Reviewed · VIP
The Worlds Largest RIB luxury 3hrs including lunch and drinks
Whales and cava in one smooth 3 hours, on a RIB built for marine-life spotting. From Puerto Colón you head out on the Atlantic, scan for dolphins and whales, then relax with a swim break and lunch onboard. It is the kind of trip that feels special without needing a full day commitment.
What I like most is the small group setup, with a maximum of 8 travelers per sailing, so your guide can actually look after you. You also get snorkeling equipment and a proper lunch with drinks, not just a token snack.
One thing to consider is that you are on the water, so the experience depends on good weather, and the speed may feel more regulated than the fastest-looking promo shots.
In This Review
- Key highlights to know before you go
- From Gate 13 to Sea Spray: Where the Trip Starts in Puerto Colón
- Small-Group Whale Watching That Feels More Personal
- The 3-Hour Atlantic Plan: Watching, Then Swimming and Snorkeling
- Lunch and Drinks Onboard: The Real Value Part
- How Fast Is the RIB Really? The Legal-Speed Reality Check
- What Wildlife Chances Look Like (And How the Crew Helps)
- Comfort, Safety, and the Little Things That Make a Difference
- Price and Value: What $84.66 Buys You in Real Life
- Who Should Book This Tour (And Who Might Want to Skip)
- Timing Advice: When the Sea Feels Best
- Should You Book This Tenerife Luxury RIB Whale Watching Tour?
- FAQ
- How long is the RIB whale watching tour?
- What is included in the price?
- Is snorkeling part of the experience?
- Where do I meet for the tour?
- How many people are on the boat?
- What language is the tour offered in?
- Are children allowed?
- What happens if weather is bad?
Key highlights to know before you go

- Small group attention: up to 8 travelers on board, with guide focus while searching for whales and dolphins
- Atlantic game plan: you head out from Puerto Colón, then build in time for swimming and snorkeling
- Lunch plus drinks included: cava and beer with soft drinks and bottled water, served during the trip
- Snorkeling gear included: you get the equipment and restroom and shower facilities onboard
- Comfort over chaos: a relaxed 3-hour format that still gives you coastal views and wildlife time
From Gate 13 to Sea Spray: Where the Trip Starts in Puerto Colón

The easiest way to picture this outing is simple: you meet in the Puerto Colón port area, go straight from the dock to open water, then spend the next few hours doing wildlife spotting plus a swim break. The meeting point is at gate 13 in the port. The dock area is near Pantalan 0 (dock number 0), so give yourself a few extra minutes to find the right loading spot.
If you like trips that are low stress, this helps. It is near public transportation, and you get a mobile ticket, so you are not stuck hunting for paper vouchers. Most people can join, and it is a good option if you want a sea day that works for many ages, with kids needing to be accompanied by an adult.
One small practical tip: port mornings can get busy. Even if you are early, keep your eyes open for your crew’s instructions so you do not end up wandering the docks at the last minute.
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Small-Group Whale Watching That Feels More Personal
This is where the tour earns its money. The boat takes a maximum of 15, but the experience itself is limited to up to 8 travelers per sailing. That difference matters. With a smaller group, you tend to get better guidance when the crew spots activity and needs to reposition safely.
I also like that the tour is designed around improving your chances, not just saying the right words. When you are out on the water with the crew scanning constantly, you have more chances to catch a pod in motion. And the mix of sightings in the experience range is broad, with people reporting dolphins, pilot whales, and even sea turtles during their time out.
What does that mean for you? You are not spending your time trying to see over other heads. You are in a smaller orbit, and it is easier to hear the guide’s calls and instructions fast. The best part is that this “more attention” approach fits the 3-hour format well, so you still get a real swim and lunch break, not just a long boat search.
The 3-Hour Atlantic Plan: Watching, Then Swimming and Snorkeling

