Whales and Champagne on one quiet yacht. You’ll cruise out from Playa de las Américas with unlimited drinks and snorkel gear, plus onboard sonar equipment for hearing whales and dolphins. The only real catch: this trip is weather-dependent, so rougher seas can affect plans.

What I like most is how much control you have over the experience. This is a true private tour for up to 11 people, with plenty of deck room and a comfortable interior saloon cabin and kitchenette area.

Once you’re underway, the focus stays on wildlife—especially pilot whales, which are present year-round—along with dolphins and even sea turtles. You’ll usually get time to anchor for a swim, and you can choose a 3-hour or 6-hour cruise depending on how much time you want to spend searching offshore.

Key Highlights Worth Your Attention

• Private yacht for up to 11: your group has the whole boat setup, not a shared cattle-boat vibe.
• Sonar listening for whales and dolphins: the skipper uses onboard gear to help track wildlife.
• Open bar from arrival: Champagne and unlimited wine, beer, sodas, and bottled water.
• Snorkeling gear included: bring a swimsuit and you’re ready for underwater time when conditions allow.
• Anchor-and-swim stop: you’re not just sightseeing from the rail.

Meeting Puerto Colón and Stepping Aboard in Costa Adeje

This tour starts at Puerto Colón, pantalan 2, in Costa Adeje (near Playa de las Américas). You’ll head to the marina jetty where your yacht is waiting, meet your skipper, and get a short safety briefing and trip overview. It’s the kind of setup that helps you feel comfortable fast, especially if you’re new to small-boat sailing.

The boat itself is a sailing yacht around 40 feet (12.19 meters) with space for up to 11 passengers. What matters in practice is how the layout supports your day: you’re not packed shoulder-to-shoulder like you might be on larger charters. You get ample deck space for whale-spotting and photos, plus a luxurious saloon cabin and kitchenette area if you need a break from sun or wind.

If you’re traveling with a mix of ages or energy levels, this is a good thing. You can spend most of the time outside, scanning the water, then cool down inside when you need it. The trip also lists a vegetarian option—worth requesting when you book—so your snacks and light refreshments aren’t a last-minute problem.

The one logistics note that actually affects your day: hotel pickup is not included. If you want pickup, you’ll need to confirm it ahead of time by contacting the operator at least 24 hours before your trip. If you’re already in the Costa Adeje / Playa de las Américas area, you may find the meeting point straightforward to reach with nearby public transport.

Whale and Dolphin Watching on the Open Atlantic (Pilot Whales First)

Once everyone’s aboard, you leave Playa de las Américas behind and head toward waters known for whale and dolphin sightings. The big star here is the pilot whale, which the tour specifically notes as present in the local waters year-round. That matters, because it means you’re not betting everything on a seasonal miracle.

Your skipper keeps the search active. The tour includes sonar equipment for listening to whales and dolphins, which is a practical twist on traditional spotting. Even when the water is choppy or visibility isn’t perfect, audio cues can help the team focus your time on the right area.

Along the way, you’re also on the lookout for:

• dolphins
• sea turtles

The best advice is simple: don’t just stare at one patch of ocean. Move your scanning as the skipper directs, and be ready for quick changes. Wildlife sightings can happen fast—especially when the pod surfaces and then moves on.

Open Bar, Snacks, and How the Food Actually Helps

This is one of the most consistently praised parts of the experience: the onboard food-and-drink setup feels generous and easygoing. You’ll start with a glass of Champagne, then you have an open bar with unlimited wine, beer, sodas, and bottled water. Light refreshments and snacks are included too.

A practical detail: because your cruise is private, you’re not working around crowds getting in line for drinks. The “free-flowing” style setup means you can stay outside watching wildlife without constantly ducking inside.

You may also find that what’s served works well for a boat day. One note from previous guests mentioned baguettes and nibbles, which is exactly what you want at sea: quick energy, no heavy meal hangover, and easy eating while you’re scanning for spouts.

And yes, this matters for value. At a price like this, you want more than “a soft drink and hope.” Here, the included drinks are a big portion of what you’re paying for, and the snacks are there to keep you comfortable during the time offshore.

The Anchor-and-Swim Moment and Snorkeling Gear Onboard

During the cruise, your skipper will drop anchor so you can swim. This is usually the best payoff if you want more than just wildlife viewing from above. You’re given time in the water to cool off, stretch your legs (by swimming, not walking), and get a different perspective on what’s below.

The tour also includes snorkeling equipment. That’s huge because it turns a swim into an actual activity. If you see movement near the surface, you’ll already have what you need to explore underwater for marine life. The tour specifically suggests you might spot things like sea turtles and other marine animals close up.

A few tips that keep this fun:

• Bring swimwear and a towel you don’t mind getting wet.
• Use sunscreen, then top up if you’re out in strong sun for the entire cruise.
• If you get even mild seasickness, plan for it before you’re out there. Small boats can move, and you want your day to feel pleasant, not miserable.

