Tenerife: Luxury Private Whale & Dolphin Watching Tour

Pilot whales can appear soon after your yacht leaves Puerto Colon, making the opening part of this private cruise its biggest draw. You may also spot dolphins and turtles, then stop in a quiet bay for swimming or a relaxed snack on deck. I like the generous food and drink service, and I like having the whole yacht for up to 11 people rather than sharing space with a large crowd.

I also like the choice of a 3-hour or 6-hour outing, which lets you match the boat time to your budget and attention span. The main drawback is simple: wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, and the $701 group price is a serious spend for a short trip unless you can fill much of the yacht.

Key points at a glance

• Pilot whales close to Puerto Colon: The first sightings may come soon after leaving the harbor, so you do not lose much time reaching the whale-watching area.
• A yacht for your private group: The boat accommodates up to 11 people, making the flat group price more useful for families and friends.
• Three or six hours on the water: Choose a shorter cruise for wildlife and a swim, or the longer option for a slower day with more time aboard.
• Food and drinks included: Cava, soft drinks, beer, white wine, baguettes, fruit, and snacks are provided during the cruise.
• A swim stop in a secluded bay: You can use the snorkeling equipment, swim with turtles if they are present, or stay dry and enjoy the view.
• A practical boat setup: Bathrooms, cabins, a sunbathing area, a large salon, and a kitchen make this more comfortable than a basic open boat.

Leaving Puerto Colon on a private yacht

You meet at Puerto Colon, Pantalan Number 2, 15 minutes before departure. That early arrival matters because this is a private charter, not a hop-on boat where you can stroll up at the last second. Bring your swimsuit, sunglasses, camera, and a hat. The operator specifically asks you to wear light summer beach clothing.

The yacht is fully equipped for a day at sea. You have bathrooms, cabins, a sunbathing area, a large salon, and a kitchen. That mix gives you options: sit in the sun, retreat indoors, use the bathroom without waiting until land, or settle into the salon if the breeze picks up.

The captain welcomes you aboard with a glass of cava. It is a small touch, but it helps the trip feel like a private occasion rather than a standard boat transfer. From there, the yacht leaves the harbor and heads toward the waters where pilot whales are commonly seen.

The crew speaks Spanish, English, German, French, and Italian. That language range is helpful for a mixed group, especially when the captain is explaining what you are seeing or giving instructions before swimming. The information provided does not name the captain, so do not book this expecting a particular guide by name.

Pilot whales and the first wildlife sightings

The whale-watching portion begins soon after the yacht clears the harbor. Pilot whales are the main sighting to look for, and the trip description specifically notes that the first ones may come into view fairly quickly. That keeps the opening stretch lively, although you should still treat every sighting as a bonus rather than a promise.

You may also see dolphins and turtles during the cruise. Each species changes the rhythm of the trip. Whales offer the most memorable scale, dolphins can bring quick movement around the boat, and turtles are especially welcome later when the yacht anchors for a swim.

Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the entire outing looking through it. Wildlife moves without notice, and a phone held low is easier to use quickly. The supplied information does not promise a particular number of sightings or specify how close the yacht will get, so keep your expectations realistic.

The private format helps here. You are not trying to peer past dozens of other people for a brief glimpse. Your own group can spread out around the yacht, share the sighting, and listen to the captain without a crowded deck competing for space.

Three hours or six hours on the water

The shorter 3-hour cruise suits you if whale watching, a drink, and a swim are enough for one outing. It gives you a taste of the experience without taking up most of your day. I would consider it the sensible choice for a first boat trip, for families with limited patience, or for anyone who wants to keep the cost per person under control.

The 6-hour option changes the mood. You have more time for wildlife searching, food, swimming, and simply enjoying the yacht. A longer charter makes better sense if your group likes unhurried days and plans to spend time aboard rather than treating the boat as a quick excursion.

The listed price is $701 per group of up to 11 people. That is not a low-cost activity, but the flat rate becomes easier to justify when divided among a full group. Eleven people would pay about $64 each before any other personal expenses. A smaller party pays more per person, so compare the group size carefully before booking.

You are also paying for privacy, a premium yacht, food, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and the ability to shape the pace of the day around your own group. A couple or small family may find a shared boat better value, while a large family gathering or group of friends can make strong use of the private charter.

What you eat and drink aboard

The catering is more substantial than a token welcome drink. You receive cava on arrival, along with soft drinks, beer, and white wine throughout the cruise. Food includes baguettes, fruit, and snacks.

That matters because time on a boat can feel long when nobody has planned for hunger. You can have something to eat after the wildlife viewing, before swimming, or while relaxing in the salon. The German-language feedback supplied for this experience describes the day as relaxed and well catered, which fits the generous list of included food and drinks.

Do not read this as a restaurant meal at sea. The information gives no detailed menu, so you should not expect to choose from a full kitchen service. If you have allergies or special dietary needs, ask the operator before departure rather than assuming the baguettes and snacks will suit you.

Alcohol is included, but pace yourself. Sun, sea air, and beer or wine can catch up with you quickly, especially if you are swimming later. Sun cream is not provided, and towels are not provided either, so pack both.

Anchoring in a secluded bay

At some point, the captain anchors in a secluded bay. This is the change of pace that separates the trip from a straight wildlife cruise. After scanning the water for whales and dolphins, you get time to swim, use the snorkeling equipment, or remain aboard with a drink and snack.

Turtles may be part of this stop, and the description specifically invites you to swim with them. Still, turtle sightings depend on nature, conditions, and timing. Treat the bay as a chance to swim and look for marine life, not as a guaranteed turtle encounter.

The snorkeling gear is included, which saves you from bringing your own equipment. You will still need a swimsuit and a towel. Since towels are not supplied, bring one from your accommodation or buy one before you arrive.

If you do not want to swim, the yacht’s sunbathing area, salon, cabins, and seating give you ways to stay comfortable. That flexibility is useful for mixed groups. One person can swim while another stays aboard with a cold drink, and nobody has to spend the whole stop in the water.

Comfort, space, and the private-group advantage

The yacht carries up to 11 people. That capacity is a useful middle ground. It is large enough for a family reunion or group of friends, but still private enough to feel like your own outing.

The boat’s cabins and salon give you shelter and room to settle in. The bathroom is another practical advantage, especially on the 6-hour cruise. You are not limited to a narrow open deck with no place to escape the sun.

The private setup also lets your group play its own music, according to the details supplied about one 11-person outing. That can add a personal touch, although you should confirm music arrangements with the captain if it matters to your plans. The captain may allow it, but the activity details do not promise a formal onboard music system or a specific policy.

I would not choose this trip only for luxury fittings. The strongest reason to book is the combination of wildlife viewing, privacy, swimming, and included food. The boat’s comforts support that experience, but they do not change the fact that you are still at sea, exposed to sun and motion.

Who will get the most from this outing

This cruise fits a group that wants one shared experience without strangers on board. Families, birthday groups, couples traveling with friends, and small reunions can all use the private format well. A full group of 11 will get the best value from the flat price.

It also suits people who want more than a wildlife look from a distant boat. The swim stop, snorkeling equipment, snacks, and drinks create a full half-day or full-day plan. You can watch for whales, eat lunch, swim, and relax without changing vessels.

You might prefer another option if your top priority is the lowest price, a guaranteed turtle encounter, or a tightly focused scientific wildlife trip. This experience is built around comfort and leisure as much as sightings. The wildlife is central, but the yacht day is the real product.

The 4.9 rating from 14 verified bookings, including perfect scores recorded in late 2023, 2024, and early 2025, points to a consistently strong experience so far. The comments particularly support the friendly captain, good information, food, drinks, whale sightings, and swim time. That is encouraging, though 14 bookings is still a small sample, and it cannot remove the normal uncertainty of wildlife watching.

Timing, packing, and small practical details

Arrive 15 minutes before departure at Puerto Colon, Pantalan Number 2. Keep your booking details easy to find so you can meet the captain without delay.

Pack:

• Sunglasses
• A hat
• Swimsuit
• Summer beach clothing
• Camera
• Sun cream
• Towels

The last two items are easy to miss because many boat outings provide them. This one does not. A towel is useful after the bay stop, and sun cream is essential during several hours on open water.

The activity offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if you are still arranging a Tenerife itinerary. Starting times depend on availability, so check the date carefully before you commit.

There is no stated hotel pickup in the supplied details. Plan to reach Puerto Colon on your own and allow enough time to find Pantalan Number 2. The meeting point is specific, so do not assume every Puerto Colon pier is correct.

Is this Tenerife yacht trip worth booking?

I would book this for a private group that can share the $701 cost and wants a polished day on the water rather than the cheapest possible whale trip. The strongest value comes when you fill most of the 11 places. You get pilot whale watching, possible dolphins and turtles, a swim stop, snorkeling gear, food, drinks, and a comfortable yacht with a bathroom.

Choose the 3-hour option if you want a manageable taste of the experience. Choose 6 hours if your group enjoys slow meals, swimming, and plenty of time aboard. Pack a towel and sun cream, keep your wildlife expectations flexible, and remember that no captain can promise exactly what the ocean will show you.

FAQ

Where does the yacht tour depart from?

The meeting point is Puerto Colon, Pantalan Number 2. You should arrive 15 minutes before departure.

How long is the private cruise?

You can choose a 3-hour or 6-hour sailing trip. Available starting times depend on the date and booking availability.

How many people can join the private yacht?

The private group can include up to 11 people.

What wildlife might I see?

The cruise looks for pilot whales, dolphins, and turtles. The activity information describes these as possible sightings, so encounters are not guaranteed.

Is food and drink included?

Yes. The cruise includes cava on arrival, soft drinks, beer, white wine, baguettes, fruit, and snacks.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included for use during the swim stop in a secluded bay.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, a camera, summer beach clothing, a hat, sun cream, and towels. Towels and sun cream are not included.