Tenerife: Sailboat Tour Whale Watching Food and Snorkeling

A pod of pilot whales may glide right beside the Roulette, a 12-meter sailboat carrying no more than 10 passengers. That small scale is the heart of this trip. You get open views from the deck, real time with the crew, and a much calmer feel than a large party boat.

I like the chance to sail under wind power when conditions allow, with Tenerife and La Gomera in view. I also like the care taken with the wildlife: Captain Salvador and his crew look for whales and dolphins without crowding them. The main drawback is the sea itself. Some departures have choppy water, and three hours is not long enough for extended snorkeling, lunch, sailing, and wildlife watching all at once.

Key points at a glance

• Small boat, small group: The Roulette carries up to 10 passengers and two crew, with room to move around the deck.
• Pilot whales are the main prize: Sightings have included pods with calves, dolphins, turtles, flying fish, and seabirds.
• A genuine sailing element: The crew may use the sails for much of the outward and return journey when the wind is suitable.
• Snorkeling is part of the plan: Expect a stop of roughly 30 minutes in a sheltered bay, sometimes near a cave.
• Food and drinks are included: Sandwiches, crisps, cake, cava, wine, beer, soft drinks, and water are provided.
• Meeting point matters: Go to dock gate 5 at Puerto Colón, at the first jetty beyond the port parking barrier, 10 minutes before departure.

Why this boat feels different from a standard whale trip

Many sea excursions from Tenerife use large motorboats built to move groups quickly along the south coast. This one uses the Roulette, a compact sailing yacht with three double cabins, two bathrooms, and mats on deck. The cabins and bathrooms are useful features, but most of your time is spent outside, watching the water and coastline.

The maximum of 10 passengers changes the mood. You are not fighting for a place at the rail or trying to hear a guide over loud music. You can sit near the front, move from one side to the other when animals appear, and ask questions without turning the tour into a formal lecture.

The crew usually includes a skipper and a deckhand or steward. Captain Salvador is often named by the crew, and other departures have included Rafa, Ramone, Silvio, Yani, Jenny, and Dani. The names may vary, but the role is consistent: one person handles the boat and wildlife search while the other serves food and drinks, checks on passengers, and helps with snorkeling.

This is a good fit if you want your time on the Atlantic to feel personal and relaxed. It is less suited to someone who wants a fast, highly choreographed attraction with guaranteed animal encounters.

Leaving Puerto Colón for Tenerife’s south coast

The meeting point is at the door of dock number 5 in Puerto Colón. It is the first jetty after you pass the port parking barrier, and the boat is named Roulette. Arrive 10 minutes before departure. The port can be confusing if you are rushing, so allow a little extra time to find the correct dock.

There is no hotel pickup or drop-off included. You need to make your own way to Puerto Colón, which is important when comparing the advertised price with a package that includes transport. The tour itself lasts three hours, but your total outing will be longer once you add the journey to and from the marina.

Once aboard, you settle on the deck and head along Tenerife’s south coast. On a clear day, the views include volcanic shorelines, beaches, open Atlantic water, and the neighboring island of La Gomera. The boat gives you a low, quiet viewpoint that feels very different from looking at the coast from a road or hotel terrace.

When the wind is strong enough, the crew raises the sails. Some outings have sailed for around 90 minutes in total, both out and back. That is not guaranteed, since wind and sea conditions decide how the boat operates, but it is one of the most pleasant features of this experience. You hear the water and wind rather than a motor running constantly.

Searching for pilot whales, dolphins, and turtles

The crew has strong local experience with the marine life around Tenerife. Captain Salvador is especially noted for explaining the animals, the island’s geography, and the sea conditions in both Spanish and English. Italian is also available for the live guide service.

Pilot whales are the species most often seen on this route. They travel in family groups, and sightings can include adults and calves. On good days, the pods approach the boat closely enough for you to watch their movements from the deck. Dolphins may play near the bow or pass alongside the hull. Bottlenose dolphins have also been seen.

Turtles are less predictable, but they are among the possible sightings. Seabirds, flying fish, red-fin tuna, and Cory’s shearwaters have also appeared during trips. The range of wildlife is part of the appeal, but no responsible whale tour can promise a particular species or a close approach.

The crew’s approach matters. The boat may spend time near a pod, but the aim is to observe rather than chase. The skipper may position the Roulette so people on both sides get a view, which is useful on a small boat where everyone can usually shift around easily.

Bring patience. Wildlife watching involves stretches of simply scanning the water. That quiet time is not wasted, especially when the boat is under sail, but you should not book this expecting a nonstop show.

A 30-minute swim and snorkel stop

After the wildlife search, the boat stops in a sheltered bay for swimming and snorkeling. The exact location depends on conditions, but descriptions include a scenic cliff area and a quiet spot with a cave to explore from the water.

Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to bring your own mask and fins. The stop is generally around 30 minutes, enough for a swim and a look at fish in the clear water, but not enough for a long reef session. One useful point is that the crew has to fit the swim stop around the wildlife search and the return sail. If seeing whales is your top priority, the snorkeling portion may feel brief.

The sea can be warm enough for a comfortable swim, though conditions vary. The crew takes care of the practical side and can help you get in and out of the water. If you are not a confident swimmer, you can still enjoy the bay from the boat, but the supplied information does not promise flotation devices or a dedicated swimming lesson, so ask the crew if you need specific assistance.

This stop breaks up the boat ride well. After sitting and watching the horizon, a swim gives you a chance to cool off and see Tenerife’s coast from sea level.

Sandwiches, cake, cava, and simple onboard service

Food and drinks are included in the $70 price. Expect a straightforward lunch rather than a full restaurant meal. Previous menus have included ham and tomato baguettes, Iberian ham sandwiches, crisps, and a slice of cake. Snacks and desserts are also part of the service.

