Private Yacht Tour With Whale and Dolphin Watching 42 Foot Boat

The main draw here is simple: you get a private yacht in Tenerife’s whale-watching waters, not a crowded boat with strangers. From Puerto Colón, your skipper takes you toward areas known for pilot whales and dolphins, with sonar equipment to help locate and listen for marine life.

I like the freedom to choose a morning or afternoon sailing, and I like that the price covers the whole boat for up to 11 people. Champagne, snacks, beer, wine, soft drinks, and snorkeling gear are included. The main consideration is that wildlife is never guaranteed, and the three-hour option may feel short if you want plenty of time for both animal watching and swimming.

Key points to know before booking

• Pilot whales live in the local waters year-round, with dolphins and sea turtles also possible sightings.
• The yacht is private for your group, with room for up to 11 passengers and a saloon cabin.
• Swimming and snorkeling are built into the outing, with the skipper stopping to anchor when conditions allow.
• Drinks are included, including one glass of Champagne, unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks, and bottled water.
• Skippers such as Guy, Juan Angel, and Maxi have been praised for their friendly hosting and wildlife knowledge.
• The price works best for a full group, since $716.45 is charged per boat rather than per person.

Setting out from Puerto Colón in a private yacht

You begin at the marina jetty at Puerto Colón, in Costa Adeje, near Playa de las Américas. The first ten minutes are used for boarding, meeting the skipper, settling in, and receiving a safety briefing.

The yacht is about 40 to 42 feet long, or roughly 12.19 meters, and carries a maximum of 11 people. That capacity matters. A full booking gives you a proper private outing, but you should not expect a giant vessel with endless room. There is ample deck space, along with a saloon cabin, kitchenette, and onboard facilities.

I like the private setup because it lets your group set the mood. Families can keep together, couples can spread out a little, and friends do not have to share the boat with an unrelated party. The skipper remains in charge of navigation, safety, and wildlife spotting, but the feel is more personal than a large sightseeing cruise.

Your first views are of Playa de las Américas from the water. The marina and resort coast look different from offshore, and the change of viewpoint begins almost immediately. You then head into the Atlantic toward the marine areas where pilot whales and dolphins are commonly seen.

Watching pilot whales with sonar equipment

The wildlife portion is the heart of the trip. Pilot whales are present in the local waters throughout the year, so sightings are not tied to one narrow season. Dolphins are also possible, and sea turtles may appear near the boat or during the swimming stop.

The onboard sonar gives the skipper another tool besides simply scanning the surface. You can listen for whales and dolphins with the equipment, adding an audible part to the experience. It is a useful feature for anyone who wants more than a quick photo of an animal breaking the water.

Still, keep expectations sensible. The sea is not a wildlife park, and no operator can promise that animals will appear on command. The trip is designed to take you to known sighting areas, but sightings, distance, and viewing time depend on nature and sea conditions.

The skipper’s role makes a real difference here. Guy, Juan Angel, and Maxi are names associated with the trips, and the strongest descriptions focus on calm hosting, pointing out where to look, and explaining the animals and area. Maxi, in particular, is noted for keeping an eye out and directing attention to wildlife. That kind of guidance helps, since a whale may surface only briefly and dolphins can be easy to miss if you are looking the wrong way.

Bring patience. Keep your eyes moving across the water, and listen when the skipper calls out a direction. You may see pilot whales, dolphins, sea turtles, flying fish, or smaller fish around the boat, but the exact mix will vary.

Swimming and snorkeling at the anchor stop

At some point, the skipper drops anchor so you can swim. This is an important part of the outing because it breaks up the time spent watching the horizon and gives you a chance to enjoy the Atlantic directly.

Snorkeling equipment is included. If you want to explore below the surface, you can use the provided mask and gear to look for fish and other marine life. Sea turtles are possible, and the trip’s wildlife focus continues even after the boat stops moving.

The available details do not promise a particular snorkeling site, water temperature, visibility, or length of the stop. Treat this as a pleasant extra rather than a full snorkeling expedition. The boat’s primary purpose is private sailing and whale and dolphin watching.

Families should pay attention to the safety briefing and follow the skipper’s instructions around the water. Most people can take part, but you should be comfortable with swimming before choosing to get in. If you prefer to stay aboard, the deck and saloon give you a place to relax while others swim.

The swim stop also helps explain why the six-hour option may appeal to some groups. Three hours is enough for a compact cruise, wildlife search, refreshments, and a swim, but six hours gives the skipper more time to move between areas and gives your group longer to enjoy the boat at anchor.

Champagne, snacks, and an open bar onboard

The food and drink package is more generous than a basic boat ride. You receive a glass of Champagne, unlimited wine, beer, soft drinks, and bottled water, along with light refreshments.

Food mentioned on the trip includes snacks, baguettes, and other light items. One particularly useful detail is that vegetarian food can be arranged if you advise the operator at booking. Do not wait until boarding to mention it.

This is not presented as a full restaurant meal, so plan your expectations accordingly. It is enough to keep a group comfortable during a three-hour outing, especially with drinks available throughout the cruise. For six hours, you may want to ask in advance exactly what food will be provided and whether your group should bring anything extra.

