Seeing whales and dolphins off Tenerife is the headline, but the way this tour runs is what makes it click. I especially love the small group setup and the fact that lunch is homemade local food served onboard after you get in the water. The one thing to plan around: the sea can get choppy, so motion-sickness risk and snorkeling comfort aren’t guaranteed.

You meet the crew at the port, step aboard the Cruz del Sur (a spacious 14-meter yacht), and you’re quickly into the rhythm: safety briefing, then straight out to the sighting area. If your timing lines up with marine wildlife activity, you can get close views. Either way, you’ll come back with saltwater memories and a real meal, not just snacks.

Key Details at a Glance

• 14-meter yacht, Cruz del Sur: big enough to feel comfortable, small enough to avoid the circus
• Small group (max 10 participants): more space, more attention from the crew
• Swim and snorkel stop: snorkeling gear is provided onboard
• Homemade local lunch included: typical Tenerife foods served after your water time
• Wildlife focus off the Tenerife coast: whales, dolphins, and sometimes turtles
• Return cruise past Punta de Rasca: you’ll sail along a protected natural area on the way back

Las Galletas on the Cruz del Sur: The Style of Cruise You’re Paying For

This is a whale and dolphin tour in Las Galletas that doesn’t try to be fancy. It tries to be effective. You’re out on a 14-meter yacht called the Cruz del Sur, which matters because a smaller vessel helps you feel less packed in and more like you’re part of the trip.

The other part I really like is the local feel. The crew runs the whole thing like they know the water and the routine: a clear onboard briefing, then time where it counts—looking carefully for wildlife—before you settle in for the swim and lunch. It’s that order that makes the afternoon feel well-paced instead of rushed.

What You Actually Do in 3 to 3.5 Hours

The schedule is simple, which is a good sign when you’re heading for living animals.

1) Meet up and board from Dock 2

You’ll either catch an optional hotel pickup (around 30 minutes before departure) in the Santa Cruz area, or you go on your own to the port. The meeting point is dock number 2 at Paseo Espigón Las Galletas, 1, 38631 Arona.

Boarding is easy if you arrive on time. The crew will get you settled and explain what’s coming next.

2) Safety briefing and itinerary chat

Before you leave, the skipper welcomes you aboard and covers safety measures. In practice, this sets the tone fast: you know where to stand, what to expect from sea conditions, and how the crew plans to search for whales and dolphins.

This is also where you learn how to read what you’re seeing. That matters because marine life can appear fast—one moment nothing, the next moment a pod moving through the water.

3) Whale and dolphin search off Tenerife’s coast

Once underway, you head to the whale and dolphin sighting area off the coast of Tenerife. You spend time scanning for whales, dolphins, and sometimes turtles.

From the way the crew operates, they aren’t just driving around blindly. The stops are planned to watch the animals where they show up—so you get time to actually see behavior, not just a quick glance.

4) Anchor up for swimming and snorkeling

After the wildlife time, the boat approaches the coast and anchors. This is the moment you shift from sighting mode into water mode.

You get the chance to bathe, and you can snorkel in the clearer, calmer pocket the crew selects. Snorkeling equipment is provided, which keeps the barrier low if you don’t travel with gear.

5) Lunch onboard: the part that surprised me in a good way

While you’re in the water and floating around, the crew prepares lunch. Then you eat onboard.

This is not just a plate of random items. Multiple onboard meals described include typical local foods such as sausages, tortilla, cheese, watermelon, crisps, and even guacamole. Drinks are part of the included food and drink package.

6) Head back while sailing along Punta de Rasca

Later, you return toward the port along the coastline and pass the protected natural site of Punta de Rasca. This isn’t a museum stop. It’s a “look out the side and enjoy the coast” kind of finish.

Wildlife Chances: What You Can Realistically Hope to See

Let’s talk honesty here. Wildlife isn’t a vending machine. You’re on the water with a crew that knows how to search, but sightings still depend on what’s happening that day.

That said, the most repeated wins are strong:

• Whales (including pilot whale sightings in some cases)
• Dolphins (including pods that play around the boat)
• Turtles (reported during some trips)
• Extra life sometimes shows up too, like flying fish and even baby dolphins with their mothers

The best feeling isn’t just seeing an animal. It’s seeing it long enough to notice the rhythm—surface time, movement patterns, and how the pod travels together. When the crew finds a good spot, you can usually watch for a decent stretch instead of being constantly rerouted.

Swimming and Snorkeling: Where the Day Can Change Based on Sea Conditions

This is a cruise with a water stop, and that’s a big reason it’s more than a standard “look and go” boat trip. The water is described as crystal clear at the swim/snorkel point, which is what you want for enjoying what’s near the surface.

But here’s your practical consideration: the sea can be choppy. When that happens, it can interfere with snorkeling comfort and with how relaxed you feel onboard. One trip noted that choppy water affected the ability to snorkel, even though the water at the anchoring spot was clear.

If you’re sensitive to motion, you’ll want to treat this like an active sea day:

• Bring the travel sickness meds you trust
• Consider a more sheltered position onboard if you know that helps you (the crew will guide you during the safety briefing)

Also, snorkeling gear is included, but not every mask or snorkel setup will feel brand-new. If you’re picky about fit and cleanliness, you might want to bring your own mask if you’ve got one you love.

