Tenerife: Whale & Dolphin Watching Yacht Tour Small Group

Summary

Whale watching in Tenerife with marine guides and small group

You’ll join a small group aboard an Italian-style yacht off southern Tenerife for whale and dolphin watching with marine guides who really know these waters. Expect close-up moments with wildlife (if they’re feeling social), fresh fruit and cold drinks on deck, plus a chance to help collect ocean litter as you go — it’s laid-back but unexpectedly moving.

What’s the experience like?

“You see that splash?” our guide, Marta, called out, shielding her eyes from the glare bouncing off the water. She handed me a pair of binoculars — I fumbled them at first (seems I’m all thumbs at sea), but then caught sight of a dark fin slicing through the blue. There were just eight of us on the boat, all shuffling closer to the rail, and someone’s little boy let out this gasp that made us all grin. The air smelled like salt and sunscreen, and I could hear Spanish and German mixing behind me as people tried to guess what we’d spotted.

The White Dreams yacht felt almost too nice for my sandy flip-flops, but nobody seemed to care. Marta explained how these waters between Tenerife and La Gomera are home to pilot whales year-round — she pointed out how their dorsal fins looked different from dolphins’. Sometimes she’d switch from English to Spanish mid-sentence; it made everything feel more local somehow. We drifted quietly for a while, engine low, and I remember thinking how odd it was that even with twelve people you could still hear the soft slap of waves against the hull. Someone passed around slices of cold watermelon — honestly, perfect after sitting in the sun.

I didn’t expect us to actually collect floating plastic along the way (we did), or for Marta to get so passionate about conservation — she even showed us their Blue Boat certification sticker, which apparently means they follow strict rules about not disturbing wildlife. No one pretended we’d see whales every trip (she was honest about that), but when two dolphins popped up near the bow everyone just went quiet for a second. That silence stuck with me more than any photo I took.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Whale and dolphin watching excursion

• Board the White Dreams yacht
• Enjoy 2-hour whale watching
• Observe whales, dolphins, and turtles
• Learn from marine wildlife experts
• Navigate Tenerife's coves
• Drink soft drinks, beer, and water
• Eat a selection of fruit
• Participate in marine litter collection

Top questions

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

The tour lasts approximately 2 hours from departure to return.

Are drinks included on this Tenerife whale watching trip?

Yes, soft drinks, beer, bottled water and fruit are included on board.

Is there a restroom available on the yacht?

Yes, there is a restroom available for guests during the excursion.

How many people are on each whale watching tour?

The group size is limited to 12 passengers per trip for a more personal experience.

Will we definitely see whales or dolphins?

Sightings are not guaranteed as animals are wild; it depends on weather and luck.

Are infants or young children allowed on this tour?

Yes, infants can join; strollers are allowed and children must sit on an adult’s lap.

Does this Tenerife whale watching tour include hotel pickup?

No hotel pickup is mentioned; guests should make their own way to the departure point.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, it is suitable for all physical fitness levels according to the operator.

What’s included

Your day includes two hours aboard a small Italian-style yacht with expert marine guides sharing facts about local cetaceans as you cruise Tenerife’s southern coast. You’ll have access to soft drinks, beer, bottled water and fresh fruit along with use of onboard restrooms — plus masks, gloves and hydroalcoholic gel provided for comfort and hygiene throughout your journey.