Whale and Dolphin Watching Yacht Trip in Puerto Colon

Tenerife is one of those places where the sea feels alive, and this small-group yacht trip turns whale and dolphin watching into something you can actually enjoy, not just hustle through. I love the combo of a captain who runs the day with live commentary plus the laid-back vibe of a 12-person boat, with drinks and simple food included. One thing to keep in mind: you are sailing on the ocean, so wind can make it choppy, and the swimming or snorkeling part depends on the weather.

The best part for many people is how the day is paced. You go out looking for whales and dolphins, then you may get a swim stop, and you stay comfortable with life vests and blankets if needed. If you’re lucky, you’ll share the water with pilot whales and other marine life like sea turtles, and the captain, often referred to as Patrick, points out what to watch for.

Key things to know before you go

A maximum of 12 travelers onboard means you can hear what’s going on and get a better view.

Snorkeling equipment is included, but swimming depends on weather.

Drinks and snacks are part of the price, including beer, wine, soft drinks, water, plus ham and cheese baguettes (vegetarian on request).

Departure times include a sunset option at 19:00 in late summer, but it’s only 2 hours and you will choose between whale watching or a swim stop.

English and Spanish run on every tour day, with other language requests possible if you message in advance.

A yacht trip from Puerto Colón that feels personal

Puerto Colón, in Playa de la Américas, is a handy base on Tenerife, and this tour starts and ends right back at the meeting point. What matters for you is not just where you board, but how the day unfolds once you’re out there. With a 12-person maximum, the boat does not feel like a cattle call, and you get more of the “watch together” experience that whale and dolphin trips are really about.

This is also a good value setup for the price. For roughly $62.56 per person, you are getting a 3-hour time window at sea, use of snorkeling gear, life vests, drinks (including beer and wine), and baguette snacks. If you have ever paid separately for “tour + drinks + snack + gear” on other island outings, you will appreciate how this one bundles it.

3 hours on the water: what you are really doing

Think of this trip as three layers: the search, the sighting time, and the optional water time.

First, you leave the port and head out in search of whales and dolphins. The captain provides live commentary and takes you to the spots where the chances are best. Tenerife is known for sightings, and pilot whales are a common highlight. When whales show up close enough, the whole boat usually goes quiet, because you cannot help it. You are not rushing between locations every five minutes. You’re watching.

Next comes the sighting stretch. This is where the small group pays off. On a bigger boat you may only catch glimpses over shoulders. On a 12-person yacht, people tend to cluster in a way that makes it easier to see. You also tend to get more chances to spot patterns like how whales breathe or how dolphins move with the water.

Then comes the “optional” part. You may stop for snorkeling and swimming, but it is weather dependent. If conditions are rough, you might still enjoy the ocean time with the drinks, snacks, and the whale spotting, but the water part may not happen the way you hoped.

What’s included, and what that means for your comfort

This tour is built for comfort on a relatively short outing.

Included basics

• Snorkeling equipment (so you don’t have to pack it)
• Beer, wine, soft drinks, and water
• Ham and cheese baguettes, with vegetarian options available on request
• Life vests
• A small-group setup (up to 12)

For value, I like that the food and drinks are not treated as an afterthought. You are out long enough to feel hungry, and snacks help you stay present instead of counting minutes until you’re back on land. Also, if you plan to swim, having the snorkeling gear ready makes a big difference, since you can travel light.

Photo service

A photo service is optional and not included. If you care about having someone take pictures for you, plan on buying it separately. If you do not, you can focus on watching instead of thinking about camera angles.

Drinks and snacks: simple, not fancy

This is not a fine-dining cruise. It is a relaxed sailing day with practical fuel for your trip.

You get beer, wine, soft drinks, and water, plus ham and cheese baguettes. Vegetarian options are available, but the key detail is that you need to request them. If you have dietary needs, do it clearly when booking, so everyone is set up before you reach the boat.

You should also be aware that sea conditions can change. If it’s windy and choppy, the experience can feel louder in your ears and a little more bouncy underfoot. In situations like that, having blankets can help you stay comfortable even if you decide not to get in the water.

Captain-led spotting: why live commentary matters

Whale watching can be frustrating if you are staring at open water and hoping for a lucky moment. Here, the captain provides live commentary and takes you to the best spots.

This is the kind of experience where attention pays off. When you know what you are looking for, sightings can feel much more “real.” You might notice landmarks, seabirds, and water activity that you would otherwise miss. People also tend to remember the moments when the captain slows down or lines up the boat for viewing, because the animals are doing the work of entertaining you.

If you are the kind of person who likes guided experiences, this will feel satisfying. If you just want quiet scenic time, you still get the chance to watch without constant talking, especially when whales come near.

The swim and snorkeling stop: when it happens, what to expect

This tour can include swimming and snorkeling, but it is weather dependent. That means you should treat it as a bonus, not a guarantee.

