Puerto Colon: Whale-Watching Sailing Tour with Meal & a Swim

The best part of this three-hour sailing trip is the chance to see pilot whales close to the boat, then cool off in a sheltered bay before returning to Puerto Colón. The boat carries no more than 11 people, so you get a more personal outing than on a large excursion vessel.

I like the mix of wildlife watching and simple seaside pleasure: a local captain who explains what you are seeing, followed by food, drinks, and time in the water. I also like the relaxed pace, with room to sit in the sun and feel the Atlantic breeze rather than rush from one activity to the next.

The main consideration is that this boat heads into the open ocean, so sea conditions can affect comfort and wildlife sightings. The activity is also conducted in Spanish and is not suitable for wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, or people with visual impairments.

Key points to know before you book

• Pilot whales may come close: The trip searches for whales and dolphins in open water, with pilot whales among the possible sightings.
• Small boat, small group: Mola Mola 2 takes up to 11 participants, which keeps the outing more intimate.
• Food is part of the experience: Depending on the departure time, you receive lunch or dinner, with paella, snacks, and drinks included in the tour details.
• A swim stop breaks up the sailing: The boat pauses by a warm, sandy beach where you can enter the cool water of the bay.
• Spanish is the tour language: The captain provides explanations in Spanish as you sail and look for wildlife.
• Bring your own towel: Swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, beachwear, and a towel are essential, since a towel is not supplied.

Leaving Puerto Colón aboard Mola Mola 2

You begin at pantalán 1 in Puerto Colón, where you look for the boat named Mola Mola 2. The activity ends at the same place, so you do not need to arrange a separate return transfer.

The boat trip lasts three hours from port to port. That is long enough to get out into the whale-watching area, enjoy food and drinks, make a swimming stop, and sail back without turning the outing into an all-day commitment.

I would arrive ready to board, with your swimwear already under your clothes and sunscreen applied. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to Puerto Colón.

The group limit of 11 people matters here. A small sailing boat feels less crowded, and you have a better chance of hearing the captain’s explanations. It also means the experience is more exposed to the weather and movement of the sea than a large catamaran trip.

Searching the Atlantic for pilot whales and dolphins

Once you leave the marina, the boat heads into the open Atlantic. The main activity is watching the water and working with the captain to look for dolphins and whales.

This is not a guaranteed wildlife performance. Animals move freely, and sightings depend on conditions and luck. Still, the tour’s local captain knows the area and searches for the places where dolphins and whales are most likely to appear.

The most memorable possibility is seeing pilot whales at close range. The experience can include a family group swimming near the boat, which gives you a far more natural encounter than a staged animal attraction. Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the whole trip staring at a screen. Wildlife can appear quickly and disappear just as fast.

Dolphins are also part of the search. You may see them playing near the boat or moving through the water farther away. The open-ocean setting gives the outing a sense of possibility, but you should book it for the sailing and sea time as well as for the animals.

The captain’s explanations add useful context. The tour is conducted in Spanish, so you will get the most from it if you understand Spanish or are comfortable following a simple guided outing in that language. You can still enjoy the views and wildlife without fluent Spanish, but detailed explanations may be harder to follow.

A captain-led outing with a personal feel

A strong feature of this trip is the captain’s role. The captain handles the sailing, searches for wildlife, and gives explanations as the boat moves through the Atlantic.

That personal approach is especially useful on a small vessel. You are not simply placed on a boat and left to watch the water. The captain helps direct your attention and gives the trip some local sense of place.

The available feedback points to a friendly captain who explains things clearly. That matches the design of the outing: this is meant to feel like a guided sail, not only transportation to a swimming area.

There is no guide name supplied for this experience, so I would not expect a named naturalist or a large multilingual staff. The listed tour language is Spanish. If guide commentary is important to you, keep that point in mind before booking.

Paella, cava, and simple food at sea

The food helps make this more than a short wildlife cruise. The tour includes lunch or dinner, depending on the starting time, along with drinks.

The highlights describe paella and a glass of cava, giving the meal a clear Tenerife flavor. The onboard description also refers to sandwiches, snacks, beer, and another drink option while the boat is anchored. Since the exact meal can vary with the departure, it is sensible to check what is being served at your chosen time if the food is a major reason for booking.

Do not expect a formal restaurant meal. Food at sea is best treated as a pleasant part of the sailing, eaten while you enjoy the setting. The appeal is the combination of a warm dish or snacks, a drink, and open water around you.

For a $68 price, the included meal and drinks add real value. You are paying for a three-hour boat outing, a small group, a captain, a wildlife search, food, drinks, and a swimming stop. That is a fair package for someone who wants several activities combined rather than a short boat ride alone.

The value is less clear if you only care about seeing whales. Sightings cannot be promised, and the trip’s food and swimming elements may matter less to you. In that case, compare the price with other whale-watching options in the area before deciding.

The swimming stop at a sandy beach

On the return journey, the boat stops at a warm, sandy beach beside a bay. This is your chance to get into the cool water, wash off the salt, and trade the motion of the boat for a calm swim.

The swimming stop gives the trip a useful change of pace. After sitting and watching the sea, you can stretch, swim, and enjoy the water from a different angle. You can also remain on board and relax in the sun if swimming is not your priority.

Bring a towel, since one is not included. You should also pack swimwear, beachwear, sunglasses, and sunscreen. The sun can feel strong even when the breeze makes the air seem mild.

The wording describes a beach and a bay, but it does not promise a long time ashore or a full beach visit. Think of this as a boat-based swimming stop, not a separate beach excursion. You may enter the water from the boat, and the exact setup can depend on conditions.

What the open ocean feels like

The open-water setting is both the attraction and the main caution. Sailing away from the harbor gives you wide views, fresh air, and a proper Atlantic feel. It also means the boat can move more than it would inside a sheltered marina.

If you are prone to seasickness, consider how comfortable you are on open water. The provided information does not mention motion-sickness medicine or onboard medical arrangements, so you should prepare according to your own needs.

The tour includes time to relax in the sun and feel the breeze. That sounds simple, but it is central to the experience. You are not racing through a long list of stops. You watch the sea, scan for animals, eat, swim, and sail back.

I would choose this trip for a calm, unhurried afternoon or evening on the water. I would not choose it if you want a tightly scheduled sightseeing tour with constant activity.

Who will enjoy this three-hour sailing trip

This outing suits couples, solo visitors, and small groups who like being on the water and want several experiences in one booking. The limit of 11 participants makes it a good choice for people who prefer a quieter boat rather than a large crowd.

Families may enjoy the wildlife search and swimming stop, though the open ocean and small boat require sensible supervision. The tour details do not specify a minimum age, child pricing, or special family facilities, so check those points before booking for young children.

It is also a good fit if you value food and drinks as part of a day out. Paella, cava, snacks, beer, and other drinks make the trip feel more social and complete.

You should think twice if you need step-free access or support for a visual impairment. The activity is specifically not suitable for people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, or visually impaired people.

Spanish speakers will get the clearest guided experience. If you do not speak Spanish, you can still take part in the sailing, wildlife watching, meal, and swim, but you may not follow every explanation from the captain.

What to bring and what not to expect

Pack light, practical beach gear:

• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Swimwear
• Beachwear
• A towel

A towel is not included, and hotel transfers are also not included. You need to reach pantalán 1 at Puerto Colón and find Mola Mola 2.

Do not expect a guaranteed whale sighting, a multilingual guide, or a fully accessible boat. The activity offers a local Spanish-speaking captain, open-water sailing, food, drinks, and a swimming stop, but the day remains shaped by weather and sea conditions.

The tour allows cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if your Tenerife plans may shift, though you should still check the available departure times before making your plans.

Is the Puerto Colón whale-watching sail worth it?

I would book this tour if you want a small-group day on the Atlantic that combines wildlife watching, a meal, drinks, and a swim. The best case is a close look at a family of pilot whales, followed by paella or snacks and a refreshing stop in the bay.

I would skip it if your only goal is a guaranteed whale encounter, if you dislike open-water sailing, or if you need accessible facilities. At $68, the trip offers solid value for the number of elements included, but its success depends partly on sea conditions and animal sightings.

For most people who enjoy relaxed boat trips, the mix is appealing. Bring your towel, understand that the tour is in Spanish, and treat the wildlife as a welcome bonus rather than a promise.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching sailing trip begin?

The tour begins at pantalán 1 in Puerto Colón. Look for the boat named Mola Mola 2.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point in Puerto Colón.

How long does the tour last?

The sailing trip lasts three hours. Starting times depend on availability.

What food and drinks are included?

Lunch or dinner is included, depending on the tour time. The experience information describes paella, cava, sandwiches, snacks, beer, and other drinks.

Is swimming included?

Yes. The boat makes a swimming stop near a sandy beach in a bay.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear. A towel is not provided.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, or people with visual impairments.