3 hrs. Whale Watching and Relaxing Chill Out Catamaran with glass floor

Whales, dolphins, and lunch at sea. This three-hour catamaran trip from Puerto Colón combines wildlife watching with a lazy afternoon on the water, rather than treating the boat as a simple transport ride. I especially like the chance to see whales and dolphins in their natural habitat and the fact that lunch, soft drinks, beer, and wine are included. The main point to consider is that wildlife sightings can never be promised, and the experience depends on good weather.

I also like the small maximum group of 12 people, which should make the boat feel calmer than a large excursion vessel. The glass floor adds another way to look below the boat, while the shaded rear seating, front nets, cushions, and swimming stop give you several ways to spend the three hours. Snorkeling equipment is not included, so ask the captain about availability before you count on using it.

Key points to know before booking

• Whale and dolphin search: The boat starts looking for marine life soon after leaving Puerto Colón, with live commentary throughout the trip.
• A real rest stop: After the wildlife search, you anchor in a small bay for about 30 to 45 minutes.
• Food and drinks included: Lunch is served on board, with beer, wine, and soft drinks available during the trip.
• Small group size: The boat accepts a maximum of 12 people, a useful detail if you prefer a quieter outing.
• Glass floor and open decks: You can look below the boat, stretch out on cushions, or sit in the front nets.
• Strong customer record: The experience has a 5 out of 5 rating from 25 reviews, with 100 percent recommending it. One especially happy customer saw whales jumping from the water.

Setting out from Puerto Colón

The trip begins at Club Náutico Puerto Colón in Playa de las Américas, on Tenerife’s southwest coast. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate ride from another harbor.

You leave the port and begin searching for whales and dolphins right away. That gives the trip a clear purpose from the first few minutes. This is not simply a coastal cruise with a vague chance of spotting wildlife later. The crew is actively looking, and live commentary helps you understand what is happening as the boat moves through the water.

The port area is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying around Playa de las Américas or nearby resorts. Private transportation is not included, so you need to make your own way to Puerto Colón. Check the exact meeting instructions on your booking confirmation and leave enough time to find the marina.

The small group limit matters here. With no more than 12 people, you should have a better chance of finding an open place along the rail or on the deck when something appears in the water. It also makes the meal and swimming stop less crowded than they would be on a much larger boat.

Watching whales and dolphins in open water

Tenerife is one of the few places in Europe where whales and dolphins can be seen year-round in their natural habitat. That does not mean every outing will produce a dramatic sighting, but it gives this trip a stronger wildlife focus than a standard sightseeing cruise.

You will want to keep your camera ready. The trip offers good opportunities for photos and video of both marine life and the coast. A whale surfacing or a dolphin moving beside the boat may last only a few seconds, so it helps to watch the water rather than spend the whole time looking at your phone screen.

The most highly praised part of this experience is clearly the wildlife encounter. One visitor described seeing whales jumping out of the water and called the outing an excellent way to spend a few hours in Tenerife. That is the best-case moment you are hoping for, but it is wise to keep expectations sensible. Animals move on their own schedule, and the crew cannot control what appears.

Live commentary is provided on board. The supplied details do not name the guide or explain the commentary language, so check those points if they matter to you. Still, having narration during the search is useful. Long stretches of open water can feel slow if you do not know what the crew is watching for.

The boat’s glass floor gives you a second way to look for marine life. It may be most useful during slower stretches or while anchored, when you can focus on what is below rather than scanning the horizon. The experience information does not specify the size or exact position of the glass section, so think of it as an added feature, not a guarantee of constant underwater views.

The 30 to 45-minute bay stop

After the wildlife search, the boat heads to a small bay in the southwest of Tenerife. The boat anchors there for about 30 to 45 minutes, giving the trip a welcome change of pace.

This is when the outing shifts from active wildlife watching to relaxed time on the water. You can lie on cushions on the spacious decks, stretch out in the nets at the front, or sit in the shaded seating area at the rear. I like that you are not forced into one version of a boat trip. You can sit quietly, take photos of the coast, or simply enjoy the breeze.

You can also swim during the stop. If you want to explore below the surface, you can ask the captain about snorkeling equipment. The equipment is not included, so ask before setting your expectations. The information provided does not state whether equipment is rented, loaned, or available for an extra charge.

The swimming option makes this more than a wildlife cruise, but it is not the central purpose. The stop lasts less than an hour, and the schedule still has to allow for lunch and the return sail. If you mainly want a long snorkeling session, this is probably not the right excursion. If you want a short swim as part of a wider day on the water, it fits well.

Children can participate, but they must be accompanied by an adult. The details do not give specific swimming rules or accessibility information, so families should ask the operator about those points before booking.

Lunch, drinks, and shaded seating

Lunch is served on the boat in the shaded seating area at the rear. You do not need to pack a meal, which is a practical advantage on a three-hour outing. It also means you can keep your attention on the coast and the sea instead of worrying about when to find food.

Beer, wine, and soft drinks are included, with the tour described as offering unlimited drinks. That adds real value, especially because you are on board for several hours and may want something cold after time in the sun. Alcohol is best enjoyed in moderation, of course, particularly if you plan to swim or are sensitive to movement on the water.

Vegetarian food is available if requested in advance. You should also provide any other dietary requirements when booking. The information does not identify the exact meal, so do not book this expecting a particular dish or menu. Think of lunch as a convenient included meal rather than the main reason to choose the tour.

The shaded rear seating is important in Tenerife. You can enjoy the open deck and front nets, but you will also want a place out of direct sun. The combination of shade and outdoor space gives you more control over your comfort during the trip.

Sailing back along Tenerife’s west coast

After lunch and the bay stop, the boat returns toward Puerto Colón along the west coast of the island. This final stretch is designed for relaxing and taking in the views rather than another major scheduled activity.

You can use this time to photograph the coast, sit in the shade, or settle into the front nets. The return sail helps the outing feel like a complete half-day experience instead of a short wildlife search followed by an immediate trip back to port.

The coastal views are one of the quieter pleasures of the tour. The supplied information does not list particular landmarks, beaches, or cliffs, so I would not book it as a landmark-by-landmark sightseeing cruise. Its appeal is the overall view from the water and the chance to see Tenerife from a different angle.

The boat returns to the same Puerto Colón meeting point. That simple ending works well if you have dinner plans, another activity, or an evening walk around Playa de las Américas.

What the small group changes

A maximum of 12 people is one of the strongest practical features. Smaller groups usually mean less competition for the best viewing positions, easier communication with the captain, and a more personal feel during the wildlife search.

It also affects the mood. A boat with a dozen people can remain quiet when everyone is scanning the water, then become social during lunch or drinks. The front nets and spacious decks give you room to spread out rather than sit shoulder to shoulder.

Keep in mind that the group limit does not turn the boat into a private charter. You share the experience with other people, and the activity still follows a set route and schedule. If you want complete control over departure time, route, or meal, you would need a private boat arrangement instead.

The small size is particularly suitable for couples, families, and friends who want something calmer than a large party cruise. It also helps solo visitors feel less lost in a crowd, though the experience is still a shared excursion.

Price, value, and what you receive

The supplied price is listed as $0.00. That figure is unusual for a three-hour boat trip with food and drinks, so check the current booking page carefully before making plans. Confirm the final price, currency, taxes, and any conditions at the time of booking.

Judging the package itself, the value comes from the number of elements bundled into one outing. You receive a three-hour boat ride, live commentary, wildlife watching, lunch, alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, a swimming stop, and access to the boat’s glass floor. You also avoid the cost and work of arranging your own boat rental.

The experience is not fully all-inclusive. Souvenir photos are available to buy separately, and snorkeling equipment is not included. Private transportation is also your responsibility. Those exclusions are minor for many people, but they matter if you are counting every cost.

The 5 out of 5 score from 25 reviews and the 100 percent recommendation rate support the idea that this is a well-liked experience. The praise is strongest for the whale watching, especially the memorable possibility of seeing whales jump. I would treat that as a sign of a strong wildlife outing, not a promise of the same sighting on every departure.

Who should book this catamaran?

I would choose this trip if you want several Tenerife experiences in one compact outing. It suits you if you like marine wildlife, coastal views, a relaxed boat setting, and the convenience of having lunch and drinks handled for you.

It is also a good match if you prefer a small group. The maximum of 12 people is a useful reason to choose it over a large vessel, especially if you want a quieter deck and a better chance of reaching the rail when animals appear.

Families can join, provided children are accompanied by an adult. Couples and friends may enjoy the mix of wildlife watching, swimming, food, and open-air lounging. Solo visitors who like shared activities should also find the format easy to manage.

I would hesitate if your main goal is guaranteed whale contact, a long snorkeling session, or a full private charter. Wildlife sightings are never certain, the swim lasts only during the 30 to 45-minute anchorage, and the group is small but not private.

Book at least 24 hours ahead if your plans might change. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes inside that period are not refunded or accepted. The trip also requires suitable weather and a minimum number of participants, so a poor-weather or low-booking cancellation can result in a different date, another experience, or a full refund.

My verdict: a strong half-day on Tenerife’s coast

I would book this catamaran if I wanted a relaxed wildlife outing with plenty included. The best reasons are the small group, the year-round chance to see whales and dolphins, the live commentary, and the easy combination of lunch, drinks, swimming, and coastal sailing.

The experience works because it does not make you choose between an active search and a lazy afternoon. You look for animals, stop in a bay, eat, swim if you wish, and sail home along the coast. Just remember that wildlife is unpredictable, snorkeling equipment is not included, and the listed $0.00 price needs careful checking before you pay or plan around it.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching catamaran depart?

It departs from Club Náutico Puerto Colón, Puerto Colón, in Playa de las Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

Where does the activity finish?

The catamaran returns to the same meeting point at Puerto Colón.

How long is the trip?

The activity lasts approximately three hours.

Are whales and dolphins guaranteed?

No. The trip searches for whales and dolphins in their natural habitat, but sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A meal is served on board in the shaded seating area at the rear of the boat.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The experience includes beer, wine, and soft drinks, described as unlimited during the trip.

Can I go swimming or snorkeling?

You can swim during the 30 to 45-minute stop in a small bay. You can ask the captain for snorkeling equipment, but its use is not included in the tour.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. The activity may also be canceled if the minimum number of participants is not met.