Sailing Yacht on a Private Charter

Pilot whales and dolphins are the main event here, and the open water off Tenerife can reward you with close views of marine life in its natural setting. This is a three-hour private charter from Puerto Colón, with a maximum of 11 people, so you get a calmer outing than a large sightseeing boat.

I like the included food and drinks, especially the choice of Cava, wine, beer, soft drinks, water, fruit, and baguettes. I also like that snorkeling gear is provided, giving you something to do when the skipper stops for swimming. The main caution is that sailing itself may not be guaranteed: one unhappy customer reported a broken mainsail and poor boat condition, while other accounts describe a clean, well-kept yacht.

Key points to know before booking

• Pilot whales are a realistic target: Several trips have produced sightings of pilot whales, along with dolphins.
• Private capacity tops out at 11: This works well for a family or friend group that wants personal space.
• Snorkeling depends on weather: Swimming and use of the onboard gear are offered when conditions allow.
• Food and drinks are part of the price: Expect baguettes, fresh seasonal fruit, alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, water, and Cava.
• The boat experience may vary: Most available feedback is very positive, but one report raised concerns about the sail, ropes, and cabin.
• The trip returns to Puerto Colón: You begin and end at the marina in Playa de las Américas.

Leaving Puerto Colón for Tenerife’s coast

The outing begins at Puerto Colón, the marina at Playa de las Américas. You meet there and return to the same point after roughly three hours, which makes this easy to fit into a beach holiday or a day based in the resort area.

The first part of the trip is about settling into the yacht and moving away from the marina. A private charter gives you a more personal setting than a large boat excursion, though the maximum capacity is still 11 people. If you book with family or friends, that capacity gives you room to spread out without turning the boat into a crowded party platform.

The supplied details do not name the skipper. Past trips have been led by a friendly local captain who took time to explain what was happening and kept a calm pace. That matters on a wildlife outing, since the best moments depend on patience rather than rushing from one sighting to the next.

Wi-Fi is available on board. I would treat that as a useful extra rather than the reason to book. The real value is being away from road noise and resort traffic, with the sea around you and the chance to watch for wildlife.

Whale and dolphin watching in open water

The wildlife search is the heart of this experience. Pilot whales, also called calderones, are a known highlight, and dolphins may also appear. Some outings have seen many pilot whales and groups of dolphins, while sightings can never be promised on a nature trip.

Your skipper will look for marine life from the yacht, giving you the chance to watch without leaving the boat. The private format is useful here because the atmosphere can remain quiet and unhurried. You can keep your eyes on the water, take photographs, or simply sit back with a drink.

Pilot whales are especially interesting because they are not the giant whales many people picture. They are social marine mammals that often move in groups, so one sighting can mean watching several animals rather than a single brief appearance. The accounts supplied for this trip describe small pilot whales and larger groups, along with dolphins in their natural setting.

You should keep your expectations sensible. A skipper can search good areas and give you more time on the water, but no operator can control wildlife. A trip with no major sighting would still provide time at sea, though it would not deliver the experience most people are paying for.

The skipper’s approach also matters. One particularly positive account described a patient captain who took time to get close to whales without making the trip feel rushed. That is the right style for this sort of outing: respectful, quiet, and focused on watching rather than chasing.

A swimming and snorkeling stop, weather permitting

When conditions are suitable, the yacht stops for swimming and snorkeling. Gear is available on board, so you do not need to arrange separate equipment for this activity.

This part adds variety to the trip. Whale and dolphin watching asks you to sit and observe, while a swim gives you a chance to cool off and move around. It can be especially welcome on a warm Tenerife day.

The limits are clear. Swimming and snorkeling depend on the weather, and the experience does not promise a particular reef, fish species, or underwater site. You might find the water calm and inviting, or the conditions may keep the group on board. The skipper makes that call for safety.

Bring a swimsuit if you want to take part. The supplied details confirm life vests are provided, but they do not specify changing facilities, towels, or showers. If you prefer not to swim, you can remain on the yacht and enjoy the views, snacks, or wildlife search.

Baguettes, fruit, wine, and Cava on board

Food and drinks are included, which improves the value of a short private charter. You can expect ham and cheese baguettes, fresh seasonal fruit, beer, wine, Cava, soft drinks, and water. Vegan and vegetarian options are available, but you should request the right choice when booking rather than assume it will appear automatically.

The meal is best viewed as a light onboard spread, not a full restaurant lunch. A baguette and fruit are practical for a three-hour trip, and the selection suits a mixed group. Alcoholic drinks make the outing feel more celebratory, while water and soft drinks cover people who want to stay refreshed.

One small point came up in the feedback: the rosé was served cold on one outing, but one person felt it would have been better colder. That is hardly a serious fault, yet it is a useful reminder that catering details may not match every preference.

I like the way the food fits the timing. You are not forced to stop your wildlife search for a formal meal, and you can enjoy a snack while watching the water. If your group has strict dietary needs beyond vegan or vegetarian food, ask ahead, since no other special arrangements are described.

What private really means for your group

The yacht accepts up to 11 passengers. That number is important because private does not mean tiny. A group of two, four, or six people should have a more intimate outing, while a full booking of 11 will feel livelier and may leave less room for everyone to spread out.

For families, the setup can work well because different people can choose different levels of activity. Some can watch for dolphins, some can sit with refreshments, and others can swim if conditions permit. The service allows animals, including service animals, according to the supplied information.

This is also a good choice for friends who want a shared occasion without joining a much larger boat. You have control over the company around you, and the skipper can give your group personal attention. That personal service was praised in several accounts, especially the captain’s friendly manner and calm handling of the outing.

The boat itself deserves a realistic note. One account raised strong concerns about an old mainsail, worn ropes, and a messy cabin, and said the yacht did not sail during that trip. Other accounts describe the sailboat as clean and maintained, with room to sit in the sun and take photographs. This conflict means I would confirm the current boat condition and whether sailing is expected on your date, particularly if the sailing element matters as much as the wildlife.

Does the $74 price offer good value?

At an advertised price of $74, the experience can offer solid value if that amount is the price per person for your booking and your group uses the included extras. You receive about three hours on the water, private-charter service, wildlife watching, snorkeling gear, food, alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, and a return to the starting marina.

A comparable large boat outing may offer more space or a longer schedule, but it will not necessarily give your group the same private setting. The value here comes from combining the boat, skipper, drinks, food, and wildlife search in one short trip.

The price feels strongest for a small group that wants a special outing but does not need a full day at sea. It may feel less attractive if you mainly want guaranteed sailing time, a substantial meal, or a highly polished luxury yacht. Since the yacht’s sailing condition has received mixed feedback, ask direct questions before paying if the sails are central to your plans.

A three-hour duration is a practical compromise. You get enough time to reach wildlife areas and possibly stop for swimming, yet you do not lose an entire day of sightseeing. It also leaves room for other Tenerife plans, such as the beach, a meal in Playa de las Américas, or an inland excursion.

Who will enjoy this yacht charter most

I would recommend this trip to a group that values time together, open water, and the chance to see marine life without joining a large boat. It suits couples, families, and groups of friends, with enough flexibility for swimmers and non-swimmers.

It is particularly appealing if pilot whales and dolphins are high on your Tenerife wish list. The sightings are not guaranteed, but the trip has produced both, and the skipper’s patience appears to be one of its strengths.

You should think twice if you need a guaranteed sailing itinerary, a spotless luxury vessel, or a fixed swimming stop. The available information does not promise that the mainsail will be used, and swimming depends on weather. I would also avoid treating the drinks as the main reason to book. They are a useful inclusion, but the wildlife and private setting are the real draw.

Timing, access, and cancellation details

You meet at Puerto Colón in Playa de las Américas and finish at the same marina. The location is near public transportation, and mobile tickets are supported, which keeps arrival simple.

Confirmation is provided at booking. Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed. The experience requires good weather, so poor conditions may lead to a different date or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off follows local Tenerife time, so check the exact start time before making other plans.

Should you book this private Tenerife sailing trip?

Book it if you want a relaxed three-hour outing with your own group, included refreshments, and a fair chance of seeing pilot whales or dolphins. The private format, patient skipper, and snorkeling option give the trip more character than a simple coastal cruise.

Before booking, confirm two points: the current condition of the yacht and how much actual sailing is planned. That is the one meaningful concern in an otherwise strongly rated experience. If your priority is wildlife, conversation, food, and quiet time on the water, the $74 price looks reasonable. If your priority is a pristine sailboat under full sail, choose only after getting a clear answer.

FAQ

Where does the yacht trip begin and end?

The trip begins at Puerto Colón, Playa de las Américas, in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. It ends back at the same meeting point.

How long is the private yacht charter?

The experience lasts about three hours. Availability is provided on request.

How many people can join the yacht?

The maximum capacity is 11 passengers.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. The included options are beer, wine, soft drinks, Cava, water, ham and cheese baguettes, and fresh seasonal fruit. Vegan and vegetarian food options are available.

Can I swim or snorkel during the trip?

Swimming and snorkeling are available when weather conditions permit. Snorkeling gear and life vests are provided on board.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the trip is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.