Tenerife is one of the best places in Europe for whale and dolphin watching. A deep channel between Tenerife and La Gomera attracts around 17 species of marine mammals throughout the year. Resident populations of pilot whales and several dolphin species mean you have a very high chance of encounters on almost any day. The key question is not "Will I see whales?", but "In what format do I want to experience it?" — on a large group catamaran or on a private yacht.
Below is a clear, structured comparison of both formats, plus an intermediate option: small-group tours on a premium yacht.
Large whale-watching catamarans typically carry from 50 to 150 passengers and run several fixed departures per day (usually 3–5 hour trips) from busy ports like Puerto Colón or Costa Adeje.
Cost is the main attraction. Ticket prices usually range from about €27 to €50 per adult, and many tours include drinks and snacks. This makes the experience accessible for budget travellers, big families, or those who simply want to "tick the box" and see whales and dolphins without a large spend.
Departure times are very frequent. Because these boats operate on a schedule with many seats to fill, you can often find a place even at short notice and fit a tour into your day with minimal planning.
The atmosphere is social and lively. For travellers who enjoy meeting people from all over the world and sharing the excitement of wildlife encounters in a big group, the vibe on a large catamaran can be part of the fun.
The probability of sightings is high. Thanks to resident pilot whales and dolphins, success rates are typically in the 80–99% range on licensed tours. Many operators even offer a free return trip if no whales or dolphins are seen.
Crowds are the flip side of low prices. With dozens or even more than a hundred people on board, viewpoints along the rail fill quickly. This can make it difficult to get clear photographs and can create a slightly "theme-park" feeling rather than a quiet wildlife experience.
You follow a rigid route and schedule. Large boats operate on fixed itineraries and cannot easily detour or adapt if sea conditions change or if animals are spotted in another area. Even if part of the group feels unwell or would prefer calmer waters, the vessel continues with the planned route.
Noise and environmental impact are higher. Big catamarans use powerful engines that generate underwater noise and emissions. Noise pollution can disturb the animals' natural behaviour and communication. When several large boats converge on the same group of whales, the cumulative impact increases further.
The experience can feel less "wild". Because of the size of the group, the use of loudspeakers, background music and bar service, the overall atmosphere may feel more like a boat party with whales in the background than a focused encounter with wildlife. Some travellers love this, others find it distracts from the nature experience.
A private whale watching charter means you and your group have the entire yacht to yourselves, typically for 3–8 hours, with a dedicated skipper and crew. Group size is usually up to 8–12 people, depending on the boat.
The experience is fully personalised. You choose the departure time (within what conditions allow), and the captain can adjust the route to where conditions and wildlife activity look best that day. If your group prefers to spend more time quietly observing whales, or to combine it with a relaxed swim in a secluded bay, the trip can be shaped around that.
Comfort levels are significantly higher. Private yachts usually offer comfortable lounging areas, shaded space, quality snacks and drinks and often extras like paddleboards or snorkelling equipment. With only your own group onboard, there is no jostling for space, no queues and no background crowd noise.
Photography and videography are much easier. With only a few people onboard, you have unobstructed access to the best viewing points. The captain can position the yacht for better light or angles when it is safe and appropriate to do so, which is a major advantage for keen photographers.
The atmosphere is calm and intimate. Instead of announcements via loudspeakers to a big crowd, you get direct interaction with the crew: explanations about species, behaviour, local geography and conservation. For families with children, this often becomes a more educational and memorable experience.
Environmental impact is generally lower per person. Smaller, well-maintained yachts with experienced skippers tend to manoeuvre more carefully around animals and spend less time in close proximity. Licensed operators that follow strict guidelines help minimise stress for whales and dolphins, contributing to more sustainable whale watching in the long term.
The price point is higher. A private yacht is usually priced per boat, not per person. Typical rates might range in the hundreds of euros for a 3‑hour charter. Split between 4–8 people, this can still be good value, but for solo travellers or couples the cost per person is significantly higher than a group tour.
You need a group or a special occasion to justify it. Private charters make the most sense for families, small groups of friends, or special events (birthdays, proposals, etc.). For a single traveller who just wants to see whales once, a private boat is often overkill.
Advance booking is important. Because there are fewer slots and each charter blocks several hours of boat time for a single group, availability can be limited, especially in high season. Spontaneous same-day bookings are far less likely than on large shared catamarans.
The social aspect is confined to your own group. If you enjoy meeting new people and feeding off the energy of a large crowd, a private trip will feel much quieter. For some, that is a huge plus; for others, it feels "too private".
| Parameter | Large group cruise (50–150 pax) | Private yacht (up to 12 pax) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per person | €27–€50 | €100–€150 (in group of 4–8) |
| Route flexibility | Fixed itinerary, no changes | Full flexibility, captain adapts to conditions |
| Comfort & photography | Moderate — crowds obstruct views | High — spacious, unobstructed access |
| Environmental impact | Higher (noise, emissions, congestion) | Lower (small boat, careful maneuvering) |
| Risk of seasickness | Higher — fixed route in rough seas | Lower — captain seeks calmer waters |
| Social interaction | High — meet tourists from worldwide | Limited — only your own group |
| Best suited for | Budget travelers, social groups | Families, photographers, comfort-focused |
Between large group catamarans and fully private charters there is a third format that often delivers the best overall value: small-group tours on a high-quality yacht.
For example, a shared small-group whale & dolphin tour on a premium yacht (like the shared experience described here: https://royalocean.es/tour/shared-whales-watching-tour/) limits capacity to around 10 guests. You still share the boat with other people, but the group is small enough that everyone has space, can comfortably see the animals and can interact with the crew. The per-person price is higher than on a big catamaran, but significantly lower than a private charter, making it an attractive compromise for couples and small families.
If you want the same yacht all to yourself, with full control over timing and route — including the option to extend the trip, focus on a particular coastline or celebrate a special occasion — then a full private charter (such as this format: https://royalocean.es/tour/charter/) is the logical next step up in exclusivity and customisation.
Large group cruise on a big catamaran is better if:
Private yacht charter is better if:
Small-group premium yacht tours work best if:
Seasonally, whale and dolphin watching in Tenerife is possible year-round, but sea conditions and the type of sightings can vary. Milder months with calmer seas are often more comfortable for families and those prone to seasickness, while winter can bring bigger ocean swells and occasionally more dramatic conditions.
Regardless of format, it is worth checking that the operator is properly licensed and follows local regulations on approach distances, speed and time spent with animals. This not only protects whales and dolphins, but also usually leads to better, more natural encounters.
If you are looking for:
Choosing the right format is less about which option is "objectively better" and more about matching the experience to your travel style, group size and expectations from this unique encounter with Tenerife's whales and dolphins.
