3 hrs. Whale Watching and Relaxing Chill Out Catamaran with glass floor

Tenerife is one of the few places in Europe where whales and dolphins can be seen year-round in the wild, and this three-hour catamaran trip puts that search at the center of the outing. I like the small maximum group of 12, which should feel calmer than a packed sightseeing boat, and the chance to watch from front nets, shaded seating, or a glass floor.

I also like that lunch and unlimited drinks are included, so you can focus on the water rather than packing a meal. The main consideration is simple: wildlife sightings cannot be promised, and the trip depends on good weather. No guide names are provided, so live commentary is offered by the onboard crew rather than a named expert.

Key points to know before you book

• Whale and dolphin search: The trip begins looking for marine life soon after leaving Puerto Colón.
• Small-group sailing: The boat accepts a maximum of 12 people, giving the outing a more relaxed feel.
• Glass floor and front nets: You have several ways to watch the sea, take photos, and enjoy the ride.
• Lunch and drinks included: Beer, wine, soft drinks, and a meal are served during the stop in the bay.
• Swimming break: The catamaran anchors for about 30 to 45 minutes, with snorkels available to request.
• Three-hour coastal route: The return follows Tenerife’s west coast, with time to sit back and watch the shore.

Why this catamaran trip works well in Tenerife

Many boat trips ask you to choose between wildlife watching and a relaxing afternoon at sea. This one tries to give you both. The first part focuses on whales and dolphins, while the second slows down in a sheltered bay for swimming, food, drinks, and time on deck.

That balance matters. If you spend three hours only scanning the horizon, the trip can feel long when animals stay out of sight. Here, you still have a pleasant half-day on the water even if nature does not cooperate. The crew provides live commentary throughout the trip, which helps you understand what you are looking for and keeps the ride from becoming a silent wait.

The small size is another strong point. With no more than 12 people, you should have a better chance of finding a comfortable spot and moving around without pushing past a crowd. The boat has spacious decks, cushions for lounging, nets at the front, and shaded seating at the back. Each area offers a different view of the sea.

The glass floor adds another way to watch the water. It does not replace seeing whales or dolphins at the surface, but it gives you something to look at while the boat is anchored or moving through clearer water. For families, it can help keep children interested between sightings.

Leaving Puerto Colón for the open water

The meeting point is Club Náutico Puerto Colón in Playa de las Américas. The activity begins and ends at the port, and the location is near public transportation. You arrange your own way there, since private transportation is not included.

Once the catamaran leaves the harbor, the crew begins searching for whales and dolphins. This early part of the trip is the main wildlife-watch period. Keep your phone or camera ready, but give yourself time to watch without looking only through a screen. Marine animals appear quickly, and the best moment may last just a few seconds.

The crew provides live commentary on board. Since specific guide names are not supplied, you should think of this as a crew-led outing rather than a tour built around one named marine specialist. The commentary is still useful: it can point out where to look, explain what you are seeing, and give structure to the search.

The wildlife is free in its natural setting, which is the heart of the experience. That also means the result is never fully under the crew’s control. A strong trip may bring close views or dramatic movement, but calm water and open horizons are part of the deal too. The supplied rating is 5 out of 5 from 25 reviews, with 100 percent recommending it, and one especially memorable account describes whales jumping out of the water. Treat that as a possible highlight, not a promise.

Whale and dolphin watching without a rigid schedule

The boat heads out with a clear purpose, but the exact route depends on where animals may be found. The crew searches after departure rather than taking you straight to a fixed viewing platform. That makes the outing feel more like a real wildlife watch than a standard coastal cruise.

You will want to stay alert during this section. Look across the water, not just beside the boat. Whales and dolphins may surface at different distances, and the crew’s commentary should help direct your attention. The open decks make it easier to change your viewpoint and take photographs.

Photography is a major part of the appeal. Tenerife’s coast provides a good backdrop, while the boat gives you chances to capture sea spray, fins, the shoreline, and the wider view from the water. A phone is enough for casual pictures, but you may prefer a camera with a zoom if you are hoping to record animals at a distance.

The trip is not designed as a fast, action-heavy ride. It is a search, followed by a rest stop. That makes it a better choice for you if you enjoy patience, sea air, and changing views rather than expecting nonstop animal activity.

A 30 to 45 minute pause in a southwest bay

After the wildlife search, the catamaran heads to a small bay in the southwest of Tenerife. The boat anchors there for roughly 30 to 45 minutes, giving you a clear break from the search.

This is when the experience changes pace. You can stretch out on cushions across the deck or settle into the nets at the front of the boat. The shaded seating area at the back is where lunch and drinks are served, so you can choose between sun, shade, movement, and comfort.

You can also swim during the stop. If you want to snorkel, ask the captain for snorkeling equipment and explore the water around the boat. The supplied details say that snorkeling equipment is available to use, but it is not included as a separately listed inclusion, so asking the captain directly is the sensible approach.

Do not expect the swimming stop to feel like a full beach visit. It is a short boat-based break, and the time includes serving food and drinks. Still, 30 to 45 minutes is enough for a swim, a look below the surface, or a relaxed pause with a drink in hand.

This part also makes the tour more suitable for mixed groups. One person can swim, another can sit in the shade, and someone else can use the front nets or look through the glass floor. You are not locked into one activity for the entire outing.

