Tenerife Motor Boat Whale Watching & Snorkeling Experience

Wild whales, warm water, and a small boat. This three-hour trip combines pilot whale and dolphin watching with a swim and snorkel stop near Playa del Puertito. I like the intimate 11-person limit and the choice between shaded seating and front sunbeds. The main drawback is space: the 10.8-meter boat can feel tight, and reaching the front requires a narrow climb.

I also like the simple shape of the day. You leave Puerto Colón, follow Tenerife’s southern coast, spend time looking for wild animals, then pause for swimming, drinks, and snacks. Sightings are never guaranteed with wild creatures, but this area gives you a good chance to see pilot whales, dolphins, and perhaps a turtle.

Key things to know before booking

• Small boat, maximum 11 people: You get a more personal outing than on a large sightseeing vessel, but there are fewer seats and less room to move.
• Two hours focused on wildlife: Most of the tour is reserved for finding pilot whales and dolphins in their natural habitat.
• Thirty-minute swim stop: Playa del Puertito provides time for swimming, snorkeling, snacks, and drinks, with a chance of seeing turtles.
• Two seating choices: The boat has a large shaded area plus sunbeds at the front for people who prefer sun and open views.
• Puerto Colón start and finish: The port is easy to pair with a walk, shopping, beach time, or a look at the clear water around the marina.
• Weather matters: You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and poor weather may lead to a new date or full refund.

Setting off from Puerto Colón in Costa Adeje

The tour begins and ends at Av. de Colón, 128, in Puerto Colón, one of the main tourist ports in Tenerife. That makes the outing easy to fit into a day around Costa Adeje. You can stroll around the port before boarding, shop afterward, or spend time near the beach close by.

The port also gives you a pleasant start to the morning or afternoon. Clear water around the marina makes it possible to look down and spot fish before you even leave. If you have extra time, treat Puerto Colón as part of the visit rather than just a place to find the boat.

Your vessel is a 10.8-meter motor boat with room for a maximum of 11 people. That small capacity is one of the strongest reasons to choose this experience. You are not packed onto a large boat with a crowd, and the captain can keep the group together without making the outing feel like a mass excursion.

Still, small boats require a little flexibility. There may not be a regular seat for everyone in the same way there would be on a large vessel. The front has broad sunbeds, but getting there involves a narrow climb. If you are happy sitting in the shaded area, this should be less of an issue. If you want the sunbed, take care with the climb and remember that the boat will be moving.

Choosing between shade and the front sunbeds

The seating layout lets you choose the kind of boat ride you prefer. The shaded area is the practical choice if you want protection from the sun during the longer wildlife portion. It should also suit you if you prefer a more stable, enclosed-feeling place to sit.

The front sunbeds offer a more open position and a good place to stretch out between sightings. They are appealing for sunbathing and for enjoying the breeze as the boat moves along the coast. The tradeoff is access. The climb is narrow, and the front may not suit every person, especially if you want to move around often.

I would decide where you want to sit before the boat gets underway. If you are with a small group, do not assume everyone can claim a front sunbed. The shaded section gives you a dependable place to settle, while the front works best for people who are comfortable with the climb and want more sun.

A small motor boat also means you feel the motion of the sea more directly than on a large vessel. That is part of the fun, but it is worth keeping in mind if you are sensitive to movement. The boat’s size is a major part of the experience, not a minor footnote.

Following Tenerife’s southern coast

Once you leave Puerto Colón, the tour takes you along the southern coastline of Tenerife. The coastal views add value to the wildlife search because you are not simply waiting in one place. You get time on the water, changing views, and the chance to see the island from a different angle.

The southern coast is also a useful setting for a short boat trip. Three hours is long enough to make the sea the main event without taking up an entire day. You can still plan lunch, beach time, or another activity around it.

The pace depends on conditions and on where the animals are found. That is important: pilot whales and dolphins are wild, so the captain cannot promise a show on demand. The trip is built around looking for them in their natural habitat, which makes the sighting feel more meaningful when it happens.

Past outings have included a pod of pilot whales, dolphins, and a family group of whales. One outing also included a turtle during the swim stop. Those are encouraging possibilities, but you should book for the overall experience of being at sea, not only for a specific animal.

Two hours devoted to pilot whales and dolphins

The main part of the outing lasts about two hours and focuses on dolphin and pilot whale watching. This is much more time than a quick pass by a pod. You have a real chance to watch the water, scan the horizon, and wait for signs of movement.

Pilot whales are the main attraction named for this experience. Seeing a pod can be especially rewarding because the animals move as a group rather than appearing as a single, passing shape. Dolphins may also be seen, adding variety to the wildlife search.

The small group works well here. With no more than 11 people, you should have a clearer chance to look out from the boat without a large crowd blocking every view. The captain can also pay attention to the group as sightings develop.

Expect the wildlife portion to be active rather than scripted. There is no guarantee of how close the animals will come, how long they will remain visible, or which species you will see. That uncertainty is part of responsible wildlife watching. The animals are not performing for the boat, and the goal is to observe them in their own setting.

The captain has been praised for being attentive and for managing the boat well. That matters on a trip where the timing of a sighting can change quickly. You want someone who notices the group, keeps the boat positioned sensibly, and still makes room for everyone to enjoy the view.

Bring patience. The two-hour period gives you time, but not every minute will bring a whale or dolphin into view. Use the quiet moments to enjoy the coast, the open water, and the feeling of being away from the port.

