Tenerife: Sailboat Tour Whale Watching Food and Snorkeling

The best part of this Tenerife boat trip is its scale. The 12-meter Roulette carries no more than 10 passengers, so you can move around the deck, sit near the bow, and get a clear view when pilot whales or dolphins appear. I especially like the small-group setting and the chance to sail quietly when the wind is strong enough.

I also like the crew’s clear respect for marine life. Captains such as Salvador explain the animals, the island’s geography, and the local sea without turning the outing into a noisy chase. You get pilot whale and dolphin watching, a swim and snorkel stop, sandwiches, cake, and drinks in three hours. The main consideration is the Atlantic itself: choppy water can cause seasickness, and wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed.

Key points to know before you book

• Only 10 passengers: The boat feels personal rather than crowded, with two crew members available to help.
• Pilot whales are the main attraction: Dolphins, turtles, seabirds, flying fish, and other marine life are also possible.
• A real sailing element: The crew may use the sails for much of the route when wind conditions allow, reducing engine noise.
• Snorkeling is part of the plan: Expect roughly 30 minutes in a sheltered bay or coastal swimming spot, depending on conditions.
• Food and drinks are included: Typical treats include baguette sandwiches, crisps, cake, water, wine, cava, beer, and soft drinks.
• Meet at Puerto Colón: Go to dock door number 5, the first jetty beyond the port parking barrier, 10 minutes before departure.

Why this small sailboat feels different

Puerto Colón is a busy starting point for boat trips along Tenerife’s south coast. The Roulette gives you a different rhythm from the large motorboats that fill the harbor. With room for only 10 passengers and two crew, the experience feels closer to a private outing, though it is still a shared tour.

The boat measures 12 meters and has three double cabins, two bathrooms, and deck mats for comfort. Most of your time will be spent outside, but these below-deck facilities matter on a three-hour trip. The open deck gives you room to sit in the sun, watch the water, or move from one side to the other when animals appear.

I like the fact that the boat is not simply a platform for wildlife viewing. When the wind is favorable, the crew raises the sails on the outbound and return legs. That quiet stretch, with the boat moving under wind power, is one of the more memorable parts of the outing. You hear the sea and the rigging rather than an engine working the whole way.

The small group also helps the crew look after individual needs. Drinks are offered throughout the trip, and the crew has helped passengers who felt seasick. That personal care is useful, but it does not change the basic fact that this is an ocean trip. If you are prone to motion sickness, prepare for the possibility of rolling water.

Meeting the crew at Puerto Colón

You meet at the door of dock number 5 at Puerto Colón, 10 minutes before departure. It is the first jetty after you pass the port parking barrier, and the boat is named Roulette.

This detail is worth taking seriously. Puerto Colón has several piers and boats, so arriving early gives you time to find the correct dock without rushing. The tour does not include hotel pickup or drop-off, so you must make your own way to the port.

The crew speaks Spanish, English, and Italian. Salvador is often the captain, and other crew members named in the trip information include Rafa, Ramone, Jenny, Yani, Silvio, Dani, and Salvador’s deckhand. The exact crew may vary, but the format remains the same: one person handles the boat and wildlife spotting while the other helps with food, drinks, safety, and passenger comfort.

Sailing Tenerife’s south coast

Once the boat leaves Puerto Colón, you get a broad view of Tenerife’s southern shore from the water. The volcanic coastline, beaches, cliffs, and views toward La Gomera give the first part of the trip a scenic quality even before any animals appear.

The crew talks about local geography, the sea around Tenerife, and the species that live there. This is not a lecture-heavy cruise. Information comes as animals appear or as the boat passes a notable part of the coast, which keeps the conversation connected to what you can see.

The crew’s attitude toward the sea is important. The aim is to find cetaceans without rushing at them or trying to force an encounter. You may watch a pod from a respectful distance, then wait as the animals choose how close to come. Pilot whales have sometimes approached the boat, and dolphins may play near the bow, but the crew does not control their behavior.

If the wind is up, you may spend a substantial part of the route sailing. One outing used the sails for about 90 minutes, which made the trip especially quiet. On calmer days, the engine may be needed. The promise is a sailboat experience, not a guarantee that every mile will be under sail.

Watching pilot whales, dolphins, and turtles

Pilot whales are the species most closely associated with this outing. The crew knows the local waters and watches for family groups, sometimes including calves. You might see one pod, several groups, or whales close enough to make the encounter feel remarkably immediate.

Dolphins are another frequent possibility. Bottlenose dolphins have been seen beside the boat, and some outings have included several groups. Their movement is often fast and unpredictable, so keep your eyes on the water rather than waiting for a perfectly timed photograph.

Turtles, seabirds, flying fish, and fish seen from the boat or during the swim stop add variety. A sea turtle can appear for only a moment, so the crew’s ability to point out movement matters. Bring patience and keep scanning the surface.

The boat’s size helps here. With fewer people competing for a view, you can hear the crew’s directions and shift position quickly. The crew also tries to give both sides of the boat a fair look when an animal group is nearby.

Still, this is wildlife watching, not an aquarium visit. No tour can promise whales, dolphins, or turtles on a particular departure. The crew’s care and local experience improve your chances, but the sea makes the final decision. Even on a day with fewer sightings, the sailing, coast, and swim stop remain part of the experience.

The swim and snorkel stop

After the wildlife search, the boat pauses in a sheltered coastal area for swimming and snorkeling. The stop is commonly around 30 minutes, though sea and timing conditions can affect the exact length.

Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to bring your own mask and fins. You can look for fish in the clear water and enjoy a change of pace after sitting on the deck. Some stops have included a picturesque cliff setting or a cave to explore from the water.

