Tenerife: Sailboat Tour Whale Watching Food and Snorkeling

Tenerife’s Sailboat Tour for Whale Watching, Food, and Snorkeling offers an engaging half-day adventure along the Canary Islands’ south coast. Priced at $70 per person and lasting 3 hours, this tour departs from Puerto Colón, with the Roulette Charters vessel serving as your platform for marine wildlife encounters and leisure. With a highly positive average rating of 4.8 out of 5 based on 644 reviews, this experience is celebrated for its personal touch, knowledgeable guides, and a balance of wildlife observation and relaxation. Its small group size—limited to 10 participants—ensures an intimate, friendly atmosphere while providing plenty of space to enjoy the sun, sea, and wildlife.

The tour is ideal for travelers seeking a combination of wildlife viewing, snorkeling, and delicious onboard snacks. It lacks hotel pickup and drop-off, so guests should plan to meet at Dock Nº5 of Puerto Colón ten minutes before departure. The vessel’s capacity for 10 passengers allows for a less crowded, more personalized experience, often highlighted in reviews for its friendly, attentive guides and the chance to get close to marine animals like pilot whales, dolphins, and turtles.

Key Points

• Small group size of up to 10 participants ensures a personal experience.
• Three-hour cruise along Tenerife’s south coast includes whale and dolphin watching.
• Expert guides with extensive marine knowledge lead the trip, sharing fascinating insights.
• Snorkeling equipment is provided for swimming in warm, inviting waters.
• Food and drinks such as sandwiches, desserts, cava, beer, and soft drinks are included onboard.
• Meeting point is at Puerto Colón dock, with no hotel transfers included.

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Starting Point at Puerto Colón and the Meeting Details

The adventure begins at Puerto Colón, at Dock Nº5, where the Roulette sailboat awaits. Travelers should arrive 10 minutes early, as the boat departs promptly. The first jetty past the port’s parking barrier marks the meeting spot, ensuring easy access. Since the tour doesn’t include hotel transfers, arriving on time is key to making the most of the trip.

The small boat design, with limited to 10 passengers, offers a cozy environment for observing marine life without the noise and crowd of larger vessels. Guests can expect a friendly welcome from the crew, who are praised for their helpfulness and knowledge.

The Boat: Comfortable and Well-Equipped

The 12-meter sailboat features three double cabins, two bathrooms, and deck mats for comfort on sunny days. Its size allows guests to spread out, relax on deck, and enjoy the scenery. The vessel’s design facilitates close animal sightings, often highlighted in reviews for how easily travelers can observe pilot whales, dolphins, and sea turtles up close.

The onboard snorkeling equipment is included, enabling guests to cool off in the warm waters of Tenerife. The deck space is ample for enjoying the sunshine and breathtaking coastal views throughout the cruise.

Wildlife Encounters: Dolphins, Whales, and Turtles

This tour is renowned for its marine wildlife sightings. The crew, with their extensive marine knowledge, actively seeks out cetaceans and seabirds, often getting close enough for memorable sightings. The pilot whales are a frequent highlight, with many reviews describing pods approaching the boat and even interacting with it.

Dolphins are also commonly seen, and in some cases, sea turtles make appearances, enhancing the sense of discovery. The guides’ respectful approach to wildlife ensures these animals are observed without disturbance, aligning with eco-conscious practices praised in reviews.

Snorkeling in Tenerife’s Warm Waters

One of the tour’s highlights is the snorkeling stop in a scenic bay. Guests are provided with snorkeling equipment to explore the clear, warm waters. The snorkeling spot is described as beautiful, with some reviews mentioning the chance to explore a cave nearby.

This activity offers a refreshing break from boat sailing and wildlife watching, giving travelers a chance to swim among colorful fish and enjoy the natural beauty of Tenerife’s coastline.

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Onboard Food and Drinks: Snacks, Desserts, and Refreshing Beverages

The cruise makes a point to pamper passengers with delicious snacks and desserts throughout the trip. Sandwiches, gingerbread cake, and other treats are served, satisfying appetites after snorkeling or wildlife spotting.

Drinks are plentiful, with options including cava, beer, soft drinks, and mineral water, often praised in reviews for their generous supply. The refreshing beverages contribute to a relaxed, convivial atmosphere onboard, making the trip feel like a small celebration of marine life and ocean scenery.

