Puerto Colon : Whale & Dolphins Sailing Excursion

Whales, lunch, and a quiet beach make a fine day at sea. This Tenerife sailing trip combines wildlife watching in the Teno-Rasca Special Conservation Zone with swimming at Diego Hernández Beach, also called Hippie Beach. I like the small group, limited to 10 people, and I like the use of a hydrophone, which lets you hear whale and dolphin calls below the boat. The main catch is simple: wildlife is free to move, so sightings cannot be guaranteed.

The six-hour trip gives you more time on the water, a chance to reach the Los Gigantes area, and better odds of seeing dolphins. The shorter option suits you if you want a half-day outing, but it leaves less time for swimming and coastal sightseeing. Seasickness is another consideration, especially if you are sensitive to boat movement.

Key points at a glance

• Pilot whales are the main attraction: Tenerife has Europe’s largest population of these resident whales.
• The hydrophone adds another sense: You can listen to whale and dolphin calls instead of only watching the surface.
• Diego Hernández Beach is reached by boat or foot: The stop gives you time to swim or snorkel away from a busy resort beach.
• Captain Daniel receives especially warm praise: His careful handling, marine-life knowledge, and friendly service are a big part of the experience.
• The six-hour option offers better value for a full day: You get more time for Los Gigantes, swimming, and dolphin searches.
• Lunch is part of the price: Canarian food, drinks, fruit, and, on one recent trip, pastries and generous snacks are included.

Setting out from Puerto Colón

Your trip begins at Puerto Colón, a busy marina on Tenerife’s south coast. The exact meeting point can vary by booking option, so check your confirmation carefully before heading to the harbor. One person lost time after receiving an incorrect pontoon location, so this is worth double-checking rather than assuming every boat leaves from the same spot.

The boat heads into the waters around the Teno-Rasca Special Conservation Zone. This protected area matters because it supports a wide range of marine life and gives the excursion a setting beyond the usual resort views. From the sailboat, you can watch Tenerife’s coast recede while keeping your eyes on the open water.

The group size is limited to 10 participants. That makes a real difference on a wildlife trip. You are not squeezed shoulder to shoulder with a large crowd, and you should have a better chance to ask the captain questions or get a clear view when animals appear.

The experience is offered in English and Spanish. The captain acts as both skipper and guide, explaining what you see and answering questions about whales, dolphins, turtles, and other sea animals.

Looking for pilot whales and dolphins

The main wildlife search focuses on pilot whales, which are one of the signature animals in these waters. Tenerife is home to Europe’s largest population of pilot whales, so this is not simply a lucky chance encounter on a random boat route. Still, these are wild animals, and sightings depend on conditions, movement, and patience.

You may also look for dolphins, loggerhead turtles, and fin whales. Dolphins can be thrilling because they may splash near the boat, while turtles are easier to miss if you are not watching carefully. Fin whales are less predictable, so keep your expectations sensible. The captain can improve your chances, but no responsible operator can promise a particular species.

The best part is that the wildlife watching is not limited to staring at the horizon. The boat carries hydrophone equipment, allowing you to listen to whale and dolphin calls. This gives the search a quieter, more thoughtful quality. You are not only waiting for a fin or splash. You are also paying attention to the sounds beneath the boat.

Please do not touch the animals. That rule protects the wildlife and keeps the encounter at a respectful distance. The crew’s reported approach is careful and environmentally aware, which should matter to anyone who wants to see marine animals without turning the encounter into a chase.

The captain’s role is important here. Captain Daniel has been singled out for making people feel safe, explaining the animals clearly, and taking care not to disturb them. That combination is more useful than a guide who simply points toward a distant whale and moves on.

Choosing between three and six hours

The duration ranges from three to six hours, depending on the option you book. The shorter sailing works well if you want a taste of the coast, some wildlife watching, and a swim without giving up most of your day.

The six-hour choice is the better pick if the boat time itself is a major part of your holiday. It allows more time to search for dolphins, enjoy a longer swim, and reach the Los Gigantes area. One recent six-hour outing included a swim near Los Gigantes, along with sightings of pilot whales, dolphins, and sea turtles.

That extra time can also make the wildlife search feel less rushed. If the first stretch is quiet, the captain has more opportunity to continue looking rather than turning back quickly. You should not treat the longer option as a guarantee of more animals, but it does give the day more breathing room.

For a birthday, special outing, or slow day on Tenerife, I would choose six hours. For families with young children, anyone prone to seasickness, or people with a tight schedule, three hours may be the more comfortable choice. If you want a private boat, a private option is available for up to 10 people.

Swimming at Diego Hernández Beach

After the wildlife search, the boat sails to Diego Hernández Beach, often called Hippie Beach. It can be reached on foot or by boat, but arriving by sailboat lets you avoid a walk and gives the stop a pleasant sense of escape from the marina.

The boat drops anchor so you can swim or snorkel in the clear blue sea. This is not a formal snorkeling lesson, and the available information does not promise a particular underwater species or reef. Think of it as a refreshing sea stop rather than a specialist snorkeling expedition.

The beach stop breaks up the wildlife watching nicely. After sitting alert for fins and splashes, you can get into the water, stretch your legs, and enjoy a slower hour at sea. Bring your own swimwear and towel, along with sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat.

The beach is described as secluded, but do not expect a completely private setting. Because it can also be reached on foot, other people may be present. The appeal is the boat access and the peaceful pause, not guaranteed solitude.

If you prefer not to snorkel, swimming is still an option. You can also remain on board, although the stop is most useful if you are happy to get wet.

A Canarian lunch on board

While you swim, the crew prepares lunch and drinks. Canarian cuisine is included, along with fruit. The precise menu is not fixed in the information provided, so you should not book this expecting one named dish. Instead, expect local-style food served as part of the sailing experience.

Recent service included generous snacks, cold cuts, assorted nibbles, and pastries, with especially warm praise for the food and drinks. That suggests the meal may feel more generous than a basic packed lunch, though exact offerings can vary.

I like that lunch is served during the beach stop rather than interrupting the main wildlife search. You get to eat after the active part of the trip, when everyone has had time to settle in. The food also helps justify the price, especially on the six-hour option.

At $88 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a few hours around Tenerife. The value comes from the combination: a small-group cruise, a marine-life guide, hydrophone listening, a protected coastal zone, beach time, lunch, drinks, and fruit. A large sightseeing boat might cost less, but it may not offer the same space, personal attention, or meal.

For a birthday or a special day, the price is easier to defend. For a budget-minded visitor who mainly wants a quick swim, the shorter sailing may make more sense.

Captain Daniel and the tone on board

A good captain can shape the entire outing. Here, Captain Daniel has been praised for creating a safe, welcoming atmosphere while explaining whales, dolphins, turtles, and the local coast. His enthusiasm appears to be part of the appeal, not an extra performance added for tourists.

That matters because marine wildlife trips include quiet stretches. You may spend time scanning the sea before anything appears. A captain who explains what you are looking for, shares animal facts, and answers questions can turn waiting into part of the experience.

The small group helps. With no more than 10 people, the guide can respond to individual questions and keep an eye on comfort levels. It also makes the boat feel more personal than a large crowd excursion.

The tone is not likely to suit someone who wants a completely private day unless you select the private option. For everyone else, the limited group offers a good middle ground between cost and personal service.

Managing seasickness before departure

The open sea can be calm or unsettled, and the operator gives specific advice for people who may become seasick. Avoid excessive liquids the night before and in the morning. Have a solid breakfast, but limit mixed drinks such as coffee with milk, tea, water, orange juice, or fruits with high water content.

The guidance also suggests that adults may take two Biodraminas with caffeine about 30 minutes before boarding, while children may take one without caffeine. Medication is a personal medical matter, so follow the product instructions and seek professional advice if you are unsure.

I would also avoid treating the boat as a place to test your sea legs for the first time. If you know you are sensitive, choose the shorter option, sit where the crew recommends, and keep your focus on the horizon. A bad stomach can spoil an otherwise excellent day.

The required packing list is short:

• Sunglasses
• Sun hat or regular hat
• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sunscreen

Wear items you do not mind getting damp. The details supplied do not specify changing facilities, so arrive ready to swim rather than relying on a private changing area.

Who will enjoy this sailing trip most

This experience suits you if you want several activities in one outing: wildlife watching, coastal sailing, a swim, snorkeling, lunch, and a chance to ask questions. It is especially good for couples, small families, and anyone marking a birthday or other special occasion.

The six-hour trip is best for people who see the boat day as a highlight of their Tenerife holiday. You get more time around Los Gigantes and more room in the schedule for dolphin searches and swimming.

The shorter option is better for visitors managing limited time or uncertain sea tolerance. It also works if you want to combine the sailing with another activity later that day.

You should think twice if your only goal is guaranteed whale contact. These are wild animals, and sightings cannot be promised. You should also avoid the trip if you strongly dislike open-water movement or do not want to follow the no-touch rule.

The experience has a rating of 4.9 from 46 reviews, with repeated praise for the captain, the food, the small group, and the number of animals seen on recent outings. Those points are useful signals, but they do not remove the basic uncertainty of nature watching.

Booking details worth checking

The price is $88 per person, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option. Starting times depend on availability, and the meeting point may change with the option you select.

Languages are English and Spanish. The tour is operated by Big Smile Luxury Charters Tenerife, and a private boat can be booked for up to 10 people if you want the whole vessel for your own group.

Before paying, confirm three details: the exact pontoon, the trip length, and whether you are booking the shared or private option. These small checks can save time at the marina and prevent a mismatch between the day you imagined and the outing you booked.

Should you book it?

I would book this trip if you want a small, friendly boat day with genuine wildlife watching rather than a quick pass along the coast. The hydrophone, careful animal policy, local lunch, and Diego Hernández Beach stop give it more substance than a basic dolphin cruise.

Choose six hours for the fullest experience, especially if Los Gigantes and extra swim time appeal to you. Choose three hours if you are short on time or worried about seasickness. At $88, the tour offers fair value when you use the lunch, drinks, small group, and guide service, but it is best suited to people who value the whole day rather than guaranteed sightings.

FAQ

Where does the whale and dolphin excursion begin?

The excursion begins at Puerto Colón, although the exact meeting point may vary depending on the option booked.

How long does the experience last?

The available options last between three and six hours. Check availability for the starting times and exact duration.

What animals might I see?

The excursion looks for pilot whales, dolphins, loggerhead turtles, and fin whales. Sightings are not guaranteed because the animals remain wild.

Can I listen to whales and dolphins?

Yes. The boat includes hydrophone equipment so you can listen to whale and dolphin calls.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the cruise, hydrophone listening, a Canarian lunch, drinks, and fruit.

Can I swim or snorkel?

Yes. The boat stops at Diego Hernández Beach, where you can swim or snorkel in the sea.

Is lunch served on the boat?

The crew prepares lunch during the stop at Diego Hernández Beach, while passengers have time to swim or snorkel.

Is this a large group tour?

No. The shared tour is limited to 10 participants. A private option is also available for up to 10 people.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a hat or sun hat, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen.