Whale & Dolphin Watching Tenerife: Exclusive 11-Person Sailboat

See whales and dolphins on a small-group sailboat with an expert skipper.

You sail out from Puerto Colón on a small boat (max 11 people) to hunt for whales and dolphins off Tenerife's coast over three hours. You get swimming stops in clear water, onboard catering, and a skipper who knows the waters. Transport to the dock and snorkel gear are on you, but everything else (fuel, food, drinks, and the boat itself) is covered.

Step-by-step itinerary

Whales and dolphins watching tour

• Depart from Dock 8, Puerto Colón
• Watch whales and dolphins in habitat
• Swim in crystal clear waters
• See local flora and fauna
• Enjoy catering and sunbath onboard
• View Costa Adeje coastline
• Return to departure port

The experience

The boat pulls away from Dock 8 at Puerto Colón in Costa Adeje, and within minutes the coastline starts to shrink. You're on one of the exclusive sailboats that keeps groups to a maximum of 11 people: small enough that you can actually move around, talk to the skipper, and not feel like you're on a ferry. The three-hour excursion is built around one thing: finding whales and dolphins in their natural habitat off Tenerife. Some days they're close. Some days you're scanning the water for longer. Either way, the trade is that you're out on the open water, not stuck in a tour bus.

The sailing itself is part of it. You feel the trade winds, the alisios, and the boat moves with a rhythm that's nothing like a motorized catamaran. The skipper knows where to look and when to cut the engine and drift. If dolphins show up, they often come close enough that you can hear them. Whales are bigger, slower, and when they surface it's a moment everyone on deck stops talking. Between the wildlife watching, the boat stops at spots where the water is clear enough to swim, and you can jump in if you want to. It's not a snorkel tour, equipment isn't included, but the option is there.

Food and drinks come onboard: sandwiches, water, and whatever else is part of the catering. You eat while the boat moves, or you anchor in a bay and eat while floating. The whole thing (the sailing, the stops, the catering) is included in the price, along with fuel and the skipper's knowledge. You don't arrange your own transport to the dock, and there's no pickup service, so you'll need to get to Puerto Colón yourself or use the public transportation options nearby. Infants under two are free if they sit on an adult's lap, and kids are welcome as long as they're supervised.

What’s included

• Your three hours on the water include a professional skipper, onboard catering with sandwiches and drinks, bottled water throughout, all fuel costs, and taxes.
• Swimming stops in clear water are part of the itinerary.
• Snorkel equipment and towels can be added for an extra charge if you want them.

Before you book

Days and timesDaily · 10:00, 13:00 and 16:00 · season until 30 Apr 2027

AgesAges 12+ · 3 to 11 years · Under 3

Meeting point and pickupNo pickup · ends where it startsMeeting point, per the operator: “Arrive 20 minutes before the scheduled departure time for boarding. To reach de boat: highway TF5 Exit Puerto Colón. When you arrive at the port road down, take…”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by White Tenerife

Is this one for you?Right for families and small groups who want to see whales and dolphins without the crowds of a big tour boat. The three-hour sail is steady-paced and includes swimming time, so plan for a morning or afternoon out on the water. You'll need to get yourself to Puerto Colón, but once you're on the boat, everything else is handled.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

3 to 11 years; under 3.

How long is the whale and dolphin watching tour in Tenerife?

Three hours total, departing and returning from Dock 8 at Puerto Colón in Costa Adeje.

What's included in the sailboat tour?

Skipper, onboard catering (sandwiches and drinks), bottled water, fuel, and taxes. Snorkel equipment and towels are available on request but cost extra.

How many people go on the boat?

Maximum 11 passengers per sailing, keeping groups small and intimate.

Can you swim during the tour?

Yes, there are swimming stops in clear water. Snorkel equipment isn't included but can be rented on demand.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. You need to arrange your own transport to Dock 8 at Puerto Colón, though public transportation is available nearby.

What if we don't see whales or dolphins?

The tour operates regardless. The skipper navigates to areas where sightings are likely, but wildlife spotting is never guaranteed.

What's the departure point?

Dock 8, Puerto Colón, Costa Adeje, Tenerife.