Luxury Opera 60 Whale & Dolphin Watching Experience

Tenerife’s Opera 60 combines a whale and dolphin search with a proper afternoon on the water. You leave Puerto Colón, scan the Atlantic for pilot whales and dolphins, then head to a sheltered bay for swimming, snorkeling, food, and drinks. The boat itself is part of the attraction: a nearly 20-meter RIB with room to move around.

I like the generous space and small passenger limit, which make it easier to find a seat and get a clear view. I also like the two-part plan: wildlife first, then a relaxed swim stop with snorkeling gear, showers, and a meal. Fabrizio has earned special praise for keeping drinks topped up and the mood friendly.

The main consideration is price and consistency. At about $96.79 per person, this is not a simple sightseeing cruise, and wildlife can never be guaranteed. One poor account also described slow drink service, lukewarm food, and an early return, though that appears unusual beside the much stronger overall response.

Key points to know before booking

• A 60-foot luxury RIB: Opera 60 has two 740-horsepower Volvo Penta engines, inflatable side defenses, several seating areas, sunbeds, two tables, a toilet, and showers.
• Wildlife comes early: The boat can reach whale-watching waters quickly, with sightings reported within roughly 20 minutes of leaving the harbor.
• Swimming and snorkeling are included: Equipment is provided, and the tour stops in a sheltered bay for time in the water.
• Small group, maximum 15 people: You get considerably more elbow room than on a large excursion boat.
• Food and drinks are part of the package: Expect a meal, snacks, soft drinks, and alcoholic options such as prosecco, wine, and beer.
• It returns to Puerto Colón: The full outing lasts about three hours and starts and ends at the same marina.

Setting out from Puerto Colón on Opera 60

The meeting point is Puerto Colón in Playa de las Américas, on Tenerife’s south coast. This is a practical base for a boat trip because you return to the same place, with no separate transfer between the start and finish.

Opera 60 is not a small open dinghy. It is a rigid inflatable boat with a solid hull and inflatable side defenses, giving it a broad, stable feel while retaining the speed of a powerful RIB. Two 740-horsepower Volvo Penta engines provide plenty of power for reaching the offshore viewing area without spending the whole trip getting there.

The boat is nearly 20 meters long and designed for a maximum of 15 passengers. That number matters. You are not being packed shoulder to shoulder on a party boat, and you should have room to change position as the crew points out wildlife.

There are several seating areas, sunbeds, two large tables, a toilet, and onboard speakers. After swimming, showers are available, a useful touch when you do not want to sit in saltwater for the ride back. The boat is described as stylish and carefully finished, though one unhappy account found the exterior older and more worn than expected. I would treat the boat as spacious and comfortable rather than assume everything will look brand new.

The first search for whales, dolphins, and turtles

The wildlife portion begins once Opera 60 leaves the marina. The crew watches the water and helps you know where to look, which is valuable because a fin or back can appear and vanish in seconds.

Sightings reported on this outing include dolphins, pilot whales, and sea turtles. Some departures have seen whales within about 20 minutes of leaving the harbor. Other outings have found a dolphin group, a large family of whales, or turtles near the boat. You may see more than one species, but nature sets the schedule, and no responsible operator can promise a particular animal on a particular day.

The best approach is to keep your expectations realistic. You are going to sea in search of wild animals, not visiting an aquarium. A quiet period is possible, and one account described seeing dolphins and almost seeing a whale. Another saw whales but no dolphins. That is not a fault in itself, but it is worth remembering when comparing this with a fixed sightseeing attraction.

The crew is expected to keep a respectful distance from the animals. That makes the sightings feel less intrusive and gives you a better chance of watching natural behavior rather than a staged approach. The crew also points out species and shares facts about what you are seeing. One guide was able to identify the type of whale and dolphin group, adding useful context without turning the trip into a lecture.

Keep your phone or camera ready, but do not spend the whole time looking at a screen. The boat’s movement, changing light, and quick sightings reward attention. You will have a better chance of seeing something if you scan the water instead of waiting for the crew to do all the work.

Tenerife’s coast from the water

The ride gives you a different view of the south coast. From offshore, the cliffs, coves, and volcanic shoreline become part of the outing rather than a backdrop seen through a coach window.

The speed of the RIB helps here. You get a sense of open water and coastal scale without committing to a full-day cruise. At the same time, the wide boat and multiple seating areas let you choose between watching the horizon, sitting at a table, or stretching out on a sunbed.

The trade-off is motion. A powerful RIB can feel lively when the sea is choppy, particularly for anyone prone to seasickness. The tour requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a cancellation, a different date, or a full refund. Even in fair weather, bring a sensible attitude toward the sea. The crew may delay drinks during a rough stretch because carrying glasses and serving food is harder while the boat is moving.

The sheltered bay, swimming, and snorkeling

After the wildlife search, Opera 60 heads to a small bay for the more relaxed part of the trip. This change of pace is one of the strongest reasons to choose this outing over a short wildlife-only cruise.

Snorkeling equipment is provided, so you do not need to bring your own mask and gear. The water offers a chance to see different fish species, and sea turtles have also been spotted during some outings. You can swim, snorkel, or stay aboard and enjoy the view if you prefer not to enter the water.

Bring your swimming gear. That sounds obvious, but it is the one item most likely to determine how much you get from the second half of the outing. A towel and sun protection are also sensible, though only the swimming gear is specifically highlighted in the tour information.

The bay stop also gives you time to move around the boat without the constant search for wildlife. You can sit at one of the tables, use a sunbed, or enjoy the music from the onboard speakers. The toilet and post-swim showers make this more comfortable than a basic inflatable excursion.

There is a small point to keep in mind: water conditions and timing can affect how long you spend swimming. One account described returning about 20 minutes early, while other outings included plenty of snorkeling and a leisurely bay stop. If using every advertised minute matters to you, check the timing with the crew at the start.

Lunch, snacks, and drinks on the Atlantic

Food is included, which changes the value calculation. This is not just a three-hour ride with a bottle of water. The package includes snacks, a meal, and drinks, with prosecco, wine, beer, and soft drinks specifically associated with the service.

The meal has been described as a warm chicken-and-rice dish with bread, while other descriptions call it simple local food. That is the right expectation: practical boat lunch, not a restaurant meal. Several accounts found it tasty and plentiful, but one poor experience reported lukewarm chicken and rice and stale bread. Food quality can vary with preparation and sea conditions, so I would enjoy the meal as part of the day rather than book this solely for the menu.

Drink service appears to be one of the more popular features, especially the prosecco. Fabrizio is praised for making sure people did not run out, and several accounts describe generous or unlimited drinks. Still, one account said drinks were not offered during the first hour and that water and sodas had to be requested. That is a useful practical warning: if you need water for children or do not drink alcohol, ask the crew early.

The two large tables make eating easier than balancing a plate on your knees. If the sea is moving, however, a table does not remove the effects of the waves. A light meal before departure may be wise if you are sensitive to motion.

Is $96.79 good value for three hours?

At $96.79, Opera 60 sits in the premium range for a short boat outing. You are paying for more than wildlife viewing. The price includes a small group, a large luxury RIB, crew service, snorkeling gear, swimming time, food, snacks, and drinks.

That package can be good value if you want a complete half-day-style outing without spending all day at sea. A basic whale-watching trip may cost less, but it may not include a meal, swimming stop, shower, or the same amount of room. Opera 60 also gives you a more social and comfortable setting than a bare-bones boat ride.

The value is weaker if your only aim is to see whales. Sightings are never certain, and three hours is still a short window for nature watching. You should also be comfortable paying for the boat’s style and onboard service, not simply for the number of animals seen.

The small maximum group of 15 is important here. A full boat can still feel personal because there are multiple areas and enough room to spread out. Families and groups of friends can sit together without taking over the whole boat, while solo visitors can move around for a better view.

Who will enjoy this outing most?

I would choose Opera 60 for someone who wants wildlife, swimming, and lunch in one neatly timed trip. It suits couples, families, and groups of friends who value comfort and a festive drink as much as the search for animals.

It is also a good match if you dislike crowded excursion boats. The limit of 15 passengers, sunbeds, tables, toilet, and showers make this a more comfortable choice than a basic open boat.

Families should appreciate the mix of activities, though parents should be ready to ask for drinks and keep an eye on children around the water. The fact that service animals are allowed and most people can participate makes the outing broadly accessible, but the supplied information does not detail boarding arrangements or specific support for reduced mobility. Ask the provider if that matters to you.

You may want a different trip if you need guaranteed wildlife sightings, a quiet naturalist program, a gourmet meal, or a full-day sailing schedule. The music, drinks, and friendly hosting give this outing a relaxed holiday feel rather than a strict scientific expedition.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

The activity is offered in English, and confirmation arrives when you book. It is often reserved well ahead of time, with bookings averaging about 26 days in advance, so leaving it until the last minute may not be wise during a busy holiday period.

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. If bad weather cancels the trip, you can take another date or receive a full refund. The same choice applies if the minimum number of people is not reached.

Because the start and finish are both at Puerto Colón, allow time to find the marina and arrive ready for a prompt departure. The experience lasts about three hours, but sea conditions can affect the exact rhythm of the outing.

Should you book Opera 60?

Book it if you want a polished, small-group sea day rather than a bare whale-watching ride. The strongest mix is the spacious boat, respectful wildlife viewing, swimming and snorkeling, and included food and drinks. Seeing dolphins, pilot whales, or turtles would be the bonus that ties it all together.

I would hesitate only if $96.79 feels high for a three-hour trip, if you need a guaranteed animal sighting, or if you expect restaurant-level food and flawless drink service. For most people who want several activities in one outing, the package offers a fair amount, especially when the boat is close to its 15-person limit and the crew is attentive.

FAQ

Where does the Opera 60 experience start?

It starts at Puerto Colón in Playa de las Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point at Puerto Colón.

How long does the experience last?

The advertised duration is approximately three hours.

How many people can join the boat trip?

The maximum group size is 15 people.

What type of boat is Opera 60?

Opera 60 is a rigid inflatable boat with a solid hull and inflatable side defenses. It is nearly 20 meters long and has two 740-horsepower Volvo Penta engines.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Drinks are provided onboard, including cool drinks and alcoholic options such as wine, beer, and prosecco. Snacks are also provided.

Is food included?

Yes. A meal is served onboard. Food described for the outing includes a warm chicken-and-rice dish and bread.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided for the swimming and snorkeling stop.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You can choose a different date or receive a full refund if poor weather causes the activity to be canceled.