Review · TENERIFE

Private Yacht Tour With Whale and Dolphin Watching 33 Foot Boat

5.0 · 17 reviews 6 hours (approx.) Operated by Tenerife Sailing Charters S.L · Bookable on Viator
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Pilot whales and dolphins are the main event on this six-hour private yacht trip from Costa Adeje, but the best part may be how much freedom you have between sightings. Your captain can search for marine life, pause in a quiet bay, or let you enjoy a swim and snorkel without sharing the boat with a crowd.

I like the small private setting, especially for families or mixed-age groups. I also like the practical inclusions: snacks, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and sonar for listening to whales and dolphins are all covered in the price. A captain named Maxi has helped families find pilot whales before stopping for a swim in clear water filled with fish.

The catch is simple: wildlife is wild. One outing saw excellent snorkeling but no whales or dolphins, while others saw pilot whales, dolphins, and even a turtle close to the boat. If seeing a particular animal is your only goal, this trip cannot promise it.

Key Points

  • Private 33-foot yacht: Your group has the boat to itself, with space for up to nine people.
  • Six hours on Costa Adeje: The route includes open water, coastal caves, beaches, and possible wildlife sightings.
  • Pilot whales and dolphins: Look for local marine life and use the boat’s sonar equipment to listen underwater.
  • Swimming near Puertito beach: The trip may include time to snorkel in clear water with fish.
  • Food and drinks included: Bottled water, snacks, unlimited soft drinks, beer, and wine are provided.
  • Flexible family outing: Children participated successfully on one trip, including ages six and eight.

Six Hours Along Costa Adeje

Private Yacht Tour With Whale and Dolphin Watching 33 Foot Boat - Six Hours Along Costa Adeje

This is not a quick look at the coast from a crowded sightseeing boat. You book the entire yacht for your own party, with a maximum of nine people. That makes a big difference if you are traveling with family, celebrating a special occasion, or simply want a quieter day at sea.

The boat is 33 feet long, large enough to give your group room to relax but still small enough for a personal sailing experience. You are not joining a large public excursion where every stop and snack break must suit dozens of people. The captain can pay attention to your group and adjust the day around wildlife, swimming, and comfort.

The tour lasts about six hours. That is long enough to make the trip feel like a proper day on the water rather than a short harbor ride. You can settle into the rhythm of the coast, keep watch for animals, enjoy a drink, and still have time for snorkeling.

The setting is Costa Adeje, one of Tenerife’s most popular coastal areas. From the water, you can expect a mix of beaches, rocky shoreline, caves, and open sea. The main appeal is not a formal sightseeing checklist. It is the chance to experience this part of Tenerife at water level, with the route shaped by conditions and wildlife.

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Meeting the Captain at Puerto Colón

Private Yacht Tour With Whale and Dolphin Watching 33 Foot Boat - Meeting the Captain at Puerto Colón

You meet at Tenerife Sailing Charters, at Puerto Colón, pontoon 2, in Costa Adeje. Once everyone arrives, the crew takes you down to the boat and introduces you to the captain.

Before leaving, the captain gives a safety briefing and explains the plan for the day. Personal items are stored, and you have time to get comfortable before setting sail. This short preparation period matters on a boat trip. You know where to sit, what to expect, and how the day will work before the yacht leaves the harbor.

The listed meeting point is also the end point, so you return to Puerto Colón after the six-hour outing. The experience is offered in English, which is useful if you want to ask questions about the route, wildlife, or snorkeling stop.

A minimum of two people is required to book. The private format means only your own group participates, but the boat can hold up to nine people. If your party is smaller, you still pay the group price rather than a per-person fare.

Searching for Pilot Whales and Dolphins

Whale watching here is not a staged performance. The captain searches the waters around Costa Adeje, and sightings depend on the animals and the day’s conditions. The most frequently mentioned success is seeing pilot whales, with dolphins also appearing on some outings.

