Here you can find answers to some of the most common questions that usually arise before booking our experiences.
The whale watching and marine science tour lasts approximately 2.5 hours and usually departs in the morning at 09:00 and at midday (12:00). During high season we may add additional departures at 15:00.
Exact schedules may vary depending on the season, availability and sea conditions, so the most reliable information is always the online booking calendar and your confirmation email. Please check the exact time carefully and try to arrive 10–15 minutes before departure.
Resident short-finned pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins live in the area year-round, so it is possible to see them at any time of day. In general, the sea is usually calmer early in the morning, which makes observation easier and more comfortable for people prone to seasickness.
Later departures can offer different lighting and sometimes more surface activity, but the chances of sightings are high on all our tours. If you are sensitive to motion, we recommend booking the earliest departure of the day.
One of the great advantages of Tenerife is that whale watching is possible all year round. Resident populations of short-finned pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins are observed on the vast majority of trips in the south of Tenerife.
If you are especially interested in migratory species (such as fin whales, sperm whales or other dolphin species), winter and spring usually offer the best chances. At any time of year, however, you can enjoy encounters with resident species and often also with sea turtles and pelagic birds.
Our standard 2.5-hour tour focused on whale watching and marine science is designed to observe and listen to whales and dolphins in a respectful way and generally does not include a swimming or snorkeling stop.
If you would like to combine whale watching with a swimming or snorkeling stop, we offer private departures and specific tours where this option can be included when conditions and regulations allow it. Just let us know your preferences and we will help you choose the best option.
No. Swimming or diving with whales and dolphins in Tenerife is strictly prohibited by law. As a boat authorized with a MITECO license, we must maintain a safety distance, limit observation time and never allow people in the water near cetaceans. Our philosophy is to observe, listen and understand the animals without disturbing them.
Our tours are usually offered in English, as our groups are international. Our guides are professional marine biologists who speak Spanish, English, French, German and Italian. The tour is normally conducted in one or two languages depending on the group composition. On a private tour, you can choose your preferred language.
Because our groups are very small, it is easy for us to adapt and repeat the main explanations in the languages spoken on board, and you can always ask questions in the language you prefer.
Our standard shared whale watching and marine science tour (2.5 hours) costs 65 € per adult and 55 € per child between 0–11 years old when booked directly through our website (biosean.com) or through our main partners.
We also offer the option to book a private tour for you and your group. Prices are 550 € for groups of 1–5 people and 650 € for groups of 6–10 people.
Our groups are very small (maximum 10 passengers) and departures often fill up, especially during high season, weekends and school holidays. We recommend booking at the beginning of your holiday to allow flexibility to reschedule in case of bad weather.
Depending on the size of your group, if you have fixed dates we recommend booking several days in advance, and during peak periods 1–2 weeks ahead (especially for larger groups). If you are flexible or traveling in low season, alone or as a couple, you may find availability with shorter notice, but booking early always gives you more options and helps us select the best sea conditions for you.
If we need to cancel your tour due to bad sea conditions, adverse weather or technical reasons, we will first try to offer you another date or time. If rescheduling is not possible, you will receive a 100% refund, using the same payment method used for the booking.
Safety, comfort and respect for the animals come first, so sometimes the best decision is not to go out. That is why we recommend planning the tour early in your stay on the island.
For more information please consult our terms and conditions on our website.
The meeting point is inside Marina del Sur, in the village of Las Galletas, at “Biosean – Whale Watching & Marine Science”, Dock 4 (Pantalán 4).
We ask clients to be at the gate 10–15 minutes before departure so we can meet, check the list in our reservation system and allow time to use the restroom before the experience begins.
Your confirmation email or voucher includes the exact departure time, so please check it and allow extra time for parking and walking to Dock 4.
Our service does not include transport or hotel pick-up. Depending on the time of day there may be traffic on the road. We do not recommend using public buses, as their schedules are not always reliable.
We do not have a traditional street-level office at the port. Biosean is a small and specialized company, and most of our reservations and management are done online or via email/WhatsApp.
On the day of your tour our crew will be waiting for you directly at Marina del Sur, Dock 4, next to the access gate. If you have any questions before the tour you can contact us by phone, WhatsApp or email.
Marina del Sur and the village of Las Galletas are convenient places to park. You will usually find free parking spaces in the village and on an open area near the port beach. There is also a paid parking option inside the marina, which costs around €2.50 per hour.
Normally it is not difficult to park near the harbor, but in high season we recommend arriving a bit earlier so you can park calmly and perhaps take a short walk around the village before the tour.
