Tenerife: Sailing Excursion with Whale and Dolphin Watching

The ocean can steal the show. This three-hour sailing trip pairs pilot-whale watching with a relaxed cruise along Tenerife’s southern coast, then adds time for swimming and snorkeling in a quiet bay. I like the small-group feel and the chance to watch animals without the boat chasing them. I also like that sandwiches, fruit, and drinks are included, a welcome touch at $88 per person.

The main catch is the sea itself. Large waves can make the ride bumpy, and children or anyone prone to motion sickness may struggle. Wildlife is never guaranteed, either, although the chances are strong in these waters. The crew speaks English, Spanish, French, and Italian, and captains such as Alex, Jesus, Mauricio, and Yuri have earned praise for their care and local sea-life knowledge.

Key points to know before you book

• A 52-foot sailing yacht: You get more room and a calmer setting than on many crowded motorboats.
• Pilot whales are the main attraction: Sightings have included mothers, babies, and whales coming close after the engine was switched off.
• Dolphins and turtles are possible extras: Some trips see both, while others see whales but no dolphins.
• Swimming time comes in a secluded bay: The stop may be leisurely, but wildlife viewing can shorten the swim.
• Food and drinks are included: Expect fresh fruit, sandwiches, water, juices, soft drinks, beer, cava, and wine.
• Bare feet are the rule: Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat, but leave large luggage behind.

Setting out from Puerto Colón

The trip begins at Puerto Colón in Tenerife’s south. You should arrive 15 minutes early and enter at Pantalán, dock number zero. If you use a taxi or navigation app, searching for Miishi Restaurant is the suggested way to find the boarding point.

There are two port car parks, costing about €1 per hour. That is useful if you have a rental car, though you still need to allow time to park and walk to the dock. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so plan your own way to Puerto Colón.

The short briefing sets the tone. The guide explains the plan, the whale and dolphin area, and the basic safety information before the yacht heads out. Meeting the crew at the marina is also helpful if you have questions about the route, the swim stop, or the barefoot policy.

The yacht is 52 feet long, which gives you several places to sit or stand while looking for wildlife. The boat is described as comfortable and beautiful, and the smaller number of people onboard helps it feel closer to a private charter than a packed excursion boat. One group of 10 people still found plenty of room, while another had only seven people onboard.

Watching pilot whales along Tenerife’s south coast

The best reason to choose this trip is the whale watching. Pilot whales live in the waters around Tenerife, so this is not simply a lucky sighting far offshore. The crew knows the regular areas and spends time looking for pods along the southern coast.

Pilot whales are usually the star of the show. Several trips have seen large numbers, including young whales and mothers with calves. On some outings, whales have approached very close to the yacht after the captain stopped the engine. That can make for a powerful encounter, but the crew’s approach matters just as much as the sighting.

The better moments come when the boat gives the animals room to decide how close they want to get. Captains have been praised for cutting the engine and avoiding a chase. You can watch the whales surface, breathe, and move through the water without the noisy rush that can spoil a wildlife trip.

The trip also looks for dolphins and turtles. Bottlenose dolphins have been seen near the boat, and one outing included a sea turtle right beside the yacht. Still, sightings vary. One trip saw many whales but no dolphins, while another saw a single dolphin and several small whales. You should book this for the chance to see marine life, not for a guaranteed checklist.

The guides add useful context as the yacht moves between spots. Alex, Jesus, Marta, Mauricio, Monica, and Yuri have all been singled out for being friendly, careful, and well informed about local marine life. That personal attention is valuable when you want to understand what you are seeing rather than simply point a camera at a fin.

When the sails go up

This is a sailing excursion, but the yacht will not necessarily sail under wind power for the whole three hours. One family had little wind and never really sailed, while other trips included the memorable moment when the sails went up.

That uncertainty is worth understanding. The captain needs to balance wind, sea conditions, wildlife viewing, and the timetable. If the crew spends extra time with whales, the sailing portion or swim may be shorter. If the wind is right, you might get a peaceful stretch under sail with the motor quiet and the coast sliding past.

I like this flexible approach. The wildlife comes first, and that is the right priority. You should not expect a formal sailing lesson or a long, uninterrupted cruise under full sail. Think of the yacht as the setting for a wildlife and swimming trip, with sailing added when conditions allow.

The southern coast gives you something to watch even when the animals are below the surface. You will see Tenerife from the water, with the coast providing a changing backdrop as the yacht searches for whales and dolphins. This is not the excursion for someone specifically hoping to see Los Gigantes, since one experience made clear that this route does not include that destination.

A swim and snorkel stop in a quiet bay

Before returning to Puerto Colón, the captain drops anchor in a secluded bay. This is the trip’s change of pace. After scanning the water and listening for the next whale sighting, you can swim, use the basic snorkeling equipment, or stay onboard with a drink and take in the scenery.

The water has been described as calm and clear on some outings, with a beautiful setting for a quick dip. The word quick matters, though. The schedule is only three hours, and if the whales are active, the crew may spend more time watching them. One group had only about 10 minutes for swimming after a long whale encounter.

You should bring your own towel, swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, and sun hat. Basic snorkeling equipment is supplied, but you may prefer to bring a mask that fits you well if you are particular about snorkeling gear. There is no promise of a long guided snorkeling session, so treat it as a refreshing stop rather than the main event.

You can also skip the swim. The bay is a pleasant chance to relax, eat, and enjoy the boat if you do not want to get wet. Anyone with limited mobility should check the details before booking, even though the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, because boarding, moving around the yacht, and entering the water can require different levels of assistance.

