Tenerife: Luxury Private Whale & Dolphin Watching Tour

Pilot whales are often the first sight as you leave Puerto Colón, with dolphins and turtles possible along the way. This is a private yacht charter for up to 11 people, so you get room to spread out rather than sharing a crowded excursion boat. I especially like the free food and drinks, plus the chance to stop for swimming in a sheltered bay.

I also like the choice between a three-hour outing and a six-hour cruise. The longer trip gives you more time at sea and at anchor, but the $701 group price is much better value when you can fill most of the 11 places. The main drawback is simple: wildlife is wild, so no sighting can be promised, and towels and sun cream are not provided.

Key points to know before you book

• Pilot whales may appear soon after leaving Puerto Colón, making the opening part of the cruise especially exciting.
• A private group of up to 11 people can enjoy the yacht without sharing the boat with strangers.
• The six-hour option is the stronger value for a full day on the water, while three hours suits a shorter outing.
• Swimming and snorkeling happen at anchor in a secluded bay, not during the whale-watching section.
• Cava, beer, white wine, soft drinks, baguettes, fruit, and snacks are included, so you do not need to plan a separate meal.
• The yacht has bathrooms, cabins, a salon, kitchen, and sunbathing area, useful on a longer private cruise.

Leaving Puerto Colón on a private yacht

You meet at Puerto Colón, at Pantalan Number 2, 15 minutes before departure. That extra time matters because a private charter works best when everyone is ready to board promptly. Wear light beach clothing, bring a swimsuit and hat, and keep your sunglasses and camera close.

The welcome begins with a glass of cava. It is a small touch, but it sets the tone for this experience: you are not simply being ferried out to sea. You have the full yacht for your own group, with a captain on board and space to move between the sunbathing area, salon, and other parts of the boat.

The yacht is equipped with bathrooms, cabins, a large salon, and a kitchen. Those details matter more than they might on paper. Three hours can pass quickly on the water, but six hours is a long time if you have no shade, no toilet, and nowhere comfortable to sit. Here, you have several places to settle in as the mood changes.

You can sit with a drink and watch the coast recede, stretch out in the sun, or move inside if you want a break from the heat. Since the boat is private, your group can enjoy its own pace within the captain’s sailing plan. One especially nice detail from the experience is that groups have been allowed to play their own music, giving the cruise a more personal feel.

Watching for pilot whales, dolphins, and turtles

The first major aim is wildlife watching. As the yacht leaves the harbor, pilot whales may soon come into view. Tenerife’s waters are known for regular marine life sightings, but you should still keep your expectations sensible. The captain can take you toward areas where sightings are possible, yet whales, dolphins, and turtles do not follow a timetable.

That uncertainty is part of the sea experience. You may spend stretches simply scanning the water, then suddenly see movement in the distance. Pilot whales are the main sighting highlighted for this trip, while dolphins and turtles may also appear. Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the whole outing looking through a screen. A quick sighting can be easy to miss if you are busy adjusting settings.

This private setup is useful during wildlife watching. Your group can gather on deck when something appears instead of trying to find a clear view among a large crowd. The captain is also the person who handles the boat and provides information during the outing. Guides can speak Spanish, English, German, French, or Italian, so you can request the language that works best for your group.

The wildlife portion has one clear limitation: the activity does not promise a specific animal or guaranteed close encounter. That is not a flaw unique to this charter. It is simply the reality of watching wild animals at sea. Book it because you want time on the ocean with a chance to see marine life, not because you require a guaranteed dolphin performance.

The secluded bay stop for swimming

After the wildlife watching, the captain anchors in a secluded bay. This is where the cruise shifts from searching the water to enjoying it. You can swim, use the provided snorkeling equipment, or remain on board with a drink and a snack.

The bay stop gives the six-hour option much of its appeal. A three-hour cruise can offer a neat sample of sailing and wildlife watching, but six hours gives you more time to relax after the excitement of spotting animals. You are not forced to spend every minute moving from one sighting to the next.

The wording around swimming with turtles deserves a practical note. Turtles are among the animals you may see, and the itinerary describes swimming with them at the bay stop. Still, you should not assume that turtles will be present in the water when you arrive. Wildlife sightings can change, and the captain decides where to anchor.

Snorkeling equipment is included, but towels are not. Pack your own towel, along with sun cream, since neither is supplied. A hat, sunglasses, swimwear, and a camera are also listed as useful items. Summer beach clothing is the right choice, and shoes or clothing that you do not mind getting damp may be sensible, though the supplied information does not specify a required type of footwear.

Food, drinks, and the rhythm of the day

The catering is one of the strongest parts of this charter. You receive baguettes, fruit, and snacks, along with soft drinks, beer, and white wine. That is enough to make the cruise feel like a relaxed day out rather than a sightseeing transfer with a few drinks added on.

The food also gives the day a natural rhythm. You can have cava when you board, watch for whales and dolphins as the yacht moves offshore, then enjoy baguettes and fruit around the bay stop. The exact serving schedule is not specified, so do not expect a formal restaurant-style meal or a detailed menu.

