REVIEW · TENERIFE
Whale and Dolphin Watching Yacht Trip in Puerto Colon
Book on Viator →Operated by Tenerife First Excursions · Bookable on Viator
Whales turn the ocean into a show. This small-group 12-person yacht outing from Puerto Colón has you chasing whales and dolphins with live captain commentary, plus drinks and simple bites as you sail.
I like that the trip also builds in time to swim and snorkel when conditions allow, so it is not just a drive-by wildlife sighting. The main consideration is weather and timing: snorkeling is weather dependent, and the late 19:00 sunset option is only 2 hours, so you either focus on wildlife or on the swim stop—not both.
In This Review
- Key things I’d circle before booking
- Puerto Colón is a great starting point for Tenerife whale spotting
- The 12-person yacht feel: comfort, space, and included snacks
- On the water: how the crew actually finds whales and dolphins
- The included swim and snorkel stop: what you’ll do and what can affect it
- 19:00 sunset departure (late summer): a shorter choice with a tradeoff
- Price and value: why $62.56 can make sense here
- Food and vegetarian requests: what to do so you feel looked after
- Weather reality check: what to pack and how to stay comfortable
- What you can realistically expect to see
- Languages on board and how the experience works as a group
- Should you book this Puerto Colón yacht trip for whales and dolphins?
- FAQ
- How long is the Puerto Colón whale and dolphin yacht trip?
- What is the maximum group size?
- What does the tour include?
- Is snorkeling and swimming included?
- What about vegetarian options?
- Do you include photo services?
- What time options are available?
- What happens on the 19:00 sunset trip?
- Where is the meeting point?
Key things I’d circle before booking
- Max 12 on board: more elbow room than big catamarans, and it feels personal fast
- Captain-led spotting: you follow the crew to the best areas, not just drift and hope
- Drinks plus ham and cheese baguettes: included, with vegetarian on request
- Snorkel kit and life vests provided: you are not hunting gear at the last minute
- Daily departures and multiple departure times: easier to fit into your Tenerife day plan
Puerto Colón is a great starting point for Tenerife whale spotting
Puerto Colón (Playa de la Américas) puts you on the right coast side for a short hop out to deeper water. That matters because whales and dolphins do not show up on a schedule—where you start, and how efficiently the captain can reach good water, makes a difference.
This tour runs about 3 hours and returns to the same meeting point, so you keep your day flexible. If you are touring Tenerife and want one activity that feels special without eating half the island, this is a strong fit.
One more small practical note: it is a mobile ticket setup, and the meeting point is near public transportation. So even if you are not renting a car, you should still be able to get there without stress.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Tenerife.
The 12-person yacht feel: comfort, space, and included snacks
The biggest quality-of-life upgrade here is the group size. With a maximum of 12 travelers, you avoid the tight, everyone-squeeze-together vibe that can happen on larger boats. The reviews back this up with comments about a calmer, more personal cruise and an easier time moving around on board.
On board, you get beer, wine, soft drinks, and water. That turns the “wildlife hunt” into something closer to a chilled sail: you are out there for animals, but you are also properly settled while you wait for them to surface.
Then there is the food. You are served ham and cheese baguettes, and you can request vegetarian options. In a few reviews, people praised the food being fresh and satisfying for what it is. In a couple cases, dietary expectations did not line up, so I would treat the vegetarian request as something to confirm carefully before you go (more on that later).
On the water: how the crew actually finds whales and dolphins
Whale and dolphin watching is one part luck and one part skill. The skill here is the experienced captain with live commentary, guiding you to the best areas during your 3-hour window.
What I like about captain-led spotting is that you are not staring in silence with the vague hope that something will appear. The commentary helps you understand what you are seeing—blows, movement patterns, and the little “signs” that signal where to look next.
Sightings can include pilot whales, and at least one review also calls out a sea turtle sighting. You should think of the trip as a chance to see whales and dolphins in the wild, with other marine life possibly along for the ride.
One realistic point: time with whales can be quick. A review mentioned seeing whales for only a short burst and then moving on. That is normal in the ocean. The upside of the smaller yacht is that when something good happens, it often feels less rushed because the group is smaller and the captain can keep things organized.
The included swim and snorkel stop: what you’ll do and what can affect it
This trip includes snorkeling and swimming, but it is explicitly weather dependent. In Tenerife, the trade winds can kick up, and ocean chop is part of the equation.
When conditions cooperate, you’ll get a real break from cruising—head to a cove, eat your snacks, and have a go at swimming and snorkeling with equipment provided plus life vests. Multiple reviews describe swim moments in beautiful bays and mention feeling glad they booked specifically because of the chance to get in the water, not just watch from the deck.
If conditions are rough, you can still enjoy the trip, but the experience can shift. One review notes windy and choppy seas and says blankets were provided. That detail matters because it is the difference between “we’re uncomfortable” and “we can handle this.”
Bring a practical mindset: if the captain judges visibility or sea conditions, they may adjust the plan. You are on a sea-weather-based adventure, not a theme-park schedule.
19:00 sunset departure (late summer): a shorter choice with a tradeoff
There is a new sunset time at 19:00 until the end of August. The catch is important: it is only 2 hours, and it will either go looking for whales and dolphins or go to the swim stop. You do not get both.
So how do you choose? If you care most about the wildlife itself, pick the option that prioritizes the whale and dolphin hunt. If you mainly want the water time—snorkel, swim, and a calmer bay experience—then you will likely prefer the itinerary that prioritizes the swim stop.
Same price as the standard option, but you are paying for a different time slice. The value comes from matching the departure to what you personally want most.
Price and value: why $62.56 can make sense here
At $62.56 per person for about 3 hours, this is not the cheapest way to do whale watching in Tenerife. But it is built around value that is easy to see once you are on board.
You are getting:
- a small group capped at 12
- beer and wine, plus soft drinks and water
- snorkeling equipment and life vests
- ham and cheese baguettes (with vegetarian options available on request)
Big catamarans often feel cheaper until you count what is included. Here, the “extras” are part of the experience, not add-ons. And the smaller yacht matters. Fewer people usually means better sightlines, less crowding when animals surface, and a more relaxed crew-customer rhythm.
One more value angle: in a few reviews, people specifically liked having a calmer setting compared with boats carrying far more passengers. If you hate feeling packed in, this is where the price starts to look fair.
Food and vegetarian requests: what to do so you feel looked after
The tour includes ham and cheese baguettes, plus vegetarian options available on request. That is clear and good.
Still, two reviews raised a red flag about vegetarian meals not matching expectations. To protect yourself, I recommend you:
- submit the vegetarian request during booking (if that is offered)
- and if the system allows, message in advance to confirm your dietary requirement
This trip is short. You really do not want your snack plan to become a last-minute fix.
If you are eating vegetarian, go in with confidence that options exist—but stay proactive so the galley plan matches what you expect.
Weather reality check: what to pack and how to stay comfortable
Even the best whale watching day can turn breezy. Plan for that.
At minimum, I’d expect you’ll want:
- a light layer for wind while you’re out on the water
- swim gear if conditions allow, since snorkeling and swimming are part of the experience
- something to keep warm if the day turns choppy
One review specifically notes blankets being provided when seas got windy and rough. That helps, but it is still smart to dress for the possibility of a cooler, salt-air ride.
What you can realistically expect to see
Whales and dolphins are the focus, and the captain’s job is to take you to areas where sightings are most likely. Reviews frequently mention pilot whales and also describe the “silent for a few minutes” feeling when a group of whales shows up close.
Other marine life can happen too. At least one review calls out a sea turtle, and there are mentions of whales swimming alongside the boat.
Just remember how wildlife works: you are not guaranteed a specific number of animals. You are buying a guided search with real chances, and you have a crew that adjusts based on conditions.
Languages on board and how the experience works as a group
Tours run in English and Spanish. That is useful if you speak either language and want the commentary to land clearly.
Because the group is small, you also get more of that crew interaction feeling. Multiple reviews describe the captain as friendly and interactive, with people enjoying the storytelling as well as the wildlife spotting.
If you need a different language on a specific day, the tour notes say you should message in advance. That is the responsible way to do it, since language availability can vary.
Should you book this Puerto Colón yacht trip for whales and dolphins?
I think you should book this if you want a smaller, calmer whale watching experience with drinks, snacks, and a real chance to swim and snorkel. It is a great match for couples, small families, and anyone who has done the big-boat route and wants something that feels more personal.
I would hesitate if you are set on one specific outcome—like swimming and snorkeling no matter what—or if you are very sensitive to motion. The ocean can be choppy, and the snorkeling stop depends on weather.
If you book the 19:00 sunset option, pick based on priorities: that late departure is 2 hours and only covers one main activity. If you want wildlife most, go for the whale-focused version. If you want water time, choose the swim-focused version.
FAQ
How long is the Puerto Colón whale and dolphin yacht trip?
It lasts about 3 hours.
What is the maximum group size?
The tour is limited to a maximum of 12 travelers.
What does the tour include?
Included are snorkeling equipment, beer/soft drinks/water, and ham and cheese baguettes (with vegetarian options available on request). Life vests are also provided.
Is snorkeling and swimming included?
Yes, snorkeling and swimming are included, but they are weather dependent.
What about vegetarian options?
Vegetarian options are available on request. If you have dietary needs, make sure the request is handled before you go.
Do you include photo services?
No. Photo service is listed as optional and is not included.
What time options are available?
The tour offers daily departures and you can also choose a sunset time at 19:00 until the end of August, which is 2 hours.
What happens on the 19:00 sunset trip?
It will either go looking for whales and dolphins or go to the swim stop, but not both.
Where is the meeting point?
The tour starts and ends back at Puerto Colón, Playa de la Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.
