REVIEW · TENERIFE
SAILING YACHT EXCURSION TOUR, Food & Drinks included!
Book on Viator →Operated by TENERIFE BEST EXCURSIONS tour operator · Bookable on Viator
A few hours on the water can change your Tenerife day. This small-group sailing trip heads out from Puerto Colón to search for dolphins and whales, then gives you time to swim and snorkel in clear Atlantic water. You’ll cruise at a comfortable pace, with an experienced crew and life vests on board.
What I like most is the mix of wildlife time plus water time, without feeling rushed. The included buffet lunch and drinks help too, so you’re not planning your day around finding food. And because it’s capped at 11 travelers, the vibe stays friendly rather than chaotic.
One consideration: this is often described as a yacht, but expect a sailing boat experience. Wind and sea conditions can affect how much you actually feel the sailing motion, and some people found the meal or drink portions less generous than they hoped.
In This Review
- Key Highlights You’ll Care About
- Setting Off From Puerto Colón: What Your 3 Hours Look Like
- Dolphins and Whales Near the Southern Coast: The Main Event
- When the Boat Slows Down: Swimming and Snorkeling Time
- Lunch and Drinks Aboard: The Value Part
- Small-Group Sailing: Why the 11-Person Limit Matters
- Stop at Playa de las Américas: Where the Day Gets Its Focus
- What to Bring (So You Don’t Waste Time Once You’re Onboard)
- Price and Value: Is $69.46 Worth It?
- Who This Trip Suits Best (And Who Should Skip It)
- The Bottom Line: Should You Book This Sailing Excursion?
- FAQ
- Where does the tour start and end?
- How long is the sailing yacht excursion?
- How big is the group?
- What’s included in the price?
- Do you get a chance to swim or snorkel?
- Is life jacket safety provided?
- Is wildlife spotting guaranteed?
- What should I do if the weather is poor?
- How does cancellation work?
- When will I receive confirmation after booking?
- Is the meeting point near public transportation?
Key Highlights You’ll Care About
- Max 11 people onboard for a calmer, more personal trip
- Buffet lunch + drinks included, so you start worrying less about meals
- Snorkel gear is provided and you get a chance to swim in the water
- Life vests + an experienced crew for a safe, easygoing day on deck
- Dolphins and whales search from Tenerife’s southern coast in natural habitat
Setting Off From Puerto Colón: What Your 3 Hours Look Like
This trip is built for a half-day rhythm: it’s about 3 hours on the water, with the action focused on the southern side of Tenerife. You meet at Bar Restaurante Club Náutico Puerto Colón in Costa Adeje (near the harbor area), and the tour returns back to the same spot.
The good news for planning is that this is a straightforward out-and-back style excursion. You’re not dealing with a long drive into the countryside or a day-long schedule that steals your evening. Since you’ll be out at sea for only a few hours, you can still keep the rest of your day flexible for beaches, dinner, or a quick hike.
Also, the tour is weather-dependent. If conditions aren’t safe, they’ll offer another date or a full refund, so keep an eye on your confirmation timing and be ready to shift plans if Tenerife decides to be moody.
Dolphins and Whales Near the Southern Coast: The Main Event
The whole point here is to admire Tenerife’s ocean scenery and marine life from the boat. The crew sets the route along the island’s southern coastline, where you have a chance to spot dolphins and whales swimming freely.
Here’s the practical takeaway: wildlife viewing is never guaranteed. What this tour does well is increase your odds by staying focused on the right habitat area and keeping you moving between spots. On a short trip, that matters—too many excursions waste time, and you don’t end up where the action might be.
If you’re the type who loves being on the water more than ticking off an animal checklist, you’ll still get plenty. Expect clear views, sea light that changes every few minutes, and the sense of being out where the island looks different. Even when the animals don’t show perfectly, the cruise itself is part of the payoff.
When the Boat Slows Down: Swimming and Snorkeling Time
This is one of those tours that doesn’t stop at just sightseeing. You get multiple chances to get in the water for swimming or snorkeling, with gear included. The water is described as crystal clear, and the plan includes safe stops so you can enjoy it without feeling like you’re being herded.
What to expect in real terms: you’ll likely spend short chunks of time in the water, then return to the boat to reset, grab a drink, and get ready for the next stop. That’s ideal for most people because you can keep the experience comfortable even if you’re not a “stay in the ocean for an hour” kind of snorkeler.
If you want the best experience, go in knowing this is time on the move. Bring the basics for a wet outing—something you can wear comfortably in and out of the water, plus a plan for damp hair and sun protection. (The tour includes snorkeling gear, but you’ll still want to think about your own comfort.)
Lunch and Drinks Aboard: The Value Part
The included buffet lunch is served onboard, along with drinks. For a tour at this price point, that’s a big part of why it can feel like a deal: you’re paying once and handling multiple needs at the same time—boat time, wildlife search, and food.
From what’s been reported, the lunch is positioned as straightforward and meant to keep everyone fueled for swimming. Some guests mentioned items like sandwiches and drinks such as cava and beer, though your exact spread can vary by day. The most useful way to plan is this: treat lunch as a convenient “boat meal,” not a gourmet sit-down.
This matters because expectations drive satisfaction. If you want a fancy meal with lots of variety, this probably won’t be the match. If you want solid food that doesn’t steal time from the ocean, it can be very good value for 69.46 USD.
Small-Group Sailing: Why the 11-Person Limit Matters
The trip is run with a maximum of 11 travelers. That small number changes the whole feel of the day. It’s easier to hear the crew, easier to find space to sit or move around, and less waiting when it’s time to get in the water.
Safety support is part of the package too. You’ll have life vests on board, and the crew is there to help you make the swim/snorkel transitions smoothly. The vibe is relaxed rather than strict, but it’s not casual in a way that ignores safety.
One more note from experience-based feedback: some people felt the tour description made it sound more like a “yacht” than a simpler sailboat experience. That doesn’t automatically mean it’s uncomfortable. It just means your mental picture should be “small sailing excursion” rather than luxury cruise ship.
Stop at Playa de las Américas: Where the Day Gets Its Focus
Most of your action is built around the southern Tenerife area, including the Playa de las Américas region. That matters because it keeps the trip grounded near the coast where boats are well positioned to look for marine life and where you can access clean-water swimming stops.
The way this usually works on excursions like this is that the crew plans around water conditions and sightings. So even if your day has a known meeting point and general area, the exact rhythm of stops may shift depending on what the crew sees offshore. That’s normal, and it’s often what you want: the captain and crew can respond to real sea conditions rather than driving a fixed schedule no matter what.
What to Bring (So You Don’t Waste Time Once You’re Onboard)
Since you’ll be swimming and snorkeling, your comfort depends on prep more than on luck. Based on how these trips run, I’d plan for the essentials:
- Swimwear under your clothes and a way to change easily
- Sun protection for deck time
- A towel and dry bag (or at least something to protect your phone)
- Water-friendly footwear if the boat deck and steps call for it
If you’re prone to seasickness, consider bringing what you normally use. Short trips are easier to manage, but the sea can still rock the boat.
Price and Value: Is $69.46 Worth It?
At $69.46 per person, the value comes from bundling. You’re paying for:
- boat time on southern Tenerife
- a guided wildlife search for dolphins and whales
- a buffet lunch and drinks
- snorkel gear and multiple water stops
In other words, you’re not just buying a seat on a boat. You’re buying the whole “day on the water” package. That tends to be the sweet spot for good travel value: less decision fatigue, fewer extra purchases, and a clear purpose for the excursion.
Where some guests feel let down is usually not the existence of lunch and drinks, but the expectation level—portion size, drink variety, and how premium the meal feels. If you approach this as a fun, ocean-first sailing outing with practical onboard food, you’re more likely to feel like you got your money’s worth.
Who This Trip Suits Best (And Who Should Skip It)
This is a strong fit if you want:
- a short, easy excursion that fits into a busy Tenerife itinerary
- wildlife time plus time in the water
- a small-group sailing experience
- an excursion where food and drinks are handled for you
You might choose another option if:
- you’re expecting a luxury yacht experience with a high-end meal
- you want lots of guaranteed sailing motion no matter the wind
- you’re extremely sensitive to how much food variety you get on trips
Also, it’s a reasonable pick if you enjoy simple planning. The meeting point is in a public, recognizable harbor area, and the tour ends back where it starts.
The Bottom Line: Should You Book This Sailing Excursion?
If your priority is ocean time, marine life searching, and a chance to swim and snorkel without coordinating all the extras yourself, I’d say this is worth considering. The small-group cap, included lunch and drinks, and onboard snorkeling setup make it a practical way to experience Tenerife from the water.
Just go in with the right expectations: this is more “sailing excursion on a small boat” than “luxury cruise.” If you’re okay with that, you’ll likely enjoy the day for what it is—easy, scenic, and built around Tenerife’s Atlantic energy.
FAQ
Where does the tour start and end?
It starts at Bar Restaurante Club Náutico Puerto Colón in Costa Adeje, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, and ends back at the same meeting point.
How long is the sailing yacht excursion?
The duration is about 3 hours.
How big is the group?
The tour has a maximum of 11 travelers.
What’s included in the price?
Food and drinks are included, and the tour also includes snorkel gear for swimming/snorkeling time.
Do you get a chance to swim or snorkel?
Yes. There are stops where you can jump in to swim or snorkel in clear water.
Is life jacket safety provided?
Yes. Life vests are provided on board.
Is wildlife spotting guaranteed?
No. It’s a trip designed to look for dolphins and whales in their natural habitat, but sightings can’t be guaranteed.
What should I do if the weather is poor?
The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
How does cancellation work?
You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount paid is not refunded.
When will I receive confirmation after booking?
Confirmation is received within 48 hours of booking, depending on availability.
Is the meeting point near public transportation?
Yes, it’s listed as being near public transportation.
