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

The best part of this outing is the mix of wildlife watching and sea time. You sail from Puerto Colón toward the cliffs of Los Gigantes, looking for whales and dolphins with help from the crew, then anchor for a swim in clear water. It is more than a short wildlife cruise, but it is not a private, quiet charter either.

I like two things here. First, the crew keeps the focus on cetaceans and marine life rather than treating the boat as a simple sightseeing shuttle. Second, lunch, soft drinks, water, wine, and beer are included, which makes the $66.42 price easier to justify. The main caution is that the route depends on weather and sea conditions. Los Gigantes and Masca Bay may not be reached on every departure.

Key points

• Pilot whales and dolphins: Tenerife is a strong place for sightings, but no wild-animal encounter is guaranteed.
• Wooden boat setting: The Shogun gives the trip a traditional boat feel, with room for up to 135 people.
• Los Gigantes swim stop: The planned anchor point is beside cliffs rising about 600 meters above the sea.
• Lunch on board: Expect rice with vegetables, coleslaw, chicken thigh, meatballs in tomato sauce, bread, and banana.
• Drinks included: Water and soft drinks are available throughout, with wine and beer served at lunch.
• Route flexibility matters: Poor conditions can shorten or alter the journey, so book this for the overall day at sea, not one fixed viewpoint.

Setting Out From Puerto Colón at Noon

This trip begins at Puerto Colón in Costa Adeje, with the boat scheduled to leave at 12:00 p.m. Hotel pickup is offered from an authorized point near your accommodation, usually between 10:00 and 11:45. The exact pickup point and time are sent after booking, so keep an eye on your messages.

That wide pickup window is useful, but it also means this is not a quick morning activity. From pickup to return, allow roughly five to nine hours. The sailing itself is listed as about four hours, split between the outward run, the stop, and the return. Add transport, boarding, and possible waiting time, and this outing takes up a good part of your day.

You return to the same port. If you are staying around Costa Adeje and want a single organized outing with transport included, the arrangement is convenient. If you prefer to control every minute of your holiday, the long pickup window and variable return time may feel less tidy.

Watching for Whales and Dolphins off Tenerife

The boat heads from Puerto Colón toward the southwest coast and the Los Gigantes area. This is the main wildlife portion of the trip, with the crew scanning the water and explaining what you are seeing. The guide speaks English, and the professional crew stays with you on board rather than leaving you to identify animals alone.

Pilot whales and dolphins have been seen on this route. One account also describes seeing a family of whales and dolphins, which gives you a fair idea of the sort of encounter that can occur. Still, these are free animals, not a scheduled show. You may see them quickly, at a distance, or not at all.

That uncertainty is important. Tenerife has a strong reputation for whale and dolphin watching, but the tour does not promise a sighting. I would book it if you enjoy the possibility of wildlife, not if seeing a whale is the one result that must happen for the day to feel worthwhile.

The boat is the Shogun, a wooden vessel with a maximum capacity of 135 people. That is a sizable group, so do not expect a private yacht atmosphere. The benefit is a more social, full-service excursion. The drawback is that busy boarding, seating, and wildlife viewing can feel less personal than a small boat trip.

The crew’s role matters here. They help locate animals and share details about marine life and Tenerife. That makes the first two hours more useful than simply sitting on deck and hoping something appears. If you want the quietest possible wildlife experience, check the group size before booking. If you are happy with a larger boat and included food, the capacity is a reasonable trade-off.

The Cliffs of Los Gigantes

The planned destination is Los Gigantes, where dark cliffs rise about 600 meters above the sea. Seen from the water, the scale is the point. You are not walking along the cliff tops or visiting a town. You are looking up from the boat while anchored below, which gives the stop a very different feel from a road excursion.

The stop lasts about 40 minutes. That is enough time for a swim and a quick look at the cliffs, but it is not a long beach break. Bring your swimsuit under your clothes if you want to get in without fuss. The water is described as clear, and the scheduled stop gives the day a welcome change after the wildlife search.

There is an important qualification. The planned route may include Masca Bay, but conditions can force the captain to alter course. On one departure, the boat did not reach Los Gigantes or Masca Bay and instead made the swim stop near Los Cristianos. The crew was described as friendly, and whales and dolphins were still seen, but the route did not match the expected plan.

This is not a minor detail. If your main goal is to photograph the Los Gigantes cliffs from the sea, you should accept that safety and sea conditions come first. The operator has stated that poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund when the excursion is canceled, but a route change during a running trip is a separate possibility.

I would think of the cliffs as the intended highlight, not an absolute guarantee. That approach keeps the day enjoyable even if the captain needs to stay closer to the coast.

Lunch With the Boat Anchored

After the swim, lunch is prepared and served on board. The meal includes rice with vegetables, coleslaw, chicken thigh, meatballs in tomato sauce, bread, and a banana. This is a filling, straightforward meal rather than a gourmet seafood lunch.

That suits the setting. After time in the water and several hours at sea, you are likely to value a proper plate of food more than a small snack. Water and soft drinks are available without extra charge, while wine and beer are included during lunch.

The food received mixed treatment in the available feedback. One person found the meal arbitrary, while the same trip was praised for combining swimming and eating beside the cliffs. I would set reasonable expectations: the food is a practical part of an all-day boat outing, not a reason to choose the tour by itself.

If you have dietary needs, the supplied details do not explain whether substitutions are available. Ask before booking rather than assuming the menu can be changed. The meal includes meat, chicken, dairy-free details are not provided, and no special-diet policy is stated.

No towels, sunscreen, or photographs are included. Pack sunscreen and a towel yourself. Snorkeling equipment is also not supplied, though you may bring your own. You can swim during the stop, but this is not presented as a guided snorkeling session.

Returning Along Tenerife’s Southwest Coast

The return to Puerto Colón takes about two hours. This part of the crossing gives you time to look back at the southwest coast and hear more about Tenerife from the guide. After the movement of the wildlife search and the swim, the journey back should feel slower and more relaxed.

The route also gives you another reason to sit outside when possible. The coast is best appreciated from the water, where the cliffs and shoreline form one continuous view. Just remember that seating and sightlines may be affected by the group size, especially on a boat carrying up to 135 people.

The full experience is therefore built around three different moods: searching for animals, stopping for a swim and meal, then cruising back with island commentary. That variety is its strength. You are not spending four hours doing only one thing.

Is the $66.42 Price Good Value?

At $66.42 per person, the price covers the boat trip, wildlife watching, crew and guide, the swim stop, lunch, water, soft drinks, wine, beer, and possible hotel-area pickup. Taken together, that is a fair package for a half-day or longer sea outing.

The value is strongest if you plan to eat lunch on board and would otherwise pay for drinks and transport separately. Families and couples may also appreciate the simple structure: reach the port, join the boat, eat, swim, and return to the same place.

The value is weaker if you want a small group, guaranteed Los Gigantes views, or specialist snorkeling. The boat can carry 135 people, the wildlife is not guaranteed, and the route can change. A private or smaller wildlife trip might offer a quieter setting, but this outing gives you more included services at a lower price.

It is usually booked around 20 days ahead, so do not leave it until the last moment if your dates are fixed. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure. Inside that window, changes and refunds are not accepted, except when the provider cancels because of poor weather or insufficient numbers.

Who Will Enjoy This Boat Trip Most?

I would recommend it to you if you want a broad Tenerife sea experience rather than a single-purpose excursion. It suits couples, families, and groups who like wildlife, swimming, coastal views, and an included meal.

It is also a good fit if you are staying near Costa Adeje and want pickup arranged from an authorized nearby point. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. Public transport is nearby, though the exact arrangement depends on your accommodation and the pickup point assigned after booking.

You may want another option if you need a guaranteed visit to Los Gigantes, a quiet small boat, or a serious snorkeling program. You should also think twice if you dislike open-water travel or need a tightly timed afternoon, since pickup begins well before noon and the return time can vary.

What to Pack and What to Expect

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and any personal medication you need. Pack your own snorkeling gear if you want to use it, since none is provided. A light cover-up is useful after swimming, although the supplied information does not specify changing facilities.

Keep your phone charged, but do not count on included photographs. The crew may provide commentary and wildlife help, but photos are not part of the package.

The activity is offered in English. Confirmation arrives at booking, and the experience requires a minimum number of participants. If that minimum is not met, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Should You Book the Shogun?

Book this trip if you want wildlife, swimming, lunch, and coastal scenery in one day and can accept that nature and weather control the details. The included food and drinks make the price sensible, and the crew adds useful context during the whale and dolphin search.

Book with caution if Los Gigantes itself is your non-negotiable goal. A previous departure had to remain near Costa Adeje and Los Cristianos because sea conditions were unsuitable, even though wildlife was spotted and the crew was well received.

My practical advice is simple: treat Los Gigantes as the planned setting, not a promise. If you can enjoy the wildlife search and boat day even when the route changes, this is a solid-value choice from Puerto Colón.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip start?

It starts at Puerto Colón S.A., Puerto Colón, Costa Adeje, Tenerife.

What time does the boat leave?

The boat leaves at 12:00 p.m. Pickup from an authorized point near your hotel takes place between 10:00 and 11:45.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is offered from the authorized pickup point closest to your hotel, if service is possible in that area.

How long does the experience last?

The total activity takes approximately five to nine hours. The sailing is described as about two hours outward, a 40-minute stop, and about two hours back, plus pickup and other timing.

Are whales and dolphins guaranteed?

No. The crew helps search for cetaceans, but sightings are not guaranteed.

Which animals might I see?

Pilot whales and dolphins have been seen during the trip. The exact sightings vary by departure.

Is Los Gigantes always included?

Los Gigantes is the planned destination, but weather and sea conditions can change the route. A previous trip stopped near Los Cristianos instead.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes rice with vegetables, coleslaw, chicken thigh, meatballs in tomato sauce, bread, and a banana.

Are drinks included?

Water and soft drinks are available, and wine and beer are included during lunch.

Do I need to bring snorkeling equipment?

Snorkeling equipment is not provided. You may bring your own if you want to use it during the swimming stop.

Are towels and sunscreen provided?

No. You need to bring your own towel and sunscreen. Photos are not included either.

How many people can join the boat?

The maximum group size is 135 people.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You are offered a different date or a full refund if the experience is canceled because of poor weather.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.