Yes. Our boat has a maximum of 10 passengers and the atmosphere on board is quiet and educational, which makes it very suitable for families with children of all ages. However, it is the responsibility of each parent to consider whether a 2.5-hour boat experience is appropriate for their child.
Babies are welcome, but they must sit on an adult’s lap during navigation, and for safety reasons strollers cannot be brought on board.
As an operator authorized by the Maritime Authority of Los Cristianos, we are required to carry approved life jackets for everyone on board, including children. We have different sizes so each child can wear a suitable one.
It is normally not mandatory to wear them during the entire tour, but they are always available and the crew will indicate when they must be used. If parents prefer their children to wear them during the whole tour, we will gladly help them adjust them properly.
For safety reasons, our tour is not recommended for women in the first or last trimester of pregnancy, especially if there are any medical risks or complications. The vessel is a fast rigid-inflatable boat, and although we always try to go out in good sea conditions, there may be bumps or sudden movements.
If you are pregnant and still considering joining, please consult your doctor first and inform us of your situation when booking so we can advise you.
Seasickness depends more on the person than on the size of the boat. In a rigid-inflatable boat the movement is often less noticeable, as it sits lower in the water and the pontoons provide additional stability. We plan our departures according to weather and sea forecasts, avoiding trips when conditions are uncomfortable.
The route is relatively short (around 2.5 hours) and we navigate close to the coast within the marine area of southern Tenerife. If you know you are prone to seasickness, we recommend asking a pharmacist whether preventive medication may be appropriate, choosing a morning departure, when the sea is usually calmer, and informing the crew so we can seat you in the most stable area of the boat.
No. Swimming or diving with whales and dolphins in Tenerife is strictly prohibited by law. As a boat authorized with a MITECO license, we must maintain a safety distance and never allow people in the water near cetaceans. Our philosophy is always to observe without disturbing the animals.
Our 7.5-meter rigid-inflatable boat does not have a bathroom on board, as it is a small vessel designed for short trips of about 2.5 hours with a maximum of 10 passengers.
However, there are bathrooms available in the port from which we depart. We always recommend using the port facilities (cafés, restaurants or restrooms) before boarding, especially if you are traveling with children.
It is best to wear comfortable footwear with non-slip soles, such as sport shoes or outdoor sandals. High heels and very slippery soles are not suitable for a boat.
In summer you can also wear sandals, but we recommend ones that hold your foot securely. In winter or on cooler days, closed shoes and a light jacket will make the experience more comfortable.
During the tour we offer still water, sparkling water and lemon water, served in 100% recyclable cans. We do not serve food on board.
Yes, you can bring your own snacks or a light sandwich, especially if you are traveling with children or have specific dietary needs.
We only ask that you do not bring alcohol or glass containers, and that all wrappers remain on board until we return to port so that nothing ends up in the sea. Please remember that feeding the animals is strictly prohibited, so all food must remain on the boat.
For safety reasons, we cannot take large suitcases or bulky luggage on board. We have a place on the dock where we can leave your suitcase. Only small backpacks or handbags that can be placed under the seat are allowed on board. If you are unsure whether your bag is suitable, please contact us in advance.
You may feel some splashes, especially on windy days or when there is some swell, as we navigate in an open rigid-inflatable boat close to the water.
We always try to navigate so that everyone is comfortable, but we recommend bringing a light waterproof jacket or windbreaker just in case. Electronic devices and valuables are the responsibility of the client, so if you are concerned about water it is a good idea to bring a small waterproof bag.
Yes, many of our clients bring cameras and binoculars, and it is a fantastic place to use them. The boat is stable when we are observing animals, and we move carefully.
However, it is still a marine environment and splashes may occur, so we recommend using a strap and, if possible, a waterproof cover or bag. We cannot take responsibility for damage to personal electronic equipment, but if you inform us that you have delicate equipment we will try to seat you in a more protected area of the boat.
You can use your GoPro or other action camera on board to record the landscape and animals from the boat, as long as it is securely attached or used with a strap.
For legal and ethical reasons, jumping into the water to film or swim with whales or dolphins in Tenerife is not permitted. We always maintain a safe distance and follow the official “Barco Azul” code of conduct to avoid disturbing the animals.
The whale watching and marine science tour lasts approximately 2.5 hours and usually departs in the morning at 09:00 and at midday (12:00). During high season we may add additional departures at 15:00.
Exact schedules may vary depending on the season, availability and sea conditions, so the most reliable information is always the online booking calendar and the confirmation email. Please check the time carefully and try to arrive 10–15 minutes before departure.