Whale & Dolphin Watching in Tenerife (Puerto Colon) On a Large Catamaran

Wildlife comes first here. This three-hour catamaran trip from Puerto Colón combines whale and dolphin watching with a swim stop, food, and an open bar. I like the useful all-in-one format, especially the included alcoholic drinks, and I like that the large boat offers plenty of room for a group of up to 70 people. The main consideration is that wildlife sightings depend on what is active offshore that day.

The price of $54.29 per person is fair if you plan to use the food, drinks, and swim stop, not just the boat ride. You should also know that transportation is not included, and the meeting point is on Av. de Colón in Playa de las Américas, so you need to make your own way to the marina.

Key points at a glance

• Three hours from Puerto Colón: You get a clear half-day outing without giving up an entire day of your Tenerife holiday.
• Whales and dolphins are the main purpose: The crew shares information about the species living around Tenerife as you search offshore.
• Open bar and food included: The price covers alcoholic drinks and a meal or serving of food during the trip.
• Swim stop in a small bay: After the wildlife portion, the catamaran anchors so you can get into the water.
• Large catamaran, maximum 70 people: There is more room than on a small boat, which suits groups and visitors who dislike tight seating.
• Two departures each day: The schedule gives you a choice between fitting the trip into a morning or afternoon plan.

Setting out from Puerto Colón

The trip begins at Av. de Colón, 11, in Playa de las Américas. This is the Puerto Colón marina area, and the experience ends at the same meeting point after roughly three hours.

You will need to arrange your own transport to the marina. The activity is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying in the main resort area, but no private transfer is included. Build in enough time to locate the correct departure point rather than arriving at the last minute.

A practical tip is to save the full address on your phone before leaving your hotel. Boat excursions can use similar meeting areas around a marina, and finding the right catamaran is easier when you can show the exact address or booking details.

The boat is a large catamaran with room for up to 70 people. That size matters. A larger vessel generally gives you more choices about where to sit or stand, and the tour description specifically presents it as a good option for maintaining personal space. If you dislike feeling boxed into a small boat, this format should be more comfortable.

The tradeoff is that a group of up to 70 is still a group of 70. You are not booking a quiet private cruise. The experience is designed for a shared, social outing, so it works best if you are happy with a lively boat and a set group schedule.

Searching for Tenerife’s whales and dolphins

The first main part of the outing is the search for whales and dolphins around Tenerife. The boat leaves the marina and heads out to areas where these animals may be seen. The crew also provides information about the wildlife encountered and the species that live around the island.

That commentary gives the trip more purpose than a simple coastal cruise. You are not only looking at the sea and hoping for movement in the distance. You also receive some context about the animals and the waters around Tenerife.

Still, this is wildlife watching, not a guaranteed animal show. No schedule can promise a particular species or a close sighting. Your best approach is to enjoy the search itself and treat any whales or dolphins as the reward, rather than expecting a fixed performance.

The information provided does not identify individual guides, so you should not book this trip expecting a named naturalist or a particular crew member. What is clear is that wildlife information is part of the outing.

You may want to keep your phone or camera ready, but do not let photography take over. If dolphins or whales appear, sightings can be brief. A wide view of the water is often more useful than staring at a screen.

Why the wildlife section is worth your time

Tenerife is a good place to put a wildlife cruise into your holiday because it lets you see the island from offshore while focusing on animals that live in local waters. The experience is not just a sightseeing transfer from one marina to another.

I like that the wildlife portion comes before the swim stop. You get the most focused activity first, while the boat is actively searching. Later, the mood changes to a slower break in a bay, giving the three-hour trip a simple rhythm: search, stop, eat, swim, and return.

This order also helps if you are traveling with different interests. One person in your group may be keen on whales and dolphins, while another mainly wants time in the water. The itinerary gives both parts a proper place.

The honest limitation is that the supplied details do not state the exact whale or dolphin species you will see, how long the boat searches, or the usual distance from the animals. Do not assume you will see a specific animal or receive a close encounter. The crew shares information about local species, but the conditions of the day remain important.

Anchoring in a small bay

After the wildlife search, the catamaran anchors in a small bay for free time. This is your chance to get out of the water and swim.

The swim stop adds real value because it breaks up the time spent sitting on the boat. Three hours can feel long if you remain in one place, but a change from wildlife watching to swimming makes the outing more active.

The description does not specify the exact bay, water temperature, facilities, or length of the swim stop. You should also avoid assuming that every passenger will want to swim. If you prefer to stay dry, you can use the pause as a chance to relax on board while food is served.

Bring suitable swimwear and anything you need to feel comfortable after getting wet. The information confirms a swim stop, but it does not promise changing rooms, towels, or showers. Those details are not stated, so plan simply.

Because this is a shared catamaran, the swim stop follows the group timetable. You will not have unlimited time in the water. The benefit is that the stop is built into the cruise, so you do not need to arrange a separate beach or boat activity.

Food and the included open bar

Food and an open bar are included in the experience. Alcoholic drinks are specifically listed as included, which makes the advertised price easier to judge.

At $54.29 per person, you are paying for more than the boat and wildlife search. The package also covers food, alcoholic beverages, and the swim stop. If you expect to have a couple of drinks and want a simple meal during the cruise, the price offers reasonable value.

The details do not state what food is served, how much is provided, or which nonalcoholic drinks are available. I would not book this as a food-focused tour. Think of the meal as a useful part of the day rather than a culinary event.

The open bar can also shape the atmosphere. Some people will appreciate not having to keep track of a running drinks bill. Others may prefer a quieter, more nature-focused boat trip. The large catamaran format and included alcohol suggest a relaxed social outing rather than a specialist expedition.

One caution is worth making clear. A negative account circulating about an additional charge for sun loungers, cramped side seating, and disappointing food was explicitly identified as describing a different boat, not this catamaran. Do not treat those complaints as confirmed details of this experience. At the same time, it is sensible to check the boat name and meeting instructions carefully before departure so you board the correct vessel.

Understanding the $54.29 price

The price is easiest to assess by breaking down what you receive:

• About three hours on the water
• Whale and dolphin watching
• Wildlife information from the crew
• A swim stop in a small bay
• Food
• An open bar with alcoholic drinks
• Return to the original meeting point

That is a solid package for a half-day activity, especially if you want one booking to cover transport on the water, refreshments, and swimming time. The trip may be less attractive if your only goal is a guaranteed wildlife sighting or a private boat.

There are two costs to keep in mind. First, private transportation is not included, so you must pay for or arrange your own route to Puerto Colón. Second, the value depends partly on your habits. If you do not drink alcohol and do not plan to swim, the package may feel less worthwhile than it does for someone who will use all the included features.

The maximum of 70 people is also part of the value calculation. You receive a larger boat and more room than a tiny vessel, but you are sharing the experience with a substantial group. For some people, that is a fair exchange for the lower per-person price.

Who will enjoy this catamaran most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a straightforward Tenerife water excursion with several activities built into one outing. It suits couples, families, and groups of friends who like a relaxed boat day more than a highly technical wildlife expedition.

It is especially useful for people staying near Playa de las Américas who can reach Puerto Colón without needing a private transfer. The two daily departures also make it easier to fit the cruise around other plans.

The trip is a good match if you want:

• A shared boat rather than a private charter
• A large catamaran with more room on board
• A chance to look for whales and dolphins
• A swim stop without arranging another activity
• Food and alcoholic drinks included in the price
• A three-hour outing rather than a full-day commitment

I would be more cautious if you need a guaranteed animal sighting, a quiet small-group setting, detailed species research, or a gourmet meal. None of those features is promised.

The activity is described as suitable for most people, but the information does not provide detailed accessibility guidance. If you have mobility, boarding, or swimming concerns, ask the operator before booking.

Timing, weather, and cancellation rules

The cruise runs twice each day, although the exact departure times are not supplied here. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability, so do not assume that your preferred departure is secured until you receive confirmation.

Good weather is required. If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. That policy is helpful because the experience depends on safe sea conditions and a pleasant swim stop.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded, and changes inside that same period are not accepted. The cut-off uses local Tenerife time.

These rules make early planning important. If your holiday schedule is uncertain, avoid waiting until the last day to decide. If the weather looks doubtful, keep an eye on messages from the operator and have a flexible plan for the day.

My verdict: a good-value shared sea day

I would book this catamaran if I wanted an easy half-day from Playa de las Américas that combines wildlife watching, swimming, food, and drinks. The included open bar, large boat, and three-hour format give it practical value, especially for a group with mixed interests.

I would skip it if I wanted a private or specialist wildlife trip. The group can reach 70 people, sightings are not guaranteed, and the food details are limited.

Before paying, confirm the departure details, keep the marina address handy, and make sure you are going to the correct boat. If those points suit you, this is a sensible way to spend part of a Tenerife day on the water without adding several separate bookings.

FAQ

Where does the whale and dolphin watching trip start?

It starts at Av. de Colón, 11, 38660 Playa de las Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

Where does the activity finish?

The trip ends back at the original meeting point.

How long does the catamaran experience last?

The experience lasts approximately three hours.

Is food included?

Yes. Food is included as part of the experience.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

Yes. Alcoholic beverages and an open bar are included.

Is swimming part of the itinerary?

Yes. The catamaran anchors in a small bay where you have free time to swim.

Is transportation to Puerto Colón included?

No. Private transportation is not included, so you need to make your own way to the meeting point.

How many people can join the tour?

The activity has a maximum of 70 travelers.