Tenerife: Luxury Private Whale & Dolphin Watching Tour

Pilot whales can appear soon after you leave Puerto Colon, which gives this private cruise a strong start. You sail on a proper yacht rather than a crowded sightseeing boat, then stop in a secluded bay for swimming, snorkeling, or an easy lunch afloat.

I like the private format, especially for a group of up to 11, and I like that drinks, food, snorkeling gear, and a bathroom are included. The main drawback is price: at $701 per group, this makes the most sense when you can fill several places. Wildlife is also unpredictable, so no captain can promise every animal on the list.

Key points to know before booking

• Pilot whales are the main wildlife focus: Dolphins and turtles may also appear, but sightings are never guaranteed.
• The boat suits a full group: Up to 11 people can share the yacht, making the per-person cost far more reasonable.
• Choose three or six hours: The shorter trip gives you wildlife and swimming time, while six hours allows a slower day on the water.
• Food and drinks are included: Expect cava on arrival, plus beer, white wine, soft drinks, baguettes, fruit, and snacks.
• Swimming gear is supplied: You can use the snorkeling equipment, but you need to bring your own towel and sun cream.
• The captain may let you set the mood: One private group was allowed to play its own music, a nice touch for families and friends.

Leaving Puerto Colon on a private yacht

You meet at Puerto Colon, Pantalan Number 2, 15 minutes before departure. The marina is in a popular resort area, so build in enough time to find the right pontoon without rushing aboard.

The yacht has cabins, bathrooms, a large salon, a kitchen, and an open sunbathing area. That mix matters. You can sit outside for views and wildlife, move into the salon if the sun gets too strong, or use the bathroom without waiting for the boat to return to shore.

This is not simply a small open craft with a few seats. The extra room gives your group more freedom to spread out, which is one of the clearest reasons to choose a private charter. You are not trying to make conversation with strangers or squeeze around other families.

On arrival, you receive a complimentary glass of cava. It sets a festive tone, but the real value is the combination of space, privacy, and time at sea. If you are marking a birthday, reunion, or relaxed family day, the yacht feels suited to the occasion without requiring you to plan every detail yourself.

The captain welcomes you aboard and leads the sailing trip. The guide service is available in Spanish, English, German, French, and Italian, so you can ask questions and follow the commentary in one of those languages.

Watching for pilot whales offshore

Once the yacht leaves the harbor, the focus turns to the water. Pilot whales are the main sighting described for this trip, and they may come into view early in the cruise.

Keep your camera ready, but do not expect a staged animal encounter. You are looking across open sea, where timing and patience matter. A private boat gives you a quieter setting for this part of the day, and the captain can provide information as you search.

The cruise also looks for dolphins and turtles. These animals can be harder to spot, and the experience depends on conditions and where the wildlife happens to be. That is worth keeping in mind if you are booking mainly to see one particular species.

I would treat the wildlife portion as a chance to watch the sea rather than a guaranteed checklist. The setting is best for people who enjoy the anticipation of scanning the water, then sharing the moment when something appears.

One group of 11 saw whales and also had time to swim. Another group described seeing whales, dolphins, and turtles. The overall rating is 4.9 from 14 ratings, with praise aimed at the relaxed day, food, service, and the amount of wildlife seen. Those are encouraging signs, but the sample is still small.

Choosing three hours or six hours

The three-hour option is the practical choice if you want a private outing without giving up most of the day. You should have time for the cruise, wildlife watching, drinks and snacks, and a stop for swimming or snorkeling.

The six-hour trip is better if the boat itself is part of your holiday. You have more time to settle into the yacht, watch the water at an easy pace, enjoy food, and spend longer at the bay stop.

A longer trip does not guarantee more wildlife. It simply gives you more time on the water and more room for the day to unfold without feeling rushed. If your group includes people who prefer sunbathing, conversation, and swimming over constant sightseeing, six hours may feel like better value.

For a group of 11, the six-hour option can also work well as a shared celebration. The captain has allowed private groups to play their own music, so you may be able to create a more personal atmosphere. That detail came through clearly in one especially positive account, though you should treat it as a possible feature rather than a formal promise.

Snacks, cava, and a simple lunch afloat

The included food is more substantial than a token drink. You receive baguettes, fruit, and snacks, along with soft drinks, beer, and white wine. Cava is served when you arrive.

That means you do not need to organize a separate picnic for the boat. The food also makes the longer cruise easier, especially if you are traveling with children or want to keep the day focused on the sea.

You should still think of this as casual boat food, not a restaurant meal. The supplied information does not specify a menu, dietary options, or quantities. If anyone in your group has strict food needs, ask before booking rather than assuming the standard selection will suit everyone.

The small details help shape the mood. You can take a drink into the sunbathing area, sit in the salon, or eat after swimming in the bay. One rating specifically praised the food and service, while another described the group as perfectly catered for. That suggests the refreshments are a meaningful part of the experience, not an afterthought.

Alcohol is included, so use good judgment if you plan to swim or snorkel. The boat provides a pleasant social setting, but the water activities should remain the priority.

The secluded bay stop

At some point, the captain anchors in a secluded bay. This is the change of pace after the wildlife search.

