Excursion to see the whales – 3 Hours

The best part of this Tenerife outing is the chance to see pilot whales and dolphins in open Atlantic water, not behind glass or in a show pool. You sail from Lina Yacht at Puerto Colón, use underwater viewing to look below the boat, then stop for a swim at El Puertito or Playa de Las Vistas.

I like the small-group feel, with capacity listed as 12 passengers in one place and 18 in another. I also like the practical extras: a sandwich, a beer, water, or soft drink, plus a swim stop built into the three-hour trip. The main thing to check before paying is the group size and exact price, since the information gives both 45 euros and 51 dollars for adults.

Key points at a glance

• Pilot whales are a real possibility: The trip looks for whales and dolphins in their natural Atlantic habitat, with no guarantee of a particular species.
• Glass-bottom viewing adds another angle: You can look beneath the boat while the crew searches the water around you.
• A swim stop breaks up the sailing: The boat anchors at El Puertito or Playa de Las Vistas, conditions permitting.
• The group is designed to stay small: Capacity is described as no more than 12 passengers in one section and 18 in another, so confirm the actual boat size.
• Alessandro and Micky have earned praise for personal service: They handled a weather-related change well and gave an informative, enjoyable outing.
• Your fare covers the basics: Crew, fuel, port taxes, IGIC, a sandwich, and one complimentary beverage are included.

Three hours from Puerto Colón to the open Atlantic

This is a compact whale-watching trip, not an all-day cruise. You meet at Lina Yacht, leave from Puerto Colón, spend about three hours with the boat and guide, and return to the same starting point.

That shorter format works well if you want a marine-life outing without giving up an entire day. You can fit it around other plans in Tenerife, though you should still leave room before and after the trip if you need to reach another part of the island.

The exact departure time depends on availability. That matters because a morning and afternoon outing can feel very different when you are planning meals, beach time, or a transfer. I would check the start time carefully before booking rather than assuming there is only one daily departure.

The boat is guided by a skilled captain and a guide focused on cetaceans. Guidance is available in French, English, Spanish, Dutch, and Italian. The experience is also listed as wheelchair accessible, though the supplied details do not explain boarding arrangements or the exact accessibility of the swim stop. If you use a wheelchair, ask the provider about the boat entrance before you commit.

Whale watching without a guaranteed sighting

The aim is to find whales and dolphins as they move through their natural habitat. The species named for this trip include dolphins, sperm whales, and pilot whales. The wording is important: you may see whales, dolphins, or both, but no wildlife tour can promise a particular animal on a particular departure.

Pilot whales are the especially useful possibility here. They often travel in family groups, and one successful outing had a whole family close to the boat. That kind of encounter is far more memorable than simply ticking a species off a list. It also shows why patience and flexible expectations matter.

Sperm whales are also listed among the possible sightings, though the trip does not promise one. The same goes for dolphins. The crew searches the water and responds to what is present, so the experience is partly about reading the sea rather than following a fixed animal schedule.

I would bring a calm attitude about wildlife. If you need a guaranteed attraction every few minutes, this may feel uncertain. If you enjoy watching the water, waiting for a fin or blow, and sharing a brief encounter with a wild animal, the format makes sense.

Glass-bottom viewing beneath Lina Yacht

The underwater viewing feature gives this trip something beyond a standard boat ride. You can peer below the surface through glass-bottom viewing while the crew scans the water around the vessel.

It is not a substitute for a full aquarium or a dedicated underwater excursion. Still, it gives you another way to notice marine life and adds interest during quieter moments between sightings. Children may especially appreciate having something to watch below the boat, though the activity information does not promise a particular underwater display.

The clearest value comes from combining the viewing area with the open sea. You are not only looking outward for whales and dolphins. You can also pay attention to the water beneath you, then turn toward the horizon when the guide spots movement.

The Atlantic can be hard to read from a low boat, so listen to the guide’s instructions. Keep your eyes moving rather than staring at one patch of water. You will get more from the trip by treating the search itself as part of the outing.

A swim stop at El Puertito or Playa de Las Vistas

The boat anchors at El Puertito or Playa de Las Vistas for a refreshing swim. This is a welcome change after time spent seated and watching the water.

A swim stop also gives the trip a more relaxed rhythm. You begin with the search for marine life, spend time underway, then get a chance to cool off before returning to Puerto Colón. A sandwich and complimentary drink make this pause more useful, especially if you have not eaten recently.

The choice between El Puertito and Playa de Las Vistas is not presented as fixed. The crew may use one or the other, and the activity details do not state that guests can choose. Conditions and the day’s plan may affect the stop.

Bring swimwear and anything you need to feel comfortable around the water. The supplied details confirm the swim stop, but they do not list towels, snorkeling equipment, or changing facilities. I would not assume those items are provided.

If you prefer to stay dry, you can simply remain aboard during the stop. The important point is that swimming is part of the planned experience, not an accidental extra.

The small-group question: 12 or 18 passengers

A small boat can make a major difference on a whale-watching trip. You get a clearer view of the water, hear the guide more easily, and have less competition when an animal appears beside the boat.

The information describes the group as a maximum of 12 passengers in one section and a maximum of 18 in another. It also calls the excursion a private group. Those details do not line up perfectly, so I would confirm the actual capacity and whether your booking is exclusive before arrival.

If the boat holds 12 or fewer, the experience should feel especially personal. A group of 18 is still fairly contained compared with a large excursion vessel, but it gives you less space and may make the best viewing spots more valuable.

