Sealife Dolphin & Whale Watching aboard Portuguese schooner

Tenerife’s south coast is one of the few places where a short boat trip can bring you close to resident pilot whales and dolphins. This outing uses an authentic Portuguese wooden schooner, a far more characterful setting than a plain motor cruiser, and finishes with lunch and a swim in the Atlantic.

I like the upper deck for sunbathing and the open viewing space for photographs. I also like that food and drink are meant to be included, so you do not need to pack a meal. The main caution is that the lunch arrangement has not been consistent for every booking, and one complaint described cocktail sales despite the advertised inclusions.

Key points to know before booking

• Pilot whales and dolphins: The main purpose is watching cetaceans near Los Cristianos, though sightings can never be guaranteed.
• Portuguese schooner: You cruise on a wooden sailing-style boat designed to recall old seafaring vessels and pirate tales.
• Lunch and swimming: After the wildlife search, the boat anchors near the coast for a meal and about 15 minutes of swimming, according to one detailed account.
• Open bar on board: Food and drink are included in the tour description, but extra cocktail offers have been reported.
• Family-friendly format: Most people can participate, and the crew has been praised for helping families, including an incident involving a rescued turtle.
• Small time commitment: The advertised duration is about two hours, while one account described roughly three hours on the water, so allow some flexibility.

Setting sail from Los Cristianos

The meeting point is the fishermen’s wharf at Puerto Los Cristianos, in Arona. The listed start time is 10:00 am, and the boat returns to the same harbor at the end.

Los Cristianos is a useful starting point for a sea outing because the trip begins directly from a working harbor rather than requiring a long transfer from another part of Tenerife. You should still check the precise wharf location carefully before departure. One family nearly missed the boat after online directions sent them to the wrong place, though the crew helped them reach the correct meeting point and waited.

That detail matters. A harbor can have several piers, signs, and access roads, and a traditional boat may not be immediately obvious among modern vessels. I would arrive early enough to ask for the schooner by name or confirm with the operator before setting off.

The boat is described as a Portuguese wooden schooner from the last century. The point is not speed or luxury. You are choosing a vessel with a nautical feel, a central table, an open bar, and an upper deck where you can sit in the sun. The design gives the trip a storybook quality without turning it into a museum visit.

The maximum group size is 60 people. That is not an intimate private charter, but it is still a limited group for a boat of this type. Your experience will depend on where you sit and how many people gather at the railings when animals appear.

The schooner experience on the Atlantic

The boat’s layout shapes the day. A large central table provides a place for the meal, while the open deck gives you a chance to watch the sea without looking through glass or a cabin window. For photographs, that open arrangement is useful because there is less equipment between you and the water.

The upper deck is intended for relaxing and sunbathing. I would treat it as a pleasant option rather than a guarantee of a quiet retreat. When a whale or dolphin appears, people naturally move toward the best viewing positions, and the boat remains a shared space.

The schooner is especially appealing if you care about atmosphere. A standard sightseeing vessel may get you to the same waters, but this boat offers the creak, shape, and look of an old sailing craft. The pirate stories suggested in the description are part of the mood rather than a separate historical program, so book this for the vessel and the wildlife search, not for a formal history lesson.

The English-language service is useful for international visitors. The crew has been praised for explaining the outing clearly and for being friendly with families. No individual guide names are supplied, so you should not expect a named specialist host.

Searching for pilot whales and dolphins

The first main part of the trip is the search for the pilot whale colony and dolphins off the coast. Pilot whales are the central wildlife target, with dolphins adding another possible sighting.

This is a real wildlife excursion, not a guaranteed animal show. The crew can take you to known waters, but the animals decide where they go and how long they remain visible. You may see several animals close to the boat, or you may spend much of the time scanning open water for brief appearances.

That uncertainty is the key thing to understand before booking. One account described successful sightings of both dolphins and whales, with clear explanations from the crew. Another described crossing the same area for much of the outing and finding the pace dull, even though dolphins were seen.

I would set your expectations at a chance to observe wild cetaceans, not a nonstop performance. If your children need constant action, the slow stretches may test their patience. If they are excited by boats, animals, and the possibility of a sudden sighting, the waiting becomes part of the fun.

The unobstructed deck is a real advantage here. You can watch from different angles and try for photographs without a large cabin window in the way. Still, the boat may move or roll, and animals may surface too quickly for a perfect picture. Keep your phone or camera ready, but give yourself time to watch rather than spending the whole outing behind a screen.

The crew’s role is important. Clear explanations can help you understand what you are looking at and where to focus. The strongest comments about this outing praise the crew’s explanations and their willingness to help. A memorable moment involved crew members jumping in to save a turtle, which gives you a sense of their hands-on attitude, though it should not be treated as a promised part of the itinerary.

Anchoring for lunch and a swim

Once the wildlife observation ends, the schooner sails toward the coast and anchors. This changes the rhythm of the outing from searching to relaxing.

The advertised plan includes lunch and a swim in the open Atlantic. One detailed account described a meal of rice, chicken drumsticks, salad, bread, and a drink, with about 15 minutes available for swimming. That provides a useful picture of the meal: simple, filling boat food rather than a long restaurant lunch.

The central table should make serving easier, especially for families. You can sit down, eat, and take a break from watching the water. The food is one of the reasons the price can make sense, since a meal and drink are included in the stated offering.

But you should confirm the lunch arrangement when booking. One booking was described as including lunch yet reportedly had no lunch, and the passengers were offered different cocktails for sale instead. This conflicts with the detailed account of rice, chicken, salad, bread, and a drink. I would not ignore that discrepancy. Ask what meal and drinks are included, and which cocktails cost extra.

The swim is brief, not a full beach stop. If swimming is important to you, see it as a refreshing bonus rather than the main reason to reserve the excursion. You will be in open sea, and the boat’s schedule determines how much time is available. Bring a swimsuit and any personal items you need, but the supplied information does not specify changing facilities or towel service.

The lunch stop also gives children a clear break after the wildlife search. Families can eat together, enjoy the boat, and take a short swim before the return sail. The outing has enough variety to work well for a mixed-age group, although younger children may find the animal search slow if sightings take time.

What the $57.96 price gets you

The listed price is $57.96 per person. At that rate, the outing is competing with ordinary coastal cruises as well as dedicated whale-watching trips, so value depends on what actually matters to you.

You are paying for about two hours of boat time as advertised, access to the schooner, the wildlife search, food and drink, the swim stop, and the return to Los Cristianos. If all those elements are delivered, the package is reasonably appealing, especially for a family that would otherwise pay separately for lunch and a short boat ride.

One account described approximately three hours on the water rather than two. That may reflect the actual sailing schedule or a difference in how time was measured, but you should leave room in your day rather than schedule a tight afternoon commitment immediately afterward.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want guaranteed whale sightings. No boat tour can promise that, and one outing may produce only a few sightings. It is also less attractive if you dislike slow cruising or sales offers for drinks.

I would compare the cost with your own priorities:

• If you want a distinctive boat, wildlife watching, lunch, and a swim in one package, the fare can be fair.
• If you want a fast, action-packed excursion, the slow search may feel expensive.
• If the lunch is missing or the included drinks are unclear, the value drops quickly.
• If you are booking for children, the meal and swimming stop add useful variety.

The overall rating supplied for the experience is 4.1 out of 5 from seven reviews. That suggests a generally positive outing, but the small number of reviews and the uneven comments about lunch mean you should read the inclusions carefully rather than treating the rating as a guarantee.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would recommend this cruise to families, first-time boat riders, and visitors who want wildlife watching without giving up a relaxed meal on board. The crew’s friendly help with children and clear explanations are strong points, and the schooner gives the day more personality than a basic transport boat.

It also suits couples and solo visitors who enjoy a gentle sea outing. The upper deck gives you a place to sit in the sun, while the central table creates a social setting during lunch. The open viewing areas are helpful if photography is part of your plan.

You may want another type of excursion if you need a fast schedule or constant entertainment. The sea can look much the same for long periods, and the boat may spend considerable time in one area while searching. One passenger found the slow pace boring even after seeing dolphins and swimming.

The tour is not described as requiring special fitness, and most people can participate. Still, the provided details do not explain step-free access, seating for mobility devices, or specific assistance arrangements. If you have access needs, contact the operator before paying.

Practical advice for a smoother outing

Check the location twice. The correct meeting point is Puerto Los Cristianos, Muelle de Pescadores, 38650 Arona. Because one family received directions to the wrong location, I would not rely on a map pin alone.

Allow extra time at the harbor. The departure is at 10:00 am, and a little breathing room helps you find the fishermen’s wharf without rushing. The boat returns to the starting point, which makes the end of the day simple.

Bring sun protection and a camera. The upper deck is suitable for sunbathing, and the open deck gives you clear photo opportunities, but the same openness leaves you exposed to the sun. Bring swimwear if you plan to use the Atlantic stop.

Keep your expectations realistic. The best moments may be short: a dorsal fin, a group of dolphins, or a whale surfacing before disappearing again. You will enjoy the trip more if you see the quiet stretches as part of wildlife watching instead of as wasted time.

Ask about inclusions before departure. Food and drink are listed as included, but one account raised a serious concern about lunch not being served and cocktails being promoted for purchase. A quick confirmation can prevent an unpleasant surprise.

The tour is offered in English, and confirmation is sent at booking. It requires suitable weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather or low numbers cause cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book the Portuguese schooner?

Book this outing if you want a traditional boat, a chance to see pilot whales and dolphins, and a simple lunch and swim stop in one half-day-style experience. The crew’s friendliness, good explanations, and help with families add real value, while the upper deck and open viewing areas make the boat pleasant for photographs and sunbathing.

Pause before booking if you need guaranteed sightings, a fast-moving schedule, or a clearly confirmed restaurant-style lunch. The wildlife is unpredictable, and the lunch information deserves clarification because it has not been described consistently.

For most people, this is best viewed as a relaxed sea outing with wildlife at its center, not as a tightly timed show. Confirm the meeting point and food inclusions, arrive early at Los Cristianos, and you will be making the decision with realistic expectations.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Puerto Los Cristianos, Muelle de Pescadores, in the port of Los Cristianos, 38650 Arona, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 10:00 am.

Where does the tour finish?

The boat returns to the same meeting point at Puerto Los Cristianos.

How long does the experience last?

The advertised duration is approximately two hours. One account described about three hours on the water, so allow some flexibility in your schedule.

What animals will I look for?

The tour searches for pilot whales and dolphins near Tenerife’s south coast.

Is lunch included?

Food and drink are included in the tour description. One detailed account described rice, chicken drumsticks, salad, bread, and a drink, but another account reported that lunch was not provided. Confirm the current meal arrangement before departure.

Can I swim during the tour?

Yes. After the wildlife observation, the boat anchors and offers a swim in the Atlantic Ocean. One account described approximately 15 minutes of swimming.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. English is listed as an available language.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund. Poor weather or failure to reach the minimum number of participants may lead to a different date or a full refund.