I like that drinks are not limited to one small serving. The open-bar setup makes the boat feel suited to a relaxed celebration, family gathering, or special afternoon. You get Champagne on arrival, then a choice of alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks. Bottled water is included, which is particularly practical in the sun.

The relaxed tone is helped by the crew. Juan Angel is described as a warm host, while Guy is noted for making the trip easygoing and explaining the local wildlife. Maxi is also described as attentive and helpful. The individual skipper may vary, so think of these names as examples of the crew style rather than a guarantee of who will be aboard.

Choosing three hours or six hours

The tour is available as a three-hour or six-hour cruise, in the morning or afternoon. The supplied price of $716.45 is per group of up to 11 people, so the per-person value depends heavily on how many people share the boat.

For 11 people, the cost works out to about $65 per person. For six people, it is roughly $119 per person. For just two people, the same boat costs about $358 per person. That makes this much more attractive for a family group, birthday party, or circle of friends than for a solo couple.

The three-hour option is the practical choice if you want a taste of private sailing without giving up most of your day. It should allow time to leave the marina, search for marine life, stop for a swim, enjoy refreshments, and return to Puerto Colón.

The six-hour option costs more, but it gives you more time for the actual experience rather than simply adding a longer boat ride. You have more room for wildlife searches, a longer swim stop, and unhurried time on deck. If your group is making a special occasion of the day, six hours may feel more worthwhile.

Morning and afternoon departures suit different plans. A morning cruise leaves the rest of the day open. An afternoon trip may work better if you want a slower start or prefer to combine the yacht with other morning plans. The exact light and sea conditions can vary, so ask the operator if you have a strong preference.

What the marina meeting involves

You meet at Puerto Colón, pantalan 2, in Costa Adeje. The activity returns to the same point after the cruise, so you do not need to arrange a separate return from another harbor.

Pickup information needs a little care. Hotel pickup may be available, but it is not included as a standard feature in the price details. Contact the operator at least 24 hours before departure if you want pickup information, and contact them as soon as you book for the clearest instructions.

A mobile ticket is accepted, and confirmation is provided at booking. Since this is a private sailing, the maximum is 11 people per booking and only your group takes part. The boat is near public transportation, which helps if you plan to make your own way to the marina.

Arrive with enough time to find the jetty and complete the safety briefing. The formal boarding briefing is listed as about ten minutes, but a marina can take a little time to navigate if you do not know the area.

Who will get the most from this yacht trip

This outing suits you best if you value privacy, flexible time on the water, and a mix of wildlife watching and swimming. It works especially well for:

• Families who want their own boat and an easygoing schedule
• Groups of friends splitting the cost
• Couples celebrating a special occasion with plenty of space
• People who want whale and dolphin watching without a large shared cruise
• Swimmers who like having snorkeling equipment ready
• Visitors who want drinks and snacks included rather than buying them separately

It may not suit you if your only goal is guaranteed whale sightings. It may also be poor value for a very small party, since the $716.45 charge applies to the group and not to each seat.

The boat can accommodate service animals, and most people can participate. If anyone in your party has mobility, medical, or swimming concerns, contact the operator before booking so you can confirm that the setup works for you.

Weather, cancellations, and practical value

The cruise needs good weather. If poor conditions cause cancellation, you are offered a different 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. The cut-off follows local Tenerife time, so keep that in mind if you are arranging the outing from another time zone.

At $716.45, this is not a bargain for two people. It becomes much more reasonable when split among eight to 11 passengers, especially because the price includes a private boat, skipper, drinks, snacks, snorkeling equipment, and sonar listening equipment.

The strongest value is the privacy. You are not paying only for transport to a whale-watching area. You are paying for the whole boat, your own group space, time to swim, and a crew member focused on your party. For a special day, those details can matter more than saving a few euros on a shared cruise.

Should you book this private Tenerife yacht tour?

Book it if your group can share the cost and you want a relaxed private outing with several parts to it: coastal views, pilot whale and dolphin watching, sonar, swimming, snorkeling, and drinks. The high marks from the available feedback are tied most closely to the friendly skippers, good food and drinks, and successful sightings of whales, dolphins, turtles, and flying fish.

Choose the three-hour cruise for a compact half-day plan. Choose six hours if the boat itself is a major part of your holiday and you want more time at sea. I would also contact the operator early about pickup, vegetarian food, and your preferred departure time.

Skip it if your party is very small, your budget is tight, or you need guaranteed animal sightings. For the right-sized group, though, this is a strong way to get onto Tenerife’s Atlantic waters without sharing your day with strangers.

FAQ

Where does the yacht tour start?

The tour starts at Puerto Colón, pantalan 2, 38660 Costa Adeje, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

Where does the tour finish?

The cruise returns to the original meeting point at Puerto Colón.

How long is the yacht trip?

The experience is available as a three-hour or six-hour cruise, with morning and afternoon departures.

How many people can join?

The private boat can carry up to 11 people per booking, and only your group participates.

Are drinks and food included?

Yes. The trip includes bottled water, unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks, one glass of Champagne, and light refreshments.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and the skipper anchors so you can swim when conditions allow.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the experience are not accepted, and poor-weather cancellations offer a different date or a full refund.