Best Small Group Whale Watching In Tenerife
Some travellers want a big boat with lots of people. Others want space, a relaxed crew and the chance to actually enjoy the ocean without standing in a crowd.
Atlantic Star is built for the second kind of traveller. Our shared whale watching trip from Puerto Colón in Costa Adeje takes a maximum of only 10 guests.
With no more than 10 guests, there is more room to move, better access to the deck, more interaction with the crew and a much more personal atmosphere. For couples and families, this is one of the biggest reasons to choose Atlantic Star.
Ten Guests Changes The Whole Experience
Maximum 10 is not just a number we put on the booking page. It changes what the trip actually feels like.
On a small sailing yacht, you can speak with the crew, ask questions, move around the deck and enjoy a sighting without trying to look past several rows of other passengers.
Better Viewing
With fewer people on board, it is easier to move to the side where the whales or dolphins appear.
More Crew Interaction
A smaller group gives the crew more time to speak with guests and explain what is happening around the boat.
More Relaxed
Less crowding creates a calmer guest experience before, during and after the wildlife sightings.
Should You Choose A Small Whale Watching Boat?
Large excursion boats and small sailing yachts can both have a place. The better choice depends on what kind of day you want.
Atlantic Star
Larger Excursion Boat
Resident Whales Just Off Tenerife’s Southwest Coast
Atlantic Star leaves from Puerto Colón in Costa Adeje, close to the deep channel between Tenerife and La Gomera.
Short-finned pilot whales live in these waters throughout the year, making Tenerife one of Europe’s most reliable destinations for whale watching.
Bottlenose dolphins are also resident in the area. Other cetaceans, including sperm whales and several migratory species, can appear occasionally.
The important thing is that these are wild animals. Every trip is different, and responsible whale watching means observing their natural behaviour rather than expecting a performance.
What Does A Real Whale Sighting Look Like?
A wildlife sighting can be spectacular, but spectacular does not always mean a whale jumping out of the ocean.
Pilot whales often surface calmly to breathe. Sometimes several animals travel together. Dolphins may approach the boat or move quickly through the water.
On exceptional days, a different species appears and surprises everyone on board.
That unpredictability is exactly what makes genuine whale watching special.
A Friendly Crew Makes A Small Trip Better
One advantage of a small group tour is simple: you actually get to know the people looking after you.
Esther hosts many Atlantic Star trips and is known for creating a warm, relaxed atmosphere on board.
She speaks Dutch, German, English and Spanish, which is especially useful for international visitors who prefer hearing information in a familiar language.
Because crew schedules and days off change, Esther cannot be guaranteed on every departure. If language is especially important for your group, mention your preferred language in the booking note.
Languages On Board
Atlantic Star welcomes guests from across Europe and beyond.
If a particular language is important to you, add it to your booking notes so the team can take it into account when arranging the trip.
What Happens During The 3-Hour Whale Watching Tour?
Meet the crew and begin the trip from the marina in Costa Adeje.
The captain heads towards the whale and dolphin watching area off Tenerife.
After the wildlife section, there is normally time for a relaxing swim stop when conditions allow.
Enjoy the coastline, food and drinks as Atlantic Star makes its way back.
Food, Drinks And Time To Enjoy The Ocean
The shared trip is not three hours of standing at the side of a boat waiting for a fin to appear.
Fresh sandwiches and snacks are included, together with drinks such as water, soft drinks, beer, white wine, sangria and cava.
There is also normally a swim stop when weather and sea conditions allow, and snorkelling equipment is available on board.
That combination is what makes Atlantic Star work well even for groups where not everybody is a serious whale enthusiast.
Want Extra Peace Of Mind About Sightings?
When Atlantic Star is booked through Club Canary, guests can choose an optional whale and dolphin sighting guarantee.
This is separate from the standard Atlantic Star trip and is completely optional.
The detailed guarantee conditions are shown during the booking process. It can be useful for travellers whose number one priority is seeing a whale or dolphin during their Tenerife holiday.
