Luxury Opera 60 Whale & Dolphin Watching Experience

Whales, dolphins, and sometimes turtles are part of this three-hour outing from Puerto Colón, but the wildlife is only half the plan. The Opera 60 also stops in a sheltered bay for swimming and snorkeling, turning a boat trip into a relaxed half-day on the water.

I like two things in particular: the roomy 60-foot boat, with places to sit, sunbeds, a toilet, and showers, and the mix of wildlife watching and swim time, with gear, food, and drinks provided. The trade-off is the price, $96.79 per person, and the service and meal can be less consistent than the boat’s luxury pitch suggests.

What to know before you book

• A large RIB, not a cramped launch: The 60-foot Opera 60 has a rigid hull, inflatable side defenses, two 740-horsepower Volvo Penta engines, and several seating areas.
• A two-part outing: Expect time looking for marine life, followed by a bay stop for lunch, swimming, and snorkeling.
• Wildlife sightings vary: Whales and dolphins are the main targets; sea turtles and different fish have also been spotted. A sighting is never guaranteed.
• Small group cap: The tour allows up to 15 people, which leaves more room to move about than a packed boat would.
• Food and drinks are included: The onboard meal and drinks are a valued part of the trip, though food and service have not been equally well received on every outing.
• Plan for a swim: Bring your swimming gear. Snorkeling equipment is supplied, and there are showers for after the water stop.

Setting out from Puerto Colón

The tour starts and ends at Puerto Colón in Playa de las Américas, on Tenerife’s south coast. The round trip lasts about three hours, so you get a substantial spell at sea without giving up a whole day.

The boat itself is a big part of the appeal. At nearly 20 meters long, the Opera 60 is unusually spacious for a rigid inflatable boat. It has several sitting areas, sunbeds, two large tables, music speakers, a toilet, and showers. That variety matters: you can settle in for the ride, move around for a better view, or find a spot out of the sun.

The vessel has a rigid hull with inflatable side defenses, twin Volvo Penta engines, and 740 horsepower in total. Its size and layout make it feel more like a roomy day boat than a basic wildlife launch. Still, it is a boat, not a floating restaurant or resort. Sea conditions can affect comfort and service, and a large craft can feel lively when the water is rough.

The group limit is 15. That is small enough to avoid the elbow-to-elbow feel of a full passenger boat, while giving you space to sit with family or friends. One outing had 14 people aboard and still felt uncrowded. The crew and captain can help you spot wildlife and manage the boat, but there is no stated guide-to-passenger ratio.

Watching for whales, dolphins, and turtles

Once the boat leaves port, the first part of the trip is focused on marine life. Some outings have reached whales within about 20 minutes, so you may not have to wait long before scanning the water. Keep your eyes open and be ready to shift seats; a sighting can happen on either side of the boat.

Dolphins and whales are the main draw, with pilot whales among the species seen. Sea turtles have also appeared, and a snorkeling stop may reveal different fish. These are wild animals, not a scheduled show. You could see several kinds of marine life, or have a quieter trip. One outing saw whales but no dolphins, a useful reminder to book for the chance to see wildlife, not a promise of a particular species.

The crew’s role adds value here. Good spotting and clear explanations can help you make sense of what you’re seeing, especially if you’re unfamiliar with local marine life. The crew has been described as friendly, informative, and careful to keep a respectful distance from whales and dolphins. That approach makes the encounter better for you and less intrusive for the animals.

You may want binoculars, but none are listed as included. Bring a phone or camera if you like, but keep some attention on the water itself. The most rewarding moment can be brief: a fin, a surfacing whale, or a dolphin moving alongside the boat. The open seating areas make it easier to catch those moments without everyone crowding into one small viewing spot.

The bay stop: lunch, swimming, and snorkeling

After the wildlife search, the boat heads to a bay for the second half of the outing. This change of pace is a real strength. You get a chance to eat, swim, and explore the water instead of spending the full three hours simply watching the horizon.

Snorkeling equipment is provided, so you do not need to bring your own mask and snorkel. You will need your swimming gear. The stop is also a chance to see fish in the water, and one outing included several different fish species. The bay’s calm-water setting is part of the appeal, though conditions can vary.

Food is served on board, and the meal is more than a token snack on many trips. People have described it as a warm meal, with chicken and rice among the dishes, and some have praised it as tasty, home-cooked, and local in style. Others have found the food lukewarm and the bread stale. The sensible expectation is a straightforward meal at sea, not a fine-dining lunch. If you have dietary needs, check with the operator before booking; no dietary arrangements are specified here.

