Adeje: Whale and Dolphin Watching Cruise with Lunch and Swim

Pilot whales and dolphins are the main event here, but the 16 panoramic submarine windows give this cruise an unusual second viewpoint. You can watch the sea from the deck, then look below the waterline as the catamaran moves along Tenerife’s southwest coast.

I like two things right away: lunch and drinks are included, and the crew makes a real effort to keep the boat moving at a sensible distance from the animals. A morning departure may feel cool at sea, and the Atlantic can turn choppy, so bring a light jacket and take seasickness precautions if you need them.

The three-hour route is a good fit if you want a compact outing with a swim and wildlife viewing. The 4.5-hour Masca and Los Gigantes option gives you more coast, bigger cliff views, and more time on the water, but it also asks for a larger part of your day.

Key points to know before booking

• Pilot whales are the most dependable sighting: The southwest coast is known for resident cetaceans, and many departures see pilot whales, dolphins, or both.
• Two routes serve different purposes: Choose Diego Hernández Bay for a shorter cruise, or Masca and Los Gigantes for dramatic cliffs and a longer day at sea.
• The swim stop lasts about 40 minutes: You can swim in clear Atlantic water, though the time available may vary with sea conditions and the day’s schedule.
• Lunch and drinks are part of the price: Food is served onboard, with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices available if requested in advance.
• The boat offers an underwater view: The submarine windows let you watch beneath the hull, though deck viewing is usually better when animals surface beside the boat.
• The price is strong for a half-day outing: At about $59 per person, you get the cruise, guide, wildlife search, meal, drinks, and swim stop in one booking.

Setting out from Puerto Colón

The cruise departs from Puerto Colón, in the Adeje area, with the exact meeting point depending on the option you book. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to the port.

Once aboard, the crew gives a safety briefing before the catamaran leaves the harbor. The first part of the trip takes roughly 30 minutes and offers views along Tenerife’s southwest coast. This is a good time to find your preferred viewing spot and get comfortable before the wildlife search begins.

The boat has several levels and plenty of places to look out over the water. A lower deck is useful for the submarine windows, while the upper areas usually give you a wider view and better airflow. If you are prone to seasickness, stay where you can see the horizon and avoid spending too long inside.

The multilingual guide is one of the practical strengths of the trip. Commentary is available in Spanish, Dutch, English, German, Italian, and French. One guide named Johan has been particularly noted for handling several languages, while Anita and the wider crew have been praised for being friendly and attentive. The exact guide lineup can change, but the format suits a mixed international group.

Choosing between Diego Hernández and Los Gigantes

The shorter cruise runs for about three hours and heads toward Diego Hernández Bay. You first search for whales and dolphins, then anchor for a swim in the bay before lunch is served.

This option works well if you want the main ingredients without committing most of an afternoon. It gives you wildlife viewing, a coastal cruise, a swim, food, and drinks in a tidy package. It is also the better choice if you have young children, limited time, or another activity planned later.

The longer trip lasts about 4.5 hours and follows the southwest coast toward Masca and the cliffs of Los Gigantes. These cliffs are the visual highlight of the route, with tall rock walls rising from the sea. You anchor in a scenic bay, stop for a swim, and eat lunch while the cliffs and surrounding coast provide the setting.

The longer route is not simply the shorter cruise with extra minutes added. You get a stronger sense of Tenerife’s western coastline and more time for wildlife watching. The tradeoff is simple: more scenery and more time at sea, but also more exposure to motion, wind, and changing sea conditions.

If seeing Los Gigantes up close matters to you, choose the longer route. The shorter cruise may show the cliffs from a distance, but it does not provide the same coastal reach.

Searching for pilot whales and dolphins

The boat operates in the Teno-Rasca Whale Sanctuary, a Special Conservation Area off Tenerife’s southwest coast. The waters here are used by pilot whales, dolphins, sea turtles, flying fish, and seabirds. The animals are wild, so no sighting can be guaranteed, and the mix changes from one departure to the next.

Pilot whales are the species most often reported on this trip. You might see several together, sometimes close to the boat, while dolphins may pass in small groups or swim alongside the catamaran. Some outings also spot turtles and flying fish.

The best part is the way the boat handles close encounters. The aim is to keep a respectful distance and allow the animals to approach rather than chase them. That matters for the animals and makes the viewing feel calmer. You are watching wildlife on its terms, not visiting a staged performance.

When a whale or dolphin appears, people naturally gather along the railings. The boat can feel crowded at those moments, especially around the best viewing areas. Still, the vessel has multiple levels, and you can usually move around to find another angle.

Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the whole sighting looking at a screen. Pilot whales surface without much warning, and dolphins can be gone in seconds. A quick phone video is nice, but the better memory may be watching the animals move through the water in front of you.

What the underwater windows add

The catamaran’s submarine viewing area has 16 panoramic windows beneath the waterline. This is a genuine feature rather than a decorative glass panel. You can look below the hull and see the movement of the sea from a different angle.

Underwater viewing is most useful when dolphins or whales pass near the boat. It can also help you see smaller marine life during quieter stretches. The view depends on water clarity, light, distance, and animal behavior, so it should be treated as an extra way to watch rather than a guarantee of constant action.

When animals surface beside the catamaran, the open deck usually gives you the strongest experience. You can follow their movement, hear the crew point them out, and watch the interaction between the animals and the waves. The submarine windows are worth visiting, but do not remain below for the entire trip.

The swim stop and Atlantic water

Both routes include a stop for swimming. On the shorter cruise, this takes place at Diego Hernández Bay. On the longer route, the boat anchors in a bay near the Masca and Los Gigantes area.

The stop is generally around 40 minutes, giving you enough time for a proper swim rather than a quick jump overboard. The water can look remarkably clear, and the views from the sea give you a different angle on Tenerife’s coast.

You enter from the boat, not a sandy beach. The vessel includes access to a swim platform, but snorkeling equipment is not provided. If you want to look underwater, bring your own equipment if permitted and practical, though the activity information does not promise rental gear.

Sea conditions can affect the swim. One departure may allow a relaxed 40-minute stop, while another may have a shorter swim because of timing or conditions. You should also remember that the water can feel fresh, even under warm Canarian sunshine.

Bring swimwear, a towel if you need one, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. Wear shoes that are comfortable on a boat, and keep loose belongings secure when moving between the deck and swim area.

Lunch, drinks, and the real value of the $59 price

At about $59 per person, this is good value if you want a full half-day outing rather than a bare wildlife cruise. The price includes the sightseeing voyage, guide, wildlife search, swim stop, lunch, and drinks.

The drink selection commonly includes water, soft drinks, beer, and sangria. Fruit such as apples and bananas may also be available during the trip, and the self-service arrangement means you do not need to wait for a server every time you want a drink.

The meal is practical boat food rather than a restaurant lunch. Past menus and descriptions point to a filling plate with items such as meat, rice, and salad, along with fruit or a Canarian-style dessert on some departures. Portions can be generous, which is useful after swimming but may feel heavy for anyone dealing with motion sickness.

Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free meals are available upon request. Make that request before departure rather than waiting until lunch is being served. The food is designed to feed a group efficiently, so do not book this expecting a gourmet meal or a wide menu of choices.

For the money, the meal and drinks make a clear difference. A simple whale-watching boat trip can still require you to buy lunch and refreshments separately. Here, those costs are folded into the booking, and the swim stop adds another useful part to the day.

How busy is the boat?

This is a sizeable catamaran, not a small private sailing trip. It can carry a large group, and the busiest moments come when everyone wants the same view of a whale or when passengers gather for the swim stop.

That group size has advantages. A larger boat is generally more stable than a small open vessel, there are several viewing levels, and the crew has enough space to organize lunch and drinks. It also means you should not expect quiet, private wildlife watching.

