Puerto Colon : Whale & Dolphins Sailing Excursion

Tenerife’s best wildlife show is offshore, where pilot whales and dolphins move freely through the Teno-Rasca Special Conservation Zone. This small-group sailing trip pairs that search with hydrophone listening, a swim at secluded Diego Hernández Beach, and a local lunch served aboard.

I like the 10-person limit, which keeps the boat calm and gives you a real chance to ask Captain Daniel or Dani about the animals. I also like the six-hour option, which adds Los Gigantes, more swimming time, and better odds of seeing dolphins. The main consideration is the open sea: sightings are never guaranteed, and anyone prone to seasickness should prepare carefully.

Key points to know before booking

• Pilot whales and dolphins in open water: Look for Tenerife’s resident marine life in its natural setting, with no aquarium-style barriers.
• A hydrophone on board: Listen to whale and dolphin calls as well as watching for them at the surface.
• Diego Hernández Beach by boat: Swim or snorkel at a quiet beach also known as Hippie Beach.
• Canarian lunch included: Food, drinks, fruit, and even pastries may be served during the trip.
• Three or six hours: The longer cruise includes Los Gigantes and gives you more time for swimming and wildlife watching.
• A small crew and small group: English and Spanish guiding is available, with space for up to 10 people.

Sailing from Puerto Colón into Tenerife’s whale country

You begin at Puerto Colón, a useful departure point on Tenerife’s southwest coast. Once aboard, the boat heads toward the Teno-Rasca Special Conservation Zone, an important stretch of sea for whales, dolphins, turtles, and other marine life.

The aim is not to chase animals. The crew looks across the water and waits for signs of movement: a dorsal fin, a blow, a splash, or a group of pilot whales surfacing together. That slower pace is part of the experience. You are watching wildlife where it lives, so the sea conditions and animal behavior set the schedule.

Tenerife is known for a large population of pilot whales in European waters. You might also spot dolphins, loggerhead turtles, and fin whales. The wording matters here: these are wildlife sightings, not a promise. You should book because the search is worthwhile, not because you expect a guaranteed parade of animals beside the boat.

Captain Daniel, also referred to as Dani, leads the experience and answers questions in English or Spanish. His role is more than steering. He explains the animals, points out useful details, and helps you understand why the boat pauses or changes direction. The small group makes it easier to hear him than on a large party vessel.

Why the hydrophone adds something special

Many whale excursions are built around spotting a fin. This one adds a listening element with hydrophone equipment. The device lets you hear calls from whales and dolphins beneath the surface.

That changes the mood of the trip. Instead of scanning the horizon only for a visual sighting, you get a small sense of the world below the boat. The hydrophone does not turn the sea into a performance, and it cannot make animals appear on command. Still, it gives the captain another way to explain what may be happening beneath you.

I especially like this for families and curious adults who want more than a quick photograph. You can ask about communication, animal behavior, and the species you are seeing. The information stays tied to the sea around you, which makes it easier to remember.

You are also expected not to touch the animals. That rule is simple and important. The best encounter is one that gives wildlife room to behave normally.

The three-hour option: a compact taste of the coast

The shorter trip lasts about three hours. It suits you if you want a sea excursion without committing much of your day, or if swimming and snorkeling are less important than seeing Tenerife from the water.

You still sail from Puerto Colón, search for marine life, and head to Diego Hernández Beach. Lunch, drinks, and fruit are included, so this is not simply a sightseeing cruise with a brief stop. The exact balance between wildlife watching, sailing, and time at anchor depends on conditions and the animals.

Three hours can work well for a first boat trip. It is also the safer choice if you are unsure how you handle the sea. The tradeoff is clear: you have less time to wait for wildlife, less time in the water, and no mention of the longer Los Gigantes route.

If you are visiting Tenerife for only a short stay, the compact option gives you a good marine experience without using most of a day. If your priority is dolphins, swimming, and a fuller outing, the six-hour choice makes more sense.

The six-hour cruise and the Los Gigantes bonus

Choose six hours if you want the excursion to feel like a proper day on the water. This version includes Los Gigantes, more time for swimming, and additional opportunities to see dolphins.

The longer duration matters because wildlife watching involves patience. A pod may surface early, or you may need to spend more time scanning the water before something appears. Extra time does not guarantee sightings, but it gives the crew more room to respond to conditions and search areas.

Los Gigantes adds a second reason to choose the longer trip. The name refers to Tenerife’s famous giant cliffs, and seeing them from the sea gives you a different view from a road or lookout. The supplied details do not promise a specific amount of time near the cliffs, so treat this as an added part of the route rather than a separate land visit.

The six-hour option is best for a birthday, a relaxed day with no tight schedule, or anyone who wants the swim and lunch to feel unhurried. One recent booking for a birthday used this longer format and found the attention from Daniel especially helpful. That fits the design of the trip: a small boat, a personal captain, and plenty of time for conversation.

Diego Hernández Beach, the quiet stop by boat

After the wildlife search, the boat anchors at Diego Hernández Beach, also called Hippie Beach. The beach can be reached on foot or by boat, but arriving by water lets you avoid a separate walk and brings you directly to the swimming stop.

Here, you can swim or snorkel in the sea while the crew prepares lunch and drinks. This is the relaxing middle section of the excursion. You have already spent time watching the water and listening for marine life. Now you can get in it.

Bring your own towel and swimwear. Sunglasses, a sun hat, and sunscreen are also listed as essentials. A hat is mentioned separately as well, which is a useful reminder that a few hours on open water can mean steady sun exposure even when the air feels comfortable.

Snorkeling is offered, but you should not expect a full reef expedition. The value is the chance to enter clear blue water at a secluded coastal stop, not a promise of a particular underwater species list. If you prefer not to snorkel, swimming is the straightforward alternative.

The beach stop also gives the trip a welcome change of pace. Wildlife watching can involve long quiet stretches. A swim, a meal, and time at anchor make the day feel rounded rather than repetitive.

Canarian food, drinks, fruit, and the little extras

Lunch is based on Canarian cuisine, with drinks and fruit included. That is a useful part of the price, since you are not left to arrange food during a half-day or full-day outing.

The exact menu is not specified, so you should not book expecting one particular dish. The experience does promise local specialties, and one account specifically praised the food, drinks, pastries, cured meats, and assorted snacks. That suggests the meal may be more generous than a basic sandwich, though the final selection can vary.

I like the local angle. Eating typical food on a small boat, after swimming near the Tenerife coast, feels more connected to the place than a standard packaged lunch. It also means you can keep your day moving without searching for a restaurant after returning to port.

If you have dietary needs, ask before booking because no special-diet information is provided. The same applies to children’s food. The tour includes food, but the details are not listed.

What the small-group setup changes

The group is limited to 10 participants. That number matters on a wildlife trip. You have a better chance of seeing the water from the rail, and the captain can speak to the group without using a loudspeaker or repeating every point several times.

A small boat also creates a more social, personal feel. You can ask about pilot whales, dolphins, turtles, and the conservation zone as the questions occur to you. The captain’s attention was repeatedly praised, especially Daniel’s focus on safety, marine life, and making people feel welcome.

There is a practical downside. A smaller sailboat can feel more exposed to wind and movement than a large sightseeing vessel. If you are sensitive to motion, prepare rather than hoping for calm conditions.

The operator recommends avoiding excessive liquid intake the night before and the morning of the trip if you think you may become seasick. Eat a solid breakfast, but limit liquids and avoid mixing drinks and watery fruit. The supplied guidance also mentions Biodramina before boarding, with different instructions for adults and children. Since medication advice is personal, check the product directions and ask a pharmacist or doctor if you are unsure.

Price and value at $88 per person

At $88 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get onto the Tenerife coast. The price includes a cruise, a live guide, hydrophone listening, lunch, drinks, fruit, a beach stop, and snorkeling or swimming time. For the six-hour version, that package becomes easier to justify because it covers much of a day and includes the Los Gigantes route.

The value rests on the small group. A lower-priced boat may carry many more people and offer less room to speak with the captain. Here, you are paying for the captain’s attention, the quieter setting, and the combination of wildlife, food, and swimming.

The three-hour option is a better value if your main goal is a short wildlife outing. The six-hour option is the stronger pick if you want a full experience and do not mind giving the sea most of your day.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure reduces the risk of committing too early, and the reserve-now, pay-later option helps if your Tenerife plans are still shifting. The meeting point can vary by the option booked, so check the exact instructions carefully. One booking had incorrect pier information in an email, causing a delay in finding the boat. Allow time to confirm the pier rather than arriving at Puerto Colón and guessing.

Who will enjoy this Tenerife sailing trip most

I would choose this for you if you want several experiences in one outing: wildlife watching, a local meal, a swim, and coastal scenery. It is especially suitable for couples, families, and small groups who prefer a personal boat trip to a large excursion vessel.

The six-hour version makes sense for a birthday or another special day. Daniel’s attentive approach, careful treatment of the animals, and willingness to explain the area help the trip feel personal without turning it into a formal lecture.

It is less suitable if you need a guaranteed animal sighting, dislike open water, or want a tightly timed schedule. The sea controls the wildlife portion, and the exact meeting point may vary. You also need to be comfortable following the no-touch rule around animals and spending time in the sun.

For photographers, the boat offers chances to see whales, dolphins, turtles, cliffs, and a quiet beach, but there is no promise of a particular species or perfect light. Bring sunglasses and protect your eyes, but keep your attention on the water too. The best moment may last only a few seconds.

Should you book the Puerto Colón whale and dolphin excursion?

Book it if you want a small, personal wildlife trip rather than a basic boat ride. The hydrophone, Canarian lunch, Diego Hernández Beach stop, and possible Los Gigantes visit give the outing real variety.

Choose three hours for a compact experience. Choose six hours if you want more time to search, swim, see Los Gigantes, and perhaps find dolphins. I would make the longer booking for a relaxed day, and the shorter one if seasickness or a busy itinerary is a concern.

The strongest reason to go is the balance: marine life in open water, a captain who can explain what you see, and time to enjoy Tenerife’s coast without rushing. Just arrive prepared for the sea, confirm the pier, and remember that wild animals set the timetable.

FAQ

Where does the excursion begin?

The excursion begins at Puerto Colón in Tenerife. The exact meeting point can vary depending on the option booked, so check the booking information carefully.

How long does the experience last?

You can choose an excursion lasting about three hours or a longer option lasting about six hours.

What animals might I see?

You might see pilot whales, dolphins, loggerhead turtles, and fin whales. Sightings are not guaranteed because the animals are wild.

What is the Teno-Rasca Special Conservation Zone?

It is the marine area around Tenerife where the boat searches for whales, dolphins, turtles, and other sea life.

What is the hydrophone used for?

The hydrophone lets you listen to the calls of whales and dolphins beneath the surface.

Does the tour include swimming or snorkeling?

Yes. The boat stops at Diego Hernández Beach, where you can swim or snorkel in the sea.

What is special about Diego Hernández Beach?

It is a quiet beach also known as Hippie Beach. You can reach it on foot or by boat, and this excursion arrives by boat.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The excursion includes Canarian cuisine for lunch, along with drinks and fruit.

What languages are available?

The live tour guide service is available in English and Spanish.

How many people can join the small group?

The small group is limited to 10 participants. A private option is also available for up to 10 people.