Royal Dolphin Whale watching excursion

Sea life is the star of this short Tenerife outing. The Royal Dolphin Whale Watching excursion gives you about two hours on a catamaran from Puerto Colón, with dolphins and whales viewed from the deck, large windows, or underwater viewing areas. I like the underwater windows and the live-stream option, since both give you a better chance to see what is happening below the surface. I also like the modest price, listed at $35.74 per person.

The main caution is crowding. The boat can carry up to 20 people, yet one account found it hard to claim a good viewing place on deck. You should also prepare for rough water: one highly positive account still advised taking motion-sickness medicine when the sea was unsettled.

Key points to know before sailing

• Underwater viewing is the unusual feature: You can look for marine life below the boat instead of relying only on the open deck.
• The tour leaves from Puerto Colón: Find the Royal Delfin Catamaran at Pantalán 12 in Playa de las Américas.
• The basic trip lasts about two hours: A separate three-hour option includes an aperitif, drinks, and lunch, so check the exact version before booking.
• Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed: The crew helps you spot dolphins and whales, but animals move freely.
• A small maximum group is advertised: The stated limit is 20 people, though one account still found the boat crowded for viewing.
• Bring simple seaside essentials: Pack a swimsuit, towel, hat, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes.

Setting out from Puerto Colón

The trip begins at the Royal Delfin Catamaran, located at Pantalán 12 in Puerto Colón, Playa de las Américas. The meeting address is Calle Colón, 38660 Playa de las Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain. This is a marina departure, not a hotel pickup, so you need to make your own way to the port.

That detail matters more than it may seem. A boat tour can feel rushed if you arrive at the last minute, especially when you still need to locate the correct catamaran. Your confirmation is received at booking, and your ticket is mobile, so keep the booking details easy to open on your phone.

The activity ends back at the same meeting point. That makes it simple to fit into a day around Playa de las Américas, provided you allow enough time to reach Puerto Colón before departure. Public transportation is nearby, and pickup is not included.

The operator is Tour2b, while the boat is presented as the Royal Delfin Catamaran. If your booking confirmation shows different timing or a different duration, use that information as your final guide. The provided details refer to both a two-hour tour and a three-hour option, so it is worth checking which one you have paid for.

What the catamaran offers during two hours

The standard experience lasts approximately two hours. That is a sensible length for a first whale and dolphin outing. You get enough time on the water to search for animals without turning the trip into an all-day commitment, and the short format works well for families or anyone fitting several activities into a Tenerife holiday.

The boat gives you several ways to watch. You can look through large windows, watch from the deck, or use underwater viewing areas. There is also a live-stream option on deck, which can help when the animal is below the surface or when other people are blocking your view.

I particularly like that the tour is not limited to one lookout point. Wildlife watching is unpredictable. A dolphin may appear beside the boat, while a whale may stay farther away or pass below the surface. The underwater windows and live stream give you more than one way to follow the action.

Still, you should keep expectations sensible. The crew can improve your chances by searching and pointing out animals, but no boat trip can promise a particular species or a constant show. The supplied information does not name the whale or dolphin species you may see, and sightings depend on where the animals happen to be.

Finding dolphins and whales from the deck

The deck is likely to be the best place for broad views and fresh air. It is also where crowding matters most. One account said dolphins and whales were visible from the deck and through the glass-bottom viewing area, but finding a clear spot for watching and photos was difficult.

That is practical advice, especially if taking pictures matters to you. A good position can make the difference between a clear view and a collection of heads, railings, and sea glare. With a maximum group size of 20, the boat is not advertised as a giant excursion vessel, but a smaller group does not always mean everyone has an open view at the same time.

I would treat the deck as a shared viewing space rather than a private photo platform. Move around when it is safe, pay attention when the guide points out an animal, and use the indoor windows or live stream if the outside rail is full. The ability to change viewing spots is one of the stronger parts of this outing.

The crew provides wildlife information and helps you locate animals as the boat sails. One account found the guide able to speak several languages, though the English was difficult to understand at times. That may matter if detailed commentary is a major reason you are booking. The guide can still help with spotting, but the educational side may not be equally clear to every English speaker.

The underwater windows and live stream

The underwater viewing feature gives this trip its clearest point of difference. Many boat outings rely on passengers watching the horizon and reacting quickly when an animal appears. Here, you can also check below the surface through the boat’s underwater windows.

That does not mean you will see more animals every minute. Visibility can change, and wildlife may pass outside the viewing area. But the underwater windows create another chance to see movement below the boat, especially when the action is not close enough for a clear deck view.

The live stream offers a useful backup. If you are on deck and the guide directs attention to something below, the screen may let you follow it without pushing toward the viewing windows. Families may also appreciate having more than one way to watch, since younger children can lose interest when everyone is simply scanning the horizon.

The best approach is to use all three viewing choices. Start outside for the wide view, listen for the crew’s instructions, then check the underwater windows or live stream when the boat slows or attention shifts below. The tour’s appeal comes from this mix rather than from any single viewing point.

Two hours compared with the three-hour option

The basic package includes the two-hour tour, insurance, and a professional crew. A separate three-hour tour is described as including insurance, an aperitif, drinks, lunch, and professional guides.

This creates an important booking detail. The price of $35.74 per person appears alongside the approximately two-hour experience, while the three-hour version has additional food and drink inclusions. Do not assume the lunch and aperitif are part of the least expensive option. Check the duration and inclusions attached to your selected departure.

