Tenerife: Sailboat Tour Whale Watching Food and Snorkeling

Pilot whales and dolphins are the stars here, and the small 12-meter sailboat gives you a much more personal view than a large sightseeing vessel. The crew knows the waters well, takes time to explain the marine life, and sails when conditions allow rather than running the whole trip under engine.

I like the limited group of up to 10 people, plus two crew members. I also like the generous touches: cava, beer, wine, soft drinks, sandwiches, crisps, cake, and a swim or snorkel stop. The main caution is the Atlantic itself. Choppy water can make some passengers seasick, and wildlife sightings can never be promised.

Key points to know before you book

• Pilot whales are the main target: Dolphins, turtles, seabirds, flying fish, and other marine life may also appear.
• The group stays small: The Roulette carries up to 10 participants, with two crew members on hand.
• You get real time under sail: Several outings have spent much of the route sailing without engine noise when the wind was suitable.
• Food and drinks are part of the experience: Expect sandwiches or baguettes, crisps, cake, water, soft drinks, beer, wine, or cava.
• Snorkeling follows the wildlife search: The stop is usually around 30 minutes, with equipment supplied.
• Meet at Puerto Colón: Find dock door Nº5, the first jetty after the port parking barrier, and arrive 10 minutes early.

Why this small Tenerife boat trip feels different

The south coast of Tenerife is busy with boat excursions, but the Roulette offers a quieter setup. With no more than 10 people, you are not fighting for a rail-side view or trying to hear a guide over loud music. You can move around the deck, sit near the bow, and ask questions without turning the trip into a group presentation.

The boat is a 12-meter sailboat with three double cabins, two bathrooms, and deck mats for comfort. You are not booking a luxury yacht in the formal sense, but the vessel has the space and facilities needed for a relaxed three-hour outing. The smaller size also lets the crew give more attention to individual passengers.

The strongest part of this trip is the crew. Salvador has led many departures, and other crew members named in past outings include Rafa, Ramone, Jenny, Yani, Dani, and Silvio. The exact team can vary, but the pattern is clear: the crew does more than point toward a whale. They explain local sea life, Tenerife’s geography, the nearby island of La Gomera, and the habits of the species you encounter.

I especially like the respectful approach to wildlife. The boat looks for animals without treating them like a stage show. That matters in an area where pilot whales and dolphins are wild animals, not trained performers. On a good day, they may come close on their own, sometimes swimming alongside the hull or playing in the bow wave.

Leaving Puerto Colón for Tenerife’s open water

The meeting point is at door Nº5 of Puerto Colón, 10 minutes before departure. It is the first jetty after the port parking barrier, and the ship is called the Roulette. This detail is worth taking seriously because the port has several docks and boat operators. Give yourself enough time to find the correct gate instead of arriving at the last minute.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to the marina. The meeting point is in Puerto Colón on Tenerife’s south coast, and the tour returns to the same place after three hours.

Once everyone is aboard, the boat heads out along the south coast. The view changes quickly from marina buildings to volcanic shoreline, open Atlantic water, and broad views toward Tenerife and La Gomera. Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the whole trip looking through a screen. A pilot whale can surface and disappear before you have framed the shot.

The crew normally combines sailing with engine use as conditions require. Several outings have enjoyed long stretches under sail, including one trip with around 90 minutes of quiet sailing on the outbound and return legs. That is one of the pleasures of this trip: you may hear wind and water instead of the steady throb of a large boat engine.

Searching for pilot whales, dolphins, and turtles

The whale-watching portion takes place around Puerto Colón and the waters off Tenerife’s south coast. Pilot whales are the species most often associated with this outing, and sightings have included groups with calves. Dolphins have also appeared in family groups, sometimes close enough to watch from the bow.

You should think of this as a wildlife search, not a guaranteed animal encounter. The crew can use local experience to look in productive areas, but no responsible operator can promise a particular species or a certain number of sightings. Some outings have seen pilot whales, dolphins, and turtles together. Others may offer a more modest encounter.

When the boat finds animals, the crew works to give people on both sides a fair look. That matters on a small sailboat, where a pod can surface on one side and leave half the group staring at empty water. Past trips have stayed with whale groups and dolphins for roughly 15 minutes at a time, though the length of any stop depends on the animals.

Pilot whales are often the highlight. They are not the giant whales many people picture, but seeing a pod surface together can be just as memorable. Calves add another layer of interest, and the crew can explain what you are seeing rather than leaving you to guess.

Dolphins may be more active, especially when they approach the bow. You might see them traveling alongside the boat, leaping, or moving through the wake. Turtles are harder to spot because they surface briefly, but several outings have found them. Seabirds, flying fish, red-fin tuna, and Cory’s shearwaters have also appeared.

The views are a second reason to keep watching. From the water, Tenerife’s volcanic coast has a different scale than it does from land. You also gain open views toward La Gomera, making the ride worthwhile even during a quieter wildlife period.

What the snorkeling stop adds

After the wildlife search, the boat stops for swimming and snorkeling in a sheltered bay. The exact location can vary, but past outings have described a scenic cliff area and even a cave to explore. Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to pack your own mask and fins.

Allow roughly 30 minutes for this part based on the usual trip pattern, although the precise timing depends on sea conditions and how the outing is developing. The water is generally warm enough for a swim during Tenerife’s holiday season, but the Atlantic can still feel cool to some people.

