Whale Watching Catamaran to Los Gigantes & Masca (Including drinks & warm lunch)

The best part of this Tenerife catamaran trip is the combination of wildlife and scenery. You sail from Puerto Colón toward the towering cliffs of Los Gigantes and Masca, watching for the resident pilot whales and dolphins that live off Tenerife’s southwest coast. The boat carries up to 160 people, so this is a proper excursion rather than a quiet sailing trip.

I like the warm lunch and included drinks, which make the 4.5-hour outing easier to enjoy, and I like the chance to swim in a sheltered cove beneath the cliffs. The main drawback is the large boat and occasional rough water. Some people get seasick, and the wildlife sightings and commentary can be brief.

Key points at a glance

• Pilot whales and dolphins: The crew searches for wildlife on the way to Los Gigantes and Masca, with sightings possible but never guaranteed.
• Warm food on board: Lunch includes chicken meatballs, vegetable rice, bread, and a banana. It is practical rather than gourmet.
• Drinks included: Bottled water, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages are available, though drink portions may be small and choices limited.
• Swimming stop: You may get time for a swim in the Atlantic near a scenic cove, weather and sea conditions permitting.
• Large catamaran setting: There are decks for sitting and sunbathing, but the tour can feel busy, especially when all spaces are occupied.
• South Tenerife pickup: Selected hotels can arrange pickup, but hotels near the port may need to send you directly to Puerto Colón.

Sailing from Puerto Colón at 1:15 p.m.

The trip begins at Av. de Colón, 11, in Puerto Colón, Costa Adeje. The scheduled departure is 1:15 p.m., with departures offered almost every day of the year except January 1.

That afternoon timing works well if you want a slower morning. It also gives you warm daylight for the cliffs and the return along the coast. If you are visiting in a cooler month, the afternoon can be more comfortable than an early departure, but bring a light jacket or windproof layer. Even on a pleasant day in Costa Adeje, the breeze at sea can feel sharp.

Pickup is offered from set hotels in the south of Tenerife. Do not assume the vehicle will stop at your hotel door. The operator sends the exact pickup point and instructions after booking, and hotels close to the port may be asked to go directly to the meeting point. Leave a mobile number with country code and a working email so those instructions reach you.

A small but important detail: three large catamarans operate this excursion, and you cannot choose which one you will board. The boat shown in promotional material may not be your boat on the day.

What the large catamaran feels like on the water

This is a spacious, organized boat trip, not an intimate sailing experience. The maximum group size is 160, although the number on board can vary. Expect open decks, places to sit, and areas where you can stretch out while the coast passes by.

The size has two benefits. You get more room than on a small rigid boat, and the crew is set up to serve lunch and drinks to a sizable group. It can also feel less personal. If you want quiet conversation with a naturalist or a captain who can stop wherever you ask, this is not that sort of outing.

The front sunbeds cost extra and are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. They are not part of the advertised package, so do not budget on having a premium lounging spot. You can still use the regular seating and deck areas without paying for a sunbed.

The boat may move smoothly on a calm day, but open water is unpredictable. Several people can become seasick even when the boat does not seem to be moving dramatically. If you are prone to motion sickness, sit toward the back, keep your eyes on the horizon, and avoid eating a heavy meal before boarding. The crew has advised sick passengers to move toward the rear, where movement may feel easier and where the experience is less uncomfortable for everyone nearby.

Searching for pilot whales and dolphins

The wildlife portion begins as the catamaran leaves Costa Adeje and heads west. The waters off Tenerife are known for regular sightings of pilot whales and dolphins, and the crew watches for animals while explaining where they live, what they eat, and how they migrate.

Pilot whales are the most characteristic sighting on this route. They are not the enormous whales you might picture from a dedicated whale expedition. You may see dark backs and fins surfacing in groups, sometimes close enough for a good view, sometimes only briefly. Dolphins can be more active, but sightings vary from a few animals to larger groups.

Keep your expectations sensible. This is a wildlife search combined with a coastal cruise. The boat cannot promise a particular species, a close approach, or a long viewing session. Some departures have produced memorable sightings of pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins. Others have seen only a few dolphins or a small group of whales.

The quality of the commentary may also vary with the boat, the crowd, and the languages being used. The excursion is offered in English and Spanish. Some departures provide clear, useful explanations, while others may give only short information once animals have been spotted. If marine biology is your main reason for booking, you may find the interpretation lighter than expected.

I would bring a phone or camera, but keep it ready rather than watching the whole trip through a screen. Wildlife appears without warning, and the best moment may last only a few seconds.

The approach to Los Gigantes and Masca

The boat continues along Tenerife’s southwest coast toward the cliffs of Los Gigantes. These dark volcanic walls rise dramatically from the sea and are the visual centerpiece of the journey. Seeing them from the water gives you a different angle from the roads and viewpoints above.

The coast near Barranco de Masca is especially impressive as the catamaran turns back toward Costa Adeje. The cliffs, sea, and steep ravines create the kind of view that makes the boat ride worthwhile even if the animals remain elusive.

The trip is described as a route to Los Gigantes and Masca, not a shore excursion. You do not get off to hike through Masca or explore the village. Your experience here is from the sea, with the cliffs providing a long scenic backdrop.

This is also where the boat can feel crowded. Everyone wants a clear view, and the best positions fill quickly. Move around carefully, but do not expect every passenger to have an unobstructed front-row view throughout the cruise.

Lunch, snacks, and the included bar

Lunch is served warm and includes chicken meatballs, vegetable rice, bread, and a banana. Some people may describe the rice and meatballs as a simple paella-style meal, but you should not expect a restaurant lunch or a choice of dishes.

The food is useful because the excursion lasts four and a half hours and includes time on open water. It is filling enough for many people, but the quality is the least consistent part of the package. If you are fussy about food, vegetarian, or feeding young children, bring a small backup snack. The supplied details do not list alternative meal choices.

Bottled water, soda, and alcoholic beverages are included. That adds real value compared with a boat trip where every drink costs extra, especially if you plan to spend the afternoon in the sun. Still, the bar is not a full drinks menu. Beer and soft drinks are the main practical choices, and drinks may be served in small plastic cups.

There is also mention of ice cream at an extra cost. Bring a card or some cash if you want one, but do not confuse it with the included refreshments.

Swimming below the cliffs

When sea conditions permit, the catamaran may stop at a beautiful cove for swimming. This can be the most relaxed part of the outing. After the wildlife search and the coastal views, a short swim gives you a chance to cool off and enjoy the Atlantic from the boat rather than from a beach.

Swimming is not the central promise of the trip, so conditions matter. The crew may skip it if the water or weather is unsuitable. Bring swimwear under your clothes, along with a towel and a cover-up. You should also protect your phone from spray if you plan to take pictures near the rail.

The swimming stop can feel brief if you want a full beach afternoon. Think of it as a pleasant bonus attached to the whale and dolphin cruise, not as a dedicated swimming tour.

Cost and what the $72.08 price buys

At $72.08 per person, the tour sits in the middle range for a half-day boat excursion. The price includes the catamaran ride, wildlife search, coastal sightseeing, warm lunch, water, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages. Selected hotel pickup may also be arranged.

That package makes the fare reasonable if you value convenience. You do not need to organize transport to the port, find lunch, or pay separately for every beer or soda. The value is strongest when you see whales or dolphins, enjoy the cliffs, and use the swimming stop.

The value is weaker if you want a small group, a premium meal, or a serious marine-wildlife lecture. You are paying for a broad, easy-to-book excursion with several activities bundled together. The boat may be full, the drinks basic, and the lunch plain.

The paid sunbeds also affect the calculation. Standard deck space is part of the trip, but the most desirable front loungers cost extra and are first come, first served. I would not add that fee unless lying at the very front is important to you.

Who should book this catamaran trip

I would recommend this tour to you if you want several Tenerife highlights in one afternoon:

• You want a good chance of seeing pilot whales or dolphins without booking a specialist expedition.
• You enjoy viewing the Los Gigantes cliffs from the water.
• You like the convenience of lunch and drinks included.
• You are happy on a large, social catamaran.
• You want the option of a swim but do not need a full day at sea.
• You are staying in the south of Tenerife and can use the set pickup system.

Families can find plenty to enjoy here, especially if children are excited by dolphins and boats. The long duration, possible waves, and limited food choice mean you should prepare carefully for younger children.

I would choose a different type of boat trip if you dislike crowds, need quiet wildlife viewing, or get badly seasick. The open Atlantic is not forgiving, and one departure had a particularly difficult ride in strong swell. The operator requires good weather and may offer another date or a full refund if conditions force cancellation, but ordinary movement at sea is part of the experience.

Practical details before you reserve

The tour lasts approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes and ends back at the Puerto Colón meeting point. It is offered in English and Spanish, and confirmation is received at booking.

Wear layers rather than a single heavy jacket. The sun may be warm on deck, while the wind can be cool once the catamaran is moving. Add sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat secured against the breeze, swimwear, and a towel.

Arrive with enough time to locate the correct gate. Your booking confirmation provides the gate number, but pickup instructions may be sent separately. Check your messages before leaving your hotel.

The operator accepts bookings up to the departure date when space remains, but this outing is usually reserved about 17 days ahead. If your holiday dates are fixed, booking early is sensible, especially during busy periods.

Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations made later are not refunded. If bad weather cancels the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this catamaran if you want a straightforward afternoon on Tenerife’s southwest coast, with a fair chance of pilot whales and dolphins, fine views of Los Gigantes, lunch, drinks, and a possible swim. The crew is generally praised for being friendly and professional, and the captain’s handling of the boat has impressed passengers on difficult maneuvers.

Go in knowing what you are buying. This is a large-group excursion, not a private wildlife cruise. The lunch is simple, the free drinks are limited, front sunbeds cost extra, and sightings cannot be guaranteed. For a first whale-watching trip from Costa Adeje, the mix of wildlife, cliffs, food, and swimming makes sense. For a quieter and more specialized experience, look for a smaller boat.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching catamaran depart?

The tour departs from Av. de Colón, 11, Puerto Colón, Costa Adeje, Tenerife. The exact gate number is confirmed with your booking information.

What time does the tour leave?

The scheduled departure is 1:15 p.m. Daily departures are offered except on January 1.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is available from selected hotels in the south of Tenerife. Hotels close to the port may need to send you directly to Puerto Colón, and pickup is not offered outside south Tenerife.

What food and drinks are included?

Lunch includes chicken meatballs, vegetable rice, bread, and a banana. Bottled water, soda, and alcoholic beverages are also included. Ice cream and front sunbeds cost extra.

Can I swim during the excursion?

The tour may include a swimming stop at a scenic cove, depending on weather and sea conditions. Swimming is not guaranteed on every departure.

What happens if the weather cancels the tour?

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