Tenerife : Whales and Dolphins with Food and Bath in Los Gigantes

The cliffs are only half the story. This Tenerife boat trip pairs whale and dolphin watching with a swim near Los Gigantes, a cooked lunch, and a look at the island from the water. I like the chance to see pilot whales and dolphins with help from an onboard guide, and I like that lunch, wine, beer, water, and soft drinks are included. The main catch is simple: cetacean sightings are not guaranteed, and rough seas may force the captain to shorten or change the route.

The trip leaves from Puerto Colón at noon and returns there after the swim and meal. The wooden boat feels more memorable than a basic speedboat, but the group can reach 135 people, so this is not a quiet private outing. Check the pickup message carefully, bring sun cream and a towel, and treat Los Gigantes as the plan, not an absolute promise.

Key points to know before you book

• Whale and dolphin watching comes first: The crew searches the waters between Puerto Colón and the southwest coast, but sightings depend on nature.
• Los Gigantes provides the big visual reward: The cliffs rise about 600 meters above the sea and frame the swimming stop.
• Lunch is served onboard: Expect rice with vegetables, coleslaw, chicken thigh, meatballs in tomato sauce, bread, and banana.
• Drinks are part of the price: Water and soft drinks are available throughout, with wine and beer served during lunch.
• Pickup takes planning: Hotel pickup runs between 10:00 and 11:45, while the boat leaves Puerto Colón at 12:00.
• The route can change: Weather and sea conditions have caused boats to remain closer to Costa Adeje and Los Cristianos instead of reaching Los Gigantes or Masca Bay.

A four-hour sea trip with a longer pickup window

The core cruise lasts about four hours: roughly two hours heading out, about 40 minutes at the swimming and lunch stop, then another two hours back to Puerto Colón. The total outing is listed as five to nine hours because hotel pickup and return transport add time, and the exact duration depends on where you are staying.

The meeting point is Puerto Colón in Costa Adeje. If you use the pickup service, the operator assigns an authorized meeting place near your hotel. Pickup can happen anytime from 10:00 to 11:45, so do not plan a tight morning activity before this trip. The exact location and time are sent through booking messages, making it important to check your phone or account before departure.

The boat leaves at noon. Arrive with enough time to find Puerto Colón, especially if you are going there independently. At the end, the boat returns to the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a second port transfer.

The listed price is $66.42 per person. That is fair value if you want several elements in one outing: marine wildlife watching, a wooden boat, a swim stop, a substantial lunch, and drinks. A separate whale-watching cruise plus a meal and transport could easily cost more, though this price does not buy a private or small-group setting.

Searching for whales and dolphins from Puerto Colón

The first part of the trip heads from Puerto Colón toward Los Gigantes. During the crossing, the crew looks for cetaceans and explains what you are seeing. The guide stays with the group and shares facts about marine life, which is useful when a fin appears briefly and you need help knowing what to watch for.

Tenerife is a strong place for this kind of outing, but the operator is clear that wildlife cannot be scheduled. You may see pilot whales and dolphins, as some outings have, or you may have a quieter crossing. That uncertainty is part of the deal, not a fault in the service.

I suggest setting your expectations correctly. This is not a guaranteed wildlife show, and the boat cannot control where animals surface. You should book it because you like being at sea and value the search itself, not only because you want a perfect photograph.

The two-hour outward section gives the crew time to locate animals and then continue toward the cliffs. It also means you will spend a substantial part of the day seated or standing on a moving boat. If you are prone to seasickness, think carefully about that length of time and consider bringing your preferred remedy.

The group size can reach 135 people. That gives the trip a social, excursion-like feel, but it also means the best viewing position may not remain yours for the whole ride. A smaller group is better for quiet wildlife watching. This boat is better suited to someone who wants a full day at sea with several activities included.

Los Gigantes and the swimming stop

The planned destination is the towering cliff coast of Los Gigantes. The rock walls rise about 600 meters above sea level, creating a dramatic setting that is difficult to appreciate from shore alone. From the boat, you see the cliffs meet the sea and get a clear sense of their scale.

The boat anchors for about 40 minutes. This is your chance to swim in clear water near the cliffs, often described in the trip details as a stop at Masca Bay. Bring your own snorkeling equipment if you want to look below the surface, because masks and fins are not provided.

There is no promise of a formal snorkeling session. The main activity is swimming, so pack only what you can manage safely on a boat. Towels are not included, and sun cream is also your responsibility. A towel matters more than you might expect after a swim, especially if the return crossing is breezy.

The swimming stop is one of the strongest parts of the outing when the route reaches the planned area. It breaks up the wildlife search and gives you time to enjoy the water rather than simply look at it. It also depends on sea and weather conditions. If the captain decides the route is unsafe, the stop or destination may change.

That point deserves attention. One excursion had to remain closer to Costa Adeje and Los Cristianos because conditions were not suitable for reaching Los Gigantes. The swim then took place in front of Los Cristianos beach instead. The crew was still described as pleasant, and whales and dolphins were seen, but the experience did not match the expected route.

So, if Los Gigantes is the main reason you are booking, understand the risk. The destination is planned, but it is not guaranteed in poor conditions. The operator says safety comes first and may offer another date or a full refund if bad weather cancels the trip altogether.

A generous lunch served on the boat

After the swim, lunch is prepared and served onboard. The meal includes rice with vegetables, coleslaw, chicken thigh, meatballs in tomato sauce, bread, and a banana. This is a filling, mixed plate rather than a light snack, which matters because the trip occupies much of the day.

Water and soft drinks are available without an extra charge. Wine and beer are included during lunch. That is a practical saving, especially for families or couples who would otherwise need to buy food and drinks separately at the port.

The meal is best understood as functional boat catering. One piece of feedback called it arbitrary, so do not book this for refined dining. The setting is the real bonus: you are eating on the water, with the cliffs planned as the backdrop when conditions allow.

Dietary information is not provided in the details available here. If you have a food allergy or strict dietary need, contact the operator before booking rather than assuming the standard meal can be changed. The listed menu contains meat, dairy may be present in some prepared items, and no special alternatives are promised.

Alcohol is included at lunch, but keep the rest of the crossing in mind. You still have the return journey ahead, and the boat may move with some roll. Water is the sensible choice if you are sensitive to motion.

The return along Tenerife’s southwest coast

After the swim and meal, the boat returns to Puerto Colón. The return section takes about two hours and gives the guide another chance to explain the southwest coast and point out details about Tenerife.

This is not just dead time between stops. The coastal view gives you a different angle on the island, especially after seeing the cliffs from the sea. You can use the ride to relax, finish your drink, and watch the shoreline pass.

Still, four hours on a boat is a long outing for anyone who wants constant action. Wildlife may be brief, the swimming stop is only about 40 minutes, and the return crossing may feel slow if the sea is rough. I would choose this trip when you are happy with a relaxed pace and several small highlights rather than a tightly packed sightseeing schedule.

The boat is a wooden vessel, which adds character to the outing. It is a more traditional setting than a plain transfer boat, though the maximum capacity of 135 people means the atmosphere can be busy. If you want solitude, this is the wrong format. If you like a lively shared excursion with a meal included, it makes more sense.

What weather can change on the day

The biggest practical risk is not the wildlife. It is the route.

The operator requires suitable weather and sea conditions. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you can be offered another date or a full refund. If the boat can safely operate but cannot reach the planned cliffs, the route may be adjusted instead.

That difference matters. A cancellation protects your money. A route change protects your safety but may leave you with a trip that feels different from what you expected. The account of staying near Costa Adeje and Los Cristianos shows why you should not view Los Gigantes and Masca Bay as guaranteed stops.

Look at the forecast before you go, but remember that the captain makes the final call. Calm-looking conditions from the beach do not always tell you what the sea will be like farther out. Pack for sun, wind, and spray, and keep your plans after the boat flexible.

What to pack and what to leave behind

The essentials are straightforward:

• Towel
• Sun cream
• Swimwear
• Personal medication
• Snorkeling equipment, if you want to use it
• A phone or camera in waterproof protection
• Light clothing for the return ride

Towels, sun cream, snorkeling gear, and photos are not included. The boat provides food and drinks, but you should not assume it provides personal beach equipment.

Bring only what you need. A wet bag or waterproof pouch is useful for phones and wallets, though it is not supplied. Keep valuables secure during the swim stop, since you will be leaving your usual seat to enter the water.

The tour is offered in English, and a professional crew with a face-to-face guide remains onboard. Service animals are allowed, and the activity is near public transportation. Most people can participate, but the provided details do not describe specific facilities for limited mobility, so ask the operator if that affects your plans.

Who will get the most from this excursion

I would recommend this outing to you if you want one booking to cover wildlife watching, a coastal cruise, swimming, lunch, and drinks. It suits couples, families, and friends who enjoy a shared boat day and do not need a private setting.

It also works well if you are staying in or near Costa Adeje and want pickup arranged. The port location is convenient, but the pickup window can stretch across nearly two hours, so the day may feel much longer than the four-hour boat schedule.

I would be more cautious if you have one fixed goal, such as seeing Los Gigantes from the water. The route can change. I would also think twice if you dislike open-water motion, large groups, or long periods between active stops.

The strongest praise centers on seeing pilot whales and dolphins, swimming near the cliffs, and having a pleasant crew. Those are the reasons to book. The main concerns are the uncertain route and the basic nature of the meal.

Should you book the Puerto Colón whale and dolphin cruise?

Book it if you want a good-value, all-in-one sea day and can accept nature and weather calling some of the shots. At $66.42, the combination of wildlife watching, lunch, drinks, a wooden boat, hotel pickup, and swimming is appealing.

Skip it if reaching Los Gigantes is non-negotiable, if you want a small private boat, or if you expect restaurant-quality food. The trip is at its best when you treat it as a flexible ocean outing: whales and dolphins are a welcome reward, the cliffs are the planned centerpiece, and the swim and lunch round out the day.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure. Inside that window, changes and refunds are not accepted unless the operator cancels for weather or an insufficient number of bookings.

FAQ

Where does the boat leave from?

The boat leaves from Puerto Colón in Costa Adeje, at Puerto Colón S.A., on Avenida de Colón.

What time does the boat depart?

The boat leaves at 12:00. Hotel pickup takes place between 10:00 and 11:45, depending on your assigned pickup point.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is offered from an authorized point closest to your hotel. The exact location and time are sent after booking, so check your booking messages.

How long does the tour last?

The boat itinerary takes about four hours, including two hours outward, about 40 minutes at the stop, and two hours back. The total experience is listed as approximately five to nine hours because pickup and return transport vary.

Is whale and dolphin watching guaranteed?

No. Tenerife is a good place for cetacean sightings, but wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

What food and drinks are included?

Lunch includes rice with vegetables, coleslaw, chicken thigh, meatballs in tomato sauce, bread, and a banana. Water and soft drinks are available, while wine and beer are included during lunch.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded. If poor weather or an insufficient number of bookings cancels the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund.