Review · TENERIFE YACHT CHARTERS

Private Yacht Tour With Whale and Dolphin Watching 33 Foot Boat

★ 5.0 · 17 reviews 6 hours (approx.) From $594 for the whole boat Operated by Tenerife Sailing Charters S.L · Bookable on Viator
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The best part of this six-hour cruise is the freedom of having a 33-foot private yacht for your own group. Your captain can spend time looking for pilot whales and dolphins, then take you along the Costa Adeje coast for swimming and snorkeling near quiet coves. I like the personal feel and the chance to hear marine life with onboard sonar. I also like that snacks, soft drinks, beer, and wine are included.

The main thing to keep in mind is that whales and dolphins are wild animals, not scheduled performers. Several trips have seen pilot whales, dolphins, and even a turtle close by, but one well-loved outing saw no whales or dolphins at all. You are paying for time on the sea and a private boat, not a guaranteed sighting.

Key things to know before you book

Private Yacht Tour With Whale and Dolphin Watching 33 Foot Boat - Key things to know before you book

  • Six hours on a private boat: Your group alone takes part, with room to stretch out instead of sharing the yacht with strangers.
  • Wildlife comes first: The captain searches for local marine life, including pilot whales, dolphins, and possibly turtles, but sightings cannot be promised.
  • Puertito Beach is a highlight: The clear water and fish make this a strong choice if snorkeling matters as much as whale watching.
  • Captain Maxi has a family-friendly touch: A group of four adults and two children especially appreciated his hosting and easygoing approach.
  • Food and drinks are covered: Bottled water, snacks, soft drinks, beer, and wine are provided, with alcoholic drinks limited to those aged 18 and over.
  • The price works best for a group: At $594.75 for up to nine people, a full group pays about $66 per person for six hours.

Setting out from Puerto Colón

Private Yacht Tour With Whale and Dolphin Watching 33 Foot Boat - Setting out from Puerto Colón

You meet at Puerto Colón, pontoon 2, in Costa Adeje. The tour ends back at the same meeting point, which keeps the day simple. The marina is near public transportation, and you should have your mobile ticket ready when you arrive.

Once everyone is present, the crew walks you down to the boat. Personal items are stowed, then the captain gives a safety briefing and explains the plan for the outing. This short start matters. You learn how the boat works, settle into your space, and get a clear idea of what the six hours will involve before leaving the harbor.

The boat is 33 feet long, large enough to give a private group room to relax, but still small enough to feel connected to the water. With a group of two or three, you will have plenty of space. With nine people aboard, it will feel more social and less open, though the private format still means you are not sharing the day with another booking.

The captain then gets underway once everyone has a drink and is comfortable. This is not a rushed transfer from one port to another. The point is to spend the day at sea, with time for wildlife watching, coastal views, swimming, and a leisurely return.

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Searching for pilot whales and dolphins

Private Yacht Tour With Whale and Dolphin Watching 33 Foot Boat - Searching for pilot whales and dolphins

The waters off Costa Adeje are known for marine life, and the cruise gives you time to look carefully rather than simply making a quick pass offshore. The captain watches the water while the boat moves through the area, and the onboard sonar equipment lets you listen for whales and dolphins as part of the search.

You may see pilot whales, dolphins, or turtles. One outing had pilot whales and dolphins close to the boat, while another also spotted a turtle. Those encounters can be memorable because you are not viewing animals in an aquarium or from a crowded shore. You are watching the sea and waiting for a natural appearance.

Still, keep your expectations sensible. A whale and dolphin cruise cannot control the animals, the weather, or the visibility. One group had an excellent day aboard the yacht but did not see any whales or dolphins. That is not a flaw in the service, but it is an important part of the buying decision. If a sighting is your only reason for booking, you may leave disappointed.

I would treat the wildlife search as one part of the day, not the entire product. The private boat, six-hour duration, swimming stop, and relaxed pace still give the outing value when animals stay out of sight. The sonar adds an interesting element, but it does not turn the sea into a guaranteed wildlife show.

