Whale and Dolphin Watching Catamaran with Transfer and Buffet

Pilot whales are the main attraction here, and you may see them close to the catamaran, sometimes alongside dolphins. The boat carries no more than 24 people, so you get a much better view and calmer service than on a packed excursion boat. The crew, including Michael, Andre, and Edmond on some departures, also keeps the trip moving with food, drinks, and useful information about the animals.

I like the small group and the generous drinks service. I also like that this is more than a quick wildlife search: you get a swim stop, a cold buffet of tapas, and a final sail past Tenerife’s southern coast. The main consideration is that wildlife sightings are not guaranteed, and the snorkeling stop may feel ordinary if you are hoping for a busy underwater site.

Key points to know before you book

• Pilot whales are the most likely sighting, with dolphins possible but never promised.
• A maximum of 24 people gives the catamaran a quieter, more personal feel.
• Hotel transfers are available in southern Tenerife, but you must request pickup at least 24 hours ahead.
• Tapas, snacks, water, soft drinks, beer, and champagne are included during much of the trip.
• Swimming and snorkeling are part of the outing, with equipment supplied.
• The $71.35 price is strong value if you use the transfer, food, drinks, and swim stop.

Why pilot whales make this three-hour cruise special

Tenerife’s south coast is one of the better places in the Canary Islands to look for cetaceans. Pilot whales are the usual prize on this trip, and the experience is built around finding them rather than rushing straight to a distant viewpoint.

You will spend much of the first part of the cruise searching the water with the crew. The boat moves slowly when animals are nearby, giving you time to watch their backs and fins, take pictures, and see how close they come to the catamaran. Several departures have produced close views of many pilot whales, which is the moment that gives this trip its real value.

Dolphins are also possible. Some days bring only whales, while others produce both species. A small group of active dolphins can make the outing thrilling, and rare sightings of large numbers have occurred. Still, you should book this as a wildlife search, not a guaranteed dolphin show.

That distinction matters. Wild animals set the schedule. The crew can know the usual areas and spend time looking, but no responsible operator can promise a particular species. If you need a guaranteed sighting, no boat trip can honestly offer that.

From Puerto Colón to the open water

The meeting point is Monte Cristo Catamaran at Puerto Colón, in Playa de las Américas. If you are staying nearby, making your own way to the marina is simple enough. If you are staying in the southern resort areas, hotel pickup and return are available by request.

Pickup covers Golf del Sur, Los Cristianos, Las Américas, Adeje, Playa Paraíso, Callao Salvaje, and Alcalá. The exact pickup time can be 20 minutes to one hour before sailing, so do not plan a tight connection afterward. There is no pickup from Puerto de la Cruz or other northern parts of the island.

The catamaran is designed for comfort and viewing. Seating is available at the front, on the flybridge, and inside, with shaded areas for a break from the sun. You also get a restroom onboard. Life jackets are available for everyone.

The boat is not wheelchair accessible, so check this before booking. Most people can take part, including children accompanied by an adult, but the vessel will still move with the sea. If you are prone to seasickness, take appropriate medicine or ginger tablets before boarding, as suggested by the operator. Waiting until you feel ill is usually too late.

A small boat makes a big difference

The maximum group size is 24 people, and that number is one of the strongest reasons to choose this outing. On a wildlife cruise, space matters. You want room to move from one side of the boat to the other when an animal surfaces, and you want a clear view without a crowd blocking the rail.

A smaller group also improves the food and drink service. The crew can offer refills, answer questions, and help people find a comfortable place to sit. The atmosphere is relaxed rather than noisy or rushed.

You will be asked to remove your shoes before boarding, according to the sailing arrangements described for this catamaran. Wear something comfortable and practical. A swimsuit or swimming shorts make sense, even if you are not sure you will enter the water.

There is a generous sundeck at the prow, along with flybridge seating and an indoor sofa. One point to keep in mind is that the boat is built more for sitting, viewing, and relaxing than for lying flat in the sun. If you want a full-time sunbathing platform, this may not be your ideal boat.

Drinks and tapas keep the afternoon easy

Food and drinks are included throughout most of the cruise. The selection can include tortillas, cheese, quiche, bread, crisps, meat, olives, tomatoes, and other cold tapas. The spread is best thought of as a generous light lunch, not a formal restaurant meal.

This works well for a three-hour outing. You can eat without leaving the boat, and you do not need to pack a meal. Vegetarian food is available if requested at booking, though the selection may be more limited than the meat and cheese choices.

Drinks include water, soft drinks, beer, and champagne or cava. The crew is known for offering regular refills, and some departures include celebratory shots near the end. That gives the trip a sociable holiday feel, but you can choose nonalcoholic drinks throughout.

I see this as a useful part of the price rather than the main reason to book. The whales should be the point. The buffet and open drink service simply make the day easier and help the boat feel like a relaxed coastal lunch with wildlife watching attached.

If you are traveling with children, the food and nonalcoholic drinks are practical. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and the small group makes it easier to keep an eye on younger passengers.

The wildlife search comes before the swim stop

The cruise is dedicated first to finding and accompanying cetaceans. The guide and captain use their knowledge of the area to search for whales and dolphins, then adjust the route when wildlife appears.

You should keep your phone or camera ready, but protect it from spray. A waterproof phone pouch or neck holder is a smart idea. The boat can be stable, yet you are still on the sea, and a phone dropped overboard is gone for good.

The best photographs may happen quickly. Pilot whales can surface close to the boat, but you will not get a long, posed moment. Watch the water rather than staring at your screen. A few good pictures are nice, but the animals are more interesting when you actually look at them.

The crew provides information about pilot whales and the wildlife around Tenerife. English is offered for the activity, and the crew’s clear explanations are especially useful if you want more than a simple boat ride.

You might also see sea turtles or other marine life, but these are possibilities rather than promises. The only firm expectation should be time spent searching in a productive coastal area.

A calm swim and snorkel stop near Tenerife’s south coast

After the wildlife search, the captain takes the boat to a place suitable for swimming and snorkeling. Equipment is provided, so you do not need to bring your own mask and snorkel.

This stop gives the cruise a welcome change of pace. After watching the sea, you can enter it. Some people swim while others stay onboard with a drink and watch the coastline. You will need your own towel, swimsuit, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

Keep your expectations sensible. The snorkeling area is not presented as a major reef or an exceptional underwater site. You may see standard fish below the boat, and the marine life can be less varied than what you might find around the harbor. The swim is best valued as a refreshing break, not as a separate snorkeling excursion.

The stopping area can also be near a beach where you cannot go ashore. On some routes, the boat anchors offshore near a nudist beach. That may surprise you, so families or anyone seeking a more private setting should be comfortable with the possibility.

After the swim, the boat sails back toward Puerto Colón along the southern coast. This final stretch gives you views of Tenerife’s mountains and beaches from the water. It is a gentle way to finish, especially if you prefer a little scenery after the excitement of the wildlife search.

Is $71.35 a fair price?

At $71.35 per person, this is not the cheapest boat ride in Tenerife, but the price covers several pieces that can add up quickly. You receive about three hours on the water, a small group, drinks, tapas, use of snorkeling equipment, and hotel transportation if your hotel is in the pickup area.

The transfer is especially useful if you are staying in Los Cristianos, Playa de las Américas, Adeje, or the other southern resort zones. It saves you the effort of arranging a taxi to Puerto Colón and returning after the cruise.

The value is weaker if you are staying in the north and must make your own way to the marina, or if you do not drink and do not plan to swim. Even then, the small group and wildlife search may justify the cost for you.

Compared with a large sightseeing boat, this outing charges more for a more personal experience. You get fewer people, more room, and a better chance to ask the crew questions. If your priority is simply being on the water for the lowest possible price, look elsewhere. If you want whale watching with lunch and a swim included, the price is reasonable.

The tour is often booked well ahead, with an average booking lead time of about 19 days. That suggests you should not leave it until the last day of a short Tenerife visit, especially if you need hotel pickup.

What to bring and how to prepare

Pack lightly, but bring the right basics:

• Swimsuit or swimming shorts
• Towel
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Phone protection or a waterproof pouch
• Motion sickness tablets if you need them

A light cover-up is useful after swimming or when the wind picks up. The catamaran has shaded areas, but Tenerife’s sun can be strong even when the breeze feels cool.

Request hotel pickup at least 24 hours before departure. Confirm the actual collection time when the operator responds, since the pickup window can vary. If you meet at the marina, arrive with enough time to find Puerto Colón and the correct catamaran berth.

The trip needs suitable weather and a minimum number of participants. If the operator cancels for either reason, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.

Who should book this catamaran trip?

I would choose this cruise for couples, families, and anyone who prefers a smaller boat over a large party vessel. It suits you if you want wildlife watching with food and drinks already arranged, rather than a bare-bones trip where you bring everything yourself.

It is also a good pick for a special occasion. The crew has helped mark birthdays with cake and a song, and the included drinks add a festive touch without requiring a separate restaurant booking.

You may want another option if your main goal is serious snorkeling, full-time sunbathing, or a guaranteed dolphin encounter. The swim stop is pleasant but not the star, and nature can refuse to cooperate.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a small-group whale-watching cruise with a strong chance of seeing pilot whales, plus a cold tapas lunch, frequent drinks, and a swim stop. The close wildlife encounters and friendly service are the reasons to go.

I would book early, request the transfer in advance, and take seasickness precautions if needed. Go with realistic expectations: pilot whales are common, dolphins are possible, and no wild sighting is guaranteed. For a relaxed half-day on Tenerife’s south coast, the combination of personal space, good food, and time on the water makes this a solid choice.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran depart?

The departure point is Puerto Colón, Pantalan number 6, in Costa Adeje, near Playa de las Américas.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and return are available on request from hotels in Golf del Sur, Los Cristianos, Las Américas, Adeje, Playa Paraíso, Callao Salvaje, and Alcalá. There is no pickup from Puerto de la Cruz or the north of Tenerife.

How far in advance should I request hotel pickup?

Request pickup at least 24 hours before departure. The actual collection time may be 20 minutes to one hour before sailing.

How long is the cruise?

The experience lasts approximately three hours, including whale and dolphin watching, the swim stop, food and drinks, and the return sail along the south coast.

What animals might I see?

Pilot whales are commonly seen, and dolphins may also appear. Sea turtles and other marine life are possible, but sightings are not guaranteed.

Is food included?

Yes. The included food is a cold buffet and tapas selection that can include tortillas, cheese, quiche, bread, crisps, meat, olives, and tomatoes. Vegetarian food is available if requested when booking.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Available drinks include water, soft drinks, beer, and champagne or cava.

Can I swim or snorkel from the boat?

Yes. The captain stops at a suitable snorkeling area, and equipment is provided. Bring your own swimsuit and towel.