Costa Adeje: Respectful Whale-Watching Sailboat Tour & swim

The best part of this Costa Adeje outing is the boat itself. The Shogun is a Portuguese-style Goleta built entirely from teak, with a broad main deck, an upper viewing deck, a central table, and the feel of an old sea-exploration vessel rather than a standard motorboat. You cruise Tenerife’s west coast looking for pilot whales and dolphins, then stop for a swim.

I like the respectful whale-watching approach, which keeps the focus on observing local animals rather than feeding or chasing them. I also like the roomy layout, free water and soft drinks, and the included meal, all for about $20 per person. The main drawback is the short 2-hour schedule: wildlife sightings depend on sea conditions, and the swim stop may feel rushed if the whales take time to find.

Key points to know before booking

• Pilot whales are the main attraction: The west coast of Tenerife is known for local pilot whale populations, with dolphins also possible.
• The Shogun is part of the experience: This teak Portuguese Goleta offers a more characterful setting than a basic sightseeing boat.
• A swim stop is included: Bring swimwear and a towel, but remember that sea conditions control the schedule.
• Food and drinks are built into the price: Water and soft drinks are free, with a simple meal and beer or wine at lunchtime.
• Puerto Colón is the meeting point: Board at pier 14, next to the petrol station, unless you choose an option with bus transfer.
• The crew speaks four languages: Tours are offered in English, French, German, and Spanish.

Setting Sail from Puerto Colón on the Shogun

Your outing begins at Puerto Colón harbor in Costa Adeje. Look for the Shogun at pier number 14, next to the petrol station. If you select a transfer option, a bus may bring you from certain areas, but hotel pickup and drop-off are not generally included.

Allow time to find the harbor and boarding point. Puerto Colón is an active marina, so having the exact pier number matters. The boat returns to this same place at the end, which keeps the plan simple if you are arranging another activity afterward.

The Shogun is not just transport from one point to another. Its teak construction, tall sailing profile, and open decks give the trip an old-fashioned nautical character. The boat was built for the private use of an Arabian Sheikh, and its design is meant to recall the age of long-distance sailing.

That atmosphere is useful for families and couples who want more than a fast wildlife ride. You can sit around the large central table on the main deck, find a sunny spot, or head upstairs for wider views. Three bathrooms are available, with two below deck and one on the same level as the upper deck.

Why Tenerife’s West Coast Attracts Pilot Whales

The trip follows the southern Tenerife west coast, an area associated with local pilot whale populations. The tour explains why these whales are attracted to this part of the island, giving the wildlife search some useful context instead of treating the animals as scenery.

Pilot whales are the main target, but dolphins may also appear. You should keep expectations sensible. No whale-watching trip can promise a sighting, and the boat’s route depends on sea conditions. The supplied experience details do not promise a particular number of animals or a guaranteed encounter.

That uncertainty is part of the bargain. You are going out to look for wild animals, not visiting an aquarium with a fixed show time. If you see pilot whales, you may watch them moving through the water at a calm pace. One especially memorable possibility is seeing a young whale alongside the group, as happened on one of the reported trips.

The crew plays an important role here. The captain and sailors handle the boat while the guide provides information in English, French, German, or Spanish. The crew has been especially praised for being friendly, attentive, and well informed about the animals.

Two Hours of Wildlife Watching and Open-Sea Views

Once the Shogun leaves the harbor, settle into the boat before trying to claim the perfect viewing place. The main deck gives you access to the central table and bar. The upper deck is the better spot for broad views, though the spacious lower areas offer shade and a place to rest.

The tour description includes dolphin watching, whale watching, a swim, and time spent cruising along the coast. These are all part of one compact 2-hour outing rather than separate long stops. You may spend much of the time moving slowly through the viewing area, so bring patience along with your sunscreen.

I like the fact that you are not confined to one seat. You can shift between the upper deck, the main deck, and the central table as the boat moves. That is helpful if one person in your group wants sun and another prefers to sit more comfortably.

The boat has an onboard bar. Water and soft drinks are free throughout the trip, while alcoholic drinks are available for purchase outside the included lunchtime service. Beer and wine are included at lunchtime, according to the activity details.

Do not expect a full restaurant meal. The food is a simple spread of rice with vegetables, meatballs, cabbage salad, bread, and fruit. That is a useful inclusion on a short boat trip, especially when you do not want to spend more time finding lunch at the marina. It is best understood as practical excursion food, not a reason to choose the trip on its own.

The Swim Stop off Costa Adeje

The swim stop gives the trip a pleasant change of pace. After watching for whales and dolphins, you can get into the water, cool off, and enjoy the setting from sea level. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, a sun hat, and sunscreen.

The timing of the swim is not fixed in the supplied information. Sea conditions can affect the whole outing, including where and when the boat stops. If swimming is the main reason you are booking, treat it as a planned possibility rather than a guarantee of a long, relaxed water session.

That point matters for families and anyone planning around small children. The trip is short, and the wildlife search takes priority. You may get a refreshing swim, but the main purpose remains whale watching.

Fishing, feeding animals, alcohol and drugs, pets, and party groups are not allowed. Assistance dogs are allowed under the stated rules. These limits suit a calm wildlife excursion and help keep attention on the animals instead of turning the boat into a floating party.

What the $20 Price Really Covers

At about $20 per person, this is an unusually low price for a boat excursion that includes a 2-hour cruise, crew, water, soft drinks, and food. Beer and wine are included with lunch, while other alcoholic drinks may cost extra.

