SEA SAFARI Dolphins, Whales, 3h speedboat DISCOVERY-TOUR

The best part of this three-hour Puerto Colón trip is its mix of wildlife watching and active time on the water. You may see pilot whales, several kinds of dolphins, turtles, flying fish, and plenty of smaller sea life, then stop to swim or snorkel along Tenerife’s southern coast.

I like two things here: the small maximum group of 11 keeps the boat from feeling crowded, and the speedboat covers a good stretch of coast in a short time. I also like that drinks, sandwiches, masks, and even a BladeFish underwater scooter are included.

The main caution is simple: this is a wildlife trip, not a guaranteed animal show. There has also been at least one serious report of a no-show and unanswered calls, so confirm the meeting details before you set out, especially if this is your only free morning.

Key points at a glance

• Pilot whales and dolphins are the main prize: The route heads to places where marine animals have been seen before, with past sightings also including turtles and flying fish.
• A fast boat covers more ground: The speedboat helps you reach wildlife areas and still leaves time for swimming and snorkeling.
• Swimming is optional: You can stay aboard if you prefer, making this workable for mixed groups and older family members.
• The group is capped at 11 people: That gives the outing a more personal feel than a large excursion boat.
• Snorkeling gear and food are included: You receive equipment, drinks, and sandwiches without having to pack a full beach kit.
• Eric may be your captain: Several comments single out Captain Eric for his animal knowledge, calm handling, and ability to adapt to families.

Setting out from Puerto Colón in south Tenerife

You meet Sea Safari at Puerto Colón, on Avenida de Colón in Playa de las Américas. The activity returns to this same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate ride home from another harbor.

Puerto Colón is a practical starting point for a short sea trip. The excursion stays focused on the waters off south Tenerife rather than using most of the three hours to reach a distant port. That matters if you have only a morning or afternoon available.

The boat carries no more than 11 people. I consider that one of the strongest features of the trip. A small group makes it easier to see around the boat, hear the captain, and get a fair chance at the rail when animals appear.

You receive confirmation when you book, and the meeting point is near public transportation. Still, check your confirmation carefully before leaving your accommodation. One isolated but very serious account describes a paid booking where nobody arrived and the provided phone number went unanswered. The overall score is high, but this is worth taking seriously when planning a birthday, childcare, or any tightly scheduled outing.

A speedboat built for a three-hour search

This is not a slow harbor cruise. The speedboat is part of the attraction. It lets the captain cover more water during the short outing, which can improve your chances of reaching areas where dolphins and pilot whales have been seen.

You should also expect a livelier ride than you would get on a large, steady sightseeing boat. The speed adds fun, but it may not suit everyone equally, particularly anyone sensitive to motion. The available information does not promise a sea-sickness-free trip, although one family specifically praised the boat for being comfortable in that respect.

The route includes close wildlife watching, a look at the cliffs, and a return along the south Tenerife coastline. These are not separate land stops. Your sightseeing happens from the boat, so bring your attention to the water and the shore rather than expecting time ashore.

The speedboat also gives the captain flexibility. On one family outing, Captain Eric adjusted the trip for a group that included a four-year-old and a baby. That does not guarantee the same arrangement every time, but it suggests the experience can work for families when the crew can accommodate them.

Looking for pilot whales and dolphins

The central part of the trip is the search for marine life. The crew takes you to areas where whales and dolphins have been spotted before. Sightings reported on this route include pilot whales, more than one dolphin species, turtles, flying fish, and smaller fish.

Pilot whales are especially associated with the south Tenerife waters, and seeing several family groups can be a memorable part of the morning. You may also see dolphins moving near the boat. The wildlife is free-ranging, so the captain has to read the water and choose a route rather than follow a fixed animal display.

That uncertainty is important. You should book this for the chance to see wild animals, not for a guaranteed checklist. The reported sightings are impressive, but conditions and animal movements change from one trip to the next.

The captain’s role matters here. Several accounts praise Eric for finding animals and explaining what you are seeing. The strongest description includes pilot whales, dolphins, turtles, and a young turtle feeding on jellyfish. Another outing recorded a hammerhead shark, although that should be treated as an unusual possibility rather than an expected part of the trip.

I appreciate that the captain is also described as approaching animals carefully. Responsible distance and calm boat handling make a difference. You get a better wildlife experience when the boat does not turn the animals into a chase.

Cliffs, coastline, and the return to Puerto Colón

After the search for whales and dolphins, the route includes views of Tenerife’s cliffs before turning back along the southern coastline. This gives the trip a useful second rhythm. You are not spending three hours staring only at open water.

The coast looks different from the sea. You see the shape of the southern shore from a low, moving viewpoint, and the boat’s speed lets you cover a fair amount of it before returning to Puerto Colón. The trip is best understood as a compact combination of marine wildlife and coastal sightseeing.

Do not expect a long stop at every scenic point. The information describes watching the cliffs and returning by the coast, not a series of shore visits. If your priority is exploring a particular beach or cliff on foot, this excursion will not replace a land tour.

For me, the route works because it avoids a single-purpose outing. Even if the wildlife search is quiet, you still have the coastline, open-water ride, and swimming stop to round out the experience.

Swimming, snorkeling, and the BladeFish

The outing includes time for swimming and snorkeling in a sheltered coastal spot. Masks are provided, and one German-language account notes that several types of snorkeling masks were available. That is useful if you are particular about fit or want to choose the style that feels most comfortable.

You do not have to leave the boat. This is one of the clearest advantages for a mixed-age group. A 71-year-old parent enjoyed the trip without pressure to swim, while younger people can use the water stop for snorkeling and play.

The BladeFish is the unusual extra. This underwater personal propulsion device pulls you through the water, giving the swim stop a bit more excitement than ordinary snorkeling. It is included, so you can try it without arranging a separate rental.

The practical value depends on what you want from the stop. If you enjoy active water time, the BladeFish adds something distinctive. If you prefer quiet observation, you can use the mask and look for fish, or remain on the boat. The excursion does not force every person into the same activity.

Reported sightings in the water include turtles, crabs, fish, and even a young turtle feeding on jellyfish. Those are possible encounters, not promises. The snorkel stop should be treated as a chance to see local sea life rather than a formal reef tour.

Drinks, sandwiches, and what you need to bring

Drinks and sandwiches are provided during the trip. That makes the $78.10 price easier to judge because you are not paying only for transport and wildlife viewing. You also receive snorkeling equipment and access to the BladeFish.

The food is a practical snack, not a full meal. If you are hungry after an active morning, plan around that rather than expecting a substantial lunch. You can travel light, but bring the personal items you need for a boat outing.

The supplied information does not specify a full packing list, so keep your preparation simple. Wear something suitable for a three-hour trip on the water, and bring anything you personally need for sun or motion comfort. Do not count on the sandwich and drinks to meet every dietary need, since no special menu information is provided.

The advantage is convenience. You do not need to carry hired snorkeling gear, and you do not have to organize refreshments during the excursion. For a short activity, those small inclusions keep the morning moving.

How the $78.10 price works out

At $78.10 per person, this is not the cheapest way to sit on the water, but it offers more than a basic sightseeing ride. The package combines a small speedboat, a three-hour route, wildlife searching, cliff and coast views, a swimming and snorkeling stop, equipment rental, a BladeFish, drinks, and sandwiches.

The group limit is central to the value. A maximum of 11 people means you are paying for a more personal outing rather than a large boat experience. You also have a better chance of hearing the guide and moving around when something appears in the water.

The price makes the most sense if you plan to use the active parts. Someone who only wants a gentle ride may find a slower cruise more suitable. Someone who wants wildlife, snorkeling, and a fast coastal trip in one booking gets more for the money.

The trip is often booked about 25 days ahead. That suggests you should not leave it until the last minute if your dates are fixed, especially during a busy Tenerife stay. Since the group is small, available places can disappear sooner than they would on a large boat.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would recommend Sea Safari to you if you want a short, active marine outing rather than a full-day cruise. It suits people who like the idea of seeing wild animals, moving quickly between locations, and adding a swim to the sightseeing.

Families can find it useful because swimming is optional and the group size is small. The outing has worked for a group with a four-year-old and a baby, and another family included a 71-year-old participant. That said, you should consider the speedboat format and your own comfort with motion before booking.

It also suits couples and small groups who want more than a standard dolphin watch. The BladeFish, snorkeling equipment, and coastline return give the trip extra variety.

You may want something else if your priority is a guaranteed animal encounter, a long snorkel session, a full meal, or a completely calm boat ride. This is a compact, energetic trip with several moving parts.

Weather, cancellation, and planning details

The excursion depends on good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. It can also be canceled if the minimum number of participants is not reached, with the same choice of another date, another experience, or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off uses local Tenerife time.

Most people can take part, and the activity is near public transportation. The available details do not list special access arrangements, so contact the operator if you have a specific mobility or medical concern.

Should you book Sea Safari Tenerife?

Book it if you want a small-group speedboat trip with real variety. The combination of pilot whale and dolphin watching, turtle possibilities, cliff views, snorkeling, a BladeFish, snacks, and a three-hour schedule is strong value for an active half-day.

I would be especially comfortable recommending it to families with mixed interests because nobody has to swim, while the people who want water action have plenty to try. The praise for Captain Eric is also a plus, particularly if he is leading your departure.

Pause before booking if a missed connection would ruin your holiday plans, or if you require absolute certainty about the operator showing up. Confirm the meeting information and keep the 24-hour cancellation rule in mind.

Overall, this is a lively and well-priced choice for seeing south Tenerife from the water. Go for the wildlife chance and the variety, not a guaranteed animal performance.

FAQ

Where does the Sea Safari trip start and finish?

The trip starts at Sea Safari Tenerife, Avenida de Colón, 38660 Playa de las Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, at Puerto Colón. It ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately three hours.

What animals might I see?

You may see dolphins and pilot whales. Sightings reported on the trip also include turtles, flying fish, crabs, many fish, and on one occasion a hammerhead shark.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment rental is included, and the trip also includes access to a BladeFish underwater propulsion device.

Do I have to swim or snorkel?

No. Swimming and snorkeling are optional, so you can remain on the boat if you prefer.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants may lead to another date or a full refund.