Puerto Colon : Whale & Dolphins Sailing Excursion

The best part of this Tenerife boat trip is the mix of wildlife watching and quiet sea time. You sail through the Teno-Rasca Special Conservation Zone, listen to whale and dolphin calls with a hydrophone, then anchor at Diego Hernández Beach for swimming, snorkeling, lunch, and drinks.

I like the small group, limited to 10 people, and I like the care taken around the animals. Captain Daniel, also called Dani, is praised for his warm hosting and clear explanations. The main drawback is simple: whales and dolphins are wild, so sightings cannot be promised, and the sea may be rough for anyone prone to seasickness.

Key points at a glance

• Pilot whales are the main wildlife draw: Tenerife has Europe’s largest population of pilot whales.
• A hydrophone adds another layer: You may hear whale and dolphin calls below the boat.
• Diego Hernández Beach is boat-access only: Swim or snorkel at the secluded beach, also called Hippie Beach.
• The six-hour trip reaches Los Gigantes: It gives you more time in the water and more chances to see dolphins.
• Lunch is part of the outing: Expect Canarian food, drinks, fruit, and, according to the onboard service described, pastries and small savory bites.
• The group stays small: With no more than 10 participants, the boat feels more personal than a large sightseeing cruise.

Sailing from Puerto Colón into Tenerife’s whale country

You begin at Puerto Colón and board a sailboat for the coast of Tenerife. The precise meeting point can vary with the option you book, so check your confirmation carefully. One booking message reportedly listed the wrong pontoon, costing time at the start, which is a useful reason to allow extra time and confirm the departure details before leaving your hotel.

The boat heads toward the Teno-Rasca Special Conservation Zone, an important part of the trip. This is not a quick ride straight to a beach. The early sailing is devoted to watching the sea and reading the water for signs of marine life.

The area is known for a large population of pilot whales, making them the species you have the best chance of seeing. You may also spot dolphins, loggerhead turtles, and fin whales. The captain’s role matters here. A good wildlife skipper does more than point at a fin. He helps you understand what you are seeing and keeps the boat at a respectful distance.

That last point is especially important. The instructions specifically prohibit touching animals, and the crew is described as careful not to disturb them. You should treat this as a wildlife outing, not an encounter where the animals perform on command. The reward is seeing them behave freely in their own habitat.

Pilot whales, dolphins, turtles, and the value of patience

Pilot whales are not the giant, dramatic whales many people picture first. They are social, powerful animals, and seeing them travel through Tenerife’s waters can be a memorable part of the day. Dolphins may be more active around the boat, splashing and moving quickly across the surface.

You might also see loggerhead turtles or fin whales. These sightings are less predictable, which makes the captain’s local experience useful. Keep your attention on the water rather than expecting the crew to provide constant entertainment. Wildlife watching has quiet stretches, and those pauses are part of the bargain.

I like that the excursion includes a hydrophone. This lets you listen to whale and dolphin calls underwater, adding something that a standard boat trip cannot provide. You are not only watching the surface. You are getting a small sense of the hidden activity beneath the boat.

The boat’s sailing format should appeal to you if you prefer a calmer, more personal outing to a large motorized cruise. Still, a sailboat moves with the sea, and conditions can affect comfort. If you are prone to seasickness, the operator advises eating a solid breakfast, limiting liquids before the trip, and avoiding a mix of drinks and watery foods. The supplied guidance also mentions Biodramina before boarding, with separate advice for adults and children. Follow medical advice that applies to you, and check the medicine instructions before taking anything.

Choosing three hours or six hours

The shorter option lasts about three hours. It gives you time for the main wildlife search and the beach stop, but the day moves at a faster pace. This choice may suit you if you want a half-day on the water and still have other plans around Tenerife.

The six-hour option gives the boat more time to reach Los Gigantes. It also allows a longer swim or snorkeling stop and more time to look for dolphins. I would choose this version if wildlife is the main reason you are booking, or if you want the boat trip itself to be the day’s main activity.

Los Gigantes is a useful reason to compare the two options closely. The longer trip is not simply the same tour with extra idle time. It adds more sailing range and more time in the water. The tradeoff is that six hours on a boat can feel long if you are uncomfortable at sea or prefer a packed schedule of land sights.

The longer option also makes sense for a birthday or special occasion. Captain Daniel has been singled out for helping everyone feel safe and welcome during a birthday outing. That kind of attentive service can matter more on a long trip, when the crew has time to settle into a relaxed rhythm with the group.

Diego Hernández Beach, also called Hippie Beach

After the wildlife search, the sailboat heads to Diego Hernández Beach. The beach is also called Hippie Beach and can only be reached on foot or by boat. That limited access gives the stop a quieter feel than a beach beside a major resort.

The boat drops anchor, and you can swim or snorkel in the clear blue water. This is not a formal snorkeling lesson, and no special underwater program is listed. Think of it as free time in the sea, with the chance to cool off after sitting in the sun and watching for wildlife.

Bring your own swimsuit, towel, sunglasses, sun hat, and sunscreen. The packing list mentions both a sun hat and a hat, so the practical message is clear: protect yourself from the strong Canarian sun. You should also expect wet gear and sea spray, even if the weather looks calm at the harbor.

The beach stop is one of the strongest reasons to choose this outing over a wildlife-only cruise. You get a change of pace. The first part asks you to stay alert and watch the surface. At Diego Hernández Beach, you can relax, swim, and enjoy the setting without needing to scan for fins every few minutes.

There is a small limitation. Time at the beach depends on the option and the day’s sailing conditions, particularly on the shorter trip. If swimming is your top priority, the six-hour version gives you a better chance of having enough time in the water.

Canarian lunch, fruit, drinks, and onboard hospitality

While you swim or snorkel, the crew prepares lunch. The meal includes Canarian cuisine, drinks, and fruit. The precise dishes are not listed, so you should not book expecting one particular specialty, but you can expect food typical of the Canary Islands rather than a generic snack box.

The food is part of the value here. A boat trip can feel expensive if it only provides transport and wildlife spotting. This excursion includes a proper pause with lunch, which helps turn it into a half-day or full-day experience rather than a simple cruise.

The service is another strong point. Captain Daniel, known as Dani, has been praised for going out of his way to make people feel comfortable and for explaining whales, dolphins, turtles, and the area. One account also describes generous servings of cold cuts, assorted snacks, and pastries. Those extras may vary, but they suggest a host-led experience rather than a bare-bones charter.

I would keep your expectations sensible. This is lunch served on a small sailboat, not a restaurant meal with a full menu. The appeal is eating local food in a memorable setting, with the sea around you and the beach nearby.

Drinks are included, but the seasickness advice is worth remembering. Do not overdo liquids before boarding, especially if you know boat travel can unsettle your stomach. A solid breakfast and sensible preparation are more useful than arriving hungry and thirsty.

Why the 10-person limit changes the day

The maximum group size is 10 participants. That number gives the excursion a different feel from a large whale-watching vessel, where you may need to compete for a view or wait to ask a question.

On a small boat, you can ask the captain about animal behavior, the conservation zone, or the species you see. The live guide service is offered in English and Spanish. Captain Daniel’s interest in marine life is a real part of the experience, since the trip depends on conversation as much as scenery.

A small group also helps during the beach stop. Ten people is still enough for a social outing, but it is not a crowd spread across a large deck. If you want the boat entirely to yourself, a private option is available for up to 10 people. That can suit families, friends, and birthday groups who want control over the company onboard.

The small-group format does not remove every practical concern. Seating, shade, and movement around the boat are not specified, so you should be ready for a compact setting. Pack light and bring only what you need for sun, swimming, and the sea air.

What the $88 price includes

At about $88 per person, the price is reasonable if you use the full package. You are paying for the cruise, a live guide, wildlife interpretation, hydrophone listening, beach access by boat, swimming or snorkeling time, lunch, drinks, and fruit.

The value improves on the six-hour option if you want a full outing rather than a short wildlife check. More time gives you a longer chance to reach Los Gigantes, search for dolphins, and enjoy the beach. The shorter option may be better value for you if you mainly want to see pilot whales and have a limited schedule.

The cost also reflects the small group. A 10-person limit generally offers more personal attention than a large shared boat, and the captain has more time to answer questions. For a special celebration, the included food and personal hosting may make the price feel easier to justify.

Still, I would not choose this trip solely because of the chance to see a specific animal. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. Choose it because you want a day on the water that combines marine life, a secluded beach, and local food. The whales and dolphins are the bonus that can make the day exceptional.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and reserve-now, pay-later booking give you some planning flexibility. Starting times depend on availability, and the meeting point can vary by option, so check those details before you finalize your day.

Who will enjoy this Tenerife sailing trip most

I would recommend it to you if you enjoy wildlife, small-group outings, and time in the water. Families may like the combination of animals, swimming, lunch, and questions for the captain, though anyone prone to seasickness should prepare carefully.

It also suits couples and friends looking for a quieter celebration. The birthday outing with Captain Daniel shows how the trip can work for a special occasion without turning into a formal party cruise.

Choose the six-hour version if you want Los Gigantes, a longer swim, and more time searching for dolphins. Choose three hours if you want the core experience without committing most of your day to the sea.

This may not suit you if you need a guaranteed whale sighting, dislike boats, or want a highly structured sightseeing schedule. The day has a natural rhythm: sail, search, listen, anchor, swim, eat, and return. That is its charm, but it requires patience.

What to pack and how to prepare

Bring:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunglasses and a sun hat
• Sunscreen
• Light clothing suitable for strong sun
• Any personal seasickness medicine you normally use

Do not touch the animals. Keep your attention on the captain’s instructions and allow the crew to manage the boat around marine life.

I would also check the weather and meeting instructions on the day of departure. The wrong pontoon information caused one reported delay, so confirming the exact place at Puerto Colón is a small step that can prevent a rushed start.

Should you book Big Smile Luxury Charters Tenerife?

Book this excursion if you want more than a quick whale-watching ride. The combination of pilot whales, dolphins, hydrophone sounds, Diego Hernández Beach, swimming, Canarian lunch, and a 10-person group gives you a well-rounded day at sea.

I would choose the six-hour option for the best overall experience, especially if Los Gigantes and extra time for dolphins matter to you. Pick three hours if you want a shorter outing or are unsure how you will handle the sea.

The strongest reason to book is the captain-led approach. Daniel, or Dani, adds explanations and personal service instead of simply taking you from the harbor to a viewpoint. Just remember that nature sets the schedule. Go for the setting, the chance to see wildlife, and the relaxed beach stop, not for a guaranteed checklist of animals.

With a 4.9 rating from 46 bookings, the experience has a strong record. At $88, it offers good value for a small-group sailing day that includes food and drinks, provided you are comfortable with the uncertainty and motion of the open sea.

FAQ

Where does the whale and dolphin excursion begin?

The excursion begins at Puerto Colón in Tenerife. The exact meeting point may vary depending on the option you book, so check your booking details before departure.

How long does the excursion last?

You can choose an option lasting about three hours or an option lasting about six hours. Check availability for the starting times.

What animals might I see?

You may see pilot whales, dolphins, loggerhead turtles, and fin whales. Sightings are not guaranteed because these animals live freely in the sea.

What is the six-hour option best for?

The six-hour option gives you the chance to enjoy Los Gigantes, spend more time swimming, and have additional opportunities to see dolphins.

Can I swim or snorkel during the trip?

Yes. The boat anchors at Diego Hernández Beach, also called Hippie Beach, where you can swim or snorkel in the sea.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Canarian cuisine, drinks, and fruit are included. Additional onboard snacks and pastries may also be provided.

Does the trip use a hydrophone?

Yes. The crew uses hydrophone equipment so you can listen to whale and dolphin calls underwater.

What languages are available?

The live tour guide service is available in English and Spanish.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. You should also prepare for possible seasickness if you are sensitive to boat travel.