Premium All Inclusive Whale & Dolphin Watching Experience

Whales are Tenerife’s year-round neighbors. This three-hour boat trip along the southern coast offers small-group sailing for up to 10 people, expert skippers, snacks, drinks, and time to swim. I like the personal feel and the chance to spot resident whales without paying a large-boat excursion price. The main caution is that the sea can turn rough, and snorkeling may not always be practical.

The boat leaves from Puerto Colón in Playa de las Américas and returns there. I also like that the crew provides snorkeling equipment, offers alcoholic and soft drinks, and can help arrange a special engagement moment. Still, check the departure time carefully, since one booking experienced a long wait before leaving.

Key points at a glance

• Resident whales near Tenerife: The southern coast is known for whale sightings throughout the year, so the trip is not limited to one short seasonal window.
• A small boat with a personal feel: The boat carries about 10 people, although the stated maximum is 11, which is far more intimate than a large sightseeing vessel.
• Food and drinks included: You receive snacks, a sandwich, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks during the outing.
• Swimming stop in the Atlantic: You can get into the water when conditions allow, with snorkeling equipment provided.
• Strong skipper praise: Juan is singled out for being friendly, welcoming, and informative, while another experience with a guide named Paco received poor personal feedback.
• Weather matters: Wind and waves can make the ride uncomfortable, cause seasickness, or prevent a useful snorkeling stop.

Setting out from Puerto Colón in Playa de las Américas

Your trip begins at Puerto Colón, the marina in Playa de las Américas on Tenerife’s southern coast. The activity finishes at the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate return from another harbor.

This is a useful location if you are staying in the main resort area. The meeting point is near public transportation, and the port is a practical base for a short ocean outing. Since the activity lasts about three hours, it fits neatly into a beach day or an afternoon away from the hotel pool.

I would arrive early and confirm the exact departure time before standing in the sun. One person reported that the advertised time and actual departure did not match, resulting in an hour-long wait. That may have been an isolated problem, and the provider asked for booking details to investigate, but it is still sensible to check the schedule on the day.

The boat trip is described as a yacht experience rather than a crowded party cruise. Capacity is listed as 10 people in the main description, while the additional information gives a maximum of 11. Either way, this is a small outing. The difference matters because a small boat gives you more room to ask questions, move around for a better view, and speak directly with the skipper.

Watching whales along Tenerife’s southern coast

The main reason to book is the chance to see whales and dolphins in their natural surroundings. Tenerife is known for resident whales that stay in the area all year, so sightings are not restricted to a brief migration season.

That does not mean a sighting is guaranteed. Wildlife follows its own timetable, and the boat cannot control the wind, waves, or animal movements. Still, the local knowledge of the skippers gives you a better chance than simply heading offshore without knowing where to look.

The crew drives along the southern coast and shares information about places where whales and dolphins have been spotted before. That guidance adds value to the trip. You are not just sitting on a boat waiting for a fin to appear. You have someone pointing out what to watch for and explaining the marine life around you.

The strongest outings appear to combine calm seas with an attentive skipper. One small group saw whales, dolphins, and a sea turtle, with the limited passenger count making the experience feel personal. Another group of seven praised Juan, describing him as friendly, welcoming, and interesting. The calm sea also helped them enjoy the boat and watch several whales.

Dolphins are less predictable. One outing saw whales but no dolphins, while another spotted four or five dolphins during a rough ride. You should treat dolphins as a welcome bonus rather than the main promise of the trip.

Why the 10-person format makes a difference

A large whale-watching boat can give you more stability, but it also puts you among many people competing for the best view. Here, the group is small enough that the skipper can speak to everyone and react to what the group wants to see.

I like this format for families, couples, and anyone who prefers a quieter outing. One family of five, including children aged 7, 5, and 1, had enough room for everyone to enjoy the ride. The youngest child reportedly slept through much of it, while the older children enjoyed the sea and the swimming stop.

The small capacity also works well for a proposal or engagement surprise. The operator offers engagement specials, so you can ask about arrangements before booking rather than trying to organize a special moment at the marina.

There is a small tradeoff. A compact boat may move more in rough water than a larger vessel. If you are prone to seasickness, wind and wave conditions deserve serious attention. A bad-weather day in April left several people feeling sick, with nausea and vomiting reported during the ride. The provider requires good weather and offers a new date or a full refund if poor conditions force cancellation, but acceptable weather does not always mean a perfectly smooth sea.

The onboard food and drinks

The all-inclusive element is simple rather than lavish. You receive food and drinks during the three-hour outing, including alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, snacks, and a sandwich.

The word premium should not lead you to expect a full meal or restaurant service. One disappointed passenger described the snack as a homemade half sandwich. That may be perfectly adequate for a short boat trip, especially when paired with drinks, but it is best viewed as a light refreshment rather than lunch.

I see the food as a practical benefit. You do not need to bring a meal for a three-hour activity, and a snack is welcome after time in the sun and salt water. Alcoholic drinks can make the trip feel more relaxed, though you should still pace yourself on a moving boat.