One unusual booking story is worth taking seriously. On a departure affected by strong winds, the operator contacted the guests and offered to reschedule. The new sailing had only two people aboard, and Alessandro and Micky provided a very personal trip. That suggests the crew can be flexible when weather disrupts the plan, but it does not guarantee that every departure will be this quiet.

What the crew adds to the outing

A cetacean-focused guide can help you understand what you are seeing instead of simply pointing at a fin. The guide and captain work together: one helps interpret the animals and the other handles the boat and search pattern.

Alessandro and Micky are the crew members specifically associated with the most praised outing. Their professionalism, kindness, and informative approach made a strong impression, especially after the weather change. If they are aboard your departure, you can expect a friendly and engaged style based on that experience.

The listed languages are French, English, Spanish, Dutch, and Italian. That is useful for mixed-language families and couples. At booking, choose the language that best suits you, since understanding safety instructions and wildlife explanations adds a lot to a short trip.

The crew also deals with conditions at sea. Strong winds once led to a schedule change rather than a forced departure. That is a positive sign for safety and comfort. At the same time, weather can still affect your plans, so avoid placing a tight, nonrefundable activity immediately afterward.

What the 45 euro to 51 dollar price covers

The adult price is shown as 45 euros in the detailed fare information, while the headline price is 51 dollars per person. Children aged 2 to 10 are listed at 22 euros. Because the currency and adult figures differ, check the final booking screen for the amount charged to your card.

The value is reasonable if you want several elements in one short outing. Your fare includes the crew, fuel, port taxes, IGIC, a sandwich, and one beverage. It also includes the whale and dolphin search, glass-bottom viewing, and the planned swim stop.

That does not mean the price guarantees wildlife. You are paying for the boat, crew, time at sea, and the chance to encounter animals in the wild. I consider that a fair way to think about whale watching: the quality of the search and the care taken with the animals matter as much as the final sighting.

For families, the child price improves the value, though remember that children from 2 through 10 are the age group specifically listed. The information does not give a separate infant policy or say how the price applies to children older than 10.

A sandwich and drink may sound minor, but they help on a three-hour trip. You do not need to plan a full meal during the outing, and the refreshment is included rather than added at the end.

Who will get the most from this boat trip

I would choose this excursion if you want a short, focused wildlife trip with a swim included. It suits couples, families, and small groups who prefer a boat with limited capacity rather than a large sightseeing cruise.

It is also a good choice if you value personal contact with the crew. The multilingual format and the smaller group can make the guide’s explanations easier to follow. The private-group wording may appeal to people who want a more exclusive outing, but confirm exactly what private means for your booking.

Families should like the mix of activities. Whale and dolphin watching can hold attention when animals appear, while the glass-bottom viewing and swim break add variety during a three-hour outing. The child fare is another practical advantage.

I would be more cautious if your schedule cannot handle a change. Weather has already caused at least one rescheduling, and open-water wildlife trips depend on sea conditions. The provider offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which gives you some useful flexibility.

The trip may be less suitable if you dislike boats, want a guaranteed animal sighting, or expect a full-day cruise with extensive onboard facilities. The supplied details do not mention toilets, towels, snorkeling gear, or a large dining service, so do not assume those are part of the package.

Booking details that affect your decision

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve the place and pay later, which helps if you are still arranging your Tenerife schedule.

The meeting and return point is Lina Yacht at Puerto Colón. The outing is listed as three hours, with starting times available only after you check the chosen date.

The experience is listed as wheelchair accessible, and the available guide languages are French, English, Spanish, Dutch, and Italian. Since boarding details are not supplied, wheelchair users should confirm the practical arrangements directly.

The group information needs clarification. One description says a maximum of 12 passengers, another says 18, and the activity is labeled private. Ask three simple questions before booking:

• How many passengers will be on my boat?
• Is the boat exclusive to my party?
• Which price and currency will be charged?

Those answers will tell you more about the value than the headline fare alone.

Should you book this Tenerife whale excursion?

I would book it if you want a three-hour Atlantic outing with a genuine chance of seeing pilot whales or dolphins, plus a swim and simple refreshments. The best feature is the combination of wildlife searching, underwater viewing, and a small boat setting.

I would not book it without checking the adult price and passenger limit first. The 12 passenger and 18 passenger figures are different, and the 45 euro and 51 dollar prices should be reconciled before payment.

The strongest reason to choose it is the crew’s handling of changing conditions and the personal service associated with Alessandro and Micky. The strongest reason to hesitate is the unavoidable uncertainty of wildlife watching, along with the need to clarify the boat arrangement.

For the right expectations, this is a friendly, efficient way to spend three hours off Tenerife. Pack swimwear, allow flexibility around the departure, and treat the whales and dolphins as a possible gift rather than a promised performance.

FAQ

How long is the whale-watching experience?

The activity lasts three hours, including the boat trip, wildlife search, glass-bottom viewing, and planned swim stop.

Where does the boat depart?

The meeting point and return point are Lina Yacht at Puerto Colón.

What marine animals might I see?

The trip looks for dolphins, sperm whales, and pilot whales. The experience does not guarantee a sighting of any specific species.

Is there a swimming stop?

Yes. The boat anchors at El Puertito or Playa de Las Vistas for a refreshing swim.

Is food included?

Yes. A sandwich is included.

Is a drink included?

Yes. You receive one complimentary beer, water, or soft drink.

How many people can join the trip?

The information gives two capacities: a maximum of 12 passengers and a maximum of 18 passengers. Confirm the actual group size before booking.

Is the experience private?

It is described as a private group, but the supplied capacity details vary. Ask the provider how private groups are arranged for your date.

What languages are available?

Guiding is available in French, English, Spanish, Dutch, and Italian.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The activity also allows you to reserve now and pay later.