Tenerife: Sailboat Tour with Food and Snorkeling

What makes this tour interesting is the blend of small-boat sailing with real marine-life searching, not just a scenic cruise. You head along the Costa Adeje coast, and you spend time on the water looking for whales, dolphins, turtles, and seabirds in their own habitat, with a crew focused on spotting them.

I love how it feels personal, because the sailboat (about 12 meters) carries just 10 passengers plus 2 crew, with space to move around without the big-boat chaos. I also like the practical mix of snorkeling gear and onboard snacks and drinks for a smooth half-day, so you do not have to plan meals or bring everything. One possible drawback: the ride can get choppy, so if you get motion sick easily, bring your usual plan and consider sitting where it feels steadier.

Key points that make this tour worth your time

• Small group on the Roulette: just 10 passengers, so the crew can adjust for better views.
• Marine-life spotting focus: the crew is there to find cetaceans, not just cruise past open water.
• Snorkel time in warm water: you stop in a bay for swimming and snorkeling with provided equipment.
• Food and drinks included: snacks, sandwiches, desserts, plus cava, beer, wine, and soft drinks.
• Short, well-paced 3 hours: enough time for wildlife and water time without eating up your whole day.

Finding the Roulette at Puerto Colón Dock No 5

This is one of those trips where your biggest “work” is getting to the right place at the right time. Meet at the door of dock number 5 of Puerto Colón, at the pier. It is the first jetty past the port parking barrier, and the ship’s name is the Roulette.

Plan to arrive early and give yourself time to locate the dock. People specifically call out that the meeting point can be a bit tricky when you first show up, so arriving a little ahead helps you get calm instead of rushing.

No hotel pickup is included, so you will want to budget time to get yourself to Puerto Colón on your own. If you are staying in the Costa Adeje area, this is still an easy add-on, but it is not a “door-to-door” tour.

What 12 meters of sailboat space feels like (and why it matters)

The Roulette is a compact sailboat designed for comfort and closeness. With 3 double cabins and 2 bathrooms, it is not just a floating ride. You also get deck mats for passenger comfort, which sounds small, but it makes a difference when you are sitting and watching wildlife for stretches of time.

Because the boat is built for a group of 10 passengers, the crew can do things that larger tours often cannot. In real-world terms, that means you are more likely to be positioned well for dolphin and whale viewing, and the captain can shift the boat to give both sides of the deck better sightlines.

Also, sailing is the main mode of travel when conditions allow. You are not stuck with constant engine noise, which helps you actually enjoy the experience instead of just surviving it. One person even noted the sails were up for a long stretch on the outbound and inbound portions when the wind worked.

Costa Adeje wildlife search: whales, dolphins, turtles, seabirds

The core of the trip is wildlife viewing along Tenerife’s south coast. You set out from Puerto Colón and head along the Costa Adeje coast, keeping a steady eye on the water for cetaceans and other marine life.

The crew runs this like a wildlife search with local know-how. Names like Rafa and Captain Salvador show up in standout experiences, and in several accounts, the captain and mate are quick to answer questions and point out what you are seeing, from marine habits to local geography.

What you can reasonably hope to see includes:

• Pilot whales (often mentioned)
• Dolphins, including pods with calves
• Sea turtles
• Seabirds riding the same air and weather patterns above the water

One detail I really like is how the crew handles viewing time. People describe the boat staying with groups long enough for the moment to feel real, not rushed. And because the group is small, you often get closer than on bigger operations, which matters for both spotting and photo chances.

Important reality check: wildlife is wild. Some trips will be more active than others. The value here is that the crew is actively looking, and the boat size helps you benefit from what they find.

The Puerto Colón water stop: swimming and snorkeling in warm bays

After the wildlife portion, you get your chance to get in the water. You stop for snorkeling and swimming in a bay with warm conditions, and snorkeling equipment is included.

In multiple experiences, snorkeling time is described as around 30 minutes. It is not meant to be a long training session. It is a “get you in the water safely, give you time to see fish, then back on the boat for the rest of the ride” kind of stop.

This is also the part of the day where conditions matter most. If the sea is calmer, you will feel more confident and you will likely spend your snorkeling time looking around instead of managing balance. If it is choppy, you still can go in, but you may want to start slower and keep your focus on safe, steady kicking.

One person mentioned a small cave feature in the snorkeling area. Since that detail is not guaranteed from trip to trip, think of it as a bonus if the conditions and the bay shape line up that way.

Food and drinks onboard the Roulette, plus what you get for $68

The tour includes snacks and desserts, plus drinks throughout. You can expect choices like mineral water, wine, cava, beer, and soft drinks. Drinks are offered during the cruise, so you do not feel like you need to save them for one moment.

Food is part of the comfort value here. People describe sandwiches, baguettes with fillings like ham and tomato, and some combination of crisps and cake or other desserts. One account notes the food was simple but perfectly adequate for a 3-hour sail, which I agree with. The goal is not a gourmet meal. It is fuel and pleasure that matches the short duration.

A nice practical touch is that the crew appears willing to accommodate dietary requirements, based on at least one firsthand account. If you have specific needs, bring them up clearly when you meet the crew, so they can do what is possible.

Why I think this matters for your planning: you do not have to build a whole food strategy around your wildlife time. You can snorkel, then eat, then keep sailing, without leaving the boat and losing the rhythm of the trip.

Sea conditions, seasickness, and staying comfortable for 3 hours

Sailing on the Atlantic can be smooth or slightly bouncy. One review notes choppy waters and mentions the person got quite seasick, while the captain and mate responded with real care. That is the takeaway you want: the crew is attentive and willing to look after people who feel unwell.

So what should you do in advance? Keep it simple:

• If you know you get motion sick, take your usual prevention before you board.
• Try to stand or sit where the boat movement feels less intense, often closer to the center of the vessel.
• Bring a small towel or wipes if you tend to get damp or queasy.

Also, because this trip is only 3 hours, you are not stuck out there all day if conditions are rough. That short duration is a quiet advantage, especially if you are trying to keep the day low-stress.

Who this tour fits best (and who should skip it)

This is a good fit if you want:

• A wildlife-focused sail with time on the water, not a long, sightseeing-only boat day
• A small-group experience where the crew can adjust for everyone’s viewing
• Snorkeling time with gear provided, plus food and drinks handled onboard

It may be less ideal if you strongly prefer dry land activities, or if water time and choppy conditions would stress you out. Also, because there is no hotel pickup, you need to be able to reach Puerto Colón on your own.

Families often like this style of trip. Several accounts mention kids being thrilled by the wildlife and the close viewing. And couples tend to like the quieter vibe compared with loud, big-boat outings.

Value check: is $68 per person worth it?

At about $68 per person for a 3-hour outing, the value comes from how much is bundled into the time on the water. You get:

• a sailboat cruise
• a guide and wildlife spotting focus
• drinks (including cava and beer options)
• snacks and desserts, plus lunch-style food
• snorkeling equipment
• a small group setup

Compare that to doing wildlife watching plus a separate snorkeling trip plus buying your own food and drinks. For many people, this ticket covers the entire “water day” without the extra logistics.

What you are also paying for is the boat size and crew attention. The most praised part of these experiences is the feeling that the crew is actively searching and willing to help you see what is out there. When a trip like this works, it works because of that hands-on approach.

So for your decision, look at your priorities. If your goal is wildlife, swimming, and a low-planning afternoon, this is a strong value.

Should you book the Tenerife Roulette sail and snorkel?

I would book it if you want a compact, sea-time experience with real wildlife searching and practical extras like snorkeling gear and drinks included. It is especially appealing when you want something more personal than the big-boat format.

You should think twice if you:

• know you get seasick and do not have a plan
• cannot make it to Puerto Colón on your own
• expect a long snorkeling session or a full day on the water

If you like short, focused trips with a small group and a crew that really looks for whales and dolphins, the Roulette tour is a very solid choice for a south Tenerife half-day.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at the door of dock number 5 of Puerto Colón, about 10 minutes before departure. The ship name is Roulette. It is the first jetty past the port parking barrier.

How long is the tour?

The duration is 3 hours. Starting times can vary, so you should check availability for the departure you want.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you will need to get to Puerto Colón yourself.

What is the group size?

It is a small group limited to 10 participants.

What languages are offered?

The live tour guide is offered in Spanish, English, French, and German.

What is included in the price?

Included items are the sailboat cruise, guide, whale watching, drinks (mineral water, wine, cava, beer, soft drinks), snacks, and snorkeling equipment.