Costa Adeje’s caves, beaches, and open water

The cruise takes place around Costa Adeje, where the coast includes beaches, caves, and areas used by marine life. From the water, you get a different view of Tenerife than you would from the road or a beach promenade. The coast becomes the backdrop while the boat sets the pace.

The itinerary is intentionally broad rather than packed with named stops. After leaving the harbor, the captain takes you toward suitable areas for wildlife watching and swimming. That flexibility is useful because conditions at sea can change, and a private captain can focus more on what your group wants to do.

You might prefer more sailing time, more swimming, or a longer search for marine life. The tour is designed around individual interests, and that personal approach was especially valued by a mixed-age family group. The captain took them to find pilot whales, then to a secluded bay for swimming before the leisurely trip back.

Do not expect a sightseeing cruise with a long list of formal shore visits. You do not step off at a series of attractions. The pleasure comes from being on the water, moving along the coast, and stopping when the conditions and the group’s interests make sense.

Snorkeling at Puertito Beach

Private Yacht Tour With Whale and Dolphin Watching 33 Foot Boat - Snorkeling at Puertito Beach

For many people, Puertito Beach may be the strongest part of the day. The water has been described as clear, with plenty of fish visible while snorkeling. Equipment is included, so you do not need to arrange a separate rental for masks and related gear.

The stop gives the day a welcome change of pace. Wildlife watching requires patience and attention. Swimming lets you get active, cool off, and see the coast from below the surface. If your group includes children or adults who are less interested in waiting for whales, this part can make the trip feel worthwhile even when sightings are limited.

The tour provides snorkeling equipment, but the supplied information does not specify the exact sizes or range of gear. If someone in your group needs a particular fit, it is sensible to ask the operator before departure. A vegetarian food option is available as well, but you need to request it when booking.

Swimming is not compulsory. You can remain aboard and enjoy the boat, snacks, drinks, and views if you prefer not to enter the water. The private format makes that easier, since your group does not have to follow the preferences of a large mixed party.

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A relaxed lunch-hour feel without a formal meal

Private Yacht Tour With Whale and Dolphin Watching 33 Foot Boat - A relaxed lunch-hour feel without a formal meal

The cruise includes bottled water, snacks, unlimited soft drinks, beer, and wine. That is useful on a six-hour outing, since you are not left to pack every drink or buy supplies at the marina.

The food is described as snacks rather than a full lunch. I would not book this expecting a restaurant-style meal. If anyone in your group needs substantial food, check what is provided before you sail and consider bringing any permitted extras. You can request a vegetarian option in advance.

Alcohol is included for adults, but the minimum drinking age is 18. The drinks can make the return sail pleasant, though you should keep the sea conditions and swimming plans in mind. If you are bringing children, the nonalcoholic drinks and snacks are the practical part of the provision.

The informal setup suits the private nature of the trip. You can sit with your own group, pause for a drink after snorkeling, and avoid the fixed meal schedule found on some larger excursions. It is simple, useful, and in keeping with a day spent outdoors.

Why the private format matters

Private Yacht Tour With Whale and Dolphin Watching 33 Foot Boat - Why the private format matters

The price is $594.75 per group of up to nine. For nine people, that works out to about $66 per person. For six people, it is about $99 each. For four, it rises to roughly $149 per person, and for only two people, the cost is about $297 each.

That makes the tour best value for a family or friend group able to fill much of the boat. You are buying exclusive use for six hours, not individual seats on a short shared cruise. The more people in your party, the easier it is to justify the total price.

The private setup also has practical value beyond the arithmetic. Your group can set the mood, choose how long to swim, and spend the day together without strangers joining the conversation. A family with children and grandparents found the arrangement comfortable, which says something about the boat’s appeal for mixed-age groups.

There is a tradeoff. A shared excursion may cost less per person if you are traveling alone or as a couple. This booking requires at least two people, so solo visitors cannot reserve it on their own. If privacy, flexibility, and a longer outing matter to you, the extra cost may be worthwhile.

Captain Maxi and the human side of the trip

Private Yacht Tour With Whale and Dolphin Watching 33 Foot Boat - Captain Maxi and the human side of the trip

The captain can make or break a private boat day. Here, Captain Maxi is specifically associated with a warm welcome, good hosting, and a family-friendly approach. He handled a group of four adults, two children aged eight and six, and gave them a day that included wildlife watching, swimming, and a calm sail back.

That kind of service matters because a six-hour boat trip leaves plenty of time for small details. You want someone who can explain the plan, help the group feel comfortable, and adjust the pace without making the day feel rigid.

The crew also received praise for taking care of people and providing snacks and drinks. The tone is casual rather than formal. You can expect a host who is involved in the day, not simply a driver who drops you at a viewpoint and waits.

The available information does not promise that Captain Maxi will operate every departure, so you should not assume a particular captain unless the company confirms it. Still, his name is useful context when judging the type of personal service the operator aims to provide.

Practical details that can affect your day

Private Yacht Tour With Whale and Dolphin Watching 33 Foot Boat - Practical details that can affect your day

Confirmation arrives at booking, and the tour is offered in English. A mobile ticket is accepted. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate, according to the supplied booking information.

Weather matters. If poor conditions cause a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund, and the cutoff uses local Tenerife time.

Arrive at Puerto Colón with enough time to find pontoon 2 and gather your group. The formal meeting point is clear, but marinas can take a few minutes to navigate, especially if you are unfamiliar with the area. The activity returns to the same place, so you do not need to arrange a separate return transfer.

The cruise lasts about six hours. That is long enough for several parts of the day, but it also means you should be comfortable spending a good portion of the day on a boat. Pack practical sun protection and any personal items you know you need, while keeping belongings easy to stow.

Who should book this yacht tour?

I would recommend it to families, couples traveling with friends, and groups that want a private day rather than a standard sightseeing boat. It is especially suitable if you value snorkeling and relaxed time at sea as much as wildlife sightings.

It is also a good fit for a mixed-age group. Children can enjoy the boat, swimming, fish, and snacks, while adults can appreciate the private setting and coastal views. The six-hour length gives everyone room to settle into the day rather than rushing from one short activity to another.

I would hesitate if you need a guaranteed whale or dolphin encounter, want a formal meal, or are traveling alone. The animals are unpredictable, snacks are not a full lunch, and the minimum booking is two people.

The high rating and full recommendation record suggest a strong level of satisfaction, but the small number of ratings means I would still read the product honestly: this is a private sailing and snorkeling day with wildlife watching, not a guaranteed marine-life spectacle.

Should you book this private cruise?

Book it if your group can share the cost and you want six unhurried hours around Costa Adeje. The best reasons are the exclusive boat, the flexible pace, the included drinks, and the chance to snorkel in clear water near Puertito Beach.

Go in with realistic expectations about wildlife. You may see pilot whales, dolphins, and turtles close to the boat, or you may spend the day enjoying the sea without a major sighting. If that possibility does not bother you, this is a well-rounded way to spend time on Tenerife’s coast, with Captain Maxi’s family-friendly service adding a personal touch when he is your skipper.

FAQ

Where does the private yacht tour begin?

It begins at Puerto Colón, pontoon 2, in Costa Adeje, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

Where does the tour end?

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

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately six hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The booking is for a private group of up to nine people. A minimum of two people is required per booking.

Are whale and dolphin sightings guaranteed?

No. The captain searches for marine life, and sonar equipment is available to listen for whales and dolphins, but wild animal sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided as part of the experience.

What food and drinks are included?

You receive bottled water, snacks, unlimited soft drinks, beer, and wine. A vegetarian option is available if requested when booking.

Can children join the tour?

The information states that most people can participate, and a family group with children aged six and eight took part. The minimum drinking age for alcoholic beverages is 18.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the tour is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.

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