Lunch Onboard: Homemade Local Food That Makes the Value Make Sense

For $69, you’re not just paying for marine life. You’re paying for the full package: the time on the water plus a real meal in the middle of it.

Lunch is served onboard right after the swim/snorkel stop. The menu described across trips points to a mix of typical island flavors: things like tortilla, cheese, sausages, watermelon, plus snack-style extras like crisps, and the occasional guacamole.

What I like most about that: it removes the “we should’ve eaten before” problem. You don’t have to plan a restaurant lunch while you’re trying to catch wildlife. Food is part of the trip flow.

Crew and Atmosphere: Why the Trip Feels Personal

This is where this tour often wins. The crew doesn’t just run a schedule—they talk to you like you’re on a shared outing.

Names you may hear onboard include Toni, Marta, Rafa, and (in one case) the skipper with his daughter. The consistent theme is warmth plus real effort to explain what you’re seeing—habitats, behavior, and why certain animals show up where they do.

A small-group format helps here. With a limited group size, it’s easier for the crew to check in, answer questions, and adjust for how people are feeling in rougher conditions. One review even mentioned help for sea sick passengers during the trip, including an offer of a lift back in that situation.

If you’re the type who likes asking questions and learning as you go, you’ll probably feel well looked after.

Price and Value: How $69 Adds Up on This Yacht Day

Let’s do the practical math in travel terms.

You’re paying around $69 per person for:

• a 3 to 3.5 hour boat cruise
• a serious wildlife search off Tenerife’s coast
• snorkeling gear provided
• food and drink included
• a small group rather than a crowded fleet

In other words, it’s not just “a ride.” It’s a half-day activity with built-in comfort and an actual meal.

The value is best if you care about the full experience: seeing animals, getting in the water, then sitting down to eat onboard. If your plan is mainly to stare at the coastline and you’re not interested in swimming/snorkeling, you might question the cost. But if you want the whole package, the price feels aligned with what’s included and how the crew runs the day.

Getting There From Santa Cruz: Pickup or Self-Meet at the Port

Location-wise, you’re based around the Las Galletas area. Here’s what you need to know to make this easy:

• Optional pickup is available in the Santa Cruz de Tenerife area.
• Pick up time is around 30 minutes before departure.
• The transport company is listed as Tonina Cruises. If you’re arranging pickup, you can contact them by WhatsApp at 0034671668506 to confirm your hotel name.

If you’re meeting on your own, head to:

Dock 2, Paseo Espigón Las Galletas, 1, 38631 Arona, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

Arrive early. The instructions ask you to be there about 15 minutes before the departure.

What to Bring (So You Don’t Turn This Into a Soggy Disaster)

I like tours that list what matters, and this one does. For a smooth day on the water, bring:

• sunglasses
• sun hat
• swimwear
• towel
• sunscreen
• a light jacket (especially if the sea breeze kicks up)
• comfortable clothes

If you’re prone to motion sickness, consider bringing your usual remedy. The sea can be calm or it can get rough. If you’ve felt seasick before on boats, plan like that and you’ll enjoy the wildlife search more.

Who This Tour Fits Best

This cruise is a strong match if you:

• want a small-group whale and dolphin experience
• care about more than wildlife spotting (snorkeling + lunch matter to you)
• like an active day where you move between deck, water, and meal
• prefer a local crew approach over a big, scripted group

It’s not a fit if you use a wheelchair, since the activity is marked as not suitable for wheelchair users.

Should You Book This Whale and Dolphin Tour From Las Galletas?

I’d book it if you want a half-day at sea that mixes wildlife searching with real downtime: swim/snorkel, then lunch onboard, then a coastal sail back past Punta de Rasca.

Book it with one mindset: nature is the boss. Some days deliver whales and dolphins in great view time; some days feel more modest. The upside is that the boat format, small group, and included lunch make even a slower sighting day still feel worth it.

If you’re sensitive to choppy water, bring motion-sickness help and pack a jacket. You’ll still have the chance to enjoy the water stop, just with smarter prep.

FAQ

How long is the Las Galletas whale and dolphin tour?

The duration is 3 to 3.5 hours.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at dock number 2, Paseo Espigón las Galletas, 1, 38631 Arona, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is optional. If selected, pickup is around 30 minutes before the trip start. Transport is listed as Tonina Cruises.

What’s included in the tour price?

The tour includes food and drink.

Are snorkeling and swimming included?

Yes. The tour anchors so you can bathe or snorkel, and snorkeling equipment is provided.

What wildlife can I expect to see?

You’re looking for whales, dolphins, and turtles off the coast of Tenerife. Sightings aren’t guaranteed, but those are the target animals.

How big is the group?

It’s a small group, limited to 10 participants.

What languages is the guide available in?

The live guide is available in English, Spanish, and French.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and comfortable clothes. A jacket can also help.

What if the weather is rough?

The experience might be canceled due to bad weather.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

No. It is not suitable for wheelchair users.

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