On the day you do swim, you’ll have your life vest and snorkeling equipment ready. The best part of this stop is that it is not just “jump in and hope.” You’re in a bay or cove setting that fits the activity, and you can alternate between watching the sea from the boat and getting your own view below the surface.

If the weather does not cooperate, you can still enjoy the main event: whales and dolphins. Many of the strongest memories come from the ocean time itself, especially if you manage to see pilot whales and turtles.

Sunset option at 19:00: great idea, different trade-off

There is also a sunset time option at 19:00 until the end of August, and it runs for 2 hours. Here’s the trade-off: it will either go to look for whales and dolphins or it will go to the swim stop, but it will not do both.

Price is the same as the standard trip, so you are really choosing the focus. If your main goal is sightings, pick the slot that emphasizes whales and dolphins. If you are traveling with people who really want a swim, choose accordingly, and treat whales as the chance bonus rather than the certainty.

Where to meet and how the day flows

You meet at Puerto Colón, Playa de la Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, and you return to the same place at the end. That simple round-trip matters. It reduces stress because you are not dealing with multiple transfers or confusing drop-offs.

There is also good news if you are using public transport. The meeting point is near public transportation, so you can plan a low-fuss arrival without building a whole day around a taxi.

The tour uses a mobile ticket, and you should receive confirmation at booking. If you are traveling with a group and you care about being together on the same boat, there is an important detail: if you book separately, they use multiple boats, so you need to let them know you want to be on the same boat at the time of booking. If you miss that step, it may be too late.

Languages: English and Spanish on board

This is an easy trip if you only speak English or Spanish. English and Spanish are spoken on every tour day.

If you need a specific language on a specific day, you have to message before booking. That is rare enough for you to plan ahead and avoid disappointment.

When this trip is a smart fit

This yacht format is especially good if you want:

• Small-group attention rather than fighting for a view
• A day that mixes wildlife + comfort (drinks, snacks, and sailing)
• A trip that can include snorkeling, without you having to source equipment
• A captain-led approach where you learn what you are seeing in real time

It can also work well for families, because the outing is about 3 hours, and the boat size stays manageable. Just remember the ocean part, if choppy, can be a lot for little kids or anyone sensitive to motion.

Potential drawbacks to plan around

No tour is perfect, and the ocean can be unpredictable. Here are the main considerations based on what shows up in real-world operation:

1. Choppy weather is a reality. Even with blankets, some days feel rougher than others. If you get motion sick, plan carefully.
2. Space can feel tight. On a small yacht, you get better whale viewing, but there’s less room to roam around.
3. Vegetarian requests must be made clearly. Vegetarian options exist, but you should request them when you book and confirm you’re covered.
4. Boat experience can vary. Some people describe the boat as not matching expectations from photos, and others focus on the comfort and sailing experience. If boat style is a big deal to you, I’d treat it as a sailing platform first, not a luxury yacht spa day.

Is it worth $62.56 per person?

For Tenerife whale watching, this price can make sense because you get a packed bundle for a short outing: drinks, snacks, snorkeling equipment, and life vests, plus the key advantage of a maximum 12-person group. If you were to piece those things together separately, you would likely spend more.

Where the value swings is in your priorities. If you care most about wildlife sightings, the boat size and captain guidance can make a difference. If you care most about a long swim-and-snorkel schedule, you might feel the limit when weather turns or when you pick the 2-hour sunset slot and it cannot include both whales and a swim stop.

Should you book this Puerto Colón whale and dolphin yacht trip?

I’d book it if you want a more personal day at sea, with a captain actively guiding you, and you like the idea of having drinks and snacks while you wait for wildlife to appear. The small group size is the biggest reason this tour feels different from big-boat options.

I’d think twice if you are highly sensitive to motion, because the trip depends on ocean conditions. Also, if vegetarian food and swim time are both non-negotiable, message ahead and be very clear about expectations, since the swimming part depends on weather and the food depends on advance requests.

Overall, this is the kind of Tenerife outing that can turn into a top day, especially if you enjoy wildlife with a bit of comfort and guidance on hand.

FAQ

How long is the Puerto Colón whale and dolphin yacht trip?

The main trip is about 3 hours.

How many people are on board?

The yacht has a maximum of 12 travelers.

What’s included in the price?

Beer, wine, soft drinks, water, ham and cheese baguettes, snorkeling equipment, life vests, and vegetarian options available on request are included.

Is snorkeling and swimming included?

Snorkeling and swimming are included, but the activity is weather dependent.

Do you offer vegetarian food?

Yes. Vegetarian options are available on request, and the standard snack is ham and cheese baguettes.

What languages are spoken on the tour?

English and Spanish are spoken on every tour day.

Is there a sunset option?

Yes. There is a 19:00 sunset option until the end of August, and it is 2 hours long. It will either go looking for whales and dolphins or it will do the swim stop, not both.

Are photos included?

No. Photo service is optional and not included.

What happens if weather is poor?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

Can I bring a service animal?

Service animals are allowed.