Your day has a clear rhythm. You sail out from Club Náutico Puerto Colón and head along the Atlantic, with time to look for whales and dolphins. Depending on where marine life surfaces that day, you may see animals quickly or after some searching. Either way, the crew is set up to keep you moving through the best chances in the time window.
Then comes the water time. There is a swim break, and you also get snorkeling time with the included snorkeling equipment. Reviews and descriptions point to a stop in a cove setting that feels calmer and easier for first-timers, which is a big plus if you do not want rough open-water conditions for your snorkel session.
Onboard comfort helps too. You get restroom and shower access, which is a quiet win after you get salt off your skin. You will still feel like you did something outdoors, but you can also reset before you head back to shore.
A practical consideration: if you are prone to motion sickness, a RIB can be more lively than a large sightseeing boat. That is not a deal breaker, just plan for it. Bring your own motion sickness remedies if you use them, and keep your eyes on the horizon when the boat turns.
Lunch and Drinks Onboard: The Real Value Part

This is not the usual “light bite then off you go” style cruise. Lunch is included, and so are alcoholic beverages (cava and beer) plus soft drinks and bottled water. In plain terms, you can eat, drink, and still have enough time left in your 3 hours to enjoy the sea portion without rushing.
From what people describe, the food includes options like chicken with rice and salad. It is served during the trip, and some schedules may put lunch a bit earlier than you expect, especially if you are thinking of a later midday meal. That said, having lunch onboard means you avoid the “where do we eat now?” scramble that can ruin a half-day plan.
One important detail for expectations: the meal is brought onboard in containers, not cooked live on the boat. That is normal for marine excursions and also explains why the lunch can be consistent run to run. It is still meant to be tasty, and many people say it is genuinely good, with comments like tasty and enjoyable coming up repeatedly.
And the drinks are not just a one-time offering. People mention free-flowing cava and beer from coolers, which keeps the vibe relaxed. If you are not drinking alcohol, you are still covered with soft drinks and bottled water.
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How Fast Is the RIB Really? The Legal-Speed Reality Check

The “high-speed RIB” angle is part of the pitch, because speed lets you cover more coastline views and potentially reach the best spots faster. But here is the honest balance: you are also in waters where there are legal speed limits, and those limits exist to protect wildlife and keep conditions safer.
So yes, you might experience some moments that feel quick. You might also feel that the ride stays more moderate for long stretches. That is not necessarily a bad sign. Slower stretches can help you spot dolphins and whales more calmly, and it can also make the swim stop feel more comfortable.
If you are booking hoping for thrill-ride speed the whole time, you could end up slightly disappointed. But if you want a smooth, comfortable marine day with time to swim and actually watch animals, the regulated pace usually supports that goal.
What Wildlife Chances Look Like (And How the Crew Helps)

No one can guarantee whales and dolphins. The ocean decides. Still, the structure of this outing is built to maximize opportunity.
You get:
- Active scanning time while cruising out from the port
- A crew that positions the boat when animals show up
- A short break to cool off and snorkel, so the trip is not only waiting for a sighting
What people often see includes pilot whales and dolphins, with sea turtles showing up occasionally. If you are a photographer, this matters because spotting happens in bursts, and it helps to have time to watch instead of constantly shifting your stance or dealing with overcrowding.
One more note: you may notice the crew follows wildlife rules closely, including staying mindful of where the animals are and how close you get. That can feel strict compared with tourist fantasies, but it is the correct approach if you care about conservation and not just photo ops.
Comfort, Safety, and the Little Things That Make a Difference

