Watching and Listening Whales visiting Los Gigantes&Masca. Food&drinks included

The best part of this five-hour catamaran trip is the mix of wildlife watching and dramatic coast. You leave Costa Adeje for open water, look for dolphins and pilot whales, then cruise toward the towering Los Gigantes cliffs and Masca Bay. The animals are wild, so sightings are never promised, but recent trips have produced dolphins, pilot whales, and even a turtle.

I like the generous time on the water and the easygoing lunch of rice with chicken and vegetables, Canarian mojo, fruit, and drinks. I also like that the crew includes a skipper and two sailors, with live commentary and a focus on keeping everyone comfortable and safe. The main consideration is the group size, which can reach 74 people, and the food is practical boat fare rather than a memorable restaurant meal.

Key points to know before you book

• Whale and dolphin watching comes first: You spend time searching for marine life in its natural setting before heading west toward the cliffs.
• Los Gigantes and Masca Bay share the spotlight: The cliffs provide the big views, while Masca Bay is the place for swimming, sun, and a break from the boat.
• Lunch and drinks are included: Expect rice with chicken and vegetables, fruit, Canarian mojo, beer, white wine, water, and soft drinks.
• The catamaran can hold up to 74 people: It offers a social day at sea, but the most peaceful seats may go quickly.
• Front beanbags are limited: Only two people can use the beanbag area at the very front, so do not count on securing that spot.
• Snorkeling costs extra: You can have time in the water, but snorkel equipment is not part of the included package.

Setting out from Costa Adeje at 10:30 a.m.

You meet at White Tenerife, Pantalán 8, Marina Puerto Colón in Costa Adeje. The tour starts at 10:30 a.m. and returns to the same marina after about five hours. Pickup and drop-off from your hotel are not included, so you need to make your own way to the port.

That arrangement is simple if you are staying near Costa Adeje or can reach the marina by public transport. The meeting point is near public transportation, but the experience does not provide a transfer service. Give yourself enough time to locate the correct pontoon, especially if you are unfamiliar with Puerto Colón.

The catamaran is run by a skipper and two sailors. A multilingual guide may lead the commentary, which is useful for a mixed international group. Live information is provided on board, though the supplied details do not name individual guides or specify every language available.

The boat can carry up to 74 people. That maximum matters. A larger boat gives you more room than a small excursion vessel, but this is not a private sailing trip. You may find a sociable atmosphere, shared seating, and competition for the most desirable spots.

The front has beanbags, a comfortable place to lie back and watch the sea. Only two people can sit there at one time, so treat that area as a bonus, not part of the booking. If you prefer a quieter ride, arrive ready to choose your seat promptly.

Watching dolphins and pilot whales in open water

The first major activity is looking for dolphins, whales, and other marine life off Tenerife’s south coast. The wording of the trip is important: you are watching animals in their natural habitat, not visiting a display or guaranteed show. That makes the sightings special, but it also means nature sets the schedule.

Pilot whales are among the animals seen on this route. Dolphins have also appeared in good numbers, and one reported outing included a turtle. You might see several groups of animals, or you might spend longer scanning the water before anything appears. Keep your expectations realistic and enjoy the sailing itself as part of the experience.

The crew’s role is central here. They help you watch for movement, explain what you are seeing, and keep the group safe around the animals. The experience is also presented as environmentally conscious, which matters when a tour operates around marine life. Good wildlife watching should leave the animals room to move and should never feel like a chase.

Bring patience. Whales may surface briefly, and dolphins can move quickly across the water. A camera with a zoom lens is more useful than relying only on a phone, but you should also keep your eyes up rather than spending the entire sighting behind a screen. Souvenir photos are available for purchase, but they are not included.

The boat trip itself gives you a different view of Tenerife. From the water, the south coast is less about resort streets and more about volcanic rock, open sea, and steep coastal walls. The return journey includes the feel of the trade winds on deck, an appealing finish after lunch and swimming.

Sailing beneath the Los Gigantes cliffs

After the wildlife search, the catamaran heads toward Los Gigantes. These immense cliffs are one of Tenerife’s strongest coastal sights, rising sharply from the sea and giving the boat a dramatic setting as it passes below them.

The timing works well. You first have the excitement of watching for animals, then the scenery becomes the focus. The cliffs are best appreciated from the water because their scale is difficult to grasp from land. Keep your camera ready, but also look up and away from the lens. The height and dark rock faces are the point.

The boat then continues toward the quiet Bay of Masca. This section is less about covering lots of stops and more about settling into the rhythm of the sea. You can sit on deck, stretch out, listen to the commentary, and wait for the swimming stop.

The route gives you two different views of Tenerife’s coast. Los Gigantes supplies the grand sight, while Masca Bay supplies a calmer pause. That contrast is one reason the five-hour length feels useful rather than padded.

Swimming and sunbathing in Masca Bay

At Masca Bay, the catamaran anchors so you can swim, sunbathe, and spend time in the water. The bay is described as having clear water, and this is the relaxed part of the day. You can cool off, sit on deck, or simply enjoy the cliffs from the boat.

Snorkeling is available as an activity, but equipment is not included. You need to pay separately if you want to use snorkel gear. Coffee and cider are also extra, as are souvenir photos and the hammock option.

Do not assume the stop is a full beach visit. You are staying with the boat and using the water around the anchorage. The supplied information does not promise a shore landing, a beach, or a long guided snorkeling session. Think of it as free time at sea, with swimming and sunbathing at your own pace.

The water stop can be especially welcome after the wildlife watching. Five hours on a boat is a long stretch for some people, so the chance to move around and swim breaks up the ride. If you do not want to get wet, the deck remains the main place to relax.

Paella-style lunch, Canarian mojo, and drinks

Food is included, which improves the value of the trip. The meal is described as rice with chicken and vegetables, with Canarian mojo and fresh fruit. The broader tour description calls it paella, but you should expect a straightforward rice dish prepared for a boat group, not a carefully plated restaurant paella.

Drinks include white wine, beer, water, and soft drinks. That covers the basics for a half-day at sea. The minimum drinking age is 18, and children must be accompanied by an adult. Coffee and cider are not included and can be purchased separately.

The food feedback is mixed. Some people found lunch good and appreciated the steady supply of drinks and fruit. Others were disappointed because the meal did not match their idea of paella or was not to their taste. I would book this for the wildlife, coast, and swimming, with lunch as a useful extra rather than the main reason to go.

A vegetarian option is available if you request it at the time of booking. This is worth arranging in advance rather than assuming the standard rice dish will meet your needs. The supplied information does not list the exact vegetarian ingredients.

What the group size means on board

A maximum of 74 people makes this a shared excursion rather than an intimate sailing. That can work well if you enjoy a lively boat and want the cost kept moderate. At $68.61 per person, the price includes five hours, the crew, commentary, lunch, fruit, and several drinks, which is solid value for a full half-day at sea.

The tradeoff is personal space. The front beanbags are limited to two people, and popular seating may fill quickly. You can still expect time on the deck and access to the shared areas, but you should not picture an empty catamaran with a private lookout.

The crew has received strong praise for friendly service, attentiveness, and safety. That is important on a trip with swimming, food service, and wildlife watching. A cheerful crew can make a busy boat feel easier to manage, especially when the sea conditions change.

The tour has a 4.9 rating from 193 reviews, with 98 percent recommending it. Those numbers suggest a reliable experience, but they do not remove the normal uncertainties of a marine excursion. Wildlife sightings, weather, seating, and food preferences will shape your day.

Weather, comfort, and practical planning

The tour operates in all weather conditions, so dress for a day outdoors. Tenerife’s sun can feel strong on the water, while wind can make the ride cooler than expected. Bring sun protection and a light layer. The experience does not provide hotel pickup, so plan your journey to Puerto Colón before the morning start.

Most people can take part, but you should be comfortable spending several hours on a catamaran and using a boat-based swimming stop. Children need an accompanying adult. The supplied information does not provide specific details about wheelchair access or other mobility arrangements, so ask the operator before booking if that is relevant to you.

A mobile ticket is accepted, and confirmation is sent at booking. The activity returns to the starting marina, which makes it easy to plan the rest of your day in Costa Adeje. Still, allow some flexibility after the tour rather than scheduling something that requires an exact return time.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded. The tour also needs a minimum number of participants, so it can be canceled after confirmation if too few people book. In that case, you are offered another option or a full refund.

Who will enjoy this catamaran trip most?

I would choose this tour if you want several Tenerife highlights in one outing: marine life, Los Gigantes, Masca Bay, a swim, and lunch. It suits couples, families with older children, and anyone who prefers a guided half-day rather than arranging boat transport and food separately.

It is also a good match if you care more about the overall day than luxury details. The crew, scenery, and chance to see whales or dolphins are the main attractions. The included meal and drinks keep extra costs under control, although you should budget for snorkel equipment if you want it.

I would hesitate if you need a quiet, private boat or expect gourmet food. The group may be large, the front beanbags are scarce, and the lunch is simple. I would also avoid booking solely on the promise of whales. The animals are free in the sea, and no responsible operator can guarantee a sighting.

Should you book this Tenerife boat trip?

Book it if you want a well-priced day on the water with strong odds of seeing marine life, excellent views of Los Gigantes, and a proper stop for swimming at Masca Bay. The five-hour format gives you enough time to enjoy the coast without committing to a full-day cruise.

The best value comes from the combination of included food, drinks, commentary, crew support, and the return to Costa Adeje. Go in expecting a shared catamaran, a basic rice lunch, and nature on its own schedule. With those expectations, this is an easy and worthwhile way to see Tenerife from the sea.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts and ends at White Tenerife, Pantalán 8, Marina Puerto Colón, 38660 Costa Adeje, Tenerife. The tour does not include hotel pickup or drop-off.

What time does the catamaran leave?

The start time is 10:30 a.m. The experience lasts approximately five hours.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. The included food is rice with chicken and vegetables, fresh fruit, and Canarian mojo. Included drinks are white wine, beer, water, and soft drinks.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. You have free time to swim and snorkel, but snorkel equipment is available for an additional cost.

Can I see whales and dolphins on every trip?

No sighting is guaranteed. The tour searches for whales, dolphins, and other marine life in their natural habitat. Pilot whales, dolphins, and a turtle have been seen on recent outings.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded.