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

The sea is the star of this Tenerife outing. From Puerto Colón, you sail toward Los Gigantes aboard a wooden boat, look for whales and dolphins with help from the crew, swim near the cliffs, and eat lunch on board. I especially like the wildlife search with an expert crew and the chance to combine it with a swim and fresh lunch beside Los Gigantes. The main caution is simple: sightings are not guaranteed, and rough weather can force the boat to shorten or change its route.

At about $66.42 per person, this is a full half-day experience with pickup, food, drinks, a guide, and a boat trip included. The day can last roughly five to nine hours once hotel pickup and return are counted, so you should keep your schedule open.

Key points to know before booking

• Whale and dolphin watching begins from Puerto Colón, with crew assistance throughout the search.
• The Los Gigantes cliffs rise about 600 meters above sea level, giving the swim stop a memorable setting.
• Lunch includes rice with vegetables, coleslaw, chicken, meatballs, bread, and banana, with water and soft drinks available.
• Wine and beer are included during lunch, while drinks are limited to soft drinks and water at other times.
• The boat can carry up to 135 people, so this is a shared excursion rather than a quiet private cruise.
• The route may change in poor sea conditions, and one reported trip stayed near Costa Adeje and Los Cristianos instead of reaching Los Gigantes.

Setting Out From Puerto Colón at Noon

The boat leaves Puerto Colón at 12:00 p.m. The meeting point is Puerto Colón S.A. on Avenida de Colón in Costa Adeje, a practical departure point for anyone staying in southwest Tenerife.

Pickup is available from an authorized point near your hotel. Pickup times run between 10:00 and 11:45, depending on your location. Pay attention to the pickup message after booking, since the exact meeting place and time are supplied later. If your hotel is not listed, you can enter its address or choose the nearest listed point.

That early pickup window matters. You are not simply walking down to the marina at noon and expecting a quick departure. You may spend part of the morning reaching the boat, then begin the main sailing at midday. Plan breakfast accordingly, and avoid scheduling another fixed activity immediately after the return.

The boat is described as wooden, and the experience is operated by Neptuno Whale Experience Tenerife. The maximum group size is 135 people. That is not a small sailing party, so you should expect shared seating, a lively deck, and several other people moving around when wildlife appears or lunch is served.

Searching for Whales and Dolphins Near Tenerife

The first sailing section lasts about two hours. The boat heads from Puerto Colón toward the Los Gigantes area while the crew searches for cetaceans, the group that includes whales and dolphins.

This is the most unpredictable part of the day. Tenerife is a strong location for whale watching, but no responsible operator can promise an appearance. The crew helps scan the water and explains details about marine life, which gives the search more purpose than simply sitting on a boat and hoping for a fin.

Pilot whales and dolphins have been seen on this excursion. One especially successful outing included many whales and dolphins, while another recorded a family of whales and dolphins. Those sightings can make the trip feel like excellent value, but you should book for the experience of looking at sea, not for a guaranteed wildlife performance.

The crew’s role matters here. You will have people on board who can point out animals and share facts about them, rather than leaving you to guess at every dark shape on the water. Still, keep your expectations sensible. Cetaceans move freely, and the boat may need time to locate them.

Bring patience and keep your phone or camera ready. Photos are not included, and there is no promise that the boat will stop close enough for a perfect picture. The wildlife is the point, not a staged photo opportunity.

Los Gigantes and the Swim at Masca Bay

The planned highlight is the stop near Los Gigantes, where cliffs rise around 600 meters above sea level. The scale of these rock walls gives the swimming break a much stronger setting than a normal beach stop.

The boat anchors for about 40 minutes. You can swim in clear water, and the stop is also described as taking place at Masca Bay. This is your chance to leave the seats, cool off, and enjoy the coast from sea level.

Snorkeling equipment is not supplied. You may bring your own, but the activity is mainly a swim rather than a guided snorkeling session. Towels are not included either, so pack one. You will also need to bring sun cream, since it is not supplied.

The 40-minute stop is long enough for a swim and a little time on deck, but it is not an open-ended beach visit. If you prefer to stay dry, you can remain on board and enjoy the views. That flexibility helps families and mixed groups, though anyone expecting a long snorkeling session may find the break brief.

Route reliability is the biggest point to understand. One trip did not reach Los Gigantes or Masca Bay and instead stayed between Costa Adeje and Los Cristianos, with the swimming stop made in front of Los Cristianos beach. The operator explained that weather and sea conditions had forced a route change for safety.

That response is worth keeping in mind when you book. Los Gigantes is the planned destination, not an absolute guarantee under every condition. If seeing the cliffs is the main reason you want this experience, choose a day when the forecast looks favorable and keep your expectations flexible.

Lunch With the Cliffs Nearby

After the swim, lunch is served on board. The meal includes rice with vegetables, coleslaw, chicken thigh, meatballs in tomato sauce, bread, and a banana.

This is a hearty, practical meal rather than a restaurant-style dining experience. You are eating from a boat after swimming and wildlife watching, so the combination of filling food and simple service makes sense. The food is included in the price, which improves the value of a day that can occupy most of your afternoon.

Water and soft drinks are available without an extra charge. Wine and beer are included during lunch. This gives you a drink with the meal without turning the entire cruise into an open bar experience.

One account described the meal as rather ordinary. That is useful guidance. I would not choose this excursion because of its cuisine, but I would count lunch as a welcome convenience. You do not have to find a restaurant during the middle of the trip, and you can eat while surrounded by the coast.

If you drink alcohol, remember that the boat still has to return to port. Enjoy the included wine or beer with lunch, but keep the rest of the crossing comfortable and safe.

The Return Along Tenerife’s Southwest Coast

After lunch and swimming, the boat returns to Puerto Colón. The return section is listed as about two hours, though the full experience can run from five to nine hours when pickup, sailing conditions, and the exact schedule are considered.

The crew and guide continue explaining the southwest coast of Tenerife during the return. This part is less about a major stop and more about seeing the island from the water and learning details about the coast.

A return by boat also gives you a different view of the shore than you get from roads or resort promenades. You can relax after the swim, finish your drink, and watch the coastline pass by. If the sea is rough, however, this may be the part where you most appreciate taking motion-sickness precautions. The supplied information does not promise calm water, so pack anything you normally use for boat travel.

The excursion ends back at the original meeting point in Puerto Colón. There is no separate ending location, and hotel drop-off details depend on the pickup arrangement communicated after booking.

What the $66.42 Price Really Buys You

At $66.42 per person, the price covers much more than a basic boat ride. You receive hotel pickup where available, a wooden boat trip, wildlife watching, crew guidance, the Los Gigantes route, a swimming stop, lunch, soft drinks, water, wine, and beer with the meal.

The strongest value comes from combining several activities in one outing. A separate whale-watching trip, a coastal cruise, a swim stop, and lunch would take more planning and could cost more when purchased individually. Here, the day has one meeting point, one crew, and one return journey.

The price looks less attractive if your only goal is to see Los Gigantes from the water. The route is not guaranteed in poor conditions, and the boat may carry up to 135 people. You are paying for a broad shared experience, not a private charter or a quiet sailing trip.

I would consider it good value for couples, families, and first-time visitors who want an easy day on the water. It is less suitable for someone seeking a small-group wildlife specialist or a carefully prepared food experience.

Group Size, Comfort, and What to Pack

The maximum capacity of 135 people is important. You should expect a social boat with a shared atmosphere rather than a calm, intimate cruise. If you want a prime viewing position, arrive at the departure point on time and listen closely to the crew when animals are spotted.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The boat is near public transportation, though pickup may be more convenient if your hotel is within the service area.

Bring the items that are not provided:

• Towel
• Sun cream
• Camera or phone
• Personal snorkeling equipment, if you want to explore below the surface
• Any personal motion-sickness remedy you normally use

The mobile ticket makes the booking easy to carry, and confirmation is received at booking. The tour is offered in English, so you should be comfortable following English-language guidance and commentary.

The weather policy is fair. If poor weather cancels the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Within 24 hours, changes and refunds are not accepted unless the operator cancels.

Who Will Enjoy This Excursion Most

You will probably like this outing if you want several Tenerife highlights in one day: marine wildlife, a coastal boat ride, a swim, cliffs, and lunch. It suits people who prefer a planned schedule and do not want to arrange transport, food, and a boat separately.

Families may appreciate the mix of activities, especially because swimming is optional and drinks are included. Couples can enjoy the coast and the meal without needing to drive. First-time visitors to Tenerife may also find the southwest coastline easier to understand from the water.

The tour is a weaker match if you need a guaranteed Los Gigantes visit, a small boat, a quiet atmosphere, or a high-end meal. It is also not the right choice if snorkeling is your main goal, since no equipment is provided and the swim stop lasts about 40 minutes.

The most praised parts are the whale and dolphin sightings, the dramatic cliff setting, and the friendly crew. The clearest warning is the route change that occurred in poor conditions. Those two sides belong in the same decision: the wildlife may be excellent, but the exact day depends on the sea.

Should You Book the Puerto Colón Whale and Dolphin Cruise?

Book this experience if you want a reasonably priced, all-in-one day from Costa Adeje. The chance to see pilot whales and dolphins, swim near towering cliffs, eat lunch on board, and return along the southwest coast gives you a lot for the money.

Do not book it on the assumption that Los Gigantes is guaranteed. Weather and sea conditions can change the route, and the meal is functional rather than memorable. If you accept those limits, this is a practical choice for a full day on Tenerife’s water, with enough variety to keep the trip from feeling like a simple sightseeing cruise.

FAQ

Where does the boat depart from?

The boat departs from Puerto Colón S.A. at Puerto Colón, Avenida de Colón, 38660 Costa Adeje, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

What time does the boat leave?

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

Is hotel pickup available?

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

How long does the experience last?

The experience takes approximately five to nine hours, including pickup, sailing, the swimming stop, lunch, and the return to Puerto Colón.

Are whale and dolphin sightings guaranteed?

No. Tenerife is a good location for cetacean watching, but sightings are not guaranteed.

Is Los Gigantes guaranteed?

No. The planned route goes toward Los Gigantes, but weather and sea conditions can cause the route to change. One reported trip remained near Costa Adeje and Los Cristianos instead.

What food is included?

Lunch includes rice with vegetables, coleslaw, chicken thigh, meatballs in tomato sauce, bread, and a banana.

Are drinks included?

Water and soft drinks are included, with unlimited access during the experience. Wine and beer are included during lunch.

Are towels and snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Towels and sun cream are not included. Snorkeling equipment is also not provided, but you may bring your own.