Puerto Colon: Dolphin and Whale Watching Speedboat Cruise

Pilot whales and dolphins are the main event here, but the small speedboat changes the feel of the outing. Instead of sitting high above the water on a large sightseeing vessel, you travel close to the sea, along South Tenerife’s cliffs, ports, beaches, and natural swimming pools. On clear days, you may also see Mount Teide and the island of La Gomera.

I like two things in particular: the crew’s apparent care around wild animals, and the chance to stop for a swim and snorkel in a sheltered bay. Guide and captain Nico has received special praise for explaining the sea life and the island, while Tine is also part of the team. The sandwich and drink are simple, but useful after time in the water.

The main drawback is that wildlife sightings can never be promised, and a speedboat is not the calmest way to travel. The boat moves quickly and can feel bumpy, especially for anyone prone to seasickness. Weather can also change the plan, so this is best booked with a little flexibility.

Key points before you book

• Wildlife in its natural setting: Look for dolphins, pilot whales, turtles, and flying fish, with no guarantee of a particular species.
• A three-hour speedboat outing: You get a brisk ride along the south coast rather than a slow, large-boat cruise.
• Swim and snorkel stop: The tour pauses in a bay where you can enter the sea or use the provided snorkeling gear.
• A guide who explains the Atlantic: Nico has been praised for his clear explanations of marine life and Tenerife.
• Light food included: A sandwich and one drink are provided after the water stop.
• Simple meeting point: Meet at Puerto Colon Gate 3 fifteen minutes before departure. Hotel transport is not included.

Why the small boat matters off South Tenerife

A three-hour trip sounds modest, but it gives you enough time for two different experiences. The first is the search for marine life in open water. The second is a closer look at the coast itself, with time to swim in a bay.

The speedboat is the right choice if you want motion and sea air rather than a quiet platform for taking photographs. You will feel the wind and travel quickly between viewing areas. That makes the trip lively, though it also means less room to move around than on a large vessel.

I would not book this expecting a luxury yacht, a full meal, or a guaranteed show from the animals. The appeal is more direct: a small group, a fast ride, a guide who explains what you are seeing, and a chance to get into the Atlantic.

The experience is offered in Spanish and English. A private group option is also available, which may suit you if you prefer a more personal outing or want to keep your group together.

Meeting the boat at Puerto Colon Gate 3

You need to reach Puerto Colon Gate 3 fifteen minutes before departure. A Sea Safari Tenerife staff member waits in front of the gate, checks your printed or digital ticket, and escorts the group to the boat once everyone has arrived.

This is a meeting-point tour, not a hotel excursion. Hotel pickup and return are not included, so allow time to reach Puerto Colon on your own. The early arrival matters because the group leaves together, and late arrivals may not be easy to accommodate once the boat is under way.

Bring a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear. You will want all three even if you are unsure about swimming. The boat stops for a swim, but entering the water is optional.

The supplied information excludes baby strollers, non-folding wheelchairs, non-folding strollers, and electric wheelchairs. If mobility access affects your plans, check with the operator before booking because the tour uses a speedboat and includes a transfer from the gate to the boat.

Watching dolphins and pilot whales in open water

The crew searches for dolphins and whales as the boat travels off Tenerife’s south coast. You might also see turtles and flying fish. The most frequently noted highlights are dolphins and pilot whales, with one outing also producing spotted dolphins, a turtle, a man-of-war jellyfish, and a sac of squid eggs.

Those sightings show both the appeal and the uncertainty of the trip. The Atlantic is not an aquarium. You may see several species close to the boat, or you may spend more time scanning the water and listening to the captain’s explanations.

The most important detail is the crew’s approach to the animals. During one highly praised outing, the boat waited at a respectful distance while the dolphins approached on their own. That is the right attitude for wildlife watching. You get a better experience when the boat does not chase or crowd the animals.

Guide Nico has been praised for explaining the waters around Tenerife and pointing out details that are easy to miss. His role is not just to drive the boat. He helps you understand the behavior of the animals and the setting around you.

Keep your expectations realistic. A clear view of a whale’s back, a pod of dolphins beside the boat, or a turtle at the surface can make the trip memorable. But no responsible operator can promise that exact scene on a particular day.

The South Tenerife coast from the water

The coastal ride adds value to the wildlife search. Instead of seeing only the open sea, you return along a shoreline marked by small ports, beaches, cliffs, and natural swimming pools.

From the water, familiar resort areas can look different. You see the coast from below the cliffs and notice small coves and built-up sections that are easy to overlook from the road. The boat gives you a moving view rather than a single lookout point.

On a clear day, Mount Teide may appear inland, while La Gomera can be visible offshore. These views depend on visibility, so do not count on them as guaranteed parts of the outing. Still, the possibility gives you another reason to keep your camera ready during the ride back.

The boat’s speed is part of the fun. You will cover more coastline than you would on a slow harbor cruise, and the ride itself feels energetic. If you prefer calm water and a steady seat, a larger boat may be more comfortable.