This is a relaxed swim stop rather than a dedicated snorkeling expedition. If your main goal is to spend most of the day underwater, this is not the right trip. You will get time for a swim and a look below the surface, but the three-hour schedule must also allow for sailing, wildlife viewing, lunch, and the return to port.

The sea can be cooler or rougher than it looks from shore. Follow the crew’s instructions and do not treat the swim as an obligation. You can stay aboard and enjoy the views if conditions do not suit you.

Sandwiches, cake, and drinks on board

Food is simple, generous, and suited to a short boat outing. You can expect fresh baguette sandwiches, often with ham and tomato or Iberian ham, along with crisps and a slice of cake. Some departures have included gingerbread-style cake or carrot cake.

This is not a restaurant meal, and it should not be judged by that standard. The food does its job well: it gives you something filling after the swim and helps turn a basic boat ride into a more complete half-day activity.

The drink selection includes mineral water, wine, cava, beer, and soft drinks. Cava is a pleasant touch on the return sail, while water and soft drinks are useful in the Tenerife sun. The crew regularly checks if people want something to drink, and dietary needs have been accommodated on some departures. Tell the crew about your requirements before or at the start of the trip rather than waiting until food is served.

The relaxed service is one of the outing’s strengths. You are not handed a box and left alone. The second crew member keeps an eye on the deck, offers drinks, helps with snorkeling, and checks that everyone is comfortable.

Comfort, weather, and seasickness

The south coast of Tenerife often offers warm weather, but the Atlantic can still be choppy. Conditions may vary between the outward trip and the return, and a calm harbor does not guarantee a smooth ride offshore.

I would choose a seat with a clear view but stay ready to move if the boat rolls. Fresh air can help, and you should consider your usual motion-sickness precautions before boarding. The crew has experience helping people who become ill, but no crew can make rough water feel smooth.

The deck mats give you a comfortable place to sit, and the boat has two bathrooms. With only 10 passengers, you are not packed shoulder to shoulder. That said, a sailboat has less open floor space than a large sightseeing vessel, so keep personal belongings compact and secure.

Sun protection matters. The tour is outdoors for much of the three hours, and the combination of sun, wind, and sea spray can catch you off guard. Wear practical swimwear, bring a towel, and use sun protection. The supplied information confirms snorkeling equipment, food, and drinks, but does not specify towel rental, so bring your own.

Is $70 a fair price?

At $70 per person, this trip offers more than a basic whale-watching ride. You get three hours on a small sailboat, two crew members, wildlife searching, a swim and snorkel stop, equipment, sandwiches, snacks, cake, and a broad drink selection.

The strongest value comes from the passenger limit. Large whale-watching boats may cost less or offer more departure times, but they cannot match the quiet deck space and direct contact with the crew that you get here. The small boat also makes the outing feel more personal without requiring the cost of a fully private charter.

The price makes the most sense if you want several activities in one outing. You are combining sailing, coastal sightseeing, wildlife watching, snorkeling, lunch, and drinks. If you only want a short swim or a dedicated wildlife research trip, another type of excursion may suit you better.

The three-hour length is well judged for many visitors. It is long enough to get offshore, search for animals, stop in the water, and return without taking up your whole day. The tradeoff is that no single part receives unlimited time.

Who will enjoy the Roulette most?

This trip suits couples, families, and small groups who prefer a quiet boat to a large vessel with loud music. Children have enjoyed the wildlife and swim stop, but parents should remember that this is an open boat in the Atlantic and keep a close eye on young children.

It is also a good match for anyone who likes learning as they go. The crew explains marine species, island geography, and local conditions in a friendly way. You get facts without losing the pleasure of simply sitting in the sun and watching the sea.

Photographers should appreciate the small group, though wildlife photography remains unpredictable. Bring a camera only if you can protect it from spray and movement. A phone may be easier to manage than bulky equipment.

You should think twice if you are highly sensitive to motion, dislike shared food service, or want a long snorkeling session. You should also avoid booking on the assumption that a particular whale, dolphin, or turtle sighting is guaranteed.

Booking details that matter

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 the available departure before booking.

The tour skips a ticket line, but you still need to arrive at the correct meeting point. Go to the Roulette at dock door number 5, beyond the port parking barrier, 10 minutes early. Hotel transportation is not included.

The experience lasts three hours and returns to Roulette Charters at Puerto Colón. Food, drinks, the guide, the sailboat cruise, whale watching, and snorkeling equipment are included. Hotel pickup, hotel drop-off, and any item not listed as included are your responsibility.

Should you book this Tenerife boat trip?

I would book it if you want a small, calm, well-rounded outing rather than a large party boat. The mix of pilot whale watching, possible dolphins and turtles, real sailing, snorkeling, and simple food makes the $70 fare reasonable.

Book with the right expectations. Wildlife is wild, the Atlantic can be rough, and snorkeling is a short part of a wider three-hour trip. But if you can accept those limits, the Roulette offers an unusually personal way to see Tenerife from the sea, with a crew that puts care, local knowledge, and respect for marine life at the center of the day.

FAQ

Where does the sailboat tour meet?

Meet at door number 5 of the dock at Puerto Colón, 10 minutes before departure. It is the first jetty after the port parking barrier, and the boat is named Roulette.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts three hours, including sailing, wildlife watching, snorkeling, food, drinks, and the return to Puerto Colón.

How many people can join the tour?

The small group is limited to 10 participants. The 12-meter sailboat also has two crew members.

What animals might I see?

Possible sightings include pilot whales, dolphins, sea turtles, seabirds, flying fish, and other marine life. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and the boat stops for swimming and snorkeling during the outing.

What food and drinks are included?

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

Is hotel pickup included?

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