If you’re planning a trip to Tenerife and want to experience whale and dolphin watching, one of the first questions you’re probably asking yourself is: how much does a cetacean watching excursion in Tenerife cost, and what does the price actually include?

The answer depends mainly on the type of experience you’re looking for. In the case of Whale Watch Tenerife, there are currently two main options available: a group tour for €60 per adult and a private tour for €510 for up to 10 people. The group tour also has a €39 rate for children aged 3 to 11, along with a 10% discount for Canary Islands residents.

But comparing the advertised price alone can be misleading. To know whether an excursion offers good value for money, you need to look at what’s included, how long it lasts, how many people take part, what additional services are offered, and what happens if a sighting doesn’t ultimately occur.

And this is where transparency becomes trust.

Whale Watching Prices in Tenerife

According to information published by Whale Watch Tenerife, there are currently two main options available.

TypePriceDurationMaximum Capacity
Group tour€60 adult2 hours10 people
Children’s group tour€39 (ages 3-11)2 hours10 people
Private tour€5102 hours, flexibleUp to 10 people + €150 (extra hour, only available to extend on the tour departing at 2:30 PM)

Prices may be subject to change, so it’s advisable to check the final amount before booking.

The first conclusion is simple: the private tour has a considerably higher total price, but the comparison changes when we take into account that those €510 allow you to bring up to 10 guests.

which tour is cheaper?”, the right question is:

Which option makes the most sense for my group size and the type of experience I’m looking for?

Group whale watching tour: €60 per adult The simplest option for solo travelers, couples, or families is the group tour. The published price is €60 per adult, while children aged 3 to 11 pay €39. The company also advertises a 10% discount for Canary Islands residents. The excursion lasts approximately two hours and the group is limited to a maximum of 10 people. Departures take place at 9:30 AM, 12:00 PM, and 2:30 PM, and Whale Watch Tenerife states that the chances of sighting are the same regardless of the time slot chosen. This is important when assessing the price. The €60 doesn’t simply correspond to “getting on a boat for two hours.” The service includes several elements related to marine wildlife interpretation and spotting. These include: So, for someone looking for a two-hour experience who doesn’t need exclusivity, €60 per adult provides access to a specialized service with several extras included, rather than having to book them separately.

What does the price actually include?

This is probably one of the most important points when comparing a whale watching excursion. Two companies may advertise seemingly similar prices yet offer different experiences. That’s why it’s always worth checking what’s included before booking. Hydrophone With Whale Watch Tenerife, the tour price includes the company of a marine biologist or specialized guide, who provides information about the species that may be encountered during the trip. The company states that excursions are conducted in Spanish and English. A marine hydrophone is also used, a particularly interesting feature as it allows guests to listen to the sounds cetaceans make underwater. In addition, there’s the free photo report. This is a detail that can add value for visitors, as it lets them focus on the experience without constantly worrying about taking photos themselves. Another included element is the so-called sighting guarantee.

What happens if no whales or dolphins are seen?

One of the biggest concerns for people booking this type of excursion is paying for a whale watching activity and returning to port without having seen any cetaceans. Whale Watch Tenerife offers a guarantee whereby, if no whales or dolphins are seen during the trip, the customer can return for free on another tour, subject to availability. The guarantee does not expire. This condition is especially relevant when analyzing the price. From a consumer’s perspective, paying €60 for an excursion with no guarantee at all is not exactly the same as paying that same amount with a free return policy in case no sighting occurs. The guarantee, therefore, is part of the value worth considering when comparing prices. That said, a distinction must be made between guaranteeing a cetacean sighting and guaranteeing a specific species. Whale Watch Tenerife’s own information refers to whales and dolphins, and lists short-finned pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins as the most common species, along with others that may appear seasonally. In other words: booking a watching tour doesn’t mean a specific species — such as an orca, blue whale, or sperm whale — is guaranteed to appear.

Private tour: €510 for up to 10 people

The second option is the private tour, currently priced at €510 for up to 10 guests. The stated duration is two hours, although this option offers flexibility. At first glance, €510 may seem like a high price compared to the €60 group tour. But this is where a comparison based solely on the total price can lead to the wrong conclusions. The private tour doesn’t cost €510 per person. It costs €510 for the private boat/experience for up to 10 people. If the group is full, the math changes:
  • 2 people: €255 per person.
  • 4 people: €127.50 per person.
  • 6 people: €85 per person.
  • 8 people: €63.75 per person.
  • 9 people: €56.67 per person.
  • 10 people: €51 per person.
These figures allow for a much more useful comparison. With 10 adults, the group tour would cost €600 in total, while the private tour is priced at €510. So, with a group of 10 adults, the private option actually works out cheaper both per person and in total price. With 9 adults, the group tour would come to €540, compared to €510 for the private tour. With 8 adults, however, the group tour would total €480, making the private tour €30 more expensive overall. This shows why the number of participants is key when assessing the price.

Comparison: group or private?

We can summarize the comparison as follows:

For a couple

Two adults on the group tour would pay €120 in total. The private tour would cost €510, that is, €255 per person. In this case, if saving money is the priority, the group tour is clearly the more economical option. However, the private option offers exclusivity and can make sense for a special occasion, a photo session, or a personalized experience.

For a family

Let’s imagine two adults and two children aged between 3 and 11. The published price would be: 60 + 60 + 39 + 39 = €198 That is, €198 for four people, before applying any applicable discount. Compared to the €510 private tour, the group option is considerably more economical. That’s why, for a small family who simply wants to enjoy the experience, the group option usually offers a more favorable price-per-person ratio. For larger groups, the picture changes as we approach the maximum of 10 people. With eight adults, the group tour would cost €480, compared to €510 for the private tour. With nine adults, the group would cost €540, while the private tour would remain at €510. And with ten adults, the difference would be even greater: €600 for the group tour versus €510 for the private tour. This is where the private option starts to become especially appealing. Not just because of the price per person, but also because the group has the boat entirely to themselves.

Transparency = trust

Comparing prices shouldn’t just mean finding the lowest number. In tourism, the advertised price only gains real meaning when we know what we’re actually buying. That’s why a good comparison should answer five questions:
  • How much does it cost?
  • How long does it last?
  • How many people take part?
  • What services are included?
  • What happens if the experience doesn’t go as planned?
The group tour costs €60 per adult, lasts two hours, and accommodates up to 10 people. It includes a specialized guide, marine biologists, a hydrophone, free photographs, a sighting guarantee, and the necessary permits. The private tour costs €510 for up to 10 people, also lasts approximately two hours, and likewise includes a specialized guide, marine biologists, a hydrophone, photographs, a sighting guarantee, and permits. But it’s also important to know what’s not included. Food and drinks are not included, although guests may bring their own food and non-alcoholic beverages. It also doesn’t include transportation to Puerto Colón or motion sickness medication, and pets are not allowed. This information matters because it helps avoid unexpected costs or expectations.

Do I have to pay extra for transportation?

No. No transportation service is offered. The meeting point is at the blue entrance to Jetty 3 at Puerto Colón Marina, in Costa Adeje, and it’s recommended to arrive 15 minutes before departure. Therefore, anyone staying in other areas of Tenerife will need to arrange their own transportation to Puerto Colón, taking into account motorway traffic, possible accidents, and the time needed to park at Puerto Colón Marina. It’s a small detail that’s worth factoring into the overall budget for the activity.

Is food included?

That’s not included either. Food and drinks are not included, although guests are allowed to bring their own food and non-alcoholic beverages. This makes sense given that the activity lasts approximately two hours. Even so, it’s information worth knowing before boarding. An experience focused on responsible whale watching The price should also be considered in light of the nature of the activity itself. The excursions take place within the protected marine area ZEC Teno-Rasca, where resident species such as short-finned pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins can be observed, along with seasonal migratory species. The company operates in compliance with requirements set by Spanish and Canary Islands authorities and holds the necessary permits to carry out cetacean watching. In addition, the photographs, recordings, and data gathered during the excursions are also used for cetacean research and conservation projects. This aspect can be relevant for travelers who aren’t just looking for a tourist activity, but rather an experience connected to environmental education and responsible observation.

So, which is the best option?

There isn’t a single “best” price. The right choice depends on group size and each traveler’s priorities. The €60-per-adult group tour is probably the most sensible option for couples, solo travelers, and small families who want to keep an eye on their budget while enjoying a two-hour experience with a specialized guide, hydrophone, photographs, and sighting guarantee. The €510 private tour makes much more sense for larger groups. With nine or ten adults, the cost per person can even be lower than the group tour. It also allows for a private experience, which is especially appealing for large families, groups of friends, photographers, or anyone looking for a special occasion. Whale Watch Tenerife

Conclusion: looking beyond the price

So, how much does whale watching in Tenerife cost? Based on Whale Watch Tenerife’s current prices, the group tour starts at €60 per adult and €39 for children aged 3 to 11, while the private tour costs €510 for up to 10 people. Canary Islands residents are offered an advertised 10% discount on the group tour. But the real comparison doesn’t end there. For €60, visitors get two hours at sea, a specialized guide and marine biologists, a hydrophone, free photographs, and a sighting guarantee, among other elements. The private price, although higher in absolute terms, can become competitive when split among a large group of up to 10 people. The most important takeaway is that transparency allows for a better assessment of the price. Knowing what’s included, what isn’t, the boat’s capacity, how long the activity lasts, and what happens if no sighting occurs allows travelers to make a more informed decision. And in a nature-based experience like this one, that’s especially important: you’re not simply buying a ticket to get on a boat, but an opportunity to observe wild animals in their natural environment, accompanied by professionals. Before booking, it’s always advisable to check the current price, terms, and restrictions directly on the official Whale Watch Tenerife website.