Puerto Colon: Whale-Watching Sailing Tour with Meal & a Swim

The best part of this Puerto Colón outing is the chance to see pilot whales close to the boat, along with dolphins, while sailing rather than riding a large sightseeing vessel. A small group of no more than 11 people gives you room to watch the sea without feeling packed in.

I like the gentle mix of wildlife watching and leisure. You also get a meal, drinks, and a swim stop, so the $68 price covers more than a short boat ride. The main drawback is that the tour sails into the open ocean, and sightings are never guaranteed. The captain speaks Spanish, and the boat is not suited to wheelchair users or people with mobility or visual impairments.

Key points to know before booking

• Pilot whale sightings can be remarkably close: One account describes seeing a family of pilot whales near the boat.
• Mola Mola 2 departs from Pantalan 1: Look for the boat by name inside Puerto Colón.
• The trip lasts three hours: You get time for open-sea wildlife watching, a beach stop, food, drinks, and the return sail.
• The group is limited to 11 people: This keeps the outing more personal than a large party boat.
• The meal varies by the tour time: The experience includes lunch or dinner, with paella and cava highlighted, plus sandwiches and drinks at the swimming stop.
• You need to bring your own towel: Pack swimwear, beachwear, sunglasses, and sunscreen as well.

Setting sail from Puerto Colón on Mola Mola 2

Your meeting point is Pantalan 1 in Puerto Colón, where you should look for Mola Mola 2. This detail matters because marinas can have several docks and many boats operating from the same area. Give yourself enough time to find the right pontoon instead of arriving at the last minute.

The tour returns to the same meeting point after three hours. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to Puerto Colón and back. That keeps the arrangement simple, but it also means this is easiest to book when you are already staying near the marina or can reach it without a transfer.

The boat carries a maximum of 11 participants. I see that as a real plus for a wildlife trip. You have a better chance of finding a place to look out over the rail, and the captain can give more direct explanations than on a much larger vessel.

The language listed for the live guide is Spanish. If you do not speak Spanish, the wildlife and sea views still need no translation, but you should keep the language point in mind before booking if detailed commentary is important to you.

The open Atlantic whale search

Once Mola Mola 2 leaves Puerto Colón, the focus shifts to the water around you. The captain searches for whales and dolphins and uses local knowledge of the area to choose promising spots. You will need to keep watch, since marine animals move freely and no sighting can be promised.

A report of a family of pilot whales passing very close to the boat gives you a good sense of the possible reward. Pilot whales are often seen in family groups, and a close encounter can be far more memorable than simply spotting a fin far away. Still, treat that as a fortunate moment, not a guarantee built into the ticket.

The sea is the main attraction during this part of the trip. You may spend stretches of time scanning the surface, listening for the captain’s directions, and waiting for movement in the water. That makes this a better choice for someone who enjoys the search itself, not only a quick photograph of an animal.

The boat sails into the open ocean, an important warning for anyone who gets seasick or dislikes exposed water. The supplied information does not describe sea conditions or promise calm water, so bring a practical attitude. Sunglasses and sunscreen are especially useful, since you will be in open sunlight with little protection from glare.

Why a small sailing group changes the mood

A group capped at 11 people gives this outing a calmer feel than a crowded excursion boat. You can settle into the sailing rhythm, feel the breeze, and move your attention between the horizon and the water without the constant noise of a large crowd.

The boat itself is part of the experience. You are not simply transported to a viewing platform, then returned. You sail through the Atlantic, relax in the sun, and enjoy the motion of the boat between wildlife searches and the swimming stop.

I also like that the captain plays an active role. One detailed account describes the captain as friendly and clear in his explanations. Since the captain is not named in the available information, you should not expect a named guide experience, but you can expect the person at the helm to lead the search and explain what you are seeing in Spanish.

The small size does not remove every possible limitation. If the boat is full, you may still need to share the best viewing positions. And because this is an open-ocean trip, the boat’s movement can be more noticeable than on a short harbor cruise.

Paella, cava, and food during the three hours

Food is included, which helps the $68 fare make more sense. The highlights describe paella with a glass of cava, while the detailed trip description also mentions sandwiches with beer or another drink while the boat is anchored. The meal is listed as lunch or dinner, depending on the starting time.

Because those details are not perfectly identical, I would treat the food service as a meal and drinks rather than assume every departure follows the same menu. The timing may affect whether you receive lunch or dinner, and the stop description specifically mentions sandwiches. If paella is the deciding reason you want to book, confirm the menu for your chosen departure before paying.

The food is valuable in practical terms. You do not need to arrange a separate meal during the three-hour outing, and drinks are included. The combination of food, alcohol options, sailing, wildlife watching, and swimming makes the experience feel like a compact half-day plan rather than a single-purpose whale search.

That said, this is not presented as a food-focused cruise. The meal supports the day on the water, while the whales, dolphins, and swim remain the main reasons to go. If you want a long restaurant-style meal or a detailed culinary presentation, this is not the right format.

The sandy beach swimming stop

On the way back to Puerto Colón, the boat stops near a warm, sandy beach and anchors in a bay. You can get into the cool water for a swim, then return to the boat for food and a drink while the vessel rests in the bay.

This break gives the trip a welcome change of pace. The first section asks you to watch the open sea and wait for wildlife. The beach stop lets you stop scanning the horizon and enjoy the water directly. A swimming pause also makes the trip appealing to people who want a relaxed sailing day rather than a strict wildlife excursion.

You need to bring swimwear, beachwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a towel. A towel is specifically not included, so do not assume one will be available on the boat. The supplied information does not confirm whether snorkeling equipment is provided, so pack only what is requested unless the operator tells you otherwise.

The swimming stop is not described as a long beach visit. The boat anchors near a beach, and the activity then returns to Puerto Colón. Think of it as a refreshing pause from the boat, not a separate beach day with time to explore the shore.

What the $68 price really covers

At $68 per person, the fare is reasonable if you want several activities in one booking. You get a three-hour boat trip, wildlife watching, a swimming stop, food, and drinks. The small group limit adds value because you are paying for a more limited-capacity outing rather than a mass-market cruise.

The price is less attractive if your only goal is to see whales and dolphins for as long as possible. Time is shared between sailing, searching, eating, swimming, and returning to port. That variety suits people who want a social sea outing, but a specialist wildlife trip might appeal more to someone who wants the entire schedule centered on animal observation.

There are also costs and effort outside the ticket. Hotel transport is not included, and you must bring your own towel and personal sun protection. Those are minor additions, but they matter when you compare the total cost of the day.

The included drinks help. The description mentions cava, beer, and another drink, depending on the service. If you appreciate having refreshments already arranged, the ticket offers better value than a bare boat transfer.

Who will enjoy this sailing trip most

I would choose this experience if you want a small-group day on the sea with several easy pleasures in one package. It fits couples, friends, and families who enjoy wildlife, sun, food, and a swim without needing a full-day commitment.

It is also a good match if you like the idea of seeing marine life but do not want a huge excursion boat. The limited group and local captain give the trip a more personal feel, while the beach stop keeps the day from becoming a long period of waiting.

You should think twice if you dislike open water, have serious motion sensitivity, or need a fully accessible boat. The experience is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, or visually impaired people. It also requires you to get into and out of the water if you want to use the swimming stop, though you can ask the operator about the practical arrangements before booking.

The Spanish-only guiding is another factor. If you understand Spanish, you can follow the captain’s explanations more fully. If you do not, the basic activity remains clear, but you may miss parts of the commentary.

Timing, cancellation, and simple packing advice

The activity lasts three hours, but starting times depend on availability. Lunch or dinner is served according to the time you select. Check the available departure before you plan other activities around it, especially if you want to visit Puerto Colón, eat before or after the trip, or reach another part of Tenerife the same day.

Pack light. The essentials are swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and beachwear. I would also wear secure footwear for walking around the marina and boarding, although the supplied information only specifically requires the items above.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option also lets you hold a place without paying at the time of booking, which is useful when your Tenerife schedule is still changing.

Should you book Mola Mola 2?

Book this trip if you want pilot whales, sailing, a swim, and a meal in one three-hour outing. The close family sighting described for pilot whales shows what the day can deliver, and the friendly captain with clear explanations adds to the appeal.

I would not book it if you need guaranteed wildlife sightings, English guiding, hotel transfers, or wheelchair access. I would also confirm the exact food service if paella is essential, since the description includes both paella and sandwiches.

For the right person, $68 is fair value. You get a small boat, open-sea wildlife watching, drinks, food, and a beach swim without giving up an entire day. Go expecting nature on its own schedule, bring your towel, and meet Mola Mola 2 at Pantalan 1.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching sailing tour start?

The tour starts at Pantalan 1 in Puerto Colón. Look for the boat named Mola Mola 2.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point in Puerto Colón.

How long does the sailing tour last?

The tour lasts three hours. Starting times depend on availability.

What animals might I see?

The tour searches for whales and dolphins. Pilot whales may be seen, including family groups, but sightings are not guaranteed.

Is food included?

Yes. Lunch or dinner is included, depending on the tour time. The experience highlights paella and cava, while the swimming stop description also mentions sandwiches and drinks.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Drinks are included. The description mentions cava, beer, and another drink option.

Is swimming part of the tour?

Yes. The boat stops near a sandy beach and anchors in a bay where you can swim.

Should I bring a towel?

Yes. Towels are not included, so bring your own, along with swimwear, beachwear, sunscreen, and sunglasses.

Is the guide available in English?

The live tour guide language listed is Spanish. No English guide is specified.

Is the tour accessible for wheelchair users?

No. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, or visually impaired people.