Tenerife: Sailboat Tour with Food and Snorkeling

Wildlife meets quiet sailing here. This three-hour trip from Puerto Colón combines pilot whale and dolphin watching with time to swim, snorkel, and enjoy the Costa Adeje coast from the water. I especially like the small group, limited to 10 people, and the calm, personal service from the crew. I also like that food, drinks, and snorkeling gear are included rather than added one by one.

The main thing to consider is the sea itself. The Atlantic can turn choppy, and one person became very seasick despite receiving excellent care from the crew. Wildlife sightings are a major part of the appeal, but these are wild animals, so no sighting can be promised.

Key Points at a Glance

• Small boat, small group: The 12-meter Roulette carries up to 10 participants and two crew members, giving you much more room and personal attention than a large excursion boat.
• Excellent marine-life potential: Pilot whales, dolphins, turtles, seabirds, flying fish, and redfin tuna have all been seen on recent outings.
• A real sailing element: When the wind is up, the crew may sail for much of the outward and return journey, keeping engine noise to a minimum.
• Swimming stop included: You get time to swim and snorkel in a sheltered bay, with fish and, on some outings, a cave to explore.
• Food and drinks are part of the fare: Expect baguette sandwiches, crisps, cake, water, wine, cava, beer, and soft drinks.
• Good value at $68: For three hours on a private-feeling sailboat with crew, wildlife watching, lunch, drinks, and equipment, the price is fair.

What This Tenerife Boat Trip Is Really Like

This is not a big party boat with loud music and rows of seats. The Roulette is a proper 12-meter sailboat with three double cabins, two bathrooms, and mats on deck for relaxing. With no more than 10 people aboard, you can move around, sit near the bow, or find a quieter place to watch the sea.

The small size changes the mood. The crew can speak with you directly, keep an eye on how everyone is feeling, and position the boat so both sides have a chance to see the animals. On one outing with only six people, there was plenty of room for everyone. At full capacity, it should still feel personal, but space will naturally be tighter.

I like that this tour treats the sea as more than a backdrop. The crew talks about local geography, marine species, and the wider ecosystem around Tenerife. Guides have worked in Spanish, English, French, and German, and several outings were led by Salvador, Rafa, Silvio, or crew members such as Yani and Jenny.

Meeting the Roulette at Puerto Colón

You meet at the door of dock number 5 at Puerto Colón, 10 minutes before departure. The dock is the first jetty after you pass the port parking barrier, and the boat is named Roulette.

Give yourself enough time to find the correct pier. Puerto Colón has several docks, and the meeting point is not simply the general marina entrance. One useful tip is to arrive early and confirm that you are heading to pier 5 before you get caught up among the port’s other boats.

There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you need to make your own way to Puerto Colón. The tour finishes at the same spot, which makes planning the rest of your day fairly simple.

Leaving Costa Adeje Under Sail

Once everyone is aboard, the boat heads along Tenerife’s south coast. The views include volcanic shorelines, beaches, open Atlantic water, and, on clear outings, the island of La Gomera in the distance.

The best part is the chance to travel under sail. When the wind cooperates, the skipper may use the sails for much of the outward and return journey. One outing included at least 90 minutes of quiet sailing, with only the movement of the boat and the sound of the water instead of a constant engine drone.

That depends on wind and sea conditions, so do not treat it as a guaranteed sailing performance. Still, this is a genuine sailing experience, not simply a motorboat cruise with decorative sails.

The crew also takes time to explain what you are seeing. Salvador has been especially praised for his explanations of local geography and marine life, while Rafa has been described as both an excellent skipper and a warm host. The style is friendly rather than formal, with plenty of room for questions.

Watching Pilot Whales and Dolphins

The main wildlife area lies off Puerto Colón, where the boat spends much of its three hours looking for marine life. Pilot whales are a frequent highlight. Groups have included adults and calves, and one outing found a pod of 20 to 30 whales.

Dolphins have also appeared close to the boat, sometimes swimming near the bow. Small boats can offer a more personal view because you are not looking over several decks of people. On one trip, the boat watched dolphins with calves right alongside the vessel, with no other boats nearby at that moment.

You might also see turtles, seabirds, flying fish, and redfin tuna. Turtles have appeared on several outings, and some trips have included both dolphins and pilot whales. The crew’s skill in locating animals is a major part of the experience, but the animals remain wild. You should book this for the chance to see them, not as a guaranteed wildlife checklist.

The crew makes an effort to give both sides of the boat a view. On one outing, the skipper stayed with a group of pilot whales for about 15 minutes and then did the same with dolphins. The crew also speaks about the animals with respect, which matters on a wildlife trip. The goal is observation, not turning the sea into a chase scene.

The Swimming and Snorkeling Stop

After the wildlife search, the boat stops in a bay for swimming and snorkeling. The water is warm, and the stop usually gives you around 30 minutes to get in, look beneath the surface, or simply cool off.

Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to bring your own mask and fins. You may see fish in the water, and one outing included a cave near the snorkeling spot. The exact place can vary with conditions, and the experience is more about a refreshing sea stop than a full reef excursion.

If you prefer not to swim, you can stay on deck and enjoy the views. The boat has deck mats, giving you a comfortable place to stretch out while others use the water.

This part may be less appealing if you dislike cold water, rough conditions, or getting back onto a boat from the sea. Still, the swim breaks up the wildlife watching nicely. After sitting and scanning the horizon, a short dip feels welcome.

What You Eat and Drink on Board

The food is simple, filling, and suitable for a three-hour outing. You can expect fresh baguette sandwiches, often with ham and tomato or Iberian ham, along with crisps and a slice of cake. One outing included carrot cake, while another featured gingerbread cake.

This is not a restaurant lunch, but it is more than enough after time in the sun and water. The food also helps make the $68 fare feel reasonable, since you are not paying separately for a meal or drinks.

The crew serves mineral water, wine, cava, beer, and soft drinks. Cava is a pleasant touch on a sunny morning, though you can easily choose nonalcoholic drinks. Several people received drinks throughout the cruise, and the crew regularly checked if anyone needed something.

Dietary needs have been accommodated on some trips, but you should mention yours when booking or before departure. The information provided does not list a fixed menu or guarantee for every diet, so clear communication is wise.

Comfort, Service, and Seasickness

The crew receives some of the strongest praise attached to this experience. Salvador, Rafa, Silvio, Yani, and Jenny have all been singled out for being attentive, warm, and well informed about the local sea life.

That attention matters on a small boat. The crew checks whether everyone feels comfortable, offers drinks, explains the animals, and adjusts the service to the group. Families with children have felt well looked after, and birthday celebrations have received extra touches such as cake and candles.

The boat has two bathrooms and three double cabins, although the cabins are not the reason to book this tour. You are spending your time mainly on deck, watching wildlife, sailing, eating, and snorkeling.

The important caution is seasickness. The south coast can be smooth, but the Atlantic can also become choppy. One participant became very ill and described the crew as exceptionally helpful, cleaning the boat and caring for the sick person without fuss. That is reassuring, but it does not prevent motion sickness.

If you are prone to seasickness, prepare carefully and consider sitting where the boat moves least. The supplied information does not specify which area is best, so ask the crew when you board. Also avoid treating the included alcohol as a reason to drink heavily before or during rough water.

Why the Small Group Matters

A 10-person limit is one of the clearest reasons to choose this trip. A large whale-watching boat can carry more people for less money, but it cannot offer the same quiet access or direct contact with the crew.

On the Roulette, you are not lost in a crowd. You can ask about a whale’s behavior, learn the difference between species, or point out a turtle without competing with hundreds of other people. The skipper can also work with the group’s comfort level and make sure both sides get a look when animals appear.

The trade-off is that a smaller boat may move more in the swell than a large vessel. You also have less room than you would on a big catamaran. For most people who value peace, personal service, and a closer connection to the water, that is a worthwhile exchange.

Is $68 Good Value?

At $68 per person, this is a strong midrange price for the package. You receive three hours on a dedicated sailboat, a live guide, marine-life watching, a swimming and snorkeling stop, equipment, food, and a range of drinks.

The value is especially good if you compare it with buying each part separately. A wildlife cruise, a snorkel outing, lunch, and drinks could easily cost more while giving you a less personal setting. The included food is modest, but the baguette, crisps, and cake make a proper snack or light lunch.

I would not choose this trip simply because it is cheap. I would choose it because the price buys a small-group boat and attentive crew, two details that shape the entire outing. A perfect wildlife encounter is never guaranteed, but the boat, service, and coastal scenery still give you a worthwhile morning or afternoon.

The rating of 4.8 from 621 ratings supports that this is a consistently well-received experience, though you should still consider the sea conditions and your tolerance for motion.

Who Should Book This Sailboat Tour?

This trip suits you if you want to:

• See Tenerife’s marine life without joining a large boat party
• Combine wildlife watching with a swim and snorkeling stop
• Enjoy a quiet sailing experience when the wind allows
• Have lunch and drinks included
• Ask questions directly to a crew that cares about the sea
• Travel with a partner, family, or small group of friends
• Celebrate a birthday or special occasion on the water

Families can enjoy it, including those with young children, but each family should judge its own comfort with a small boat and open water. The tour also works well for couples looking for a relaxed half-day activity rather than a high-energy attraction.

It may not suit you if you need guaranteed whale sightings, dislike boats that can move with the swell, or want a long snorkeling session. The snorkeling stop is part of a broader sailing and wildlife trip, not the main event.

Book up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund if your plans change, and the reserve-now, pay-later option can help keep your schedule flexible. Starting times vary, so check availability before planning other activities around it.

Final Verdict: A Personal Way to Meet Tenerife’s Sea Life

I would recommend the Roulette for anyone who values a quiet boat, real sailing, and close attention from the crew. The wildlife sightings can be remarkable, from pilot whale families to dolphins at the bow, but the experience does not depend on a single lucky moment.

The warm service from people such as Salvador, Rafa, Silvio, Yani, and Jenny is a major strength. Add the coastal views, included food and drinks, and a chance to swim in a sheltered bay, and $68 feels well spent.

Choose it over a large excursion boat if you want peace, space, and personal service. Skip it only if you are very uncomfortable on open water or need a guaranteed wildlife encounter. For most visitors staying on Tenerife’s south coast, this is one of the better ways to spend three hours at sea.

FAQ

Where does the Tenerife sailboat tour begin?

It begins at the door of dock number 5 at Puerto Colón. The Roulette is the first jetty past the port parking barrier.

How early should I arrive?

You should arrive 10 minutes before departure. Arriving earlier may help you find dock number 5, since the port has several piers.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts three hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

How many people can join the boat trip?

The small group is limited to 10 participants. The sailboat also carries two crew members.

What animals might I see?

You might see pilot whales, dolphins, turtles, seabirds, flying fish, and redfin tuna. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed because the animals are free in their natural environment.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and the itinerary includes time to swim and snorkel in a bay.

What food is served?

Food can include baguette sandwiches, crisps, and cake. Sandwiches have included ham and tomato or Iberian ham.

What drinks are included?

Mineral water, wine, cava, beer, and soft drinks are included.

Is hotel transportation provided?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You must reach Puerto Colón independently.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.