Sealife Dolphin & Whale Watching aboard Portuguese schooner

The main draw is the Portuguese wooden schooner, a handsome old-style boat that gives this outing more character than a standard motor cruiser. From Los Cristianos, you head out to look for pilot whales and dolphins, then anchor along the coast for lunch and a swim in the Atlantic.

I like the unobstructed photo spots and the simple family setup, with an open bar, a large central table, and an upper deck for sunbathing. I also like that food and a drink are meant to be part of the fare, so you do not need to pack a full picnic.

The main caution is that the timing and meal details need a little care. The advertised length is about two hours, while one account describes closer to three, and one booking reported no lunch despite the meal being part of the advertised plan. Confirm the day’s arrangements before you set sail.

Key points to know before sailing

• Portuguese schooner setting: You ride aboard an authentic wooden sailing vessel designed to recall old Atlantic voyages and pirate tales.
• Wildlife search from Los Cristianos: The route heads toward a colony of pilot whales and local dolphin waters.
• Lunch and swimming stop: After the wildlife search, the boat anchors by the coast for a meal and a short swim in open Atlantic water.
• Useful onboard spaces: An open bar, central table, and upper deck give you places to eat, relax, and sunbathe.
• Maximum of 60 people: This is not a private cruise, but the capacity is still limited compared with many large excursion boats.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Setting out from Los Cristianos at 10:00

Your morning begins at the Fishermen’s Pier in Puerto Los Cristianos, in Arona. The scheduled start is 10:00 am, and the boat returns to the same meeting point at the end.

Give yourself extra time to find the correct pier. The meeting point information has caused confusion for at least one family, whose directions led them to the wrong place. The crew helped them reach the boat and waited, but I would not count on that kind of rescue every time. Check the location carefully before leaving your hotel and keep the operator’s contact details handy.

Los Cristianos is a working port as well as a departure point for sea excursions. That makes the start feel practical rather than polished and resort-like. You are getting onto a real vessel in an active harbor, then leaving the town behind for open water.

The boat is an authentic Portuguese schooner from the last century. The point is not speed. It is the feel of an older sailing trip, with wooden fittings, a broad central area, and the kind of layout that encourages people to sit together. Stories about pirates who once crossed these waters add a playful touch, especially for children.

The maximum group size is 60. That is large enough for a lively boat but small enough to avoid the scale of a full ferry. If you want a silent, private wildlife trip, this is not the right choice. If you like a social outing with room to move around, the size should work well.

Watching for pilot whales and dolphins

The first part of the trip is given to cetacean watching. The boat heads toward the pilot whale colony and searches the surrounding waters for dolphins.

Wildlife is never a guaranteed performance. You may see animals close to the boat, farther away, or not at all. The excursion is built around the search, so it helps to approach this part with patience rather than expecting a staged show. One account describes seeing both dolphins and whales, with clear explanations from the crew. That is the best-case combination: wildlife in view and staff who help you understand what you are seeing.

The schooner gives you several places to watch from. You can use the upper deck for a higher viewpoint, sit around the central area, or find a position along the sides for photographs. The open design is useful because you are not limited to looking through a small cabin window.

I would bring sun protection and a phone or camera with enough battery. The boat provides food and drink, but the supplied information does not say that sunscreen, towels, or photography equipment is included. Keep valuables secure, especially if you plan to swim later.

The wildlife portion can also test your patience. One account found the boat spending several hours in much the same area, not far from shore. That person did see dolphins, but felt the long search was dull. This is a fair warning for anyone who needs constant movement or a packed schedule. Watching wild animals means waiting, scanning the water, and accepting that the boat may hold its position for a while.

For families, that slower pace can work well if children enjoy boats and wildlife. The crew has also shown a willingness to help in an unexpected situation, including rescuing a turtle during one outing. I would not treat that as a promised part of the tour, but it does suggest that the crew pays attention to what is happening around the boat.

Lunch at anchor and a swim in the Atlantic

Once the cetacean search ends, the schooner sails toward the coast and anchors. This is the relaxed middle section of the outing, when the focus shifts from spotting animals to eating and getting into the water.

The meal described in the tour information includes lunch and a drink. One detailed account lists rice, chicken legs, salad, bread rolls, and a beverage, and describes the food as tasty. That is a fairly filling meal for a short boat trip, especially compared with excursions that offer only packaged snacks.

There is an important qualification. Another booking reported paying for a lunch-included outing but receiving no lunch, while staff continued offering different cocktails for purchase. Because the meal details are inconsistent, ask at check-in what is included in your fare and what costs extra. Do not assume every drink at the bar is covered simply because lunch and one drink are advertised.

The central table is useful here. You can sit down to eat rather than balancing a plate on your knees, and families have a natural place to gather. The open bar gives the crew a service point, while the upper deck lets you move away from the eating area once lunch is over.

The swim is usually short. One account describes about 15 minutes in the water. Treat it as a refreshing stop rather than a long beach break. The boat remains offshore, so you will be entering open Atlantic water rather than walking into a sheltered pool. Only swim if you are comfortable with that setting and follow the crew’s instructions.

Bring a swimsuit under your clothes and a towel if you want to get in. Those items are not listed as supplied. If you prefer to stay dry, the upper deck is suited to sunbathing, and you can simply enjoy the view while others swim.

Returning to Puerto Los Cristianos

After lunch and the swim, the boat heads back to the departure harbor. The advertised duration is approximately two hours, but the detailed accounts suggest that the actual time on the water may sometimes run closer to three hours.

That difference matters if you have a transfer, a restaurant booking, or another activity scheduled afterward. I would leave a generous buffer rather than plan anything immediately after the stated finish. The trip is shaped by wildlife conditions, anchoring, lunch, and the crew’s handling of the day, so the timetable may not be as tight as a bus excursion.

The return route gives you one more chance to use the upper deck and take photographs. By this point, you have had the main wildlife search, meal, and swim, so the final leg is mainly about relaxing and reaching the harbor.

The boat returns to the starting meeting point. This is convenient because you do not need to arrange a separate pickup location at the end. Hotel transport is not listed, so you should make your own way to Puerto Los Cristianos.

What the $57.96 price really covers

At $57.96 per person, the fare is reasonable if the day delivers its full package: a distinctive schooner, a wildlife search, lunch, a drink, and a swim. You are paying for the boat atmosphere as much as for transportation. A plain speedboat could cover the water faster, but it would not provide the same old-sailing feel or the broad deck setup.

The value depends heavily on your expectations. If you see pilot whales and dolphins, receive the advertised meal, and enjoy a swim, the price looks fair for a two to three-hour outing. The food and drink also save you from buying lunch separately.

The value is weaker if the wildlife search takes a long time with little action or if lunch is not served. The conflicting meal information is the biggest issue to clarify. Extra cocktails may also raise the final cost, so keep an eye on what the bar offers and what is included.

The boat’s capacity of 60 keeps the fare below the cost of a private charter, but it also means you should not expect personal attention throughout the trip. The strongest parts of the experience are shared ones: sitting together, looking for animals, eating at the central table, and enjoying the old-fashioned boat.

Who will enjoy this schooner trip most

I would recommend this outing to families, couples, and anyone who prefers a gentle sea trip to a fast, high-energy cruise. The crew’s friendly approach and willingness to help with children are good signs for a family day, and the swim gives younger passengers a change of pace after the wildlife search.

It also suits people who care about the vessel itself. The Portuguese schooner is the reason to choose this trip over a more ordinary boat. You get old sailing character, pirate stories, open viewing areas, and a setting that feels connected to the sea.

You should think twice if you dislike waiting or need a tightly timed itinerary. The boat may remain in one area while the crew looks for wildlife, and the real duration may be longer than two hours. Anyone who wants a nonstop sightseeing program could find the middle section slow.

This is also not ideal if your priority is a long swim. The stop can be brief, and the tour is primarily a wildlife and boat trip. The Atlantic swim is an added pleasure, not the main event.

Practical details for a smoother day

Confirmation is provided when you book, and most people can participate. The tour is offered in English, so you should be comfortable following explanations and instructions in that language.

The experience depends on suitable weather. If poor conditions cancel the outing, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. A minimum number of bookings is also required, and if that minimum is not reached, you will be offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before 10:00 am are not refunded or accepted under the stated terms.

For the day itself, I would bring:

• A swimsuit and towel
• Sun protection
• A phone or camera
• A light layer for the boat
• Motion sickness supplies if you normally need them

The supplied information does not list hotel pickup, towels, special equipment, or a detailed accessibility policy. Ask the operator directly if any of those points matter to you.

Should you book the Portuguese schooner?

Book it if you want a relaxed family boat trip with a memorable vessel, a chance to see pilot whales and dolphins, and a simple lunch and swim stop. The strongest features are the schooner itself, the open photo positions, the friendly crew, and the chance to combine wildlife watching with time in the water.

Before paying, confirm two things: the exact meeting point at the Fishermen’s Pier and what the lunch and drink package includes. Also leave more time than the advertised two hours. If you accept that wildlife can be slow and unpredictable, this can be a pleasant, good-value morning from Los Cristianos. If you need guaranteed sightings, a fast schedule, or a long swim, choose a different type of excursion.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Puerto Los Cristianos, Muelle de Pescadores, in the port of Los Cristianos, Arona, Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

What time does the boat leave?

The scheduled start time is 10:00 am.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the original meeting point in Puerto Los Cristianos.

How long does the experience last?

The stated duration is approximately two hours, although the time on the water may sometimes be closer to three hours.

Is lunch included?

Lunch and a drink are advertised as included. A meal described for the trip consists of rice, chicken legs, salad, bread rolls, and a beverage. Because service can vary, confirm the exact inclusions before departure.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. A full refund is also available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time.