Whale Safari to Los Gigantes with pickup from North

The best part of this outing is the setting: you sail from Puerto Colón toward the towering cliffs of Los Gigantes, with a chance to spot whales and dolphins in open water. I like the included pickup from Puerto de la Cruz and the stop at Masca Bay, where you can jump straight from the boat into the sea.

I also like that lunch, soft drinks, water, and some wine and beer are included, which keeps the price of $74.71 reasonable for a long day on the water. The main caution is that this is not a quiet, specialist wildlife trip. Music can be loud, whale watching time is limited, and the Shogun usually travels under motor power rather than sail.

Key points to know before booking

• A long sea day from the north: Pickup from Puerto de la Cruz is included, but the road transfer to Puerto Colón adds substantial time.
• Whale and dolphin sightings are not guaranteed: The animals remain wild, and the operator says legal observation time may be limited to about 30 minutes.
• Masca Bay is the practical highlight: You get about 40 minutes to eat lunch and swim from the boat.
• The Shogun is a large traditional-style schooner: It can carry up to 125 people, so expect a shared group atmosphere rather than a small boat outing.
• Lunch and drinks are included: The meal includes rice with vegetables, coleslaw, meatballs in tomato sauce, bread, and a banana.
• Pack for the water: Bring your own towel, sunscreen, and snorkeling gear. None is supplied.

What kind of boat trip is this?

This is a full-day-style outing built around three things: a search for cetaceans, a cruise beside Tenerife’s southwest coast, and a swim stop at Masca Bay. It is not a short wildlife excursion. From pickup to hotel return, allow roughly five to ten hours, depending on the transfer and the day’s timing.

The boat is the Shogun, described as a traditional Arab schooner. That gives the trip a more distinctive look than a plain modern tour boat, but you should set your expectations correctly. The sails are mainly decorative, and the boat normally travels by motor for comfort and practical reasons.

The group can reach 125 people, which matters. You are joining a sizable public cruise, not stepping aboard a quiet research vessel with a handful of passengers. There may be music, announcements, a busy lunch service, and a social atmosphere. One trip can feel like a relaxed family day at sea, while another may feel closer to a party cruise.

That difference is important when you decide what you want. If you enjoy music, swimming, food, and a lively boat, the format may suit you well. If your main goal is several hours of silent wildlife observation, choose a smaller specialist trip instead.

From Puerto de la Cruz to Puerto Colón

Pickup begins around noon, with transport from Puerto de la Cruz included in the ticket. The local transport partner is Barrera Chinea. Its buses are usually red, though other colors may also be used, and the company name is marked on the side.

The guide gets off at each stop to help locate passengers. That is useful because pickup arrangements can be less obvious than a standard hotel lobby departure. Keep an eye out for the operator name and be ready at the stated pickup point.

The drive to Puerto Colón takes you from the north of Tenerife to the resort coast in the southwest. The coach transfer is part of the time commitment, not a minor detail. One account described roughly two and a half hours of total coach travel for the outward and return sections, so this is best treated as a day trip rather than a quick boat ride.

Once you reach Puerto Colón, you board the Shogun. The marina is the launch point for the coastal cruise toward Los Gigantes and Masca Bay.

Searching for whales and dolphins near Los Gigantes

The boat heads west toward Los Gigantes, a dramatic section of Tenerife’s coast known for its tall volcanic cliffs. Seeing these cliffs from the water changes the scale. From shore, you look up at them. From the boat, you watch the rock walls stretch along the coast as part of a much broader seascape.

The wildlife portion takes place during the outward cruise. You may see whales or dolphins, and some outings have reported close sightings. But no responsible operator can promise a particular animal on a particular day. The cetaceans are wild, not displayed on a schedule.

The operator explains that legal observation can last no more than 30 minutes when needed to protect marine life. That is a key point for anyone booking this trip mainly for whales. A large share of the cruise time is spent traveling, enjoying the coast, eating, swimming, and returning to port. The full two-hour outward section is not two hours of nonstop animal watching.

The wildlife search can also be affected by sea conditions, animal movement, and the number of boats in the area. You may see several whales and dolphins, or only a brief sighting. Keep your phone or camera ready, but do not spend the entire ride staring through a screen. You will also want to look at the cliffs and open water around you.

Some outings are described as having good music and a playful crew. That can add energy to a long cruise, especially if you like a social mood. It can also be a drawback if you want quiet while scanning for fins. Music has been described as loud and often in Spanish, so families and couples should decide how much atmosphere they want before booking.

Masca Bay: lunch, swimming, and a short break

After the wildlife search, the boat reaches the Los Gigantes area and anchors in Masca Bay. The scheduled stop is about 40 minutes, combining lunch with time for a swim.

This is one of the most appealing parts of the day because it breaks up the long ride. You can step off the boat into the sea rather than simply looking at the water from the deck. Several accounts describe jumping directly from the ship and enjoying the swim, which gives the stop a simple, memorable quality.

The time is limited, though. Forty minutes is enough for a quick swim and meal, not a leisurely beach afternoon. You remain on the boat, and there is no beach visit built into the schedule.

Lunch is served on board. The stated meal includes:

• Rice with vegetables
• Coleslaw
• Meatballs in tomato sauce
• Bread
• A banana

Water and soft drinks are available throughout the trip. Wine and beer are listed as included during lunch, though the tour details also say alcoholic drinks are not included. Because those two points conflict, I would confirm the current drinks policy before booking if beer or wine matters to your decision.

One account also refers to sangria and low-cost fishbowl cocktails. Do not assume those drinks are included in the ticket. The clearly stated inclusions are water, refreshments, and the listed lunch, with beer and wine described as available during the meal.

