat with a maximum of 15 people. Wildlife watching, a swimming and snorkeling stop, snorkeling equipment, lunch, snacks, drinks, a toilet, and showers are all included. If you paid separately for food, drinks, and a shorter boat ride, the difference could narrow quickly.

The small capacity is especially important. A lower-priced trip may work well if you only want to see the coast and spend as little as possible. The Opera 60 makes more sense if you care about personal space, onboard comfort, and a complete afternoon rather than a basic wildlife transfer.

The value drops if you do not drink, do not want to swim, or mainly want a brief wildlife sighting. It also drops if food and service are below the expected standard on your departure. Since sightings are not guaranteed, you are paying for the full experience and setting, not a guaranteed whale photograph.

Who Will Enjoy the Opera 60 Most?

I would recommend this outing to families, couples, and groups of friends who want several activities in one booking. The boat offers enough room for people who want to sit together, spread out, or take a break from the sun.

It also suits visitors who prefer a polished boat experience but do not want to hire a private charter. The 15-person limit provides a more personal feel while keeping the cost far below a full private boat for a group.

Children can enjoy the wildlife, food, and swimming, though parents should remember that the sea may be bumpy and that animal sightings can require patience. The toilet and showers are practical benefits for families.

You may want to choose another option if you need guaranteed accessibility details, a quiet nature-focused tour, or a strict gourmet meal. The supplied information confirms that service animals are allowed and that most people can participate, but it does not give detailed accessibility information for boarding or swimming.

Practical Details Before You Book

The experience is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket. Confirmation is sent when you book. The departure and return point is Puerto Colón, Playa de las Américas, in southern Tenerife, and the activity ends back at that harbor.

The trip normally lasts about three hours. One departure returned 20 minutes early, so allow flexibility but do not assume every outing will use every minute. The boat requires good weather and a minimum number of participants. If the operator cancels for either reason, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted and are not refunded.

Wear swimwear under comfortable clothing, and bring a towel. Sunscreen, a hat, and a light layer are sensible choices for an open boat. Keep your phone secure when moving around, especially during faster stretches.

Should You Book This Whale-Watching Trip?

Book the Opera 60 if you want more than a basic whale-watching ride. Its strongest points are the small group, generous deck space, wildlife search, swimming stop, included equipment, and social food and drink service. Seeing pilot whales, dolphins, and turtles can make the day memorable, but the boat remains worthwhile even when sightings are brief because the itinerary has several parts.

I would hesitate only if your main priority is the lowest price, a guaranteed animal encounter, or a carefully planned restaurant-quality meal. For most people who want a comfortable half-day at sea from Playa de las Américas, the Opera 60 offers a strong mix of wildlife, swimming, scenery, and onboard comfort.

FAQ

Where does the Opera 60 tour depart from?

It departs from Puerto Colón in Playa de las Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

Where does the experience finish?

The trip returns to the same meeting point at Puerto Colón.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately three hours.

How many people can join the boat trip?

The maximum group size is 15 people.

What marine life might I see?

Possible sightings include dolphins, pilot whales, and sea turtles. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

Is swimming and snorkeling included?

Yes. The trip includes a stop for swimming and snorkeling, and snorkeling equipment is provided.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. Drinks, snacks, and an onboard meal are included. The experience also provides wine, beer, cool drinks, and prosecco.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.