Drinks include mineral water, wine, cava, beer, and soft drinks. The crew regularly offers refreshments, and the amount provided has been enough for a three-hour trip. Cava adds a festive touch, while water and soft drinks make the arrangement work for people who do not drink alcohol.

The food is practical and welcome after swimming. It is not the reason to book the tour, and you should not expect a broad buffet or a special dietary menu unless you arrange it in advance. The crew has accommodated dietary needs on some departures, so tell them before sailing if you have an important restriction.

Service is one of the most praised parts of this outing. The second crew member checks whether people are comfortable, offers drinks, and helps anyone feeling unwell. That personal attention is easier to provide with 10 passengers than with 40 or 50.

Comfort, cabins, and the question of seasickness

The Roulette has deck mats for sitting or lying down, plus three double cabins and two bathrooms. You are not expected to use the cabins during normal sightseeing, but the facilities give the boat a more comfortable feel than a basic open excursion vessel.

A sailing yacht also moves differently from a large motorboat. The motion can be gentle, but the south coast may turn choppy, especially when the wind rises. One passenger became very seasick during a rough outing and received careful help from the crew. That is reassuring in terms of support, but it also confirms that you should take the possibility seriously.

If you are prone to seasickness, sit where the crew suggests, keep your eyes on the horizon, and consider your usual precautions before departure. Avoid treating the included cava as the main event until you know how the sea feels. Families with children have enjoyed the trip, including a toddler, but every child should be comfortable around open water and able to follow the crew’s instructions.

The small group does not remove the effects of weather. It simply gives you more space, easier access to the crew, and a quieter place to recover if the water becomes uncomfortable.

What the $70 price really buys you

At $70 per person, this is good value if you want several experiences in one outing: sailing, wildlife watching, a swim, snorkeling, lunch, and drinks. Comparable activities may focus on only one of those elements, while this trip combines them without putting you on a crowded boat.

The value is strongest for couples, solo visitors, and families who care about personal service. You are paying for the limited capacity as much as for the food. A maximum of 10 passengers means fewer people competing for views and more room to spread out.

The price is less compelling if you only want a short whale-watching ride or if you dislike boats. You are also responsible for reaching Puerto Colón, and hotel transport is not included. That extra effort is minor for people staying near the marina, but it matters if you are based farther away.

The trip has a very strong overall rating of 4.8 from 652 bookings, with repeated praise for the crew, wildlife sightings, food, and group size. The important point is not the number alone. The same strengths appear again and again: the skipper explains what you are seeing, the crew takes care of people, and the small boat keeps the day peaceful.

Languages, timing, and who should book

The live guide service is offered in Spanish, English, and Italian. Captain Salvador and other crew members have explained local geography, marine species, and the history of Tenerife during the ride. The amount of commentary can vary with the crew and the wildlife activity, but this is more than a silent transport trip.

Departure times vary, so check the available start times when booking. A morning sailing may offer softer light and a cooler feel, while an afternoon trip can be pleasant when the heat eases. One afternoon departure was described as warm enough for snorkeling without feeling too hot, but conditions change throughout the year.

The tour suits you best if you:

• Want a small-group boat trip rather than a large excursion
• Enjoy wildlife watching without a guaranteed schedule
• Like the idea of sailing under wind power
• Want swimming and snorkeling but do not need a long water session
• Appreciate food and drinks included in the price
• Are comfortable with the possibility of choppy sea conditions

It is less suitable if you need hotel transport, want a guaranteed whale sighting, or expect a long snorkeling session. It is also not ideal if you become very uncomfortable on open water.

Booking details worth knowing before you go

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. Check the departure time and meeting instructions carefully, since the dock location is specific.

Go to Puerto Colón’s dock number 5, find the Roulette, and arrive 10 minutes early. The boat carries up to 10 passengers and two crew, and the tour includes the sailboat cruise, guide, wildlife watching, drinks, snacks, lunch-style food, dessert, and snorkeling equipment.

Hotel pickup is not included. The tour begins and ends at the same marina, so plan your return journey before you leave.

Should you book the Roulette?

I would choose this trip if I wanted Tenerife’s south coast with a personal touch. The strongest reasons are the small group, the chance to sail quietly, and a crew that treats wildlife watching as more than a quick photo stop.

Book it if you can accept that nature sets the schedule. Pilot whales and dolphins are common possibilities, but turtles and other species are never guaranteed. Also prepare for a short snorkeling stop and occasional rough water.

At $70, the combination of wildlife, sailing, food, drinks, and swimming is a fair deal. If you want a relaxed half-day on the Atlantic and prefer a clean yacht with a small crew to a crowded motorboat, the Roulette is an easy choice.

FAQ

How long is the sailboat tour?

The experience lasts three hours, including sailing, wildlife watching, food, swimming, and snorkeling.

Where does the tour depart?

It departs from Puerto Colón at dock gate number 5. The Roulette is at the first jetty past the port parking barrier.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive at the meeting point 10 minutes before departure.

How many people can join the boat trip?

The sailboat can carry up to 10 passengers, with two crew members.

Which animals might I see?

Possible sightings include pilot whales, dolphins, turtles, seabirds, flying fish, and red-fin tuna. Sightings depend on sea and wildlife conditions.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and the boat stops for swimming and snorkeling in a sheltered bay.

Is food included?

Yes. The tour includes snacks, sandwiches or baguettes, crisps, and dessert or cake.

Which drinks are included?

Included drinks are mineral water, wine, cava, beer, and soft drinks.

Is hotel pickup provided?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to reach Puerto Colón independently.

What languages are available?

The live guide service is available in Spanish, English, and Italian.