Tenerife Motor Boat Whale Watching & Snorkeling Experience

The main attraction here is simple and special: you spend time looking for pilot whales and dolphins in open water, not watching trained animals in a show. The trip also includes a 30-minute swim and snorkel stop at Playa del Puertito, where you might spot turtles.

I like the small maximum group of 11 and the choice between shaded seating and sunbeds at the bow. I also like the sensible mix of wildlife watching and swimming, so three hours on the water does not become one long search for fins. The main drawback is space: the boat is compact, and reaching the front sunbeds involves a narrow climb. If you want a roomy vessel with a guaranteed seat for everyone, this may feel tight.

Key points to know before booking

• Wild pilot whales and dolphins: The two-hour main sailing is devoted to spotting marine life in its natural setting.
• Small 10.8-meter motor boat: The group limit is 11 people, which keeps the trip more personal but also means less room than on a large catamaran.
• Swimming at Playa del Puertito: You get about 30 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, snacks, and drinks.
• Possible turtle sightings: Turtles may appear in the bay, adding another reason to keep your eyes open in the water.
• Shaded seats and bow sunbeds: You can choose shade or sun, but the front area requires a narrow climb.
• Three hours for $69: The price is reasonable for a whale-watching trip with a swim stop, especially if you value a small group.

Setting out from Puerto Colón in Costa Adeje

Your trip begins and ends at Av. de Colón, 128, at Puerto Colón in Costa Adeje. This is one of the main tourist harbors in southern Tenerife, so it is easy to make the boat trip part of a larger day by the coast.

Puerto Colón is worth allowing a little extra time for before or after your sailing. You can stroll near the harbor, look into the clear water, shop, or relax on the nearby beach. The meeting point is not an isolated marina reached by a long transfer. It is in an active resort area with things to do around it.

The boat is a 10.8-meter motor boat designed for a maximum of 11 people. That number matters. You are not being placed on a large vessel with dozens of other passengers, and the captain can keep the group together without turning the trip into a crowd-management exercise.

The tradeoff is that this is a small boat. There is a large shaded seating area, along with sunbeds at the front, but the available seats may not suit everyone at once. If you are happy to stretch out in the sun, the bow gives you another option. Reaching it requires a narrow climb, so take care and do not assume the front area is as easy to access as the main seating.

A small boat with two very different seating areas

The shaded section is the practical choice for most of the trip. Tenerife’s southern coast can be bright, and two hours of whale watching can feel long if you are exposed to direct sun. Shade also makes it easier to focus on the water without constantly shielding your eyes.

The front sunbeds offer a different experience. You get more open views and a place to lie down between sightings, but this area is less suitable if you prefer shade or have difficulty with a narrow climb. I would decide early where you are most comfortable and avoid treating the bow as a guaranteed seat.

A small motor boat can also make the water feel more immediate. You are closer to the sea than you would be from a high viewing deck, and the southern Tenerife coastline passes at a more personal scale. At the same time, a compact boat usually means you notice movement more than you would on a larger, steadier vessel. The supplied information does not describe sea conditions, so anyone prone to motion sickness should keep that possibility in mind.

The captain and crew are responsible for making the trip work for everyone aboard. Past feedback especially praised the captain’s attention to the group and the professional organization. That is useful on a small vessel, where a calm, attentive crew affects the whole mood of the outing.

The southern Tenerife coast from the water

After leaving Puerto Colón, you get scenic views of Tenerife’s southern coastline while heading toward the wildlife-watching area and the swimming stop. This part of the trip is not just filler. It gives you a different view of the coast, away from roads, hotels, and beach promenades.

A motor boat also covers water efficiently, leaving about two hours for the main search for pilot whales and dolphins. The schedule gives wildlife watching most of the time, rather than treating it as a quick add-on before returning to port.

Keep your expectations realistic. These are wild animals, so no sighting can be promised. The trip’s value comes from searching in their natural habitat, with the possibility of seeing pilot whales, dolphins, or both. The reports of family groups, a pod of pilot whales, and dolphins suggest that sightings can be memorable, but you should still book with the right attitude: you are going to look for wildlife, not collect a guaranteed photograph.

Pilot whales are the central possibility here. They often travel in groups, so one sighting can turn into a longer look at several animals moving through the water. Dolphins may also appear, and their quicker movement can make the scene more lively. Your view will depend on where the animals surface and where you are seated, so patience helps.

The crew’s role is important during this section. A good captain watches the water, positions the boat sensibly, and keeps the atmosphere calm when everyone is scanning for a fin. The strongest comments about this trip focus on professional service and an attentive captain, which are exactly the qualities I want during wildlife watching.

Two hours devoted to whales and dolphins

The wildlife portion lasts about two hours, making it the heart of the outing. That is a generous amount of time for a three-hour trip. You are not being rushed through a ten-minute viewing stop before heading straight back to port.

The long sailing also gives you time to adjust to the rhythm of the sea. At first, you may search every patch of water. Then you learn to look for changes in the surface, a group of birds, or the sudden movement that signals an animal nearby. The details of how sightings are handled are not specified, so I would not expect a formal lecture or a fixed viewing routine. The key promise is time on the water in a small group.

You may see a pod of pilot whales, a family group, dolphins, or a combination. A turtle has also been spotted during a trip, though turtles are not the main focus and should be treated as a lucky extra. Wildlife viewing works best when you stay alert without expecting constant action.

