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

The best part of this outing is the chance to watch whales and dolphins from a wooden boat before anchoring beneath the 600-meter cliffs of Los Gigantes. You get wildlife, a swim, lunch, and southwest-coast views in one long half-day.

I like the freshly prepared lunch with wine, beer, water, and soft drinks included, and I like that the crew stays with you during the wildlife search, explaining marine life as you go. The main catch is that the route depends on weather and sea conditions, so the boat may not reach Los Gigantes or Masca Bay every time.

Key points to know

• Whale and dolphin search from Puerto Colón: Sightings are common enough to make this a popular route, but no operator can promise wildlife.
• Los Gigantes backdrop: The cliffs rise about 600 meters above the sea and provide the most memorable setting of the day.
• Swimming stop included: You can swim in clear water, but towels, sun cream, and snorkeling gear are not supplied.
• Lunch is part of the fare: Expect rice with vegetables, coleslaw, chicken thigh, meatballs in tomato sauce, bread, and a banana.
• Pickup is available: Collection usually takes place between 10:00 and 11:45 for the 12:00 boat departure.
• A large group is possible: The maximum capacity is 135 people, so this is not a small private cruise.

A whale and dolphin search from Puerto Colón

The boat leaves Puerto Colón in Costa Adeje at noon and heads west toward Los Gigantes. This stretch of Tenerife is well suited to a sea outing because the route combines open-water wildlife watching with a dramatic coastal destination.

The crew helps you look for cetaceans and explains details about marine life as the boat moves along. That guidance matters. A whale’s back can appear for only a moment, and dolphins may surface farther from the boat than you expect. Having someone point out movement and explain what you are seeing makes the search more rewarding than simply sitting on deck and hoping.

The tour description does not promise a particular species or a guaranteed sighting. Past outings have included pilot whales and dolphins, and one account described seeing a family of whales and dolphins. Still, conditions change from day to day. You should book this for the chance to see wild animals, not as a guaranteed wildlife show.

The first sailing section lasts about two hours. Bring patience, keep your eyes on the water, and remember that the boat is operating in the animals’ environment. This is one of the most important differences between a sea safari and a formal attraction: nature sets the schedule.

The Shogun and the feel of the boat

The boat used for this experience is referred to as the Shogun, a wooden vessel with a professional crew and an onboard guide. The setup is social rather than private. With a maximum of 135 people, the boat can feel busy, especially when everyone moves to one side for a sighting or gathers for lunch.

That larger capacity may suit you if you want a straightforward day at sea with plenty included. It is less suitable if you are looking for a quiet sailing trip, personal attention, or a small group with room to spread out.

The crew has received especially warm comments for being friendly, even when the route could not follow the planned course. That is worth noting because sea trips sometimes require quick changes. A pleasant crew cannot control the weather, but clear explanations and a calm attitude make those changes easier to accept.

The guide works face to face on board rather than leaving you to interpret the scenery alone. During the return, you can learn more about Tenerife’s southwest coast and hear details about the island as you sail back.

Swimming below the cliffs of Los Gigantes

The scheduled second stop is near Los Gigantes, where the cliffs rise roughly 600 meters above sea level. From the water, the scale is hard to miss. This is not simply a place to take a quick photo from a viewpoint. You see the rock walls from sea level, then have time to swim beneath them.

The stop lasts about 40 minutes. That gives you enough time for a proper swim, though it is not a long beach afternoon. The water is described as clear, and you can bring your own snorkeling equipment if you want to look below the surface.

Snorkeling gear is not included. Towels, sun cream, and photos are also left out, so pack a towel and protect yourself before boarding. You should not count on buying or borrowing these items during the trip.

There is an important practical warning here. The advertised route includes Los Gigantes and a swimming stop at Masca Bay, but the exact stop can change. On one outing, poor weather and sea conditions forced the boat to remain closer to Costa Adeje and Los Cristianos. The swimming stop then took place in front of Los Cristianos beach instead.

That means the dramatic cliff setting is possible, but not guaranteed. If seeing Los Gigantes is the main reason you are booking, understand that safety comes first and the crew may shorten or alter the route.

Lunch on board with drinks included

After the swimming stop, lunch is served on the boat. The meal includes rice with vegetables, coleslaw, a chicken thigh, meatballs in tomato sauce, bread, and a banana. Water and soft drinks are available without an extra charge, and wine and beer are included during lunch.

I see this as a real value point. A five to nine-hour outing can become expensive if you have to buy food and drinks separately, especially near a major coastal attraction. Here, the meal is already built into the price, so you can settle into the afternoon without hunting for a restaurant between activities.

At the same time, keep your expectations sensible. This is a practical group lunch prepared for a boat trip, not a fine-dining meal. One account described the food as arbitrary, so the meal may be better viewed as filling and convenient rather than a reason to book on its own.

The timing also makes sense. You search for wildlife first, swim near the cliffs, then eat before the return to Puerto Colón. If you get seasick, eating on a moving boat may be less appealing, so a light breakfast and any personal medication may be wise. The provided details do not state that seasickness medication is available, so bring anything you normally use.

The return along Tenerife’s southwest coast

After lunch, the boat returns to Puerto Colón. The return section is listed at about two hours, giving you time to watch the southwest coast and ask the guide about Tenerife.

This is a useful part of the outing, not just a ride back. The first section focuses on wildlife, while the return gives you a broader sense of the island’s coastal shape and scenery. You might prefer to sit quietly with the sea around you, or you can use this time to listen to the guide and fill in details about the coast.

The total booking duration is given as approximately five to nine hours. The boat portions add up to about four hours, while pickup and transport can extend the day. Pickup from an authorized point near your hotel usually happens between 10:00 and 11:45, with the boat leaving at 12:00.

Because pickup times vary by hotel area, do not plan a tight appointment soon after the expected return. The activity finishes back at Puerto Colón, and the overall timing can depend on transport, sea conditions, and the day’s route.

What the $66.42 price really covers

At $66.42 per person, this is a solid package if you intend to use most of what is included. You are paying for a wooden-boat cruise, a professional crew, a guide, a wildlife search, a swimming stop, lunch, and drinks. Pickup may also be available from a nearby authorized point.

The value is strongest for someone who wants several activities in one booking. A separate whale-watching trip, restaurant meal, coastal transfer, and swim stop could cost more and require extra planning. Here, the day has a clear shape and the food is already arranged.

The value is weaker if you care only about reaching Los Gigantes. The route can change, and one previous outing did not reach the cliffs or Masca Bay because of sea conditions. You are paying for the full marine outing, not a guaranteed transfer to a particular viewpoint.

The maximum group size of 135 is another factor. A large boat can offer stability and a lively atmosphere, but it will not feel like a private charter. If personal space and quiet are important, check the group size before booking or choose a smaller sailing option.

Pickup, meeting point, and what to bring

The meeting point is Puerto Colón S.A. at Puerto Colón on Avenida de Colón in Costa Adeje. The boat returns to this same point.

Pickup is offered from the authorized point closest to your hotel. If your hotel does not appear in the pickup choices, you can select the nearest point or add your hotel address in the booking comments to ask if collection is possible. The confirmed pickup point and time are sent through booking messages, so check them carefully.

For the boat, I would pack:

• A towel
• Sun cream
• Swimwear
• A change of clothes
• Any personal seasickness medication
• Snorkeling gear, if you want to use it

Only some of these are specifically excluded, while the rest are sensible additions for a sea day. The key point is simple: do not assume towels, sun cream, photographs, or snorkeling equipment will be supplied.

The activity is offered in English. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. Public transport is available near the meeting point, but the supplied information does not specify the best route from each hotel or town.

Weather changes can alter the day

This tour requires good weather, and the provider may cancel it if conditions are poor. In that case, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

Weather can also affect the route without canceling the outing. A boat may still sail but stay closer to shore, skip Los Gigantes, or move the swimming stop. That is exactly why you should treat the cliffs as a planned highlight rather than an absolute promise.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations within 24 hours are not accepted and are not refunded. The cutoff uses local Tenerife time.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most

I would choose this outing if you want a full sea day without arranging each part yourself. It suits couples, families, and groups who like the idea of wildlife watching followed by a swim and a meal.

It is also a good fit if your priority is variety. You may see whales or dolphins, view the coast from the water, swim, eat, and hear about Tenerife from the guide. Even if one part is less successful, the day still contains several different activities.

I would be more cautious if you need a guaranteed view of Los Gigantes, dislike group excursions, or want high-end food. I would also think twice if you have a tight schedule, since pickup starts well before noon and the full outing can last much of the day.

The wildlife sightings and friendly crew are the strongest reasons to book. The route flexibility is the main reason to keep expectations in check.

Should you book the Los Gigantes whale and dolphin tour?

Book it if you want a reasonably priced, all-in-one coastal outing from Costa Adeje. The combination of whale and dolphin watching, a swim, cliff views, lunch, drinks, and a guide gives you plenty for the $66.42 fare.

Skip it if reaching Los Gigantes is non-negotiable or if you want a small, quiet boat. The sea may force a different route, and the 135-person maximum means this is a shared excursion rather than an intimate cruise.

My practical advice is to book with flexible expectations, bring your own towel and sun protection, and confirm the pickup message before departure. If you can accept that wildlife and the final route are controlled by nature, this is a useful way to spend a long afternoon on Tenerife’s southwest coast.

FAQ

Where does the boat leave from?

The tour starts at Puerto Colón S.A. at Puerto Colón, Avenida de Colón, 38660 Costa Adeje, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the boat depart?

The boat leaves at 12:00 noon. Hotel pickup takes place from an authorized nearby point between 10:00 and 11:45, depending on your location.

Are whale and dolphin sightings guaranteed?

No. Tenerife is a strong area for cetacean sightings, but wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes rice with vegetables, coleslaw, a chicken thigh, meatballs in tomato sauce, bread, and a banana. Water and soft drinks are included, along with wine and beer during lunch.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. You can swim during the stop, but snorkeling equipment is not included. You may bring your own equipment.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered another date or a full refund if the activity is canceled because of poor weather. You can also receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.