Las Galletas: Whale & Dolphin Tour with Local Skipper

Pilot whales and dolphins live in the waters off Tenerife, and this small-group trip gives you a chance to look for them from a 14-meter yacht. The crew pauses when wildlife appears, then heads for a sheltered coastal spot for swimming, snorkeling and lunch.

I like two things in particular: the limited group of 10, which leaves more room to watch from the boat, and the mix of wildlife spotting with a proper stop to swim and eat. The crew also shares information about the animals and the coast, rather than treating the trip as just a ride out and back.

One thing to plan for is the sea. Conditions can be choppy, and motion sickness has affected some passengers, even on otherwise excellent trips. Bring any remedies you normally use, and remember that wildlife sightings depend on what is in the water that day.

At a glance

• A 14-meter yacht: The Cruz del Sur departs from Las Galletas, a port in the south of Tenerife.
• Small group size: No more than 10 participants, making it easier to find space to watch and hear the crew.
• Wildlife with no fixed script: The aim is to spot whales and dolphins, with turtles also possible.
• A swim and snorkel stop: The crew anchors near the coast, conditions permitting, and provides snorkeling equipment.
• Local food aboard: Lunch may include dishes such as tortilla, sausages, cheese, watermelon, crisps and guacamole.
• Three to three and a half hours: Hotel pickup is optional, but transport is not included unless you select that option.

Leaving Las Galletas on the Cruz del Sur

The trip starts at dock number 2, at Paseo Espigon las Galletas in Arona. Arrive 15 minutes before departure so you have time to find the boat and get settled. If you choose the optional hotel transfer, pickup is around 30 minutes before the trip. The supplied instructions say to wait outside the hotel reception and contact Tonina Cruises by WhatsApp to confirm the hotel name.

Once aboard the Cruz del Sur, a spacious 14-meter yacht, the skipper explains the route and safety measures. The group is capped at 10 participants, a useful limit on a boat trip where everyone is hoping for a clear view. It should feel less crowded than a large excursion boat, though the exact number on your departure may be lower.

The crew has included guides named Toni and Marta, and Tino and Rafa on different trips. Names and crew can vary, but the practical point is that the skipper and crew help you spot wildlife and explain what you are seeing. Tours are offered in English, Spanish and French.

Looking for whales and dolphins offshore

The first stretch is spent heading out to the area off Tenerife’s coast where whales and dolphins may be seen. Keep your eyes on the water and follow the crew’s directions when they spot activity. The boat may stop to watch a pod, rather than simply passing by. That pause matters: it gives you time to look closely and lets the crew share details about the animals and their habits.

Pilot whales feature in several accounts of the trip, and dolphins are also commonly reported. Some passengers have seen more than one type of dolphin, baby dolphins with their mothers, or flying fish. Turtles are a possibility too, but not something to count on. These are wild animals, so the route cannot promise a sighting or a particular species.

I like that the wildlife portion is more than a quick photo stop. The crew’s explanations can help you make sense of what you are seeing, and the small group makes it easier to pay attention without jostling for a place. Still, sightings can vary. One trip may find whales and dolphins close to the boat; another may have fewer encounters, especially if sea conditions shorten the time spent searching.

Sea conditions and motion sickness

The open-water portion is the main consideration for anyone prone to seasickness. Some people have felt ill when the waves were rough, and one account describes a trip where choppy water affected both the ride and the swim stop. Taking your usual motion-sickness precautions before boarding may help; one passenger was glad to have taken tablets in advance.

Bring a jacket as well as sun protection. The suggested kit includes sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, swimwear, a towel and comfortable clothes. The boat is out on the water for three to three and a half hours, so it is worth dressing for both sun and changing conditions.

Bad weather can lead to cancellation. That is a sensible safety measure, but it means the trip is not the best choice if your schedule has no room for a change of plans. The activity offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, and a reserve-now, pay-later option is available.

Anchoring for a swim and snorkel

After the wildlife search, the boat approaches the coast and anchors so you can swim or snorkel while the crew prepares lunch. The water has been described as clear, and the stop gives the trip a welcome change of pace after time spent watching the horizon. Snorkeling equipment is provided, so you do not need to bring your own mask and snorkel.

The swim is an opportunity, not a guaranteed highlight in every condition. Choppy water can make snorkeling less enjoyable or affect how long the boat stays anchored. One passenger also found the water too deep to see much while snorkeling, and noted that the provided masks were scratched. If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, keep expectations flexible and consider bringing your own equipment if you have it.

You can also choose simply to swim or stay aboard. The point is not to turn the stop into a full snorkeling excursion, but to enjoy time in the water and a break from the search. If you are traveling with someone who does not want to swim, there is still the chance to relax on the boat while lunch is prepared.

Homemade lunch with local touches

Food is included, along with drinks, and lunch is one of the more distinctive parts of this outing. The crew serves a spread of typical local food. Dishes described on trips have included sausages, Spanish tortilla, cheese, watermelon, crisps and guacamole. The precise selection may change, so treat those as examples rather than a fixed menu.

This meal makes the trip feel like more than a wildlife cruise. You have time to eat, cool off and enjoy the coastal setting before heading back. The lunch is a practical bonus at a price of $69 per person, particularly because food and drink are included rather than left as an extra to arrange yourself.

If you have dietary needs, the available information does not specify whether the crew can accommodate them. Contact the operator before booking rather than assuming a particular menu or substitution will be available.

Punta de Rasca on the return

The return route follows the coastline and passes the protected natural site of Punta de Rasca. After the open-water search and swim stop, this coastal stretch offers a different view of Tenerife from the sea. It is a pleasant final part of the outing, though the main draw remains the wildlife and the time in the water.

The trip ends back at the port, where you say goodbye to the crew. If you selected hotel pickup and drop-off, the return transfer is part of that option. Otherwise, you make your own way from Las Galletas.

Is $69 good value?

At $69 per person, this is a good-value half-day outing if you want several elements in one booking: a small-group yacht trip, a skipper and crew, wildlife watching, a swim or snorkel stop, and lunch with drinks. The food and equipment help make the price feel more complete than a basic boat ride where you pay extra for every addition.

The value also depends on what matters most to you. If seeing whales is the sole purpose of your trip, remember that no operator can control wildlife or guarantee a sighting. If you like the broader experience of being on the water, learning about the animals, swimming and sharing lunch, the outing has more to offer even if sightings are brief.

Hotel transport is not included in the standard price. It is an optional extra, and pickup is listed for hotels in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Check that your accommodation is covered and confirm the arrangements before travel. The meeting point is in Las Galletas, so getting there independently may be the simpler choice if you are already nearby.

Who will enjoy this trip most?

This tour suits you if you want a small boat experience rather than a crowded cruise, and if you are happy to spend time outdoors with the possibility of changing sea conditions. It is a good fit for couples, families with older children who are comfortable on a boat, and anyone who likes the combination of wildlife, swimming and a shared meal.

It may be less suitable if you are highly prone to seasickness, need a wheelchair-accessible activity, or want a guaranteed long snorkeling session. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users. If swimming matters to you, keep in mind that conditions can affect the stop.

Should you book the Las Galletas whale tour?

Book it if you want a relaxed, small-group outing with a chance to see Tenerife’s marine life and time to swim, snorkel and eat aboard a yacht. The crew’s local explanations, the limited group size and the included lunch make it a more rounded choice than a straightforward wildlife-spotting ride.

Think twice if rough water would ruin your day or if you need a guaranteed whale sighting. Take motion-sickness precautions if needed, bring a jacket and swim kit, and treat the wildlife as a welcome possibility rather than a promise. For a flexible half-day on the water, this trip offers a lot for $69.

FAQ

How long is the whale and dolphin tour?

The trip lasts about three to three and a half hours.

Where does the tour depart from?

It departs from dock number 2 at Paseo Espigon las Galletas, 1, 38631 Arona, Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

How many people can join?

The group is limited to 10 participants.

Which animals might I see?

The tour looks for whales and dolphins. Turtles may also be spotted, but sightings are not guaranteed.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Food and drink are included. The lunch is described as typical local food, with examples including tortilla, sausages, cheese, watermelon, crisps and guacamole.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided for the swim stop.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is optional, not included in the standard tour. The pickup time is around 30 minutes before departure. The instructions advise waiting outside hotel reception and contacting Tonina Cruises by WhatsApp to confirm the hotel name.

What languages are available?

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

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a jacket and comfortable clothes.

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The experience may be canceled due to bad weather. The activity also offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.