Wild animals, fast boat, easy swim.

This Sea Safari tour in Tenerife is built for getting right into the marine action around south Tenerife, starting from Puerto Colón. You also get included snorkeling gear rental and a try-on device called BladeFish, plus drinks and sandwiches so you’re not managing meals mid-trip.

What I really like is the pace and planning: you spend real time searching for whales and dolphins, and you’re not forced to leave the boat to swim. The other big win is how the tour mixes wildlife viewing with an active underwater moment using BladeFish, which makes it feel more like an experience than a simple sightseeing run. One consideration: it depends on weather, so if seas are rough the day can shift with a different date or a refund.

Key Things You’ll Notice on This Tour

• Small group, max 11 travelers means less waiting and more attention on the boat
• Close sightings of dolphins and pilot whales, with chances for turtles and other sea life
• Snorkeling equipment rental included, so you travel lighter
• BladeFish underwater propulsion try-out adds a fun, hands-on twist
• Drinks and sandwiches/snacks provided, so you’re fueled for the whole 3 hours
• Route follows the south Tenerife coast, with cliff views on the return

Puerto Colón Start Point and Why a Max-11 Boat Feels Better

You meet at Sea Safari Tenerife, at Av. de Colón, right by Playa de las Américas (Santa Cruz de Tenerife). It’s a handy base area because it’s near public transportation, and the whole tour runs like a tight, on-the-water schedule rather than a slow bus tour.

The group size is capped at 11 travelers, which is part of why this feels comfortable. You’re not packed into a crowd where you spend half the trip craning around strangers. On a boat, that small number matters for everything: where you can stand to look, how quickly crew can guide you, and how smooth it is when it’s time to gear up for snorkeling.

You’ll also get a mobile ticket, and you receive confirmation at booking time. That takes a lot of uncertainty off the day, especially when you’re trying to plan around weather at sea.

The 3-Hour Speedboat Format: Lots of Ground in a Short Time

This is an approximately 3-hour outing, and the boat is a speedboat, so you feel that motion from the start. The payoff is coverage: in a relatively short window, you cover more of the local area than you would on a slower vessel.

You’ll typically do wildlife watching, then have time for a swim/snorkel portion in a calmer spot, and then you head back to Puerto Colón along the south Tenerife coastline. Along the way, you get that bonus view of the cliffs, which is great if you like scenery and not only animals.

The trip also helps you avoid the common problem on half-day tours: doing long stretches of “searching” with no plan. Here, it’s clearly organized around spotting marine life and then giving you an active underwater component before returning.

Close Whale and Dolphin Watching: Pilot Whales, Dolphins, and More

The main event is whale and dolphin watching, and the way this is framed matters. You’re not just sailing past the idea of wildlife. The tour aims to take you to places where whales and dolphins have been seen before, which means your captain starts with local intelligence rather than pure guessing.

You can have a range of sightings. In the experiences that people describe, pilot whales show up, along with dolphins. Turtles also come up often, and there are even mentions of other sea life such as crabs. One account also mentions a hammerhead shark sighting, plus lots of fish.

What makes this feel especially worthwhile is proximity. The tour is set up for watching from very close distances when conditions allow. That’s a huge difference from tours where animals are just distant dots you spot with binoculars and wish you were closer.

Crew approach also seems to be handled with care. People highlight that the animals weren’t treated like a show. That matters because it keeps your experience more respectful and more comfortable while you’re watching.

Snorkeling Time with Included Gear: You Choose How Far You Go

Snorkeling is part of the trip, and you’ll get snorkeling equipment rental as part of the experience. That’s a practical win. It reduces what you have to carry, and it also means the tour can control timing and setup better than if everyone shows up with mismatched gear.

One of the most useful details is the lack of pressure to get in the water. The way this tour works, you can enjoy the wildlife watching without forcing yourself into the swim portion. That’s especially important if you’re traveling with mixed comfort levels, like kids, older relatives, or anyone who just doesn’t love boats.

People also mention that mask options were available, which can help if you wear glasses or just want a better fit. If you’ve snorkeled before, you already know how much comfort depends on the mask seal. If you haven’t snorkeled much, having options reduces the chance you spend your swim distracted by leaks.

BladeFish Underwater Propulsion: A Real Activity, Not a Demo

Here’s the twist that makes this tour feel different: you can try an underwater personal propulsion jet device called a BladeFish. It’s not just “watching animals,” it’s an active underwater moment where you’re moving through the water using your own small propulsion setup.

Why this matters for you: if you’ve done boat tours before and felt like you spent the whole time on the surface waiting for the next sighting, BladeFish changes the tempo. It turns snorkeling into something you do, not something you simply try once.

It also helps that the trip keeps this within the 3-hour window. You’re not carving out a separate half-day scuba event. Instead, snorkeling and BladeFish fit into the planned flow.

A practical tip: BladeFish works best if you keep calm, follow the crew instructions, and focus on smooth movement rather than trying to rush. If you’re comfortable in water, you’ll likely enjoy it more. If not, remember the earlier point: you’re not required to make the swim portion happen.

Food and Drinks on Board: When Convenience Saves Your Trip

I love tours that remove decision fatigue. This one includes drinks and sandwiches, plus snacks during the trip. That means you don’t have to plan a meal around the boat schedule or try to eat a quick bite before you head out and then worry about timing later.

