Adults Only Tenerife Freebird Whale Dolphin Catamaran with Lunch

Watch Tenerife’s wildlife from the water. This adults-only Freebird catamaran cruise combines whale and dolphin watching with lunch, drinks, a swim stop, and wide-open views of Tenerife’s volcanic coast. I like the quiet adults-only setting and the uncrowded boat, which operates at roughly three-quarters capacity. The main caution is that marine sightings are never guaranteed, and pickup details need careful checking.

At $70.89 per person, the two-hour trip offers solid value if you want more than a short boat ride. Drinks, lunch, snorkelling equipment, Wi-Fi, and transport are included, but the meal appears fairly light, and dietary requests may not always be handled well.

Key points to know before you book

• Pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins: The captain heads toward waters known for regular sightings of both species.
• Adults-only atmosphere: You get a calmer setting than on a family boat, with room to sunbathe or sit in the shade.
• Lunch and drinks included: Expect a light onboard meal, plus complimentary soft drinks and beer.
• Swimming stop: You have time to enter the sea, with snorkelling equipment available.
• Pickup requires attention: Your hotel collection time and location are confirmed after booking, so check your messages closely.
• Small warning on food: Tell the operator about dietary needs, but do not assume a vegan or allergy-friendly meal will be available unless confirmed.

Setting out from Tenerife’s southern coast

The trip begins at 9:40 am, although your actual pickup time depends on your hotel. Transport is offered, which makes the morning easier if you are staying away from the marina, but this part needs a little planning. The operator says it will contact you with the exact collection point and time after booking. If you have heard nothing 48 hours before departure, contact the company directly.

I would not simply wait at a vague roadside location. One serious complaint involved a pickup vehicle passing the meeting point without stopping. That may have been an isolated mistake, but it is a useful reminder to confirm the details and arrive early. Pickup services work best when you know the exact hotel entrance or meeting spot.

At the marina, the boat provides a more relaxed start than a crowded excursion vessel. Boarding requires walking along a gangplank, so you need to be comfortable with that movement. The maximum group size is 72 people, but the boat is described as running at about one-quarter below capacity. That should give you more space on deck, though the actual number can vary by departure.

A crew member takes a boarding photo, and you may later be offered the chance to buy it. You can simply decline if you are not interested. The important part is choosing a good place to sit before the boat moves away from shore.

Watching whales and dolphins in their natural habitat

The main purpose of the cruise is wildlife watching. The waters around Tenerife are home to pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins, and the captain sails toward areas where pods are often seen. You may watch dolphins leap beside the boat or spot whales resting at the surface.

The setting is special because the animals remain in the open North Atlantic rather than in an enclosed attraction. You are looking for real behavior: a pod moving through the water, a dolphin surfacing near the hull, or a whale appearing briefly before slipping below the surface. That also means patience matters. There is no promise that an animal will appear on cue.

The crew gives you time to look when something is spotted. This is important because a quick glimpse can be easy to miss, especially if you are standing on the wrong side of the boat. Keep your eyes on the water and listen for directions from the staff.

Several accounts describe sightings of both dolphins and whales, including young animals. One especially appealing detail is that the crew continued at a calm pace around the animals rather than rushing past them. Still, you should treat sightings as a fortunate possibility, not a guaranteed feature. Nature does not follow a timetable printed on a ticket.

Bring sunblock and a hat if you use one, but also keep something warm nearby. The deck may feel sunny in the harbor and breezy once the catamaran reaches open water. You can sunbathe, sit in the shaded bar area, or move around to improve your view.

Lunch, beer, soft drinks, and the shaded bar

Food and drinks are part of the price, which improves the value of a relatively short cruise. You do not need to pay separately for basic refreshments while onboard. Drinks include soft drinks and beer, and the shaded bar gives you a place to get out of the sun.

The lunch is best understood as a light meal rather than a full restaurant-style service. One account describes a sandwich served during the sailing, followed by food later in the trip. That may be enough for a morning outing, especially with drinks included, but you should not book this as a gourmet food experience.

Dietary planning is the weak point. A vegan meal was requested in advance, yet the food provided was not suitable, leaving the person with only a banana. If you have a food allergy, vegan diet, or other strict requirement, contact the operator before departure and ask for written confirmation. If the answer is unclear, eat beforehand and bring an approved snack if permitted.

The supplied details say drinks and lunch are included, but ice cream is not included. One account describes ice cream near the end of a sailing, so this may be offered on some departures or belong to a longer version of the trip. I would treat it as a possible extra, not something included in the advertised two-hour package.

The swim stop and snorkelling time

After the wildlife search, the catamaran stops in a suitable area for swimming. You can enter the water, look at fish, and use the supplied snorkelling equipment. The sea stop adds variety to the trip. You are not just sitting on deck and scanning the horizon for two hours.

You may also choose to stay aboard. The information emphasizes swimming and says the activity is not suitable for people who cannot swim, so this is not the right outing if you want to avoid water entirely. Bring bathing gear and sunblock, even if you are unsure about swimming when you leave the hotel.

Towel information is slightly inconsistent. Towel service is listed with the included equipment, but the practical instructions also tell you to bring a towel, and towels are separately listed as not included. My advice is simple: bring your own towel and avoid relying on the boat to supply one.

The swim stop is also weather-dependent in practical terms, even though no formal weather rule is provided. Sea conditions and the captain’s judgment determine how comfortable the stop will be. The boat’s crew helps organize the activity, but you remain responsible for deciding if you want to get in.

What makes the adults-only format worthwhile

The adults-only rule changes the mood more than it changes the schedule. This is not a party boat in the information provided. Instead, it is described as calm, friendly, and peaceful, with room to sit quietly, enjoy the breeze, and watch the sea.

I think this format suits couples, friends, and solo adults who prefer a slower outing. You can have a drink, watch the coastline, and wait for wildlife without the noise and movement that often come with a family-focused excursion. The boat still has up to 72 people, so do not expect a private charter.

The crew receives especially strong praise for being warm and helpful. Jeanette, who works at the Freebird sales point, is singled out for explaining the choices without applying pressure. She also helped one participant with a disability during boarding and disembarking. That is encouraging, but the formal guidance still says the activity is not suitable for anyone unable to walk along the gangplank, so discuss your exact needs before booking.

The onboard crew is also described as friendly and attentive. Their role matters during a wildlife cruise because they manage the boat, point out sightings, serve food, and organize the swim stop. Good service can make a short sailing feel smooth rather than rushed.

Is two hours enough for Tenerife whale watching?

Two hours is a useful middle ground. You get time to leave the harbor, search for wildlife, stop for a swim, eat, and return without giving up most of your day. If you are fitting several activities into a Tenerife holiday, this length is convenient.

The trade-off is limited time on the water. A longer sailing gives you more time to search if the first area is quiet and usually allows a more leisurely lunch and swim. Some of the positive comments refer to four-hour or four-and-a-half-hour Freebird trips, which are different from this advertised two-hour experience. Do not use those longer outings as a precise guide to this trip’s schedule.

The two-hour version is best for someone who wants a taste of the coast and marine life rather than a full-day boating adventure. If whales are your main reason for booking, a longer option may give you more breathing room, but it will also take more of your holiday time and may cost more.

The value of $70.89 per person

At $70.89, the price is reasonable when you count the included transport, lunch, drinks, snorkelling equipment, Wi-Fi, and swimming stop. You are paying for an organized boat, crew service, and access to a part of Tenerife that is difficult to experience from land.

The value is strongest if you use the extras. Have the included drink, take part in the swim, and make use of the snorkelling equipment. If you only sit aboard and return without wildlife sightings or swimming, the price will feel less attractive.

The food keeps the value from feeling exceptional. It is included, but the meal appears light, and special diets require extra caution. I would consider this a good-value coastal outing, not a luxury dining cruise.

The boat being below full capacity is another plus. More deck room makes it easier to find shade, move to the side where animals appear, and enjoy the coastline without feeling packed in. The maximum of 72 people still means this is a shared group activity.

Practical details that can make or break the morning

Confirmation is provided at booking. Even so, I would check the pickup message carefully, confirm the hotel name, and contact the operator if you do not have details 48 hours before departure. The office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:15 pm and closed on Saturdays and Sundays, so last-minute weekend questions may be harder to resolve.

Wear swimwear beneath comfortable clothing and bring sunblock. Pack a towel despite the conflicting towel information. You should also bring any required medication and a small snack if your diet is restricted, though food rules for bringing items onboard are not specified.

Wi-Fi is available onboard, but the real pleasure is looking away from your phone. Use it for practical needs rather than expecting a strong connection everywhere at sea.

The activity is offered in English. Most people can participate, but you must be able to board using the gangplank and the operator says it is not suitable for people who cannot swim. If mobility is a concern, ask before paying. The helpful assistance described during boarding is welcome, but it does not replace a formal accessibility guarantee.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund, and the cutoff uses local Tenerife time.

Who should book this catamaran?

I would choose this cruise if you want a short, easy marine outing with several elements included in one price. It suits couples, adult friends, and solo visitors who like wildlife, sea views, a swim, and a calm boat rather than a loud party atmosphere.

It is also a good choice if your schedule is tight. Two hours leaves room for lunch elsewhere, sightseeing, or a relaxed afternoon by the pool. The adults-only setting is a real benefit if peace and space matter to you.

I would hesitate if you need a guaranteed vegan or allergy-safe meal, cannot swim, cannot manage a gangplank, or would be disappointed by a wildlife trip without sightings. I would also consider a longer sailing if your top priority is spending as much time as possible searching for whales.

Final verdict: good value with a few checks

This Freebird catamaran offers a pleasant blend of wildlife watching, swimming, lunch, drinks, and Tenerife’s dramatic coast. The strongest features are the friendly crew, the uncrowded adults-only setting, and the chance to see pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins in open water.

Book it if you value convenience and a relaxed two-hour outing. Before you do, confirm the pickup, bring a towel, clarify any dietary needs, and keep your expectations realistic about wildlife. With those points handled, $70.89 buys a well-rounded morning or afternoon on the sea.

FAQ

Where does the adults-only Freebird catamaran cruise take place?

The cruise takes place in the coastal waters around Tenerife, Spain, with the boat sailing into areas known for pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins.

What time does the experience start?

The listed start time is 9:40 am. Your exact pickup time depends on your hotel.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Transport and pickup are offered, but the exact place and time are confirmed after booking.

What should I do if I do not receive pickup details?

Contact the operator if you have not received your exact pickup information at least 48 hours before the activity begins.

How long does the cruise last?

The advertised experience lasts approximately two hours.

Are lunch and drinks included?

Yes. Lunch and drinks are included. Drinks include soft drinks and beer.

Is snorkelling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkelling equipment is included, and the cruise includes time for swimming.

Should I bring a towel?

Yes. Bring your own towel because the supplied details give conflicting information about towel service and whether towels are included.

Is the cruise suitable for people who cannot swim?

No. The activity information says it is not suitable for people who cannot swim.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded.