Whales and dolphins, plus real swimming time. This OPERA 60 luxury RIB is built for comfort and access, and it pairs whale and dolphin spotting with a snorkeling-and-swim stop off Tenerife’s coast. I especially like the way the boat is set up to feel like a proper day on the water, not a cramped tour, and I like that you get drinks, snacks, and snorkeling gear on board. One thing to keep in mind: this experience depends on good weather, and service quality can vary if you end up on a slower start day.

OPERA 60 runs from Puerto Colón in Playa de las Américas, with a small group size capped at 15, which helps everyone actually enjoy the ride. The standout for me is the boat itself, it is big, fast, and surprisingly comfortable, with sunbeds, two tables, music speakers, and even showers for after a swim. The possible drawback is simple: you are paying a premium, so if you expect constant attention from minute one, choose this only if you are okay speaking up early and staying flexible.

If you want a mix of wildlife and water time, this is a good Tenerife formula. You get chances to spot dolphins, sea turtles, and whales as you cruise, then you slow down at a swimming bay for snorkeling and a provided meal. If that is your goal, OPERA 60 gives you a comfortable way to chase it.

Key points to know before you go

• OPERA 60 is large and purpose-built, with a 60-foot hull and Volvo Penta twin engines for a smoother ride
• Small group size (max 15) means more space and better viewing from the deck
• Snorkeling and swim gear are provided, plus there is a toilet and showers for after water time
• Drinks, snacks, and a meal are served onboard, with onboard music speakers for the cruising part
• Whale and dolphin viewing is done at respectful distance, with a focus on spotting, not chasing

Why OPERA 60 feels like luxury for Tenerife’s open water

Tenerife’s south coast is famous for its sea life, but most boat tours fall into one of two buckets: either they are all speed and spotting, or they are all food and time sitting. OPERA 60 tries to balance both, and it does it with a serious boat.

This is a rigid inflatable boat with an extra-safe rigid hull design and inflatable side defenses. That matters, because you are out on open water, and the comfort and stability of the platform change the whole mood of the trip. It is also designed with visible care, the boat is decorated with a styled, elegant look, so the vibe stays “day out” instead of “cattle-boat transfer.”

The other reason it works is the deck layout. You get sunbeds, sitting areas, and space to move around. On a smaller group day, you are not constantly climbing over people to find a good angle for dolphins or whales.

Boat specs that translate into comfort and spotting

OPERA 60 is not a toy. It is close to 20 meters long, and it runs on 740 HP across two Volvo Penta engines. That power is useful for getting out to where sightings are more likely and for keeping the ride moving when conditions shift.

What you feel as a passenger is mostly space and stability, not horsepower. With a larger RIB like this, you typically get:

• more room to sit without squeezing
• easier group movement to find sea life on either side
• a better base for snorkeling prep, because you can move around comfortably before the swimming bay stop

Then there are the practical extras that you do not always see on wildlife boats. There is a toilet onboard and showers for after swimming. That is a big deal if you want to towel off, rinse the salt water away, and stay comfortable on the ride back to shore.

The 3-hour Tenerife flow, Puerto Colón to the snorkel bay

OPERA 60 starts and ends at Puerto Colón, Playa de las Américas. It is a half-day feel, even if the official duration is about three hours.

Here is the rhythm you should expect.

1) Boarding and getting your bearings

You meet at Puerto Colón, then you board and settle in. The crew sets the tone right away, and they are the people who help you understand what to look for. In past experiences on this boat, the hosts have been the kind of team that points out what matters, like what sightings can look like at first glance and where to focus your eyes when the water calms.

This is also when you want to get your snorkeling gear sorted if you are nervous about doing it later. Since equipment is provided, you can keep your own packing simple, but you should still plan how you will keep everything secure.

2) Wildlife cruising, dolphins and whales on the move

Once you are out at sea, the tour becomes a hunt with a plan. As you cruise along the coast, you look out for dolphins, sea turtles, and whales. When a sighting is close, you will typically get multiple opportunities to spot it, because the crew keeps you oriented rather than rushing everyone forward and then leaving you staring at blank water.

A key point is how you are positioned. With the space on this boat, you can usually find your own angle without constant repositioning. That helps for quick dolphin surface moments and for slower whale blows.

3) The swim and snorkeling stop

Then comes the part many people book for: the stop at a swimming and snorkeling bay. This is where the tour turns from wildlife watching to actual time in the water.

Snorkeling equipment is included onboard, so you are not scrambling to rent gear at the last minute. And you are not just thrown into the water. There is typically enough time to swim, snorkel, then recover. Many people love this part because it makes the entire trip feel like you did two activities, not one activity and a long ride.

After you finish, the onboard showers help a lot. You can rinse off salt water and keep the second half of your day comfortable.

Drinks, snacks, and onboard meal, what you really get

This is where OPERA 60 leans into “luxury day out” rather than “basic sightseeing.”

You are provided with drinks and snacks on board, and there is also a warm meal during the swim stop period. In positive experiences, people have praised the food choice and the fact that drinks like wine and beer, plus sparkling options, are served as part of the experience.

One important note for your expectations: the service can be smooth and plentiful, but if you end up on a slower first phase, you may need to ask for what you want early. A premium tour should feel properly hosted from the start, so if drinks and attention from minute one are a must for you, I would go in with the mindset that you can speak up politely and quickly.