Especially Good For Families, Couples And Smaller Groups
Families
Fewer passengers makes it easier for parents to stay close to children and helps younger guests interact with the crew.
Couples
A small sailing yacht gives couples a quieter experience than a large excursion boat while still keeping the trip social.
International Guests
The multilingual crew and personal atmosphere are especially useful for visitors who appreciate direct communication.
What Does Atlantic Star Whale Watching Cost?
The shared Atlantic Star trip is designed to keep the group small while still offering a much lower price than hiring the yacht privately.
Current standard shared trip price per adult.
Current standard shared trip price per child.
Group discounts may also appear depending on the number of adults booked. Check the live booking page for the exact total for your group.
Small Group Whale Watching Is Possible All Year
Tenerife’s resident pilot whales make whale watching possible throughout the year.
Morning trips can sometimes have calmer sea conditions, while later departures can have a quieter feeling on the water.
If species variety matters to you, spring is particularly interesting. We explain the seasons in much more detail in our Tenerife whale watching calendar.
Do You Need Shared Or Private?
What Guests Say About Atlantic Star
The small group atmosphere is something guests regularly mention after sailing with Atlantic Star.
-
Een zeer vriendelijke gastvrouw Esther en een Spaanse kapitein heetten ons welkom op de boot. Max 10 gasten van diverse nationaliteiten. De tocht is uitermate relax. In Engels, Spaans en Nederlands wordt tijdens de reis... read more op zoek naar Dolfijnen en Walvissen eea verteld over deze dieren in de zee tussen La Gomera en Tenerife. Toilt aan boord, drankjes en een hapje in de vorm van een wrap zitten in de prijs inbegrepen. In het laatste gedeelte kan er ook nog gesnorkeld worden. De teis duurt tussen de 2,5-3 uur. Als je rustig en op een relaxte manier de zee op wilt, dan is de Atlantic Star een aanrader. Genieten!
Kurt Herkströter
27/11/2024Vandaag een boottocht van 3u gedaan om grienden en evt dolfijnen te zien. Dat is goed gelukt. Met een klein gezelschap, hooguit 10 een werkelijk waar schitterende tocht over de Atlantische oceaan gedaan en... read more de magie vd waterwereld gezien. Ze doen wat ze beloven.. ookal laat de natuur zich niet leiden. Ze hadden er een feilloos gevoel voor. Dankzij kapitein Juan én Esther een onvergetelijke reis gemaakt. Esther, ontzettend bedankt voor alle weetjes, de tips, de goede verzorging want de boottocht is incl drinken en heerlijke broodjes. Maar het scheelt ook of er vriendelijkheid en gezelligheid mee komt. En dat doet het. Bedankt. Wij, john en ik gaan dit nooit meer vergeten. En miss plannen we nog een 2x in deze vakantie. Zo tof was het. Groet!
Saskia van Dokkum
27/08/2024Vandaag met ons gezin de 3 uur durende walvis en dolfijn tocht gedaan. We hebben er van genoten, veel dolfijnen en walvissen gezien. Fijne boot met een select gezelschap en leuke bemanning. Zeker een aanbeveling!... read more Contact met Kim (kim’s excursies Tenerife) ook erg fijn, reageert snel.
Danny Halberstadt
27/08/2024 -
Geweldig! Wij hebben er bewust voor gekozen om een excursie te doen waarbij kwaliteit hoger staat dan de inkomsten. Op dit jacht heb je alle ruimte en wordt je niet op elkaar gepropt. Nederlandse gastvrouw... read more die je van alles over de dieren en het gebied kan vertellen. Veel grienden gezien en een lekkere lunch gehad. We vonden het fantastisch!
Josje Verwijst
27/06/2024Wir sind schon das zweite Mal mit diesem Boot gefahren und jedesmal begeistert gewesen. Es ist viel schöner auf einem kleinen Boot eine Tour zu den Walen zu machen als mit den großen "Partybooten". Sogar... read more unseren kleinen Hund durften wir mitnehmen. Wenn wir nächstes Jahr wieder hier sind , werden wir auf jeden Fall wieder buchen. Danke an Esther und ihren Mann für diesen schönen Tag.
