Tenerife: Whale & Dolphin Watching Luxury Boat Tour

Summary

Atlantic wildlife up close on a spacious Tenerife boat

You’ll watch wild whales and dolphins glide through Atlantic waters near Tenerife from the comfort of a spacious luxury boat with only a handful of guests onboard. Enjoy drinks and snacks as your local guide shares stories and points out marine life up close. Swim or snorkel off the side if you want — or just soak in the sun and that easygoing island feeling.

What’s the experience like?

Ever wonder if dolphins actually smile at you? I did, right before one zipped past our boat off the coast of Tenerife. We’d barely left the harbor when our guide — Javier, who grew up here — pointed out a pod in the distance. He said you get used to spotting them by their movement, not just the splash. The Opera 60 felt more like a floating lounge than any speedboat I’d been on; wide sunbeds, music humming from somewhere behind me, and only about ten of us stretched out (I could’ve sworn it would fit way more).

The air was salty but warm, and every so often a breeze would whip my hair into my mouth (not glamorous, but real). Someone passed around cold soda while Javier explained why these waters are such a hotspot for whales and sea turtles — something about deep ocean trenches nearby. At one point we slowed down to almost nothing. There was this hush except for waves tapping the hull, then suddenly three dolphins surfaced right next to us. I still think about that moment — how close they felt, like they were checking us out too.

We stopped for a swim after that. The water was colder than I expected but so clear you could see your toes waving under you. There were showers onboard (which I didn’t use because I forgot my towel… classic) and snacks laid out by the crew. Someone tried snorkeling but mostly we just floated or sat back with drinks. On the way back, Javier told stories about growing up in Tenerife — his accent softened when he talked about his grandmother’s cooking. I didn’t expect to feel so relaxed on what’s technically called a “luxury whale & dolphin watching experience”, but honestly? It felt more like being invited onto someone’s private boat for the afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Luxury whale and dolphin watching

• Board the OPERA 60 speedboat
• Enjoy spacious and elegant boat facilities
• Watch whales, dolphins, and sea turtles
• Relax on sunbeds and seating areas
• Use onboard toilet and showers if needed

Top questions

How many people are on the whale & dolphin tour?

The Opera 60 takes no more than 15 passengers per trip for shared excursions.

Is snorkeling equipment provided on this Tenerife boat tour?

Yes, use of snorkeling equipment is included during your excursion.

Are drinks and snacks included on board?

Yes, alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, bottled water, and snacks are provided.

Is there a toilet or shower on the Opera 60 boat?

Yes, there is both a toilet and showers available onboard for guests’ use.

Can infants or small children join this tour?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; specialized infant seats are available.

Are service animals allowed on this whale watching trip?

Yes, service animals are allowed onboard during the tour.

Does this tour include hotel pickup in Tenerife?

No hotel pickup is mentioned; guests should check meeting details when booking.

How long is the Opera 60 whale & dolphin watching experience?

The exact duration isn’t specified but expect several hours at sea with time for swimming.

What’s included

Your day includes all drinks (soft drinks, water, beer or wine), tasty snacks served by crew, use of snorkeling equipment if you want to swim off Tenerife’s coast, plus plenty of space to stretch out on sunbeds or shaded seats aboard Opera 60 before returning to port.