You may also spot other marine life. One particularly successful trip included a turtle along with whales and dolphins. Another group saw many pilot whales and dolphins during its six-hour sailing. These encounters can happen close to the boat, giving you a more personal view than a distant glimpse from shore.

The boat carries sonar equipment that lets you listen for whales and dolphins. That is a nice extra because it adds another sense to the experience. You are not only scanning the sea surface. You can also listen beneath the boat as the captain looks for signs of marine life.

Still, keep your expectations sensible. One outing had excellent snorkeling but no whale or dolphin sightings. That is not a failure of the crew. No captain can control where wild animals appear, and a private boat cannot turn a natural encounter into a guarantee.

I would book this trip if you want the whole day to feel worthwhile even without a major sighting. The swimming, snorkeling, sailing, coastal views, and private space give you several good reasons to go. If you need a guaranteed photograph of a whale, you should treat that as a bonus rather than the product itself.

A Swim Near Puertito Beach

Private Yacht Tour With Whale and Dolphin Watching 33 Foot Boat - A Swim Near Puertito Beach

The swimming stop is one of the strongest parts of the experience. Puertito beach is used for snorkeling, and the water has been described as clear, with plenty of fish visible below the surface.

The stop gives the day a useful change of pace. After watching the water for whales and dolphins, you can get in, cool off, and see Tenerife’s marine life from a different angle. Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to bring your own gear to take part.

You may find the water and conditions vary from day to day. The tour information does not promise a fixed swimming duration or a particular anchorage, so the captain’s judgment will matter. Sea conditions and safety come first.

For families, this stop can be especially valuable. A family of four adults and two children, including children aged eight and six, enjoyed a trip that combined whale watching, swimming, and a relaxed sail back to the harbor. That does not mean every child will be comfortable on a yacht, but it shows the format can work for a mixed-age group.

If you prefer not to snorkel, you can stay aboard and enjoy the boat, drinks, and views. The experience is not built around forcing everyone into the water.

Food, Drinks, and Time to Relax

Private Yacht Tour With Whale and Dolphin Watching 33 Foot Boat - Food, Drinks, and Time to Relax

The price includes bottled water, snacks, soft drinks, beer, and wine. Beer and wine are available without an additional charge for adults, while the minimum drinking age is 18.

These details may sound minor, but they matter on a six-hour boat trip. You are not left to pack a full picnic or search for a shop during the outing. You can have a drink after swimming, grab a snack between sightings, and keep the day moving without extra purchases.

A vegetarian option is available if you request it when booking. That is worth arranging in advance, since the food provided is part of the onboard service and choices may be limited without notice.

The private setup also gives you more room to enjoy the food and drinks at your own pace. A group celebrating together may appreciate that. So may parents who want a calmer space than a large public cruise provides.

Alcohol is included, but you should still think of this as an active day at sea. Snorkeling, movement on deck, and changing conditions are easier to manage when you stay comfortable and sensible with drinks.

What the Private Price Really Buys

Private Yacht Tour With Whale and Dolphin Watching 33 Foot Boat - What the Private Price Really Buys

The listed price is $594.75 per group of up to nine people. That can look high beside a standard boat excursion, but the comparison changes once you divide it among your group.

For nine people, the cost works out to about $66 per person. For six people, it is about $99 per person. A smaller group of two pays much more per person, so this experience makes the strongest financial sense for families or friends who can fill much of the boat.

You are paying for more than a seat. The price includes a private 33-foot yacht, a captain, about six hours on the water, snacks, water, unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks, snorkeling equipment, and sonar equipment. You also avoid sharing the boat with strangers.

That private space is the main value. If your group wants to sit together, keep the outing relaxed, and choose how much time to spend watching wildlife or swimming, the fare is easier to justify. If you are mainly looking for the cheapest way to see whales, a shared tour may cost less.

The experience is booked, on average, about 16 days ahead. That suggests you should plan early, especially if you have a particular date in mind or need the boat for a family gathering. Confirmation is provided at booking.

