3h Whale Watching Private tour Beneteau Oceanis 440

Pilot whales are Tenerife’s most reliable sea stars. This three-hour private sailing trip leaves Puerto Colón under sail aboard Madoudou, a Beneteau Oceanis 44 authorized for whale watching in the south of Tenerife. I like the small private setting and the chance to see marine life from a proper sailing boat rather than a crowded excursion vessel. I also like the generous spread of local snacks and cold drinks, which turns a simple boat ride into a relaxed half-day outing.

The main catch is simple: wild animals follow their own timetable. Pilot whales are a strong possibility, and dolphins and turtles may appear, but no sighting is promised. The price is also best for a group, since $648 is reasonable when shared by several people but expensive for one or two passengers.

Key points to know before sailing

• Private boat for up to 11 people: You get the whole outing for your group rather than joining a large public cruise.
• Puerto Colón departure: The boat leaves from Gate 5 in Costa Adeje, with free van pickup from Costa Adeje, Playa Paraíso, Palm Mar, and Los Cristianos for up to eight people.
• Pilot whale watching: The boat has authorization to watch whales in southern Tenerife, where resident pilot whales live in the Canarian waters.
• Three-hour sailing plan: Expect roughly 45 minutes toward Costa Adeje, a 20-minute wildlife stop, a 50-minute cruise, and a 30-minute stop near Los Cristianos.
• Snacks and drinks included: Local cheese, salami, jams, olives, tomatoes, hummus, nachos, Canarian mojo, bread, fresh fruit, nuts, and cold drinks are provided.
• Swimming gear available: The Los Cristianos stop includes time for snorkeling, so bring a towel and sun hat.

Setting out from Puerto Colón under sail

Your meeting point is Puerto Colón Gate 5, one of the main boating areas in southern Tenerife. From here, Madoudou heads toward the Atlantic, with the volcanic coast of Tenerife forming the backdrop as you leave the harbor.

The boat is described as a Beneteau Oceanis 440, also referred to in the details as a Beneteau Oceanis 44. One description gives its length as 12 meters, while the included information calls it 14 meters. Either way, this is a proper cruising sailboat with enough room for a private group, not a little day boat where everyone sits shoulder to shoulder.

The plan is to set sail toward Costa Adeje for about 45 minutes. That first stretch is part of the experience, not just transportation to the whale-watching area. You can settle beneath the roofed section, take in the coast, and get used to the gentle rhythm of the boat.

The covered area matters in the Canary Islands. The southern coast is known for strong sunshine, and the boat provides shade throughout the outing. You should still bring a sun hat, since you will likely move between shaded and open areas as the boat travels.

The vessel has a large living room with two sofas and a table for eight, plus an outside table beneath an awning. The layout gives you places to sit, eat, and watch the water without having to remain in one position for three hours. Cabins, wardrobes, drawers, bathrooms with showers and hot water, a kitchen, solar panels, and water storage are part of the boat’s full cruising setup, though you are booking a short excursion rather than an overnight stay.

Looking for pilot whales in southern Tenerife

The wildlife portion takes place at a secret stop after the first sailing leg, with about 20 minutes set aside for dolphin and whale watching. The boat is authorized for whale watching in the south of Tenerife, and pilot whales are the main species you are likely to look for.

Pilot whales live in Canarian waters, so the trip is not based only on a lucky seasonal visit. Still, you should keep your expectations sensible. A wild whale may surface close by, remain farther away, or fail to appear during your particular outing. The same applies to dolphins and turtles.

One January trip with six adults and three boys aged four to six produced close views of many pilot whales as well as dolphins. That detail is useful for families: the excursion can work well with young children when the group is comfortable sharing a private boat and when everyone understands that wildlife watching requires patience.

The best part of a private trip is the pace. You are not one small party among dozens of people, so the outing can feel calmer and more personal. You can ask questions in English, Spanish, or Italian, and the guide can speak with your own group rather than trying to address a large crowd.

At the same time, private does not mean a guaranteed close encounter. The crew can search, position the boat, and explain what you are seeing, but they cannot control the animals. I would choose this trip for the sailing experience and the possibility of wildlife, not as a guaranteed whale photograph.

The long middle stretch on the Atlantic

After the wildlife stop, the plan allows about 50 minutes aboard the yacht. This longer section gives the outing breathing room. You are not rushed from one activity to the next, and you can enjoy the boat itself, the sea air, and the volcanic coast.

This is where the trip will appeal most to people who want a relaxed private outing. A three-hour schedule gives you enough time to sit down with a drink, watch for more animals, and enjoy the changing views without turning the day into a strict checklist.

The boat has an outboard raft and solar panels, along with 900 liters of water autonomy. Those features are not things you will actively notice during a short cruise, but they point to a boat designed for independent time at sea. The large kitchen also makes the included food more substantial than a handful of packaged snacks.

You may find the middle section less exciting if your main goal is continuous wildlife action. Whale watching naturally includes quiet periods. The covered seating, food, and private layout help make those pauses comfortable, but you should be ready for a mix of active searching and simply sailing.

Stopping near Los Cristianos for swimming and food

The final planned stop lasts around 30 minutes near Los Cristianos. This is the practical change of pace in the itinerary. After sitting and watching the sea, you have time for a swim and snorkeling, with equipment available on the boat.

Bring your own towel. The activity specifically recommends a sun hat and towel, and both are useful here. The details do not promise a particular snorkeling site or specific fish, so think of this as a chance to cool off and enjoy the water rather than a dedicated reef tour.