You can swim with the turtles, use the included snorkeling equipment, or remain aboard with a drink and snack. The choice is yours, which makes the stop work for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can get into the water, while anyone who prefers not to swim can enjoy the yacht and the setting.

The wording about swimming with turtles should be understood as an opportunity, not a guarantee. Turtles are among the animals sought during the cruise, but wild creatures decide where they go. You may see them near the boat or while swimming, but you should not expect a managed animal encounter.

Bring swimwear, sunglasses, and a hat. Summer beach clothing is recommended. Towels and sun cream are not included, so pack both. This is one of the few practical gaps in an otherwise well-stocked outing, and forgetting a towel can make the ride home less comfortable.

The bay stop is also where the private format pays off. Your group can decide how much time to spend in the water and how much time to relax. On a larger shared boat, you would usually follow a fixed rhythm. Here, the day feels more personal.

How the private group format changes the day

A private group gives you the yacht to yourselves, up to a maximum of 11 people. That is especially useful for families, couples traveling together, and groups of friends who want one shared activity.

You can talk freely, choose where to sit, and enjoy the boat without adapting to a large crowd. A group of 11 also spreads the $701 cost across more people. At full capacity, the price works out to about $64 per person before any booking differences. For fewer people, the individual cost rises quickly.

For two people, this is a major splurge. For a large family or friend group, it can be more reasonable than booking several seats on a premium shared cruise, particularly because food, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and the private yacht are included.

The experience is not aimed at bargain hunters. You are paying for exclusive use of the boat and a relaxed schedule, not just transport to a wildlife viewing area. I would compare the total group cost with other private charters in Tenerife, then ask yourself how much privacy and flexibility matter.

Comfort, clothing, and what to pack

The yacht has a bathroom, cabins, a kitchen, a salon, and a sunbathing area. You should still dress for a warm day on the water rather than treating it like a formal boat trip.

Pack:

• Swimwear
• Sunglasses
• A hat
• Sun cream
• A towel
• A camera

Sun cream is particularly important because the water reflects light and the open deck offers little natural shade. It is not supplied, and neither is a towel.

The camera is worth bringing for the scenery and the boat day, but wildlife photography at sea can be hit or miss. Keep your camera ready, but enjoy the sight with your own eyes first.

The yacht’s indoor areas give you a break from the sun, though the main appeal remains being outside. If you tend to get motion sick, the provided information does not state whether medication or special seating is available, so ask the provider before departure.

How the experience compares with a standard boat trip

The strongest reason to book this outing is control over the day. You get a private yacht, a multilingual guide, food and drinks, a swim stop, and room for your own group.

A standard shared whale watching trip may cost less per person, especially for a couple or small family. It may also be the better fit if your only goal is to spend a short time looking for whales.

This charter makes more sense if you want the cruise itself to be part of the holiday. The cabins, salon, kitchen, bathroom, and sunbathing area allow you to spend several hours aboard without feeling confined. The six-hour option, in particular, is a full leisure day rather than a quick wildlife outing.

The tradeoff is simple: you pay more for privacy and comfort, not for certainty about wildlife. If animals do not appear, the yacht, bay stop, food, and company still need to make the day worthwhile for you.

Who will enjoy this Tenerife cruise most

I would recommend this tour most strongly to:

• Groups of friends sharing the cost
• Families who want a private day on the water
• Couples celebrating a special occasion
• People who prefer a yacht with indoor and outdoor areas
• Groups that want swimming, snacks, and wildlife in one outing
• Visitors who appreciate a guide speaking their preferred language

It may be less suitable for solo visitors or couples working with a tight budget. You may also want a different activity if you need a guaranteed animal encounter or a detailed food menu.

The free cancellation window gives you some flexibility: you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if you are arranging several Tenerife activities at once.

Should you book this private yacht tour?

Book it if you can fill much of the 11-person capacity and want a relaxed day that combines wildlife watching, swimming, and private yacht time. The included drinks and food remove much of the usual planning, while the bay stop gives the cruise a welcome break from scanning the sea.

I would choose the three-hour trip for a compact highlight and the six-hour trip for a celebration or slow day with friends. Just bring your own towel and sun cream, and set your expectations correctly: pilot whales, dolphins, and turtles are possible sightings, not guarantees.

For a full group, the $701 price can be fair for the privacy and facilities. For only one or two people, it is a luxury purchase. In that case, book only if the private setting matters as much to you as seeing wildlife.

FAQ

Where does the tour leave from?

The meeting point is Puerto Colon, Pantalan Number 2. You should arrive 15 minutes before departure.

How long is the cruise?

You can choose a three-hour or six-hour sailing trip. Starting times depend on availability.

How many people can join the private yacht?

The private group can include up to 11 people.

What animals might I see?

The cruise looks for pilot whales, dolphins, and turtles. Sightings of wild animals are not guaranteed.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. The trip includes cava on arrival, soft drinks, beer, white wine, baguettes, fruit, and snacks.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. You can use the snorkeling equipment supplied on the yacht. Towels and sun cream are not included.

What languages are available?

The live tour guide service is available in Spanish, English, German, French, and Italian.