Bring a towel. Towels are not supplied, and sunscreen is not included either. Snorkeling equipment is also not provided, so bring your own if you want to look underwater. You can swim without it, of course, but the stop is too short to waste time searching for equipment after you arrive.

There are places to change clothes, but you should still wear swimwear under your clothes if you know you want to swim. That makes the stop easier, especially with a large group and limited time. A bathroom is available, though one past service had a temporary freshwater and toilet-paper problem. The operator described that as a one-off issue that was fixed, but carrying a small packet of tissues is still sensible on any long boat trip.

The return along Tenerife’s southwest coast

After Masca Bay, the Shogun returns toward Puerto Colón near the coast. This section takes about two hours and gives you a second chance to see the cliffs and shoreline from the sea.

The guide provides information about the southwest coast along the way. This narration adds value because the return is not simply dead time after the swim. You can sit back, listen, and watch the coastline change as the boat moves east.

The return trip is also where the length of the outing becomes most noticeable. If the wildlife search is brief, you still have a substantial ride back to the marina, followed by the coach transfer to Puerto de la Cruz. People who enjoy being on the water may find this relaxing. Anyone hoping for a short, action-packed excursion may find it slow.

The time estimates are approximate. The listed cruise sections total close to five hours, while the full outing with pickup and return can take five to ten hours. Sea conditions, boarding, lunch service, and road traffic can all affect the final arrival time. Avoid scheduling an evening activity that requires a precise start.

Is $74.71 a fair price?

At $74.71 per person, the value depends on how you measure the day. You are paying for the return transfer from Puerto de la Cruz, a long cruise, a wildlife search, lunch, refreshments, and a swim stop. If you would otherwise need to arrange transport to Puerto Colón and buy food and drinks separately, the package is fairly convenient.

The included meal is basic rather than special. Think filling buffet-style food, not a restaurant lunch. The value comes from combining food with a long boat ride and transport, not from fine dining.

The group size keeps the price below what you might pay for a private or small-group wildlife charter. It also explains the compromises: more passengers, a busier deck, shared facilities, and a livelier sound system. I would call the price reasonable for a broad all-day outing, but less attractive if you only want a short, quiet whale-watching session.

The boat’s Blue Flag authorization and legal permission to observe cetaceans are reassuring. They do not guarantee sightings, but they indicate that the trip operates under rules intended to limit pressure on marine life.

Who will enjoy the Shogun most?

I would recommend this trip to you if you want several holiday activities in one package. It suits families, couples, and groups of friends who like a mix of scenery, music, lunch, wildlife, and swimming.

Children and adults who enjoy jumping into the sea may especially like Masca Bay. The family-friendly side of the trip comes through in the attention from the crew and the simple structure of the day. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate.

You may not enjoy it as much if you want a small boat, specialist wildlife commentary, or silence. The boat can hold up to 125 passengers, and music may be part of the atmosphere. The wildlife sighting can be short, and the return coach ride adds to the total length.

It is also not ideal if you need guaranteed accessibility details beyond the general statement that most people can participate. The available information does not give specific measurements, boarding arrangements, or facilities for every mobility need. Contact the provider before booking if that matters to you.

Practical packing advice for this cruise

Bring a towel, sunscreen, swimwear, sunglasses, and a light layer for the boat. Add your own snorkeling equipment if you want to use it at Masca Bay.

A waterproof phone pouch is useful around the swim stop, although no photography service is included. You will need to manage your own photos and protect your belongings from spray.

Wear shoes that are secure on a moving deck. Keep your bag compact because a large boat with many passengers gives you less personal space than a small charter.

The pickup begins at 12:00 pm, so do not assume this is an early-morning wildlife outing. Watch for the Barrera Chinea bus, usually red, and check the sides for the company name. The guide helps at pickup points, but you still need to be in the right place at the right time.

Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before departure. Inside that window, changes and refunds are not accepted. The trip also depends on good weather and a minimum number of participants. If the operator cancels for either reason, you can receive a different date or a full refund.

Should you book this whale safari?

Book it if you want a social day at sea that combines Los Gigantes, possible whale and dolphin sightings, lunch, music, and a swim in Masca Bay. The included pickup from Puerto de la Cruz makes it easier for visitors staying in the north, and the food and drinks help support the overall value.

Skip it if your first priority is serious wildlife watching in a quiet setting. The sighting time may be limited, the boat can carry 125 people, and the cruise often runs under motor power. This is best understood as a broad Tenerife boat day with cetacean watching included, not as a dedicated scientific safari.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart?

The boat departs from Puerto Colón after pickup from Puerto de la Cruz.

What time does pickup begin?

The stated start time is 12:00 pm.

How long does the full outing last?

The approximate duration is five to ten hours, including transportation from Puerto de la Cruz, the cruise, and the return transfer.

Is whale or dolphin viewing guaranteed?

No. The animals are wild, so sightings are not guaranteed. The operator also states that legal observation time may be limited to about 30 minutes.

How long is the stop at Masca Bay?

The scheduled stop lasts about 40 minutes and includes time for lunch and swimming.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The stated lunch includes rice with vegetables, coleslaw, meatballs in tomato sauce, bread, and a banana.

Are drinks included?

Water and soft drinks are included throughout the trip. Beer and wine are listed as included during lunch, although another part of the tour information says alcoholic drinks are not included, so confirm this before departure.

Do I need to bring swimming or snorkeling equipment?

Swimming is available at Masca Bay, but towels and snorkeling equipment are not provided. Bring your own towel, sunscreen, and snorkeling gear if needed.