Tenerife: Sailboat Tour Whale Watching Food and Snorkeling

Whales can appear beside the bow. This three-hour sailing trip from Puerto Colón combines pilot whale and dolphin watching with a swim, snorkeling, simple food, and drinks aboard a 12-meter sailboat. The small group limit is the real prize: no loud party boat, no crowded viewing rail, and no fighting for a seat.

I like the crew’s strong focus on marine life and the relaxed pace under sail. I also like the generous hospitality, with sandwiches, snacks, cake, water, soft drinks, beer, wine, and cava included. The main consideration is the sea itself. Some departures have choppy water, and even a well-run boat cannot guarantee which animals will appear.

Key things to know before booking

• Only 10 passengers and 2 crew: The small capacity gives you more space, better views, and more direct attention.
• Pilot whales are the main sighting: Dolphins, turtles, seabirds, flying fish, and other marine life are also possible.
• Snorkeling lasts about 30 minutes: The stop is made in a scenic bay or sheltered coastal area, depending on conditions.
• Food is simple but substantial: Expect baguette sandwiches, crisps, cake, and a good selection of drinks.
• The boat may sail under wind power: Several departures have enjoyed quiet stretches with the sails up and engines off.
• Meet at Dock No. 5: Find the Roulette at Puerto Colón and arrive 10 minutes before departure.

Leaving Puerto Colón on the Roulette

The meeting point is at the door of Dock No. 5 in Puerto Colón, the first jetty after the port parking barrier. The boat is called the Roulette. This detail matters because Puerto Colón has several piers, and the correct dock is not always obvious when you first arrive.

The boat is a 12-meter sailing yacht with three double cabins, two bathrooms, and deck mats for comfort. Its maximum capacity is 10 passengers, supported by two crew members. In practice, that means the boat can feel intimate even when full, and even more spacious when the group is smaller.

You should arrive about 10 minutes before departure. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to Puerto Colón. The experience lasts three hours and returns to the same place.

Once you leave the marina, the south coast opens up around you. You get views of Tenerife’s volcanic shoreline, open Atlantic water, and, on clear days, the neighboring island of La Gomera. The boat gives you a lower, quieter viewpoint than a large excursion vessel, which makes the coast feel more immediate.

Why the 10-person limit matters

The small group is the strongest practical reason to choose this tour. On a large whale-watching boat, you may need to stand behind several rows of people when an animal appears. On the Roulette, the crew can move around the boat, explain what you are seeing, and make an effort to give both sides a fair view.

The skipper has also been praised for his enthusiasm and clear explanations. Salvador is one of the captains associated with the trip, and other crew members named in feedback include Rafa, Ramone, Jenny, Yani, Dani, and Silvio. The names may vary by departure, but the consistent theme is a warm, attentive crew with a strong interest in Tenerife’s sea life.

This is not a silent sightseeing trip. The crew explains local marine species, the island’s geography, and, on some departures, aspects of Tenerife’s history and culture. That extra context gives the wildlife encounters more meaning. You are not simply pointing at a fin. You learn why pilot whales are common in these waters and how the crew approaches the animals.

The boat’s size has one trade-off: it can respond to the sea more noticeably than a large vessel. Some reports describe slightly rough or choppy conditions. If you are prone to seasickness, take that seriously and plan accordingly. The crew has helped passengers who felt unwell, but prevention is still better than relying on rescue-by-caring-deckhand.

Watching pilot whales and dolphins off Tenerife

The wildlife portion takes place off the south coast, where the crew searches for cetaceans in their natural environment. Pilot whales are the species most often highlighted, and sightings have included family groups, calves, and pods swimming close to the boat. Dolphins have also been seen beside the vessel and playing in the bow wave.

This is an important distinction from a staged animal encounter. The crew looks for wild animals and does not promise a particular species. Sightings depend on the day, the weather, and the animals’ movements. You might see pilot whales, bottlenose dolphins, turtles, seabirds, flying fish, or redfin tuna. You might also spend time searching without finding every species you hoped for.