A swim and snorkel stop at Playa del Puertito

The 30-minute stop at Playa del Puertito changes the mood of the trip. After the wildlife search, you can swim or snorkel in a beautiful bay. It is also the scheduled time for snacks and drinks, so you are not expected to remain focused on the water every second.

There is a chance to see turtles here, although that is not guaranteed. If turtles are high on your list, keep expectations sensible. The stop is valuable even without a sighting because it gives you time in the water and a break from sitting on the boat.

Some outings have included a turtle, while others have been described as a chance to swim in warm water and enjoy the bay. You might prefer to snorkel, swim, or simply stay aboard with a drink. The half-hour stop is short, so decide how you want to use it before you arrive.

The supplied information does not specify snorkeling equipment, so you should confirm what is provided when booking if gear matters to you. The same applies to the exact snacks and drinks. You know there is time for them, but not a detailed menu.

The stop is also a good reason to bring practical beach clothing. Wear something suitable for getting wet, and consider a way to protect your belongings from splashes. Those are sensible preparations for any small-boat swimming trip, though the precise onboard storage arrangements are not stated.

How the $69 price measures up

At $69, the trip offers three hours on a motor boat, a small group limit, a two-hour wildlife search, coastal views, and a swim stop. That is a fair package if you value a personal boat setting rather than a large group cruise.

The price becomes more attractive if you actually use the full shape of the trip. You are not paying only for a short whale-watching pass. You get a substantial period looking for animals, followed by time in the bay for swimming, snorkeling, snacks, and drinks.

The small capacity is also part of the value. A maximum of 11 people gives the outing a more personal feel and reduces the crowding common on larger sightseeing vessels. At the same time, the small boat explains why seating can be limited. You should not expect the space or stability of a large catamaran.

I would consider this a good match for a couple, a family group, or a small party that wants wildlife and swimming in one outing. It is less suited to someone who needs lots of room, dislikes a narrow climb, or wants a guaranteed animal encounter.

Practical details that affect your choice

Confirmation is provided when you book, and the activity uses a mobile ticket. The start and finish point is the same, at Puerto Colón, which keeps the day simple and avoids arranging a separate return transfer from the water.

The experience is near public transportation, according to the supplied details. Service animals are allowed, and anyone can participate. Most people can take part, but the boat layout still deserves attention if you have concerns about climbing or moving around a compact vessel.

The maximum group size is 11. That number is worth checking against your expectations. It is small enough to feel personal, but it does not mean the boat has a separate seat for every person in a wide, spacious arrangement. The front sunbeds may involve a narrow climb, so the shaded area could be the better choice for some people.

The weather policy is helpful. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded or accepted. Since the trip requires good weather, a cancellation by the operator because of poor conditions brings the choice of another date or a full refund.

Cutoff times use Tenerife local time. If your plans are uncertain, make any change before that 24-hour mark rather than waiting until the last day.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most

I would choose this experience if you want three things in one outing: a small-group boat ride, a serious amount of time looking for whales and dolphins, and a quick swim stop. It suits people who like being on the water but do not want to spend a full day at sea.

It is also a good fit for families and small groups, since the boat holds only 11 people and the captain has been praised for paying attention to everyone. The wildlife sightings can give the trip a strong sense of occasion, while the swim stop keeps the day from becoming a long period of simply watching the horizon.

You should think twice if you need a lot of space or if you are uncomfortable with a narrow climb to the front. The boat’s compact size is its advantage and its limitation. You get a more intimate outing, but you give up the room found on a larger vessel.

This is not the right choice if your only goal is to see a particular species. Wild animals follow their own schedule. Book it because you want a well-balanced morning or afternoon at sea, with a good chance of wildlife and a pleasant bay stop.

Should you book the Tenerife Motor Boat Whale Watching and Snorkeling Experience?

I would book it if the $69 price fits your budget and you like small boats. The strongest features are the 11-person limit, the two-hour wildlife search, and the chance to finish with a swim and snorkel at Playa del Puertito.

Go in with realistic expectations. You may see pilot whales, dolphins, or a turtle, but none of those sightings can be promised. If you are comfortable with that uncertainty and do not mind the compact seating, this is a well-balanced way to spend three hours on Tenerife’s southern coast.

The best practical choice is simple: select the shaded seating if you want an easier, calmer place to sit, and use the front sunbeds only if you are comfortable with the narrow climb and extra sun. Add time around Puerto Colón before or after the trip, and this becomes more than a boat transfer. It becomes a compact taste of Tenerife from the water.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip start and finish?

It starts and finishes at Av. de Colón, 128, 38660 Costa Adeje, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, in Puerto Colón.

How long does the experience last?

The trip lasts approximately three hours.

How many people can join the boat?

The boat has a maximum capacity of 11 people.

What animals might I see?

You may see pilot whales and dolphins during the wildlife portion. There is also a chance of seeing turtles near Playa del Puertito.

How long is the whale and dolphin watching portion?

About two hours are dedicated to looking for dolphins and pilot whales in their natural habitat.

Is there time to swim or snorkel?

Yes. The boat stops at Playa del Puertito for about 30 minutes of swimming and snorkeling.

Are snacks and drinks included during the stop?

The stop provides time to enjoy snacks and drinks. The supplied details do not specify the exact food or drink selection.

Does the boat have shaded seating?

Yes. It has a large shaded seating area and large sunbeds at the front.

Is the experience available with a mobile ticket?

Yes. A mobile ticket is available, and confirmation is provided at the time of booking.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can receive a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.