REVIEW · LA GOMERA
Small Group Boat Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour
Book on Viator →Operated by Excursiones Pura Vida · Bookable on Viator
A good boat day can change your whole mood. This small-group tour in La Gomera pairs a traditional fishing boat, expert crew knowledge, and animal-first watching for whales and dolphins—then adds a picnic plus time to swim and snorkel at Playa de Ses Salinas.
What I like most is the scale: a maximum of 10 travelers, so you’re not stuck behind a crowd. Second, I really appreciate the animal-friendly approach—respecting space and handling—so the experience feels peaceful instead of pushy.
One thing to consider: this trip runs best with good weather. If conditions are rough, the operator may switch dates or refund you rather than forcing it.
In This Review
- Key things you’ll care about
- Valle Gran Rey and the Pura Vida meeting point
- Small group (10 max): why it feels different at sea
- Safety talk onboard: quick, practical, worth your attention
- Finding whales and dolphins: the watching part that matters
- Stop at Playa de Ses Salinas: picnic, swim, and snorkeling time
- Onboard food and little extras that add up
- Animal-friendly watching: what to look for in how they operate
- Price and value: what $58.05 buys you on this day
- Timing and duration: planning your day around four hours
- Who this tour is best for
- Should you book this whale and dolphin tour?
- FAQ
- What is the duration of the Small Group Boat Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour?
- How many people are on the boat?
- Where does the tour start and end?
- Is the tour offered in English?
- Does the tour include time at a beach for swimming or snorkeling?
- Is food and drink included?
- What happens if the weather is bad?
Key things you’ll care about
- Small group (max 10): more room to move and better chances to actually see wildlife well
- Traditional Menorquin boat vibe (Pura Vida): a fishing-boat feel, not a big-party charter
- Expert crew + safety talk onboard: you get oriented fast before heading out
- Picnic onboard + Las Salinas time: food included, then a practical swim and snorkeling break
- Animal-friendly watching: considerate handling and respectful distance
- Classical music during whale time: a surprisingly soothing touch while you watch
Valle Gran Rey and the Pura Vida meeting point
The tour starts in Puerto de Valle Gran Rey, at Av. Marítima el Puerto de Vueltas, with you meeting the team 15 minutes before departure. The meeting spot is in the operator’s Pura Vida cabin in the port area, so plan to arrive early enough to park yourself, find the cabin, and use the bathroom if you need it.
This matters more than you’d think. A whale-and-dolphin day moves to real sea rhythm—depart on time, get out before the best activity window passes, and keep the day relaxed for everyone onboard. Showing up a little early helps the whole group settle in without stress.
The boat itself is called Pura Vida, described as a traditional fishing boat from Menorquin. That gives the outing a more authentic feel. It’s also part of why the tour keeps things calm and contained: you’re not trying to herd big numbers onto a loud megayacht.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in La Gomera.
Small group (10 max): why it feels different at sea
This is a maximum 10 travelers experience. That single detail changes everything once you’re on the water.
With smaller groups:
- you tend to get clearer viewing angles, even when people shift positions
- the crew can explain more without drowning you in noise
- wildlife watching can stay respectful, not like a traffic jam
The tour also lists most travelers as able to participate, which is helpful if you’re unsure about boats. Still, it’s a boat trip at sea, so if you’re sensitive to water motion, consider that and dress accordingly.
One more small note: the tour uses a mobile ticket, which makes check-in simpler. Less paperwork means more time for coffee, sunscreen, and getting ready.
Safety talk onboard: quick, practical, worth your attention
Before you start looking for whales and dolphins, there’s a safety talk on board. That’s usually the kind of thing people tune out, but it’s especially important on a smaller boat where you’ll likely move around more during the day.
You can use this moment to ask the crew how they want you to behave while searching—where to stand, when to keep voices down, and how they handle spotting so everyone gets a chance to see. Since the operator emphasizes an animal-first approach, the crew’s instructions are probably tied directly to keeping distance and reducing stress for marine life.
It’s also part of why the experience gets such strong feedback for being well run. People don’t just want wildlife; they want a calm ship and clear guidance.
Finding whales and dolphins: the watching part that matters
The mission is straightforward: search for whales and dolphins while enjoying the sailing environment around La Gomera. But what makes this tour feel special isn’t just the promise. It’s the style of watching.
The operator describes expert crew and passionate guides who aim to provide knowledge and entertainment while respecting the animals’ space. In plain terms: the crew isn’t racing around like they’re chasing a show. They’re trying to find creatures and keep things balanced so the animals remain undisturbed.
A standout detail from feedback is the quiet, considerate rhythm during the whale moment—paired with classical music playing in the background. That sounds almost too soft for a wildlife tour, but it seems to work. It likely helps keep voices down and keeps the mood peaceful while you stare at the water for that first sign of a blow, fin, or dorsal rise.
If you’re hoping for a tour that feels more like patient wildlife time than a speed-scavenger hunt, this is the kind of experience you’ll appreciate.
What to do on your side: keep your phone from becoming the main activity. Glance, watch, then record only when you spot something clearly. The tour’s value is the watching itself.
Stop at Playa de Ses Salinas: picnic, swim, and snorkeling time
Once the sea portion finishes, the tour heads to Playa de Ses Salines. Here’s where the day turns into a classic island break.
You’ll enjoy a delicious picnic onboard before heading to the beach area, where you get time to relax and have a swim and snorkel. This is one of the best parts for many people because it turns the trip into more than just sitting on a boat. You get a shore reset.
Why Las Salinas works: it gives you a straightforward activity you can control. If you want to snorkel, great. If you want to swim casually or just float, you can do that too. And if the sea is active, the beach helps you decompress.
A couple of useful practical thoughts:
- Bring or plan to use sunscreen before you hit the water time.
- If you snorkel, keep an eye on your gear and don’t rush the entry. Calm, steady is safer and more enjoyable.
Onboard food and little extras that add up
Food is included, and it’s not just a token. There’s a picnic onboard, and feedback also mentions a free drink and a small snack on the way back—items like melon, biscuits, olives, and cheese.
That combination matters for value. A $58.05 per person boat tour can feel pricey if all you get is time at sea. Here, at minimum, you get:
- a guided wildlife search
- a structured boat day with safety and onboard guidance
- picnic time
- plus a drink and snack during the return
It’s the kind of package that keeps you from spending extra money for a beach lunch later.
Animal-friendly watching: what to look for in how they operate
The strongest theme in the feedback is how they treat the animals. The approach is described as very natural and animal friendly, with careful handling of a spotted group (noted as a grind whale family in one auto-translated comment).
Even without technical jargon, you can learn something as a visitor: a crew that’s animal-first usually means:
- they don’t crowd
- they don’t keep forcing a closer approach
- they stay calm, which helps you stay calm
One more detail that makes the experience feel balanced: the group stays small and the crew appears to guide you toward understanding what you’re seeing, not just staring blindly.
If you care about responsible wildlife tourism, this tour’s style is one of the main reasons it scores so highly.
Price and value: what $58.05 buys you on this day
At $58.05 per person, this isn’t a bargain-day, but it also isn’t a luxury-only thing. The value comes from the full mix: small group size, wildlife expertise, and the extras (picnic, drink, snack) that help the day feel complete.
Think about what you’d pay if you tried to build this yourself on a holiday:
- boat access to go out for whales/dolphins
- guided spotting and education
- a real plan for a beach swim and snorkeling block
- food and drink so you’re not hunting for lunch
Bundling all of that into one 4-hour outing is where the price makes sense. You’re paying for a coordinated wildlife-and-beach rhythm, not just transportation.
A quick reality check: the tour depends on sea conditions and requires good weather. If weather shuts it down, the operator offers a different date or full refund rather than pretending the ocean will cooperate.
Timing and duration: planning your day around four hours
The trip runs about 4 hours. That’s a sweet spot in a holiday schedule: long enough to genuinely search for marine life and enjoy beach time, but short enough that you still have energy left for dinner plans afterward.
Because the departure is fixed to the port schedule, you’ll want a flexible morning or afternoon on your La Gomera itinerary. Arriving on time is also part of keeping the day calm.
If you’re planning other activities the same day, leave breathing room. Even on a great day, sea routes and wildlife sighting timing can shift slightly.
Who this tour is best for
This is the kind of outing that fits well if you:
- want a small group rather than a crowded boat
- care about wildlife watching that feels calm and respectful
- like the idea of combining sea time with a real beach break
- appreciate onboard guidance in English
It also works nicely for people who want an easy day without complex planning. The picnic and the included drink/snack remove a bunch of decision-making.
If you’re the type who hates any boat motion, you might want to consider whether a sea-based tour is your thing. But for most people, it’s framed as accessible for typical travelers.
Should you book this whale and dolphin tour?
If you want a wildlife day that feels organized, peaceful, and worth the money—not just a drive-by chance—you should strongly consider booking.
Here’s the decision shortcut I’d use:
- Book it if small-group care, animal-friendly watching, and added beach time matter to you.
- Consider carefully if your schedule can’t move with weather, since the trip requires good conditions.
With an operator that’s clearly focused on respectful animal treatment, plus picnic-and-snorkel comfort, this is a well-rounded La Gomera experience.
FAQ
What is the duration of the Small Group Boat Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour?
It’s listed as approximately 4 hours.
How many people are on the boat?
The tour has a maximum of 10 travelers.
Where does the tour start and end?
It starts at Puerto de Valle Gran Rey, at Av. Marítima el Puerto de Vueltas, and it ends back at the meeting point.
Is the tour offered in English?
Yes. It’s offered in English.
Does the tour include time at a beach for swimming or snorkeling?
Yes. After the boat portion, you head to Las Salinas Beach (Playa de Ses Salines) for time to relax, swim, and snorkel.
Is food and drink included?
A picnic is included onboard, and there’s also mention of a free drink and a small snack on the way back.
What happens if the weather is bad?
The tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