The most encouraging detail is the crew’s approach. The skipper is described as giving the animals space rather than chasing them. On some outings, the boat remained with whale or dolphin groups for around 15 minutes, allowing both sides of the boat a chance to watch without turning the encounter into a frantic pursuit.

That makes the experience calmer than many high-energy wildlife cruises. You can sit on the forward deck, listen to the water, and wait for the next movement. When a pod surfaces close by, the small boat gives you a much better sense of scale and presence.

Turtles are less predictable but have been spotted on several departures. Seabirds add another layer to the outing, especially for anyone who enjoys identifying wildlife beyond whales and dolphins. The crew can point out different species and explain what you are seeing in Spanish, English, or Italian.

Bring patience. Wildlife watching is not a guarantee of constant action, and the three-hour schedule must allow time for sailing, searching, eating, and swimming. The reward is that the sightings, when they happen, feel earned rather than arranged.

A quiet sail along the volcanic coast

One of the nicest details of this trip is that the boat may actually sail. When the wind is suitable, the crew has used the sails on the outward and return legs, with some departures enjoying roughly 90 minutes under sail.

That changes the mood of the trip. Instead of listening to an engine for the whole outing, you may hear the water and feel the boat move with the wind. It is a small pleasure, but an important one if you want a proper sailing experience rather than a motorboat ride with sails for decoration.

The south coast of Tenerife is dramatic without requiring a long coastal journey. You will see volcanic rock, beaches, cliffs, and open sea from the deck. Clear conditions may reveal La Gomera across the water. The views are best enjoyed from the front of the boat, where you can feel the breeze, though the forward deck may be more exposed to movement.

The crew also keeps an eye on comfort. Drinks are offered throughout the trip, and the atmosphere is described as relaxed rather than noisy. There is no indication that music or entertainment drives the outing. The focus stays on sailing, wildlife, conversation, and the sea.

Snorkeling in a sheltered bay

After the wildlife search, the boat stops for swimming and snorkeling. The snorkeling period is generally around 30 minutes, though the exact timing can change because the crew has several parts of the trip to fit into three hours.

The stop may be in a secluded bay near the coast, sometimes near a cliff or a cave. The setting is one of the quieter highlights of the day. You can get into the warm Atlantic water, swim, and look for fish close to shore.

Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to bring your own mask and fins. The tour description does not promise a specific underwater site or a particular list of fish, so keep your expectations sensible. This is a pleasant swimming stop added to a whale-watching cruise, not a dedicated reef excursion.

The sea can be calm at the swimming spot, but conditions are never fully under your control. If you prefer to stay dry, you can remain on deck and enjoy the coast. The crew’s attention to passengers is especially helpful here, since they can keep an eye on the group while you swim.

Some people may wish the snorkeling lasted longer. That is a fair point. Thirty minutes goes quickly, especially if you need time to enter the water, adjust equipment, and dry off. The benefit is that the short stop leaves enough time for sailing and wildlife watching, which are the main reasons to book this particular trip.

Sandwiches, crisps, cake, and cava

Food is included, but you should think of it as a well-prepared boat lunch rather than a full restaurant meal. The usual offering includes fresh baguette sandwiches, often with ham and tomato or Iberian ham, crisps to share, and a slice of cake or carrot cake.

The food has received warm praise for being fresh, generous, and welcome after swimming. Drinks include mineral water, wine, cava, beer, and soft drinks. The crew keeps them available during the sailing, rather than waiting until one formal meal service.

This is good value at $70 per person. You are paying for a three-hour small-group sailing trip, a live guide, wildlife searching, snorkeling equipment, food, and drinks. A large part of the value comes from the limited capacity and personal service, not from luxury dining.

Dietary needs may be accommodated, but you should mention them when booking or before departure. One departure handled dietary requests successfully, while the standard menu appears to center on bread, ham, tomato, crisps, cake, and drinks. Do not assume every special request will be covered without notice.

The food is also part of the rhythm of the trip. You watch for whales, stop to swim, climb back aboard, and then settle in with a sandwich and drink. It feels more like a friendly day on a private yacht than a packaged buffet excursion.

Who will enjoy this Tenerife boat trip?

I would recommend this tour to couples, families, small groups of friends, and solo visitors who prefer a personal setting. Children can enjoy the wildlife and water stop, although the boat environment and sea conditions require normal parental attention.

It suits you especially well if you want:

• Wild whale and dolphin watching without a large crowd
• A calm, informative crew
• Time to swim and use snorkeling equipment
• Simple food and drinks included
• A genuine chance to sail under wind power
• An experience that lasts half a day rather than all day

It may be less suitable if you want a long snorkeling session, guaranteed whale sightings, or a completely steady ride. People who get seasick should be cautious, since open-water conditions can change. The crew is helpful, but no skipper can smooth out every Atlantic swell.

The tour is also not a private charter. The boat holds up to 10 passengers, so you may share it with other small groups. Still, this is a much more personal setup than the large vessels operating from the same coast.

Practical details that affect your day

The tour operates in Spanish, English, and Italian. A live guide is included, which is useful when the crew is explaining animal behavior or pointing out something that appears only for a few seconds.

You should bring swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and a light layer for the ride back. The information supplied does not list a formal packing list, but these are sensible choices for a three-hour sailing trip with swimming. Keep valuables limited, since deck space is shared.

The meeting point deserves extra attention. Go to Puerto Colón, pass the port parking barrier, and find the first jetty at Dock No. 5. Look for the Roulette and arrive 10 minutes early. Hotel transport is not included.

Bookings can be canceled up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option allows you to hold a place without paying immediately. Starting times vary, so check availability for your chosen date.

Is the $70 price worth it?

For Tenerife, $70 is a fair price for this combination of activities. You get a small-group boat, a crew of two, wildlife viewing, a swim, snorkeling equipment, food, and drinks. The cost would be less attractive if the boat carried a large crowd or if the food and drinks were excluded, but the 10-passenger limit changes the calculation.

The strongest value is the personal service. The skipper can answer questions, move the boat so both sides get a view, and respond to passengers who need help. You are also paying for the chance to travel under sail, which many standard wildlife cruises do not offer.

I would not book it purely for the promise of seeing a whale. Book it because the full outing is well balanced. If the wildlife is quiet, you still have coastal views, sailing, food, drinks, and a swim. If pilot whales or dolphins come close, the trip can become one of the most memorable parts of your Tenerife stay.

Should you book the Roulette sailboat tour?

Yes, if you want a small, friendly, wildlife-focused trip rather than a loud party cruise. The combination of close whale and dolphin encounters and sailing, snorkeling, lunch, and drinks gives you a lot in three hours.

Choose it with realistic expectations about nature and the sea. Sightings cannot be guaranteed, snorkeling time is limited, and choppy water is possible. But at $70, with a maximum of 10 passengers and a crew that takes both comfort and marine life seriously, this is an easy recommendation for most visitors who enjoy being on the water.

FAQ

Where does the Tenerife sailboat tour start?

The meeting point is at the door of Dock No. 5 at Puerto Colón. It is the first jetty after the port parking barrier, and the boat is named the Roulette.

How long does the boat trip last?

The experience lasts three hours, including sailing, wildlife watching, swimming, snorkeling, and refreshments.

How many people can join the tour?

The sailboat has a maximum capacity of 10 passengers, with two crew members on board.

What animals might I see?

Possible sightings include pilot whales, dolphins, sea turtles, seabirds, flying fish, and redfin tuna. Wildlife sightings depend on natural conditions and cannot be guaranteed.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with the boat cruise and wildlife guide.

Is food included?

Yes. Food includes snacks and simple boat lunch items such as baguette sandwiches, crisps, and cake.

What drinks are included?

Included drinks are mineral water, wine, cava, beer, and soft drinks.

Which languages are available?

The live tour guide service is available in Spanish, English, and Italian.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to make your own way to Puerto Colón.