Tenerife: Sailboat Tour Whale Watching Food and Snorkeling

Pilot whales and cava, three hours, Tenerife.

This is the kind of outing that makes the Atlantic feel alive, with whale watching right off the south coast and a crew that knows where to look. It runs on a 12-meter sailboat called the Roulette, typically with Captain Salvador at the helm, and it mixes relaxed sailing with time in the water.

I especially like the small group size (just 10 passengers), because it keeps the vibe calm and gives the skipper room to maneuver for better views. The food and drinks also feel thoughtfully done for a short trip, not an afterthought, with sandwiches, chips, and desserts plus cava, beer, wine, and soft drinks. One possible drawback: since you are on the open water and conditions can get choppy, if you’re prone to seasickness, plan accordingly.

Key things that make this tour work so well

• A 12-meter sailboat with room to breathe, capped at 10 passengers and 2 crew
• Real wildlife time, with a crew focused on cetaceans, turtles, and seabirds in their habitat
• Snorkeling included, with snorkeling equipment and a practical swim stop built into the 3 hours
• Food and drinks onboard, including cava or beer plus snacks, sandwiches, and cake
• Deck comfort that matters, with deck mats and a boat layout that works for short hangs outdoors

Puerto Colón Dock No 5 and the Roulette sailboat setup

Your tour starts at Puerto Colón, at the door of dock number 5, about 10 minutes before departure. It’s the first jetty past the port parking barrier, and the ship is the Roulette. There’s no mystery roundabout maze, but if you arrive exactly on time, you might feel rushed, so give yourself a little buffer.

Once you’re aboard, the layout makes sense for a 3-hour outing. The Roulette is a 12-meter sailboat with a max of 10 passengers and 2 crew. It has three double cabins and two bathrooms, plus deck mats for comfort up top. That matters because you’ll likely spend plenty of time standing or sitting on deck scanning the water for movement, not just photographing through a window.

Also, keep in mind hotel pickup is not included. If you’re staying outside Puerto Colón, you’ll need to handle getting to the dock on your own, either by taxi or whatever local transport works for your schedule.

Whale watching off Tenerife’s south coast, guided by a real search

The main point here is spotting marine life while you’re sailing. The crew is there to look, listen, and interpret what they see, not just run the engine and hope. You’ll spend time out in the Atlantic waters focusing on cetaceans, plus the chance of turtles and seabirds.

A recurring theme from the experience is that pilot whales often steal the show. On past departures, people have seen pods of pilot whales right by the boat, including calves, and also bottlenose dolphins. Even when sightings vary, the crew’s explanations make every sighting more meaningful, because you’re learning what you’re seeing and where it fits in the local marine life.

A smart part of the approach is patience. When the skipper finds a group, the boat tends to stay with it long enough for everyone to get a decent look from both sides. That’s especially helpful on a smaller boat, because you’re not packed into a corner. It also makes the experience feel more respectful, since you’re not constantly chasing from far away just to say you were present.

A quick safety and comfort reality check

Even with a sailing-only feel, you’re still on the sea. If it gets choppy, you might feel it. One passenger noted they got very sick, and the crew was immediately caring and handled it smoothly. That’s a reassurance, but it still means you should bring your own motion-sickness plan if you know you’re sensitive. A hat, sunscreen, and water help too, because you’ll be out for the full 3 hours.

Snorkeling stop: warm water time that’s short but well placed

After the wildlife time, you get a swim and snorkel break. You’ll use provided snorkeling equipment, and you’ll have a practical window to get in the water rather than feeling like snorkeling is a token 5 minutes.

In the experience flow, the snorkeling tends to happen in a calm area away from heavy boat traffic. Past groups have described it as a beautiful swim spot, and some even mentioned features like a cave to explore. If you’re hoping to see fish up close, this is the right kind of stop because you’re in shallow, warm Atlantic water and the boat can hang out while you gear up and swim.

The big limitation is time. It’s a 3-hour tour total, so snorkeling will never feel like a half-day scuba excursion. Instead, think of it as a fun add-on that turns the trip from just watching wildlife into also being part of it. For most people, that balance is exactly what makes this tour hit the sweet spot.

Food and drinks onboard: simple, steady, and actually satisfying

This is not a bare-bones “snacks only” situation. You’ll get snacks and desserts onboard, and there are ongoing drinks throughout the trip. Expect mineral water plus options like wine and cava, along with beer and soft drinks. The deck service is friendly and low-stress, and it’s one of those details that keeps the tour feeling like a treat rather than a rush.

For food, people have described a lunch-style service that includes sandwiches or baguettes, often with ham and tomato, and sometimes with Iberico ham. There are also chips, and at least one type of cake shows up, with flavors mentioned such as carrot cake and gingerbread cake. If you’re hungry after time at sea, it lands at the right moment.

What makes this feel like value is that the food and drinks are part of the overall pace. You’re not forced to do a sit-down meal. You can eat while you talk to the crew or while you wait for the next wildlife sighting. For families and mixed-age groups, that flexibility is a big deal.

Sailing experience on the Roulette: wind, deck space, and the relaxed pace

A whale tour can sometimes feel motor-driven and noisy. This one keeps a sailing feel whenever the wind cooperates. On at least some departures, the crew has used sails for long stretches on both outbound and inbound routes, when conditions allowed it. That changes the mood. The sea looks different when you’re not fighting noise from an engine, and you can actually enjoy the motion and the breeze.

Because the boat carries just 10 passengers, you can usually find a good position on deck. Some people noted they could sit closer to the front and just enjoy the wind and sun, which is a lovely way to take in Tenerife’s dramatic coastline and the perspective you only get from being on the water.

The deck mats are a small detail, but they matter for comfort when you’re standing around looking for wildlife. It’s one of those “why didn’t more boats do this” upgrades that you feel during the trip, not after.

Price and value: about $70 for a short, high-signal day

At around $70 per person for a 3-hour experience, you’re paying for three things at once: a small-group sailboat, guided wildlife searching, and access to snorkeling equipment plus onboard food and drinks. If you’ve seen big boat whale tours that feel crowded and rushed, the value logic here is simpler.

You get fewer passengers, better deck access, and a crew that can focus on finding animals without hauling a giant group. That matters because wildlife viewing is all about time on task, and small boats can reposition quicker and more calmly.

You also get food and drinks built into the package, including cava and beer, which is not typical for basic boat tours. In the past, people have compared the price favorably to similar trips, calling it a steal or great value, especially when sightings and snorkeling line up well.

One note to keep your expectations tuned: it’s still a 3-hour outing. If your goal is a long snorkeling session or a big day of touring, you might find this short. But if you want a compact, high-quality Tenerife sea experience that fits into a vacation schedule, it’s a strong pick.

Who should book this Tenerife whale watching sailboat, and who might pass

I’d book this if you want an experience that feels personal and nature-forward, not a party cruise. The small group format is perfect for couples, solo travelers, and families who want wildlife and a swim without the chaos of a larger vessel.

It’s also a good match if you care about how animals are approached. People have emphasized that the crew respects wildlife and aims to avoid unnecessary disturbance. That respectful approach is part of what makes the trip feel special, even when you’re just watching for the first signs on the water.

You might consider another option if you meet any of these conditions:

• You need hotel pickup, because this one starts at Puerto Colón and does not include transfers
• You get seasick easily, since even sailing can feel bumpy when conditions are rough
• You want a long snorkel session, since snorkeling time is limited by the 3-hour schedule

Should you book this Tenerife sailboat whale watching and snorkeling tour?

Yes, if you want a compact Tenerife highlight with a calm vibe. The best reason to book is the mix: wildlife watching with a small crew, real deck time, and a snorkeling stop with equipment, all paired with onboard snacks, desserts, and drinks.

I’d book with confidence if you’re excited by the chance of pilot whales and dolphins and you’re happy with a 3-hour format that prioritizes quality over length. If seasickness is an issue for you, plan ahead and bring what you need. If you’re flexible on getting to Puerto Colón yourself, you’ll be set.

If your dream day in Tenerife includes time on the water, chances to spot turtles and seabirds, and a warm-water swim that actually happens, this is a very solid choice.