Tenerife Whale Watching Tour: Biologist Guide & Hydrophone Boat

Summary

Listen to whales in Tenerife with a real biologist on board

You’ll join a small group on a Tenerife whale watching tour led by a real biologist, listening to whales with a hydrophone as you drift quietly near pilot whales and maybe sea turtles too. Expect honest conservation talk, gentle ocean moments, and real stories from locals who care deeply about this coast.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest, I booked this whale watching tour in Tenerife mostly because my partner’s obsessed with orcas (spoiler: we didn’t see orcas, but it didn’t matter). There was this weird mix of excitement and that little-kid feeling you get before a field trip. The boat — Papacho 2 — was smaller than I pictured, just ten of us plus our guide, Marta. She had this way of talking about the ocean like it was her neighbor. I liked that.

We left the harbor and the air smelled salty and sharp, not like the beach but deeper somehow. Marta pointed out these pilot whales almost right away — they looked so calm, just sliding through the water. She explained how they live here year-round (I didn’t know that), and why the boat’s engine went totally silent when we got close. For a minute it felt like everyone forgot to breathe. Then she dropped this hydrophone into the water and suddenly there were these clicking sounds, like someone tapping glass underwater. That was wild — hearing them before seeing them.

I tried to ask about one of the seabirds in Spanish; Marta smiled and answered in English anyway (she probably saved me from embarrassing myself more). We saw a sea turtle too, just floating along without any rush at all. At one point someone asked about plastic in the water and Marta got really serious — she talked about their work with Wildlife Recovery Center and how they even collect trash during tours if they spot any. Made me think about all the stuff we leave behind without noticing.

The sun hit different out there — not hot exactly, but bright enough to make everyone squint. I still think about that moment when everything went quiet except for those whale sounds coming through the speaker. It wasn’t what I expected from a “tour,” honestly; it felt more like being let in on a secret most people never hear.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Whale watching and marine life tour

• Gather at meeting point
• Board boat "Papacho 2"
• Listen to biologist's introduction
• Approach cetaceans, turtles, seabirds
• Switch off engines for silence
• Use hydrophone to hear animal sounds

Top questions

How many people are on the Tenerife whale watching boat?

The boat Papacho 2 takes up to ten passengers per tour.

Is there a guide on board for the whale watching tour?

Yes, an expert biologist guides each tour and explains local wildlife.

Can infants or small children join the whale watching tour?

Infants and small children can join; prams or strollers are allowed onboard.

Is there hotel pickup included for this Tenerife whale tour?

No hotel pickup is mentioned; guests meet at the harbor meeting point.

Do you use a hydrophone to listen to whales on this tour?

Yes, during sightings they switch off engines and use a hydrophone to listen underwater.

Are service animals allowed on this boat trip?

Service animals are allowed on board for this activity.

What kind of whales can you see near Tenerife?

Pilot whales are commonly seen year-round during this tour.

Is lunch or food included in the whale watching experience?

No lunch or food is included; only all fees and taxes are covered.

What’s included

Your day includes all fees and taxes for your Tenerife whale watching experience aboard Papacho 2, guided throughout by an expert biologist who shares conservation insights while you listen to cetaceans with a hydrophone — plus plenty of time drifting quietly among whales, sea turtles, and seabirds before heading back ashore together.