This is not a dedicated snorkeling safari. The main purpose of the excursion is sailing and wildlife watching, with a swim added to round out the three hours. You might see fish near the boat, but you should not book it expecting a long reef session or a major underwater site.

I like the change of pace. After scanning the horizon, you get a chance to cool off, move your legs, and see the coast from the waterline. The stop also gives children and less patient wildlife watchers something active to look forward to.

The crew can help passengers who need assistance, and one past outing included care for a passenger who became seasick. Still, you should be honest with yourself about how you handle open water. If you are prone to motion sickness, take sensible precautions before boarding and choose a calm-weather day if you can.

Lunch, cake, and a glass of cava

Food is simple, plentiful, and well suited to a short boat trip. The usual offering has included fresh baguettes or sandwiches, sometimes with ham and tomato or Iberian ham, along with crisps and a piece of cake. Some trips have served carrot cake, gingerbread cake, or another dessert.

Do not expect a restaurant meal. The value is in having an easy lunch ready after swimming, without needing to bring food or balance a packed meal on a moving deck. The portions have generally been described as more than enough for a three-hour cruise.

Drinks include mineral water, wine, cava, beer, and soft drinks. The crew regularly offers refreshments, so you do not need to wait for a formal bar service. Cava is a pleasant touch when the boat is under sail and a pod of whales has just surfaced nearby, though soft drinks and water are available for those who prefer them.

If you have dietary needs, mention them when booking or before departure. The crew has accommodated requests on previous trips, but it is sensible to confirm rather than assume a particular menu.

Food is served onboard, usually after the swim or during the return journey. Keep in mind that eating on a boat is different from eating at a table on land. If you are sensitive to motion, wait until the boat is steadier and start with small portions.

What the crew does especially well

The crew’s attitude is one of the main reasons this tour earns such strong feedback. Salvador is often singled out for his enthusiasm and clear explanations, but other crew members also play an important role by serving drinks, checking on passengers, and helping people move around the boat.

The best guiding here is conversational. You can ask about the animals, the island, the coastline, or sailing itself. The guide may explain how to identify a pilot whale, point out seabirds, or describe why a particular area is productive for cetacean sightings.

The crew also pays attention to comfort. Drinks are offered throughout the cruise, and the team has helped passengers who felt unwell. That is particularly useful on a small boat, where a rough patch of water affects everyone more directly than it does on a large catamaran.

Languages offered are Spanish, English, and Italian. If you want a detailed explanation of the wildlife, confirm that your preferred language is available at your departure time.

Price and value at $70 per person

At $70 per person, this sits above the cheapest large-boat outings but offers more than a basic transport-and-sighting trip. Your price covers the sailboat cruise, guide, wildlife watching, drinks, snacks, lunch-style food, dessert, and snorkeling equipment.

The small capacity is the key value. A maximum of 10 participants means you are paying for space, attention, and a quieter ride rather than simply a seat on a boat. Two crew members for that group size also makes service more personal.

The food is not elaborate, but it helps the price make sense. A baguette, crisps, cake, and several drinks can replace a meal you might otherwise buy ashore. Add a three-hour cruise, a wildlife search, and a swim stop, and the package is fairly priced for someone who values a small group.

A larger boat may cost less per person and offer more room to walk around, but it will usually feel less intimate. If your priority is the lowest possible fare, compare other options. If you want a calm setting, direct access to the crew, and the chance to sail without a constant engine roar, the extra cost is easier to justify.

Who should book the Roulette

I would choose this outing if you want several experiences in one morning or afternoon: sailing, wildlife watching, a swim, lunch, and views of Tenerife’s coast. It suits couples, families, and solo passengers who like small groups and do not want a loud party boat.

Children can enjoy the dolphins, whales, and swimming stop, but parents should remember that this is an open-water activity. The boat has deck mats, cabins, and bathrooms, yet it is still a moving sailboat. Keep young children close and follow the crew’s safety instructions.

It is also a good match for anyone interested in marine life. The guides do not just chase the next sighting. They share information about local species and show clear respect for the animals. That makes the outing feel more thoughtful than a simple photo hunt.

You may want to skip it if you strongly dislike boat motion, need a guaranteed whale sighting, or want a long snorkeling session. The Atlantic can be choppy, wildlife is unpredictable, and the snorkeling stop is only one part of a three-hour program.

Booking is flexible: you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. Starting times vary, so check availability for your chosen date.

My final take on this Tenerife sailing trip

I would book this tour for its balance. You get genuine time on the water, a small group, thoughtful wildlife watching, food and drinks, and a chance to swim without spending the whole day on a boat.

The best reason to go is not one guaranteed animal. It is the combination of a quiet sail, a crew that cares about the sea, and the possibility of seeing pilot whales or dolphins at close range. If you arrive ready for nature to set the schedule, the Roulette offers very good value at $70.

FAQ

Where does the sailboat tour start?

The tour starts at door Nº5 of the dock at Puerto Colón in Tenerife. 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 10 minutes before departure.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts three hours, including sailing, wildlife watching, swimming, snorkeling, and refreshments.

How many people can join the boat?

The sailboat carries up to 10 participants and two crew members.

What animals might I see?

The tour looks for pilot whales and dolphins, and you might also see turtles, seabirds, flying fish, or red-fin tuna. Sightings are not guaranteed.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with time to swim and snorkel in the sea.

What food and drinks are included?

The tour includes snacks, sandwiches or baguettes, dessert, mineral water, wine, cava, beer, and soft drinks. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.