Whales feel magical, and sonar makes it practical. This private Tenerife South outing is built around a sonar system to spot whales and dolphins, then you get to enjoy the warm sea from the luxury sailing yacht Gran Azor. I also love the small group size (up to 9)—no elbowing for position, and you can actually relax while scanning the water. One key consideration: it’s not suitable for people prone to seasickness, even though the waters off Tenerife South are often calm.

On this 6-hour experience, you’re out of Puerto Colón Marina, cruising and listening for marine life, with time to swim and snorkel when conditions allow. You’ll have complimentary snacks and drinks onboard, plus snorkel gear included. If you’re the type who wants very detailed explanations on where you are and what you’re looking at, it’s worth leaning into questions during the trip.

Key highlights at a glance

• Onboard sonar you can listen to for whales and dolphins
• Luxury sailing yacht, small private group (max 9) for a calmer experience
• Swim and snorkel time in clear water off Tenerife South
• Captain-led storytelling and laughs as you cruise the coast
• Complimentary food and drinks plus snorkel equipment included

Your private sailing yacht day starts at Puerto Colón, dock 2

This outing is centered on a proper boat day: you’ll go to Puerto Colón Marina and head to dock number 2. Then it’s aboard the Gran Azor, a luxury sailing yacht with a professional captain. The key detail here is the format: it’s private and capped at 9 people, so the experience feels like yours rather than a crowded ticket line.

The schedule can feel a little confusing at first glance because the sailing charter is described as about 3 hours, while the overall tour duration is listed as 6 hours. Practically, that usually means you’re not just “out there hunting animals” for the whole time—you’ve got a chunk of time cruising, listening, and searching, plus the slower moments that make the day enjoyable: coasting along the south coast, enjoying the views, and getting time in the water.

You’re sailing out of Tenerife South, where marine activity is known to be strong. Expect a mix of scanning (for whales, dolphins, and sea turtles) and cruising, and don’t treat it like a rigid checklist. The best outcome is a day that flows—animal encounters when you’re lucky, and a relaxing sea trip even when you’re not seeing something every minute.

Sonar isn’t a gimmick here—it changes how you watch

The standout feature is the onboard sonar system. Instead of relying only on eyesight, you’re also using sound to help locate whales and dolphins. For you, that matters because marine mammals don’t always surface on a predictable schedule. A sonar-guided search gives the trip structure: when the captain and crew are listening, you understand you’re not just waiting—you’re actively checking.

And it’s not just about finding animals. The experience is framed so you can listen too. That turns whale and dolphin watching from a passive activity into something more engaging, especially if you like science-y details without needing a textbook. Even if you’re not an ocean expert, sonar gives you a better sense of what’s happening underwater and why the boat’s position changes.

If you’re the sort of person who gets frustrated when tours feel vague (“we’ll look, maybe we’ll see something”), this is designed to reduce that randomness. You still can’t guarantee animals—nature decides—but sonar helps the crew work smarter, and that makes your odds feel more honest.

What the cruising time feels like along Tenerife’s south coast

This is not a sprint. The day includes a coast cruise element, and that actually improves the overall experience. One booking specifically described that about half of the 6-hour outing felt more like a coast tour, which they enjoyed. That’s a useful expectation to carry with you: plan for variety.

Here’s what that means in real life:

• You’ll sail and/or motor around the calm, warm waters of Tenerife South.
• You’ll keep an eye out for whales, dolphins, and sea turtles in their natural habitat.
• When animals are around, the pace can slow so you can watch properly.
• When animals aren’t surfacing, you can still enjoy the motion, the coastline, and the sea atmosphere.

You also cruise in and out of Puerto Colón Marina during the trip. So you’re not just traveling from point A to point B—you get that satisfying “we’re really on the water” feeling, with land in view at times and open sea at others.

One more practical point: because it’s a private group, you’ll typically get a more relaxed rhythm. You don’t have to rush back to a specific viewing spot while someone waves a camera at you. If you want the day to feel personal, this structure helps a lot.

Swimming and snorkeling: the clear-water reward

The experience includes time to jump overboard and swim or snorkel at leisure. You’re not being rushed into a hard schedule; the emphasis is on freedom once you’re in the water. Snorkeling equipment is included, so you don’t have to pack your own gear just to prove you did the “water part.”

What I like about the way this is set up for you is that snorkeling is framed as a leisure add-on, not the main event. In other words: your day is about marine life you might see from the boat (whales, dolphins, turtles), and your time in the water is a bonus that lets you experience Tenerife’s clarity firsthand.

A few common-sense tips based on what you’ll be doing:

• Bring sunscreen and reapply if you’re out in the sun for long stretches.
• Pack a towel and wear swimwear under your clothes.
• Keep sunglasses handy, because glare off the water can be intense.

