REVIEW · TENERIFE
Private 2 hour Whale Watching Tour
Book on Viator →Operated by Whale Watch Tenerife · Bookable on Viator
Whales on Tenerife, done properly. I like the private setup (just your party on board) and the biologist-led live commentary, plus the fact you can hear whale sounds with a hydrophone. One possible drawback: this is an 8-meter boat, and smaller-boat motion can bother some people.
You meet the team at the entrance to dock Pantalán No. 3 in Puerto Colón Marina about 15 minutes before departure. After a short safety briefing, staff explain the local marine ecosystem and likely cetaceans, then the captain steers toward a viewing hotspot usually no more than 3 miles off shore.
The best part for me is how the tour is built around animal welfare. The captain slows down for careful approaches under whale-watching rules, and the guide helps you watch behavior instead of rushing for selfies. You’ll also get photos emailed after the trip, taken by the guide (names you may hear include Ion, Carlota, and John).
In This Review
- Key Things That Make This Whale Tour Worth It
- Puerto Colón Marina Check-In: where the tour starts
- The Boat Ride: an 8-meter craft built for whale watching
- Before You Spot Whales: what the biologist teaches you
- Hydrophone Moments: hearing what you came for
- Finding the Hotspot: cruising usually within 3 miles of shore
- Responsible Whale Watching: space, slower engines, and real etiquette
- Wildlife You Might See Beyond Whales and Dolphins
- Photos Emailed After: why it’s worth not doing all the camera work
- Duration and Pace: what 2 hours feels like
- Price and Value: $617 for up to 10 people
- Who This Tour Fits Best (and who should think twice)
- Should You Book Whale Watch Tenerife?
- FAQ
- Where is the meeting point for the tour?
- How early should I arrive?
- How long is the whale watching tour?
- Is this a private tour?
- What languages are offered?
- What’s included in the price?
- Are food and drinks included?
- How close to shore do you typically go?
- Who can’t participate due to restrictions?
- What happens if weather is bad?
Key Things That Make This Whale Tour Worth It
- Private group time (up to 10 people) means less waiting and more relaxed viewing.
- Hydrophone listening helps you catch whale communication, not just sight.
- Marine biologist onboard with didactic materials keeps your spotting grounded in real biology.
- Careful approach rules: slower speeds and space so whales choose to interact on their terms.
- Photos emailed after so you can watch first, and worry about pictures later.
- Short, focused 2 hours fits well even if you want other Tenerife plans too.
Puerto Colón Marina Check-In: where the tour starts
This tour begins at the Whale Watch Tenerife dock at Puerto Colón Marina, Pantalán No. 3 in Costa Adeje. Plan to arrive about 15 minutes early. There’s parking right at the marina (roughly 1€ per hour), and you’ll find bathrooms and restaurants nearby, which is handy if you’re traveling with kids.
It’s also very straightforward to find and easy to use as a base. You’re close to public transportation, so if you don’t want to fight for parking later, you have options.
If you’re the type who likes being ready before everyone else arrives, get there early. Small timing buffers make the boarding process calmer, especially for a private tour where you want your whole group together.
You can also read our reviews of more private tours in Tenerife
The Boat Ride: an 8-meter craft built for whale watching
Once you’re on board, you’ll get a brief safety briefing from the captain. Then the marine biologist staff takes over with an introduction to the local ecosystem and what species of whales and dolphins you’re likely to encounter.
The boat is an 8-meter whale watching vessel. That size often means better viewing angles and a more personal experience, and it also means the ride can feel more “real” if the water is a bit bumpy. One family described motion sickness for a child during a stop, so if you’re prone to it, bring your usual remedies and take a seat where you feel steady.
On a practical level, this boat setup is designed for short, careful approaches—exactly what you want for responsible whale watching.
Before You Spot Whales: what the biologist teaches you
The tour is not just drive, look, repeat. Your onboard marine biologist explains the cetaceans you might see and gives you some teaching material to help you recognize behavior.
Why that matters: whales and dolphins don’t show up on cue. When you know what to look for—feeding behavior, social groups, calves, or how animals react to boats—you spend the time watching actual life, not guessing.
In real trip stories shared to the company, guides like Ion, Carlota, and John were praised for both warmth and detail. Expect a guide who talks in a way that helps you connect the animals you see with what they’re doing in the water.
Hydrophone Moments: hearing what you came for
A major included extra here is the hydrophone. That means the tour isn’t limited to eyes. You also listen to whale and dolphin sounds while you’re in the area.
This is one of those experiences that changes your whole understanding of what’s happening underwater. You may not be able to “read” every sound the way a scientist would, but hearing communication makes the animals feel less like distant wildlife and more like active neighbors in their own environment.
In some guided accounts, hydrophone use was described as a highlight—lowered during whale passage so people could experience the sound as the animals were nearby.
Finding the Hotspot: cruising usually within 3 miles of shore
After the briefing, the captain drives toward a current hotspot for viewing, usually not more than 3 miles off shore. That nearshore range is helpful for two reasons.
First, it keeps the trip grounded in local waters rather than chasing long-distance routes. Second, it usually supports smoother logistics for a tight 2-hour experience.
The key is how the captain handles the approach. When the boat reaches the area of whales or dolphins, speeds drop and the crew follows local whale watching regulations. In practical terms, that usually means fewer aggressive maneuvers and more time spent watching behavior instead of cutting through the scene.
You can also read our reviews of more whale watching tours in Tenerife
Responsible Whale Watching: space, slower engines, and real etiquette
If you care about animal welfare, this is the reason to choose this company over a basic sightseeing cruise.
You’re going for whales and dolphins, but the tour is designed to protect the animals’ habitat. The captain slows down for a careful approach. The guide explains what you’re seeing while you observe from a respectful distance.
In one detailed family story, engines were cut during a close pilot whale encounter, and the whales came close on their own terms. That’s the kind of detail you hope for on a responsible tour: you don’t force the interaction; you wait and watch.
Another practical welfare point: the guide is actively taking care of the moment so you’re not scrambling to manage everything. That makes it easier to stay quiet and attentive when animals are showing normal, natural behavior.
Wildlife You Might See Beyond Whales and Dolphins
The tour is built around cetaceans—whales and dolphins—but you may get other marine life sightings too. In trip accounts, people reported seeing:
- Atlantic spotted dolphins (including calves)
- Pilot whales
- A loggerhead sea turtle
- Flying fish
None of this is guaranteed, but it’s a good reminder that marine spotting can be a bonus on the way to your main goal.
If you love nature surprises, that flexibility is part of the fun. If you want a strict “only whales” plan, you may still see other species popping up during a responsible boat approach.
Photos Emailed After: why it’s worth not doing all the camera work
This tour includes tour photos of the wildlife sent by email after the trip. Guides also take photos during the encounter so you don’t have to spend the entire time composing shots.
This matters more than it sounds. When you’re watching whales, the “perfect” photo often happens only after you’ve already missed the best behavior moment. Having someone else handle the camera helps you stay present.
In shared trip experiences, guests liked being able to fully enjoy the animals while still knowing they’d get solid images afterward.
Duration and Pace: what 2 hours feels like
The tour runs about 2 hours. For a private group, that’s a sweet spot: enough time to get out, learn a bit, reach a hotspot, and actually watch behavior—without turning the day into a full half-day commitment.
The pace is also shaped by whale behavior and weather. The experience requires good weather, so on rougher days plans can change. If you’re booking during a busy Tenerife schedule, I’d treat this as a key activity, not an afterthought.
Price and Value: $617 for up to 10 people
At $617.02 per group (up to 10), this isn’t a cheap “hop on, see whatever” option. But it can be good value if you’re traveling with family or a small group.
Here’s why: you’re paying for a private setup, onboard biologist time, hydrophone use, and photo delivery, all wrapped into a short 2-hour trip. If you book a standard shared whale tour, you often pay per person for less control and more crowd energy. With this private tour, the experience is built around your group.
To sanity-check the value, ask yourself one question: do you want a calmer boat with more guidance, and do you want the hydrophone and photo service included? If yes, the price starts making sense fast. If you’re traveling solo or as a couple and want the cheapest option, you may find alternatives priced lower.
Who This Tour Fits Best (and who should think twice)
This experience is private, open to all ages, and offered in English (and the guide also speaks Spanish). That’s a good combination for families and mixed-language groups.
It also comes with guest restrictions. It may not be a good fit if you have:
- pregnancy
- neck or back problems
- mobility problems
- recent surgeries
- or you weigh over 120kg for participants with back problems
If any of those apply, check with the operator before booking.
Also take motion seriously. On a small boat, sea conditions can matter. If you know you get seasick, bring your usual prevention and pick a position where you feel most stable.
Should You Book Whale Watch Tenerife?
Book it if you want a whale watching experience that focuses on behavior, responsibility, and real learning—not just distance viewing. The combination of a marine biologist onboard, hydrophone listening, careful approach under regulations, and photos emailed afterward is exactly the sort of package that makes a 2-hour trip feel complete.
I’d skip it if you want the absolute lowest price and don’t care about animal-welfare approach, or if you have health limitations listed in the restrictions. And if you’re very prone to motion sickness, come prepared, because this is a smaller 8-meter boat.
If you’re visiting Tenerife and this is your main ocean activity, it’s an easy “yes” for people who enjoy nature, ask questions, and like their tours respectful and well-guided.
FAQ
Where is the meeting point for the tour?
You meet at Whale Watch Tenerife dock at Puerto Colón Marina, Pantalán No. 3, in Costa Adeje, Tenerife.
How early should I arrive?
Meet the staff at the entrance to the dock about 15 minutes before the scheduled departure.
How long is the whale watching tour?
The duration is about 2 hours.
Is this a private tour?
Yes. It’s private, and only your group participates.
What languages are offered?
The tour is offered in English, and the guide also speaks Spanish.
What’s included in the price?
Included items are local taxes, live commentary by the marine biologist staff, hydrophone listening, and tour photos sent by email after the tour.
Are food and drinks included?
No. Food and drinks are not included, but you can bring non-alcoholic drinks and food onboard.
How close to shore do you typically go?
The viewing hotspot is usually within 3 miles off shore.
Who can’t participate due to restrictions?
There are restrictions for pregnancy, neck or back problems, mobility problems, recent surgeries, and for participants with back problems who weigh over 120kg.
What happens if weather is bad?
The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
