Tenerife: Sailboat Tour with Food and Snorkeling

The best part of this Tenerife outing is the small sailboat. Roulette carries only 10 passengers and two crew, so you get a calm, personal look at the Costa Adeje coast rather than a crowded boat ride with loud music. The crew searches for pilot whales and dolphins, then gives you time to swim and snorkel in a sheltered bay.

I like the mix of wildlife watching and proper sailing, especially when the wind allows the crew to shut down the engine. I also like the thoughtful food service: baguette sandwiches, crisps, cake, fruit or other snacks, plus cava, wine, beer, soft drinks, and water. The main consideration is the Atlantic itself. Choppy water can make some passengers seasick, so bring the usual precautions if you are prone to motion sickness.

Why this three-hour cruise earns a place on your Tenerife plan

• Pilot whales are the main wildlife prize: The crew regularly searches for pilot whale pods, dolphins, turtles, seabirds, and flying fish.
• A 12-meter boat keeps the group intimate: With up to 10 passengers, it feels more like a shared sailing outing than a standard excursion.
• Swimming time is built into the trip: You usually get about 30 minutes to swim and snorkel in a quieter bay.
• Food and drinks are part of the fare: Expect sandwiches or baguettes, crisps, cake, water, and a choice of alcoholic or soft drinks.
• The crew adds real local detail: Salvador, Rafa, Silvio, Jenny, and Yani are among the crew members praised for friendly service and clear explanations.
• You sail from Puerto Colón: The meeting point is dock door number 5, just past the port parking barrier, 10 minutes before departure.

Setting out from Puerto Colón on Roulette

You meet at dock number 5 of Puerto Colón, at the first jetty beyond the port parking barrier. Look for the boat named Roulette and arrive 10 minutes before departure. Hotel pickup is not included, so you need to make your own way to the marina.

Roulette is a 12-meter sailboat with three double cabins, two bathrooms, deck mats, and room for 10 passengers plus two crew. Those cabins and bathrooms are useful details, but most of your time is spent outside on deck, where the views and wildlife are the point.

The small capacity makes a real difference. Ten people can spread out without the cramped feeling common on larger whale-watching boats. You can sit on deck mats, move from one side to the other when animals appear, and still hear the guide without relying on a loudspeaker.

The boat may not always be full. Some departures have had six passengers, leaving plenty of space. At full capacity, it remains a small-group trip, but do not expect a private charter unless you reserve the whole boat.

Sailing the Costa Adeje coast

Once Roulette leaves Puerto Colón, the boat follows Tenerife’s southern coast. From the water, you see volcanic shoreline, beaches, cliffs, and views toward La Gomera when conditions are clear.

The sailing itself is part of the pleasure. Several outings have managed long stretches under sail on both the outward and return legs, with the engine off while the wind held. That gives the trip a quieter feel and lets you hear the sea instead of spending three hours beside a motor.

The crew also explains the coast and the marine environment as you go. Salvador has been singled out for his stories about the island and its ecosystem, while Rafa and other crew members have helped make the outing informative in both Spanish and English. French and German are also available, so check that your preferred language is offered for your departure.

Do not expect a set sightseeing script with a fixed number of minutes at every point. Wildlife sightings guide the route. The crew may change course or spend more time with a pod if animals are nearby, always balancing good views with respect for the animals.

Watching pilot whales and dolphins in open water

The wildlife search takes up much of the cruise. The waters off southern Tenerife are known for regular sightings of pilot whales and dolphins, and the crew specializes in finding cetaceans in their natural setting.

Pilot whales are the most consistent highlight. You might see a small group, or you might find a larger pod with adults and calves. Some outings have encountered 20 to 30 whales, while others have also seen bottlenose dolphins swimming near the boat.

The experience is less about a staged show and more about waiting, watching, and letting the crew read the water. A good skipper positions the boat so people on both sides have a chance to see the animals. The crew may stay with a group for around 15 minutes, giving you time to watch instead of rushing off after one quick sighting.

Dolphins can be especially exciting when they approach the bow. You might see them play in the boat’s wake, surface beside the hull, or travel with calves. Turtles, seabirds, flying fish, and redfin tuna have also been seen on different outings.

Wildlife can never be guaranteed, and that is worth keeping in mind before you book. You may not see every animal listed in the description. Still, the crew’s local experience improves your chances, and the open-water setting feels far more genuine than an aquarium encounter.

Stopping to swim and snorkel near Puerto Colón

After the wildlife search, Roulette heads to a sheltered bay for swimming and snorkeling. The stop often lasts about 30 minutes, enough time for a refreshing swim without turning the outing into a full beach day.

Snorkeling equipment is included. You can look for fish in the clear water, swim from the boat, and enjoy a change of pace after sitting on deck during the wildlife search. Some outings have included a cave near the swimming area, adding a small bit of exploration to the stop.

This part suits confident swimmers best, since you enter the water from the boat rather than walking in from a beach. The exact conditions depend on the sea and weather. If the water is too rough, the crew may need to adjust the stop for comfort and safety.

Bring a swimsuit and consider a towel, even though towels are not listed among the included items. Keep sunscreen handy, too. The deck offers little escape from the sun, and three hours on open water can feel longer than three hours on land.

Sandwiches, cake, cava, and an easygoing lunch

Food is included, and it is more substantial than a handful of crackers. The usual meal described on board is a ham and tomato baguette or sandwich, with crisps and a slice of cake. Some meals have included Iberian ham and gingerbread-style cake.

Drinks are available throughout the trip. You can choose mineral water, soft drinks, beer, wine, or cava. The crew regularly checks on passengers and offers refills, which is especially welcome after swimming.

This is not a restaurant lunch, and you should not expect a large buffet. It is a simple, practical meal that works well on a three-hour boat ride. The baguette, crisps, and cake give you enough to eat without taking attention away from the sea.

Dietary needs may be accommodated, but you should raise them when booking or before departure. One outing handled special food requests, though the supplied information does not promise a particular menu for every diet.

The crew’s service is part of the appeal. Yani and other attendants have been praised for keeping drinks moving, checking that everyone is comfortable, and helping passengers who feel unwell. That care matters on a small boat, where the crew is close by and can respond quickly.

What the crew adds to the trip

The boat, views, and wildlife would make a pleasant outing, but the crew determines how personal it feels. Salvador is frequently associated with this sailing trip and is known for explaining marine species, local geography, and Tenerife’s waters in an approachable way.

Rafa has also been praised as both skipper and guide, with a friendly manner and good food service. Silvio and Jenny have been noted for answering questions and looking after the group, while Yani has helped create a relaxed atmosphere with attentive service.

Crew assignments can vary, so do not assume a particular person will be aboard. What you can expect is a two-person team: one handling the boat and wildlife search, and another helping with drinks, food, snorkeling, and passenger comfort.

The best guides do more than point at a fin. They explain what you are seeing and why the animals behave as they do. That makes the quiet periods useful, too. Instead of staring at an empty horizon, you get context about the species and the coast.

The honest word on seasickness

The south coast can be calm, but the Atlantic is not always smooth. Some departures have had slightly choppy water, and one passenger became very seasick despite enjoying the boat and the crew’s care.

If you know you are sensitive to motion, take your normal precautions before departure and choose a time when you feel most comfortable. Sit where the crew advises, keep your eyes on the horizon, and avoid drinking alcohol until you know how the sea feels.

The crew has experience helping sick passengers and cleaning up when needed, but no crew can remove the motion of the ocean. This is the main drawback compared with a land-based activity.

The swimming stop may offer a welcome break from the movement, and the return journey can be smoother, but conditions vary. If you have a serious motion-sickness problem, this may not be the right centerpiece for your day.

Is $68 a fair price for three hours?

At $68 per person, the tour offers solid value if you want several activities in one compact outing. The price covers the sailboat, guide, wildlife search, snorkeling equipment, food, and drinks. You are not paying extra for every bottle of water or every snack.

The small group is the strongest value point. A 10-person limit gives you more space and a better chance to hear the guide than a large sightseeing boat. It also makes the crew’s personal service possible.

You should compare it with larger whale-watching cruises only if price is your main concern. A bigger boat may cost less, but it will not offer the same quiet sailing feel or small-group attention. For a couple, family, or small group that values comfort and a calmer pace, the difference is worthwhile.

The tour also works well as a half-day activity because it does not consume your whole morning or afternoon. You can fit it around other Costa Adeje plans, though you should allow time to reach Puerto Colón and find dock number 5.

Who will enjoy this sailing trip most?

I would recommend it to anyone who wants wildlife watching without the crowds of a large vessel. Couples, families, and small groups can all enjoy it, and children old enough to follow boat and water instructions may find the dolphins and whales unforgettable.

It is also a strong choice for people who care about the sea itself. You are not simply transported to a swimming spot. You spend time under sail, hear about local marine life, and watch animals in open water.

The trip may not suit you if you need guaranteed sightings, dislike boats, or want a full meal and a long snorkeling session. The route depends on wildlife and sea conditions, and the food is a simple lunch rather than a formal meal.

For a birthday or special occasion, the crew may help with small touches. One birthday outing included cake with candles, although lighting candles on a moving deck proved difficult. It is a nice possibility, but not a guaranteed feature.

Booking details worth getting right

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. Starting times vary, so check availability rather than assuming a morning departure.

The tour begins and ends at Roulette Charters in Puerto Colón. There is no hotel transfer, and finding the correct dock can take a few minutes, so arrive early and follow the port signs toward dock number 5.

The activity is offered in Spanish, English, French, and German. It is a small group limited to 10 participants, with a live guide throughout the cruise.

Should you book Roulette Charters?

Book it if you want pilot whales, dolphins, sailing, snorkeling, and lunch in one relaxed three-hour outing. The small boat, attentive crew, and chance to sail without engine noise give it a personal feel that larger cruises often lack.

I would skip it only if you are very prone to seasickness or want a guaranteed animal encounter. For most visitors staying around Costa Adeje, $68 is a fair price for the boat space, wildlife search, food, drinks, and swimming stop. Arrive early at dock 5, prepare for sun and motion, and let the sea set the pace.

FAQ

Where does the Tenerife sailboat tour start?

The tour starts at the door of dock number 5 in Puerto Colón. It is the first jetty after the port parking barrier, and the boat is named Roulette.

How early should I arrive?

You should arrive at the meeting point 10 minutes before departure.

How long does the sailboat tour last?

The cruise lasts three hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

How many people can join the tour?

The small group is limited to 10 participants. The boat carries up to 10 passengers and two crew members.

What wildlife might I see?

The crew searches for pilot whales, dolphins, turtles, and seabirds. Flying fish and redfin tuna have also been seen during outings, but wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with time to swim and snorkel in the sea.

What food is served onboard?

Food generally includes sandwiches or baguettes, often with ham and tomato, plus crisps and cake. The exact menu may vary.

What drinks are included?

Mineral water, wine, cava, beer, and soft drinks are included.

Is hotel pickup available?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to reach Puerto Colón independently, and the tour ends back at the same meeting point.