Luxury Opera 60 Whale & Dolphin Watching Experience

Tenerife’s Opera 60 combines two good sea outings in one: wildlife watching and a stop for swimming and snorkeling. The 60-foot rigid inflatable boat has room to spread out, two tables, sunbeds, a toilet, showers, and several seating areas, so this is far more comfortable than a basic harbor boat.

I like the small maximum group of 15 and the fact that snorkeling gear, food, snacks, and drinks are included. I also like the crew’s respectful approach to whales and dolphins, plus the chance to spot turtles and different fish near the swimming bay. The main caution is consistency: most accounts describe generous service and tasty food, but one poor experience reported delayed drinks, a lukewarm meal, and an early return.

Key points about the Opera 60 boat trip

• 60-foot luxury RIB: The Opera 60 is almost 20 meters long and powered by two Volvo Penta engines with 740 horsepower.
• Small group size: The boat takes no more than 15 people, leaving more room for seats, views, and movement.
• Wildlife focus: You may see pilot whales, dolphins, sea turtles, and other marine life, but sightings can never be guaranteed.
• Swimming stop included: The trip heads to a bay where you can swim and snorkel with provided equipment.
• Food and drinks on board: Snacks, a meal, and drinks are included, with several accounts describing plentiful prosecco and soft drinks.
• Returns to Puerto Colón: The tour starts and ends at Puerto Colón in Playa de las Américas and lasts about three hours.

What the Opera 60 is really like

The boat is the main reason to consider this trip. The Opera 60 is not a little inflatable craft with rows of tight seats. It is a rigid-hull boat with inflatable side defenses, built for speed but fitted out for comfort.

You have various seating areas, two large tables, sunbeds, quality speakers, a toilet, and showers for after swimming. That matters on a three-hour outing. You can sit near the front for the ride, move around when wildlife appears, or settle in at a table when food is served.

The boat’s size also helps the mood. With a maximum of 15 people, you are not packed shoulder to shoulder. A family group can sit together, and couples or friends can find their own space. Several outings had about 14 people on board, which still left plenty of seats and room.

The Opera 60 is powered by two 740-horsepower Volvo Penta engines. That gives it the ability to cover water quickly, useful when the crew is checking different areas for whales and dolphins. The tradeoff is that a powerful RIB can feel lively when the sea is choppy. If you are sensitive to motion, choose a seat with care and keep the sea conditions in mind.

Leaving Puerto Colón for open-water wildlife

The meeting point is Puerto Colón in Playa de las Américas. The tour returns to this same harbor, so you do not need to arrange a separate pickup point at the end.

Once out of the harbor, the first part of the trip focuses on finding marine life. The crew keeps watch for dolphins and whales, and sightings have included pilot whales, dolphin groups, and sea turtles. One outing reached the whales within about 20 minutes, though timing will vary with conditions and animal movements.

This is an important point: you are going into the animals’ natural environment, not a managed show. The crew cannot promise a particular species or a close approach. One outing included whales but no dolphins, while other sightings included dolphins, turtles, and pilot whales together.

The best part is the sense of surprise. A dolphin can appear beside the boat, or a whale may surface farther away. The boat gives you a broad view, but you still need to pay attention. Keep your phone ready, but do not stare at it the whole time. The moments can be brief.

The crew is expected to keep a respectful distance from the animals. That is good for the wildlife and gives you a more honest encounter. The guides also identify species and point out what to watch for. Fabrizio is one of the hosts associated with a warm welcome and attentive drink service, while the captain has been described as professional.

Do not judge the trip only by the number of animals seen. Weather, sea conditions, and the animals themselves control that part of the day. A short sighting can still be memorable, but you should book this as a wildlife search, not a guaranteed dolphin show.

A sheltered bay for swimming and snorkeling

After the wildlife search, the boat heads to a bay for swimming and snorkeling. This change of pace gives the trip a useful rhythm. You spend the first part scanning the sea, then get time to leave your seat and enter the water.

Snorkeling equipment is provided, so you do not need to bring a full kit. Bring your swimming gear, though. One simple tip comes up repeatedly: do not forget your swimsuit.

The bay offers a chance to see smaller marine life, including different kinds of fish. Sea turtles have also been seen during the wider outing, but the information does not promise turtles at the swimming stop. The water time is best treated as an added pleasure rather than a separate guided snorkeling tour.

The swimming stop is also where the spacious setup becomes useful. You can dry off on the sunbeds, use the onboard shower, and return to the table for food. That is a much easier arrangement than climbing back into a small open boat while juggling wet equipment.

Families should note that the tour is described as suitable for most people, but the supplied information does not give a minimum swimming age, detailed safety restrictions, or special flotation arrangements. If someone in your group is not a confident swimmer, confirm the practical details before booking.

Food, prosecco, and the service question

Food and drinks are part of the appeal. The onboard offering includes drinks, snacks, and a meal, with accounts describing chicken and rice, bread, local home-cooked food, wine, beer, soft drinks, and prosecco.

Most of the positive experiences describe food and drinks as plentiful. Several outings specifically praise the prosecco, and one host, Fabrizio, was singled out for making sure glasses stayed filled. A simple local meal can be exactly right after swimming, especially when you are more interested in time at sea than a formal dining service.

Still, keep your expectations sensible. This is a boat lunch, not a restaurant meal. One account found the chicken and rice lukewarm and the bread stale, while other accounts described the food as tasty and good. That difference suggests the onboard service can vary by day or crew. If lunch quality is central to your decision, this is the area where I would keep the most flexibility.

Drinks also may not be served the instant you board. During rougher water, service can be delayed for practical reasons. A disappointing account described waiting about an hour before being offered drinks, then needing to ask for water and soft drinks. That appears to be the exception, but it is useful to know if you are traveling with children or need regular water.

Why the three-hour format works

At about three hours, the excursion is long enough to include wildlife watching, food, swimming, and a relaxed ride without taking an entire day. You can fit it into a beach holiday without giving up a full morning or afternoon.

The schedule is not a minute-by-minute sightseeing program. The boat needs to adjust to sea conditions and wildlife, so the exact time spent in each area can change. Some accounts describe a full outing, while one reported returning 20 minutes early. If you have a tight connection or a fixed dinner reservation, leave extra time after the stated end.

The return to Puerto Colón gives you a simple finish. You do not need to find a second harbor or arrange transport from a distant bay. The experience is offered in English, and confirmation is provided at booking.

Comparing the $96.79 price with the experience

At $96.79 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water in Tenerife. You are paying for the boat itself, a small group, food, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and a three-hour outing rather than a bare wildlife cruise.

The value is strongest if you will use the whole package. If you want to see marine life, swim, eat lunch, and enjoy a comfortable boat with room to move, the price is easier to justify. A cheaper trip may offer wildlife watching but less space, fewer onboard comforts, or no meal and drinks.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want a quick whale sighting. You could spend much of the time waiting for animals that may not appear in the way you hope. You are also paying for the social side of the boat, including music, drinks, and a relaxed meal.

The 15-person limit is a major part of the value. A larger boat may cost less per person, but you usually trade away personal space and a quieter feel. Here, you have a better chance of moving around to see the sea and finding a comfortable place to sit.

Who should book the Opera 60

I would choose this trip for couples, families, and small groups who want more than a simple wildlife cruise. It suits you if you like the idea of combining wildlife, a swim, lunch, and drinks without changing boats.

It is particularly appealing for friends who want a social afternoon. The tables, music, sunbeds, and prosecco make the trip feel closer to a small private outing than a standard excursion, even though you share the boat with other people.

Families can also find it useful because food, soft drinks, and snorkeling equipment are already included. The main thing to check is how comfortable everyone is with a fast RIB and a swimming stop.

I would be more cautious if you are looking for a quiet, highly structured naturalist trip. The music and drinks create a holiday atmosphere, not a silent research boat. I would also think twice if you need a guaranteed menu, guaranteed dolphins, or a precisely timed return.

The activity allows service animals, is near public transportation, and is described as suitable for most people. It also requires good weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather cancels the trip, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The same applies if the minimum group size is not met.

Practical details before you book

The boat departs from Puerto Colón, Puerto Colón, Playa de las Américas, in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

The maximum group size is 15, and the duration is approximately three hours. The tour is offered in English, and mobile tickets are accepted.

You should bring swimwear and consider a towel, even though the boat has showers. Keep valuables secure, and use a phone case or other protection if you plan to photograph from the water.

The cancellation policy is flexible if your plans change early. Cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.

FAQ

Where does the Opera 60 tour start?

It starts at Puerto Colón in Playa de las Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the Puerto Colón meeting point.

How long does the boat trip last?

The stated duration is approximately three hours.

How many people can join the boat trip?

The activity has a maximum of 15 participants.

What marine life might I see?

Possible sightings include dolphins, pilot whales, sea turtles, and other sea creatures. Sightings are not guaranteed.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided for the swimming and snorkeling stop.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. Drinks, snacks, and a meal are included on board. The food described includes options such as chicken and rice, bread, and simple local cooking.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The activity is offered in English.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You can choose a different date or receive a full refund. A full refund is also available if the minimum number of participants is not reached and the activity is canceled.

Should you book the Opera 60?

Book it if you want a polished half-day at sea with several parts: whale and dolphin watching, a swim, snorkeling, food, drinks, and a spacious boat. The small group limit and onboard comforts make the $96.79 price reasonable for people who plan to enjoy the full package.

I would not book it solely for a guaranteed close encounter with dolphins or whales. Nature sets the schedule, and the food and service may not be equally strong every day. For most people who want a comfortable, social boat outing from Playa de las Américas, though, the Opera 60 offers a well-rounded way to spend three hours on Tenerife’s coast.