Food, drinks, and the onboard mood

The included refreshments add real value to a three-hour outing. The crew provides fresh fruit and sandwiches, along with water, juice, soft drinks, beer, cava, and wine. One guide prepared sandwiches while the yacht was under sail, and several people praised the food and drinks as tasty and plentiful.

The meal is simple rather than fancy, but that suits the setting. You can have a sandwich after standing in the sun, grab fruit between sightings, or enjoy a cold drink during the bay stop. Alcohol is available, but remember that the sea can be rough, so moderation is sensible if you are prone to motion sickness.

One person suggested bringing extra water. Water is included, but your own bottle can still be useful, especially in strong sun or if you want to keep drinking without waiting for service. There is no mention of special dietary options, so you should ask the provider before booking if that matters to you.

The overall mood is one of the strongest parts of the trip. The yacht is not presented as a loud party boat. People describe it as calm, friendly, and sociable, with enough space to sit near the front or find a quieter place. The crew makes an effort to speak with everyone and check that people are comfortable.

Sea conditions and motion sickness

Do not ignore the warnings about waves. The ride can be smooth, but several outings had large swells, and one family found that all the children became seasick. Another person who normally gets motion sickness did well by sitting near the front of the boat.

That gives you a practical tip: if you are sensitive to movement, choose a seat toward the front, keep your eyes on the horizon, and avoid a heavy meal before departure. The boat may feel more stable than a smaller craft, but no yacht can control the Atlantic.

The conditions can also affect the experience in other ways. Strong waves may make it harder to move around, reduce the time spent swimming, or prevent the crew from raising the sails. On the other hand, good weather and calm water can create the ideal combination of whale watching, sailing, and swimming.

The barefoot policy is another detail to plan for. Shoes are not allowed onboard unless you have a health reason, so wear footwear that you can remove easily and do not bring anything bulky. Oversize luggage is not permitted. A small bag with the items you need is the sensible choice.

Is $88 good value for three hours?

At $88 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water. The value comes from the combination of a proper sailing yacht, a relatively intimate group, wildlife viewing, a swim stop, snorkeling equipment, and a spread of food and drinks.

A cheaper boat may give you a basic whale-watching ride, but this experience adds a more relaxed yacht setting. You are paying for space, the chance to sail when conditions allow, and a crew that appears to put care into the way it approaches the whales. For many people, that is worth more than simply being on the water for three hours.

The group size makes the price easier to justify. Several outings had only a handful of people, and even a group of 10 did not feel crowded. One person described it as close to a private charter for under €200, though the listed price for this experience is $88 per person. The exact group size can vary, so do not assume every departure will have the same intimate feel.

The value is weaker if your main aim is a long snorkeling session or a guaranteed dolphin sighting. It is also less appealing if you want to visit Los Gigantes, since that is not part of the described route. But if you want a polished half-day on the southern coast with a strong chance of seeing pilot whales, the price is reasonable.

Who will enjoy this yacht trip most?

I would choose this excursion for couples, small groups of friends, and families who want a quieter alternative to crowded sightseeing boats. The crew’s warm approach also helps if you are new to sailing or unsure about whale watching.

It suits people who care about how wildlife is approached. The most encouraging detail is the use of the engine stop, allowing the whales to control the encounter rather than having the boat pursue them. That makes the trip feel more respectful and gives you a better chance to observe natural behavior.

Families should think carefully about sea conditions. Children have enjoyed the whales and the experience, but the boat can become uncomfortable in large waves. If anyone in your group is prone to seasickness, bring suitable medication if you use it and take a seat near the front.

This is less suitable for anyone expecting guaranteed sightings, a full sailing lesson, a long snorkeling excursion, or a specific view of Los Gigantes. It is also not the right choice if you need hotel transportation, since you must make your own way to Puerto Colón.

Booking details that matter

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. Starting times vary, so check availability for your date before arranging transport to the port.

The excursion is three hours long and offers a live guide in English, Spanish, French, or Italian. You should arrive 15 minutes early at dock number zero, using Miishi Restaurant as a nearby search point.

Pack light. Bring:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat
• A small personal bag
• Extra water if you prefer having your own supply

Leave large luggage behind, and expect to go barefoot onboard unless a health issue prevents it.

Should you book this sailing excursion?

Yes, if you want a small-group yacht trip where pilot whales are the main focus, with dolphins, turtles, coastal views, food, and a swim stop added in. The crew’s friendly service, careful wildlife approach, and comfortable 52-foot yacht give this outing more character than a basic boat ride.

I would hesitate only if you get badly seasick, need hotel pickup, or care more about snorkeling than whale watching. You also need to accept that wind, waves, and animal behavior control the schedule. For $88, though, this is a strong choice for a thoughtful three-hour outing from Puerto Colón, especially if seeing pilot whales in a calm, respectful setting is high on your Tenerife list.

FAQ

How long is the sailing excursion?

The excursion lasts three hours.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $88 per person.

Where does the boat leave from?

The meeting point is Pantalán, dock number zero, at Puerto Colón in Tenerife.

How early should I arrive?

You should arrive 15 minutes before the activity begins.

How can I find the meeting point?

Search for Miishi Restaurant near Puerto Colón. The entry point is at dock number zero.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. You need to arrange your own transportation to and from Puerto Colón.

What marine life might I see?

The trip looks for pilot whales and dolphins, and turtles may also appear. Sightings are not guaranteed.

Is swimming or snorkeling included?

Yes. The yacht stops in a secluded bay where you can swim or snorkel, and basic snorkeling equipment is provided.

What food and drinks are included?

Fresh fruit, sandwiches, water, juices, soft drinks, beer, cava, and wine are included.

What should I bring onboard?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat. Large luggage is not allowed, and you should expect to go barefoot onboard unless you have a health-related reason not to.