Private Yacht Tour With Whale and Dolphin Watching 42 Foot Boat

Tenerife’s best boat feature is simple: you get the entire yacht for your own group, not a crowded seat on a large sightseeing vessel. From Puerto Colón, your skipper takes you along the Atlantic coast toward waters known for pilot whales and dolphins, with sonar helping you listen for marine life below.

I like the room to spread out on a 40-foot boat and the easy mix of wildlife watching, swimming, and food. I also like that the price covers unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks, bottled water, snacks, and snorkeling equipment. The main drawback is the cost if only two or three people book, and sightings remain wild and unpredictable.

Key points to know before booking

• Private boat for up to 11: You share the yacht only with your own party, making this a strong choice for families and groups.
• Pilot whales year-round: The local waters are known for pilot whales, with dolphins and sea turtles also possible.
• Two cruise lengths: Choose an approximately three-hour outing or a longer six-hour option, in the morning or afternoon.
• Swimming from the yacht: The skipper anchors so you can swim and use the onboard snorkeling gear.
• Open bar included: Champagne, beer, wine, soft drinks, water, and light refreshments are part of the price.
• Puerto Colón departure: You meet at pontoon 2 in Costa Adeje and return to the same jetty.

Setting out from Puerto Colón

Your trip begins at Puerto Colón, pontoon 2, in Costa Adeje. The first part is brief but useful: you meet the skipper, receive a safety briefing, and settle aboard the yacht.

The boat is described as a beautifully fitted 40-foot, or 12.19-meter, sailing yacht. It carries up to 11 people and has open deck space, a saloon cabin, kitchenette, and other onboard facilities. That size matters. You have enough room to move around, switch sides for a better view, or retreat indoors if the sun becomes tiring.

This is not a standard shared cruise where everyone follows the same routine in a tight seating area. Your group has the boat to itself, so the mood can be quiet, social, or family-focused. You can spend more time watching the water, ask the skipper questions, or decide how much of the trip you want to devote to swimming.

The marina meeting point is also practical for anyone staying around Playa de las Américas or Costa Adeje. Hotel pickup is not automatically included, despite pickup being offered as a possible arrangement. Contact the operator at least 24 hours before departure if you need to discuss pickup details, and ask for the exact arrangements.

Views of Playa de las Américas from the water

Once everyone is aboard, the yacht leaves the marina and heads toward the open Atlantic. One pleasure of this short cruise is seeing Playa de las Américas from a different angle. The resort buildings and coastline look less familiar from the water, and the transition from marina to open sea gives the trip a proper sense of movement.

The cruise is not only about spotting animals. The first stretch lets you settle into the boat, feel the wind, and enjoy the coastline before the skipper focuses on the wildlife areas. You might want to keep your camera ready, but do not spend the whole trip staring through a screen. The skipper will help direct your attention when something appears.

The morning and afternoon departure choices make this easier to fit around your holiday plans. A morning sailing may suit you if you want the rest of the day free. An afternoon trip can work well if you prefer a slower start or want to combine it with a relaxed evening in Costa Adeje.

You can choose between about three hours and six hours. The shorter option is enough for a taste of the coast, wildlife watching, and a swim. The six-hour version gives you more time on the water, but it also asks you to commit a larger part of your day and may not suit anyone who becomes uncomfortable on boats.

Searching for pilot whales and dolphins

The main wildlife target is the pilot whale, which is present in the local waters throughout the year. Dolphins and sea turtles are also possible, and reports from past outings include sightings of whales, dolphins, two turtles, fish, and even flying fish.

That is an appealing list, but it is important to keep expectations sensible. The skipper can take you to areas used for whale and dolphin watching, but no operator can promise that an animal will surface beside the boat. Wildlife moves freely, and conditions change.

The onboard sonar is an unusual part of this trip. You can use it to listen for whales and dolphins, adding another sense to the search. It does not replace looking across the sea, but it gives the outing a more hands-on quality than simply waiting for a fin to appear.

A good skipper also makes a difference here. Past comments praise captains named Guy, Juan Angel, and Maxi for keeping the trip relaxed and pointing out where to look. You should confirm who is operating your departure, since specific crew assignments can change, but the skipper’s role is more than steering the boat. He or she helps you understand what you are seeing and keeps the wildlife search organized.

The most useful habit is to stay alert without becoming tense. Watch the water in several directions, listen when the skipper calls out a sighting, and be ready for quick appearances. A whale or dolphin may surface only briefly, so patience is part of the outing.

Swimming and snorkeling from the anchored yacht

At some point, the skipper drops anchor and gives you the option to swim. This is one of the strongest reasons to choose a private yacht rather than a wildlife-only cruise. You are not limited to watching the Atlantic from the rail. If conditions allow, you can get into the water and use the supplied snorkeling equipment.

The snorkel gear is included, so you do not need to bring your own equipment. You may spot fish or sea turtles near the boat, though wildlife in the water is never guaranteed. The reviews include turtle sightings, which makes this a particularly appealing possibility for anyone who enjoys looking below the surface as much as watching the horizon.

You should treat the swim as an optional part of the day, not a requirement. Some people will want a proper swim; others will prefer to stay on deck, eat, take photographs, or keep watch for animals. The private format lets your group divide up without worrying about strangers or a rigid schedule.

If you have children or less confident swimmers in your party, pay close attention to the safety briefing and follow the skipper’s instructions. The supplied information says most people can participate, but it does not give specific details about swimming aids, water depth, or special arrangements. Ask before departure if anyone in your group has a concern.

