Tenerife: Whale & Dolphin Watching with Biologist & Hydrophone

Listen to Whales Through an Underwater Microphone off Tenerife's Coast

You board a small, custom-built whale watching boat with a biologist guide and listen to whales and dolphins through an underwater hydrophone while they explain what you're hearing. The tour covers the Teno-Rasca Marine Protected Area in two hours, includes free wildlife photos sent by email, and comes with a sightings guarantee. Departures are at 9:30am, noon, and 2:30pm from Puerto Colón Marina in southern Tenerife.

Step-by-step itinerary

Whale and dolphin watching tour

• Arrive at Puerto Colón Marina
• Board 8 meter whale watching boat
• Join biologist staff on tour
• Observe whales and dolphins respectfully
• Listen with underwater hydrophone
• Receive free wildlife photos
• Return to dock after 2 hours

The Experience

The boat was supposed to leave at 9:30am, but we were still waiting at the dock in Puerto Colón Marina while the biologist checked the weather one more time. That's the thing about whale watching in Tenerife. It's real, which means sometimes the ocean decides. But once we pushed off, the two-hour tour felt like it had been planned for weeks. The boat itself is small, only 11 guests maximum on an 8-meter custom-built hull, so there's no jostling for a view or shouting over a crowd. Our guide, one of the biologist staff, started pointing out the Teno-Rasca Marine Protected Area as we moved into the water, explaining what we were actually looking for and why these animals matter.

The hydrophone was the part that stuck with me. You put on headphones and listen to the whales and dolphins underwater, not a recording, but the actual sounds they're making right then. It's strange and quiet and nothing like the nature documentaries make it seem. The guide narrated what we were hearing, which helped, because otherwise you're just listening to clicks and whistles and trying to match them to the shapes moving past the boat. The Teno-Rasca area is where these animals live year-round, so sightings are reliable enough that the tour comes with a guarantee. If you don't see whales or dolphins, you get another trip free.

Departures run at 9:30am, noon, and 2:30pm from Pantalan No3 in Puerto Colón, which is in the south of Tenerife. The whole thing takes two hours, and they send you free photos of whatever you saw, emailed after the tour. It's not a rough ride (the boat has cushioned bench seats), but it's not a floating restaurant either. You're there to watch animals in their habitat, and the biologist staff keeps the commentary educational rather than theatrical. The tour includes all local taxes, so the price you see is what you pay.

One thing to know: this isn't suitable if you have back or neck problems, recent surgeries, or pregnancy. Children under 3 can't come, and there's a weight limit of 130kg. The tour runs subject to weather, so if the sea gets rough or the forecast turns, they'll call to reschedule or refund you. English and Spanish are both spoken on board.

What’s included

Your two-hour whale and dolphin watching tour includes a ride on a custom-built 8-meter boat with cushioned seats, live narration from biologist staff, access to the hydrophone to listen to whale and dolphin sounds underwater, free emailed photos of the marine wildlife you see, and all local taxes in the price.

Days and timesDaily · 09:30, 12:00 and 14:30

AgesAges 12+ · 3 to 11 years · Under 3 — No ticket type: can't be added to a booking

Meeting point and pickupNo pickup · ends where it startsMeeting point, per the operator: “Meet our Guides at the BLUE GATE 3/Pantalán 3 in the Puerto Colón Marina 15 minutes before departure time. We don't have an office. In respect to all of our gue…”

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

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Whale Watch Tenerife

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see whales and dolphins in their protected habitat without the noise and crowd of a larger tour boat: the 11-person limit and biologist guide are what make the hydrophone experience and the sightings guarantee possible.

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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: no ticket type, they can't be added to a booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

What time do the whale watching tours leave?

Departures are at 9:30am, 12 noon, and 2:30pm from Pantalan No3 in Puerto Colón Marina.

How many people go on each tour?

Maximum 11 guests per boat, so it stays small and uncrowded.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes the 2-hour boat trip, live commentary from a biologist, hydrophone listening, free photos of the wildlife, and all local taxes.

What is the hydrophone?

An underwater microphone that lets you listen to whale and dolphin sounds in real time while the guide explains what you're hearing.

Is there a guarantee if we don't see whales or dolphins?

Yes, the tour comes with a sightings guarantee. If you don't see them, you get another trip free.

How long is the tour?

Two hours total, departing from and returning to Puerto Colón Marina.

Who is not able to go on this tour?

Children under 3, pregnant travelers, people with back or neck problems, recent surgeries, mobility issues, or those over 130kg. It's also not recommended for people with poor cardiovascular health.

What happens if the weather is bad?

If weather forces a cancellation, the operator will call to offer you an alternative date or a refund.

Where do we meet?

Pantalan No3 in Puerto Colón Marina, in the south of Tenerife.