The two-hour version offers better value if your main goal is simply to get onto the water and search for dolphins and whales. It keeps the cost down and leaves room in your day for other Tenerife plans. The three-hour version may make more sense if you want the boat ride to function as a longer outing with refreshments included.

I would not pay for the longer option unless you actually want the extra time and food. If your family is happy with a brief wildlife trip, the shorter sailing may be enough. If you prefer a more relaxed boat experience and like having lunch included, the three-hour package could justify its higher cost, but the exact price is not provided here.

Is $35.74 good value?

At $35.74 per person, the two-hour trip is priced as an accessible introduction to whale and dolphin watching. Insurance and a professional crew are included, and you get several viewing methods instead of only an open deck.

The value depends on what you expect. For a low-cost wildlife outing with underwater viewing, the price is appealing. For a quiet, highly personal photography trip, it may be less satisfying if the viewing areas feel crowded or if you want extensive expert commentary in clear English.

The 3.3 rating from 36 reviews suggests a mixed experience rather than a sure bet. The positive side is clear: one account gave the outing four stars after seeing both dolphins and whales from the deck and the underwater viewing area. Another described the trip as perfect, while also warning that rough sea conditions caused some motion sickness.

The weaker side concerns service and comfort. The same four-star account found the boat too crowded for easy photos and suggested spending more on a smaller boat. A separate one-star account described serious confusion over a booking at boarding, followed by rude communication and an allegation of racial bias. That is one account, not proof of a routine problem, but it is too serious to ignore when weighing the purchase.

Weather, motion sickness, and what to pack

The sea around Tenerife can be unsettled. Even a short trip can feel uncomfortable if you are prone to motion sickness. One person specifically recommended remembering Biodramina, a motion-sickness medicine commonly used in Spain, after feeling ill in rough water. You should ask a pharmacist or medical professional about any medicine before taking it.

The operator asks you to bring a swimsuit, towel, hat, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes. These items fit the practical needs of a catamaran outing. Sunscreen and a hat are useful even when the air feels cool, while comfortable shoes are safer and easier on a moving boat.

A swimsuit and towel may be useful if conditions or the boat’s activities make them relevant, but the supplied details do not promise swimming. Bring them as preparation, not as a guaranteed part of the trip.

Most people can participate, and the tour is near public transportation. No special accessibility details are provided, so you should contact the provider if you have mobility needs or require specific assistance before booking.

Families, photographers, and first-time whale watchers

This outing suits you best if you want an affordable introduction to marine wildlife and do not need a full-day expedition. The approximately two-hour length is manageable for many families, and the combination of deck views, large windows, underwater windows, and a live stream gives children several ways to stay involved.

It also works for first-time whale watchers who value a guide’s help. You do not need to identify animals on your own. The crew searches from the catamaran and points out wildlife as you sail.

Photographers should be more cautious. The trip can produce good sightings, but a crowded viewing area may make it hard to secure a clear angle. If photography is your top priority, the smaller-boat alternative suggested in one account may be worth considering, though this tour is the only one assessed here and no details about that alternative are provided.

This is less suitable if you expect a silent, private trip or guaranteed close encounters. It is also not ideal if you dislike boats, struggle with motion sickness, or need a very detailed commentary in easily understood English.

Handling the booking and cancellation terms

Your confirmation arrives at the time of booking, and the mobile ticket is accepted for the activity. Keep it available when you arrive at Puerto Colón. One serious complaint involved confusion at boarding when staff could not initially find a booking made through a third party. The issue was eventually resolved, but the experience was described as stressful and lacking an apology.

That account also included an allegation that a family member was treated rudely because of race. I cannot establish what happened beyond the report, but it is a relevant warning about the risk of booking communication problems. Check that your confirmation clearly shows the date, time, number of passengers, duration, and meeting point before you leave for the marina.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded, and changes within that period are not accepted. The cutoff follows local Tenerife time.

Should you book the Royal Dolphin Whale Watching trip?

Book it if you want a reasonably priced, short boat trip with several ways to watch marine life. The underwater windows are a genuine attraction, the crew helps you spot dolphins and whales, and the two-hour format is easy to fit into a Playa de las Américas schedule.

Think twice if you need lots of personal space, crystal-clear specialist commentary, or a strong photography setup. The mixed 3.3 rating, crowding complaint, rough-water warning, and one serious boarding-service complaint all argue for realistic expectations.

My practical call is this: choose the two-hour option if value and flexibility matter most, confirm every booking detail before arriving, and prepare for motion sickness. Choose another excursion if a small, quiet boat and spacious viewing are more important than the lower price.

FAQ

Where does the Royal Dolphin Whale Watching tour start?

It starts at the Royal Delfin Catamaran, Whale Watching Tenerife with Underwater Views, at Tenerife Dolphin, Calle Colon, Pantalán 12, Puerto Colón, 38660 Playa de las Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the original meeting point at Puerto Colón.

How long does the tour last?

The standard tour lasts approximately two hours. A separate three-hour option is also described, so check the duration attached to your booking.

What is included in the two-hour tour?

The two-hour tour includes insurance and a professional crew.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Pickup is not included. The meeting point is at the Royal Delfin Catamaran in Puerto Colón, and the area is near public transportation.

What should I bring?

Bring a swimsuit, towel, hat, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes. The tour information also notes that most people can participate and that the maximum group size is 20.