This section suits people who enjoy observation more than a tightly scripted attraction. Families can participate, and the activity information says anyone can take part, but small children may need close supervision around the boat and during the climb to the bow. The service also permits service animals, which is helpful, though the boat’s compact layout is still worth considering for comfort.

Playa del Puertito brings a welcome change of pace

The swim stop at Playa del Puertito lasts about 30 minutes. After two hours of scanning the sea, this pause gives you a chance to get in the water, snorkel, and enjoy the setting from a different angle.

There is a chance of seeing turtles here. That possibility makes the stop more than a routine swim, but it is not a promise. The main reason to get in is to cool off, enjoy the bay, and use the break to stretch your legs and relax.

You can also have snacks and drinks during this stop. That small detail improves the flow of the trip. You do not need to treat the boat as a formal meal stop, but you have a natural moment to refresh yourself before the return journey.

Snorkeling is included as an activity, but the supplied details do not specify the equipment provided. If you are particular about mask fit or snorkeling gear, check the arrangements before departure. The same applies to food and drinks: they are part of the stop, but no menu or dietary details are given.

The swimming area may appeal most to people who want variety. You get wildlife watching, coastal views, and time in the water instead of three hours spent in one position. If your priority is serious snorkeling with a long time in the water, 30 minutes may feel brief. If you simply want a pleasant swim during a boat trip, it is a useful amount of time.

Is $69 fair for three hours?

At $69, this trip offers a solid package for someone who values a small group. You get roughly three hours aboard, with about two hours reserved for whales and dolphins and another 30 minutes for swimming and snorkeling. That makes the price easier to justify than a short coastal cruise with only a quick wildlife look.

The strongest value comes from the group size. With no more than 11 people, you are paying for a more personal outing rather than a crowded boat. The boat’s size is also the main compromise. You may have a better sense of the sea and easier contact with the crew, but you will not have the open deck space of a large vessel.

I would compare this trip with your priorities, not only the price. Choose it if you want:

• A small group rather than a large sightseeing boat
• A serious amount of time looking for whales and dolphins
• A swimming and snorkeling break
• A compact boat with shaded seating and front sunbeds
• A departure from a central harbor in Costa Adeje

You may prefer another boat trip if you need lots of personal space, want a guaranteed wildlife encounter, or dislike climbing through narrow areas. The $69 price is fair when you see the swimming stop and the two-hour wildlife period as part of the same outing.

Practical details that affect your day

Confirmation is provided when you book, and the ticket is mobile, so you can keep it on your phone. The tour returns to the same Puerto Colón meeting point, which makes planning easier than an activity that ends elsewhere.

The port is near public transportation. That is useful if you are staying in or around Costa Adeje and do not want to arrange a separate transfer. The supplied information does not include hotel pickup, so plan to reach the listed meeting point yourself.

Most people can participate, and the activity states that anyone can take part. Still, think about the practical layout: this is a small motor boat, not a wide-access sightseeing deck. The front sunbeds require a narrow climb, and the limited space may matter if you need extra room or prefer to stay seated in one place.

Weather is important. The trip requires good conditions, and poor weather can lead to a cancellation. In that case, you are offered another date or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. The cut-off follows local Tenerife time, so check the timing carefully if you are arranging the trip near the end of your holiday.

Who will enjoy this Tenerife boat trip most?

I would recommend it to couples, families, and small groups who want a mix of wildlife and swimming without spending the day on a large vessel. The 11-person limit creates a more relaxed scale, and the captain’s attentive approach is especially useful when the boat is carrying people with different comfort levels.

It also suits anyone who wants to see whales and dolphins without treating the outing as a staged show. You have the chance to watch wild animals where they live, and the two-hour search gives that aim proper time.

The trip is less suitable if you need guaranteed sightings or a spacious deck. It may also disappoint you if snorkeling is your main goal, since the water stop lasts about 30 minutes rather than most of the trip.

Should you book the Tenerife Motor Boat Whale Watching and Snorkeling Experience?

Book it if you want a small-group wildlife trip with a real swimming stop and a reasonable three-hour schedule. The best reasons are the 11-person limit, the two-hour search for pilot whales and dolphins, and the chance to see turtles at Playa del Puertito.

Go in prepared for a compact boat, limited seating, and the uncertainty that comes with wild animals and weather. If you are comfortable with those conditions, $69 buys a well-balanced outing from a convenient Costa Adeje harbor. If you need guaranteed sightings, abundant deck space, or extended snorkeling, choose a different type of boat tour.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip start?

It starts at Av. de Colón, 128, 38660 Costa Adeje, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, at Puerto Colón.

Where does the activity end?

The boat returns to the same meeting point at Puerto Colón.

How long does the experience last?

The trip lasts approximately three hours.

How many people can join the boat?

The maximum group size is 11 people.

What animals might I see?

You may see pilot whales and dolphins in their natural habitat. There is also a chance of seeing turtles during the stop at Playa del Puertito.

Is swimming or snorkeling included?

Yes. The boat stops at Playa del Puertito for about 30 minutes for swimming and snorkeling.

Are snacks and drinks available?

You can enjoy snacks and drinks during the stop at Playa del Puertito.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund.