Whale Safari to Los Gigantes with pickup from North

Set sail for cliffs and cetaceans. This full-day outing links convenient pickup in Puerto de la Cruz with a boat ride from Puerto Colón, a swim at Masca Bay, lunch on board, and a coastal return beneath Tenerife’s southwest cliffs. I like the included hotel transport and the fact that lunch, soft drinks, water, and the swim stop are covered in the price.

I also like the chance to see Tenerife from sea level. Los Gigantes looks most impressive from the water, and the return route near Playa del Duque gives you a useful view of the southwest coast. The main caution is that this is not a quiet, small sailing trip. The boat can carry up to 125 people, music may be loud, and the whale-watching portion can be brief because wild animals set the schedule.

Key things to know before booking

• Pickup from Puerto de la Cruz: Private transportation to Puerto Colón and back is included, with buses usually marked Barrera Chinea.
• A five-hour boat program: The sea portion includes cetacean searching, Los Gigantes, Masca Bay, lunch, swimming, and the return along the coast.
• Wildlife is not guaranteed: Whales and dolphins may appear, but the operator cannot promise a particular sighting or a long viewing period.
• Lunch and drinks are included: Expect rice with vegetables, coleslaw, meatballs in tomato sauce, bread, and a banana, plus water and soft drinks.
• A swim, but no beach: You jump or climb into the sea at Masca Bay, and you must bring your own towel and snorkeling gear.
• More party boat than silent schooner: The Shogun is styled as a traditional Arab schooner, but it normally travels under motor power.

From Puerto de la Cruz to Puerto Colón

The day begins with pickup around noon from Puerto de la Cruz. The local transport partner is Barrera Chinea. Its buses are usually red, though other colors are also used, and the guide gets off at each stop to help locate passengers.

That detail matters. Pickup tours can become confusing when several buses gather near hotels, so look for the Barrera Chinea name on the side of the vehicle and stay alert around the stated pickup time. The exact duration of the road transfer is not given, but the overall outing lasts roughly five to ten hours, depending on transport and operating conditions.

You then reach Puerto Colón, the marina in Costa Adeje, where the boat trip begins. The transfer makes this excursion useful for someone staying in the north who wants to see the southwest coast without arranging a rental car or public buses. It also makes the day longer. You are not simply walking to a nearby harbor and returning after lunch.

The meeting time is listed as 12:00 p.m. From there, the boat heads toward Los Gigantes while the crew searches for whales and dolphins. The vessel is the Shogun, described as a traditional Arab schooner. That sounds like a sailing experience, but the operator explains that it usually runs under motor power for comfort and practical reasons. The sails are mainly decorative.

What the whale search is really like

The waters between Tenerife and La Gomera are known for cetacean activity, which is why this coast attracts whale boats. Still, you are watching wild animals, not visiting an aquarium. The crew can search, but it cannot order a whale to surface beside the boat.

That distinction is important because the advertising language may create an expectation of constant wildlife action. The operator states that legal whale-watching observation can last no more than 30 minutes when continued viewing could disturb marine life. On a good day, that may be enough to see whales or dolphins at close range. On a poor day, you might see only a little, or nothing at all.

One account describes seeing both whales and dolphins, while another reports whales close to the boat. Other feedback was much less pleased, with one person feeling that only about 15 minutes had been spent looking for wildlife. The fair reading is that sightings can be excellent, but the tour should not be bought as a guaranteed wildlife show.

You should also expect the boat to have a social mood. Music is part of the experience, and some passengers enjoyed the lively atmosphere, good music, and sangria. Others found several hours of loud Spanish music frustrating. If your ideal whale trip is quiet, with a naturalist quietly pointing out fins and breathing blows, this may not be the right fit.

The crew receives strong praise for being friendly, attentive, and watchful throughout the trip. That is reassuring on a boat carrying as many as 125 people. Even so, the large capacity means the experience will feel more like a shared excursion than a personal charter.

Los Gigantes from the water

The first major reward is the approach to Los Gigantes. These towering cliffs are best appreciated from below, where their height becomes easier to grasp. From a road viewpoint, you see a wall of rock. From the boat, you watch the cliffs rise directly from the sea while the vessel moves along their base.

The boat then anchors in Masca Bay. This is the main pause in the day, lasting about 40 minutes for swimming and lunch. You can enter the water from the boat, which several people enjoyed, but this is not a sandy beach stop. You climb into the sea and return to the vessel afterward.

Bring a swimsuit under your clothes if you want to swim. There are places to change, but no towels are supplied, and the practical advice is simple: do not count on having a comfortable changing-room routine after getting wet. Pack your own towel, sunscreen, and any dry clothing you need.

Snorkeling gear is not included. You may bring your own equipment, but do not expect the boat to provide masks or fins. The description also says that photos and sun cream are not included, so bring those yourself.

Masca Bay can be a pleasant break after the boat ride, especially if the weather is warm and the sea is calm. It can also feel rushed. Forty minutes must cover the swim and lunch, so you will not have a long, unhurried stop in the water.

Lunch on board, with a lively atmosphere

The included meal is straightforward rather than fancy: rice with vegetables, coleslaw, meatballs in tomato sauce, bread, and a banana. Water and soft drinks are available throughout the trip. During lunch, beer and wine are included.

That is good value for a boat excursion priced at $74.71 per person. You are paying not only for the cruise, but also for transportation from Puerto de la Cruz, the meal, drinks, the swim stop, and the return route along the coast. A separate harbor cruise with a meal and north-coast transfers could easily cost more once you add taxis or public transport.

The food has been one of the more praised parts of the outing. One person called it great, while another described the day as well organized and appreciated being able to eat on board before swimming. Keep your expectations in the right place: this is practical group-tour catering, not a restaurant meal served at a table with a long menu.

The drinks can shape the mood. Some people like the music, sangria, and social energy. Others would rather spend the afternoon listening to the water and watching the cliffs. You can join in, but nobody is described as being forced to party. If you are traveling with children, the family feedback is encouraging, with the crew described as attentive and the day called a strong family outing. Still, parents should be comfortable with music, a busy boat, and a swim from the side of the vessel.

The return near Playa del Duque

After the stop at Masca Bay, the boat returns toward Puerto Colón, passing close to the southwest coast and Playa del Duque. This part takes about two hours and gives the guide time to point out coastal details.

For me, this return is more than dead time. It shows you a different side of Tenerife. From land, you see resorts, roads, and viewpoints. From the sea, you get a longer look at the shoreline and a clearer sense of how the southwest coast connects Los Gigantes with the resort areas near Costa Adeje.

The two-hour return also explains why the trip can feel long. The wildlife search, Los Gigantes, lunch, swimming, and coastal cruise add up to a full outing before the bus ride north. If you want a short activity between beach days, choose something else. If you like spending a whole day on the water, the length is part of the value.

Once you arrive at Puerto Colón, the bus waits to take you back to your hotel. The precise return time can vary, so avoid booking an evening restaurant reservation that you cannot change.

Price, group size, and what you receive

At $74.71, this is a solid package if you use the pickup from Puerto de la Cruz and make use of the included meal and drinks. The transfer alone saves you the trouble of reaching Puerto Colón independently. The boat also provides a full route rather than a short wildlife loop.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a quiet whale sighting. You could spend much of the day on transport, cruising, and social entertainment, with the actual wildlife viewing limited by animal behavior and the legal viewing time. The tour is best understood as a boat day with wildlife watching, not a guaranteed whale encounter.

The maximum of 125 people is worth noting. You will have access to a large vessel and a crew used to handling a sizable group, but you will not get the space or personal attention of a small boat. Arrive prepared for shared seating, music, and people moving around during lunch and swimming.

The experience is offered in English, and confirmation is received at booking. Most people can participate, service animals are allowed, and the meeting area is near public transportation, though the included pickup is the easier choice for someone based in Puerto de la Cruz.

Weather, cancellation, and practical packing

The trip requires good weather. If poor conditions cause cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. It also requires a minimum number of participants, with the same choice of a new date, another experience, or a refund if that minimum is not met.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted, so check the forecast and your plans early.

For the day itself, I would pack:

• Swimsuit worn under your clothes
• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Hat and sunglasses
• Dry clothes
• Personal snorkeling gear, if you want to use it
• A phone or camera in waterproof protection

There is no need to buy a separate lunch or stock up on water, since both food and drinks are supplied. Alcohol is not generally free throughout the trip, but beer and wine are included with lunch. Do not count on towels, photographs, or snorkeling equipment being provided.

One isolated report described a bathroom without paper and a temporary freshwater problem. The operator said the water issue had been fixed and that the paper shortage was an oversight. Toilets on a crowded boat are never a reason to skip the trip, but carrying a small packet of tissues is a sensible precaution.

Who should book the Shogun?

I would recommend this outing to you if you want several Tenerife experiences in one day: a coastal drive, a boat ride, whale and dolphin searching, Los Gigantes, a swim, lunch, and a view of Costa Adeje from the water. It works especially well for families, couples, and friends who enjoy an upbeat group atmosphere.

You should think twice if you want silence, guaranteed wildlife, or a classic sailing trip under canvas. The Shogun looks like a schooner but normally uses its motor, and the music can be a major part of the day. You also need to accept that the animals may not appear.

The strongest reasons to book are the convenient north-coast pickup, the generous length of the sea program, the included lunch and drinks, and the chance to see Los Gigantes from below. The biggest reason not to book is simple: your whale sighting may be short or absent, and the day may feel more like a party cruise than a nature expedition.

Should you book this whale safari?

Book it if you want good value, a social boat day, and a broad look at Tenerife’s southwest coast. The crew, cliffs, food, and swim stop give the outing plenty of appeal even when wildlife is elusive.

Skip it if your main goal is serious wildlife observation in a quiet setting. For everyone else, bring a towel, sunscreen, a swimsuit, and realistic expectations. If whales appear, they are the bonus. Los Gigantes, the sea swim, and the long coastal cruise are the dependable parts of the day.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

Pickup is offered from Puerto de la Cruz. The bus operator is Barrera Chinea, and its buses are usually red, although other colors may be used.

What time is pickup?

The listed start time is 12:00 p.m.

Where does the boat depart?

The bus takes you to Puerto Colón, where the whale and dolphin safari begins.

Is whale or dolphin sighting guaranteed?

No. The animals are wild, and sightings cannot be guaranteed. The operator also explains that legal observation may last no more than 30 minutes when needed to protect marine life.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes rice with vegetables, coleslaw, meatballs in tomato sauce, bread, and a banana. Water and soft drinks are available throughout the trip, and beer and wine are included during lunch.

Can I swim during the excursion?

Yes. The boat stops at Masca Bay for about 40 minutes, allowing you to swim from the boat.

Are towels and snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Towels, sunscreen, photographs, and snorkeling equipment are not included. You may bring your own snorkeling gear.