Private Yacht Tour With Whale and Dolphin Watching 42 Foot Boat

Pilot whales, dolphins, turtles, and a swim in the Atlantic make this private cruise more than a simple boat ride. From Puerto Colón, you sail along Tenerife’s southwest coast with your own skipper and plenty of room for your group.

I like the private boat setup, which gives you control over the mood and avoids sharing the deck with strangers. I also like the useful inclusions: snorkel gear, sonar, snacks, Champagne, and free-flowing drinks are all covered.

The main drawback is the price, $716.45 per group, which is a serious outlay for three hours if you have only two or three people. It makes much better financial sense for a full group of up to 11.

Key points to know

• Pilot whales live in Tenerife’s waters year-round, so wildlife watching is not limited to a short seasonal window.
• The 42-foot yacht is private for your group, with room for up to 11 people, a saloon cabin, kitchenette, and open deck space.
• Sonar lets you listen for whales and dolphins, adding another layer to the search for wildlife.
• A swim stop is built into the trip, with snorkeling equipment available for anyone who wants to explore below the surface.
• Drinks and food are included, from Champagne and bottled water to beer, wine, soft drinks, and light snacks.
• Skippers including Guy, Juan Angel, and Maxi have been associated with highly praised outings, so ask who will captain your departure when booking.

Setting out from Puerto Colón

You meet at Puerto Colón, pontoons 2, in Costa Adeje. The starting point is near public transportation, and the cruise returns to the same jetty, which keeps the day simple.

Allow about 10 minutes at the marina for boarding, introductions, and a safety briefing. You meet the skipper, settle into the yacht, and hear how the trip will run before the boat moves away from shore.

The first views are of Playa de las Américas from the water. That change of angle matters. The resort looks different from the Atlantic, and the boat gives you a calmer way to see the coast than a busy beach or road ever can.

This is a private activity, so your group does not share the yacht with other bookings. That gives you room to spread out, talk with the skipper, choose a sunny or shaded spot, and decide how much time you want to spend swimming or watching for wildlife.

The yacht is described as a 40-foot, or 12.19-meter, sailing boat, while the experience title refers to a 42-foot boat. Either way, you are getting a substantial private vessel rather than a small open motorboat. It has a saloon cabin, kitchenette, deck space, and other onboard facilities. The maximum capacity is 11 people.

What the 3-hour cruise feels like

The standard experience lasts about three hours, with morning and afternoon departures available. There is also a six-hour option, so check the exact duration and price when booking if you want a longer outing.

The shorter cruise is a sensible choice for families, first-time boat riders, or anyone fitting the trip between other plans in Costa Adeje. It gives you time to reach the whale and dolphin areas, pause for a swim, and enjoy the food and drinks without taking over an entire day.

A longer six-hour cruise should appeal more to people who want a slower pace. Extra time can make the outing feel less rushed, especially if your group wants to combine wildlife watching with a longer swim and a relaxed lunch period. The supplied details do not specify the exact six-hour menu or schedule, so confirm those points before paying.

As the yacht reaches the open Atlantic, the focus shifts to wildlife. Pilot whales are present in local waters throughout the year, and the skipper watches for dolphins and sea turtles as well. Sightings are never a guaranteed performance, but the area is known for marine life, and the crew uses sonar to listen for whales and dolphins.

That sonar equipment is a particularly nice touch. You are not only scanning the water for a fin. You can also hear signs of marine activity below the surface, which gives the search more purpose and helps you understand what the skipper is looking for.

Keep your eyes on the water and listen to the crew’s instructions about where to look. One skipper praised on this trip, Maxi, was especially alert to pointing out the right area at the right time. That sort of attention can make the difference between staring at empty water and catching a brief sighting.

Searching for whales, dolphins, and turtles

Pilot whales are the main regular sighting in the area. Their year-round presence gives this cruise a stronger wildlife basis than a trip that depends entirely on a short migration season.

Dolphins may also appear, and sea turtles are possible. Past outings have included multiple whales, dolphins, two turtles, fish, and even flying fish. Those sightings show the range of life you might encounter, but they should not be treated as a promise for every departure.

The skipper’s role is important here. You are not simply being taken out to sea and left to look around. The captain knows the local waters and uses the boat’s sonar while keeping watch from the deck. Guides connected with this operation include Guy, Juan Angel, and Maxi, and you can ask for the name of your skipper in advance if that matters to your group.

This is best viewed as a wildlife search, not a staged attraction. The reward is the anticipation, the open water, and the chance to see animals in their natural setting. If you need a guaranteed close encounter, no whale-watching trip can honestly provide that.

The boat’s private format helps during this part of the outing. You can ask questions without worrying about a large crowd, and the captain can explain what you are seeing at a comfortable pace. That is useful for children, photographers, and anyone who wants more than a quick glimpse followed by a loud announcement from a tour guide.

The swim and snorkeling stop

At some point during the cruise, the skipper drops anchor so you can swim. This is one of the strongest reasons to choose this experience over a wildlife-only boat trip.

The water gives you a clear change of pace. After watching the horizon for fins and backs, you can get in, cool off, and use the supplied snorkeling equipment to look below the surface. Sea turtles and other marine life may be visible, although sightings are not guaranteed.

The tour includes snorkels and related equipment, so you do not need to bring your own. You may still prefer to pack a swimsuit, towel, sun protection, and any personal swimming gear you like. The details provided do not state whether towels are supplied, so do not count on the boat providing one.

Swimming is optional. If you would rather stay dry, the yacht has deck space and a saloon cabin where you can relax while others use the water. That makes the outing workable for mixed groups, including people who enjoy boats but do not want to swim.

Weather affects this part of the plan. The cruise requires good conditions, and poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund. Even on a departure that goes ahead, sea conditions may affect how long the boat anchors or how comfortable swimming feels.

Food, Champagne, and the open bar

The refreshments are more generous than the basic water-and-crackers arrangement found on many short cruises. You receive a glass of Champagne, unlimited wine, beer, soft drinks, and bottled water, along with assorted light snacks.

One outing included baguettes as well as nibbles, which suggests the food can be more substantial than the phrase light refreshments might imply. Still, the official details do not promise a full meal, so I would not book this as a replacement for lunch unless the operator confirms the menu.

The open bar is a practical benefit for a private group. You do not need to calculate extra drink costs every time someone asks for water, soda, beer, or wine. It also makes the price easier to understand when you have a larger party sharing the boat.

A vegetarian option is available, but you must request it when booking. Do this early rather than hoping the crew can adjust the food at the marina.

Champagne is included as one glass, while beer, wine, soft drinks, and bottled water are listed as unlimited. That distinction matters if you are comparing this cruise with other private charters that advertise an open bar but charge extra for sparkling wine.

Is $716.45 good value for your group?

The listed price is $716.45 per group of up to 11 people. At full capacity, that works out to about $65 per person for three hours, including the private yacht, skipper, drinks, snacks, snorkeling equipment, and sonar.

That is a reasonable per-person figure for a private charter with a full group. You are paying for the boat as a whole, not individual seats, so the value improves sharply as more people join you.

For six people, the cost is about $119 per person. For four people, it is about $179 per person. With only two people, the price becomes roughly $358 each, before considering any personal transport to Puerto Colón.

I would book this for a family group, a birthday, or a group of friends who can fill most of the 11-person capacity. The private format, included drinks, and flexible use of the deck make it more appealing than a standard shared cruise for a larger party.

If your group is small and your main goal is simply to spot whales, compare the cost with a shared boat trip before booking. The private setting is the main premium here. You are not paying only for wildlife watching. You are paying for privacy, space, a skipper focused on your party, and the freedom to set your own pace.

Who will enjoy this yacht most?

This cruise suits people who want several experiences in one outing: coastal views, wildlife watching, a swim, snorkeling, and a relaxed drink service.

Families should find the private setup useful because children can move around more easily than on a tightly packed shared boat. The swim stop also gives younger passengers something active to do after the wildlife search.

It works well for couples and small groups who value privacy, though the economics are weaker unless you are comfortable paying for the whole yacht. It also suits mixed-age groups because swimming is optional and the saloon offers an indoor place to sit.

People with limited mobility should check the boarding arrangements before booking. The available information says most people can participate and that service animals are allowed, but it does not describe step-free access, boarding assistance, or the layout of the swim entry.

This is not the best choice if you dislike open water, want a guaranteed animal encounter, or prefer a highly structured sightseeing schedule. The cruise has a clear purpose, but the exact wildlife route and timing depend on conditions at sea.

Practical details before you reserve

Pickup may be available, but it is not automatic. Hotel pickup is not included in the listed price, and you should contact the operator at least 24 hours before departure if you want to ask about pickup arrangements. Contacting them as soon as you book is the safer approach.

The meeting point is Puerto Colón, pantalan 2, 38660 Costa Adeje, Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The cruise ends back at that same location.

You receive confirmation at booking, and the ticket is mobile, so you can show it on your phone. The experience is offered in English.

Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather forces the operator to cancel, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

The trip is weather-dependent, so keep some flexibility in your Tenerife schedule if possible. A morning or afternoon departure gives you useful choice, but exact sea conditions can still influence the feel of the ride.

Should you book this private whale-watching cruise?

Book it if you can fill much of the 11-person capacity and want a private day on the water rather than a basic animal-spotting trip. The combination of pilot whales, possible dolphins and turtles, a swim stop, sonar, snorkeling gear, snacks, and included drinks gives the three-hour cruise plenty to do.

I would be especially inclined to book for a family celebration or a group of friends. Ask who will captain the boat, confirm the 3-hour or 6-hour option, and request vegetarian food in advance if needed.

Skip it, or compare shared cruises first, if your party is very small and you are mainly chasing the lowest price. The wildlife is never guaranteed, but for a full group seeking privacy and an easygoing Atlantic outing, this is a strong value.

FAQ

Where does the yacht cruise start?

The cruise starts at Puerto Colón, pantalan 2, in Costa Adeje, Tenerife.

Where does the experience finish?

The yacht returns to the original meeting point at Puerto Colón.

How long is the cruise?

You can choose a cruise lasting approximately three or six hours. Morning and afternoon departures are available.

How many people can join the private tour?

A maximum of 11 people can travel on one booking, and only your group participates.

What wildlife might I see?

The skipper searches for pilot whales, dolphins, and sea turtles. Pilot whales are present in the local waters year-round, but sightings are not guaranteed.

Does the boat have sonar equipment?

Yes. Sonar equipment is included so you can listen for whales and dolphins during the cruise.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and the skipper anchors so you can swim and explore the water.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. The package includes bottled water, unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks, one glass of Champagne, and light refreshments. A vegetarian option is available if requested when booking.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Poor weather cancellations can result in another date or a full refund.