Drinks and snacks are included, with wine and beer mentioned as available options. Prosecco has been a memorable feature on some outings, and several people have found the drinks plentiful. But the details of the drinks package are not fully specified, so do not assume that every drink is unlimited or that every outing will have the same selection.

There is a toilet on board, plus showers for rinsing off after swimming. Those are practical comforts that make the swim stop more pleasant, particularly if you would rather not spend the return trip in a wet swimsuit. Bring a towel and any personal swim essentials you need; only snorkeling equipment is specifically included.

How the boat feels underway

The Opera 60 is promoted as a luxury RIB, and its size and facilities help support that description. It has multiple sitting areas and sunbeds, two large tables, music, a toilet, and showers. You can choose to sit back and enjoy the coast or move around as the scenery changes.

The word luxury is worth taking with a little care. The boat has been described as comfortable and spacious, but one unhappy passenger found its exterior worn. A polished name and roomy layout do not guarantee a brand-new finish or flawless service. I would book this for space and a varied day at sea, rather than for a pristine yacht experience.

The coastal views add another layer to the trip. You are not only watching open water for animals; the outing also offers a different angle on Tenerife’s coast. The speedboat’s power helps it cover ground, while the seating and sunbeds give you places to settle between sightings and the bay stop.

The ride may not suit everyone equally well if the sea is choppy. One complaint described bumpy conditions that affected when drinks were served. If you are prone to seasickness, consider your usual precautions. The available information does not specify a particular seasickness policy or medication, so bring what you normally rely on.

Service, group size, and value

At $96.79 per person, this is not the cheapest way to go out on the water. The price makes more sense if you plan to use the full mix of features: wildlife watching, a swim and snorkeling stop, food, drinks, and a spacious boat with a small group cap. If you only want a quick whale-watching ride, you may not need the meal and swim portion.

Service seems to shape the day. Many outings have had a friendly, attentive crew, and one host, Fabrizio, was singled out for a warm welcome and keeping drinks flowing. A good crew can make the difference between a pleasant boat ride and a well-paced day with useful wildlife spotting and easy service.

There has also been a notably poor account of service, including a long wait for drinks, a disappointing meal, and a return to port about 20 minutes early. That appears unlike the many positive experiences described, but it is worth factoring in. On a three-hour trip at this price, prompt service and a proper meal are part of the value, not minor extras.

A practical tip: if something you need is not being offered, ask the crew directly. One family had to request water and soft drinks for the children during the bay stop. That is not a reason to expect poor service, but it is a good reminder to speak up rather than wait quietly if you need water, food, or help.

Who will enjoy the Opera 60 most

This trip suits you if you want more than a wildlife sighting and like the idea of spending a few hours on a roomy boat. Families, couples, and small groups of friends can make use of the relaxed pace, seating choices, food, and swim stop. Families have taken children, though no age-specific participation details are provided.

It is also a good match if you enjoy being on the water and are happy to accept that wildlife sightings vary. The combination of whales, dolphins, possible turtles, coastal views, and time in the water gives the outing several ways to be worthwhile, even if one part is quieter than expected.

You may prefer a simpler or less expensive boat trip if you do not care about swimming, food, or drinks. And if you need a highly predictable schedule or a guaranteed sighting, this is not the right kind of outing. Wildlife and weather are outside the crew’s control.

Should you book this trip?

I would book the Opera 60 if a spacious boat, a small group, and a mix of wildlife watching and swimming sound worth the price to you. The strongest reasons are the roomy layout, the bay stop, and the chance to see whales and dolphins with a crew that often helps make the outing feel relaxed and informative.

Go in expecting a comfortable boat trip, not a guaranteed wildlife encounter or a uniform restaurant-quality meal. Bring swimwear, and remember that the trip depends on good weather. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start; if poor weather cancels the tour, you are offered another date or a refund.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Puerto Colón in Playa de las Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, and returns to the same meeting point.

How long is the tour?

The trip lasts about three hours.

How much does it cost?

The stated price is $96.79 per person.

How many people can join?

The maximum group size is 15 people.

What animals might I see?

The tour looks for whales and dolphins. Sea turtles and fish have also been seen, but sightings are not guaranteed.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided on board.

Do I need to bring swimwear?

Yes, bring swimming gear if you want to use the swimming and snorkeling stop.

Are food and drinks provided?

Yes. Food, drinks, and snacks are provided on board. Wine and beer have been mentioned among the drink options.

Is there a toilet or shower on the boat?

Yes. The Opera 60 has a toilet and showers for after swimming.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund.