Tenerife Whale Watching: Eco Boat Tour & Hydrophone Listening

Summary

Whale watching in Tenerife with real-time sounds and close-up views

You’ll set out from Puerto Colón for two hours on an eco-friendly boat tour led by locals who really know these waters. Spotting dolphins, turtles, and resident pilot whales is likely — plus you’ll listen to their underwater sounds using a hydrophone. With friendly guides sharing stories and plenty of space to watch or just breathe in the Atlantic air, it’s an experience that stays with you long after you’re back on land.

What’s the experience like?

Ever wondered what a whale actually sounds like underwater? I hadn’t, honestly, until our guide Elena handed me the headphones about halfway through our boat trip from Puerto Colón. The ocean was calm but not silent — there’s always this salty wind and the distant calls of seabirds. We’d barely left the dock when someone pointed out a turtle bobbing along, and I remember thinking, “Is it always this quick?” Apparently, yes — at least if you’re in the Teno-Rasca conservation area where these creatures just seem to appear out of nowhere.

The Bonadea II crew has been doing this for decades (29 years, Elena said, though she joked she wasn’t even born when they started). She seemed to know every ripple in the water. When we finally spotted a pod of pilot whales — Calderón tropicals, as they call them here — everyone went quiet except for one little kid who kept whispering “mira!” every time a fin broke the surface. The air smelled faintly metallic, mixed with sunscreen and something I couldn’t place. Maybe that’s just what deep sea smells like.

I tried to take photos but mostly ended up just watching. There’s something about seeing dolphins so close to Tenerife’s coast that makes you forget your phone for a second. Elena explained how far we were from shore (about 3 miles) and why we kept our distance — apparently some boats get too close, but these guys are serious about keeping it respectful. Oh, and hearing those whale clicks through the hydrophone? It’s weirdly moving. Like eavesdropping on another world. I still think about that sound sometimes when I hear traffic back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Ecological whale watching in Tenerife

• Depart from dock 4, Puerto Colón
• Sail in Teno-Rasca conservation area
• Search for Calderón tropical whales
• Observe dolphins, turtles, and seabirds
• Spot migratory cetaceans if lucky
• Approach animals for observation and photos
• Crew explains cetacean information onboard

Top questions

How long does the Tenerife whale watching tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 2 hours from Puerto Colón.

Is there a guide on board during the whale watching trip?

Yes, there is an experienced local guide on board throughout the tour.

What animals can I expect to see on this whale watching boat tour?

You may see pilot whales (Calderón tropical), dolphins, turtles, and seabirds; migratory cetaceans are also possible depending on luck.

Does the boat use a hydrophone to listen to whales?

Yes, guests can listen to whales and dolphins underwater using a hydrophone provided by the crew.

Where does the whale watching tour depart from?

The boat departs from dock 4 at Puerto Colón in southern Tenerife.

Is this an ecological or eco-friendly whale watching experience?

Yes, the tour is operated under strict ecological guidelines in a Special Conservation Zone with official Blue Boat certification.

Are infants allowed on this Tenerife boat trip?

Infants are allowed but must sit on an adult's lap during the cruise.

Can travelers with limited mobility join this whale watching tour?

The tour may not be suitable for travelers over 130 kilos or those with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

What’s included

Your two-hour outing includes departure from Puerto Colón pier with an experienced local guide onboard; use of a hydrophone so you can hear whales and dolphins underwater; plus all necessary permits for observing marine life in protected waters before returning to shore.