Whale and Dolphin Watching Catamaran with Transfer and Buffet

Pilot whales are the star of this three-hour cruise, and they often come surprisingly close to the boat. You may also see dolphins, sea turtles, and other wildlife, but sightings are never guaranteed. The crew searches known feeding areas rather than simply taking you for a scenic sail.

I like the small maximum group of 24, which gives you more room and makes it easier to see what is happening on the water. I also like the generous food and drink service, with tapas, soft drinks, beer, and sparkling wine included. The main drawback is that the swimming stop can be modest, and you may see whales without seeing dolphins.

Key points to know before you book

• Pilot whales are the most likely headline sighting: Several trips have close views of these calm, powerful animals.
• The boat carries no more than 24 people: This feels far more personal than a large sightseeing vessel.
• Hotel pickup covers southern Tenerife: Transfers are available from selected resorts, but not from Puerto de la Cruz or the north.
• Lunch and drinks are part of the deal: Expect cold tapas, snacks, water, soft drinks, beer, and champagne or sparkling wine.
• Swimming and snorkeling follow the wildlife search: Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and sunglasses.
• The catamaran has shade and a restroom: It is comfortable, but it is not wheelchair accessible.

Why pilot whales make this Tenerife cruise special

Tenerife’s south coast is one of the better places in the Canary Islands for seeing marine life, and this cruise makes that the main event. The boat heads away from Puerto Colón and spends most of its time looking for cetaceans, rather than rushing through a set list of coastal stops.

Pilot whales are the animal you are most likely to see. They are large, dark whales that often travel in groups, and several sailings have found them close enough for clear photographs. You might see a whale surface beside the catamaran, then disappear before you have quite worked out where to point your phone. That uncertainty is part of the fun, though it can test your camera skills.

Dolphins are also possible. One unusually fortunate outing found hundreds of active dolphins, while other trips saw none. The right attitude is to treat dolphins as a bonus, not as a promise. The same applies to sea turtles and other wildlife mentioned as possible sightings.

The crew knows where sightings are common and keeps watch while the boat moves through the area. You are not left to scan the horizon alone. The guides explain what you are seeing and help point out animals that might otherwise vanish into the water.

The whale watching is wildlife observation, not a guaranteed performance. There are no trained animals, feeding displays, or fixed viewing times. If you want a natural encounter and can accept some uncertainty, this is the right kind of boat trip.

Puerto Colón to open water

The meeting point is Monte Cristo Catamaran at Puerto Colón, in Playa de las Américas and Costa Adeje. If you stay nearby, you can make your own way to the harbor. Hotel pickup is available on request from Golf del Sur, Los Cristianos, Las Américas, Adeje, Playa Paraíso, Callao Salvaje, and Alcalá.

Pickup time can be anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour before sailing. Confirm the exact time after booking, and request the transfer at least 24 hours before departure. There is no hotel pickup from Puerto de la Cruz or other northern parts of Tenerife.

The transfer is useful if you are staying in one of the covered resorts. It removes the need to find parking or navigate the harbor. One practical point: pickup times can be early enough that you may wait at the marina before boarding, so do not schedule another tight activity immediately afterward.

At the harbor, you board the catamaran and receive a safety briefing. Life jackets are available for everyone. Some sailings ask you to remove your shoes, so wear footwear that is easy to take off and leave your expensive shoes at the hotel.

The boat is built for comfort, with seating at the front, shaded areas, a flybridge, and an indoor sofa. The catamaran is more stable than many smaller boats, although it still moves with the sea. A restroom is available onboard.

Three hours with whales, dolphins, and a camera

The first major part of the trip is the search for wildlife. The crew takes the boat toward areas where pilot whales and dolphins are commonly found. You can sit at the front, use the upper seating area, or find a shaded place if the sun becomes too strong.

Bring your phone, but protect it. A neck strap or waterproof holder is a smart precaution, especially when you are leaning over the side to take photographs. Whales surface quickly, and the best picture is often the one you take after putting the phone down for a moment and simply watching.

The crew’s role matters here. A good guide helps you understand animal behavior, keeps the group calm when something appears, and explains what you are seeing without turning the encounter into a noisy show. Crew members named Michael, Andre, and Edmond have been praised for being attentive and friendly on particular sailings.

The trip is conducted in English. The staff also handle the practical side of the outing, offering drinks, explaining the route, and helping people settle in. Families can take part, and children must be accompanied by an adult.

The wildlife portion is not a race. Some days produce repeated pilot whale sightings. Other days may offer only brief glimpses. The tour information is clear that animals are seen often, but no sighting can be guaranteed.

Tapas, drinks, and the swimming stop

Food and drinks are served during much of the cruise, which makes the three-hour schedule feel relaxed rather than like a nonstop lookout duty. The buffet includes cold Spanish-style items such as tortilla, olives, tomatoes, cheese, bread, quiche, crisps, canapés, and a meat selection.

Vegetarian food is available if you request it when booking. If you do not eat meat, make that request ahead of time rather than relying on the general buffet. One useful improvement would be a wider vegetarian choice, but there should be enough suitable food if the operator has advance notice.

Drinks include water, soft drinks, beer, and champagne or sparkling wine. The crew regularly offers refills, and several trips have included a celebratory toast or shots near the end. This is not a formal meal, but it is more substantial than a packet of snacks. Think cold tapas and a light lunch, not a restaurant service.

After the wildlife search, the captain anchors near the south coast for swimming and snorkeling. Equipment is provided. You can get into the sea, swim near the boat, or stay onboard and enjoy the view.

