Puerto Colon: Whale-Watching Sailing Tour with Meal & a Swim

Whales can make a short boat trip unforgettable. This three-hour sailing tour from Puerto Colón pairs a search for pilot whales and dolphins with two things I especially like: a relaxed meal with cava, beer, or another drink, and a swim stop in a warm bay. The main consideration is that sightings are never guaranteed, and the boat heads into the open ocean, where conditions can feel rough for some people.

The group is limited to 11 people, which gives the outing a more personal feel than a packed excursion boat. The captain knows the local waters and offers explanations in Spanish. You will need to reach Pantalan 1 on your own and find Mola Mola 2, and you should bring a towel because one is not provided.

Key points to know before sailing

• Pilot whales are the star sighting: The strongest wildlife possibility is a close look at pilot whales, with dolphins also part of the search.
• Small group, limited to 11: The low passenger count makes it easier to settle in, see the water, and hear the Spanish-speaking captain.
• Food is part of the outing: Depending on your departure time, you receive lunch or dinner, with paella, sandwiches, and drinks included.
• A beach swim breaks up the sailing: The boat stops in a bay near a sandy beach for a refreshing swim before returning to port.
• Bring your own towel: Swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, beachwear, and a towel are practical essentials.
• Three hours is a useful length: You get time at sea without giving up a full day of exploring Tenerife.

Setting out from Puerto Colón on Mola Mola 2

Your meeting point is Pantalan 1 in Puerto Colón. Look for the boat named Mola Mola 2. Hotel pickup is not included, so allow enough time to reach the marina and locate the correct pier before departure.

Puerto Colón is a useful starting point for a short ocean outing because the boat can leave the harbor and reach open water without turning the entire day into a transport exercise. Once aboard, you settle in for a three-hour round trip. The boat returns to the same meeting point, so there is no need to arrange a separate ride from another harbor.

The small-group limit of 11 people matters here. You are not being loaded onto a large sightseeing vessel with a crowd competing for the best view. Instead, the experience is built around a compact sailing boat, a local captain, and time spent watching the water. That does not guarantee a private charter, but it should feel more manageable and less hurried than a much larger excursion.

The live tour guide speaks Spanish. If you do not speak Spanish, the wildlife and swimming elements remain easy to understand, but you should not book this expecting a detailed English-language talk.

Searching the Atlantic for pilot whales and dolphins

The wildlife portion begins as you sail away from Puerto Colón. Keep your eyes on the water and follow the captain’s guidance as the boat searches for dolphins and whales. The most notable sighting reported from this outing is a family of pilot whales seen very close to the boat. That kind of encounter is the reason to choose a small sailing trip over a simple coastal cruise.

Pilot whales are not the same as the giant whales you may picture from wildlife documentaries. They are social animals often seen in family groups, and spotting several together can be more rewarding than catching a quick glimpse of one distant animal. The available experience details do not promise a particular species on every departure, but pilot whales and dolphins are the main targets.

The captain’s local knowledge is useful, but nature sets the timetable. A search for marine life can produce a memorable sighting, a few brief appearances, or no close encounter at all. The tour does not present wildlife as a guaranteed show, and you should keep that uncertainty in mind when judging the price.

The boat itself helps shape the experience. Sailing through the Atlantic gives you time to feel the breeze, sit in the sun, and watch Tenerife recede behind you. It is not only a wildlife trip. It is also a simple chance to spend a few hours on the water without filling every minute with commentary or scheduled stops.

If you are prone to seasickness, the open-ocean setting deserves attention. This is not a sheltered harbor ride. Bring any personal remedy you normally use for motion discomfort, though no specific medication is included or mentioned as part of the tour.

Paella, sandwiches, and a glass of cava

Food and drinks are included, which improves the value of a three-hour trip. The tour description highlights paella and a glass of bubbly cava, while the meal details also mention sandwiches and beer or another drink during the stop. Depending on the tour time, the meal may be served as lunch or dinner.

The food turns the trip into more than a quick wildlife outing. After time spent scanning the sea, you can settle down and eat while the boat is anchored in a bay. That pause gives the outing a natural rhythm: sail, search, stop, eat, swim, and return.

Do not expect a formal restaurant service at sea. The meal is part of a casual boat experience, and the practical focus is on enjoying food outdoors with the water around you. If you have strict dietary needs, check before booking because the supplied details do not identify vegetarian, vegan, allergy-friendly, or other menu choices.

The drink selection includes cava and beer, but you should still bring sensible expectations. This is a short sailing trip, not a dedicated food cruise. The included meal is valuable because you do not need to arrange lunch or dinner during the three-hour outing, and the food helps make the fare feel more complete.

The sandy beach and the swimming stop

On the way back to Puerto Colón, the boat stops near a sandy beach in a warm bay. You can get into the cool water for a swim, then return aboard for food and drinks while the boat is anchored.

This is a welcome change from sitting and watching the sea. The swim gives you something active to do, while the bay offers a calmer setting than the open ocean. The exact beach is not named, so you should not book this expecting a specific famous shoreline or a long beach visit.

Bring swimwear, beachwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a towel. A towel is specifically not included, and leaving it behind would make the swimming stop less comfortable. Beach shoes are not listed as required, so do not assume they are supplied or necessary.

The stop is also worth viewing as a bonus rather than the main reason to book. The wildlife search is the central feature, while the swim makes the three hours more varied. If you want a full beach day with a long stretch of shore time, this is not that kind of outing.

What the three-hour schedule gives you

Three hours is a good middle ground. You have enough time to leave the marina, search for whales and dolphins, stop for a swim and meal, and sail back without committing most of your day.

That timing works well if you are building a broader Tenerife itinerary. You could use this outing as a morning or afternoon activity, then keep the rest of the day for other plans. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability when booking rather than assume a fixed departure.

The schedule may also influence the meal. A midday sailing can function as lunch, while a later departure may include dinner instead. The supplied details do not give exact start times, so check the available slot carefully if you have a restaurant booking, transfer, or another timed activity afterward.

The boat returns to the original meeting point. That makes the end of the trip simple, but you still handle your own transport to and from Puerto Colón. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Is $68 a fair price?

At $68 per person, the price is reasonable if you value several elements in one outing. You are paying for the boat ride, captain, wildlife search, meal, drinks, swimming stop, and a small group capped at 11 people. Buying those parts separately would take more time and could cost more, especially if you added a restaurant meal and another boat activity.

The value depends heavily on what matters to you. If you mainly want a guaranteed whale sighting, the price carries more risk because wildlife remains unpredictable. If you see the boat ride, food, swimming, and ocean time as worthwhile even without a close encounter, the package makes better financial sense.

The small group is one of the strongest reasons to consider the fare. A limited passenger count can make the boat less crowded and the captain’s explanations easier to follow. It also fits people who prefer a quieter outing to a large excursion with many passengers.

The meal and drinks add practical value, but do not treat them as a luxury dining experience. This is casual food served during a sailing trip. The best value comes from the complete combination rather than any single feature.

Who will enjoy this sailing trip most?

I would recommend it to people who want a short, easy-to-fit ocean experience with several activities built in. It suits couples, friends, and families who like wildlife, swimming, and relaxed time in the sun.

It is also a good choice if you want a small boat rather than a large group cruise. The 11-person limit gives the outing a more intimate scale, and the captain’s local knowledge can help direct your attention when marine life appears.

You should think twice if you dislike open water, have difficulty with boat motion, or want a guaranteed wildlife performance. The boat sails into the Atlantic, and conditions can vary. People with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, and visually impaired people are specifically advised not to book this activity.

The language is another practical factor. The guide service is in Spanish. You may still enjoy the scenery and wildlife, but you should choose another tour if detailed explanations in your own language are central to the experience.

Booking advice and simple preparation

Cancellation is flexible if your plans change. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and the reserve-now-pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately.

Before you leave for the marina, pack:

• Towel
• Swimwear and beachwear
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Any personal motion-sickness supplies you normally use

Check the starting time and allow time to find Pantalan 1 and Mola Mola 2. Since the activity ends back at the meeting point, your return planning is straightforward.

The clearest practical tip is to treat the outing as a mix of wildlife search and leisure sail. That mindset keeps the experience enjoyable even if dolphins or whales stay at a distance. The close pilot-whale encounter is a strong possibility, but it is not a promise.

Should you book Puerto Colón whale watching?

Book this trip if you want a compact three-hour outing that combines sailing, marine wildlife, a casual meal, drinks, and a swim. The strongest features are the small group, the chance to see a family of pilot whales close to the boat, and the fact that food is included rather than left for you to arrange afterward.

Skip it if you need an English-speaking guide, cannot handle open-ocean conditions, require accessible facilities, or want guaranteed animal sightings. At $68, it offers fair value for an all-in-one boat experience, especially for someone who would otherwise pay separately for a wildlife cruise, lunch, and a swim stop.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching sailing tour begin?

Meet at Pantalan 1 in Puerto Colón. Look for the boat named Mola Mola 2.

How long does the experience last?

The sailing trip lasts three hours. Starting times depend on availability.

What wildlife might I see?

The tour searches for dolphins and whales, with pilot whales being a notable possible sighting.

Is food included?

Yes. Lunch or dinner is included depending on the tour time. The food details include paella, sandwiches, and drinks such as cava or beer.

Can I swim during the tour?

Yes. The boat stops near a sandy beach in a bay so you can swim before returning to Puerto Colón.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear. A towel is not provided.