A day at sea with whales and dolphins is hard to beat. Here you do it on a Portuguese wooden schooner, not a plastic-speedboat, with the sea time split between searching for cetaceans and an anchored break for food and swimming.

I also like that the tour is built for comfort: food and drink are included, and you get clear photo chances from the boat instead of craning around in tight crowds. One thing to keep in mind: while the description says lunch is included, not every guest felt that matched what they experienced, so it’s worth confirming the exact inclusion when you book—especially if lunch is your main goal.

Key Highlights You’ll Actually Care About

• Classic Portuguese schooner vibe: wooden sailing-ship feel with an open bar and a shared central table
• Targeted wildlife mission: focused search for pilot whales and dolphins, not a random “maybe we see something” cruise
• Photo-friendly setup: unobstructed views from the boat help you get real shots instead of blocked angles
• Anchored Atlantic break: after whale/dolphin time, the boat anchors for lunch and open-water swim
• Family-friendly crew energy: guides explain what’s happening, and there’s a reputation for going the extra mile
• Small-ish group at sea: limited to 60 travelers for a more comfortable feel on a 2-hour trip

A Portuguese Schooner Makes the Sea Feel Old-School

This tour in Tenerife isn’t just about spotting whales and dolphins. It’s also about the ride. You’re on a Portuguese wooden schooner that’s meant to feel like a throwback to sailing days, with crew who keep the mood upbeat and the pace easy.

The boat layout helps you enjoy the trip instead of just surviving it. There’s an open bar and a large central table for hanging out together, plus an upper deck where you can relax and sunbathe. In plain terms: you can socialize, eat, and still find a spot to look out at the water.

If you’re the kind of traveler who hates tours where you sit behind railings all day, you’ll probably appreciate that the design supports viewing and photos. The tour is built around whale-and-dolphin watching, so the boat experience matches the purpose.

Practical tip: bring sunglasses and a hat. Even if clouds roll in, the Canary sun can still surprise you when you’re standing on deck looking for spouts and fins.

Los Cristianos Departure: The 10:00am Start Matters

You meet at Puerto Los Cristianos, Muelle de Pescadores, in Arona (Santa Cruz de Tenerife). The tour starts at 10:00am, and it ends back at the meeting point—simple, no long shuttle run.

That timing matters because you’re heading out while conditions are often calmer and visibility can be better for spotting wildlife. It also helps keep the whole experience to about 2 hours (approx.), which is good if you don’t want to burn an entire day chasing the chance of dolphins.

The tour is offered in English, and tickets are mobile. That’s a relief on vacation. Less paperwork, less waiting, more time for coffee and going.

Quick heads-up: if you’re using maps, double-check the exact pier. One guest had trouble finding the right location and had to be redirected, and the boat waited—so the staff handled it—but you’ll save yourself stress if you arrive early and follow the exact pier name.

Searching for Pilot Whales and Dolphins (and Getting Real Viewing)

Once you’re aboard, the main mission begins: go out to see pilot whales and dolphins. This isn’t described as a generic cruise where you just drift near the shore for a long time. The plan is to visit a pilot whale area and then move into dolphin viewing.

On a practical level, this is where you’ll feel the biggest difference between a good whale-watching outing and a frustrating one. You’re scanning for movement on the surface—dark backs, quick turns, and the telltale moment when dolphins appear and then vanish again.

The boat is set up for this. You get unobstructed photo opportunities from the vessel, which is important because whales and dolphins don’t show up on schedule. If your view is blocked, you lose the shot even if the animal is right there.

What to expect on the water

• You’ll spend time observing before the boat moves on.
• Crew explanations help you understand what you’re seeing, and that makes spotting easier.
• Seeing cetaceans is never 100% guaranteed, even on targeted trips. If you’re choosing this tour mainly for the wildlife, keep expectations flexible.

A fair warning based on guest experiences

Some people loved the wildlife time and felt the sightings matched the plan. Others felt the cruise spent too long in roughly the same area and that the dolphin-and-whale portion felt short once they finally saw animals. That’s the nature of wildlife watching: sometimes the sea decides the schedule.

The takeaway for you: be present when you spot movement, and don’t assume every minute will bring an animal. The best moments usually come fast.

The Anchored Atlantic Moment: Lunch and a Real Swim

After observation time wraps up, the boat sails to the coast area, then anchors to offer lunch and swimming on the open waters of the Atlantic. This is a big deal for two reasons.

First, it turns the trip from pure watching into a proper break. You’re not just on deck holding a phone. You eat, you relax, and you get time in the water.

Second, anchored swim time tends to feel more relaxed than constant “movement cruising.” You have a stable spot, and you can decide when to swim rather than waiting for the boat to circle again.

What lunch and the swim window feel like

The tour description says food and drink are included, and at least some guests reported lunch as part of the experience. Another guest reported that lunch didn’t match the promise, and that the focus shifted toward selling drinks on the boat. That mismatch is worth noting.

So here’s how I’d handle it if you’re booking:

• If you care about lunch, don’t assume it will be a full sit-down meal. Confirm what’s included at booking time.
• Plan for snacks and drinks as part of the boat experience, since the boat has an open bar.
• Treat swim time as a perk, not a guarantee of a long session. Some guests reported only a short swim window.

If you go in with that mindset, you’ll probably enjoy this part more, because lunch and swimming on the Atlantic off Tenerife is exactly the kind of vacation memory that sticks.

Practical tip: bring swimwear you can access easily, and use sunscreen before you go in. Reapplying later is harder when you’re bouncing between deck, water, and meal time.

What’s Included (and How the Boat’s Features Affect Your Day)

Let’s translate the included items into real value.

Food and drink included

The tour states that food and drink are included, and that means you’re not paying separately for a meal when you’re out on the water. In many boat tours, you either buy overpriced snacks or you go hungry while you wait for wildlife.

Still, because there’s at least one complaint about lunch not being provided as expected, you should treat the inclusion as real but worth verifying. You want to avoid a situation where you expected lunch to mean one thing and the boat delivered a different format.

Open bar and onboard social setup

The boat has two services, including an open bar and a large central table. That combo is excellent for a tour like this. It encourages people to hang around instead of disappearing to separate corners. It also gives you something to do while you’re between sightings.

If you’re not into alcohol, you can still enjoy the social vibe. You’ll likely find people gathering around the central table, and the upper deck gives you a calmer alternative.

Photo access

You get unobstructed photo opportunities from the boat. That matters because whale-and-dolphin sightings are brief. If you can’t shoot quickly, you lose the moment.

Practical tip: keep your camera/phone charged and ready. Don’t spend the “good sightings” moment fumbling with settings.

Price and Value: Is $57.96 Worth It?

At $57.96 per person for an outing around 2 hours (approx.), this is in the realm of a mid-range day tour. The value depends on two things:

1. How well the wildlife time works out
2. Whether the included food/drink matches what you expect

For many people, the combination of targeted dolphin/whale viewing plus onboard food and a swim makes it feel fair. You’re paying to be taken out, guided, and set up for both viewing and relaxing.

But value isn’t automatic. One guest felt it was a rip-off and said lunch wasn’t included as promoted, and that they were pushed toward cocktails. Another guest found the experience slow at sea, with limited swimming time.

So if you’re deciding, my advice is simple:

• If you’re mainly chasing a fun sea day with a chance to see pilot whales and dolphins, this price can make sense.
• If you’re coming for a strict meal schedule and a long swim session, be cautious and confirm the exact “lunch included” expectations.

Who This Tour Fits (and Who Might Want Another Option)

This works especially well for:

• Families who want a guided boat outing with onboard comfort
• Travelers who prefer a classic vessel vibe over a speed cruise
• People who like spending time outdoors, scanning for wildlife, then cooling off with a swim

A key strength is how the crew and explanations seem to shape the experience. In positive reports, guests praised the clarity of explanations and the friendliness of the crew. One story stood out: a crew member reportedly jumped in to help a turtle. That kind of commitment says a lot about the staff’s mindset.

Who should consider a different plan

If you:

• Hate waiting at sea for wildlife (some trips can feel slow)
• Need guaranteed, lengthy swim time
• Are very strict about what included meals must look like

…then you may feel disappointed if the day’s conditions or timing don’t align with your ideal version of lunch-and-swim.

Should You Book Sealife Dolphin and Whale Watching on the Portuguese Schooner?

I’d book it if you want a classic schooner day in Tenerife with a real purpose—pilot whales and dolphins—plus a built-in break for food and an Atlantic swim.

The gamble is normal for wildlife watching: you might see plenty, or you might see less than you hoped, and the time on the water isn’t always thrilling minute by minute. The meal piece is the one area where guest experiences don’t fully match the promise, so treat that as a “confirm before you go” item.

If you’re flexible, enjoy boats, and can adapt to the sea, this is a fun, memorable way to spend a couple of hours around Los Cristianos.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 10:00am.

Where is the meeting point?

You meet at Puerto Los Cristianos, Muelle de Pescadores, puerto de Los Cristianos, 38650 Arona, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

How long is the experience?

It lasts about 2 hours.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

Is the ticket mobile?

Yes, the tour uses a mobile ticket.

Is food and drink included?

The tour information says food and drink are included, with lunch offered after anchoring.

Is there swimming time?

Yes. After the whale and dolphin observation, the boat anchors and offers time to swim in open Atlantic waters.

Is there an open bar?

Yes, the boat has an open bar.

How many travelers are on the tour?

The maximum group size is 60 travelers.

What happens if weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

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