Stop-by-Stop Flow: What Happens Before You Cruise

Before you head offshore, you’ll be at Tenerife Sailing Charters for boarding and orientation. The process is built around two basics: a briefing and a safety briefing. It’s short, but it helps you know what to expect—where to stand for views, how to handle the snorkeling gear, and what the captain wants you to do during wildlife spotting time.

From there, the day becomes one continuous cruise experience. There aren’t multiple dock changes or complicated transfers. That’s part of why this works so well if you want a “do one thing, do it well” outing: you spend most of the time on the water, and when you’re done, you return to the original jetty.

Picking 3 Hours or 6 Hours (And Why Timing Changes the Feel)

The tour offers a choice of 3-hour or 6-hour cruises, and it runs in either the morning or afternoon. Your choice should match what you want from the day.

• If you choose the shorter option, you get a more focused hit of whale watching plus one swim/snorkel window. This is a good fit if you’ve already planned other activities on Tenerife or you don’t want a long stretch on the water.
• If you choose the 6-hour option, you buy more time for wildlife. Even when the area is active, sightings can be scattered, and time offshore increases your odds of a second look, more surface action, or a more relaxed pace.

In practice, the “feel” also changes with time of day. Morning can feel crisp and energetic; afternoon can be more social and slow-paced. What doesn’t change is the core structure: spotting, listening with sonar gear, then anchoring for a swim when conditions allow.

One more note: the tour summary you’ll see may list an approximate 3 hours, but the operator also offers the longer 6-hour choice. When you book, confirm which duration you’re selecting so you’re not surprised on the day.

Price and Value: What You’re Really Paying For

The price is $716.45 per group, up to 11 people. That means your per-person cost depends on how many seats you fill.

If your group maxes out at 11, you’re looking at roughly $65 per person. If you’re a smaller group, the per-person number rises—but you still aren’t paying for a shared public boat, and you’re not giving up the inclusion of:

• unlimited drinks
• light snacks
• Champagne on arrival
• snorkeling equipment
• sonar listening gear
• a fully private yacht experience

So the value argument is pretty straightforward: this isn’t a cheap whale-watching ticket, but it’s a “pay once, get the whole boat experience” kind of outing. If you’re someone who hates cramped tours and waits, or you want a clean, premium feel without jumping into luxury-superyacht pricing, this is the middle ground that tends to make people happy.

One practical consideration: souvenir photos are not included. If you know you want keepsakes, plan to purchase separately (or bring your own camera and ask what settings work best on a moving deck).

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Should Consider Alternatives)

This is ideal for you if:

• you want private time on the water with your group
• whale and dolphin watching is the priority
• you’d like a swim and snorkeling option, not just a sightseeing ride
• you care about included drinks and comfort on a smaller yacht

It’s also a smart choice for families and mixed groups because the boat carries up to 11 and gives space to breathe, plus the captain leads the flow while you stay focused on wildlife.

It might be less ideal if:

• you strongly dislike boats at all, even short ones
• you’re counting on perfect calm water every day
• you need a long list of accessibility supports not mentioned in the tour details

Good news: the listing notes most travelers can participate, service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation—so it’s not a “remote-only” situation.

Tips to Maximize Your Whale-Watching Odds

You can’t force whales to show up, but you can improve your odds and your comfort.

1) Dress for wind and spray. Even when it’s warm, sea air changes how you feel.

2) Bring swim-ready layers. You’ll likely want to go from sightseeing mode to swim/snorkel mode smoothly.

3) Pay attention to where the skipper points. With sonar listening and active searching, the viewing areas can shift.

4) Plan your day around being present. This is not the kind of experience where you can multitask on your phone the whole time. Wildlife time is fleeting.

If the weather doesn’t cooperate, the operator can cancel and offer a different date or a full refund. That’s not a fun outcome, but it’s also a safety-first reality for ocean trips.

Should You Book This Private Yacht Tour for Whale Watching in Tenerife?

I’d book it if you want a small-group, high-comfort way to chase whales and dolphins from Tenerife, with snorkeling gear and an onboard open bar that actually feels worth the price. The best reasons to choose this one are the private boat setup (you’re not fighting for space), the sonar listening element, and the fact that you’re also getting a swim stop rather than just watching from the deck.

Skip it only if you’re on the fence about weather risk or you’d be happier with a lower-cost group tour. If you’re flexible and you’re excited about being on the Atlantic with real time to look and listen, this is a strong match.

FAQ

How long is the private yacht tour?

The experience runs for about 3 hours, and there’s also an option for a 6-hour cruise. It’s offered in the morning or afternoon.

How many people can be on the yacht?

The yacht supports a maximum of 11 people per booking, and it’s a private tour for your group only.

Where do we meet for the tour?

You meet at Puerto Colón, pantalan 2, 38660 Costa Adeje, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. The tour includes snorkeling equipment, and you’ll have a chance to swim after the skipper anchors during the cruise.

Does the tour include whale and dolphin tracking tools?

Yes. The tour includes sonar equipment to listen for whales and dolphins.

Are drinks and food included?

Yes. You get a glass of Champagne, unlimited wine, beer, sodas, and bottled water, plus light refreshments and snacks. Vegetarian options are available if you request them at booking.