The boat itself is described by many people as clean and spacious enough to spread out. Because it is not packed, you get room to breathe. Comfy back seating is a recurring theme, and people often say the hosts make them feel welcome.
Crew behavior is also part of the experience quality. Most comments highlight friendly, attentive, and informative hosts who handle the timing and keep the group moving smoothly. One person even mentioned a host named Julian setting the tone at the start of the trip. That kind of front-of-house energy matters, because you immediately relax when you feel you are in good hands.
Safety-wise, people also say they felt safe on board. The tour includes shower and restroom facilities, so you can handle the practical side of a wet day without improvising.
The one red flag you should keep in mind is that there is a rare negative note about a boat being old and dirty, plus one complaint about how the speed matched or did not match expectations. Those are not the majority, but if you are picky about cleanliness, you can still do a quick check when boarding and ask the crew if something seems off.
Price and Value: What $84.66 Buys You in Real Life

At about $84.66 per person for roughly 3 hours, you are paying for several things together that would cost more if you pieced them out separately. You get:
- The RIB boat ride
- A lunch meal
- Cava and beer plus soft drinks and bottled water
- Snorkeling equipment
- A swim stop
- Restroom and shower access
- A small-group format with a maximum of 8 travelers
That bundle is what makes the price feel fair, especially if you factor in drinks and lunch. If you would otherwise pay for an excursion and then still need a meal and drinks on top, this keeps the math simple.
Is it cheap? No. But it is not “paying extra for a view with nothing included.” You are buying a full half-day experience with food, water, and gear, plus an opportunity to spot marine life.
If you are on a tight budget, the cost may feel steep. In that case, compare it to a standard public whale-watching option and ask yourself whether the included lunch, drinks, and small-group attention are worth it to you.
Who Should Book This Tour (And Who Might Want to Skip)
This tour fits best if you want:
- A sea day with wildlife time and real downtime
- Included lunch and drinks
- Snorkeling without renting gear elsewhere
- A small group so you can hear the guide and move around easily
It also works well for families. People describe it as a favorite for children during vacations, and the trip is framed as fun for all ages. The only condition mentioned is that children must be accompanied by an adult.
You might want to think twice if:
- You only care about maximum speed and action and not about wildlife spotting and a relaxed pace
- You are very sensitive to timing, since lunch can land earlier than your personal preference
- You need predictable, guaranteed sightings, because the ocean does not run on schedules
Timing Advice: When the Sea Feels Best
This is the part you can control. The experience depends on good weather. If conditions are rough, your trip might change, and the operator notes that the sailing requires good conditions.
If you have flexibility, morning timing is often calmer on the water, which can make the ride feel smoother and help with comfort during the swim and snorkeling break. Even when the sea is a bit choppy, it can still be a fun day out, just not as comfortable for everyone.
So pick the best weather day you can, and keep your expectations realistic. When the sea is working, this tour tends to feel like a luxury that still stays easy.
Should You Book This Tenerife Luxury RIB Whale Watching Tour?
If you want a practical luxury day on the water, I think you should seriously consider booking. The small-group feel, included lunch, included cava and beer, and the included snorkeling equipment make it a strong value for a 3-hour outing. If marine life spotting is your priority, the setup is also sensible, with scanning time and a crew focused on finding whales and dolphins.
Book it especially if:
- You hate crowded tours and want more attention from the crew
- You want the convenience of food and drinks included
- You plan to snorkel or at least enjoy the swim stop
Consider skipping if:
- You are hunting for a thrill-ride speed experience for the full 3 hours
- You are not comfortable with open water and boat motion
- You need guarantees on wildlife sightings
FAQ
How long is the RIB whale watching tour?
It runs for about 3 hours.
What is included in the price?
Lunch, alcoholic beverages (cava and beer), soft drinks, bottled water, and the use of snorkeling equipment are included.
Is snorkeling part of the experience?
Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and there is time for swimming and snorkeling during the outing.
Where do I meet for the tour?
You meet at Puerto Colón port at gate 13, near the dock area (Pantalan/dock number 0).
How many people are on the boat?
The boat can take a maximum of 15, but this experience limits it to a maximum of 8 travelers per sailing.
What language is the tour offered in?
The tour is offered in English.
Are children allowed?
Yes, but children must be accompanied by an adult.
What happens if weather is bad?
The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.
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