The strongest value comes from the combination of boat access and basic onboard service. You are paying for a real sailing vessel, a crew, wildlife viewing, a swim stop, and a meal in one compact package. If you compare it with a simple harbor cruise, the added wildlife search and swimming make the price appealing.

There are limits. The low price does not mean a private charter or a guaranteed close view of whales. You will share the Shogun with other people, and the experience depends on nature and weather. The supplied information does not state the group size, so do not book expecting an intimate, small-group sailing trip.

The 2-hour duration also keeps the cost down, but it limits flexibility. A slow whale search, a swim, lunch, and the return to Puerto Colón all need to fit into the same window. If you want a full-day sailing experience, this is not the right format. If you want a reasonably priced taste of Tenerife from the water, it makes more sense.

The Crew Makes a Noticeable Difference

The captain and sailors are responsible for the boat, but their manner shapes the outing. The crew has been praised for being friendly, attentive, and fun while still giving useful information about the whales. One reported trip included a sighting of a newborn, which shows the kind of special moment that can make a short excursion memorable.

No individual guide names are provided, so I cannot tell you who will lead your departure. What you can count on is live guidance in English, French, German, or Spanish. If your language choice matters, check the available option when booking.

A friendly crew is particularly useful on a wildlife trip. You need someone to point out activity, explain why pilot whales gather along this coast, and keep the mood positive when the animals are not immediately visible. The best approach is to enjoy the sailing and scenery as well as the search.

The crew also helps with the practical side of the trip, including the meal, drinks, boarding, and movement around the boat. You should still follow instructions carefully, especially during the swim stop and in changing sea conditions.

Comfort, Sun, and Practical Boat Details

The Shogun gives you several ways to spend the 2 hours. Sit at the central table, stretch out on the main deck, or use the upper deck for views. The spacious arrangement is one of the most useful features if you do not want to spend the entire trip pressed into a single row of seats.

Sun protection is essential. Tenerife’s south coast can feel bright and warm on the water, even when the breeze is comfortable. Pack a hat, sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. The activity information lists both a sun hat and a hat, but one secure hat is enough if it fits well and will not blow away.

The boat has three bathrooms, which is reassuring on a cruise with food and drinks. Two are below deck and one is at upper-deck level. That arrangement may be easier than having to move through the whole boat, though the additional information gives mixed guidance about accessibility.

The activity is marked as wheelchair accessible in one section, but another note says it is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. That conflict should not be ignored. If you use a wheelchair or have limited mobility, contact the provider before booking and ask about boarding, deck access, bathroom access, and the swim stop.

Bus Transfers and Flexible Booking

Some departure options include a bus transfer from selected areas. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included as a general feature, so you need to check the exact option rather than assume transport is covered.

The central meeting point is easy to state: board the Shogun at Puerto Colón, pier 14, next to the petrol station. The tour ends back there. This is convenient if you are staying near Costa Adeje or already spending time around the marina.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you keep your plans flexible. Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want. The activity lasts 2 hours, but you should add time for getting to the harbor and finding the boat.

The trip is subject to sea conditions. That can affect the route, the whale search, and the swim stop. I would avoid scheduling an important, tightly timed activity immediately afterward.

Who Will Enjoy This Boat Trip Most?

This outing suits you if you want three things in one short activity: wildlife watching, a swim, and a pleasant boat ride. It is a good choice for couples, families, and first-time visitors who want to see Tenerife from the water without giving up most of a day.

It also works well if you care about the character of the vessel. The teak Shogun offers more atmosphere than a plain sightseeing craft, and the upper deck gives you a better sense of sailing along the coast.

You should think twice if you need guaranteed animal sightings, a long swim, a private boat, or a quiet luxury experience. You should also check carefully before booking if you have mobility limitations, since the accessibility information is inconsistent.

The trip is not suitable for party groups, and alcohol is not the focus. That is a plus if you want a calmer wildlife outing, but not if you are looking for a boozy celebration at sea.

Should You Book the Shogun?

I would book this tour if you want good value and understand the trade-off. For around $20, you get a distinctive teak sailboat, a short search for pilot whales and dolphins, a swim stop, drinks, and a simple meal. The friendly crew and strong chance of a memorable wildlife moment add real appeal.

Go in with the right expectations. Pilot whales and dolphins are wild, the sea controls the plan, and 2 hours passes quickly. Choose it for the full combination of sailing, wildlife, food, and swimming, not for a guaranteed close-up whale encounter.

If that sounds right, meet the Shogun at pier 14 in Puerto Colón, bring sun protection and swim gear, and leave room in your schedule for the ocean to set the pace.

FAQ

How long is the Costa Adeje whale-watching tour?

The excursion lasts 2 hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for your chosen date.

Where do I board the Shogun boat?

Board at Puerto Colón harbor, pier number 14, next to the petrol station. The trip ends back at the same meeting point.

What animals might I see?

The main wildlife target is the local population of pilot whales. Dolphins may also be seen along Tenerife’s west coast.

Is food included?

Yes. The meal includes rice with vegetables, meatballs, cabbage salad, bread, and fruit. Water and soft drinks are free throughout the trip, and beer and wine are included at lunchtime.

Can I swim during the excursion?

The tour includes a swim stop, but the timing and stop are subject to sea conditions. Bring swimwear and a towel.

Is the boat wheelchair accessible?

The supplied information is inconsistent. One section describes the activity as wheelchair accessible, while another says it is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. Contact the provider before booking to confirm your specific needs.