Whale & Dolphin Watching in Tenerife (Puerto Colon) On a Large Catamaran

Wildlife watching works best with room to roam. This three-hour catamaran trip from Puerto Colón gives you two things I like: a real chance to look for whales and dolphins, plus alcoholic drinks included instead of a surprise bar bill. I also like the planned swim stop, which breaks up the boat ride with time in a sheltered bay.

The main consideration is that wildlife is never guaranteed, and the trip is shared with up to 70 people. The food details are limited, and you will need to arrange your own way to the marina. Still, for $54.29 per person, this is a reasonable way to combine sea life, lunch, swimming, and a boat ride in one outing.

Key points at a glance

• Two wildlife trips leave the marina each day, giving you some choice when fitting the outing into a Tenerife schedule.
• Whales and dolphins are the main purpose, with information provided about the species found around Tenerife.
• The swim stop adds variety, with free time to get into the water in a small bay.
• Alcoholic drinks are included, so the price is easier to judge from the start.
• The large catamaran can carry up to 70 people, offering more room than a small boat but less privacy.
• The tour returns to Av. de Colón, 11, near Puerto Colón in Playa de las Américas.

Setting out from Puerto Colón

The meeting point is Av. de Colón, 11, 38660 Playa de las Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain. The tour starts and ends at this same point, which is useful if you are staying near Puerto Colón and want a simple round trip without arranging a second pickup.

Private transportation is not included. You will need to make your own way to the marina, so leave time to find the correct boarding point. The confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. Since a marina can have several boats leaving close together, check the exact meeting details carefully before setting out.

A mobile ticket is accepted, and the tour is offered in English. Public transportation is nearby, though the information provided does not specify which route or stop to use. If you are staying elsewhere in Tenerife, check your journey before booking rather than assuming a hotel pickup is part of the deal.

The catamaran is a large shared boat with a maximum group size of 70. That number is worth noting. You are not booking a quiet private cruise, but you should have more space than on a small rigid boat. The size also makes this a practical option for families and groups who prefer a steadier, roomier platform.

Looking for whales and dolphins off Tenerife

The first major part of the trip is the search for whales and dolphins. The crew takes the boat away from the marina and looks for wildlife in the waters around Tenerife. The point is not simply to cruise along the coast. The outing is built around finding marine animals in their natural setting.

That distinction matters. No responsible wildlife trip can promise a sighting, a close approach, or a particular species. The supplied information says the crew explains the wildlife encountered and the species that live around the island. This adds value even when the animals are shy or far from the boat, since you get some context rather than simply scanning the water in silence.

You might see whales, dolphins, or neither. Conditions at sea, animal movements, and visibility all affect the result. I would book this for the chance to watch wildlife, not as a guaranteed show. That mindset helps you enjoy the boat ride and the open water even if the animals do not cooperate.

The trip is described as offering the best way to see Tenerife’s wildlife, but I would treat that as promotional language rather than a promise. The useful fact is simpler: the boat leaves the marina specifically to search for whales and dolphins, and the crew provides information about the species around the island.

The two daily departures are helpful here. You can choose the sailing that best fits your plans, though the exact departure times are not provided. Check the available time when booking. A three-hour outing is long enough to make the wildlife search feel like the main event, while still leaving part of your day free.

A swim stop in a small bay

After the wildlife search, the catamaran anchors in a small bay. This is when you get free time to swim. The stop gives the outing a second purpose and keeps it from feeling like three straight hours of sitting on deck and watching the horizon.

You should think of the swim as a scheduled chance to get into the water, not a full beach visit. There is no beach stay described, and the boat returns to the marina after the stop. The attraction is the change of pace: after looking for fins and spouts, you can cool off and enjoy the sea directly.

The supplied information does not give water temperature, equipment details, or a list of water activities. Do not assume that snorkeling gear, flotation equipment, or other extras are included unless the operator confirms them. The clear promise is free time to swim in the bay.

This part may be especially useful for families or mixed groups. One person can enjoy the wildlife search while another looks forward to swimming. If you prefer to remain dry, you can stay on the catamaran and enjoy the anchored pause, but the information does not describe the available seating or shade in detail.

Food and the included open bar

Food is served after the boat anchors. The tour includes food for all passengers, along with an open bar. Alcoholic drinks are specifically included, which makes the advertised price easier to understand.

That inclusion is a real benefit. Boat trips can look affordable until drinks and lunch are added one by one. Here, those costs are part of the package. At $54.29, you are paying for a three-hour catamaran ride, the wildlife search, food, alcoholic drinks, and the swim stop.

The menu is not specified. I would not book this expecting a particular dish, a full restaurant meal, or a wide range of dietary choices. If you have allergies or strict dietary needs, ask the operator what food is served before you go. The information confirms that food is provided, but it does not explain the menu or how special diets are handled.

