A catamaran hunt for Tenerife’s whales and dolphins. I like the open bar and included food, because you can keep your eyes on the sea, not your wallet. The trip is built around wildlife spotting, and it ends with a swim stop in a small bay where you get time off your seat. One drawback to consider: time offshore can vary with conditions, so you may not always get the long, deep-water search you imagine.

You’ll cruise out from Playa de las Américas area on a large catamaran for about 3 hours. The ride is offered in English, the group is capped at 70, and the boat has enough room to spread out. That makes it a good pick if you want a fun outing without stacking extra costs on the water.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• Open bar plus food included, including alcoholic drinks, so you can snack and sip without extra purchases.
• A dedicated wildlife search, not just a scenic cruise, with info shared about the species around Tenerife.
• Anchor in a small bay for swimming, giving you more than just sightseeing from deck.
• Large catamaran, max 70 travelers, which usually feels calmer than smaller boats.
• English-speaking experience, helpful for anyone who does better with clear wildlife explanations.
• Route and time offshore can shift with weather, so pack the right mindset for variable marine sightings.

From Puerto Colón to the Search Zone: The First Stretch of the Ride

This tour is all about getting you onto the water quickly, then keeping you moving with a purpose. You meet at Av. de Colón, 11 in Playa de las Américas (Tenerife), and from there you head out by catamaran. You’re on a larger vessel, so you should feel steadier than on tiny boats, especially if the sea has a bit of chop.

I like the pacing here because it’s not a long trip that turns into an endurance test. At around 3 hours, you get enough time for a real search for whales and dolphins, plus time to enjoy the stop later. And since this is offered in English, you’ll get wildlife info in a way that’s easy to follow without playing a guessing game.

Practical note: the meeting point is a marina area, which can be crowded. Show up a little early so you can calmly find the correct boat. One negative experience mentioned trouble locating the right vessel due to unclear details on arrival, and honestly, that’s avoidable with a quick early check.

How Whale and Dolphin Watching Works in Tenerife Waters

When the boat sets up for whale and dolphin watching, the goal is simple: locate wildlife actively, then use guidance and spotting to keep everyone on track. The tour includes information about the species you encounter and what lives around the island. That matters, because seeing movement on the horizon is one thing, but understanding what you might be looking at makes the whole outing feel more rewarding.

In Tenerife, sightings can be unpredictable. Even when conditions are good, whales and dolphins do not follow schedules. The best approach is to treat this as a scouting trip. If you’re lucky, you’ll see animals close enough to make it thrilling. If you don’t get a major moment, you still come away with time on the water, shared spotting, and a swim stop that turns the day from just waiting into actually doing something.

Also, watch for the timing of offshore searching. One critical account felt the trip stayed closer to the coast for much of the time, with only a short push out farther later. You can’t control the route, but you can control your expectations. If your top priority is extended deep-water searching, you should mentally file this under weather and route dependent, not guaranteed.

The Catamaran Advantage: Space, Comfort, and a Social Atmosphere

A large catamaran is a smart choice for this kind of outing. You’re not pressed into a cramped corner with elbows everywhere, and that makes it easier to stay comfortable as you shift positions to look for wildlife. With a maximum of 70 travelers, you should have decent room to move around on deck.

I also like the group size because it usually keeps the experience from feeling like a mass tour bus. You still get energy and conversation, but it doesn’t feel chaotic. The tour also mentions room for social distancing, which tells you the operator expects this boat to allow a bit more breathing space than smaller alternatives.

Comfort tips that actually help:

• Bring a light layer, even in warm weather. Wind on the water cools fast.
• Wear shoes with grip if you plan to move around deck, especially when the boat is anchored.
• If you’re prone to motion sickness, bring what works for you. The catamaran helps, but ocean conditions still matter.

The Included Swim Stop in a Small Bay (This Is the Real Win)

Here’s the part that turns the tour from a wildlife gamble into a full-value outing: you anchor in a small bay and get free time to get out in the water and swim. This is not just a quick stop to toss your feet over the side. The way it’s described, you’re getting time in the water, which is what many people want on a Tenerife day.

This stop also helps balance the whale and dolphin part. If sightings are slow at first, you still have a plan for fun. And if you do have a great sighting, the swim stop lets you keep the momentum and stretch the outing beyond the horizon-watching phase.

A small caution from one negative review: some people reported extra costs for sunbeds, around 20 EUR. The tour info you have does not mention this cost, so treat it as a heads-up, not a promise. In your planning, decide whether you care about using a labeled sunbed versus using available space on deck or along the boat’s seating.

What I recommend for the swim:

• Bring your swimwear under your clothes so you can change fast when you anchor.
• Pack a small towel or plan to keep what you bring dry as best you can.
• Bring a waterproof pouch for phone and keys, if you want to capture photos without panic.

Open Bar and Food: Value for Money, Not Just Perks

One of the best parts here is the included open bar, with alcoholic beverages included, plus food. That means you can focus on the experience without calculating how much a drink is costing you every time you stand up.