Champagne, snacks, and an open bar

The food and drink package is more generous than the usual small cup of water offered on a boat trip. You receive a glass of Champagne, unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks, and bottled water, along with light refreshments.

Past trip details include baguettes and tasty nibbles, so you can expect more than a token snack, though the exact menu is not specified. Vegetarian food is available if you request it at booking. Do not assume the refreshments replace a full meal, especially if you select the six-hour cruise. Ask the operator what will be served if your group needs a substantial lunch.

The open bar helps explain part of the group price. You are paying for a private boat, skipper, drinks, snacks, equipment, and time on the water. For a large group of 10 or 11, the advertised price of $716.45 works out to roughly $65 per person before any booking details or currency differences. That is a reasonable figure for a private yacht day, particularly if your group would otherwise buy several separate boat seats and drinks.

For two people, the calculation changes. The same price becomes a major splurge, and a shared whale-watching cruise may offer better value if privacy is not important. For a birthday, family gathering, or small group celebration, the private format makes the cost easier to justify.

What the three-hour schedule feels like

The shorter outing is likely to move at a steady pace. You board, receive the safety briefing, leave Puerto Colón, watch for whales and dolphins, pause for a swim, enjoy the food and drinks, and return to the original jetty.

Three hours is long enough to feel like a real sea outing without taking over your whole day. It is a sensible pick if you want to combine the cruise with time on Tenerife’s beaches, an evening meal, or another activity.

The limitation is that wildlife watching takes time. If the first search area is quiet, the skipper may need to keep moving and looking. A three-hour trip gives you less room for a slow search and a relaxed swim than the six-hour option.

For many groups, that trade-off is worthwhile. You get the central parts of the experience without committing to a full day at sea. If whale watching is the main reason you are booking, the longer option gives you more time, but you should also consider how comfortable your group is with a prolonged boat ride.

When the six-hour cruise makes sense

The longer cruise is the better choice if you want the boat itself to be the day’s main event. More time allows a wider search for marine life, a less hurried swim, and longer stretches to relax with drinks and snacks.

It may also suit a group that wants a private celebration. With up to 11 people aboard, you can enjoy the yacht at your own pace instead of joining a fixed public schedule. The saloon cabin and deck space give you more than one place to sit, which matters during a long outing.

Still, six hours is a serious amount of time on the Atlantic. If someone in your group is unsure about boats, the three-hour option is the safer choice. The available information does not specify whether motion sickness medication or special seating is provided, so bring up any concerns before booking.

The six-hour choice is also not automatically better. A shorter private cruise may leave you happier if you value variety in your holiday and want to spend the afternoon on land.

Practical details that affect your decision

The meeting point is Puerto Colón, pontoon 2, 38660 Costa Adeje, Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The cruise ends back at the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a second-way transfer from another harbor.

Mobile tickets are accepted, and confirmation is provided at booking. The activity is offered in English. Service animals are allowed, and the marina is near public transportation.

The maximum is 11 people per booking, and only your party takes part. That private setup is a major advantage for families, couples traveling with friends, or anyone who dislikes crowded excursions.

The trip requires good weather. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, so keep your schedule firm once the deadline passes.

The tour is rated five out of five from 11 reviews, with all recommending it. The strongest praise focuses on the relaxed captains, generous food and drinks, room aboard the boat, and successful sightings of whales, dolphins, and turtles. Those are the parts I would weigh most heavily when deciding.

Who will enjoy this private yacht cruise

I would recommend this outing to a group that values privacy more than the lowest possible price. A family can choose its own rhythm, a group of friends can use the open bar, and couples can enjoy the space without joining a crowded boat.

It also suits anyone who wants several activities in one outing. You get coastal views, wildlife watching, sonar, swimming, snorkeling, and refreshments in a single booking. That range gives the three-hour option good appeal for a first visit to Tenerife.

You should think twice if your main goal is a guaranteed close wildlife encounter. No sighting is certain, even though pilot whales live in the area year-round. You should also compare prices carefully if your party is small, since the private group fee works best when divided among several people.

Should you book it?

Book this yacht cruise if you have a group of several people and want a relaxed day on the Atlantic with your own skipper, food, drinks, and room to swim. The combination of a private boat and a maximum group size of 11 gives you control that a standard excursion cannot match.

Choose the three-hour option for a compact outing, or the six-hour cruise if the yacht, wildlife search, and swim are central to your day. Confirm pickup arrangements, request vegetarian food if needed, and remember that sightings depend on nature and weather.

For a small party on a tight budget, this is probably too expensive. For a family celebration, friends sharing the cost, or anyone who values personal space on the water, it is a strong Tenerife choice.

FAQ

Where does the yacht tour begin?

The tour begins at Puerto Colón, pontoon 2, 38660 Costa Adeje, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

Where does the cruise finish?

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

How long is the yacht cruise?

You can choose an approximately three-hour or six-hour cruise. Morning and afternoon departures are available.

How many people can join the private tour?

The yacht can take a maximum of 11 people per booking, and only your group participates.

What wildlife might I see?

The local waters have pilot whales year-round. You might also see dolphins, sea turtles, fish, and flying fish.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and the skipper anchors so you can swim if you wish.

What drinks are included?

The package includes a glass of Champagne, unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks, and bottled water.

Is food included?

Yes. Light refreshments are included. Vegetarian food is available if you request it when booking.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup is not included automatically. You should contact the operator at least 24 hours before the trip to discuss pickup arrangements.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the scheduled start time.