Food tasting is part of this stop and the wider sailing experience. The spread includes various cheeses, mixed local salami, jams, olives, tomatoes, hummus, nachos, Canarian mojo sauce, bread, fresh items, and nuts. Cold drinks include cava, white wine, beer, cola, Sprite, Fanta, and water.

The local touches are especially welcome. Canarian mojo gives the snack table a taste of the islands, while the cheese, cured meats, bread, and olives fit the easygoing style of a day at sea. If you prefer a full restaurant meal, this is not that. It is generous boat food, designed for sharing between swims and sailing.

Alcohol is included, so you should pace yourself carefully. You are still on a moving boat, and the outing includes time in the water. Water and soft drinks are available for a sensible alternative.

Returning to Puerto Colón after three hours

After the Los Cristianos stop, the boat returns to Puerto Colón. The total outing lasts three hours, which makes it easy to fit into a day in southern Tenerife without giving up an entire afternoon.

The pickup option adds useful convenience. A free van can collect up to eight people from Costa Adeje, Playa Paraíso, Palm Mar, or Los Cristianos. That limit matters because the private boat can hold up to 11, but the van cannot carry the full maximum group. If your party has nine to 11 people, you should confirm how the remaining passengers will reach Puerto Colón.

For everyone else, meeting at Gate 5 keeps things straightforward. The pickup areas cover several popular resorts in the south, but the available information does not list pickup from other parts of Tenerife. If you are staying elsewhere, plan to make your own way to the port.

What the $648 private price really means

The full price is $648 per group of up to 11 people. That works out to about $59 per person if you fill every place, or $72 each for a group of nine. For a large family or group of friends, the price buys privacy, sailing space, snacks, drinks, whale watching, and snorkeling in one package.

For a couple, the value looks different. Two people would effectively pay $324 each if the group price is not shared with others. I would choose a public whale-watching trip instead if keeping the cost low is your main concern. This private outing makes the most sense when you can gather a larger party and care about having the boat to yourselves.

The price also includes features that can quietly add up elsewhere: transport from several southern resort areas, cold drinks, local food, and snorkeling equipment. You are paying for the boat and crew first, but those extras reduce the need to arrange food or gear separately.

A group with children may find the private format worth the higher cost. Young children can become restless on a crowded cruise, while a private group can use the sofas, shaded area, outside table, and open deck more comfortably. The successful outing with three boys aged four to six shows that the format can suit families, though the sea and wildlife timing still require patience.

Who will enjoy Madoudou most

I would recommend this trip to:

• Families who want a private boat and a short schedule
• Groups of friends who can share the $648 cost
• Couples celebrating a special occasion with a larger combined group
• Visitors who prefer sailing over a large motorboat cruise
• Anyone who wants whale watching, swimming, food, and drinks in one outing
• People staying in southern Tenerife who can use the listed pickup areas

I would think twice if you are traveling alone or as a couple on a tight budget. I would also look elsewhere if you want a full-day sailing trip, a dedicated snorkeling excursion, or a guaranteed close encounter with whales.

The boat has shade, comfortable seating, bathrooms, hot-water showers, a kitchen, and storage. Those features are more than you need for three hours, but they make the vessel feel like a real cruising yacht rather than a basic platform for wildlife watching.

Language, flexibility, and practical planning

The tour is offered in Italian, Spanish, and English. The group is private, so language communication should be easier than on a large multilingual cruise.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now-pay-later option lets you hold the booking without paying immediately. Starting times depend on availability, so check the schedule before building the rest of your day around the boat.

The activity has an overall rating of 4.5 from six ratings. The strongest praise centers on the relaxed feel, close pilot whale sightings, dolphins, swimming, the sunset, and the guide. One Italian guest summed up the experience with a short, highly positive response, while the Belgian outing specifically combined pilot whales, a swim, and sunset views.

That mix tells you what this trip does best: it is not only a search for wildlife. It is a pleasant private sail with several good moments built into a compact schedule.

Should you book this private Tenerife sailing trip?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the cost and you want a calm, personal day on the water. The combination of pilot whale watching, possible dolphins and turtles, snorkeling, local snacks, cold drinks, and a shaded Beneteau sailboat gives you more than a basic sightseeing cruise.

I would especially consider it for a family group or friends staying around Costa Adeje and Los Cristianos. The private format, free pickup for up to eight people, and proven ability to suit children make it practical as well as enjoyable.

Skip it if you need the lowest possible price, require guaranteed wildlife sightings, or want a longer and more technical sailing trip. For the right-sized group, though, Madoudou offers a comfortable way to see Tenerife from the Atlantic, with enough food, shade, and swimming time to make the three hours feel well used.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching tour start?

The meeting point is Puerto Colón, Gate 5, in the south of Tenerife.

Is pickup from my hotel included?

Free van pickup is available from Costa Adeje, Playa Paraíso, Palm Mar, and Los Cristianos. The van can carry a maximum of eight people.

How many people can join the private boat trip?

The private group can include up to 11 people.

What marine animals might I see?

The excursion looks for pilot whales, dolphins, and turtles. Pilot whales live in the Canarian waters, but sightings of wild animals cannot be guaranteed.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is available during the stop near Los Cristianos.

What food and drinks are included?

The boat provides local cheeses, mixed salami, jams, snacks, olives, tomatoes, hummus, nachos, Canarian mojo sauce, bread, fresh items, and nuts. Drinks include cava, white wine, beer, cola, Sprite, Fanta, and water.

What languages are available on the tour?

The live guide service is available in Italian, Spanish, and English.