Arriving early may help if you want a particular seat or viewing position, although the boat offers several places to watch from. During the cruise, you can move around while the boat is underway, provided you follow the crew’s safety instructions.

The crew’s manner is another reason the trip works well for families. The guides explain what you are seeing, help point out wildlife, and assist passengers who feel unwell. One family even received help after a child slipped and needed medical care, with the crew arranging transport and insurance details. Accidents are never part of the plan, but that response shows the value of having an organized operator on board.

Practical comfort and accessibility

The boat is wheelchair accessible, but access has limits. A wheelchair user must tell the supplier in advance so the crew can make sure there is enough room. Movement is limited to the main deck, and the bathrooms are not adapted for wheelchair use.

Electric wheelchairs are not allowed. Assistance dogs are allowed, but other pets are not.

The boat is exposed to sun and wind, so bring weather-appropriate clothing. Morning departures can feel chilly because of the sea breeze, even when the resort is warm. A light jacket is one of the most useful items you can pack.

If you are prone to seasickness, take your usual precautions before leaving and bring your own medication. The open upper deck, fresh air, and a view of the horizon can help. The sea may be calm, but passengers have also found the crossing choppy, especially around the harbor and farther offshore.

Drones, feeding animals, and touching marine life are not allowed. Those rules protect the wildlife and keep the activity focused on observation rather than interference.

Photos and videos taken by the onboard photographer cost extra. The photographer may take pictures as you board and during the trip, but you are not required to buy them. Your own phone or camera is enough if you prefer to record the day yourself.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend the three-hour option to families, first-time whale watchers, and anyone who wants a balanced outing without losing an entire afternoon. It includes the same core pleasures: wildlife, a swim, lunch, drinks, and the underwater windows.

Choose the 4.5-hour trip if the cliffs of Los Gigantes and the Masca coast are a major reason for visiting this part of Tenerife. The longer route gives the scenery more room to unfold and leaves more time for marine life sightings.

This is also a good choice for people who want several activities combined into one booking. You do not need to arrange a separate lunch, beach stop, or coastal sightseeing trip.

It may not suit you if you want a private boat, guaranteed dolphin sightings, a quiet luxury meal, or a long snorkeling session. The boat can become busy around wildlife and swimming, and the food is simple. Those are fair tradeoffs for the price and the number of inclusions.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want a well-priced, family-friendly way to see Tenerife from the water. The strongest reasons are the regular chance of seeing pilot whales, the respectful approach to wildlife, the clear swimming stop, and the fact that lunch and drinks are already covered.

Choose the longer Masca and Los Gigantes route if dramatic coastal views matter most. Choose Diego Hernández if you prefer a shorter day and still want the full combination of wildlife, swimming, food, and underwater viewing.

Bring a jacket, sun protection, swimwear, and seasickness medication if needed. Request any special meal in advance, and tell the operator about wheelchair needs before you arrive. With those details handled, this is a solid $59 outing that offers more than a basic boat ride.

FAQ

How long does the cruise last?

You can choose a three-hour cruise to Diego Hernández Bay or a 4.5-hour cruise toward Masca and the cliffs of Los Gigantes.

What animals might I see?

The cruise looks for pilot whales and dolphins. You may also see turtles, flying fish, seabirds, and other marine life, but sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included on both cruise options. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free meals are available upon request.

Are drinks included?

Yes. A selection of drinks is included throughout the excursion. The available selection may include water, soft drinks, beer, and sangria.

Is there time to swim?

Yes. Both routes include a swim stop of about 40 minutes, although sea conditions and the day’s schedule can affect the exact timing.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Snorkeling equipment is not included.

Is the boat wheelchair accessible?

The boat is accessible, but wheelchair users must inform the supplier in advance. Movement is limited to the main deck, the bathrooms are not wheelchair-adapted, and electric wheelchairs are not allowed.