Also, note what’s not allowed: fishing and feeding animals. That’s good for safety and animal welfare, and it also keeps the activity focused on observing.

Snacks, drinks, and the captain’s personality

This is one of those tours where the comfort level matters because you’re on the water for hours. Food and drinks are complimentary, and the vibe is described as fun and relaxed, with an affable captain. In one account, Captain Maxi was called out as especially enjoyable—easy to talk to, upbeat, and making the day feel like a shared outing rather than a lecture. Another booking praised a captain named Guy as fantastic.

You should expect the captain to be informative, but in a human way. This matters because whale and dolphin watching can be emotionally hit-or-miss: if you don’t know what you’re seeing, it can feel random. Good guiding turns spotting into understanding, and your captain is positioned to help with that.

Language coverage is also a real value point. The captain is listed as speaking English, Spanish, Russian, and Polish. The live tour guide language is listed as English, German, and Spanish. If you’re traveling with friends in different language comfort levels, that’s a plus: you’re not stuck with only one language option.

If you’re in the group that wants more detail—like what you’re looking for, why the boat changes direction, or what the crew expects to see—say so early. There’s enough crew interaction to ask for context, and it tends to improve the whole trip.

Price and value: $1,101 per group up to 9

At $1,101 per group (up to 9 people), this isn’t cheap if you’re traveling solo. But that’s the wrong way to judge it. The better question is: what does one private yacht day cost when you factor in sonar-based searching, a professional captain, included food and drinks, and included snorkel gear?

For groups, the value can make sense fast:

• You’re paying for privacy and a maximum of 9, not a crowded boat where you spend the day pressed against strangers.
• Your time includes both wildlife watching and time in the water with gear provided.
• The included refreshments help you avoid the usual “buy snacks onboard” traps that add up during a 6-hour outing.
• Even if the animal sightings aren’t constant, the day still functions as a full sailing/sea experience with views and time onboard.

If you’re a couple or a small group, this can feel like splurging for a special occasion. If you’re a family, it’s worth checking whether anyone in your group is prone to seasickness, because that’s the main “no” flag in the info provided.

What to bring (and what to leave out) before you head to the water

You’ll have a better day if you show up ready to be outside and in the sun. Here’s what the tour lists as what to bring:

• sunglasses
• swimwear
• towel
• camera
• sunscreen

Snorkel equipment is included, so you don’t need to buy gear in Tenerife just to participate.

And leave these out:

• fishing
• feeding animals

That’s not just a rule—it keeps the trip focused on responsible wildlife watching. It also protects the vibe for you: the crew isn’t dealing with extra chaos, and the animals aren’t being pulled into unnatural behavior.

One more practical note: wear something you don’t mind getting wet. Even on calm days, sea spray happens. If you’re bringing a camera, consider how you’ll protect it during swimming and snorkeling time.

Who should book this Tenerife private whale and dolphin trip

This outing is ideal when you want a private, relaxed marine day with a strong chance of meaningful sightings. You’ll likely enjoy it most if:

• you’re traveling with a group of friends and want to keep it small (up to 9)
• you care about whales and dolphins but don’t want a crowded “tour factory” boat experience
• you want time to swim and snorkel, not just watch from above
• you appreciate included food and drinks so you can stay focused on the sea

It’s not a great fit if anyone in your group is prone to seasickness. The info is clear on that. Also, if you prefer a very structured, classroom-style explanation that covers every minute detail—this tour seems more captain-led and conversational than lecture-heavy. You’ll get plenty of guiding, but you may want to ask direct questions if you want deeper specifics on locations and sightings.

Should you book? My practical take

If your goal is a memorable day on the water in Tenerife South—private yacht comfort, sonar-powered animal searching, time in the sea, and included snacks and drinks—this is a strong option. The small group size is the biggest “quality multiplier.” You’ll feel the difference between a max-of-9 charter and a larger group boat right away.

I’d book it when you:

• have a group that can share the cost
• are comfortable with a sea setting where motion is possible
• want the mix of wildlife watching and swimming/snorkeling

I’d think twice if you:

• get seasick easily
• need highly detailed, step-by-step explanations without asking
• are expecting a guarantee of whales or dolphins every minute (nature doesn’t work like that)

If you’re aiming for a calm, premium-feeling Canaries sea day—this one fits.

FAQ

How long is the private whale and dolphin watching experience?

The duration is listed as 6 hours. The sailing charter time is described separately as about 3 hours, so your total outing is longer than just the core sailing period.

How many people are in a group?

This is a private group with a maximum of 9 people.

Where do you meet the tour?

You meet at Puerto Colón Marina, at dock number 2.

What’s included in the price?

All drinks and food are included, and snorkel equipment is included.

Are photos included?

Souvenir photos are not included and are available to purchase.

What animals or activities are not allowed during the trip?

Fishing and feeding animals are not allowed.