Klaus Eichhaus
27/03/2024🙂 kiva retki
Reea Kokko
27/02/2024 -
Als afsluiting van een geweldig vakantie deze tocht gemaakt met 10 man aanboort een geweldige ervaring om walvissen van zo dichtbij te zien!! Dank aan de kapitein en zn lieve vrouw voor een mooie afsluiting... read more van de vakantie Een enorme aanrader zeg ik
Marten Hoogendoorn
27/12/2023Was superleuk en heel veel walvissen gespot toen !
Glenn Vanherck
27/12/2023What an amazing trip. Delphins and a big whale. Friendly guides and captain. Very child friendly and relaxing. Good sandwiches and snorkeling stop. We loved the boat trip.
T.a.e. Swaanen
27/12/2023 -
Super leuke en interessante boottocht gehad. Ruben liet regelmatig weten als er iets interessants was te zien en gaf uitleg. De boot zelf is ook heel erg mooi. We kregen ook drinken en sandwiches, maar... read more ik had helaas niet zo'n trek door de wat ruige zee. De sandwiches zagen er wel lekker uit. De crew is echt top. Ze doen er ook alles aan om het naar je zin te maken, dus ik kan dit echt iedereen aanraden!
Dick Tump (theawesomedick)
27/12/2023The best whale and dolphin watching excursion in Tenerife. The Yacht had plenty of space, service was amazing, we even got to see the whales, dolphins and a turtle. We love you Esther and Captain... read more Jesus. Thank you for making our visit so special
Asa Docherty
27/12/2023Gran Capitán el señor Richard y su hijo marinero Rubén y pronto será tan bueno oejor que el padre. GRACIAS POR LA EXPERIENCIA A SIDO UNICA , sobre todo vuestra profesionalidad y con buen humor.... read more Os recomiendo al 1000x1000. En el hotel Melia que nos alojamos peguntaron por como fue y tenéis nuestro 10 y ellos vuestro número. SOYS MUY GRANDES. 💪💪💪🇪🇦🇪🇦🇪🇦
JORGE MANRIQUE
27/12/2023
Frequently Asked Questions
How many guests are on the Atlantic Star shared whale watching trip?
Atlantic Star accepts a maximum of 10 guests on the shared whale watching trip.
Is Atlantic Star a small whale watching boat?
Yes. Atlantic Star is a 15.68 metre Beneteau Cyclades 50.5 sailing yacht and offers a much smaller group experience than large passenger excursion boats.
Where does the small group whale watching trip depart from?
Atlantic Star departs from Puerto Colón in Costa Adeje, in the south of Tenerife.
How long is the shared whale watching trip?
The standard shared Atlantic Star whale watching trip lasts about three hours.
How much does small group whale watching cost?
The current standard shared price is 65€ per adult and 35€ per child. Group discounts may apply depending on the number of adults booked.
Are food and drinks included?
Yes. Sandwiches and snacks are included, together with water, soft drinks and a selection of alcoholic drinks.
Can we swim during the trip?
There is normally a swim stop when weather and sea conditions allow. Snorkelling equipment is also available.
Can you see whales in Tenerife throughout the year?
Yes. Short-finned pilot whales live off Tenerife throughout the year, which makes the southwest coast a year-round whale watching destination.
Does the crew speak Dutch or German?
Esther, who hosts many Atlantic Star trips, speaks Dutch, German, English and Spanish. Crew schedules vary, so if a particular language is important, mention it in your booking note.
Is there a whale sighting guarantee?
An optional whale and dolphin sighting guarantee can be selected when booking Atlantic Star through Club Canary. The guarantee is separate from the standard trip and its detailed conditions are shown during booking.
Want Whale Watching Without The Crowd?
Join Atlantic Star from Puerto Colón for a relaxed three-hour whale and dolphin watching trip with a maximum of only 10 guests.