This stop is pleasant, but keep your expectations sensible. It is not a full snorkeling excursion to a protected reef. The water may show ordinary local fish, and the anchorage can be near a beach rather than a special underwater site. One outing found the snorkeling less impressive than the whale watching. The real prize is the wildlife search, with swimming as a refreshing extra.

If you want to swim, wear your swimsuit under your clothes. Bring a towel, sunglasses, and sunscreen. The boat has seating and shade, but you may find limited space for lying flat in full sun. There are plenty of places to sit, though, and the catamaran offers a comfortable base while others take a swim.

The return sail along Tenerife’s south coast

Once swimming and lunch are finished, the boat returns toward Puerto Colón. This final stretch gives you time to relax and look back at Tenerife’s southern coast from the water.

You will see beaches, mountain slopes, and the coastline around the resort area. The view is different from what you get on land because the resort buildings recede and the island’s steep volcanic shape becomes easier to appreciate.

This is also when the trip becomes less structured. You can finish your drink, talk with the crew, take photographs, or simply sit in the shade. The boat returns to the same meeting point, and hotel transfers can take you back to the covered pickup areas.

Allow extra time after the stated three hours if you have a dinner reservation or airport transfer. The sailing itself is approximately three hours, and hotel drop-off adds road time.

How good is the value at $71.35?

At $71.35 per person, this is a solid package if you use the included parts. You are paying for a three-hour catamaran, wildlife searching, crew service, food, drinks, swimming equipment, and possibly hotel transportation.

The value is strongest for visitors staying in southern Tenerife who would otherwise need to arrange a taxi or rental car to Puerto Colón. The included drinks also matter. On a warm afternoon, water and soft drinks alone can add up, while beer and sparkling wine make the outing feel more festive.

The smaller group helps justify the price. With a maximum of 24 people, you are less likely to spend the entire trip looking over a crowd or competing for a place along the rail. It is still a shared boat, not a private charter, but it should feel more personal than a large excursion vessel.

The food is a bonus rather than the reason to book. It is a cold buffet of simple items, with tasty tortilla, olives, cheese, bread, and similar snacks. If you expect a hot gourmet lunch, you will be disappointed. If you want an easy meal while watching whales, it does the job well.

The price is less attractive if you are staying far from the south, do not drink alcohol, or mainly want serious snorkeling. In that case, the wildlife component must be enough to carry the experience.

Seasickness, comfort, and who should take this trip

A catamaran is a stable choice, but no boat is motionless. If you are prone to seasickness, take your usual remedy before boarding. Ginger tablets or Dramamine are specifically suggested, and sitting toward the middle of the boat may help, though that advice is general rather than a guarantee.

Most people can participate, and life jackets are available. Children are welcome with an adult. The catamaran has a restroom, shaded seating, a flybridge, and an indoor sofa, so you have options if you need a break from the sun.

The boat is not wheelchair accessible. Anyone with limited mobility should confirm that boarding and moving around the vessel are suitable before booking.

I would choose this trip for:

• Couples who want a relaxed half-day on the water
• Families who prefer a smaller boat
• Visitors who want wildlife, food, and swimming in one outing
• Anyone staying in southern Tenerife who values hotel pickup
• People who prefer a calm catamaran to a crowded party boat

I would think twice if your priority is guaranteed dolphin viewing, a long snorkeling session, or a large sunbathing deck. Wildlife is unpredictable, and the swimming stop is a pleasant add-on rather than the main attraction.

Booking details and cancellation

Confirmation is provided at booking, and mobile tickets are accepted. Ask for hotel pickup at least 24 hours before sailing, then check the confirmed collection time because the pickup window can vary.

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. Poor weather or failure to reach the minimum number of participants can lead to a different date, another experience, or a full refund.

The tour normally carries no more than 24 people. That limit is worth checking at booking if a quiet boat atmosphere matters to you.

Should you book the Monte Cristo Catamaran?

Book it if you want a well-rounded Tenerife sea outing rather than a narrowly focused research trip. The strongest parts are the close pilot whale sightings, the friendly hands-on crew, the smaller group, and the fact that lunch, drinks, and swimming are built into the afternoon.

Go in with the right expectations. Dolphins may not appear, the snorkeling may be ordinary, and the food is light cold tapas. But at $71.35, the combination is hard to fault when the boat finds a pod of pilot whales near the bow.

For the best chance of enjoying it, request the transfer early, bring swimwear and sun protection, prepare for some boat movement, and keep your camera ready without staring at it the entire time. I would book this for an easy, social day on the water, especially if you are staying in the south and want wildlife watching without paying for a private charter.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran leave from?

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

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is available on request from hotels in Golf del Sur, Los Cristianos, Las Américas, Adeje, Playa Paraíso, Callao Salvaje, and Alcalá.

Is pickup available from Puerto de la Cruz?

No. Hotel pickup is available in southern Tenerife only. If you stay in Puerto de la Cruz or outside the pickup area, you need to make your own way to Puerto Colón.

How long is the cruise?

The experience lasts approximately three hours, including the wildlife search, food and drinks, swimming stop, and return sail.

How many people can join the boat?

The maximum group size is 24 people.

What animals might I see?

You may see pilot whales, dolphins, sea turtles, and other surrounding wildlife. Sightings are common, but they are not guaranteed.

Is food included?

Yes. The food includes a cold buffet and snacks such as tortilla, cheese, quiche, bread, crisps, olives, tomatoes, canapés, and a meat selection. Vegetarian food is available if requested in advance.

What drinks are included?

Included drinks include water, soft drinks, beer, and champagne or sparkling wine.

Can I swim or snorkel?

Yes. The captain stops at a swimming area, and snorkeling equipment is provided.

Is the catamaran wheelchair accessible?

No. The catamaran is not wheelchair accessible.