This is real value on a boat. Boat prices can get wild quickly, and most people end up buying at least a few extras. By including drinks and food, the operator cuts down on the constant little spending decisions. You also avoid the awkward moment where you want to relax but feel stuck watching other people order while you skip.

Now for the balanced view. One critical comment said the food felt not very well done for the price. Since we’re not given menu details, I’d treat the included meal as a bonus, not a five-star sit-down. The bigger idea is the convenience: you get sustenance so the day stays fun, even if you work up an appetite from sun and sea air.

If you’re picky about food, bring a small snack for backup. If you’re not, enjoy the included meal and use it as fuel for the swim stop.

Where You’ll Go, What Happens, and Why It Matters

This tour follows a straightforward rhythm:

1) Board at the marina area and head out on the catamaran.

2) Spend time exploring for whales and dolphins, with wildlife information shared along the way.

3) Anchor in a small bay for swimming and serve food to passengers.

4) Return to the marina to end where you started.

The reason this structure works is that it protects you from the all-or-nothing problem. Whale and dolphin sightings are never fully guaranteed, but the bay swim gives you a concrete activity. That makes the outing feel like a shared experience, not a waiting room with wave noise.

The main trade-off is that routes can change. Weather and sea conditions can affect how far out you go and how long you spend searching. The tour description also notes that it requires good weather. So if the day is calm, you’re likely to enjoy the ride more and get a smoother search. If it’s rough, the operator may change plans or cancel.

Price Check: Is $54.29 a Smart Deal?

At $54.29 per person, this sits in the mid-range for marine wildlife trips from Tenerife. The price becomes more interesting when you remember what’s included: open bar with alcoholic drinks, food, and the swim stop.

That’s why I think it can be good value. Many tours in this category quietly charge extra for drinks, snacks, or anything that makes the trip feel complete. Here, those costs are bundled into the ticket price, which is exactly what you want on a boat day.

But let your decision depend on your personal priorities:

• If your main goal is wildlife and you’re okay with variability, you may feel it’s worth it because it’s designed for spotting animals.
• If your main goal is a long offshore whale-search trip every time, you should keep expectations flexible. Route timing can affect how much offshore time you get.

One more practical value lens: group size. With a max of 70, you’re not in a tiny boat where everything is squeezed. That tends to improve comfort, and comfort makes the experience feel better even when sightings are just okay.

Meeting Point at Av. de Colón: Getting On Without Stress

The meeting point is Av. de Colón, 11, 38660 Playa de las Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain. This is a marina area, so there’s usually more than one boat, more than one desk, and plenty of people arriving at once.

Here’s how I’d make it painless:

• Arrive early enough to find your exact catamaran without rushing.
• Keep your confirmation details handy on your phone.
• If anything in your confirmation is unclear, ask right away rather than guessing.

A negative experience mentioned trouble finding the correct boat because the confirmation description lacked a clear guide. That can happen on busy days, so don’t assume it will be obvious when you get there.

Who This Tour Fits Best on Your Tenerife Day

I’d point this tour at a few types of travelers:

• People who want wildlife watching plus real downtime (swimming in a bay).
• Anyone who hates onboard upcharges, since drinks and food are included.
• Groups and mixed ages, because the catamaran setup is more comfortable than very small craft.
• English speakers who want wildlife info without struggling through translations.

It may not fit as well if you’re the kind of traveler who needs constant action far offshore. Whale and dolphin watching is nature, so it comes with uncertainty. Also, if you’re strongly focused on avoiding any potential extras at the boat (like reported sunbed charges), you should plan accordingly.

Weather and Sea Conditions: The Day Maker or Breaker

This experience requires good weather. That’s not a minor detail, it’s the core of your success. Rougher seas can reduce comfort on deck and affect how the crew searches. It can also affect whether the operator runs the trip as planned.

The good news is you’re on a catamaran. That usually helps with stability compared to smaller boats. Still, you should dress for wind. Bring sunglasses, sunscreen, and a layer you can live with if the breeze hits.

If the tour gets canceled due to poor weather, you’ll either be offered a different date or a full refund. Since cancellations can happen in ocean-based tours, treat flexibility as part of the plan.

Final Call: Should You Book This Whale and Dolphin Catamaran Tour?

I’d book this if you want a solid, 3-hour Tenerife outing that mixes wildlife watching with real included value: open bar, food, and a swim stop in a bay. The large catamaran format and max 70 travelers also suggest a more comfortable day on the water than cramped alternatives.

Skip it or at least re-think it if you need guaranteed, long offshore searching every time. Route timing depends on sea conditions, and one critical account felt the trip did not match their expectation of deep whale watching.

If you’re flexible, enjoy the ocean vibe, and care about getting more than just passive sightseeing, this is a strong contender from Puerto Colón for a fun Tenerife half-day.

FAQ

How long is the whale and dolphin watching tour?

It runs for about 3 hours.

What’s included on board?

The tour includes alcoholic beverages, food, whale and dolphin watching, and a swim stop in a bay.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it’s offered in English.

Where do I meet the tour?

You meet at Av. de Colón, 11, 38660 Playa de las Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

How many people are on the tour?

The tour has a maximum of 70 travelers.

What happens if the weather is poor or I need to cancel?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.