Whale & Dolphin Watching in Tenerife (Puerto Colon) On a Large Catamaran

Catamaran wildlife time in Tenerife beats the land tour. This cruise is built for whales and dolphins, then wraps in a proper break to swim in a bay.

I like two things a lot: the open bar where alcoholic drinks are included, and the big catamaran setup with plenty of room onboard. I also like that you get wildlife info during the trip, so you are not just guessing what you are seeing.

The main drawback to plan for is that wildlife watching can be hit or miss, and some people may feel the offshore time is not as long as they hoped on certain sailings. If you are picky about distance from shore, ask what the usual search pattern looks like for that day.

Key Things You Should Know Before You Go

• Purpose-built for whale and dolphin watching: the outing is designed around spotting marine life, not a generic sightseeing loop
• Open bar with alcoholic beverages included: no surprise bar budget
• Swim stop in a small bay: you get time in the water, not just a photo stop
• Food served onboard: included as part of the experience
• Two departures daily, 3 hours long: easier to fit around beach time or dinner plans
• Max 70 travelers: big-boat size with space to move around

Why Puerto Colón Makes Sense for a Wildlife Cruise

Tenerife is one of those places where the ocean is not background scenery, it is the whole show. A cruise out of the Puerto Colón area gives you a real chance to see whales and dolphins in their natural space, instead of relying on spotty shore sightings.

What I like about this style of trip is that it is structured. You leave the marina, you spend time searching, and you get an anchored swim stop so the cruise feels like more than just waiting and scanning the horizon.

Also, going by catamaran matters. With a large vessel, you tend to get better movement and comfort than smaller boats, especially when the sea is active.

The 3-Hour Flow: Sail, Search, Anchor, Swim, Eat

This is an around-3-hour excursion with two trips daily. The rhythm is simple, and that is good news because wildlife watching needs patience, not complicated schedules.

Here is how the time typically breaks down:

• You board at the marina and set out from the Puerto Colón area.
• You spend time on the water specifically looking for whales and dolphins.
• You anchor in a small bay for a swim stop.
• Food is served for the passengers during that anchored break.
• Then you head back to the meeting point.

The value in that structure is the swim stop. Many tours only give you a quick chance to dip your toes. Here, you get free time to get in the water, which turns the outing into a mini sea day, not just an animal-spotting chore.

Onboard Wildlife Watching: What You’ll Be Doing Out There

The whole idea is that you are on a boat for the wildlife part. That means you are not spending the majority of your time on scenic cruising with a quick look at the horizon once in a while.

You will also get information about the wildlife species you encounter around the island, and the tour is offered in English. Even if you already know the names, I find it makes a big difference. When staff help you connect what you are seeing to a species, you spend less time guessing and more time paying attention.

One practical note: keep your expectations flexible. Even with the best searching, whales and dolphins do not show up like a scheduled parade. If you care about making the most of your chances, bring a good attitude for scanning, and stay on the move around the boat when you spot activity.

Open Bar and Included Food: Real Value, Real Comfort

For $54.29 per person, what stands out most is what is included. Alcoholic beverages are part of the open bar, and food is served during the anchored swim break.

I like this because it removes a common frustration on cruises. You should not need to do mental math every time you want a drink. It also helps the group vibe. When everyone is not funneling money into a bar line, people can focus on the ocean.

The tradeoff is that included food on a boat is rarely gourmet. Still, having food included at the swim stop means you do not need to plan a meal around your tour time. If you are the type who gets hungry waiting for wildlife, this matters.

Also, plan like a swimmer. You will be in a bay long enough to actually change your pace. Even if sunbeds are available, you may find some spots charge extra for them at certain points. Bring a towel and be ready to use the space you are given without assuming lounge gear is free.

Catamaran Size, Space, and Social Distance Feel

This boat experience is capped at a maximum of 70 travelers. That is a meaningful detail because it hints that the catamaran should feel active but not cramped.

The larger craft also helps with comfort when you are looking around. You get more places to stand or sit compared to very small boats where everyone is stacked in one area.

And because this tour explicitly mentions social distancing comfort, it is a good sign if you are sensitive to crowding. You will still be close to other people while boarding and when you gather for sightings, but the overall boat layout is designed with space in mind.

Meeting Point and How to Not Waste Time Finding the Boat

You meet at Av. de Colón, 11, 38660 Playa de las Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain. That is close to public transportation, which makes it easier to arrive without a taxi, especially if you are staying around the south coast.

Here is the practical tip that can save your trip: arrive early enough to figure out where the catamaran is tied up. There can be a lot going on at the marina area, and the boat identification needs to be clear when you show up.

If your confirmation message does not clearly point you to the exact boat details, contact the operator before you go. It is a small step that avoids the very stressful version of “where is my ship.”

Weather and Wildlife Reality Check

This tour needs good weather. That is normal for any marine wildlife outing, but it is also one of the reasons the planning feels safer than many you-only-live-today experiences. If conditions are not right, the tour should be rescheduled or refunded.

Wildlife sightings depend on what the ocean gives that day. In other words, you are paying for the search effort plus the swim stop, not for a guaranteed whale sighting.

If you want the best odds, plan for flexibility. Do not book a tight dinner right after the cruise, and expect that the day’s timing and sightings can shift with sea conditions.

Who This Cruise Is Best For

This is a strong choice if you want a mix of ocean nature and real downtime. The swim stop plus included food makes it feel like an outing, not just a short excursion.

You’ll probably like this most if:

• You are in Tenerife for a few days and want one main ocean activity.
• You like guided wildlife info in English, not just blind scanning.
• You value included drinks because you want to relax without tracking costs.
• You want a big-boat experience with room onboard and a limit of 70 travelers.

It may be less ideal if:

• You are extremely picky about spending lots of time far offshore.
• You hate any chance of your wildlife hopes not fully paying off on the day.
• You want high-end cuisine in a food program that is included but likely simple.

Price and Value: Is $54.29 a Good Deal?

$54.29 per person is not “budget only,” but for what is included, it is also not inflated for a 3-hour catamaran outing.

You get:

• Open bar with alcoholic beverages included
• Food served onboard
• Whale and dolphin watching with wildlife info
• A dedicated swim stop in a bay

Where the value really shines is the combination. Many tours charge extra for drinks, and some skip the swim. Here, you get both drinks and a water break, which makes the total experience feel more complete for the money.

Still, I treat animal tours as variable. The real question is not whether you will enjoy the sea time. You probably will. The question is whether wildlife sightings will hit the level you were hoping for. If you can handle that uncertainty, the pricing makes sense.

Should You Book This Puerto Colón Whale and Dolphin Catamaran?

I’d book it if you want one straightforward ocean day with included drinks, included food, and time to swim. The big catamaran factor and the cap of 70 travelers are practical upgrades, especially if you do not want to feel penned in.

I would hesitate only if you are very strict about long offshore time or you get personally discouraged when wildlife does not cooperate. In that case, you should still consider booking, but ask the operator how the day’s route is decided and double-check that your meeting details are crystal clear.

Bottom line: if you can roll with the wildlife side of the ocean and you actually want the swim stop, this cruise looks like a solid deal for Tenerife.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for the tour?

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

How long is the whale and dolphin watching cruise?

The duration is about 3 hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $54.29 per person.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes an open bar with alcoholic beverages and food, plus whale and dolphin watching and a swim stop.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, the tour is offered in English.

How many people are on the tour at most?

The tour/activity has a maximum of 70 travelers.

What happens if the weather is not good?

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

When will I get confirmation after booking?

You should receive confirmation within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability.