Best SailBoat Tour & Charter Tenerife

🐋 Sailboat whale and dolphin watching in Tenerife

Sailing is the quieter way to do whale and dolphin watching in Tenerife. Engines stay off when conditions allow, which means you actually hear the wind and, through the hydrophone, the clicks and whistles of the resident pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins that live year-round in the channel between Tenerife and La Gomera. The waters off the south west coast hold one of the few resident populations of short-finned pilot whales in Europe, which is why the area was declared a Whale Heritage Site in 2021.

Capacity is capped at 11 guests, so the boat does not feel like a tour bus. Most catamarans in the same harbour carry 30 to 80 people.

✅ What’s included

• Whale and dolphin watching with onboard hydrophone
• Anchoring stop at El Puertito or another sheltered bay for snorkelling
• Snorkel gear (mask, snorkel, fins) in adult and child sizes
• Light food on board (details below by trip type)
• Three drinks per person on shared trips, included on private charters
• Multilingual skipper and crew
• Bluetooth sound system for your own playlist
• Sunbathing deck and shaded cockpit area

⛵ Shared trip vs private charter

👥 Shared sailing trip (3 hours)

Fixed schedule, fixed route, up to 11 guests sharing the boat. The crew sails towards the cetacean zone first, then anchors in a bay for the snorkelling stop. You get a sandwich (ham and cheese, with vegetarian, vegan or intolerance-friendly alternatives if requested at booking), seasonal fruit including Canary bananas, and three drinks of your choice from water, soft drinks, beer or white wine.

Departures: 10:00, 13:00 and 16:00 every day. The 18:30 sunset sailing runs from roughly May to September, depending on daylight.

🛥️ Private charter (3 to 7 hours)

The whole boat is yours. You pick the duration and you have a say in the route. The standard 3 and 4 hour charter does whale watching plus one snorkelling bay. The 5 and 6 hour versions add Palm Mar or La Caleta. The 7 hour itinerary stretches up to Masca cliffs or down to Abama, with time to swim at multiple stops.

Food on private charters is more substantial: Canary cheeses, Iberian cured meats, olives, tomatoes, breadsticks, bread, seasonal fruit and dried fruit. Each guest gets three drinks from a wider list that includes cava.

🗺️ Where the boat goes

Trips leave Puerto Colón heading south west along the Costa Adeje coastline. The cetacean watching area sits roughly 2 to 3 nautical miles offshore, between Tenerife and La Gomera, where pilot whales and dolphins are sighted on around 90% of trips according to local operator data. Sightings are not guaranteed, but the resident population means the odds are unusually high compared to most whale watching destinations.

The snorkelling stop on shared trips is usually El Puertito de Adeje, a small protected bay where green sea turtles are seen most days. The skipper will switch to a different bay if conditions or boat traffic make El Puertito less suitable. Private charters can swap in Palm Mar, La Caleta, Masca or Abama depending on the duration booked.

🚤 The boats

The fleet consists of sailing yachts between 12 and 14 metres in length. Each has a Bluetooth sound system, a sunbathing platform, a shaded cockpit, a marine toilet, and a swimming ladder for getting in and out of the water at anchor. The skipper and crew speak English, Spanish, and at least one of French, German or Italian depending on the day’s roster.

💶 How much does the Tenerife sailboat tour cost?

Prices vary by season and trip type. Use the booking calendar above for live pricing. As a guide:

• Shared 3-hour trip: per-person rate, available for solo travellers, couples and small groups
• Private 3 or 4 hour charter: flat boat rate up to 11 guests, works out cheapest per person when you fill the boat
• Private 5, 6 or 7 hour charter: flat boat rate, more time at anchor and longer routes

A full boat of 11 guests on a private charter usually beats the shared per-person price.

🎒 What to bring

• Swimwear (worn under clothes saves time)
• Towel
• Reef-safe sunscreen, factor 30 minimum
• Sunglasses and a hat that won’t blow off
• A light layer for the sunset trip, the wind drops the temperature noticeably after sundown
• Cash or card for tips if you want to tip the crew

The boat provides snorkel gear, drinking water, and the food described above. You don’t need to bring food.

⚠️ Important to know before booking

The boat does not accept guests with reduced mobility or anyone who has had recent surgery, for safety reasons at sea. Pregnant guests should consult the operator before booking. Children are welcome and child-size snorkel gear is on board.

Sea conditions in this area are generally calm because the south west coast of Tenerife sits in the lee of the island, but the channel can get choppy in the afternoon when the trade winds pick up. If you are prone to seasickness, take precautions before boarding rather than after, and book the morning slot.

📍 Meeting point

Puerto Colón marina, Costa Adeje. Arrive 10 minutes before your departure time. Parking inside the marina is paid; free street parking exists 5 minutes’ walk away on Avenida de Bruselas.

📜 Cancellation policy

Shared trips: free cancellation up to 48 hours before departure. Within 48 hours, or no-show, the deposit is not refunded.

Private charters: free cancellation up to 72 hours before departure. Within 72 hours, the deposit is not refunded.

Weather and minimum numbers: if the trip is cancelled by the operator due to weather or insufficient guests on a shared sailing, you get a full refund or a free reschedule.

On-the-day issues: no refund for late arrivals or for trips cut short by individual seasickness.

❓ Tenerife sailboat tour FAQ

Are whale and dolphin sightings guaranteed?
No tour can guarantee sightings, but the resident pilot whale and bottlenose dolphin population in the Tenerife – La Gomera channel means they are seen on roughly 9 out of 10 trips. Operators with the yellow flag (government cetacean-watching authorisation) keep a logbook of sightings.

Is this trip suitable for children?
Yes. Child-size snorkel gear is on board and the crew is used to families. The boat has a shaded area for younger kids who shouldn’t be in direct sun.

How many people share the boat on a non-private trip?
Maximum 11 guests, including any children. Most days the boat sails with 6 to 10 guests. Compare that to large catamarans in the same harbour that take 30 to 80 passengers.

Do the sails actually go up?
Yes when wind allows. The skipper will hoist sails on the way out or back if there is enough wind, which there usually is in the afternoon. Sailing trips are quieter than motor catamarans because the engine cuts out.

What’s the difference between this and a catamaran tour?
A sailboat is smaller (11 vs 30-80 guests), often cheaper per person on a private charter, and uses sails when possible. Catamarans are more stable for guests prone to seasickness and have larger flat deck areas. If you want a quieter, more intimate experience, choose the sailboat. If you want a party atmosphere or have a large group, choose a catamaran.

What time of year is best for the Tenerife sailboat tour?
The pilot whales and dolphins are resident year-round, so any month works for cetacean watching. Sea temperature for snorkelling sits at about 19°C in February-March and 23-24°C in August-October. Sunset sailings only run in summer because of daylight hours.

Can I bring my own food and drinks?
Food and drinks are included so there is usually no need. If you have specific dietary requirements not covered by the standard alternatives (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free), tell the operator at booking. You can bring water, but glass bottles are not allowed on board.

What if I get seasick?
The south west coast of Tenerife is the calmest sailing zone in the Canary Islands due to the island’s wind shadow. If you are still concerned, take a seasickness tablet 30-60 minutes before departure, eat a light meal beforehand, and book the morning slot when the sea is flattest. No refunds are given for guests who have to cut a trip short due to seasickness.

Do I need to know how to swim?
You don’t need to swim for the cetacean watching part. For the snorkelling stop, life vests are available and you can stay near the swim ladder in shallow water. Tell the crew if you are not a confident swimmer.

Is the operator licensed for whale watching?
Yes. The boat carries the yellow flag issued by the Government of the Canary Islands, which authorises approach distances and behaviour around cetaceans under the Whale Heritage Site rules. Boats without this flag are not legally allowed to approach pilot whales in this zone.

How do I book?
Use the booking widget at the top of this page. Pick your date, trip type and number of guests, then pay the deposit or full amount. You receive a confirmation by email with the meeting point details. Last-minute bookings are possible if there is space.

📅 Book the Tenerife sailboat tour

Pick your date in the calendar above. For other ways to get on the water, see our full range of boat excursions in Tenerife or our activities in Tenerife.