Private Yacht Tour With Whale and Dolphin Watching 42 Foot Boat

Pilot whales are the main attraction on this private cruise from Playa de las Américas, and you may also spot dolphins, turtles, and even flying fish. The boat carries up to 11 people, giving your group a roomy Atlantic outing rather than a crowded ride.

I like the private boat setup, which lets your group set the mood, and I like the practical extras: sonar equipment, snorkels, snacks, Champagne, and unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks, and water. The main drawback is that wildlife is never guaranteed, and a three-hour trip can feel short if you want plenty of time for both animal watching and swimming.

Key points

• Pilot whales live in these waters year-round, with dolphins and sea turtles also possible.
• The entire yacht is reserved for your group, with space for up to 11 people.
• A swim and snorkeling stop is included, weather and sea conditions permitting.
• Drinks and food are part of the price, including Champagne, wine, beer, sodas, water, and light snacks.
• Sonar equipment helps you listen for whales and dolphins, not just scan the surface.
• You can choose three or six hours, in the morning or afternoon.

Setting Sail From Puerto Colón

Your trip begins at Puerto Colón, pontoons 2, in Costa Adeje. You meet the skipper at the marina jetty, receive a safety briefing, and settle aboard the sailing yacht operated by Tenerife Sailing Charters.

The boat is described as a 40-foot yacht, while the tour title calls it a 42-foot boat. Either way, this is a substantial private vessel rather than a tiny open motorboat. It carries up to 11 people and has deck space, a saloon cabin, a kitchenette, and onboard amenities that make three hours at sea more comfortable.

You start with views back toward Playa de las Américas before heading into the Atlantic. That first stretch gives you a useful change of scene: the resort coastline looks different from the water, and the outing quickly feels less like a standard beach activity.

The safety briefing is short, but do pay attention. You will be moving around a boat, entering the water during the swim stop, and spending time in open Atlantic conditions.

Watching for Pilot Whales and Dolphins

The crew takes you toward areas known for whale and dolphin sightings. Pilot whales are present in the local waters year-round, so they are the most realistic wildlife target. Dolphins and sea turtles are also possible, though no responsible boat operator can promise a sighting on a given day.

This is where the private format helps. Your skipper can keep the outing relaxed and point out where to look rather than rushing through a fixed group schedule. Guides named Juan Angel, Maxi, and Guy have each been singled out for making the trip calm, attentive, and focused on the wildlife. Maxi, in particular, was praised for keeping an eye out and directing attention to the right place.

The sonar equipment adds something different from a basic whale-watching trip. Instead of relying only on a fin or splash at the surface, you can listen for whales and dolphins beneath the boat. It will not turn the outing into a scientific expedition, but it gives you a better sense of what is happening below the water.

Keep your expectations sensible. Wildlife watching at sea involves patience, changing conditions, and a bit of luck. You may see several whales, dolphins, turtles, or other marine life. You may also spend stretches simply watching the water. That uncertainty is part of the experience, but it is worth remembering before you book.

A Swim Stop With Snorkeling Gear

At some point during the cruise, the skipper drops anchor so you can swim. Snorkeling equipment is supplied, so you do not need to bring your own mask and snorkel to take part.

The stop gives the trip a useful change of pace. You are not confined to sitting on deck while searching for animals. You can get into the sea, cool off, and look for fish or other marine life close to the yacht. Sea turtles are possible, and one outing also produced sightings of turtles and flying fish, but these encounters are not guaranteed.

The water activity is optional. You can stay aboard if you prefer not to swim, and most travelers can participate in the tour generally. Service animals are allowed, and a vegetarian food option is available if you request it when booking.

The sea itself can be the biggest variable here. The stop depends on weather and conditions, and the operator may adjust plans if the water is unsuitable. Bring a swimsuit and anything you need to feel comfortable after swimming, but keep in mind that the confirmed inclusions are the snorkel equipment and onboard refreshments.

What You Eat and Drink on Board

The food and drink package is one of the stronger parts of this outing. You receive a glass of Champagne, unlimited wine, beer, soft drinks, and bottled water, along with light refreshments.

The food is described as snacks, baguettes, and nibbles rather than a full meal. That distinction matters. You should not book this as a lunch cruise with a formal spread, but the refreshments are enough to make the three-hour trip more pleasant and help take the edge off after swimming.

The open bar also changes the value calculation. If your group would otherwise buy drinks separately at the marina or beach, the included beverages make the private charter price easier to justify. Of course, unlimited alcohol is not a reason to forget that you are on a moving boat. Drink sensibly, especially if you plan to swim.

A vegetarian option is available, but you need to advise the operator at the time of booking. That is a small detail with a big effect on comfort, so do not leave it until the morning of the trip.

Three Hours or Six Hours on the Atlantic

You can choose a three-hour or six-hour cruise, with morning and afternoon departures available. The shorter trip is a good fit if you want a focused wildlife outing with a swim and refreshments but still have other plans in Costa Adeje.

Three hours sounds generous on paper, yet time passes quickly once you include boarding, the safety briefing, the run out from the marina, wildlife watching, anchoring, swimming, and the return. If your group cares most about seeing whales and dolphins, the longer option gives the skipper more time to search and lets you enjoy the swim stop without watching the clock.

The six-hour choice makes more sense for a celebration, a full half-day at sea, or a group that wants the yacht itself to be the main event. It also gives you more breathing room if wildlife watching takes patience.

Morning and afternoon both have clear advantages, but the supplied details do not identify a consistently better departure time for animal sightings. I would choose based on your wider Tenerife plans, your tolerance for strong sun, and whether you prefer an early start or a relaxed afternoon on the water.

Why the Private Format Matters

The price is $716.45 per group of up to 11 people. That is not cheap for one person, but it can be reasonable when split among a full group. At the maximum capacity, the cost works out to roughly $65 per person before considering the included drinks, snacks, snorkeling equipment, sonar, skipper, and private use of the boat.

The private format is the key. You are not sharing the yacht with strangers, and your group can enjoy the outing together without a large crowd competing for deck space or asking the skipper to follow different plans. A full group also spreads the fixed charter cost more effectively.

For a couple or a small family, the same price is harder to defend unless privacy matters a great deal. A shared whale-watching boat would normally cost less, but it would not offer the same control or personal space. This is best viewed as a private celebration or group activity, not as the cheapest way to see whales.

The boat has ample deck space, a saloon cabin, and a kitchenette, so it is more comfortable than a basic excursion craft. Still, a yacht is not a hotel room. You should expect a marine setting, movement underfoot, and limited space compared with land.

The Skipper Makes the Difference

A good skipper can turn a wildlife cruise from a simple boat ride into a worthwhile day at sea. The available feedback gives specific names to look for: Juan Angel, Maxi, and Guy were all praised for creating a relaxed atmosphere and helping people find the animals.

Guy was noted for being friendly and well informed about local wildlife. Juan Angel was praised as a warm host, especially during an afternoon with a full group, drinks, snacks, baguettes, and a whale sighting. Maxi was described as attentive, kind, and quick to point out where to look for whales, turtles, and fish.

That personal attention is especially useful when animals appear briefly. A skipper who knows the area can help you keep your eyes in the right place rather than staring at empty water. The exact skipper depends on the date, so you should not assume that one named captain will operate every departure.

The best approach is to let the skipper set the pace. Wildlife watching rewards patience, and a private group that stays flexible will get more from the outing than one that treats it like a tightly timed checklist.

Meeting Point, Pickup, and Practical Details

The meeting point is Puerto Colón, pontoon 2, 38660 Costa Adeje, Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The trip ends back at the same jetty, which makes planning simple if you are staying near Playa de las Américas or Costa Adeje.

Hotel pickup is not included in the standard tour details. Pickup may be available, but you need to contact the operator at least 24 hours before departure for arrangements. My advice is to ask about pickup as soon as you book rather than assume it is part of the $716.45 price.

The activity is offered in English, and confirmation is sent at booking. It is near public transportation, though the supplied details do not specify the exact bus route or walking time from individual hotels.

The maximum group size is 11, and only your party takes part. That makes this a strong option for families, wedding groups, birthday outings, or friends who want one shared activity without strangers aboard.

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather forces 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 inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Who Will Get the Most From This Cruise

I would recommend this yacht trip to a group that values privacy, a relaxed pace, and a mix of wildlife watching and swimming. It suits people who want a special half-day at sea rather than a quick ride out and back.

Families may like the range of activities. Children can watch for whales and dolphins, listen through the sonar, eat snacks, and swim if conditions allow. Adults get the private deck, Champagne, wine, and a more personal setting.

It is also a good fit for people who are uncertain about spending a full day on the water. The three-hour option gives you a taste of the experience without consuming the whole day. If you already know that you enjoy slow wildlife watching, choose six hours for a more generous schedule.

I would hesitate to recommend it to a solo visitor or couple focused mainly on price. The group rate makes sense when shared among several people. I would also think twice if you need a guaranteed wildlife sighting, a formal meal, or a completely fixed schedule.

Should You Book It?

Book this private yacht cruise if you can fill at least several seats, want the boat to yourselves, and value the combination of pilot-whale watching, sonar, swimming, snorkeling, and included refreshments. The strongest reasons to choose it are the private setting, the attentive skippers, and the fact that the price covers more than a simple boat transfer.

Choose the three-hour option for a compact outing from Playa de las Américas. Choose six hours if the yacht, the open water, and unhurried wildlife watching are central to your Tenerife plans.

The one important caution is simple: whales and dolphins are wild animals, not scheduled performers. If you can accept that uncertainty, this is a comfortable and sociable way to see Tenerife from the Atlantic.

FAQ

Where does the yacht tour start?

The tour starts at Puerto Colón, pontoon 2, in Costa Adeje, Tenerife.

Where does the tour finish?

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

How long is the cruise?

You can choose a cruise of approximately three or six hours.

How many people can join the private yacht?

A maximum of 11 people can take part in one booking, and only your group participates.

What wildlife might I see?

The local waters have pilot whales year-round. You may also see dolphins, sea turtles, flying fish, and other marine life, but sightings are not guaranteed.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and the skipper makes an anchor stop for swimming during the cruise.

What food and drinks are included?

The tour includes bottled water, a glass of Champagne, unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks, and light refreshments such as snacks and baguettes.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup is not included as a standard part of the tour. You should contact the operator at least 24 hours before departure to ask about pickup arrangements.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.