Whale and Dolphin Watching Yacht Trip in Puerto Colon

Pilot whales are often the stars of this three-hour trip off Tenerife, where the boat leaves Puerto Colón for open water and a chance to see marine life in its natural setting. You’ll be aboard a small yacht rather than a large excursion vessel, with a maximum of 12 people and a captain who points out what’s happening around you.

I like two things here: the small group, which makes it easier to see and hear the captain, and the simple onboard spread of drinks and baguettes, included in the price. One consideration: the boat can feel cramped to some, and the sea can be choppy. Wildlife sightings and a swim stop depend on conditions, so come for a sea outing, not a guaranteed close-up.

Key points before you book

• No more than 12 people can join a trip, though the boat’s layout may still feel tight.
• Pilot whales are a common sighting on these outings; dolphins and sea turtles have also been seen.
• Drinks and ham-and-cheese baguettes are included, with vegetarian options available on request. Vegan options are also described as available on request.
• Swimming and snorkeling depend on the weather and the captain’s plan for the day.
• The regular trip lasts about three hours and departs daily. A seasonal 19:00 sunset trip, available until the end of August, lasts two hours and includes either whale watching or a swim stop, not both.
• The boat returns to Puerto Colón, where the trip begins.

Leaving Puerto Colón for open water

The trip starts at Puerto Colón, in Playa de las Américas, and ends back at the same meeting point. It is a useful location if you are staying in the resort area, and the daily departures give you some choice about where to fit the outing into your plans.

Once aboard, expect a small-group excursion rather than a formal, large-boat cruise. The operator uses more than one boat, so the vessel may not match every image you have seen. Some outings are described as sailing trips, while one person found the boat less impressive than expected. If you care about sharing a boat with friends or family who booked separately, contact the operator when booking and ask to be placed together. Waiting until the day of the trip may be too late.

The maximum group size is 12, which is one of the main reasons to consider this tour. It is easier to hear a captain’s commentary and follow where the crew is looking than it can be on a crowded vessel. Still, small does not automatically mean spacious: some people found it easy to settle in, while others had little room to move around. If you need a lot of space or prefer to roam freely, keep that in mind.

Watching for pilot whales and dolphins

The captain takes the boat out to look for whales and dolphins, choosing where to go based on conditions and sightings. Pilot whales feature prominently in accounts of the trip, sometimes in family groups moving alongside the boat. Dolphins are part of the tour’s focus too, though sightings can never be scheduled like a museum visit. Keep your eyes on the water, and look up now and then: bird life is also part of the view.

The best moments can be quiet ones. A whale surfacing nearby may hold everyone’s attention, while a turtle or a passing pod can turn an ordinary stretch at sea into the main event. The boat’s smaller size can make the outing feel personal, but it does not mean the animals will approach on cue or stay beside you for a set length of time.

The captain provides live commentary and helps you spot wildlife. Patrick is a captain named on some outings, and one account particularly enjoyed his stories, but crew assignments can vary. The tour is conducted in English and Spanish each day. If you need another language, contact the operator before booking rather than assuming it will be available onboard.

A swim stop, if the sea and schedule allow

Some three-hour trips include time to swim and snorkel in a bay or cove. One outing described a stop near La Caleta, with time to enjoy the water before returning to port. The precise stop is not promised, however, and the tour information makes clear that swimming and snorkeling are weather dependent.

Snorkeling equipment is included, as are life vests. Bring a swimsuit if you hope to get in the water, but treat the swim as a possible extra, not the main guarantee of the trip. Wind, waves, or the day’s whale-watching plan can change what is practical.

The special sunset departure has a different trade-off. It runs at 19:00 until the end of August and lasts about two hours, rather than three. At that late hour, the captain will either look for whales and dolphins or make a swim stop. You cannot count on doing both, and the price is the same as the longer trip.

What you get for $62.56

At $62.56 per person, this trip offers more than time on the water. Beer, wine, soft drinks, and water are included, along with ham-and-cheese baguettes. Vegetarian options are available on request; vegan options are also listed as available on request. Because dietary requests matter, contact the operator before the trip and confirm what will be provided. Do not rely on removing ingredients from a sandwich as a substitute for a requested meal.

The included food is simple, not a full restaurant lunch. That makes sense for a three-hour outing: you can have a snack and a drink without arranging a separate meal on board. The drinks, snorkeling gear, and small-group format add value, especially if you planned to pay separately for refreshments or equipment.

An optional photo service is not included in the price. If you want pictures, ask about the service before setting out, and consider bringing your own camera or phone only if you can keep it secure around water. No photography equipment is promised as part of the trip.

The boat, the captain, and the sea

The captain can shape the outing as much as the wildlife does. The strongest accounts describe a friendly, attentive skipper who explains what the group is seeing, answers questions, and gives people time to watch a pod. Others describe a quieter trip with little commentary. That difference matters: this is not just transport to a whale-spotting area, but a guided outing whose character depends partly on who is at the helm.

You may be on a sailboat, and the boat is not necessarily a polished luxury yacht in the way the word might suggest. One person found the vessel disappointing compared with the pictures, while others found it comfortable enough for the group. The practical point is to book for the intimate outing and chance to see wildlife, not for a particular cabin, deck layout, or level of luxury.

Weather can affect both comfort and the itinerary. One outing was windy and choppy, though blankets were provided on that occasion. Do not assume blankets are standard, and bring a light extra layer if you tend to get cold at sea. If conditions are poor enough for the operator to cancel, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I’d consider this tour if you want a relatively small boat, a few hours at sea, and a real chance to watch whales without joining a much larger excursion. It suits couples, families, and small groups who are happy with a relaxed pace and understand that wildlife, weather, and swimming plans are not fully under anyone’s control.

Families have taken children and a baby, but the group size limit does not tell you whether the boat has special facilities for young children. Check directly if you have specific needs. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed, but it is sensible to ask the operator about any personal requirements before booking.

This is less suited to anyone who expects a guaranteed sighting, a long swim, or a luxurious vessel. It may also disappoint if you need detailed narration throughout the trip. The tour has received mixed reactions on the level of commentary and the boat itself, so set your expectations around the core offer: a small-group boat trip, a captain searching for marine life, and included refreshments.

A few practical details

The tour is offered daily and lasts about three hours, except for the seasonal sunset option, which lasts two. Bookings are often made around 11 days in advance on average, a useful guide if you are planning a trip during busy dates, though it is not a rule about availability.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. Times are based on local time, and poor weather may lead to a new date or a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if the appeal is a smaller boat, a captain-led search for whales and dolphins, and a relaxed few hours with drinks and a snack included. The strongest reason to choose it is the group limit of 12, which can make watching wildlife feel more personal than it would on a much larger boat.

I would hesitate if the exact boat, a guaranteed swim, or extensive commentary is essential to your plans. Confirm dietary requests, ask about joining friends on the same boat, and choose the regular three-hour departure if you want the best chance of having both a wildlife search and a swim stop. If you are happy to let the sea set the pace, the price is reasonable for the time, refreshments, and equipment included.

FAQ

How long is the yacht trip?

The regular trip lasts about three hours. The seasonal 19:00 sunset trip, available until the end of August, lasts about two hours.

Where does the trip start and finish?

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

How many people can join?

The maximum group size is 12 people.

What food and drinks are included?

You get beer, wine, soft drinks, and water, plus ham-and-cheese baguettes. Vegetarian and vegan options are available on request.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life vests are included. Swimming and snorkeling depend on the weather.

What languages are spoken on the tour?

Tours are conducted in English and Spanish. If you need another language, contact the operator before booking.

Are whale or dolphin sightings guaranteed?

No guarantee is stated. The trip is focused on looking for whales and dolphins, but sightings depend on wildlife and conditions.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time. Cancellations inside that period are not refundable.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You will be offered another date or a full refund.