A bay stop for swimming and snorkeling

At some point, the captain stops in a bay for a drink, a sandwich, and time in the water. You can jump in for a swim or stay aboard and enjoy the coastal setting. Snorkeling equipment is provided if you want to look for fish near the boat.

This stop breaks up the speedboat ride well. Three hours of open-water movement could feel repetitive, but the pause gives you a chance to cool off and change pace. It also makes the trip more active than a wildlife cruise where you remain seated throughout.

The snorkeling is best viewed as an added chance to see small sea life, not as a full reef excursion. The information provided does not promise a particular fish species, water clarity, or length of time in the bay. Conditions will determine how rewarding the stop feels.

You should bring beachwear under your clothes and keep your towel close. The sandwich and one drink are included, which is practical after swimming, though one person felt the meal could be dropped in favor of a lower price. I see the food as a useful snack rather than a reason to book the tour.

What the three-hour schedule feels like

The tour lasts three hours from Puerto Colon and combines travel time, wildlife watching, the bay stop, and the return along the coast. Exact departure times vary, so you need to check availability for your chosen date.

The schedule is long enough to give the crew time to search for animals rather than making a quick trip out and back. It also leaves room for the swimming stop. Still, the actual balance between these parts can change with sea conditions and wildlife activity.

You should plan on being outside for the entire outing. The combination of sun, wind, salt spray, and fast movement can be tiring. Sunscreen is essential, and a towel is not optional if you plan to enter the sea.

The tour is subject to weather conditions. That is normal for a boat trip, but it matters here because the speedboat and wildlife search both depend on the sea. Keep the cancellation terms in mind when planning: you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option gives you some flexibility.

Is $77 a fair price?

At $77 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Tenerife from the water. The price makes more sense when you count the three-hour duration, the speedboat, guide, wildlife search, swim stop, snorkeling equipment, sandwich, and drink.

You are paying for a smaller, more active outing rather than a basic transport cruise. The boat’s size lets you feel closer to the water and move along the coast at a faster pace. A private group option may also be worth considering if the price works for your party and you value privacy.

The value depends on what you want. If your priority is simply to see whales at the lowest possible cost, compare other boat trips before booking. If you want wildlife watching combined with a fast coastal ride and time in the water, the package is easier to justify.

The food is modest, and the tour does not include hotel pickup. Those details keep the overall package from feeling all-inclusive. You should budget for getting to Puerto Colon yourself and treat the sandwich as a convenient snack, not a lunch stop.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend this outing to you if you enjoy boats, open water, and a bit of speed. It suits couples, friends, and families with older children who can manage a three-hour ride and a transfer into a small boat.

It is especially good for anyone who wants more than a wildlife checklist. You get explanations about Atlantic marine life, views of Tenerife’s coast, and a chance to swim. The combination makes the day feel varied.

It may be less suitable if you need a very stable vessel, dislike wind and spray, or want a guaranteed close-up animal encounter. Anyone with a tendency toward seasickness should consider that the boat travels at speed and may move sharply over the water.

The private group option could be useful for people who want a more personal outing. The regular trip is likely the better value if you are happy sharing the boat and want to keep costs under control.

Practical details that make the day easier

Wear beachwear and bring a towel, sunscreen, and any personal items you need for three hours outdoors. You should also protect phones and cameras from spray, although no specific storage system is provided in the tour details.

Arrive at Gate 3 fifteen minutes early with your ticket ready on your phone or printed. Since there is no hotel pickup, check your route to Puerto Colon before the day of departure.

The tour runs with a live guide in Spanish and English. If you want detailed explanations in one of those languages, this setup is useful. If you need another language, the supplied information does not confirm one.

Do not plan other time-sensitive activities immediately afterward. The tour is scheduled for three hours, but weather and sea conditions can affect the outing. A little breathing room makes the day less stressful.

My verdict: book it for the mix, not the guarantee

I would book this Puerto Colon trip if I wanted a lively three-hour sea outing that combines wildlife watching, coastal views, and a swim. The strongest features are the small speedboat, the thoughtful approach to marine life, and the range of possible sightings, from dolphins and pilot whales to turtles and flying fish.

I would skip it if I wanted a quiet, highly predictable cruise or a substantial meal. Book with realistic expectations, arrive early, bring beach gear, and remember that nature sets the schedule. For an active day on South Tenerife’s water, $77 is a reasonable price for the combination of boat time, guide, snorkeling, food, and coastal scenery.

FAQ

Where does the dolphin and whale tour depart from?

The tour departs from Puerto Colon Gate 3 in South Tenerife.

How early should I arrive?

You should arrive fifteen minutes before departure. A Sea Safari Tenerife staff member waits in front of Gate 3 to check your printed or digital ticket.

How long does the boat trip last?

The speedboat tour lasts three hours.

What animals might I see?

You might see dolphins, pilot whales, turtles, and flying fish. Other possible sightings include spotted dolphins, jellyfish, and squid eggs, but no particular species is guaranteed.

Is swimming included?

Yes. The boat stops in a bay where you can swim. Entering the water is optional.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included for the stop in the bay.

What food and drink are included?

The tour includes one sandwich and one drink.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. You need to make your own way to Puerto Colon, as hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.