There’s something special about cruising for whales in Tenerife. This 3-hour catamaran trip is built around one goal: spotting whales and dolphins with live on-board help, plus plenty of time to relax and take photos. It’s also a low-stress way to do it, since you skip boat-rental planning and just show up.

What I like most is the combo of unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks with lunch included, so the trip feels like a proper holiday treat—not a rushed sighting mission. I also really like the glass floor element, because it gives you a chance to see underwater views when you’re not even in the mood to snorkel.

One thing to consider: the experience depends on good weather, and while snorkels may be available, the info lists that the use of snorkeling equipment isn’t included. If you’re picky about gear, you’ll want to plan accordingly.

Key highlights at a glance

• Live commentary while you search so you know what you’re looking for and where to focus your camera
• Glass-floor catamaran time for underwater views even when you’re staying seated
• Unlimited drinks plus lunch in a relaxed, shaded setup at the back of the boat
• A real whale-and-dolphin mission with time after sightings so you can film properly
• Anchor stop in a southwest bay with cushions, nets at the front, and time to swim

Tenerife whale country: why this trip works year-round

Tenerife is one of those rare places where whales and dolphins aren’t just a summer story. This experience leans into that reality by treating the trip as a wildlife search, not a casual cruise with a maybe-you’ll-see-something vibe.

Live commentary matters more than people think. When you’re on open water, your brain wants to guess. The crew’s guidance helps you avoid the classic problem: watching the wrong direction at the wrong time. You also get a better rhythm—when to look, when to pause, and when the boat will change position.

And because the goal is marine life, the pacing makes sense. You’re not burning most of your time on travel between stops. You spend the trip actually out there in the waters where sightings are the point.

Getting on board at Club Náutico Puerto Colón

You start at Club Náutico Puerto Colón in Playa de la Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife. That matters for two practical reasons.

First, it keeps the day simple. You don’t have to coordinate separate transport, parking, or a DIY boat handoff. You meet, you go.

Second, the tour runs for about 3 hours, so every chunk of time on either side of the port matters. The plan is structured: leave, search, then settle into a relaxing bay stop, and return along the coast.

One more small bonus: this is capped at a maximum of 12 travelers. Smaller groups tend to feel calmer on boats—less elbow-to-elbow camera juggling—and it’s easier to move to a good viewing spot when the crew calls attention to marine life.

The hunt for whales and dolphins: live guidance plus filming time

Right after departure, the boat starts looking for whales and dolphins. If you care about photos or video, this part is the backbone of the whole outing.

The key is what happens once animals are found. You don’t get a quick glimpse and then a shrug. Instead, you’ll have ample opportunity to photograph and film. That extra time is huge. It’s the difference between a blurry dot and an actual memory you can replay later.

Live commentary helps you read the situation as it unfolds. You’re not just scanning the horizon hoping something pops up. You’re more likely to understand what you’re seeing—like knowing when to keep your lens steady versus when the boat position is about to change.

A nice detail from the experience description: sightings can include dramatic moments, like whales jumping out of the water. If the day turns on, you’ll be in the right place and you’ll have time to capture it.

Glass floor views: the quiet superpower for photos

A lot of whale tours are built around surface spotting. This one adds another layer with the glass-bottom floor.

Even if you’re focused on the wildlife moment, it helps to have a second angle ready. During calmer stretches—when you’re waiting, relaxing, or just not in full camera mode—you can look down and still get the feeling you’re on the water, not just above it.

It also changes how you enjoy the trip if the animals are distant or if you want a break from constant scanning. You can still enjoy the ocean visually. For photographers, it gives you fallback shots that aren’t just horizon-and-sky.

If you’re the type who likes documenting a day start-to-finish, this feature helps the trip feel more complete than a two-dimensional cruise.

The southwest bay anchor stop: relax, swim, and snorkel on your terms

After the whale-and-dolphin search, the catamaran heads to a small bay in the southwest of the island. The boat anchors there for about 30 to 45 minutes.

This is where the trip shifts gears from wildlife intensity to full-on chill time.

You can relax on spacious decks, including cushions for laying down. There are also nets at the front of the boat—great for soaking in the sun and letting the sea movement do its gentle work. If you like a “no plans” hour, this is the one.

You can also swim. The info says you can ask the captain for snorkels and explore the underwater world that way. One practical note though: the tour info also says use of snorkeling equipment isn’t included. So you may get access to snorkels, but don’t assume you’ll have a full, ready-to-go kit if you’re used to rental gear.

Food and drinks are served in the shaded seating area at the back of the boat during this anchor period. That shaded setup is a lifesaver in Tenerife sun, especially if you’ve been out scanning for a while.

Lunch on board: shaded seats, simple comfort, zero logistics

Lunch is included, and it’s served on the boat in the shaded area at the back. That sounds straightforward, but it’s exactly why this tour feels worth it.

When you plan your own day, you spend time solving boring problems: where to eat, how to carry food, whether you’ll find shade, and what happens if the weather shifts. Here, that’s handled for you. You focus on the experience, not the snack strategy.

The meal timing also fits the day’s flow. After time on open water looking for animals, you get a real break. You’re not hungry, and you’re not hunting down lunch on land with ocean views but no ocean time.

And because you’ll be out at sea for a few hours anyway, having drinks and lunch on board makes the whole thing feel more like a vacation afternoon than a rushed activity.

Sailing back along the west coast with the drinks flowing

Once the bay stop is done, you sail back toward the harbour along the west coast of Tenerife.

This return stretch is usually where the trip settles into a comfortable rhythm. You’ve either got sightings already in your pocket, or you’re at least in the right mood—camera ready, sunglasses on, and thinking about what you might see next.

The unlimited drinks theme keeps things relaxed. You can toast the day and enjoy soft drinks along with beer and wine. It’s not a party cruise in the description, but the included drinks do help turn “time on a boat” into “time you’d actually choose.”

Also, since you already spent the middle of the trip in a whale-focused mindset, the coast views on the way back feel like an easy bonus rather than a trade-off.

Who should book this catamaran, and who should skip it

This tour is best for you if you want:

• A low-effort wildlife outing with live commentary and time for photos
• A good mix of action and relaxation: search time, then a real chill anchor stop
• Included comfort: lunch and drinks so you’re not planning food logistics

It may not be your best fit if you’re the kind of traveler who expects a private charter vibe with lots of solitude. This one is capped at 12, which is small, but it’s still a shared tour. Also, if snorkeling gear is a must-have for you, the info doesn’t promise that full snorkeling equipment is included.

Families should be aware that children must be accompanied by an adult. If you’re traveling with kids, this can still work well, but you’ll want to plan for marine-life attention spans and comfort on deck during the search.

Price and value: what you’re really paying for

The listing shows the admission ticket as free and the price field as $0.00. Even if you’re not paying the typical amount you’d expect for a catamaran excursion, the value proposition here is clear.

You’re getting a lot of the usual “extras” that cost money on other tours bundled in:

• Meals served on board
• Unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks
• Live commentary
• Time after sightings for photos and filming
• A glass-bottom viewing experience
• A swim opportunity during the anchor stop

That’s what makes the tour feel like good value. You aren’t just buying a boat ride. You’re buying time on the water with a specific wildlife mission, plus comfort and food included so you can actually enjoy the hours instead of constantly managing logistics.

If you’re comparing it to the cost of organizing your own boat day (rental, fuel, crew, food, and drinks), this type of guided catamaran format usually wins because so much is already handled.

Tips to get more from the 3 hours

• Bring a camera and keep your lens ready during the search and after sightings. The trip gives you time to film once animals show up, so be ready to use it.
• Pack sunscreen and a light cover. You’ll spend real time on deck, and the shaded lunch area is helpful but not a full solution.
• If you want to snorkel, plan for the snorkeling-equipment detail. The info says snorkeling equipment use isn’t included, even though snorkels are available to ask for.
• If you’re sensitive to sea movement, choose a spot on deck that feels stable for you and take breaks from standing.

Should you book this Tenerife whale watch catamaran?

I’d book it if you want a Tenerife outing that balances wildlife chances with comfort. The setup is logical: search right away, get time to film once you find animals, then anchor for a relaxed swim-and-lunch break, and finish with a scenic return along the coast.

The biggest reason to say yes is the combination of purpose and ease. You’re not trying to solve the day yourself. Live commentary helps you make the most of your viewing time, and the included meals and drinks make it feel like a real vacation afternoon.

That said, go in with realistic expectations about weather and the snorkeling gear situation. If the day is calm and visibility is good, this is the kind of 3-hour trip you’ll remember—especially if you catch whales showing off.

FAQ

How long is the catamaran whale watching trip?

It runs for about 3 hours.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Club Náutico Puerto Colón in Playa de la Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, and ends back at the meeting point.

What’s included on board?

Meals are included as per the itinerary, and there’s live commentary on board. The overview also says unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks are part of the experience.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served on the boat during the bay anchor time.

Can I snorkel?

You can swim at the anchor stop, and you can ask the captain for snorkels. Use of snorkeling equipment isn’t listed as included.

Does the tour depend on weather?

Yes. It requires good weather, and if it’s canceled due to poor weather you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

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