Tenerife’s sea life can show up fast. This whale-and-dolphin trip is built for the hunt, with a large catamaran that gives you space to move around and decent comfort while you look out over the water. I also like that the price already includes an open bar (alcoholic drinks) plus food, so you’re not doing mental math every time you want a drink. One thing to keep in mind: wildlife spotting is never guaranteed, so if you’re unlucky with sightings or the search runs longer that day, you may feel the trip is more about cruising than constant whale action.

The vibe is simple: head out from the marina in the morning/afternoon window, spend time scanning for whales and dolphins, then anchor in a bay for a swim stop. There are also two departures daily, so you can usually pick a time that fits your day in Playa de las Américas.

Key Points You’ll Care About

• Wildlife search first: the main goal is whale & dolphin spotting, not just a scenic cruise
• Open bar included: alcoholic drinks are part of the experience price
• Food included after anchoring: you get a meal served once you’re settled for the swim stop
• Swim time in a bay: you’ll have free time to get in the water near where the boat anchors
• Small-ish group for a boat tour: capped at 70 travelers on the catamaran
• Weather-dependent: good conditions are required for the experience to run

Whale and Dolphin Watching on a Large Catamaran: The Big Idea

If you’re choosing between a quick “look for dolphins” boat and something that’s actually organized around spotting wildlife, this one leans the right way. The trip is specifically marketed for whales and dolphins, and you’re out on the water long enough to have a real chance at seeing something beyond the occasional splash.

The catamaran matters. A big multi-hull boat generally feels steadier than smaller craft, and it also tends to give you more room to sit, stand, and keep an eye on the sea without shoulder-to-shoulder crowding. That’s especially useful in Tenerife when you’ll likely be out near open water with bright sun and lots of eyes tracking the horizon.

And then there’s the part that makes a difference for value: your ticket includes alcoholic beverages and food. In a lot of island boat tours, that’s where the final cost quietly rises. Here, it stays built into the main price—so you can focus on the actual experience instead of the bar line.

Price and Value: What $54.29 Buys You (and What It Doesn’t)

At about $54.29 per person for roughly 3 hours, you’re paying for four things: a purpose-built wildlife search, time on a larger catamaran, an onboard meal, and an anchored swim stop. The included open bar is a real value lever here, since drinks can add up fast on the kind of trip where you’re out for hours.

What’s not included is private transport. That sounds obvious, but it matters if you’re staying away from Playa de las Américas. The meeting point is in that area, and it’s described as near public transportation, so it’s usually easiest if you’re already in the south Tenerife zone or you can reach the marina area without hiring a taxi for the whole day.

Finally, remember the wildlife element. If your main goal is constant action—say, a parade of dolphins every few minutes—no boat can promise that. You can only control what you choose. You can choose a longer, wildlife-focused outing with the right onboard setup, and this is aimed at doing that.

Where You Start: The Av. de Colón Meeting Point

The tour starts at Av. de Colón, 11, 38660 Playa de las Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain. It ends back at the meeting point.

Because it’s an actual marina departure, getting there on time matters more than you’d expect. If you arrive late, you’re not just missing check-in—you might be hunting for the correct catamaran while everyone else already boards. A practical approach: arrive early, find staff or signage for the whale watching departure, and get your bearings fast so you’re not stressed once you step onto the dock.

Also note the confirmation timing: you should receive confirmation within 48 hours of booking (subject to availability). That’s your cue to check the final details that match your date and departure.

The Departure and Wildlife Scanning: What “Designed to Spot Whales” Really Means

The schedule is straightforward in concept: you depart from the marina and spend time exploring around the island in search of whales and dolphins. The experience also includes information about the wildlife you may encounter and the species that live around Tenerife.

That “information” piece is more valuable than it sounds. When you hear how people identify different species—things like how they surface or how their behavior differs—you stop watching random waves and start watching patterns. Even if you only get one good sighting, learning what you’re looking at changes the whole payoff.

That said, there’s a reality check that’s worth respecting: the sea decides what it shows you. This is a wildlife encounter, not a theme-park performance. Some days may deliver clear, repeated sightings; other days can mean fewer moments where animals come up where you can see them well.

A recent low-rating complaint was essentially about not feeling like it was true whale-and-dolphin observing for most of the trip, plus frustration finding the right boat. The response also clarified that the specific boat mentioned in the complaint was different. Still, the lesson for you is real: confirm the exact vessel details in your booking confirmation, and if you’re hoping for frequent sightings, go in with flexible expectations. Wildlife tours work best when you treat every scan of the horizon as the main activity—not just the final sightings.

The Catamaran Ride: Comfort, Space, and the Social-Distance Angle

The tour is capped at a maximum of 70 travelers. That’s not tiny, but it’s also not the overcrowded end of the spectrum for a boat experience. The listing highlights room for social distancing on the catamaran, which signals that boarding and seating layouts are meant to help you spread out.

What you should plan for:

• Bring sun protection. You’ll likely be exposed when scanning the sea.
• Expect you’ll spend a good amount of time leaning on rails or standing near viewing areas, since the whole point is to spot animals at the surface.

If you’re sensitive to motion, it helps to choose seating that’s comfortable for you when you’re out on open water—then adjust as the ride goes along. (The tour duration is about 3 hours, so a little comfort planning can prevent that “I’m fine until I’m not” feeling.)

The Swim Stop in a Bay: Why This Matters for Non-Whale Days

After the wildlife search, the boat anchors in a small bay, and you get free time to get out in the water and swim. The trip also serves up food for all passengers at this point.

This is the part I’d call the built-in “Plan B.” Even if you have a slow wildlife day—or even if the best moments are brief—the swim stop gives you something active to do, right where the boat settles.

A swim stop in a bay also tends to feel calmer than open ocean chasing. The boat’s anchored, you’re not constantly moving, and you can relax into the water time instead of treating it like another effort in the schedule.

Practical tip: pack like you might swim even if you’re on the fence. Bring a towel and a simple way to keep your essentials from getting soaked. The tour includes food and drinks, but it won’t cover your swim gear.

Food and Drinks: Included Open Bar, Plus a Meal Onboard

The experience includes alcohol and food, which is a big deal for value on a boat tour. It’s also one of the easiest ways to make the day feel more “complete,” because it reduces the awkward decision of whether you should spend extra for snacks.

The flow seems to be: you anchor, then the group eats while you still have time to swim. That’s useful because you’re not stuck eating at some random time while the boat is still searching for animals. Instead, your day has a rhythm: scan → anchor → eat and swim → ride back.

One caution to keep in mind: there was a complaint about extra charges for sun loungers on a different boat. The response indicated that complaint referred to another vessel. But the broader lesson stands: if you’re concerned about seating costs, pay attention to what’s included for your specific catamaran on your confirmation and arrive ready to ask staff what areas are free to use.

Timing and Group Size: Two Trips a Day, About 3 Hours

There are two trips daily. That gives you flexibility if you’re balancing whale watching with other Tenerife plans.

The overall duration is approximately 3 hours. That’s a nice length for most people: long enough to feel like a real outing, not so long that you’re trapped on the water all afternoon.

Because the maximum group size is 70, you’re likely to meet plenty of people, but you should still feel some space compared to smaller “party boat” setups. If you’re traveling with friends, it’s also a good duration for keeping the day simple.

Accessibility and Who This Trip Fits Best

The experience says most travelers can participate. That’s helpful, but you should still think about seasickness and getting on/off the boat and into the water at the anchored swim stop. If water time is a big part of your plan, you’ll want to be comfortable with a boat-to-bay swim setup.

Who this suits:

• Couples who want a straightforward wildlife outing without a lot of extra costs
• Groups of friends who will enjoy the included drinks
• People who want the option to swim if sightings are slow

If you’re looking for a private, high-end charter with tight control over the route, this isn’t what the description points to—especially since private transportation isn’t included.

Reviews: What the Rating of 3.8 Suggests (and How to Use It)

The overall rating is 3.8 based on 12 reviews, which is basically a “mixed but not terrible” signal. One of the lowest reviews focused on the feel that the trip was more along the coast and that whale watching didn’t match expectations, plus issues locating the correct boat and frustration with food. The response clarified it was about a different boat than the one they provide.

So here’s how I’d use that information if I were deciding for myself:

• Expect wildlife sightings to be variable. Don’t anchor your entire day on a guaranteed whale encounter.
• Take your meeting info seriously. Use your confirmation details and arrive early so you don’t lose time figuring out which vessel is yours.
• If food quality is a make-or-break issue for you, know that it’s included, but descriptions like this one don’t position it as fine dining. You’re really paying for wildlife time plus the swim stop.

Weather and Cancellations: Keeping Your Plans Flexible

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

That’s the right kind of safety net for this category of activity. Sea tours are weather-sensitive, and if the conditions aren’t right for a wildlife-focused day, you want the option to reschedule or get your money back.

Also, cancellation is free. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience’s start time for a full refund.

Should You Book It? My Practical Recommendation

I’d book this tour if you want a balanced Tenerife sea outing with:

• a wildlife-focused agenda
• the included open bar and food (so your budget stays predictable)
• a swim stop that gives you fun even when sightings are brief

I’d be more cautious if:

• you’re expecting nonstop whale and dolphin action for the entire 3 hours
• you hate any chance of boat-boarding confusion, because you’ll want to arrive early and check the confirmation details carefully

If you’re flexible and you show up prepared to scan the horizon, this kind of catamaran trip is one of the easiest ways to turn Tenerife’s coastal views into a real wildlife search—with the bonus of time in the water.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is the whale and dolphin watching tour?

It lasts about 3 hours.

Where does the tour start in Tenerife?

The meeting point is Av. de Colón, 11, 38660 Playa de las Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

Is food included?

Yes. Food is included as part of the experience.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Alcoholic beverages are included.

What language is the tour offered in?

The experience is offered in English.

How many people are on the catamaran?

The maximum group size is 70 travelers.

Is private transportation included?

No. Private transportation is not included.

What’s the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund if you do it at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time. The tour requires good weather, and if it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered another date or a full refund.