The Guide: Knowledgeable, Friendly, and Enthusiastic

The crew, including Captain Salvador and guides like Rafa, are repeatedly praised for their enthusiasm, knowledge, and friendliness. They share insights into marine ecology, Tenerife’s geography, and local wildlife, enhancing the experience with stories and facts.

Several reviews note that guides are attentive to needs, offering helpful explanations and options for those who want to snorkel, relax on deck, or simply enjoy the scenery. Their respectful approach to wildlife and ability to find animals such as pilot whales and dolphins make the trip particularly rewarding.

The Itinerary and Key Stops

The tour starts at Roulette Charters and follows a route along Tenerife’s dramatic south coast, focusing on wildlife observation in their natural habitat. The main stop is a scenic bay, ideal for snorkeling and swimming, with the boat often anchoring near caves or rocky formations. The return is to the same dock, completing the roughly 3-hour experience.

While exact route details are not provided, the emphasis is on wildlife sightings and relaxing in warm waters, with the crew actively seeking marine animals and providing ample time for swimming and observation.

Timing and Group Size Dynamics

The 3-hour tour typically departs at designated times, with availability shown on the booking platform. The limited group size—no more than 10 participants—ensures a personal, unrushed experience. Guests often mention that this intimacy allows for more meaningful wildlife encounters and personalized attention from the crew.

The small boat pacing offers a comfortable balance of activity and relaxation, avoiding the noise and chaos of larger excursions.

Value for Money and Customer Satisfaction

With an average rating of 4.8 out of 5, this tour receives high marks for value, guides, and overall experience. The included food and drinks, snorkeling gear, and wildlife sightings make the $70 price point appear reasonable, especially considering the small-group atmosphere.

Guests consistently praise the knowledgeable crew, generous hospitality, and opportunity to see whales and dolphins up close, often describing it as a highlight of their Tenerife trip.

Who Should Book This Tour?

This sailboat experience is perfect for those who appreciate marine wildlife, enjoy snorkeling, and seek a relaxed, small-group environment. It suits travelers looking for a personalized adventure with expert guides, especially those interested in eco-conscious wildlife watching.

It’s also suitable for families, couples, and solo travelers who want a comfortable, friendly atmosphere in a setting that combines nature, sailing, and good food.

Limitations and Considerations

While reviews emphasize the high quality of guides and wildlife sightings, the tour does not include hotel pickup or drop-off, so guests need to meet at Puerto Colón.

Weather conditions can impact the sea state and wildlife visibility, but the crew’s experience helps maximize sightings. Basic physical mobility is recommended for snorkeling and moving comfortably around the boat.

Whale Watching and Snorkeling from Tenerife’s Coast

The Tenerife sailboat tour offers a well-rounded experience combining whale and dolphin watching, snorkeling, and premium onboard hospitality. The small boat, expert guides, and high wildlife encounter success rate make it stand out among ocean excursions.

The three-hour duration provides enough time for a relaxing sail, wildlife observation, and a refreshing swim, without feeling rushed. The inclusion of food and drinks further elevates the experience, making this tour a great choice for those wanting a comfortable, intimate, wildlife-focused outing.

For anyone interested in marine life, sailing, and scenic coastlines, this small-group Tenerife adventure deserves serious consideration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this tour include transportation from my hotel?
No, the tour does not include hotel pickup or drop-off. Guests need to meet at Puerto Colón dock Nº5 about 10 minutes before departure.

What wildlife can I expect to see?
The tour is known for sightings of pilot whales, dolphins, and sea turtles. The crew actively seeks out these animals, and many reviews highlight close encounters.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?
Yes, snorkeling gear is included for exploring the clear waters during the stop at the scenic bay.

How long is the tour and what’s the duration of wildlife watching?
The total duration is 3 hours, with significant time dedicated to wildlife sightings, swimming, and relaxing onboard.

Is this tour suitable for families or people with limited mobility?
While generally suitable, guests should have basic mobility for snorkeling and moving around the boat. The comfortable deck mats and friendly guides help ensure an enjoyable experience for most.

This Tenerife sailboat tour combines marine wildlife, scenic sailing, and onboard hospitality into an experience praised for its personal touch and value. Its small group size and expert guides make it an appealing choice for those seeking an authentic, relaxed ocean adventure.

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