There’s a good chance of whales. This Tenerife trip blends whale and dolphin watching from Puerto Colón with a serious coastal backdrop at Los Gigantes, then finishes with a swim break and lunch onboard. It’s a classic day-out formula: look for cetaceans, take a break at the cliffs, and eat well while the sea does what the sea does.

I love the way the crew works the hunt. You’re not just dropped on a boat and told good luck—there’s an expert team actively helping you spot cetaceans and sharing marine-life facts as you go. I also like that lunch isn’t some sad afterthought; it’s a full onboard meal with wine, beer, and soft drinks included during the food stop.

The one consideration is that sightings and the exact route are weather-dependent. Tenerife is one of the world’s best spots for whale watching, but the operator is clear that it’s not guaranteed 100%, and on rougher days the plan can shift.

Key highlights at a glance

• Expert crew for cetacean spotting while you cruise from Puerto Colón
• Los Gigantes cliffs swim stop with a 600-meter-tall viewpoint from the sea
• Lunch onboard with wine and beer, plus unlimited soda/pop and water refreshments
• Wooden boat day trip with a guide and a face-to-face info component
• Bring your own snorkel gear (no snorkeling equipment is provided)

Why Los Gigantes makes this whale tour feel like more than a cruise

This isn’t just another “watch from the deck” outing. The whole day is built around two different kinds of marine moments: first, the open-water search for whales and dolphins; second, a dramatic pause next to the Los Gigantes cliffs.

Los Gigantes is famous for a reason. From the water, those towering walls rise roughly 600 meters above sea level, and that scale changes how you feel about the coast. During the swim time, you’re not floating in some random patch of ocean—you’re taking a break right where the scenery is the main event.

That matters for value. Even if cetaceans are shy, you still get a real stop by one of Tenerife’s most iconic coastlines, plus lunch and drinks onboard. It turns a “maybe we’ll see whales” day into an actual day out.

The timing: a noon departure with a full half-day at sea

The experience runs about 5 to 9 hours, depending on conditions and how long the boat stays in the best areas for sightings and weather.

You’ll start at Puerto Colón S.A (Puerto) in Costa Adeje, with pickup offered between 10:00 and 11:45. The boat leaves at 12:00, and the activity ends back at the meeting point afterward.

This schedule fits well with Tenerife vacation rhythm. You’re not giving up your whole day or trying to squeeze the tour between dinner plans. The midday departure also helps with practical logistics: you’re awake, fueled, and ready for a sea day without the early-morning scramble.

One small but useful thing: the trip uses a mobile ticket, and pickup details come via Viator messages. So check your phone before you head out.

Cetacean watching from Puerto Colón: how the spotting part actually works

Tenerife is well known for whales and dolphins, but this tour keeps expectations grounded: sightings aren’t guaranteed 100%. What you’re really paying for is the process—where you go and how hard the crew looks.

Right after leaving Puerto Colón, the boat heads toward the cliffs of Los Gigantes. During this first section, you spend about two hours in the cetacean-spotting zone. The operator says you’ll be accompanied by an expert crew that helps you find the animals and explains curiosities about marine life along the way.

Here’s what that means for you in plain terms:

• You’ll get guidance, not silence.
• You’re more likely to notice activity because someone is watching for it.
• The educational bits help you understand what you’re seeing, especially if it’s your first whale and dolphin trip.

If you’re chasing bigger chances, this is the right kind of tour. The boat doesn’t just “arrive and hope.” It actively searches in a region Tenerife is known for.

The Los Gigantes swim stop: short, scenic, and worth packing for

Next comes the most photogenic chunk of the day. The boat anchors near Los Gigantes, where the cliffs shoot up about 600 meters from the sea.

You get a 40-minute window for swimming in clear water. That’s not “all afternoon in the sea,” but it’s long enough for a proper rinse-off, a swim, and a quick reset before lunch.

A practical heads-up: snorkeling equipment isn’t provided. If you want to snorkel, bring your own gear. Also, towels aren’t included. So plan to bring what you need to stay comfortable when you climb back on board.

Also remember: sea conditions can affect where you end up. On days when weather isn’t ideal, the route may be adjusted for safety reasons, and the swimming stop might not be exactly where you were expecting. I like tours that are honest about this, because it prevents the get-up-on-the-left-side-of-the-boat disappointment.

Lunch onboard: included food that actually makes the trip easier

Food is one of the sneakiest value checks on tours. This one does it right.

Lunch is prepared onboard and includes:

• Rice with vegetables
• Coleslaw
• Chicken thigh
• Meatballs in tomato sauce
• Bread
• Banana

On top of that, drinks during lunch are included: wine, beer, and unlimited soda/pop, plus access to water and refreshments.

For the price, this is a big deal. You’re not paying extra to eat near the marina, and you’re not stuck with the “tiny snack plus regret” version of a cruise lunch. A midday meal onboard also keeps the tour pace smooth. You’re not leaving the ship to hunt for food and then losing time or missing the best whale window.

One detail worth noting: no photos are included, so if you want a souvenir, plan to bring your own camera/phone and a way to secure it from sea spray.

