SEA SAFARI Dolphins, Whales, 3h speedboat DISCOVERY-TOUR

Wild animals make the best tour companions. Sea Safari’s three-hour speedboat trip from Puerto Colón combines close whale and dolphin watching with a swim, coastal views, snacks, and a small-group feel. I especially like the maximum of 11 people, which should make it easier to see the sea without feeling packed in.

I also like that snorkeling gear, drinks, sandwiches, and a BladeFish underwater propulsion device are included. The main consideration is simple: wildlife is never guaranteed, and one serious complaint reports a missed departure, even though the overall score is a strong 4.8 from 51 ratings.

Key points to know before you book

• Pilot whales and dolphins are the main draw: The boat heads toward areas where these animals have been seen before, with turtles and other sea life possible.
• A fast boat covers more coast: The speedboat helps you reach wildlife areas and return along Tenerife’s southern shoreline within three hours.
• Snorkeling is included: Masks and other equipment are provided, so you do not need to pack your own kit.
• The BladeFish adds a playful twist: You can try an underwater personal propulsion device during the swimming stop.
• You can stay aboard: Swimming is optional, which makes this workable for mixed-age families and anyone who does not want to enter the water.
• The group is small, but weather matters: A maximum of 11 people is useful, but the trip can be rescheduled or refunded if weather or minimum numbers cancel it.

Leaving Puerto Colón on a compact speedboat

The trip begins at Sea Safari Tenerife on Avenida de Colón in Puerto Colón, Playa de las Américas. This is the only listed stop, and the boat returns to the same meeting point after roughly three hours.

That simple out-and-back plan works well for a morning or afternoon in southern Tenerife. You do not spend the outing moving between land attractions. Once you meet at the marina, the focus is the water, the animals, and the coast.

A speedboat changes the feel of the trip. You are not simply sitting on a large sightseeing vessel waiting for something to appear. The boat can cover more ground, which matters when wildlife may be spread across a broad stretch of sea. One particularly happy family described the boat as fast enough to see a lot during the three-hour outing and comfortable enough to avoid seasickness for their group.

That said, speed has a tradeoff. A boat that moves quickly can feel exciting, but it may also feel less gentle than a slower vessel if the sea is choppy. If you are prone to motion sickness, keep that in mind when choosing your place on board and consider bringing any usual remedy. The available information does not promise a smooth ride in every condition.

The group limit of 11 people is one of the better practical details here. You are not booking a giant excursion boat with dozens of people competing for a view. A small group also gives the captain and guide more room to explain what you are seeing and to handle the swim stop without a long line for equipment.

Searching for dolphins and pilot whales

The wildlife portion is the heart of this experience. The crew takes you to places where dolphins and whales have been spotted before, then searches for animals in the open water. The sightings reported on this trip include several families of pilot whales, different dolphin species, turtles, flying fish, and a wide range of smaller fish.

Pilot whales are a frequent highlight. They are not the giant whales many people picture when they hear the word whale, but seeing a family moving through the sea can be a memorable encounter. The trip is also not limited to one animal. Some outings have included two dolphin species, pilot whales, and turtles in the same three-hour period.

A turtle sighting may be brief, so you will want to pay attention to the guide and keep your camera ready. One family even saw a young turtle feeding on a jellyfish. That is the sort of small, unexpected moment that can make a wildlife trip feel special, although it should be treated as a lucky possibility rather than a promised part of the route.

The captain named in the feedback is Eric, who was praised for finding wild animals and explaining marine life and the island. Tines is also mentioned in connection with helping a family keep its outing together when only one person had initially booked. Those details point to a personal operation where flexibility and the captain’s local judgment can affect the day.

You should keep your expectations realistic. No wildlife tour can promise dolphins, whales, or turtles on demand. The company has a strong overall rating, but the animals are wild and conditions change. The best reason to book is that you enjoy the search itself, not only the idea of checking off a particular species.

The coastal return and Tenerife’s cliffs

After the wildlife search, the route returns toward Puerto Colón along the southern coast of Tenerife. The trip also includes views of the cliffs, giving you a different way to see the island than from a road or resort promenade.

The coast is part of the value here. A three-hour boat ride gives you time to look back at Tenerife from the water, where the resort areas and cliffs take on a different shape. The return route keeps the experience moving instead of making the entire outing one stationary wildlife stop.

The speedboat is useful again on this section. You can cover more shoreline in a short time, though the ride itself may be more important to you than any single viewpoint. If you want a slow, quiet cruise with long pauses, this is probably not the right boat trip. If you like the sensation of moving quickly over open water, it should feel more active.

The route description does not specify the exact cliffs or bays visited. That is worth noting when comparing this with a dedicated coastal sightseeing cruise. Here, the cliffs are an added part of a wildlife and swimming trip, not the sole focus.

Swimming, snorkeling, and the BladeFish stop

The water stop gives the outing a second purpose beyond watching animals. Snorkeling equipment rental is included, and the available masks come in different options. You can look beneath the surface, swim in a sheltered cove if conditions allow, and try the BladeFish, an underwater personal propulsion device.

The BladeFish is the unusual extra. Instead of swimming only under your own power, you can use the device to move through the water. It is a playful feature, especially for families and anyone who wants more than a standard mask-and-snorkel stop.

You should not feel pressured to get in. One family outing worked well for a 71-year-old mother because she could enjoy the boat and wildlife without having to swim. Another family brought a four-year-old child and a baby, suggesting that the relaxed approach can suit different ages, though the data does not provide specific child-safety rules or age limits.

Snorkeling conditions depend on the day. The reports describe turtles, crabs, fish, and even a hammerhead shark seen during outings, but those sightings are not guaranteed and should not be treated as part of a fixed program. The most dependable part of the water stop is access to the gear and the chance to swim, weather permitting.

Bring practical beach-day items even though equipment is supplied. You may want swimwear, sun protection, and a way to secure your phone. The supplied information confirms masks and snorkeling equipment, but it does not state that towels, lockers, or waterproof phone cases are provided.

Drinks and sandwiches keep the trip easy

Drinks and sandwiches are included during the trip. This is a small detail, but it improves the value because you do not need to plan a separate meal around a three-hour boat outing.

The food should be viewed as a snack or light refreshment, not a full restaurant lunch. The exact sandwich choices and drink options are not specified. If you have allergies or strict dietary needs, ask before booking rather than assuming the included food will suit you.

I like this setup for a half-day plan. You can have breakfast before departure, spend three hours on the water, and still have much of the day left for Playa de las Américas or another southern Tenerife activity. The return to Puerto Colón also makes the schedule easy to understand.

What the $78.10 price gets you

At $78.10 per person, this is not the cheapest way to sit on the sea, but it includes several separate elements: a three-hour speedboat trip, wildlife searching, coastal viewing, snorkeling gear, a swim stop, the BladeFish, drinks, and sandwiches.

The price makes more sense if you plan to use the active parts. Someone who only wants to watch dolphins from the seat may find a basic boat cruise better suited to the budget. Someone who wants wildlife, a fast ride, snorkeling, and a small group gets more for the fare.

The group cap is important when judging value. With no more than 11 people, you should have a better chance of seeing over the side and hearing the guide than on a large commercial boat. That does not guarantee a private tour, but it gives the experience a more personal scale.

The high overall score, with 98 percent recommending it, supports the idea that most bookings go well. Still, one very serious complaint describes a paid booking where nobody arrived and phone calls went unanswered. That appears to be an isolated but important warning. I would save the booking confirmation, check the meeting details carefully, and contact the operator if anything changes before the morning of the trip.

Weather, cancellations, and practical planning

The tour requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel it, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of people is not met.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted, and cancellations inside that window are not refunded. The cut-off uses local Tenerife time.

Confirmation arrives when you book, and the meeting point is near public transportation. The activity ends where it starts, so you do not need to arrange a separate return transfer from another harbor.

The tour is offered in English. Most people can participate, but the information does not give detailed accessibility guidance, medical restrictions, or age rules. If you have mobility needs, are pregnant, have serious motion sickness, or are booking for very young children, contact Sea Safari before paying.

Because the experience is often booked about 25 days ahead, popular dates may fill before your holiday arrives. That does not mean every departure sells out, but it is sensible to reserve early if your schedule is tight.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most?

This outing fits you best if you want several experiences in one compact trip. You can watch wildlife, enjoy a fast ride, see the coast, swim, snorkel, and try a water gadget without spending an entire day at sea.

Families may like the flexible pace. Swimming is optional, snacks are included, and the small group can feel easier than a large excursion. The reports also show that different generations can enjoy the same outing, from a young child to a 71-year-old parent.

It is also a good choice for first-time visitors who want to see Tenerife from the water but do not want to commit to a full-day cruise. The three-hour length leaves room for other plans.

You may want a different experience if you need guaranteed animal sightings, a silent nature trip, a luxury vessel, or a full meal. The speedboat is active and practical, not a slow, formal cruise. The wildlife search also requires patience and a bit of luck.

Should you book Sea Safari Tenerife?

I would book this if your priority is variety: dolphins and pilot whales, a quick boat, coastal scenery, snorkeling, and a BladeFish ride in one three-hour outing. The small group, included refreshments, and optional swim make the $78.10 fare reasonable for an active half-day.

Book with realistic expectations. The animals are wild, the sea can affect the ride, and one reported no-show is too serious to ignore, even alongside a very strong rating. Confirm the meeting details, keep your cancellation window in mind, and contact the operator before departure if you need reassurance.

For most people who enjoy the sea and want more than a basic sightseeing cruise, this is a lively, well-priced choice in southern Tenerife.

FAQ

Where does the Sea Safari tour start?

It starts at Sea Safari Tenerife, Avenida de Colón, 38660 Playa de las Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, at Puerto Colón.

Where does the tour finish?

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

How long does the boat trip last?

The trip lasts approximately three hours.

Are dolphins and whales guaranteed?

No. The boat visits areas where dolphins and whales have been seen before, but the animals are wild and sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment rental is included, and different snorkeling masks are available.

Is swimming required?

No. Swimming is optional, so you can remain on the boat if you do not want to enter the water.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. A full refund is also available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time.