Tiny boat, big Atlantic moments. This Tenerife sailboat tour gives you up-close marine spotting plus a real snorkeling swim stop, and it all comes with snacks and drinks onboard. One thing to plan for: there is no hotel pickup, so you will need to get yourself to Puerto Colón.

What makes this trip feel worth the money is the format. Limited to 10 passengers, you are on a 12-meter sailing boat (the Roulette) with 2 crew and the vibe stays relaxed, not chaotic. Expect the crew to work hard to find whales and dolphins, then take you to a sheltered area for time in the water.

Key highlights at a glance

• Small group on a real sailboat (10 passengers), not a crowded party boat
• Cetacean and turtle spotting with a crew focused on finding wildlife in its natural habitat
• Snorkeling gear included, plus time for a swim in warm water
• Food and drinks onboard: sandwiches, snacks, and desserts, with cava, beer, wine, or soft drinks
• Puerto Colón stop built around time on the water, about 3 hours in the main activity window

Costa Adeje from the water on the Roulette

Start at Roulette Charters, then head out from Puerto Colón. The boat is a 12-meter sailboat built for comfort, with 3 double cabins and 2 bathrooms. It is designed for a small load, so you do not feel like you are fighting for space to see out over the rail.

One of my favorite parts of this style of sailing is the pacing. On a trip like this, you are not locked into a motor noise and a rigid schedule. When conditions allow, the sailboat experience means you are floating in a way that feels calmer, with a breeze and a real sense of distance from shore.

There are also deck mats for passenger comfort, which sounds small until you are out on the water long enough to feel every ripple on your calves and hips. In a 3-hour outing, those little comfort choices matter.

Puerto Colón stop: wildlife spotting with pilot whales, turtles, and more

Most of the tour time centers on the Puerto Colón area, where the crew looks for marine life in the south coast waters. The whole point is wildlife viewing led by people who know how to read what is happening in the sea.

You can reasonably expect to spot multiple species, not just one lucky sighting. The tour focuses on cetaceans, and in practice that often means pilot whales and dolphins, plus the occasional sea turtle. Seabirds are also on the watch list, so even if you are not seeing whales at every moment, the sky and the surface keep the trip moving.

A detail I like: you are not just pointed at a distant speck. The crew structure is built around keeping everyone with a fair viewing angle. You might notice that the captain makes sure both sides of the boat get chances to watch, rather than everyone staring off in the same direction the whole time.

Also, the crew often stays with the action long enough for it to matter. In other words, this is not the quick drive-by style you sometimes get on bigger boats. When the whales or dolphins are around, you get time to see them change behavior, surface patterns, and group movement.

Snorkeling stop in warm water, with gear handled for you

After (or during) the wildlife search, you get time to swim and snorkel. Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to pack your own mask or fins.

The snorkeling moments matter because they break the trip into two different kinds of fun: wildlife viewing from above, then snorkeling where you are part of the scene instead of an observer. Expect warm-water swimming, and in some spots you may even find features like a cave area in the bay, depending on conditions.

Practical note: if you are sensitive to motion, consider how the day might feel. A review described a passenger getting very seasick when waters got choppy, and the crew handled it with care. The ride back can feel smoother than the outbound motion, but you should still be realistic if you know you react to waves.

If you want the best snorkeling experience, keep an eye on wind and water conditions when you get in the water. Clear visibility and gentle currents tend to make the difference between a quick dip and a proper look at fish up close.

Food and drinks onboard: simple, satisfying, and timed for the water

This is a food-and-sail combo, not a restaurant meal. But that is exactly why it works. You get snacks and desserts onboard, plus drinks throughout the cruise.

Typical food is straightforward and filling. Think sandwiches and baguette-style lunch, with items like ham and tomato, plus crisps. Dessert often shows up as cake slices, and the onboard spread can include things like carrot cake or gingerbread depending on the day.

You also get drinks during the sailing time, including mineral water, wine, cava, beer, and soft drinks. The key detail for me is that drinks are part of the flow of the trip, not something you have to request once and then forget about.

One small benefit of having only 10 passengers is that service stays personal. Crew members are generally attentive, checking in on how people feel and making sure everyone gets what they need, whether that is a drink or help settling in after a choppy stretch.

If you are expecting fine dining, you might feel underwhelmed. If you want practical comfort while you are out on the ocean, the food fits the mission.

The 3-hour rhythm: how the day moves (and where you get your time)

The trip is listed as 3 hours, and the main activity window centers on the Puerto Colón stop. That timing is long enough to do two meaningful things, wildlife watching and snorkeling, without turning the day into a half-day marathon that drains energy.