The boat experience: what a wooden boat day feels like

The trip is described as a wooden boat tour, and one named vessel comes up in customer feedback. The sense you should take from that: this is more of a classic coastal boat day than a huge sightseeing ship experience.

You’re also not just stuck watching the water. There’s a professional crew plus a face-to-face guide onboard, and the guide helps you learn details about the island during the crossing back.

Group size is capped at 135 travelers. That’s large enough you’ll feel the boat’s crowd energy at times, but small enough that you’re not alone in a massive floating city.

If you dislike tight spaces and big tour herds, go earlier in your imagination: bring patience for a busy boat deck. If you’re okay sharing space with other people who also came to see whales, you’ll likely find the day comfortable enough.

When conditions change: the realistic side of whale watching

Whale watching is nature’s version of a choose-your-own-adventure story. Tenerife can be great, but sea and weather can change what’s possible.

This tour explicitly depends on good weather. If conditions aren’t ideal, you could see:

• route adjustments
• less distance traveled in the direction originally planned
• a different swimming stop than the one you had in your head

In one example from feedback, the plan didn’t reach Los Gigantes as expected, and the swimming stop ended up closer to Los Cristianos instead. The operator’s response pointed to weather and safety as the reason.

I think that’s an important mindset for you to bring. If you treat Los Gigantes as the guarantee, you’ll be upset when the sea says no. If you treat the tour as a day at sea with real odds for cetaceans plus a meaningful coastline swim stop, you’ll enjoy it more—because you’re judging the whole experience, not just one perfect postcard moment.

What to bring so you’re comfortable on a sea day

The tour notes are clear about what’s not provided: no towels, no sun cream, and no photos, and snorkeling gear isn’t provided.

So bring the basics that keep a boat day from turning into a misery contest:

• A towel (or something towel-like) for the swim break
• Sun protection (sun cream is not included)
• Swimwear and a change of clothes for after the water stop
• If you plan to snorkel: your own snorkel equipment
• Something for sun and wind on deck (sea breezes can bite)

Also, consider what you’ll do with your phone/camera. Sea spray happens. A simple waterproof phone pouch can save your vacation day from a watery end.

Price and value: what $66.42 gets you on Tenerife’s coast

At about $66.42 per person, this is priced like a serious half-day excursion, and the inclusions make the value clearer.

You’re paying for:

• a wooden boat outing
• navigation toward Los Gigantes
• whale and dolphin watching time with crew assistance
• a swim stop
• lunch onboard plus banana and bread
• wine, beer, and unlimited soda/pop with lunch
• water and refreshments

That combo is hard to beat on cost alone. The drinks and lunch alone would usually push the effective price higher if you tried to replicate the day independently.

And because the company is offering English guidance and a face-to-face info element, you’re getting more than just transport. You’re getting interpretation of what you’re seeing, which helps you actually enjoy the spotting time instead of staring at the horizon like a confused lighthouse keeper.

Who this tour suits best (and who should pass)

This is a great match if you want:

• a midday half-day style whale watching option
• real onboard time for cetaceans, not a quick photo stop
• Los Gigantes as a key part of the day
• lunch and drinks included so you don’t have to plan meals

It may not be the best choice if:

• you need a guaranteed Los Gigantes swim stop regardless of conditions
• you’re very sensitive to route changes when seas are rough
• you expect snorkeling equipment provided on board

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The tour is also near public transportation, which is handy if you’re not using private transfers.

Should you book this Tenerife whales and dolphins tour?

I’d book it if your ideal day is: boat ride, active crew searching for cetaceans, plus a coast-and-cliff swim stop with a solid onboard lunch. The combination of spotting support and included food/drinks makes the price feel fair, especially for a vacation day.

I’d think twice if your happiness depends entirely on reaching Los Gigantes exactly as pictured. Since weather can change the route, treat this as a day at sea with odds for whales and a strong scenic component—rather than a promise of one specific viewing spot.

If you want a practical rule: book it when you’re flexible and enjoy the process. Whale watching is more about being ready than being certain.

FAQ

How long is the Tenerife Whales and Dolphins with Food and Bath tour?

It runs approximately 5 to 9 hours.

Where does the tour depart from?

It departs from Puerto Colón S.A (Puerto) in Costa Adeje, and it ends back at the same meeting point.

Is pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is offered from an authorized point closest to your hotel, typically between 10:00 and 11:45, with the boat leaving at 12:00.

What’s included with lunch?

Lunch on board is included, with items such as rice with vegetables, coleslaw, chicken thigh, meatballs in tomato sauce, bread, and banana. Wine, beer, and soft drinks are included during lunch, and there’s unlimited access to soda/pop and water/refreshments.

Are whale and dolphin sightings guaranteed?

No. The tour notes that Tenerife is one of the best places in the world for sightings, but it is not guaranteed 100%.

Do they provide snorkeling equipment and towels?

No. Snorkeling equipment is not provided, and no towels are included.

How big is the group?

The maximum group size is 135 travelers.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and cut-off times are based on local experience time.