How to make the most of the onboard food timing

If you are hungry, treat the snack and meal as part of the pacing, not an afterthought. I like planning my own energy for this kind of boat day:

• eat something light before the snorkeling, if you can
• drink water and ease into alcohol if that is your style
• plan to rinse and change after the water stop, so you do not end the day feeling grim

Wildlife spotting tips that match how this tour runs

The crew’s job is not just to drive. It is to help you actually see things, and that is why they matter. On this trip, guides have been specifically helpful with what to look for and how to spot animals at the surface.

Here are practical tips you can use right away on a boat like this.

Choose your side and adjust when the crew calls something out

When dolphins appear, they can move fast and surface in short bursts. When you hear a call, do two things:

1) move your eyes to where the crew is looking

2) watch the waterline, not the horizon

Keep scanning even when nothing is happening

Whales and turtles do not always pop up right when you look. If the crew adjusts course, it is usually because something is there. Use the cruising time to scan continuously, because sea life can appear after calm stretches.

Be ready for “close but respectful”

This tour focuses on respectful distance, which is the right approach. It also means you should bring realistic eyes. You might not get perfect, documentary-level views, but you can still get a memorable, genuine encounter when your expectations match the rules.

What makes the boat experience special, beyond the photos

The big reason OPERA 60 gets strong scores is the combination of comfort, space, and the feeling that you are cared for while you are out there.

On the best days, the crew is warm and attentive, and hosts have been praised by name, including Fabrizio. When a host like that keeps the group feeling relaxed and in the loop, you stop thinking about logistics and start enjoying what is happening on the water.

The other detail that people really notice is how uncrowded it feels. With a maximum of 15 travelers, you are not shoulder to shoulder. That matters for:

• finding a spot to watch without blocking someone else
• passing through seating areas
• keeping snorkel timing smooth when you are gearing up

Price and value, is $96.79 worth it?

At about $96.79 per person for roughly three hours, the price is not low. On Tenerife, you can often find cheaper boat tours, but you are usually trading away either comfort, amenities, or the quality of the food and drink package.

Here, you are paying for:

• a luxury-style RIB setup with real space
• onboard drinks, snacks, and a warm meal
• provided snorkeling equipment
• showers and toilet on board, so you do not feel stranded after the swim

So I see the value if your plan includes both wildlife and water time. If you only care about seeing dolphins and whales and you hate snorkeling stops, you might be paying for extras you will not use. But if you want a single booking that delivers both, it can be a good use of your Tenerife time.

A smart move is booking ahead, since the average booking window is about 26 days. Even if this is not a last-minute situation for everyone, planning in advance helps you lock in the day you want.

Who should book OPERA 60, and who might not love it

This tour tends to fit best if you want a balanced water day.

You will probably enjoy it if you:

• want whale and dolphin viewing with a comfortable boat and space for your group
• enjoy snorkeling and want equipment handled for you
• like having drinks and a meal included so you do not plan meals on your own
• travel with kids or a mixed-age group and want a less chaotic boat setting

You might hesitate if:

• you hate any chance of uneven service timing, because a premium experience should still feel smooth
• you do not swim or snorkel at all, since that bay time is part of the core package
• you are extremely sensitive to weather changes, since the tour requires good weather

What to bring for a smooth, no-stress day

Since snorkeling equipment is provided, you can travel light. Still, bring what you need to feel good when you are in the water and after you return.

My practical checklist:

• your swimwear, so you are ready when it is time for the bay
• a towel if you prefer having one from home, even if you can rinse on board
• reef-safe sunscreen and sunglasses that you can keep from losing
• a lightweight layer for the ride back, because sea breezes can cool you off after you rinse

And bring a positive mindset for wildlife watching. You are not guaranteed every animal on every day, but the boat experience and the swim stop are built to make the trip worthwhile even when sightings are different than you imagined.

Should you book OPERA 60 on Tenerife?

If your ideal Tenerife afternoon includes both wildlife watching and real snorkeling time, I think this is a strong choice. The boat is bigger and more comfortable than many alternatives, you get amenities that actually matter, and the small group size helps you enjoy the experience instead of fighting for space.

I would decide to book if:

• you want a single trip that combines whales and dolphins with swimming and snorkeling
• you like the idea of a furnished, luxury-style RIB with showers onboard
• you are okay paying more for included drinks, snacks, and a meal

I would pause if:

• you only want the wildlife portion and would skip snorkeling
• you expect perfect, minute-by-minute service no matter what conditions are like

If you do book, pack for water, be ready to ask for what you want early if needed, and keep your eyes open. When the crew finds sea life, the combination of open deck space and time in the bay is what makes OPERA 60 feel like a proper Tenerife day.

FAQ

How long is the Luxury Opera 60 Whale & Dolphin Watching Experience?

It is approximately 3 hours.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Puerto Colón in Playa de las Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, and ends back at the same meeting point.

What is included on board?

Snorkeling equipment is provided, and the tour includes drinks and snacks, plus a meal during the experience.

What language is the tour offered in?

The experience is offered in English.

How big is the group?

The maximum group size is 15 travelers.

Is the experience weather dependent?

Yes, it requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.