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

The best part of this Tenerife boat trip is the mix of wildlife watching and a swim beneath the cliffs of Los Gigantes. From Puerto Colón, you search for whales and dolphins with the crew, then stop for lunch and a bath in the sea. It is a full half-day outing, not just a quick whale-spotting cruise.

I like the freshly prepared lunch and the fact that drinks are covered, including wine and beer with the meal. I also like the wooden boat setting and the face-to-face guide, who explains the marine life instead of leaving you to guess what you are seeing.

The main caution is simple: the route is not guaranteed. Poor sea conditions can prevent the boat from reaching Los Gigantes or Masca Bay, and one trip instead stopped near Los Cristianos. Wildlife sightings are also never certain, even though pilot whales and dolphins are often found in these waters.

Key points before you book

• Whale and dolphin watching begins from Puerto Colón, with crew assistance during the search.
• Los Gigantes cliffs rise about 600 metres above sea level, creating the trip’s most dramatic setting.
• Lunch is served on board, with rice, vegetables, coleslaw, chicken thigh, meatballs in tomato sauce, bread, and a banana.
• Water and soft drinks are unlimited, while wine and beer are included during lunch.
• The swim stop may change, depending on weather, sea conditions, and the captain’s route.
• Pickup is offered from an authorised point near your hotel, usually between 10:00 and 11:45 for the noon departure.

From Puerto Colón into Tenerife’s whale country

Your day begins at Puerto Colón in Costa Adeje. The boat leaves at 12:00, but pickup from nearby hotels takes place earlier, usually between 10:00 and 11:45. That wide pickup window matters, so keep an eye on the message sent after booking. You will be told which authorised pickup point to use.

The boat heads west from the marina toward the cliffs of Los Gigantes. The first two hours focus on cetacean watching. The crew helps scan the water and points out whales, dolphins, and other signs of marine life. You also get explanations about the animals and the sea around Tenerife.

This is not a guaranteed wildlife show. The boat does not control where the animals appear, and the experience depends on natural conditions. Still, Tenerife is considered one of the better places for this kind of outing, and the trip has produced sightings of pilot whales and dolphins.

That distinction is important. You may see several animals close to the boat, or you may spend more time searching. I would book this for the chance to see marine life, not for a promise of a particular species or a fixed number of sightings.

The wooden boat called the Shogun is part of the character of the excursion. It gives the outing a traditional feel rather than the sense of a short transfer from one port to another. The maximum group size is 135 people, so this is not a private cruise. If you want quiet and personal space, a large group may feel busy. If you like having a crew, guide, and plenty of other people sharing the excitement of a sighting, the size is more manageable.

Why the whale and dolphin search is worth your time

The wildlife portion gives the day its purpose. A simple coastal cruise can show you Tenerife from the water, but looking for cetaceans adds a reason to keep watching the sea. You are not just passing the southwest coast. You are paying attention to movement, fins, blows, and the guide’s explanations.

I like that the crew stays involved rather than leaving you with a view and no context. The information is delivered face to face on board, which helps you understand what you are seeing and why the boat may change direction or slow down.

The trip has also produced sightings of pilot whales, which are among the animals you might encounter in these waters. Dolphins have been seen too. But keep your expectations sensible. Wildlife watching is a natural activity, not a performance with a set schedule.

Bring patience. The first part lasts about two hours, and the boat then continues toward the coastal stop. If you are travelling with children, explain beforehand that the animals may appear suddenly and briefly. That makes the search feel like part of the fun rather than a disappointment if the sea is quiet for a while.

Los Gigantes and the planned swim stop

The second main part of the route takes you toward Los Gigantes. The cliffs rise roughly 600 metres above sea level, so seeing them from below gives you a very different sense of their height. From a boat, you can look up at the rock walls while remaining close to the water.

The planned stop lasts about 40 minutes. You can swim in clear water, and the stop is described as taking place near Masca Bay. This is the moment when the boat changes from wildlife platform to relaxed swimming base. You can cool off, look back toward the cliffs, and enjoy the setting before lunch.

Snorkeling equipment is not supplied. You can bring your own if you want to use a mask and snorkel, but you should not expect equipment to be waiting on board. Towels are not included either, so pack one. Sun cream is also your responsibility.

The route can change. On one occasion, rough conditions meant the boat did not reach Los Gigantes or Masca Bay and instead made the swimming stop near Los Cristianos. The crew was praised for being pleasant, but the altered route still affected the experience. This is the key practical risk of booking a boat trip built around a specific coastal landmark.

The operator states that poor weather can lead to cancellation, with a different date or a full refund offered. That is different from a route change during the trip. If conditions are safe but unsuitable for the planned journey, the captain may adjust the itinerary instead.

Lunch on the Shogun

After the swim, lunch is served on board. The meal includes rice with vegetables, coleslaw, a chicken thigh, meatballs in tomato sauce, bread, and a banana. It is a solid, filling menu rather than a light snack, which suits a long afternoon on the water.

Water and soft drinks are available without a separate charge. Wine and beer are included during lunch. That adds real value to the fare, especially since the tour can occupy five to nine hours once pickup and return are included.

I would not book this as a food tour. The meal is practical fuel for the day, and one account described it as fairly ordinary. The setting does much of the work. Eating while looking toward the cliffs is the memorable part, even if the menu itself is straightforward.

The food service also means you do not need to organise lunch before boarding. That is useful when staying in Costa Adeje or nearby resorts, where a hotel pickup, boat trip, swim, and meal can fill most of the day in one booking.

If you have strict dietary needs, the supplied details do not explain how alternatives are handled. You should ask before booking rather than assume the standard meal can be changed.

The return along Tenerife’s southwest coast

After the swim and lunch, the boat returns to Puerto Colón. The return leg lasts about two hours, and the guide continues explaining the southwest coast and details about Tenerife.

This part is less eventful than the wildlife search, but it gives you time to enjoy the coastline from a different angle. You may have already seen the cliffs from the swimming stop. Now you can settle into the return journey, finish your drinks, and watch the coast pass by.

The full experience is listed as approximately five to nine hours. The boat itinerary itself covers about four hours, but the total day depends on hotel pickup, waiting time, sea conditions, and the return transfer. Do not schedule a tight evening plan unless you are comfortable with some flexibility.

The activity ends back at Puerto Colón. If you are collected from a hotel, confirm how your return transfer works when your booking is notified. The supplied details clearly describe the pickup service, but the exact return arrangement may depend on the authorised pickup point.

Price, group size, and what you receive

At about $66.42 per person, the price is reasonable if you use most of the package. You get transport pickup in the service area, a wooden boat trip, guided whale and dolphin watching, a coastal journey toward Los Gigantes, a swim stop, lunch, and drinks.

The included beverages make a difference. A separate boat trip can look cheaper until you add lunch, water, and drinks. Here, those basics are already covered. The value is strongest for people who want one organised day rather than separate bookings for wildlife watching, swimming, and food.

The maximum capacity is 135 people. That number tells you what kind of experience to expect. You are joining a large public excursion, not a small yacht charter. You may need to move with the group during boarding, lunch, and the swim stop.

A larger boat can also be useful at sea. It offers a social setting and a professional crew, though the exact comfort level depends on how full the sailing is. If you dislike crowds, check the group size before paying, because the published maximum is substantial.

The listed rating is 4 from three reviews, so treat it as a small sample rather than a firm verdict. The strongest praise centres on seeing pilot whales and dolphins, the swim beneath the cliffs, and the pleasant crew. The main criticism concerns the route change and a meal that felt basic.

Pickup, clothing, and useful packing advice

Wear a swimsuit under your clothes and bring a towel. Towels are not included, and you will want something dry after the water stop.

Pack sun cream, a hat, and any snorkeling gear you want to use. Sun cream and snorkeling equipment are not supplied. Bring a small bag for dry clothing and keep valuable items protected from spray.

Pickup is available from an authorised point close to your hotel. The service is not described as door-to-door for every property, so wait for the confirmed location and time. If your hotel is not listed, you can select the nearest hotel or enter the address in the booking comments to ask if pickup is possible.

The boat leaves at noon from Puerto Colón. Do not treat the pickup window as the departure time. You need to reach the confirmed pickup point between 10:00 and 11:45, depending on your location.

The activity is offered in English. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The meeting point is near public transportation if you prefer to make your own way there.

Who should book this boat trip

I would choose this trip if you want several Tenerife experiences combined into one day. It suits couples, families, and anyone who prefers a planned outing with food and drinks included.

It is especially useful if you are staying near Costa Adeje and do not want to arrange transport to the marina. The hotel pickup removes some of the usual planning, though you must follow the confirmed pickup instructions carefully.

You should think twice if reaching Los Gigantes is the main reason for booking. The cliffs are part of the plan, but weather and sea conditions can alter the route. If missing that destination would ruin the day, choose a trip with a clearer weather backup or a land-based visit to Los Gigantes.

You should also reconsider if you need a quiet, small-group experience. With up to 135 people, this is a shared boat excursion. It offers a social atmosphere and a full set of inclusions, but not privacy.

Should you book the Los Gigantes whale and dolphin trip?

Book it if you value variety. The strongest version of the day gives you wildlife watching, a wooden boat ride, a swim, dramatic cliffs, lunch, and drinks for one price. The sightings of pilot whales and dolphins can be memorable, while the swim and meal keep the outing from depending entirely on wildlife.

Go in with flexible expectations. The animals are wild, and the route can change. Los Gigantes and Masca Bay may be missed in difficult conditions, and the lunch is functional rather than special.

For about $66.42, I think the package offers fair value for a full day at sea, particularly if you use the pickup and included meal. I would book it for the complete coastal experience, not solely for the promise of reaching a particular bay.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip start?

The boat starts at Puerto Colón S.A. in Puerto Colón, Costa Adeje, at Avenida de Colón, 38660 Costa Adeje, Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

What time does the boat leave?

The boat leaves at 12:00 pm.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is offered from an authorised point closest to your hotel. Pickup generally takes place between 10:00 and 11:45.

Where does the activity finish?

The activity finishes back at the meeting point at Puerto Colón.

How long does the experience last?

The total activity takes approximately five to nine hours. The boat itinerary includes about two hours of wildlife watching, a 40-minute stop, and about two hours returning to Puerto Colón.

Are whales and dolphins guaranteed?

No. The crew will help you search for cetaceans, but sightings are not guaranteed.

Is swimming included?

Yes. The boat makes a swimming stop, planned near Masca Bay and the Los Gigantes area when conditions allow.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. You can bring your own snorkeling equipment, but none is supplied.

What food and drinks are included?

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

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.