SEA SAFARI Dolphins,Whales, snorkeling, snack, drink, 3h private

The ocean is the real guide here. This three-hour private boat trip from Puerto Colón gives you a quieter way to look for dolphins and pilot whales, with snorkeling gear, a sandwich, and a soft drink included. I especially like the small-group setup and the crew’s care around marine life. Captain Nico has been praised for spotting pilot whales early and cutting the motor so the boat can drift quietly nearby.

I also like the freedom built into the outing. You can shape the trip around wildlife, swimming, snorkeling, or a South Tenerife route, rather than following a rigid cruise schedule. The main consideration is price: at $600.79 per group, it is much better value when shared by several people, but expensive for a couple or solo visitor.

Key things to know before you book

• Private boat for up to 11 people: Your group has the boat to itself, with no unrelated passengers joining.
• Wildlife comes first: Dolphins, pilot whales, turtles, flying fish, and tuna have all been seen, but no sighting can be promised.
• Snorkeling gear is included: You can leave your own mask and fins at home.
• Swimming at the Masca area: The route can include a stop for a swim, with about 20 minutes mentioned for time in the water.
• Food and drinks are supplied: A sandwich and soft drink help keep this from becoming a hungry half-day outing.
• Three hours from Puerto Colón: The trip begins and ends at Sea Safari Tenerife on Avenida de Colón in Playa de las Américas.

Setting out from Puerto Colón

The meeting point is Sea Safari Tenerife at Puerto Colón, on Avenida de Colón in Playa de las Américas. The activity returns here after about three hours, which makes it easy to fit into a morning or afternoon in south Tenerife.

Puerto Colón is a practical starting point for a boat outing. The meeting place is near public transportation, and confirmation is provided when you book. The supplied information does not give a precise check-in time, so I would read your booking confirmation carefully and arrive with enough time to find the operator without rushing.

This is not a large sightseeing vessel. It is a private excursion with a maximum group size of 11 people. That matters at sea. You can ask questions, adjust the mood of the trip, and spend more time on the parts that interest your group instead of sitting through a fixed program designed for dozens of passengers.

The price is listed as $600.79 per group, with the booking information also showing up to one person for the selected rate. At the same time, the experience description says the boat can carry a maximum of 11 people. Check the exact group configuration and total before paying, especially if you are booking for friends or family. Split among a full group, the cost becomes far more reasonable. For one or two people, it is a premium outing.

The first run toward dolphins and whales

The wildlife portion is the heart of the trip. One account describes roughly 20 minutes of boat travel before reaching the area where dolphins and whales often pass. From there, the captain searches the water rather than simply following a marked route.

The most praised skill on board is animal spotting. Nico, one of the guides associated with the experience, has been singled out for finding pilot whales well before anyone else could see them. That sort of local attention makes a difference. Out at sea, a fin or a small movement can vanish in seconds, and a good captain knows where to scan.

You may see dolphins and pilot whales, and past outings have also included turtles, flying fish, and tuna. These are wild animals, not performers, so sightings and distances will vary. You should book this for the chance to see marine life in its natural setting, not for a guaranteed close-up encounter.

The approach to the animals is one of the best parts of the experience. Nico has been described as slowing down and sometimes turning the motor off, allowing the boat to drift. That gives the animals space and reduces the noise around them. It can also create a calmer viewing experience for you, since you are not trying to watch wildlife while the boat races from one spot to another.

Pilot whales are especially associated with Tenerife’s waters, and seeing them with their young can be a memorable moment. Still, keep your expectations sensible. The boat crew can improve your odds with experience, but nature controls the schedule.

Why a private boat changes the day

A private outing is not automatically better for everyone, but here it solves several common problems. You do not have to share the boat with a large crowd, compete for the best viewing position, or follow a schedule that ignores your group’s preferences.

The description says you can fill the excursion as you like or take the South Tenerife Safari. That suggests some flexibility between wildlife watching, swimming, snorkeling, and coastal cruising. Ask the operator what can be arranged for your date, since the exact balance may depend on sea conditions and the group’s wishes.

For families or friends, this format can be especially useful. Some people may want to watch for whales, while others may prefer time in the water. A private group can usually discuss those priorities with the captain more easily than passengers on a fixed public cruise.

The trade-off is simple: you pay for privacy. If you mainly want a low-cost boat ride and do not mind a larger group, this is probably not the economical choice. If you value personal attention and control over the pace, the higher price has a clear purpose.

Snorkeling and the swim stop

Snorkeling equipment is carried on board, so you do not need to pack your own mask and fins. That is a small detail, but it removes one more item from your beach bag and makes the outing easier to arrange at short notice.