Lunch, unlimited drinks, and the real value of the package

Food and drinks are included, which improves the value of a three-hour trip. Lunch is served during the anchorage, and the drink selection includes unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks. That means you do not need to bring a meal or budget for each drink on board.

The practical benefit is greater than it may first seem. A boat trip can become expensive when you add food, water, and refreshments separately. Here, the meal and drinks are part of the experience, so you know the core costs before you sail. The displayed price in the supplied information is $0.00, which may indicate a placeholder or booking-system issue rather than a confirmed free fare. Check the live booking page carefully before paying or making plans around the cost.

Vegetarian food is available if requested at the time of booking. You should also provide any other dietary requirements in advance. Do not wait until boarding, since the meal is planned before the boat leaves.

Alcohol is included, but use good judgment if you plan to swim or snorkel. The best rhythm is to enjoy the water activities first and save the more leisurely drinks for the return portion. Lunch is served in shaded seating at the rear, giving you a comfortable place to eat away from the brighter front decks.

The return along Tenerife’s west coast

After the bay stop, the catamaran makes its way back toward Puerto Colón along the west coast of Tenerife. This final section is less about scheduled activity and more about enjoying the ride.

You can sit back with a drink, watch the coastline, or move between the shaded rear, open deck, and front nets. The return gives you another chance to take photos, especially if the light has changed since the outbound trip. It also helps the three-hour schedule feel varied rather than repetitive.

The return route is a useful part of the experience for anyone who wants more than a wildlife sighting. You get a view of Tenerife from the water and a calm end to the outing. There is no separate stop at the end, so the activity finishes back at the same Puerto Colón meeting point.

What the small group means for your day

The maximum group size is 12 people. That is one of the most important details here because boat comfort depends heavily on crowding.

A small group should make it easier to reach the side of the boat when something surfaces, find room in the nets, and settle into the shaded seating area. It also makes the lunch service less chaotic. You should still expect everyone to want a good view during a sighting, but you are not dealing with the scale of a large harbor cruise.

The boat has several spaces rather than one fixed seating area. You can lounge on cushions, sit at the back, or use the nets at the front. If you are prone to seasickness, the open deck may give you a better view of the horizon than an enclosed cabin, though the experience does not promise calm conditions.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Most people can participate, but the activity includes time on a moving boat, swimming, and optional snorkeling. You should consider your own comfort with those conditions before booking.

Practical details that affect your choice

The tour lasts about three hours, making it easy to fit into a morning or afternoon in southern Tenerife. It starts at Puerto Colón in Playa de las Américas and returns there, with no private transfer included.

A mobile ticket is provided, which is useful if you prefer not to carry printed paperwork. Confirmation is received at booking. The activity is near public transportation, but you are responsible for reaching the port.

Bring what you need for a boat outing, especially a swimsuit and protection from the sun. The supplied information does not list a towel or personal snorkeling gear as included, so pack your own if you prefer to use familiar equipment. Food is provided, and vegetarian meals can be arranged when you book.

The boat needs good weather to operate. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. The company also requires a minimum number of participants, and if that number is not reached, you can receive a different date or experience, or a full refund.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Inside 24 hours, you will not receive a refund, and changes are not accepted. The cut-off uses local Tenerife time, so keep that in mind if you are booking from another time zone.

Who will enjoy this Tenerife boat trip most

I would choose this outing if you want a small boat, a wildlife search, and a proper break at anchor rather than a short ride with one quick photo stop. The combination suits couples, families with accompanied children, and small groups who want food and drinks included.

It is also a good fit if you like flexible time on deck. You are not expected to stay in one seat, and the boat offers several ways to enjoy the trip. The glass floor, wildlife watch, coastal views, and optional snorkeling give you plenty to do without forcing every person in your group into the same activity.

I would be more cautious if your main goal is a guaranteed whale encounter. No responsible wildlife trip can promise that. The strong rating and the account of whales jumping are encouraging, but you still need to accept that nature sets the schedule.

I would also check the price before booking because the supplied fare shows $0.00. That figure should not be treated as a confirmed final price without verifying it at checkout.

Should you book the Puerto Colón catamaran?

Book it if you want a relaxed, small-group day on the water with whale and dolphin watching at the start, a 30 to 45 minute swimming stop, lunch, drinks, and a west-coast return. The combination gives you several good reasons to go, even if the animals stay below the surface.

The best features are the maximum of 12 people, the range of places to sit or lounge, and the included food and drinks. The biggest limits are the lack of guaranteed sightings, weather dependence, and the need to arrange your own transport to Puerto Colón.

For a three-hour Tenerife outing that mixes wildlife, swimming, food, and coastal views, this is a well-rounded choice. Just confirm the current price, provide dietary needs in advance, and keep your expectations focused on a pleasant sea trip rather than a guaranteed wildlife show.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour start?

The tour starts at Club Náutico Puerto Colón, Puerto Colón, in Playa de las Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

Where does the experience end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Puerto Colón.

How long does the boat trip last?

The experience lasts approximately three hours.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 12 people.

Are food and drinks included?

Lunch is included, along with unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks. Vegetarian food is available if requested when booking.

Can I swim or snorkel?

You can swim during the 30 to 45 minute stop in the bay. Snorkeling equipment is available to ask for from the captain, though it is not listed as a separate included feature.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.