Pilot whales are the main event here. On a 52-foot yacht out of Puerto Colón, you cruise Tenerife’s south coast with a real focus on spotting pilot whales, dolphins, and even turtles, then cool off at anchor in a secluded bay.

I especially like two things: first, the crew runs the search with animal comfort in mind, including times when engines are slowed or stopped so sightings aren’t constantly interrupted. Second, the vibe is friendly and often small-group, with skippers like Alex and Captain Jesus helping everyone feel settled while sharing practical sea-life info.

One caution: the water can get bumpy. If you’re sensitive to motion, bring your best anti-seasickness game and choose your seat wisely.

Key points before you go

• 52-foot yacht, real sailing feel with an easy deck setup that doesn’t feel like a cattle boat
• Pilot whales, dolphins, and turtles are the target, and the crew watches for the busiest spots
• Engine-off moments can happen during close sightings, to give wildlife space
• Swim and snorkel in a quiet bay with basic gear included and a short, satisfying break from the watching
• Meet at Pantalán 0 in Puerto Colón near Miishi Restaurant, and arrive 15 minutes early

Why this Tenerife sailing trip is worth your 3 hours

Tenerife has a lot of boat tours, but this one is built around the simplest idea: go out, look carefully, and don’t treat wildlife like a theme-park show. The trip runs for about three hours, which is long enough to do real searching and still short enough that you’re back in town while you’ve got energy for dinner.

The “sailing” part matters too. You’re on a 52-foot yacht, so you’re not stuck staring through windows. Even when you’re not motoring, you’re moving with the day’s rhythm—waves, wind, and all. And when the captain drops anchor in a sheltered spot, you get a proper swim break, not just a quick dip.

This is also one of those tours where the details add up: included fruit and sandwiches, a selection of drinks, basic snorkeling equipment, and a crew that points things out as you go. Names that come up often include skippers like Alex and Marta, and captains such as Jesus and Mauricio—people who clearly enjoy sharing what they’re seeing.

Getting to Puerto Colón: dock zero, no pickup, and parking reality

You won’t have hotel pickup. You’ll go straight to the marina area and meet the crew at the dock.

Here’s what to do:

• Arrive 15 minutes early
• Go to Pantalán (dock) number zero in Puerto Colón
• Use the landmark: search for Miishi Restaurant to find the right spot
• Parking is available in the port area, roughly €1 per hour

Why this matters: if you show up late, you’re already stressed, and on a boat tour stress isn’t a great travel companion. I’d plan a little buffer before you even walk onto the dock.

Also note the group doesn’t start with a long waiting period. The tour is organized around getting out and scanning the water quickly—so be ready to board when they call your group.

Leaving the dock: what the first part of the cruise feels like

Once you’re aboard, you get a short briefing about the route and what to look for. This isn’t just “sit and hope.” The crew provides helpful context about local sea life and points out where sightings often happen along the way.

I like the pacing here. You’re not rushed into swimming immediately, and you’re not stuck watching the same small patch of ocean. The yacht moves along Tenerife’s southern coastline, so the tour keeps its momentum.

If the conditions are calm, you’ll feel how pleasant it is to be on a sailing yacht—less “engine noise, everywhere,” and more “deck breeze, horizon views.” If it’s choppier, you’ll still have a comfortable place to settle, but you’ll want to think about where you sit.

A small but real factor: wind decides how much you sail

One trip note you should keep in mind: sailing depends on the wind. In most cases you get a real sailing experience, but there can be days when wind isn’t strong enough. When that happens, you may spend more time using the motor.

That’s not a deal-breaker for the main goal (wildlife), but it does change the feel of the trip—so don’t plan your day assuming you’ll always be under full sail.

The wildlife hunt: pilot whales, dolphins, and turtles with space to breathe

The heart of this excursion is watching marine animals in their natural habitat. The target species include:

• Pilot whales
• Dolphins
• Turtles

Sightings aren’t guaranteed, of course. Wildlife moves, and the ocean is bigger than any itinerary. But this tour has a reputation for strong outcomes because the crew actively searches and pays attention to where animals are most likely to be.

A standout pattern in how the tour is run: the captain and crew can reduce disruption during close encounters. You may see the crew turn off or slow the engine when whales are nearby, which helps keep the interaction quieter and gives animals more control over how close they come.

This is also where having an expert guide on board pays off. The crew shares useful information as you go, not in a lecture way, but in a way that helps you actually notice what’s happening—like where the activity looks most concentrated and what kind of behavior to watch for.

When the boat goes from cruising to “watch mode”

Once the captain finds the right area, the pace changes. The crew focuses on positioning and observation. That often means less talking and more scanning. If you’re the kind of person who likes stillness with your adventure (and not constant noise), this part is satisfying.

It’s also exciting when animals come up close. Multiple accounts mention pilot whales and dolphins in numbers that feel surprising—enough that you lose track of how many times you’ve spotted something.

The swim tradeoff: wildlife time can steal minutes

There’s one scheduling reality: if whales and dolphins keep the group occupied longer than expected, the swim stop can feel shorter. That doesn’t mean you won’t swim—it just means you should treat snorkeling time as a bonus, not a guaranteed long session.

Tenerife’s south coast from the deck: what you’ll actually enjoy

You’re out for wildlife, but you’re also seeing the southern coastline of Tenerife. From a yacht deck, the coast looks different than from a roadside viewpoint—more layered, more “you’re part of it,” and with the sea doing the framing.

What you’re likely to notice:

• The coastline shape and rugged edges as you move along
• Open water views that make the whole day feel less boxed-in
• A constant sense of motion that keeps the cruise from feeling like waiting

This tour avoids feeling like a sightseeing checklist. It’s not about hitting a photo spot and rushing off. Instead, the scenery is the backdrop for the animal search, and that’s a better fit for people who like nature-focused travel.

The swim and snorkel stop: basic gear, anchor time, and short calm water

Right before returning, the captain drops anchor in a secluded bay. This is your chance to switch roles—from ocean watcher to ocean swimmer.

You can:

• Swim
• Snorkel (basic snorkeling equipment is included)
• Or just relax on deck if you’d rather keep it easy

Why I like this part for practical travelers: it adds a tangible payoff to the cruise. Wildlife watching is great, but it’s also passive. The bay stop turns the day into something you physically experience.

Snorkeling reality check

The equipment is included, but it’s basic. You won’t need to bring your own kit unless you’re picky about fit or want a preferred mask. Still, do bring your swim stuff because the time window can be quick.

Also, because this is a yacht setting, you’ll likely be using ladders or steps to get in and out. Take it slow and you’ll be fine.

Food and drinks onboard: the value isn’t just the price

At $88 per person for roughly three hours, the value mostly comes from what’s included. You’re not paying extra for basic food or a bottle of water and a dry snack.

You get:

• Fresh fruit and sandwiches
• A selection of beverages (beer, cava, wine, soft drinks, juices, and water)
• Basic snorkeling equipment

I like this style of provision because it keeps you from doing the usual vacation math in your head. You don’t have to decide between hydration and snacks. You can just eat, drink, and focus on the day.

There’s also a comfort angle. On many departures, the food and drinks are part of the cruising rhythm, and it helps you settle in if you’re feeling a little tense about waves.

Price and value: who this $88 feels fair for

Let’s talk straight. If you only care about the cost, $88 can sound either low or high depending on what you compare it to. But this tour includes several items that many other outings charge for separately: food, drinks, and snorkeling gear.

So this is good value if:

• You want wildlife time plus a real swim stop
• You don’t want to bring a picnic
• You like the idea of a yacht experience without paying for a private charter

It’s less of a bargain if you’d never use snorkeling gear, or if you’re only interested in a quick cruise with no water time. But even then, most people are on board for the wildlife, and the included refreshments are still a nice cushion.

One more value point: the tour’s run time is just three hours. That’s easier to fit into a beach day and easier to stomach if seasickness hits. Long boat tours can turn into a full-day gamble. This one keeps it tighter.

What to bring (and that barefoot-on-board rule)

This is where good trip prep saves you from small annoyances.

Bring:

• Sunglasses
• Sun hat
• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sunscreen

Not allowed:

• Oversize luggage

Footwear detail:

• There’s a barefoot on board policy, except in case of health issues.

Practical tip: wear shoes on the dock and bring something you’re comfortable with for getting in and out. Once you’re aboard, you’ll follow the crew’s rule. It’s not a big deal, just plan for it.

Also, if you’re sun-sensitive, sunscreen isn’t optional. Between deck time and reflected light off the sea, you can get cooked faster than you expect.

Seasickness and seating: how to reduce your chances of feeling rough

The ocean is the ocean. Some trips run calm, and some get bumpy. One common caution is that waves can be unusually tall at times, and kids in particular can get seasick.

If you’re worried:

• Bring any seasickness remedy you normally trust
• Choose your seat wisely when you board

A practical note from the kind of onboard experience people describe: sitting toward the front helped one first-time sailor feel better. You can’t control the waves, but you can reduce how much your body works against them by picking a better vantage point.

And keep your eyes on the horizon when the deck feels rolling. It helps your brain stop treating every wave as a threat.

Who should book this sailing whale-and-dolphin outing

This is a strong match if you:

• Love marine life and want a focused wildlife experience
• Prefer a sailing yacht feel over huge group catamarans
• Want a swim stop with included snorkeling basics
• Travel with a mix of ages, as long as everyone can handle the water and movement

It’s also a solid pick for couples and small groups who want an outing with a relaxed deck rhythm.

It might not be ideal if you:

• Are extremely prone to motion sickness
• Don’t want to go bare on a boat (health exceptions exist, but you’ll need to follow the policy)
• Want a guaranteed, long snorkeling session regardless of wildlife timing

Should you book this Tenerife trip?

I think you should book it if your priority is a nature-first boat outing with good value for what you get. The combination of wildlife searching, real time on the water with expert guidance, and an included swim break makes it feel like more than a standard “look and leave” cruise.

Book it especially if you’re the kind of person who enjoys being part of the day’s pace—checking for spouts, watching behavior changes, then rewarding yourself with a swim when the captain finds a calm bay.

Skip it if boats make you miserable or if you need nonstop comfort. This tour is built for the ocean, not against it.

If you want a short checklist: bring swimwear, towel, sunscreen, and be ready for the possibility of bumpy water. Do that, and you’ll likely have a really memorable three hours off Tenerife.

FAQ

How long is the sailing excursion?

It runs for about 3 hours.

What is the price per person?

The price is $88 per person.

Where is the meeting point in Puerto Colón?

Meet at Pantalán (dock) number zero in Puerto Colón. You can search for Miishi Restaurant to find the right spot. Arrive 15 minutes early.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What’s included in the trip?

Sailing excursion, fresh fruits and sandwiches, a selection of beverages (beer, cava, wine, soft drinks, juices, water), and basic snorkeling equipment.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen.

Are there any onboard footwear rules?

Yes. There is a barefoot on board policy except in case of health issues.

What languages is the live guide available in?

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

What’s the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.