Tenerife turns wild in three hours. This Sea Safari speedboat heads out from Puerto Colón to areas where whales and dolphins have been spotted, then builds in swimming and snorkeling time.

My two favorite parts are practical and hands-on: the snorkeling gear rental means you travel light, and the drinks and sandwiches keep the whole trip from feeling like a hassle.

One consideration: the tour runs in open water and depends on good weather, and since marine animals are wild, sightings are never 100% guaranteed.

Key highlights worth your attention

• Close-up whale and dolphin watching in a fast, small-group speedboat setup
• Snorkeling equipment rental included, so you don’t need to pack gear
• BladeFish personal propulsion jet try-it time for a unique underwater feel
• Drinks and sandwiches included, so you can focus on the experience
• Small group size (max 11), which usually makes the guide’s attention feel personal
• No pressure to get in the water, since you can stay on board if you prefer

From Puerto Colón to open water fast

You start at the Sea Safari Tenerife meeting point on Av. de Colón in Playa de las Américas, and the experience ends back there. The whole format is built for efficiency: you’re out on the water for about three hours, covering enough area to make wildlife spotting feel like a real mission, not a slow drift.

This is also a small-group tour, capped at 11 people. That matters more than it sounds. With fewer people on board, you tend to get quicker guidance about what to look for, and it feels less like you’re waiting in line every time the boat slows down.

You’ll get a mobile ticket, and the tour is offered in English. If you’re traveling with someone who wants clear instructions before the water part, that’s a big plus. The meeting area is also described as near public transportation, which helps if you’d rather not rely entirely on taxis.

How close you can get for whales, dolphins, and turtles

The core idea is simple: you’re taken to spots where whales and dolphins have been spotted before. Then you watch from very close range, with chances to see more than just the headliner. In the experiences people describe, dolphins and pilot whales show up often, and turtles pop up regularly too.

A lot of the best moments come down to the captain’s spotting skills and the crew’s willingness to move quickly when the ocean gives them a signal. If you’re lucky enough to sail with Captain Eric, that name comes up again and again for finding animals and keeping the explanations friendly and clear. Even when the sightings are busy, the tone stays calm.

Another detail I like is that the crew approaches the animals with care. One account mentions the guide keeping a respectful approach and getting close without acting pushy. For me, that makes the whole experience feel more legitimate and less like a chase.

And yes, you might see other marine life along the way too—turtles, crabs, and even fish listed in different reports. One review mentions a hammerhead shark, which is the kind of thing that reminds you this isn’t a staged show.

The water part: snorkeling rental plus the BladeFish jet

Here’s where this tour stops being “just a boat ride.” You’re not only watching wildlife—you also get swimming and snorkeling time, and snorkeling equipment rental is included. That’s a real value perk because it removes a common travel headache: trying to source mask and snorkel gear at the last minute.

People also describe different snorkeling mask options being available, which helps if your face shape is picky (mine is, so I notice these things). Once you’re suited up, you can get a view under the surface that you just can’t do from the deck.

Then comes the BladeFish personal propulsion jet device. The tour is built to let you try this underwater “ride” using a personal propulsion setup. Even if you’ve never used anything like it, you’ll likely find the learning curve manageable because the whole trip is structured around supervised time in the water. This is the kind of activity that makes the tour feel different from other whale watching trips you might be comparing it to.

Important: there’s no pressure to leave the boat and swim. That’s a comfort factor for anyone who wants the wildlife experience but isn’t sure about getting in the water. So if you’re traveling with a mixed group—say, one person who wants snorkeling and another who’s happy to watch from above—you should be okay.

Watching Tenerife’s cliffs on the return ride

You don’t just go out and come back the same way. The return is along the coastline of south Tenerife, with time for watching the cliffs. This sounds like a small add-on, but it changes the pacing.

When you’re between wildlife sightings, the coastal scenery gives your brain a break. You get a more rounded sense of place: you’re still on the sea safari mission, but you’re also seeing Tenerife’s shoreline character. The speedboat format means you get this view without it turning into a long bus-style transfer.

It’s also a practical moment to reset. After time in the water and snorkeling, you may want a little “sit back and breathe” time—and the coast ride naturally creates it. You’ll see more than just open ocean.

Drinks and sandwiches: the quiet value-maker

This tour does the unglamorous thing well: it feeds you. Drinks and sandwiches are included, and that means you don’t need to bring food with you. For a short three-hour outing, this matters more than it would on a full-day tour.

If you’ve ever had to scramble for snacks on a tight schedule, you already know how quickly that steals joy. Here, your energy stays on the animals and the water time. It’s also helpful for families and different age groups because it reduces the “what about lunch” pressure.

One review highlights that the experience worked well even with an older parent, and another mentions a family situation including a young child and even a baby being able to come along. I can’t promise every situation will be identical, but the general setup—fast trip, included refreshments, and no pressure to swim—often makes it easier for mixed groups than longer, more rigid tours.

Price and value: why $78.10 can feel fair

At $78.10 per person for about three hours, you’re paying for several bundled items, not just a boat ride. The big inclusions are snorkeling equipment rental, drinks and sandwiches, and the BladeFish try-it experience. If you were to price those separately (especially the gear), the total can creep up quickly.

Then there’s the wildlife piece. The tour has a 4.8 rating with many people saying they’d recommend it, and the animal list in the descriptions is strong: dolphins, pilot whales, turtles, and other marine life. The chance to see multiple species in one trip is what turns a “nice outing” into a memory you talk about later.

Could it fall short? Sure. Animals don’t show up on command, and the tour requires good weather. But the overall track record from people who booked it is high, and the crew actively looks for animals rather than treating the experience like a scenic cruise.

In terms of expectations, I’d frame it like this: you’re buying time on the water plus guided searching, not a guarantee of a specific animal. The best value happens when you show up ready for the trip and accept that the ocean sets the schedule.

Who should book this sea safari, and who should think twice

If you’re the type who loves wildlife but also wants action, this fits well. You’re not only watching whales and dolphins close-up; you’re also entering the water for snorkeling and trying a BladeFish propulsion device. It’s a good match for travelers who like hands-on experiences, not just sightseeing.

It also seems friendly for different ages. One review explicitly calls it fun for all ages, and another mentions an older traveler enjoying it. The “no pressure to swim” factor helps too.

Who might think twice? If you strongly dislike open-water conditions, or if getting in the water is a hard no, you may still enjoy the boat and cliff views, but you’ll be skipping the tour’s signature add-ons. Also, because the tour needs good weather, it’s not a great “must-have on this exact day no matter what” plan. When the conditions aren’t right, there’s a real chance the operator offers another date or a full refund.

I’d book it when your schedule can flex a little and you want a compact, high-energy sea experience with included food, gear, and a unique underwater gadget.

Should you book SEA SAFARI Dolphins, Whales, 3h speedboat Discovery-Tour?

I’d book it if you want close-up whale and dolphin watching from a small speedboat and you like the idea of snorkeling with rental gear plus trying the BladeFish jet. It’s also a solid choice if you prefer not to manage food and gear during the day—drinks and sandwiches are taken care of.

You might skip it if you’re traveling on a day with weather risk you can’t adjust for, or if water time (swimming or snorkeling) is something you don’t want at all. In that case, you’d still get the boat ride and cliff views, but the value will feel thinner because the extras are the point.

One more practical note: for any sea tour, be on time at the meeting point and stay alert for updates. Most trips run smoothly, but a tight schedule plus the ocean is always a combo that asks for a little responsibility on your end.

FAQ

How long is the sea safari tour?

The tour lasts about 3 hours.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Sea Safari Tenerife on Av. de Colón, 38660 Playa de las Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, and ends back at the same meeting point.

Do I need a printed ticket?

No. You use a mobile ticket.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it is offered in English.

What’s included for snorkeling?

Snorkeling equipment rental is included.

Do you provide food and drinks?

Yes. Drinks and sandwiches are provided during the trip.

Is the BladeFish included in the experience?

Yes. You get to try a BladeFish, which is a personal propulsion jet device.

How close is whale and dolphin watching?

The tour includes watching whales and dolphins from very close.

How big is the group?

The experience has a maximum of 11 travelers.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.