Tenerife: Sailboat Tour Whale Watching Food and Snorkeling

Wildlife watching feels better under sail. This three-hour trip from Puerto Colón pairs Tenerife’s dramatic south coast with close looks at pilot whales, dolphins, turtles, and seabirds. I like the small group of up to 10 people and the calm, respectful way the crew approaches marine life. I also like that the price includes drinks, sandwiches or snacks, cake, and snorkeling gear. The main drawback is simple: Atlantic water can turn choppy, and one passenger became very seasick despite excellent care from the crew.

The 12-meter Roulette is a proper sailing boat rather than a large party catamaran. It has three double cabins, two bathrooms, deck mats, and room for 10 passengers plus two crew. Captain Salvador and crew members including Rafa, Ramone, Jenny, Yani, Dani, and Silvio have all been praised for their warm service and clear explanations of Tenerife’s sea life, geography, and culture.

At $70 per person, this is strong value if you want wildlife, sailing, swimming, food, and drinks in one outing. You meet at dock number 5 in Puerto Colón, ten minutes before departure, and arrange your own way there because hotel pickup is not included. The first jetty past the port parking barrier can be easy to miss, so give yourself extra time.

Key things to know before booking

• Pilot whales are the star sighting: The boat regularly finds pods of pilot whales, sometimes with calves close to the hull.
• A genuinely small boat: With no more than 10 passengers, you get a better view and more personal attention than on a large whale-watching vessel.
• Sailing is part of the experience: When the wind cooperates, the crew uses the sails on both the outbound and return legs, cutting the engine noise.
• Swimming and snorkeling are included: The boat stops at a sheltered bay or scenic coastal spot for roughly 30 minutes in the water.
• Food is more than a token snack: Expect baguette sandwiches, crisps, cake, and regular offers of water, soft drinks, beer, wine, or cava.
• Come prepared for movement: The open Atlantic can be rough. If you are prone to seasickness, take that seriously before stepping aboard.

Meeting the Roulette at Puerto Colón

Your morning or afternoon begins at the door of dock number 5 at Puerto Colón. The Roulette is the boat’s name, and the meeting point is the first jetty beyond the port parking barrier. You should arrive ten minutes before sailing time.

This detail matters because Puerto Colón has several piers and boat operators. The meeting point is not described as a hotel lobby or a central ticket office. The practical move is to reach the port early, pass the parking barrier, and look for dock number 5 rather than wandering among the other boats.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. That keeps the listed price down, but you need to plan your own transport to the marina. The tour is offered with a live guide in Spanish, English, or Italian, so check the available language when booking.

The group limit is 10 passengers, with two crew members aboard. The exact number on a particular departure can be lower. One outing had only six people, leaving plenty of room to move around and choose a good viewing spot.

Sailing Tenerife’s South Coast

Once you leave Puerto Colón, the trip becomes less about getting from one point to another and more about slowing down. The south coast of Tenerife gives you volcanic cliffs, beaches, open Atlantic views, and clear sightlines toward La Gomera.

The Roulette is 12 meters long, large enough to feel stable and comfortable but small enough to keep the experience personal. You can sit on deck mats, move toward the bow, or find a place along the sides for wildlife watching. A small sailboat also gives you less separation from the sea. When a dolphin surfaces beside the hull or a pilot whale rises nearby, you are not watching from a distant upper deck.

The crew sometimes sails for long stretches when the wind is strong. That is one of the tour’s nicest features. You may hear the water and the rigging instead of a constant engine rumble. It gives the trip a quieter, more traditional feel.

The tradeoff is that a sailboat responds more directly to the sea. Some outings have calm water, while others are slightly choppy. If you are sensitive to motion, sit where the crew recommends, keep your eyes on the horizon, and consider taking your usual seasickness precautions before departure.

Finding Pilot Whales, Dolphins, and Turtles

The crew specializes in locating cetaceans and has extensive knowledge of the waters around Tenerife. Captain Salvador is often praised for his enthusiasm and his ability to explain what you are seeing without turning the trip into a lecture.

Pilot whales are the most consistent highlight. Pods have included adults and calves, and some have approached close to the boat. Dolphins are also regular stars, sometimes playing near the bow or moving alongside the vessel. Sightings have included bottlenose dolphins, flying fish, red fin tuna, and several seabird species, including Cory’s shearwaters.

Sea turtles are possible too. Some outings have included one or more turtles, while others have focused mainly on whales and dolphins. The same applies to larger whale species. The crew may search for them if one has recently been seen in the area, but you should treat every sighting as a gift from a wild environment, not a scheduled performance.

I especially value the crew’s approach to the animals. They are described as watching without chasing and making sure people on both sides of the boat have a fair chance to see the pod. That restraint matters. You get a better experience when the boat is not racing from one sighting to the next or crowding the animals with other vessels.

The crew also adds useful local context. You may hear about the marine species, the island’s geography, its history, and the wider Canary Islands environment. This makes the wildlife easier to understand. A pilot whale is not just a shape appearing beside the boat. You learn something about the animal and the sea it calls home.

Why the Small Group Changes the Day

A limit of 10 passengers is one of the strongest reasons to choose this tour. On a large vessel, you may need to compete for rail space or squeeze around a crowd when something surfaces. Here, you can shift from the bow to the side deck without losing the whole experience.

The crew can also give more direct attention to individual needs. Drinks are offered throughout the trip, and the crew has helped passengers who felt unwell. Families have found the boat manageable, including one couple traveling with a toddler, though you should still remember that this is a moving boat in open water.

The small size does not mean total privacy. You are sharing the boat with other people, and the crew needs to balance wildlife watching, sailing, food service, and swimming time. Still, the atmosphere tends to be relaxed rather than noisy or crowded.

For children, the wildlife can be thrilling, especially when a pod includes calves. For couples, the boat offers a quieter alternative to a party cruise. For solo visitors, the small group makes it easier to chat with the crew and ask questions.

Swimming and Snorkeling in a Sheltered Bay

After the wildlife search, the boat stops for swimming and snorkeling. The water stop is usually around 30 minutes, though the exact time depends on the day’s conditions and the wider schedule.

The crew provides snorkeling equipment, so you do not need to bring your own mask and fins. Underwater sightings have included fish, and some departures stop near a scenic cliff area or a cave that can be explored from the water.

This part of the trip breaks up the whale watching nicely. Three hours on a boat can feel long if you remain seated and alert the whole time. A swim gives you a chance to cool off, stretch, and see Tenerife from below the surface.

Do not book this as a dedicated snorkeling excursion, though. The main purpose is sailing and marine wildlife watching. Some passengers wished they had more time in the water, because the tour has several elements to fit into three hours. If snorkeling is your top priority, you may want a longer water-based excursion instead.

The sea is warm enough for swimming during many departures, but conditions can vary. The crew decides where to stop and how long to remain there. You should follow their instructions around the boat and in the water.

Sandwiches, Cake, Cava, and Simple Onboard Service

Food is included, and it is practical rather than fancy. You can expect fresh baguette sandwiches, often with ham and tomato or Iberian ham, along with crisps and a slice of cake. Some outings have included carrot cake or gingerbread cake.

Drinks include mineral water, wine, cava, beer, and soft drinks. The crew regularly checks what people would like, which adds to the feeling of being looked after without making the trip formal.

The food is especially welcome after swimming. It is not a full restaurant meal, and you should not expect a broad buffet. But for a three-hour sailing trip, a substantial sandwich, crisps, cake, and free drinks make the $70 price easier to justify.

Dietary needs have been accommodated on some departures. You should still tell the operator in advance rather than assuming a particular alternative will be available.

The boat has two bathrooms, three double cabins, and deck mats for comfort. These facilities do not turn the Roulette into a luxury yacht, but they make a noticeable difference during a half-day outing.

The Crew Makes the Biggest Difference

The boat and wildlife are the reason you book, but the crew determines how the experience feels. Captain Salvador receives repeated praise for his warmth, humor, local knowledge, and clear passion for the ocean. Other crew members, including Rafa, Ramone, Jenny, Yani, Dani, and Silvio, have been described as attentive, friendly, and helpful.

That care shows in small ways. The crew makes sure both sides of the boat get a view when whales or dolphins appear. They keep drinks moving, explain the animals, help people feel safe in the water, and support anyone who becomes seasick.

The crew also handles celebrations. A birthday passenger once received a cake with candles, although lighting them on an open deck proved a little tricky. That is a nice example of the personal service you can expect from a small operation.

The boat’s language options are Spanish, English, and Italian. The explanations cover wildlife as well as Tenerife’s geography and culture, so you get more than a simple animal-spotting trip.

Is $70 Good Value?

At $70 per person, you are paying for several experiences at once: a three-hour sailboat cruise, a wildlife search, a swimming and snorkeling stop, a guide, equipment, food, and drinks.

That compares well with the level of service described on the boat. You are not paying only for transport to the whale-watching area. You are getting a small vessel, two crew members, personal attention, and a meal-like snack service.

The value is strongest if you want variety. In three hours, you may sail, see pilot whales or dolphins, learn about the sea, swim, snorkel, eat, and enjoy a drink. If you only want a long snorkeling session or a luxury yacht charter, the trip may feel too short or too casual.

I would also consider the group size when comparing prices. A cheaper large-boat excursion may offer a lower headline cost but a very different experience. Here, the limit of 10 makes the price feel fair, particularly when the boat is not full.

Who Should Book This Sailing Trip?

I would recommend it to you if you want a gentle mix of wildlife and relaxation rather than a high-speed adventure. It suits couples, families, older children, small groups of friends, and anyone who prefers a quiet boat to a large party vessel.

It is also a good choice if you care about responsible wildlife viewing. The crew’s approach is to observe animals without chasing them, and their enthusiasm for the marine environment adds real value.

You should think twice if you are highly prone to seasickness, dislike open-water movement, or want guaranteed sightings of a particular species. The crew can search with skill, but the animals are wild. You also need to accept that swimming time may be shorter than you hope because the tour must balance sailing and wildlife watching.

Book with enough time to reach dock number 5, and bring swimwear, sun protection, and a light layer for the boat. The crew supplies snorkeling equipment, food, and drinks, so you can keep your packing simple.

Should You Book the Roulette?

Yes, if you want a small, personal Tenerife boat trip with strong odds of seeing pilot whales and dolphins, plus a swim, snacks, and drinks. The crew’s care and marine knowledge are the real strengths, and the $70 price is reasonable for the amount included.

I would choose this over a large cruise if quiet sailing, personal service, and close views matter to you. Just allow for choppy water, accept that wildlife cannot be promised, and remember that hotel transport is not part of the deal. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible.

FAQ

Where does the Tenerife sailboat tour depart?

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

How early should I arrive?

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

How long does the tour last?

The sailboat experience lasts three hours, including wildlife watching, sailing, and the swimming and snorkeling stop.

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 animals might I see?

Possible sightings include pilot whales, dolphins, turtles, seabirds, flying fish, and red fin tuna. Larger whales may also be seen, but sightings depend on natural conditions.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with the opportunity to swim and snorkel during the tour.

What food and drinks are included?

The tour includes snacks, sandwiches, cake or other desserts, mineral water, wine, cava, beer, and soft drinks.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must make your own way to Puerto Colón.

What languages are available?

The live guide service is available in Spanish, English, and Italian.