The Canary Islands government has approved new rules for Puerto Colón, the busy marina in Costa Adeje, Playa de las Américas, in a bid to bring tourism under control. Over 40 years after it was first built, the major update aims to bring clearer organisation to the busiest tourist port in southern Tenerife, serving around 290,000 passengers a year, mainly for whale and dolphin-watching trips and watersports.

The rules have been approved by the Puertos Canarios, the public business entity, assigned to the Ministry of Public Works of the Government of the Canary Islands, responsible for the management, maintenance, and promotion of approximately 50 port facilities, shelters, and marinas across the archipelago. The new rules will make it much harder for companies to operate in the port without proper permission. Any business offering tourist trips, commercial services, or similar activities must now have formal authorisation from the port's management.

This closes longstanding loopholes, as some boats - particularly those offering leisure trips and dolphin and whale-watching excursions - had been operating without full approval, reported Canarian Weekly. The new regulations confirm that Puerto Colón is strictly a recreational marina, intended for leisure and sports boats only. Exceptions will be made only in emergencies.

Berth holders must inform the marina whenever they are not using their mooring. This allows the port to rent the space temporarily to someone else. Boat owners are no longer allowed to privately lend or rent their berths. If owners break the rules, including failing to pay fees or ignoring regulations, the port has the power to suspend services, block access, or even remove and immobilise boats and jet skis.

The regulation also states that the port will not be responsible for damage or loss to boats or property inside the marina. Owners remain fully responsible for their own vessels.

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Puerto Colón will continue to be operated by Puerto Colón S.A., under the supervision of Puertos Canarios. The port director will still be chosen by the company, but must be approved by the public authority.

Located just 10 miles from Tenerife South (Reina Sofia) Airport, Puerto Colón is a pleasant walk from a number of iconic Tenerife beaches, including Playa de las Americas (Veronicas) and Playa del Duque. It is protected by a large curved breakwater with a maximum depth of water at low tide of seven feet (2m).

With a capacity for 364 anchored boats (maximum 78-feet long) and 237 moorings, Puerto Colón is one of Tenerife's best-equipped marinas. In addition to the variety of hotels in the area, the marina company operates its own accommodation complex, offering an alternative for sailors seeking a land-based stay.