The trip can include swimming and snorkeling, with a stop in the Masca area mentioned in the experience details. One account describes about 20 minutes for swimming before the group had a sandwich and drink. Masca is also described as a dramatic coastal setting, with steep rock formations rising from the sea.

The water stop gives the trip a welcome change of pace. After watching the horizon for dolphins and whales, you can get in the water rather than spending all three hours seated on the boat. The stop may suit confident swimmers and people who want an active outing.

The available information does not specify water temperature, the exact snorkeling site, or whether the stop is suitable for every swimming ability. Ask the operator if anyone in your group has concerns. Sea conditions can also affect how much time is practical in the water.

Food, drinks, and the return run

A sandwich and a soft drink are included. This is not a full meal, but it is enough to take the edge off hunger during a three-hour trip. You should still consider eating beforehand if you need a substantial breakfast or lunch.

The return ride may be relaxed, or it may include a faster run when conditions allow. One outing ended with a spirited speedboat ride back to the harbor after the group agreed they wanted some extra fun. That sounds like a good finish for people who enjoy speed, but it is worth telling the crew if anyone in your party prefers a gentler ride.

The coastal views add another layer to the return journey. Past trips have included views toward the beach and Mount Teide, along with more chances to spot flying fish and turtles. These sightings are never guaranteed, but they give the ride home something to look for beyond the main wildlife stop.

A speedboat is part of the appeal here, yet it also means you should think about comfort. The experience is better suited to people who enjoy being on an open boat than to anyone seeking a quiet, slow cruise from start to finish.

The crew makes the difference

The strongest praise is aimed at the people running the boat. Nico is described as passionate about the animals and the island, with a careful approach that keeps the wildlife undisturbed. Captain Eric is also described as informative and welcoming, and Tine has been praised for friendly, flexible help with arrangements.

The names may matter when you book, since the exact captain or guide on your date is not guaranteed in the supplied details. Still, the repeated pattern is clear: the human side of the trip is a major part of its appeal.

Good wildlife guiding is not just pointing at a fin. It means explaining what you are seeing, reading the sea, and knowing when not to chase an animal. This crew’s reported habit of drifting with the motor off is reassuring for anyone who wants a more respectful encounter.

Tine has also been described as helpful to solo visitors. That makes the company worth considering if you are not traveling with a large group, although the price remains the key issue for a solo booking.

Who will get the most from this trip?

I would choose this sea safari for a group that wants one flexible outing combining wildlife, water time, and a little speed. Families, couples traveling with friends, and small groups celebrating something can make the private format work well.

It is also a good match for people who dislike crowded cruises. You have more room to ask questions, change the pace, and enjoy the boat without a large audience around you.

You should think twice if your only goal is snorkeling. This is primarily a marine wildlife and boat trip, with snorkeling and swimming added to the route. The wildlife is wild, and the time in the water may be limited.

Likewise, anyone who needs a fully specified schedule should ask questions before booking. The trip can be shaped around your group, but the exact route, animal encounters, and swim conditions depend on the day.

Booking, cancellation, and practical details

The tour is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket. Confirmation arrives at booking, and the meeting point is near public transportation.

Most people can participate, and the activity is private, meaning only your group joins the boat. The description does not provide detailed information about accessibility, child policies, or facilities on board, so contact Sea Safari before booking if those points are important to you.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience begins. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded, and changes inside that period are not accepted. The cut-off follows local Tenerife time.

Because the trip averages booking about 24 days ahead, I would not leave it until the last minute if your schedule is fixed. That is especially true for a private boat with limited capacity.

Is this Sea Safari worth booking?

Book it if you want a private, flexible wildlife trip and can share the cost with a group. The combination of pilot whale and dolphin watching, possible turtles and flying fish, a swim stop, included snorkeling gear, and food makes the three-hour format feel full without being exhausting.

I would be most tempted by the crew’s approach to the animals. A captain who knows where to look and is willing to cut the motor can turn a standard boat ride into a quieter, more thoughtful encounter.

Skip it if you are traveling alone on a tight budget, need guaranteed wildlife sightings, or want a long snorkeling session above all else. For everyone else, especially a group of friends or family, this looks like one of the more personal ways to get out on the water around south Tenerife.

FAQ

Where does the Sea Safari begin?

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

Where does the activity finish?

The boat returns to the same meeting point at the end of the experience.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately three hours.

How many people can join?

The experience description says the boat can take a maximum of 11 people. The listed price information shows a booking for up to one person, so check the exact group rate when making your reservation.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your group participates in the private tour.

Are snorkeling supplies provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included on board.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. A sandwich and a soft drink are provided.

Can I see dolphins and whales?

The trip looks for dolphins and whales, including pilot whales. Sightings are possible but cannot be guaranteed because these are wild animals.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the experience are not accepted, and the amount paid will not be refunded.