The open bar can be a pleasant part of a relaxed day at sea, but it also changes the feel of the outing. This is a social group cruise rather than a quiet naturalist expedition. If you want a family-friendly boat ride with an adult drinks option, the arrangement may suit you. If you want a serious photography trip or a low-key wildlife study, a large shared catamaran may feel less focused.

How the 70-person catamaran affects the day

A maximum of 70 people is neither tiny nor enormous. It gives the boat a social feel and may make the ride more comfortable than a cramped small craft. The large catamaran format should also provide more room to move around, though the exact deck layout is not stated.

The tradeoff is privacy. You will share the viewing areas, swim stop, food service, and bar with the rest of the group. If everyone heads to one side after an animal sighting, you may need to adjust your position quickly. If a spacious shared boat sounds better than a tight vessel, this is a sensible format. If you want a private guide and flexible route, it is not the right product.

The description highlights space for social distancing. That may matter if you value room between groups, but actual comfort depends on how full the boat is and how passengers spread out. The listed maximum is 70, so plan for a busy shared experience rather than guaranteed open space.

There is no need to pay extra for private transportation, since none is included. That keeps the package straightforward, but it also means the marina is your responsibility. Make sure you know where Av. de Colón, 11 is before the departure day.

Is $54.29 a fair price?

For $54.29, this is good value if you want several elements in one outing. You receive approximately three hours on the water, whale and dolphin watching, wildlife information, food, alcoholic drinks, and a swim stop. Buying each part separately would usually be less convenient, even if the exact comparison depends on local prices.

The price is less compelling if you care only about seeing whales and dolphins. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed, and a large catamaran may not offer the same close, quiet viewing experience as a smaller specialist boat. You are paying for a broad day-at-sea package, not just a dedicated wildlife expedition.

The included drinks help protect your budget. You do not have to wonder if a cold alcoholic drink will add a large charge at the end. Still, the menu and drink range are not described, so judge the value mainly on the combined experience rather than on a promised meal or particular beverage.

The tour has a 3.8 rating from 12 ratings. That is a middling result, not a clear signal of either excellence or failure. I would use it as a reminder to keep expectations practical: this is an affordable shared catamaran outing, not a luxury cruise.

One important warning concerns a negative comment about €20 sunbeds, tight side seating, disappointing food, and difficulty finding the boat. The operator response says that complaint referred to a different boat, not this catamaran. Do not use those specific criticisms as evidence against this experience. At the same time, the response does not provide extra details about seating, sunbeds, or the menu here, so it is wise to confirm any feature that matters to you.

Who should book this catamaran trip?

I would suggest this trip to you if you want a simple Tenerife sea outing with several activities bundled together. It suits couples, families, and groups who like the idea of wildlife watching but also want a swim and included drinks.

It is also a good match if you are staying around Playa de las Américas and can reach Puerto Colón on your own. The same start and end point keeps the day easy to organize. The English-language format helps if you want the wildlife information delivered in English.

You may want to choose another type of boat if your main goal is serious wildlife photography, a private experience, or a very small group. The 70-person limit tells you this is a shared social trip. You should also think twice if you need a detailed menu, guaranteed shade, or special seating arrangements, since those details are not supplied.

Families should check the swimming arrangements directly if children are joining. Most people can participate, but the information does not provide age limits, swimming requirements, or specific safety equipment details. That is not necessarily a problem, but it is a sensible question before payment.

Booking, weather, and cancellation

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted and are not refunded.

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. This policy gives you some protection, but keep the local cutoff in mind when making plans.

Confirmation arrives within 48 hours, subject to availability. Since the exact departure times are not included here, confirm the selected sailing and meeting point before the day of the trip. Bring the mobile ticket and allow enough time to locate the marina.

My call: a practical sea day at a fair price

I would book this if I wanted a relaxed, good-value boat outing from Playa de las Américas, with a chance to see whales and dolphins, a swim in a bay, food, and included alcoholic drinks. The package offers enough variety to justify three hours on the water, and the large catamaran should appeal to you if you prefer more room than a tiny boat provides.

I would not book it for a guaranteed sighting or a quiet, specialist wildlife session. The group can reach 70 people, the menu is unclear, and several comfort details are not spelled out. Go for the complete sea-day experience, keep your wildlife expectations realistic, and this looks like a sensible Tenerife choice at $54.29.

FAQ

Where does the whale and dolphin tour start?

It starts at Av. de Colón, 11, 38660 Playa de las Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately three hours.

How many trips leave the marina each day?

Two trips leave the marina daily.

What animals does the tour look for?

The main focus is whales and dolphins around Tenerife.

Is information about the wildlife provided?

Yes. Information is provided about the wildlife encountered and the species that live around the island.

Is food included?

Yes. Food is served for all passengers during the trip.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

Yes. The experience includes alcoholic beverages through an open bar.

Is swimming part of the tour?

Yes. The catamaran anchors in a small bay where you have free time to swim.

Is private transportation included?

No. Private transportation is not included, so you must make your own way to the meeting point.