Who Will Enjoy This Yacht Trip Most

Private Yacht Tour With Whale and Dolphin Watching 33 Foot Boat - Who Will Enjoy This Yacht Trip Most

I would recommend this outing for groups that care about flexibility and personal space. It suits:

  • Families with children and grandparents
  • Couples who want a private day on the water
  • Friends sharing the cost of a boat
  • Visitors who want both wildlife watching and snorkeling
  • Groups celebrating a birthday or another special occasion
  • People who prefer a relaxed sailing day over a fixed sightseeing schedule

It is also a good fit if your group has different interests. Some people can watch for whales, others can swim, and others can simply enjoy the ride with a drink. The private boat means nobody has to follow a stranger’s idea of the perfect afternoon.

I would think twice if your group is very small and price per person matters most. I would also be cautious if your entire decision depends on seeing dolphins or whales. The captain can search and use sonar, but nature makes the final decision.

Service animals are allowed, and the tour is near public transportation. Most people can participate, though you should consider your own comfort with boat travel and snorkeling before booking.

Weather, Timing, and What to Bring

Private Yacht Tour With Whale and Dolphin Watching 33 Foot Boat - Weather, Timing, and What to Bring

The trip requires good weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. That policy is helpful, but it also means you should keep some flexibility in your Tenerife schedule.

You should arrive at Puerto Colón with enough time to meet the group and complete boarding before departure. The meeting point is specific: pontoon 2 at Puerto Colón, Costa Adeje.

Bring the normal personal items you want for a day on the water, but remember that personal belongings are stowed before sailing. The tour supplies snorkeling equipment, bottled water, snacks, and drinks. Souvenir photos are not included, though they can be purchased.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off follows local Tenerife time, so do not leave the decision until the last minute.

The Best and Weakest Parts of the Experience

Private Yacht Tour With Whale and Dolphin Watching 33 Foot Boat - The Best and Weakest Parts of the Experience

The strongest point is the combination of privacy and variety. In six hours, you can search for whales and dolphins, listen with sonar, sail along the coast, stop to swim, snorkel with fish, and return to the harbor without rushing.

The crew’s personal service also matters. Captain Maxi received special praise for making a family group feel welcome and for finding pilot whales before taking them to a secluded bay. The day then ended with a calm sail back to Puerto Colón.

The snorkeling can be a highlight even when the wildlife search is quiet. Puertito beach offers clear water and fish, and the included equipment keeps the stop easy for people who did not pack their own mask and snorkel.

The weak point is the lack of certainty around wildlife. You might see pilot whales, dolphins, and a turtle close to the boat, or you might spend a fine day at sea without seeing cetaceans. That is the honest trade-off with any natural wildlife outing.

Should You Book This Private Yacht Tour?

Book it if you can share the cost with a group and want a full, flexible day around Costa Adeje. The private yacht, snorkeling stop, onboard food and drinks, and chance to see pilot whales make it a strong choice for families and friends.

Go in with the right expectation: you are buying a well-rounded day on the water, not a guaranteed whale encounter. If the sea is kind, you may see whales and dolphins at close range. If it is not, you still have a private boat, coastal scenery, swimming, snorkeling, and six hours to enjoy Tenerife from the sea.

FAQ

How long is the private yacht tour?

The experience lasts approximately six hours.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Tenerife Sailing Charters, Puerto Colón, pontoon 2, 38660 Costa Adeje, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

Where does the tour finish?

The tour ends back at the meeting point at Puerto Colón.

How many people can join the private boat?

The booking covers a private group of up to nine people. A minimum of two people is required per booking.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. Bottled water, snacks, unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks are included. The minimum drinking age is 18.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and the trip may stop near Puertito beach for swimming and snorkeling.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You can choose a different date or receive a full refund if poor weather causes the cancellation. Free cancellation by you is available up to 24 hours before the start time.

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Where to see dolphins

Pick a coast, a boat or a swim.