Here is the rhythm you should anticipate:

• You meet at the dock area before departure.
• You sail out along the coast while the captain and crew search for marine life.
• You spend time at the core Puerto Colón area for dolphin or whale watching and the viewing portion of the trip.
• You get time for swimming and snorkeling in warm water.
• You return back to the starting meeting spot.

This matters because wildlife is not on your timetable. A good crew uses the time they have to maximize the odds, then builds the snorkeling stop into the schedule when conditions work.

One more good sign: the boat is small, so you do not feel like you are waiting in line for the fun parts. When the crew says snorkel time is coming, it usually feels like you are switching gears, not losing hours to logistics.

Meeting Roulette Charters at Dock 5 in Puerto Colón

No hotel pickup means you will want to plan your arrival in Puerto Colón ahead of time. The meeting point is specific: the door of dock No. 5 of Puerto Colón, about ten minutes before departure.

It is described as the first jetty past the port parking barrier, and the ship is named Roulette. If you arrive early, you give yourself breathing room to find the correct dock door, since ports can be confusing the first time you see them.

There is also mention of skipping the ticket line, which helps on busy days. Still, your best move is simple: arrive on time, check the name Roulette on the boat, then get settled.

Who should book this Tenerife sailboat with snorkeling

This is a great fit if you like nature, you want a calm day at sea, and you prefer a small group. You will likely enjoy it if you:

• Want a chance at seeing pilot whales, dolphins, turtles, and seabirds without the stress of a large crowd
• Like hands-on experiences, especially snorkeling where you can see fish directly
• Appreciate food and drinks included, without planning what to eat during your day

It also tends to work for families. There are examples of a toddler joining the outing, and the crew support appears attentive and caring in the way they handle guests onboard.

If you are the type who gets seasick easily, think ahead. Motion sensitivity is not uncommon on open water, and even a short 3-hour trip can feel rough in choppy conditions for some people. Bring any remedy you use at home, and consider sitting in a lower, steadier part of the boat if that is an option for you.

Value check: is a $68 price point fair for this experience?

At about $68 per person for a 3-hour sail with snorkeling equipment, a guide, wildlife viewing focus, and included drinks plus snacks, this feels like strong value for Tenerife.

Here is why it adds up:

• You are paying for boat time on a small sailing vessel, not just a generic sightseeing transfer.
• Snorkeling equipment is included, so you are not adding rental costs.
• Drinks and snacks reduce the temptation to rush into a café at a random time.
• The wildlife search has a dedicated crew role, including cetacean spotting.

Could you find cheaper? Sure. But the small-group experience plus the integrated food and water time are where the money goes. The boat size also plays a role in comfort and personal service.

Also, the experience includes languages (Spanish, English, French, German), so it is easier for mixed-language groups to enjoy the information without gaps.

Captains and crew you will likely feel in the details

Several crew members get singled out in the way people describe their trip. Names you may see connected with this sailing operation include Rafa, Salvador, Silvio, Jenny, and Yani.

Even without focusing on names, the pattern is consistent: the crew tends to be friendly, attentive, and focused on the sea life and safety. You may also notice a respectful approach, where the goal is watching animals in their environment rather than rushing or forcing the moment.

That human touch matters on a short tour. You remember not just the wildlife, but how it felt when the boat turned toward the whales and someone explained what you were seeing.

Should you book this Tenerife sailboat tour with food and snorkeling?

I would book it if your top priorities are marine wildlife sightings, a small-group sail, and a real chance to snorkel in warm water with gear included. The balance of time on the water, plus included food and drinks, makes it a very efficient use of a few hours.

I would hesitate only if:

• You need hotel pickup and cannot get to Puerto Colón on your own
• You know you get seasick easily and are not willing to manage that risk

If you fit the first group, this is the kind of Tenerife outing that feels both relaxing and active, with the ocean as the main character.

FAQ

How long is the sailboat tour in Tenerife?

The duration is 3 hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for the schedule.

How big is the group?

The sailboat carries up to 10 passengers, with 2 crew.

Where do I meet the tour?

Meet at the door of dock No. 5 of Puerto Colón about 10 minutes before departure. The ship name is Roulette.

What languages are the live guides?

The tour guide is listed in Spanish, English, French, and German.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Are drinks and food included, and is hotel pickup included?

Yes. The tour includes drinks (mineral water, wine, cava, beer, soft drinks) plus snacks. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.