Private Yacht Tour With Whale and Dolphin Watching 33 Foot Boat

The best part of this Tenerife outing is the mix of open-water wildlife watching and unhurried time at sea. Your captain takes your private group along the Costa Adeje coast, where caves, beaches, pilot whales, dolphins, and the chance to swim in clear water all share the day. Captain Maxi has earned special praise for looking after families, including children and grandparents.

I like two things right away: the boat is private, so you are not packed in with strangers, and the six-hour schedule gives the captain time to look for marine life without turning the trip into a quick photo stop. I also like the practical extras: free snacks, bottled water, unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks, and snorkeling gear.

The one thing to keep in mind is that whales and dolphins are wild animals, not scheduled entertainment. One group had an excellent day but saw neither. If wildlife sightings are your only reason for booking, that uncertainty matters. The snorkeling, coast, food, and relaxed sailing are important parts of the experience too.

Key points to know before booking

• Private 33-foot boat: Your group has the yacht to itself, with space for up to nine people.
• Six hours on the Costa Adeje coast: The longer outing allows time for wildlife watching, swimming, snorkeling, and a leisurely return.
• Pilot whales and dolphins are possible, not guaranteed: Sonar equipment helps you listen for marine life, but sightings depend on nature and weather.
• Captain Maxi has hosted mixed-age families: The experience can suit adults, grandparents, and children, with a flexible feel onboard.
• Food and drinks are included: Expect bottled water, snacks, soft drinks, beer, and wine, with vegetarian food available if requested.
• Snorkeling equipment is provided: A stop near Puertito beach or another sheltered area may give you time in the water.

Setting out from Puerto Colón

You meet at Tenerife Sailing Charters at Puerto Colón, pontoon 2, in Costa Adeje. Once the whole group arrives, the crew checks your mobile ticket and walks you down to the boat. Personal items are stowed before the captain gives a safety briefing and explains the plan for the day.

This opening takes about 10 minutes, but it is useful time. You learn where to sit, what to expect on the water, and how the day will run before the boat leaves the marina. After that, you can settle in with a drink and watch Costa Adeje slip behind you.

The meeting point is near public transportation, and the tour returns to the same place. That makes the outing simple to fit into a day based in Costa Adeje. You do need at least two people to book, and the boat accepts private groups only, with a maximum of nine.

Six hours along the Costa Adeje coast

Costa Adeje gives this trip more variety than a simple offshore cruise. The coastline includes beaches and caves, so the captain can shape the outing around conditions and what your group wants to do. The private format matters here because you are not following the fixed rhythm of a large excursion boat.

I like the six-hour length for groups that want more than a short wildlife check. You have time to watch the water, enjoy a snack, stop for a swim, put on the provided snorkeling equipment, and still sail back without making every minute feel rushed.

That extra time also improves the mood onboard. A two-hour cruise can feel like a race against the clock. On this trip, your group can settle into the boat, listen for whales with the sonar equipment, and enjoy the coast even during stretches when no animals appear.

The boat is described as a 33-foot yacht. That is large enough for a private group of up to nine, but it is not a giant cruise vessel. You should expect a more personal boat setting, with the group spending the day together rather than spreading out across several decks.

Watching pilot whales and dolphins

The wildlife search is the main reason many people will consider this trip. The waters around Tenerife are known in this experience for pilot whales and dolphins, and sightings can happen close to the boat. One group also had a turtle nearby, while another saw many pilot whales and dolphins during its six-hour trip.

The onboard sonar adds a useful layer. You are not only scanning the surface for fins. You can also listen for whales and dolphins with the equipment provided on the yacht. That makes the search more engaging, especially for children, because the captain can involve you in what is happening below the surface.

Still, keep your expectations sensible. One highly satisfied group did not see whales or dolphins at all. The captain can choose good areas and use the sonar, but no operator can control animal movements. I would book this as a day at sea with a strong chance of wildlife, not as a guaranteed whale show.

The private arrangement helps if someone in your group has a particular interest in marine life. You can spend more time watching instead of being hurried to the next stop. It also lets the captain respond to your group within the limits of weather and sea conditions.

Bring patience. Keep your eyes on the water, but do not let a quiet stretch ruin the day. The coast, snorkeling, food, and time on the yacht are part of the value.

Swimming and snorkeling near Puertito beach

The water stop is where the outing changes pace. One family particularly enjoyed snorkeling at Puertito beach, and another group described swimming in clear water with plenty of fish before sailing back to the harbor. The tour provides snorkeling equipment, so you do not need to arrange your own gear.

A sheltered bay or beach stop gives you a chance to get off wildlife-watch mode and enjoy the water directly. If you have children in the group, this can be an important balance. The whale search may require quiet attention and patience, while swimming offers a more active part of the day.

The exact swimming location can depend on the day’s conditions and the captain’s plan. The information provided identifies Puertito beach as a snorkeling stop experienced by one group, while the broader description refers to beaches and bays along Costa Adeje. Think of the water stop as a planned part of the outing, but not as a promise of one exact site.

You should also remember that the experience requires good weather. If conditions are poor, the operator may cancel and offer another date or a full refund. That policy is especially relevant for a boat trip where swimming and outdoor comfort depend on the sea.

Snacks, drinks, and a relaxed return

The included food and drink make the six-hour price easier to assess. You receive bottled water and snacks, plus unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks. Vegetarian food is available if you advise the operator when booking.

This is not a formal meal service, so do not treat it as a restaurant on the water. It is better understood as simple onboard refreshment that keeps you comfortable between wildlife watching and swimming. For a private family group, having drinks and snacks ready means fewer interruptions and less planning.

Alcohol is available only to people aged 18 and over. That point matters for mixed-age groups, where adults may enjoy beer or wine while children choose soft drinks.

After the water stop, the boat returns to Puerto Colón at an easy pace. One family described the return as leisurely, which is exactly the appeal of a private six-hour cruise. You are not simply transported back after the main activity. The sailing itself is part of the day.

What the private format is worth

The price is $594.75 per group, for up to nine people. At full capacity, that works out to about $66 per person. A group of six would pay roughly $99 per person, while a couple would be paying almost $297 each.

That makes the trip most attractive for a family or friend group that can fill much of the boat. For nine people, the cost includes a private captain, the yacht, six hours, snorkeling equipment, snacks, bottled water, and drinks. You also avoid sharing the boat with a large crowd.

For two people, the price is harder to justify unless privacy is your main priority. A shared cruise could cost less, but it would not offer the same control over the pace or the same private setting. The value here is not just the chance to see wildlife. It is the combination of personal space, a long time on the water, and a captain who can respond to your group.

The boat can suit a group with different interests. Some people can focus on whales and dolphins, others can swim, and others can simply sit with a drink and watch the coast. That flexibility is one of the strongest reasons to choose a private charter.

Families, couples, and groups who will like it

Captain Maxi received especially strong praise for hosting four adults, including parents and grandparents, along with children aged 8 and 6. He made the family feel welcome, took them in search of pilot whales, and then brought them to a quiet bay for swimming.

That combination is useful for families with mixed energy levels. Older adults may prefer sitting and watching the coast, while children can look for animals or snorkel. The private setting also removes the pressure of keeping up with a large group.

Couples can enjoy the privacy, but they should think carefully about the cost. Unless you strongly value having the yacht to yourselves, the per-person price is much better for a larger party.

This outing also suits friends who want a full day outdoors without arranging separate food, drinks, and equipment. It is less suitable for anyone who needs a guaranteed wildlife sighting, dislikes time on a boat, or wants a short, low-cost activity.

The tour is offered in English. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. The available information does not provide further details about mobility needs, so you should ask the operator directly if your group requires specific boarding assistance.

Practical details that affect your day

You receive booking confirmation at the time of reservation, and the activity starts and ends at Puerto Colón, pontoon 2, in Costa Adeje. Arrive with your whole group ready for the ticket check and safety briefing before boarding.

A mobile ticket is accepted. Personal items are stored once you board, so keep anything you need before departure easy to reach, then follow the captain’s instructions about storage.

The experience requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.

Souvenir photos are not included, though they are available to purchase. That may matter if you want professional images of the day. Otherwise, bring your own camera only if you can keep it secure around water.

Should you book this private yacht trip?

I would book it for a group of four to nine people who want a private day combining wildlife watching, swimming, snorkeling, and relaxed sailing. The strongest value comes when you share the $594.75 cost across a full family or friend group.

Choose it for the private boat, the six-hour schedule, the captain’s personal attention, and the included food and drinks. Choose it with realistic expectations about whales and dolphins. You may see pilot whales, dolphins, or even a turtle close by, but you may also have a wildlife-free day and still enjoy the coast and water stop.

If your group wants privacy and can fill the boat, this is a well-rounded Costa Adeje outing. If you are only interested in a guaranteed animal sighting, or if you are booking as a couple on a tight budget, I would think twice.

FAQ

Where does the private yacht tour start?

The tour starts at Tenerife Sailing Charters, Puerto Colón, pontoon 2, 38660 Costa Adeje, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point at Puerto Colón.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately six hours, including the wildlife search, sailing, swimming, snorkeling, and return to the harbor.

How many people can join the private boat?

The private tour accepts up to nine people per group. A minimum of two people is required per booking.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. Bottled water, snacks, unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks are included. A vegetarian option is available if requested when booking.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included for use during the water stop.

Are whale and dolphin sightings guaranteed?

No. The captain uses sonar equipment to listen for whales and dolphins, but sightings depend on wildlife and sea conditions. The experience can be canceled because of poor weather, with another date or a full refund offered.