No chase Whale & Dolphin tour putting Marine Life first – we care

Tenerife’s resident pilot whales and dolphins share these waters with passing marine life, and this two-hour trip gives you a chance to watch from a traditional sailing boat without chasing the animals. The crew’s no-chase policy is central: you may see wildlife close by, but the animals decide how near they come.

I like two things in particular: Bahriyeli is a 23-meter, two-mast Turkish gulet, a more distinctive setting than a standard motorboat, and the crew identifies the wildlife you spot. The sail also brings views of Tenerife’s south coast and Mount Teide, weather permitting.

The trade-off is that sightings are never guaranteed, and a respectful boat keeps its distance rather than promising close encounters. At a stated maximum of 136 people, the deck may feel crowded, so arrive early and be ready to move around for a view.

At a glance

• A traditional Turkish gulet: Bahriyeli is a 23-meter, two-mast sailing boat.
• Wildlife without pursuit: The boat follows a strict no-chase policy.
• Resident and passing species: Pilot whales and dolphins are common targets, while turtles, seabirds and migrating whales are possible.
• A short outing: The cruise lasts about two hours, a useful choice if you prefer not to spend half a day at sea.
• A large-capacity boat: The stated maximum is 136 people, so expect a shared outing rather than a small-group trip.
• Marine conservation focus: The operator describes the tour as eco-friendly and identifies a collaboration with Sea Shepherd UK.

Sailing out from Los Cristianos

The trip starts at the meeting point in Los Cristianos, listed as 27XJ+JG Los Cristianos. Plan to arrive well ahead of departure. Parking near the pier can be difficult, and being late is a poor way to begin a short tour.

Once aboard, you’ll find a different feel from a fast, purpose-built whale-watching craft. Bahriyeli is a Turkish gulet with two masts and a large salon where you can get away from wind, sun or spray. The boat has a bar and toilets, according to onboard trip details and accounts from people who have sailed on it. Drinks and food are not included unless specifically stated, so don’t assume a snack comes with your ticket.

The boat can carry up to 136 people. That capacity matters: this is not a private or intimate wildlife outing, and the most popular viewing spots may fill quickly. One practical approach is to board early and choose a place with a clear view, while keeping in mind that the animals may surface on the opposite side. You can move when the crew spots wildlife, but a busy deck can make that harder.

The advertised fare is $30.23 per person for roughly two hours. For that price, you’re paying for a boat trip, a professional guide and the chance to watch wildlife in its natural setting. The trip’s value is strongest if you care about the sailing, coast and conservation approach as well as the sightings. It is less compelling if you’re paying only for a guaranteed close-up of a whale.

The south coast and Mount Teide

As Bahriyeli leaves shore, the boat gives you a view of Tenerife from the water. The south coast is part of the experience, not just the way to reach the wildlife. On a clear day, Mount Teide rises above the island’s interior, adding a striking landmark to the sea-level view. The mountain is Spain’s tallest, and seeing it from offshore gives you a different perspective than a road or resort viewpoint.

This is a sailing trip, but don’t expect a silent, private glide across the water. You’re sharing the boat with other people, and wind and sea conditions shape how comfortable the ride feels. A large salon offers shelter, while the open deck is the place to look for wildlife and scenery. If you’re sensitive to motion or wind, the option to step inside is useful, though it means you may miss a sudden sighting.

Dress for changing conditions. Sunshine on land can give way to cool wind and sea spray once you’re underway. Bring a light layer even on a warm day, and secure hats or loose items. If you’re prone to seasickness, the two-hour duration is shorter than many longer excursions, but the Atlantic can still be choppy.

Looking for pilot whales and dolphins

The main aim is to find Tenerife’s resident pilot whales and dolphins. Pilot whales are a key draw in these waters, and dolphins may also appear alongside the boat or farther off. The crew’s role is to help you recognize what you’re seeing and explain the wildlife during the trip. The guides are described as certified marine-life specialists, and commentary may be given in multiple languages.

Sightings can be excellent: some trips encounter pods of pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins, and dolphins have sometimes come close to the boat without being pursued. But wildlife does not run to a timetable. On another day, you might see only distant fins, a brief surfacing or no dolphins at all. The crew cannot control whether animals approach, and the no-chase policy means the boat won’t drive after them to manufacture a closer view.

That restraint is an important part of the tour’s appeal. You’re watching animals in their own environment, not attending a staged show. A whale surfacing nearby can make for a memorable encounter, but a distant sighting is still a real one. If your priority is an ethically minded outing, that difference is worth accepting. If you need guaranteed close views, this is not the right promise to expect from any wild-animal trip.

The crew may also point out other life along the route. Depending on conditions and luck, possible sightings include sperm whales, fin whales, turtles, different dolphin species, jellyfish and marine birds. These are possibilities, not a checklist. The tour is built around the chance to observe, rather than a guarantee that every species will appear.

What the no-chase policy means in practice

A no-chase policy is more than a phrase to put on a ticket. It means you should expect the captain to respect the animals’ movement instead of pursuing them for a better photo. When wildlife chooses to swim near the boat, you may get a close look. When it doesn’t, the boat carries on without forcing an encounter.

That approach has a direct effect on the pace. At times, you may spend a stretch simply sailing and scanning the water. The quiet intervals are part of wildlife watching, although they can feel slow if you came expecting constant action. Keep your eyes moving across the surface, and listen for the crew’s directions. A group of dolphins can appear suddenly, then vanish just as quickly.

The operator presents the trip as eco-friendly and identifies a collaboration with Sea Shepherd UK. That conservation connection will matter to people who want their excursion to reflect concern for marine life. The available details do not specify a donation amount, so treat the conservation message as a guiding principle rather than a precise accounting of how much of your fare goes to a cause.

Comfort, commentary and the group

The boat has a large salon, toilets and a bar, useful features on a trip of this length. Food and drinks are not included unless specified, so bring what you need or check what is available on board. One account describes a relaxed ride and another notes that the boat felt steady, but your comfort will still depend on the day’s sea and where you sit.

The crew’s explanations are a valued part of the outing. Good commentary helps turn a fin at the surface into an identifiable animal, and pictures or descriptions can help distinguish whale and dolphin species. The amount of detail may vary with the crew, language and activity on deck. If you want more natural-history explanation, listen when the guide speaks and ask a question when there’s a quiet moment.

With a capacity of 136, this is not a silent boat. The deck can be busy, and noise from other people may compete with the commentary. There have also been concerns about overselling when departures are disrupted by poor weather. Arriving early is sensible, but if the boat feels unusually full, speak to the crew before departure rather than waiting until you’re underway.

The tour is offered in English, and the crew has been described as multilingual. Service animals are allowed, and pets are also listed as welcome. Most people can participate, but anyone unsure about the boat, sea conditions or their own mobility should contact the operator before booking.

Is two hours enough?

Two hours is a practical compromise. You get time to sail along the coast and look for wildlife without committing most of your day to a boat. It can suit families, first-time whale watchers and anyone who wants a sea outing but worries about a longer cruise. The shorter format also means the return comes soon after the wildlife search, whether sightings have been plentiful or limited.

That short duration has a downside. If it takes time to locate animals, the actual viewing may be brief. Some trips have seen whales after a long period at sea, while others have found dolphins and whales with time to watch them. There’s no way to plan the exact balance between sailing and sightings. Think of the whole trip as a coastal cruise with a wildlife search, not two uninterrupted hours of animal viewing.

The boat returns to the same meeting point in Los Cristianos. This makes the outing easy to fit around other plans, but it also gives the crew a fixed return schedule. If wildlife appears near the end, the captain may have limited time to stay.

Price, booking and weather

At $30.23 per person, the tour is relatively accessible for a boat-based wildlife outing. You get about two hours aboard a traditional gulet, a professional guide and the chance to see several kinds of marine life. The fare makes most sense if you value the no-chase approach, coastal scenery and crew commentary, not just a close photograph.

The activity is commonly booked about seven days ahead. Booking earlier can help you secure a place, while the operator’s maximum capacity means this is not a small-group tour. The ticket is mobile, and confirmation is provided at booking.

Weather matters. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you’ll be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. Minimum numbers also apply; if the tour is cancelled for that reason, you’ll be offered another date or experience, or a refund.

Should you book Bahriyeli?

Book this trip if you want a reasonably priced, short sail with a clear commitment to not chasing wildlife. The mix of a traditional gulet, south-coast views, Mount Teide and marine-life commentary gives the outing more to offer than a simple search for a photo. It’s especially well suited to you if you’re happy to let wildlife set the terms of the encounter.

Think twice if you need a guaranteed sighting, want lots of space or expect a small boat with extended, close-up viewing. Animals may be distant or absent, and the maximum group size is substantial. If you’re comfortable with those limits, Bahriyeli offers a thoughtful way to spend two hours at sea.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The trip lasts about two hours.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at the meeting point in Los Cristianos and returns to the same meeting point.

What kind of boat is Bahriyeli?

Bahriyeli is a 23-meter, two-mast Turkish gulet sailing boat.

Which animals might I see?

The tour focuses on resident pilot whales and dolphins. Possible sightings also include sperm whales, fin whales, turtles, other dolphin species, jellyfish and marine birds. Sightings are not guaranteed.

Does the boat chase whales or dolphins?

No. The tour follows a strict no-chase policy, so the animals decide whether to approach the boat.

Is a guide included?

Yes. A professional guide is included, and the crew is described as certified marine-life specialists.

Are food and drinks included?

Food and drinks are not included unless specified. A bar is available on board.

Is there a toilet on board?

Yes. Onboard information and accounts of the trip indicate that toilets are available.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You’ll be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather cancels the experience.