Tenerife Whale watching on private charter

Tenerife’s southwest coast gives you two good reasons to leave the beach: resident pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins, plus a private catamaran that lets you enjoy the outing at your own pace. The Abrazo takes up to 12 people from Puerto Colón, with time for wildlife watching, a quiet swimming stop, and coastal views.

I like the private setting, since your group does not share the boat with strangers. I also like the practical comforts: food, beer, wine, and soft drinks are included, while the broad deck and nets give you several places to sit or stretch out. The crew, including Victor and Conrado, are praised for careful service and attention to detail.

The main consideration is the price: $1,055.39 per group is sensible for a full group of 12, but much less attractive for only two or three people. Your trip also depends on the weather, and snorkeling gear is not provided.

Key points to know before booking

• Private catamaran for up to 12 people: You get the boat and crew for your own family or group, rather than joining a crowded shared cruise.
• Whale and dolphin watching near Puerto Colón: The southwest coast is home to resident pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins.
• Flexible sailing time from 3 to 8 hours: A shorter trip suits a half-day outing, while longer options allow more coastal cruising and possible visits to Masca Bay or Los Gigantes Cliffs.
• Swimming in a quiet cove: The boat anchors in clear water, with room to swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or relax on cushions and nets.
• Food and drinks included: Catering is served on board, with unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks.
• Bring your own snorkeling equipment: Masks and fins are not included, so pack your own gear if you want to explore beneath the boat.

Setting sail from Puerto Colón

The experience begins at Club Náutico Puerto Colón, at Av. de Colón 11 in Playa de las Américas. This is a useful starting point if you are staying in the resort area, and the meeting point is near public transportation. Private transportation to the marina is not included, so you need to make your own way there.

The appeal starts before the boat leaves. A private charter means you can spend the trip with your own family or friends, without having to fit into the mood or schedule of a large public excursion. That matters on a boat, where a quiet morning can quickly become less quiet when every seat is taken.

Abrazo is a catamaran with spacious decks, cushions, and nets at the front. You can sit upright for wildlife watching, stretch out in the sun, or settle into the netting as the boat moves along. The layout gives your group a choice of places rather than one fixed row of seats.

The charter is available from about three to eight hours. The shorter option is likely the better match if whale watching and a swim are your main goals. If you want more time along the coast, including Masca Bay or the Los Gigantes Cliffs, ask about a longer sailing when checking availability.

Watching pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins

The southwest coast of Tenerife is described as a good area for seeing two resident populations: pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins. These animals live in the area, so this is not simply a boat ride with a vague hope of spotting something far out at sea.

Of course, wildlife is wildlife. The tour does not guarantee a sighting, and the boat cannot control where animals appear or how long they remain nearby. Still, the location gives the outing a stronger purpose than a standard coastal cruise. You are looking for animals in their natural habitat, not watching a staged display.

The boat’s private format is particularly useful here. Your group can focus on the water and listen to the live commentary from the crew without the noise and movement of a large crowd. The available information does not give a fixed whale-watching route or exact viewing time, so ask the provider how the schedule works for your chosen duration.

One especially memorable possibility is a close encounter. The experience has included many dolphins and whales seen near the boat, with the crew praised for attentive service. Treat that as a fortunate outcome rather than a promise, but it shows why this coast is a strong choice for a marine outing.

Keep your expectations sensible. The trip is not a marine biology lesson with a long list of guaranteed species. It is a relaxed sailing charter where wildlife watching is combined with swimming, food, and time on the water.

A calm cove for swimming and snorkeling

After the search for whales and dolphins, the catamaran anchors in a quiet cove with clear water. This changes the pace of the day. Instead of scanning the sea, you can swim, try some snorkeling, lie on the cushions, or stretch out on the deck nets.

The water temperature is listed as about 18 degrees Celsius in winter and up to 26 degrees in summer. That is a useful detail when deciding what to pack. Summer swimming should feel easier for most people, while winter swimmers may prefer to keep the water stop short.

Snorkeling equipment is not included. Bring your own mask and fins if you want to look below the surface. Since the tour description does not promise a particular reef, fish population, or underwater site, think of snorkeling as an optional part of the swimming stop rather than the main event.

The cove also gives non-swimmers a worthwhile alternative. You can stay on board, enjoy the sun, and watch the coastline from the deck. Children can participate, but they must be accompanied by an adult. Most people can take part, though each family should consider its own comfort with boat travel and swimming.

This is one of the strongest parts of the charter for groups with mixed interests. One person can swim, another can sunbathe, and someone else can keep watch for marine life, all without leaving the boat or splitting up the group.

Food, drinks, and the pace of the day

Meals are included according to the itinerary, and the crew serves special catering before the return to the harbor. Unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks are also included. That makes the trip feel more like a private day on the water than a simple whale-watching transfer.

The exact menu is not specified, so do not book this expecting a particular dish. A vegetarian option is available if you request it at the time of booking. If anyone in your group has dietary needs beyond that, it is sensible to ask before paying.

The catering is valuable because it keeps the day self-contained. You do not need to arrange a separate lunch stop or bring a full supply of drinks for the group. It also suits the private format: you can eat together on board rather than returning to the marina between activities.

There is a practical trade-off. Unlimited drinks are useful for adults, but you still need to pace yourself on a moving boat, especially in warm weather. The most enjoyable day is usually one where the wildlife and scenery remain the focus, with food and drinks supporting the outing rather than taking it over.

Longer charters toward Masca Bay and Los Gigantes

The longer sailing options can include Masca Bay, the Los Gigantes Cliffs, and other points along Tenerife’s coast. These places give the charter a broader coastal sightseeing role, but the available details do not set out a guaranteed route for every booking.

That flexibility is part of the value of a private boat. You are not simply following a large group’s fixed schedule. Ask what is possible for your date and chosen length, especially if Masca Bay or Los Gigantes is a priority.

Los Gigantes is known for its dramatic coastal cliffs, and seeing this part of Tenerife from the water offers a different perspective from a road visit. Masca Bay adds another scenic destination to a longer outing. The shorter charter, by contrast, is more likely to work best for the core combination of wildlife, swimming, and food.

I would not pay for eight hours unless your group genuinely wants a full day at sea. A long charter makes sense for a special celebration or a group that enjoys slow sailing and plenty of time at anchor. For a family with young children, or anyone who tires quickly on boats, three hours may be the more comfortable choice.

What the $1,055.39 group price really means

The listed price is $1,055.39 per group of up to 12 people. At full capacity, that works out to about $88 per person before considering the length of the charter. That is a strong value for a private boat with food, drinks, crew service, and a swimming stop.

The calculation changes sharply with a small group. Four people would pay about $264 per person at the same group price, while two people would pay more than $500 each. For that reason, this is best suited to a family gathering, a group of friends, or a special occasion where privacy matters.

You are paying for more than a seat on a whale-watching boat. The price covers the private use of the catamaran, live commentary, all fees and taxes, catering, and unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks. It does not include transportation to Puerto Colón, souvenir photos, or snorkeling gear.

Compare the price with your priorities. If you mainly want the cheapest way to look for dolphins, a shared excursion may cost less. If you want your own space, flexible time, food on board, and a quieter day with people you know, the private charter makes a better case.

Crew service and the feel on board

The crew remains part of the experience throughout the trip. They are available during the sailing and provide live commentary, while also handling the practical parts of the outing. This is important on a private charter because the quality of the day depends heavily on how well the crew balances service, information, and quiet time.

Victor and Conrado are specifically praised for their work, along with the boat’s cleanliness, the route, and the level of attention. I would take that as a useful sign for anyone who values polished service rather than a bare-bones boat ride.

The strongest praise focuses on the crew’s attention to detail and the sense of getting away from Tenerife’s more crowded tourist areas. That does not mean you will have the coast to yourself, but your boat is reserved for your group, which gives the outing a more personal feel.

The boat itself is also part of the appeal. Cushions, spacious decks, and forward nets make it easier to spend several hours outside. You are not limited to one chair, and you can shift between sun, shade, conversation, and wildlife watching as the day moves along.

Timing, weather, and what to bring

The activity requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. For a full refund when you cancel yourself, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted.

The mobile ticket is convenient, but you still need to arrive at the stated Puerto Colón meeting point. Since private transportation is not included, allow enough time to reach the marina by your own arrangements.

Bring your own snorkeling gear, swimwear, sun protection, and anything you need to feel comfortable on the deck. The supplied information does not list towels or personal equipment, so do not assume those items are provided.

The water can be much cooler in winter than in summer. Even if you plan to swim, a dry layer for the return sailing is a sensible choice. Keep cameras and phones secure around the water, and consider leaving valuable items behind if you do not need them.

Who will enjoy this charter most?

This outing is a strong match for:

• Families or friends who can fill much of the 12-person capacity
• Couples seeking a private splurge rather than a shared cruise
• People who want wildlife watching combined with swimming and food
• Groups celebrating a special day
• Visitors who prefer a relaxed boat outing over a tightly packed sightseeing schedule

It may be less suitable if you want a guaranteed whale sighting, a fixed itinerary with exact timings, or a low-cost activity for one or two people. It is also not the right pick if nobody in your group wants to spend time on a boat or if you do not want to arrange your own transport to the marina.

Should you book the Abrazo private charter?

Book it if privacy, personal service, and a flexible day at sea matter more to you than finding the lowest price. The combination of resident pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins, a clear-water swimming stop, included catering, and a private catamaran makes this a well-rounded Tenerife outing.

For the best value, gather a full group or as close to 12 people as possible. Choose the shorter charter for wildlife and swimming, and ask about the longer option if Los Gigantes or Masca Bay is central to your plans.

I would also confirm the preferred route, menu, duration, and availability before booking. If the weather is suitable and your group wants a polished escape from the busiest resort activities, this charter is an easy choice. If your budget is tight or you are traveling alone, look for a shared boat instead.

FAQ

Where does the private charter depart from?

It departs from Club Náutico Puerto Colón, at Av. de Colón 11, 38660 Playa de las Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

Where does the activity finish?

The charter ends back at the meeting point in Puerto Colón.

How long does the sailing last?

Private charters are available for approximately three to eight hours. Availability should be confirmed with the provider.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers one private group of up to 12 people.

Which marine animals might I see?

The southwest coast has resident populations of pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins.

Is food included?

Yes. Meals are included according to the itinerary, and catering is served on board before sailing back to the harbor.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. You need to bring your own snorkeling equipment if you want to snorkel.

Can children join the charter?

Yes. Children can participate, but they must be accompanied by an adult.