Private Yacht Tour With Whale and Dolphin Watching 33 Foot Boat

Watch the water, not the clock. This private six-hour cruise along Costa Adeje gives you a 33-foot boat, a local captain, and room for up to nine people, making it a relaxed way to search for whales and dolphins without joining a crowded group. I especially like the private setup and the chance to stop for snorkeling, rather than spending the entire outing sitting on deck.

I also like the practical comforts: bottled water, snacks, unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks, plus snorkeling gear. The main drawback is simple but important: marine life is wild, and you may not see whales or dolphins on your sailing. One outing produced no sightings, while others saw pilot whales, dolphins, and even a turtle.

Key Points Before You Book

• Six hours on a private 33-foot boat: Your group gets the boat to itself, with a maximum of nine people.
• Whale and dolphin watching is never guaranteed: Pilot whales and dolphins have been seen, but sightings depend on nature and conditions.
• Puertito beach can be a snorkeling stop: The clear water and fish made this a favorite part for several people.
• Captain Maxi has received special praise: Families appreciated his warm hosting and care for both adults and children.
• Food and drinks are included: Snacks, bottled water, soft drinks, beer, and wine are provided onboard.
• The cruise begins and ends at Puerto Colón: Meet at pontoon 2 in Costa Adeje, then return to the same point.

Six Hours Along Costa Adeje

The cruise takes place off Costa Adeje, on Tenerife’s southwest coast. This stretch is known for beaches, caves, and marine life, so the boat gives you access to views and swimming spots you cannot reach easily from shore.

The schedule is intentionally loose. After boarding, the captain gives you a safety briefing and explains the plan. Once personal belongings are stowed, you can settle in with a drink and watch the coastline open up.

That unhurried pace is one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip. You are not being moved from one fixed stop to another on a tight timetable. The captain can focus on the sea conditions, your group’s interests, and the best chance of finding wildlife.

Six hours is long enough for more than a quick boat ride. You have time to look for whales and dolphins, pause for swimming or snorkeling, and enjoy the return journey without feeling rushed. Still, a six-hour outing is a serious block of your day. If you mainly want a short taste of sailing, this will be more time and expense than you need.

Meeting the Captain at Puerto Colón

You meet at Tenerife Sailing Charters, at Puerto Colón, pontoon 2, in Costa Adeje. The address is 38660 Costa Adeje, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain. The experience ends back at the same meeting point, which makes planning your day easier.

After everyone arrives, you are taken down to the boat. The captain checks that the group is ready, gives the safety briefing, and explains the cruise before setting off. This first part takes about 10 minutes, but it matters. You learn how the boat works, where personal items should go, and what to expect on the water.

The boat accommodates up to nine people, but the booking requires at least two. That makes it a good fit for couples, families, or a group of friends who want privacy. A family group of four adults and two children, including children aged six and eight, had enough room for a relaxed day onboard.

The private format also gives you more control than a standard shared boat trip. You are not sharing the day with a large mix of strangers, and the captain can respond to your group rather than following a rigid public-tour routine.

Searching for Pilot Whales and Dolphins

The main aim is to watch the marine life living off Tenerife. The boat includes sonar equipment that lets you listen for whales and dolphins, adding another layer to the outing beyond simply scanning the horizon.

Pilot whales, known locally as grindwal in some European languages, have been seen close to the boat. Dolphins have also appeared during the cruise, and one outing included a turtle sighting. These encounters can be memorable because you are looking for animals in their natural setting, not watching a scheduled performance.

But you should book this as a wildlife search, not a guaranteed whale show. One group had an excellent day of snorkeling and sailing but did not see whales or dolphins. That is not a service failure. Sea conditions, animal movement, and luck all matter.

The captain’s local experience helps, since he can take you toward areas where sightings may be possible. It cannot control the animals. I would set your expectations at a good day on the Atlantic, with wildlife as a valuable possibility rather than the only measure of success.

If spotting whales is your top priority, ask yourself how you will feel if the sea stays quiet. The answer should be: I would still enjoy a private boat, snacks, swimming, and the coast. If not, you may want a shorter and less expensive plan.

Snorkeling at Puertito Beach

For many people, the swimming stop is the practical highlight. The boat can take you to a quieter bay, and Puertito beach has been singled out as a particularly enjoyable place to snorkel.

The water has been described as clear, with plenty of fish visible below the surface. Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to bring your own mask and gear. You can swim, look at the fish, and then return to the boat for a drink and a snack.

This stop changes the rhythm of the day. After time spent watching the sea for fins and spouts, you get to enter the water yourself. It also gives families and mixed-age groups another way to enjoy the trip. Children may not have the patience for a long wildlife search, but a swim can keep the day lively.

The stop is not guaranteed as a fixed attraction in the same way a museum visit would be. The captain controls the route based on conditions and the group’s plans. Still, snorkeling is clearly part of the experience, and you should bring suitable swimwear if you want to use it.

You may also get a chance to sail rather than simply motor back to the harbor. One account described time spent sailing leisurely home after the swimming stop. That slower return is a fine way to finish the outing, especially if you prefer a calm afternoon at sea to a packed list of activities.

Snacks, Drinks, and the Small Comforts

This is not a bare-bones charter where you must pack every bottle and sandwich. Bottled water and snacks are included, along with unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks.

That package has real value on a six-hour trip. Food and drinks can add up quickly during a full-day outing, and having refreshments onboard means you do not need to interrupt the cruise for a shore stop. You can enjoy the coastline, take a swim, and return to the deck when you are ready.

The alcohol policy is clear: the minimum drinking age is 18. I would treat the beer and wine as an optional extra, not the purpose of the cruise. Swimming, sun, and alcohol do not always make a wise combination, so use good judgment.

A vegetarian food option is available, but you need to request it at booking. Do not assume the standard snacks will suit every diet. If someone in your group needs vegetarian food, mention it early.

The boat also has room to relax. The private setup means you do not have to compete for the best seating or share the day’s food and drink with a large crowd. That comfort is especially useful for families with children or groups that include older parents.

How Much Value Does the Private Cruise Offer?

The price is $594.75 per group of up to nine people. At the full capacity, that works out to about $66 per person for six hours. For six people, it is about $99 per person. A couple would pay the full group price between them, so this is much better value for a larger private group than for two people traveling alone.

The price includes the boat, captain, snacks, bottled water, unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks, snorkeling equipment, and the sonar system used to listen for marine life. That makes the cost easier to justify when compared with paying separately for food, drinks, equipment, and a private charter.

The strongest value comes when you can fill most of the nine places. A family reunion, two couples with children, or a group of friends can share the cost and enjoy privacy for the entire outing.

For two people, the price is harder to defend unless privacy is your main goal. You are paying for the boat and crew, not simply for seats. A shared cruise may be cheaper if you care more about seeing whales than having your own space.

The 4.9 rating from 17 ratings and a 100 percent recommendation rate point to strong satisfaction, especially with the captain, snorkeling, food, and private format. The small number of ratings means I would still focus on the practical facts rather than treating the score as a guarantee of perfect weather or wildlife.

Captain Maxi and the Human Side of the Trip

A good captain can make a private boat trip feel personal rather than mechanical. Captain Maxi received particular praise for welcoming a family group with four adults and two children.

That matters because private tours often depend on the person running the boat. You want someone who can balance wildlife watching, swimming, safety, and the different energy levels in your group. The available feedback describes Maxi as a warm host who helped the family feel comfortable from the beginning.

The cruise is offered in English, and the captain gives the safety and tour briefing before departure. Service animals are allowed, and the experience is near public transportation. Most people can participate, though the activity is still on a boat and includes an optional snorkeling stop.

You should also know that this is not a fully accessible shore excursion with every detail spelled out. If a member of your group has specific mobility needs, contact the provider before booking and explain what help is required.

What Kind of Day Should You Expect?

The mood is casual and personal. You can begin with a drink, watch the coast, listen for marine life, and stop to swim when conditions allow. There is room for conversation and quiet time, which is often missing from large group cruises.

The coastline itself offers variety. Costa Adeje includes beaches and caves, and the boat lets you view them from the water. You might spend part of the day scanning the open sea, then move closer to shore for a swim or a look at the coast.

The best outings combine several elements: pilot whales or dolphins, a turtle sighting, clear water, fish while snorkeling, and an easy sail back. You should not count on all of those in one trip. The sensible expectation is a pleasant private cruise with several chances for the day to become special.

The cruise is a good choice for a group that values time together. It can suit adults wanting a quiet sailing day, families with children aged six and up, and friends who want a private setting rather than a large excursion boat.

It is less suitable if you dislike being on the water for several hours, want a tightly programmed schedule, or need guaranteed wildlife sightings. It may also feel expensive for a small group that does not care about privacy.

Booking, Cancellation, and Weather

Confirmation is provided when you book, and the trip is usually reserved about 16 days ahead. That lead time suggests it is sensible to plan ahead, especially if you need a particular date during a busy stay in Tenerife.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. The cutoff uses local time, so check the exact start time carefully.

The experience depends on good weather. If poor weather forces cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. This policy is fair for a sea outing, but it means you should leave some flexibility in your Tenerife schedule if the cruise is important to you.

Should You Book This Tenerife Yacht Tour?

Book it if you have a group of four to nine people and want a private day that mixes wildlife watching, snorkeling, drinks, and time along Costa Adeje. The price becomes much more attractive when shared, and the six-hour format gives you enough time for the boat ride to feel like a proper day at sea.

I would especially recommend it to families and friends who value personal space. Captain Maxi’s friendly hosting, the private boat, and the swimming stop all fit that kind of group well.

Think twice if you are traveling as a couple on a tight budget or if seeing whales and dolphins is your only goal. Wildlife sightings are possible, not promised. Book this for the whole experience: the coast, the boat, the captain, the snorkeling, and the chance of meeting Tenerife’s marine life.

FAQ

Where does the private yacht tour start?

It starts at Puerto Colón, pontoon 2, in Costa Adeje, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain. The address is 38660 Costa Adeje.

Where does the tour end?

The cruise ends back at the same meeting point at Puerto Colón.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately six hours. The initial boarding, safety briefing, and tour briefing take about 10 minutes before departure.

How many people can join the private cruise?

The private boat accepts up to nine people per group. A minimum of two people is required to book.

Are whales and dolphins guaranteed?

No. The trip is designed for whale and dolphin watching, and pilot whales and dolphins have been seen, but wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and the cruise may stop at a swimming location such as Puertito beach.

What food and drinks are included?

Bottled water, snacks, unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks are included. A vegetarian option is available if requested when booking. The minimum drinking age is 18.