For a 3-hour outing, this matters more than it would on a full-day excursion. You can focus on looking for marine life and enjoying the swim portion because you’re already handled on the basics: hydration and food.

It also tends to make the experience smoother for families, since you’re not guessing what everyone needs to stay happy. If you’re traveling with a range of ages, snacks can be the difference between a fun day and a grumpy one.

The Wildlife Viewing Angle: What You Should Be Ready to See

The tour is built around a realistic goal: finding places where whales and dolphins have been spotted before, then making the most of the conditions you get that day. Based on what people report seeing, the most consistent theme is a mix of dolphins and pilot whales, often alongside turtles and other small sea life.

That’s a good mindset for you to take. You’re not treating it like a guaranteed checklist where every animal has to appear. Instead, you’re going out with strong odds of multiple sightings, and you’re also getting an underwater component and included food.

One other small but important detail: the tour includes time to watch cliffs as you head back along the coast. That’s not the main draw, but it helps the return feel like part of the day rather than just transit.

Motion, Seasickness, and Comfort on a Speedboat

A speedboat makes for exciting travel, but it also means the ride can feel more intense than a larger, slower boat. Comfort varies by person, and the data here is mixed in a useful way.

One experience praises the boat choice as not causing sea sickness, and that’s encouraging. Still, if you’re someone who gets motion sickness, I’d plan like it could happen. Bring any personal remedies you normally use, and try to sit where the ride feels best for you.

If you’re also doing snorkeling, comfort becomes even more important. When you feel good, snorkeling is more fun. When you feel off, it’s harder to enjoy BladeFish.

Price and Value: Is $78.10 a Good Deal?

At $78.10 per person, this isn’t the cheapest way to see Tenerife from the water, but it’s also not trying to be a luxury charter. What makes it potentially good value is the package.

You’re paying for:

• boat time for wildlife watching (the core experience)
• snorkeling gear rental included (so you don’t rent elsewhere or pack it)
• BladeFish try-out (the unique activity)
• drinks plus sandwiches and snacks (so you’re covered)
• a small group size (max 11), which often improves how smoothly the experience runs

If you’ve priced separate snorkeling gear rentals, day-trip boat tickets, and any add-on underwater activity in the area, you’ll usually find that bundling like this can work in your favor. The “value” here isn’t just the number—it’s how many parts of the day are handled for you.

One more value note: the tour is only around 3 hours. For many people, that’s the sweet spot. You get meaningful time at sea without burning most of your day on logistics.

Weather Dependence and What to Do If Conditions Change

This experience requires good weather. If it gets canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. It also requires a minimum number of travelers, and if that minimum isn’t met, you’ll get a different date or a full refund.

So yes, you should treat the day as weather-dependent. But it’s not a gamble where you lose money if things go sideways. The main “cost” is time coordination.

If you’re planning your itinerary, consider booking this on a day with some flexibility. That’s how you protect your vacation from one rough morning at sea.

Who Should Book This Sea Safari and Who Might Skip It

You’ll probably love this tour if you want:

• close wildlife watching, especially for dolphins and pilot whales
• an included snorkeling opportunity without bringing gear
• a fun underwater gadget try-out with BladeFish
• a short 3-hour format that’s not exhausting

It also looks like a solid fit across ages. People describe the trip as fun for all ages, including someone traveling with a 71-year-old mother and another family with a 4-year-old child. Even if you’re not sure your whole group will swim, the tour is structured so you can still enjoy the day from the boat.

Who might skip it? If you’re strongly sensitive to boat motion, or if you don’t want anything to do with snorkeling at all, the speedboat format may not match your comfort needs. In that case, you might prefer a calmer option designed around viewing only.

One caution I’d include: while most experiences run smoothly, there’s at least one account of a no-show issue on the day and a difficult time reaching the operator by phone. That’s not enough to scare you off, but it is a good reminder to keep your confirmation handy and stay reachable right before departure.

Should You Book This Sea Safari Dolphins, Whales Tour?

Yes, book it if you want a Tenerife water day that’s more active than passive. The combination of close whale and dolphin watching, included snorkeling gear, onboard snacks and sandwiches, and the chance to try BladeFish is a strong mix for the price.

Book it especially if you travel with mixed comfort levels. The snorkeling portion isn’t a one-size-fits-all demand, and you can still enjoy the core wildlife search and boat ride even if you skip the swim.

If your schedule is tight and you can’t move dates, keep weather in mind. This isn’t the kind of plan that shrugs off a bad sea state. But with the refund or reschedule approach, you’re not stuck with a sunk cost.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is the Sea Safari Dolphins and Whales discovery tour?

It runs for about 3 hours.

Where does the tour start in Tenerife?

The tour starts at Sea Safari Tenerife, Av. de Colón, 38660 Playa de las Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, and it ends back at the meeting point.

What language is the tour offered in?

The experience is offered in English.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment rental is included, and the tour includes a snorkeling and swimming portion.

What is BladeFish and is it included?

BladeFish is an underwater personal propulsion jet device, and you get the chance to try it as part of the tour.

What food and drinks are provided?

Drinks and sandwiches are provided during the trip, plus snacks.

How big is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 11 travelers.

What happens if weather is poor or the tour needs to be canceled?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. It can also be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn’t met, with the same options.

How close to the start time can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.