There’s something about whale watching from a real sailboat that feels calmer than a big boat tour. This private trip runs along the windy Atlantic coast south of Tenerife, with an authorization specifically for pilot whales in Canarian waters.

I also love how much comfort you get for the time on the water. You’re on the Beneteau Oceanis 44, with shade from a roof overhead, roomy interiors, and practical onboard basics like hot-water showers in the aft bathrooms.

One thing to keep in mind: whale watching is wildlife, not a guaranteed show. You’re going out to look for pilot whales and other marine life, but the ocean decides how close and how often you’ll spot them.

Key things I’d watch for on this tour

• Full-sail sailing from Puerto Colón toward the Atlantic for a classic Tenerife-at-sea feel
• A short targeted secret stop for dolphin and whale watching
• A Los Cristianos water break with snorkeling equipment available
• Local food snacking and cold drinks included for your onboard time
• Pickup by van for up to 8 people in the main south locations

Puerto Colón whale watching on Madoudou: what makes this trip work

This tour is built for people who want wildlife, but also want the experience to feel like a relaxing sail—not just a long speed ride. You meet at Puerto Colón, Gate 5, then head out with a private group setup (priced per group up to 11).

Your boat is Madoudou, a Beneteau Oceanis 44, authorized for whale watching in the south of Tenerife. The day is designed around finding the local animals that call these waters home, especially pilot whales. You also have a chance for other sea life mentioned for the outing, including dolphins and turtles.

Even the route feels thought through for a 3-hour format. You don’t just blast offshore. You leave the port under sail, look for marine life on a short focused stop, then settle into a longer stretch at sea before you get a change of pace with a swimming-and-snorkeling break.

The 3-hour route: Costa Adeje, a secret stop, and Los Cristianos water time

Here’s how your time is likely paced, and what each section is best for.

1) Puerto Colón to Costa Adeje (about 45 minutes of sailing)

You set off from Puerto Colón and sail toward Costa Adeje for roughly 45 minutes. This portion matters because it sets the tone: you’re out on the water early, building that wind-and-wave rhythm, rather than waiting around.

Practically, it also gives your group time to settle in on board. On a private boat, that’s a big deal. You’ll be able to move around, get comfortable in the shaded areas, and start watching for seabirds and activity near the water surface.

2) Costa Adeje to the secret stop (about 20 minutes for wildlife)

Next comes a shorter, more targeted moment: a secret stop with dolphin watching and whale watching for around 20 minutes. This is the “go time” chunk, when you’ll want everyone scanning the water.

This stop is brief by design. In a 3-hour experience, you don’t want the entire outing to feel like waiting. The best-case scenario is that animals are active in the time window you’re there. The backup is that you’ll at least get a concentrated chance to spot movement and surface behavior rather than spreading your search across too much time.

3) Yacht time (about 50 minutes)

After that, you have roughly 50 minutes described as “yacht” time. In real life, this is usually when the mood turns more relaxed: staying out on the Atlantic, enjoying the ride, and continuing to look around when conditions allow.

This segment is where the private nature of the trip really shows. You’re not fighting for space near the rail with strangers. You can settle into a comfortable routine: watch, chat, snack, and take in the coast.

4) Los Cristianos break + snorkeling + food tasting (about 30 minutes)

Then you shift to Los Cristianos for about 30 minutes. This is where the tour adds variety: break time plus snorkeling with equipment available, and food tasting.

This stop works well because it prevents the day from being only “sit and watch.” Even a short snorkeling window can feel like a full reset. You’ll also get that change of pace back on land-adjacent waters with the vibe of Los Cristianos around you.

A practical note: since snorkeling equipment is provided, you’re not stuck trying to source gear on the fly. Just be ready for a quick in-and-out water moment.

5) Back to Puerto Colón

You finish by returning to Puerto Colón at the end of your 3-hour tour, which keeps the overall plan tight and doable even if your day is already packed.

The boat itself: Beneteau Oceanis 44 comfort that matters on a short trip

The boat is part of the value here. This isn’t a barebones whale-watching skiff. It’s a Beneteau Oceanis 44 style setup with comfort features that make a 3-hour ride feel longer-in-a-good-way.

A few details you’ll feel quickly onboard:

• Shade is built in. There’s a roof so you can stay comfortable even if sun gets strong.
• The layout is made for real hanging-out. The living room is large, with a table for eight people and two sofas.
• Cabins are described as spacious, with storage like wardrobes, drawers, and space for bags.
• The aft cabins have direct access to bathrooms with showers and hot water.
• The galley is fully functional in a way that signals independence and comfort: three kitchen burners, two sinks, oven, and two refrigerators.

You’ll also like the “we’re ready for the sea” tech. The boat includes an outboard dinghy/raft and solar panels, plus water autonomy listed as 900 liters for independence from an external energy source.

One small detail you should expect might vary depending on how they describe the vessel day-of: the length is listed in different places as 12 meters and 14 meters. Either way, you’re in a proper mid-size sailing yacht range, not a tiny platform.

Snacks, cold drinks, and local flavor on the water

Food and drinks aren’t an afterthought on this trip. Snacks and cold drinks are part of the included experience, meant for you and your crew time onboard.

The local snack lineup is heavy on recognizable island flavors: cheeses, mixed local salami and jams, olives, tomatoes, hummus, nachos, and Canarian mojo sauce, plus breads and fresh and nuts. On the drink side, you’ll see cava, white wine, beer, cola, Sprite, Fanta, and water.

This matters because it changes what “3 hours” feels like. Instead of thinking about hunger and timing, you can just stay present. It also pairs naturally with the rhythm of sailing: snack in between scanning, drink when you’re sitting in the shade, and snack again after the water break.

And one more subtle plus: a private group means food doesn’t become a messy “everyone queues at once” situation. You can keep the day calm.

Wildlife odds: pilot whales, dolphins, and how to read the water

The headline animal is pilot whales. The tour is authorized for whale watching in the south of Tenerife and specifically designed to spot these whales that live in the Canarian waters.

You also have dolphin watching as part of the plan, and turtles are mentioned as potential marine fauna to look for. In practice, that means your best strategy is simple:

• Watch for surface activity during the short targeted stop.
• Keep scanning when the boat is cruising during the longer “yacht time.”
• Don’t treat the 20-minute stop as your only chance. Wildlife time is unpredictable, and the rest of the outing is still built for looking.

The most enthusiastic part of the experience is how close pilot whales can appear when the conditions line up. In one example, a group with adults and small children was excited by multiple close pilot whale sightings plus dolphins. That’s exactly the kind of day this tour is aiming for: clear opportunities, not just distant sightings.

Pickup from Costa Adeje and where you meet: keeping logistics painless

South Tenerife logistics can eat your time if you’re not careful. This tour helps with that using a free pickup van.

Pickup is listed for up to 8 pax, covering:

• Costa Adeje
• Playa Paraiso
• Palm Mar
• Los Crist

(Plus you meet at Puerto Colón Gate 5 as the official starting point.)

Because your tour is private and only 3 hours, the timing has to be right. I like that they’ve planned the pickup area to match where most people stay in the south. Less time transferring, more time on the water.

Who this private whale watching sail is best for

This is a great fit if you want three things at once:

1) wildlife in the south of Tenerife

2) a relaxed private group vibe

3) comfort on a sailing yacht

It also seems especially friendly for mixed groups. In one of the provided experiences, a group that included children aged 4–6 was delighted. The shaded boat and snack setup likely helped keep the mood easy.

If you’re traveling as a couple who wants a calmer, more personal outing, this can also feel like good value compared to per-person pricing on less flexible group formats.

And if you’re more of a “let’s spend time actually doing something” traveler, the snorkeling break in Los Cristianos adds a hands-on moment—not just looking.

Price and value: $648 per group up to 11

At $648 per group (up to 11 people) for a 3-hour private trip, you’re not paying per head like the big group tours. The value depends on how fully you can fill your group.

If you get close to the maximum of 11 people, that’s roughly $59 per person. If you’re a smaller group, it’s higher per person, but you still keep the benefit of a private sailing experience: more space, a calmer schedule, and your own attention during whale watching.

For me, the value story is strongest when you’re:

• traveling with friends or family
• okay with wildlife uncertainty (you’re paying for the opportunity, not a guaranteed sighting)
• interested in comfort features like shaded deck time and proper onboard spaces

What to bring and practical tips for a smooth day

The tour lists two required items:

• Sun hat
• towel

That’s enough to plan around. Since snorkeling equipment is available, you won’t need to hunt down gear for the water time. Still, do keep an eye on sun and weather because this is an Atlantic outing under sail.

Languages for the live guide are listed as Italian, Spanish, and English, which is useful if your group includes mixed language speakers.

Should you book Madoudou’s 3-hour pilot whale tour?

If your priority is a private sailing experience with a realistic chance to see pilot whales (plus dolphins and possibly turtles), this tour is worth strong consideration. The combination of shaded yacht comfort, included snacks and cold drinks, a targeted wildlife stop, and a Los Cristianos snorkeling break makes it feel well-balanced for a short time window.

I’d book it when you’ll benefit from the private setup—friends, multigenerational groups, or anyone who wants the day to feel relaxed rather than rushed. If you need a guaranteed whale sighting no matter what, you’ll want to be realistic: the ocean is the boss. Otherwise, this is a smart way to spend a few hours out of Puerto Colón and still end the day with a fun, hands-on water moment.

FAQ

How long is the whale watching tour?

The tour duration is 3 hours.

Where does the tour start?

You start at Puerto Colón, meeting at Gate 5.

Is the tour private?

Yes, it’s a private group experience.

How many people can be in a group for this price?

The price is per group up to 11 people.

Does it include whale watching?

Yes. The boat is authorized for whale watching in the south of Tenerife, with chances to spot pilot whales.

What other marine life might you see?

The tour highlights dolphins and turtles, and the route includes a stop for dolphin watching and whale watching.

Is snorkeling included, and where is it done?

Yes, snorkeling equipment is available, and there is a break time in Los Cristianos that includes snorkeling.

Do they provide pickup?

Yes. There is free pickup van service (max 8 pax) in Costa Adeje, Playa Paraiso, Palm Mar, and Los Crist.

What should I bring?

Bring a sun hat and a towel.