For many groups, the included drinks and food improve the value of the private booking. Organizing provisions for 11 people can be a nuisance, and here much of that work is already handled. The selection is casual rather than elaborate, but it fits a beach outing well.

Alcohol is included, so pace yourself. The combination of sun, sea air, swimming, and beer or wine can catch up with you faster than expected. Drink water as well, even though the supplied details do not specify bottled-water arrangements. If anyone in your group has food allergies or strict dietary needs, ask about the available food before booking, since no special menu is described.

Three hours or six hours?

The shorter cruise is the easier choice if you want a taste of sailing without giving up most of a day. It allows time for the boat ride, wildlife watching, a bay stop, and a snack, though the exact balance depends on conditions and the captain’s route.

The six-hour option makes more sense for a group that wants the yacht to be the main event. You have more time to settle into the boat, wait patiently for wildlife, enjoy the bay, and eat without feeling hurried. It is also the better choice if swimming and sunbathing matter as much to you as seeing whales.

Your group’s makeup should guide the decision. Families with young children may prefer three hours if they are unsure how everyone will handle a long time at sea. A group of friends or relatives who already plans to spend a day together on the water will likely get more from six hours.

The price is $701 per group of up to 11. If 11 people go, that works out to about $64 per person for the same private yacht, captain, food, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and sailing time. With six people, it is about $117 each. With only two or three people, the per-person cost becomes much harder to justify, even though the privacy remains attractive.

Why the private format matters

A private boat changes the feel of the outing. You are not buying a seat on a standard group excursion. You are paying for the boat to be reserved for your party, with a maximum group size of 11.

That makes this a good fit for a family reunion, birthday, small wedding group, or friends who want a day together without strangers on board. It also gives your party more control over the mood. You can listen to your own music, talk freely, or spend quiet time watching the sea.

The private format does not mean you control every part of the route. The captain still handles navigation, wildlife watching, and the decision about where to anchor. Weather and sea conditions can affect how the cruise unfolds. Think of the charter as a private setting within a professional sailing plan, not as a boat you steer yourself.

The boat’s size and facilities are important here. Cabins and a salon give you somewhere to retreat, while the sunbathing area suits people who want to make the most of the warm weather. Bathrooms are especially useful for the six-hour trip and for groups with children.

Who will get the most from this cruise?

I would point this outing toward anyone who wants wildlife watching and leisure in the same package. You get a chance to see pilot whales, dolphins, and turtles, but you also get time to swim, snack, and enjoy the yacht without rushing from one attraction to the next.

It suits groups that value privacy and can share the fixed price. A full group of 11 gets the clearest financial advantage. A smaller group can still enjoy it, but you should compare the total against other boat trips in Tenerife and decide how much private space is worth to you.

It is less suitable if you need guaranteed animal sightings, dislike being on the water, or want a tightly scheduled sightseeing program. The cruise has a relaxed structure, and some of its best moments may come from waiting, watching, and letting the day unfold.

The high rating of 4.9 from 14 reviews fits the strongest parts of the experience: friendly service, good food, a relaxed day, and the chance to see whales. Specific praise also focuses on the captain, the ability to play personal music, the included snacks and drinks, and time for swimming. Those are useful clues about what this trip does best.

Practical details before you reserve

The meeting point is Puerto Colón, Pantalan Number 2. Arrive 15 minutes before departure. The activity is offered in Spanish, English, German, French, and Italian.

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, a hat, and a camera. You also need to bring your own towel and sun cream. Cava is served on arrival, and soft drinks, beer, white wine, baguettes, fruit, and snacks are included.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available, which helps if your Tenerife schedule is still taking shape. Check the available starting times when you choose the three-hour or six-hour version.

Should you book the Tenerife private yacht cruise?

Book it if you can fill much of the 11-person capacity and want a private day that combines wildlife watching, swimming, food, and drinks. The strongest value comes from the six-hour version with a larger group, while the three-hour trip is a sensible sampler.

I would choose this over a standard shared boat when personal space, your own music, and a relaxed group atmosphere matter. Just bring sun cream and towels, keep your wildlife expectations realistic, and remember that the sea decides what appears. If that sounds like the right kind of day, this charter offers a pleasant mix of comfort and real time on the water.

FAQ

Where does the yacht depart from?

The meeting point is Puerto Colón, Pantalan Number 2. You should arrive 15 minutes before departure.

How long is the cruise?

You can choose a three-hour or six-hour private sailing trip. Starting times depend on availability.

How many people can join the private cruise?

The yacht is available for a private group of up to 11 people.

What animals might I see?

The cruise looks for pilot whales, dolphins, and turtles. Sightings are possible but cannot be guaranteed.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. The cruise includes cava on arrival, soft drinks, beer, white wine, baguettes, fruit, and snacks.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, a hat, and a camera. You should also bring a towel and sun cream, since those are not included.