The food also adds value to the $21 price. At that rate, you are paying for a boat ride, wildlife search, skipper commentary, refreshments, and a swim stop. The package is especially appealing if you want a short activity rather than a full-day sailing trip.

Swimming and snorkeling in the Atlantic

At some point, the boat stops so you can swim in the Atlantic. Snorkeling equipment is meant to be provided, making it easy to get into the water without packing your own mask and fins.

The swimming stop is one of the trip’s best extras. It breaks up the wildlife search and gives you a chance to enjoy Tenerife from the water rather than only looking at it from the deck. One family member jumped straight into the ocean, and another outing included a pleasant short swim.

Conditions control how useful this part becomes. On one trip, snorkeling was impossible, and another person said the equipment was not visible or available to them. These comments suggest that you should ask the crew directly about the equipment and whether the water conditions are suitable before expecting a proper snorkeling session.

Do not book this trip only for snorkeling. The boat ride and wildlife search are the core experience. Treat swimming as a bonus that works best on a calm day.

You should also be comfortable with the basic demands of getting into the sea and back onto the boat. The supplied information says the experience offers easy access for disabled passengers, which is important, but it does not explain the exact boarding setup or swimming assistance. If you need specific support, contact Tenerife First Excursions before booking.

The skippers and the quality of the commentary

The skipper can make or break a small boat trip. With only a handful of people onboard, the crew shapes the entire mood.

The best feedback centers on Juan and Marie. Juan received particularly warm praise for being friendly, welcoming, and informative. Another group enjoyed the explanations about the whales and the relaxed pace of the trip. This is the kind of personal attention that makes a short excursion feel worthwhile.

The feedback is not uniformly positive. One person described a guide named Paco as rude and unsuitable for the job. The operator apologized and requested contact details to investigate. Since the excursion may involve different crew members, I would not assume every departure will feel the same.

The practical lesson is simple: expect the skipper to be central to your experience, but understand that staff quality can vary. If you have a particular concern, or if you are booking for a special occasion, contact the operator in advance and ask who will be leading the trip.

Is $21 good value for three hours?

At $21, this is an inexpensive way to spend a half-day on the water. The price includes the boat outing, whale and dolphin search, skipper guidance, snacks, alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, and a swimming stop. Snorkeling equipment is also included.

That package compares well with the cost of arranging separate activities. You get transport on the water, wildlife viewing, refreshments, and swimming in one booking. The small group makes the price even more attractive because you are not simply buying a seat on a packed sightseeing boat.

The value depends on your expectations. If you want a polished meal, guaranteed dolphins, or a long snorkeling session, you may feel let down. If you want a reasonably priced yacht trip with a real chance of seeing whales, the price is appealing.

I would think of it as a wildlife cruise with swimming, not as a dedicated snorkeling charter. That distinction will help you judge the cost fairly.

Weather, comfort, and what to bring

The sea around Tenerife can be calm and pleasant, but wind and waves can change the outing quickly. A calm trip produced excellent whale watching and made the boat feel comfortable. A rough trip caused serious seasickness for more than half the group.

You should plan for sun, movement, and time outside. Bring whatever personal items you normally need for a boat trip, and consider your own tolerance for motion before booking. The provided information does not specify a seasickness policy or onboard medical facilities, so ask the operator if this is a concern.

The operator requires good weather. If the trip is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.

The exact cancellation deadline uses local Tenerife time. That detail matters if you are booking from another country or changing plans close to departure.

Who should book this Tenerife whale trip?

I think this experience suits you best if you want:

• A short boat trip from Playa de las Américas
• A small group instead of a large sightseeing vessel
• A real chance to see resident whales
• Snacks and drinks included in the price
• A relaxed swim stop when the sea allows
• A family-friendly outing with children
• A personal proposal or engagement arrangement
• An accessible option, subject to confirming your specific needs

It is less suitable if you need guaranteed dolphin sightings, dislike small boats, or are highly sensitive to rough water. It may also disappoint you if snorkeling is the main goal, since water conditions can prevent that part of the outing.

The boat can carry young children, as shown by a family with a 1-year-old, but each family should judge its own comfort with the sea and boarding arrangements. Most people can participate, and the operator states that access for disabled passengers is available.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want an affordable, small-scale whale-watching trip with drinks, light food, and a chance to swim. The best parts are the limited passenger count, the year-round whale habitat, and the personal style praised during outings led by Juan.

Go with realistic expectations. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed, dolphin sightings may not happen, and snorkeling depends on the water and equipment on the day. Check the departure time, ask about current sea conditions, and confirm accessibility or special arrangements in advance.

For $21, the combination is hard to dismiss. I would choose it for the whales, the small boat, and the chance to spend a few easy hours offshore, not for a guaranteed dolphin show or a full meal.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching trip start?

The trip starts at Puerto Colón in Playa de las Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

Where does the activity finish?

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

How long does the experience last?

The trip lasts approximately three hours.

How many people can join the boat?

The boat is described as carrying 10 people, while the additional information gives a maximum of 11 travelers.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. Alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, snacks, and a sandwich are provided during the trip.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, although the ability to snorkel depends on sea conditions and whether the equipment is available during your outing.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.