Adeje: Whale Watching Tour to Los Gigantes with lunch & swim

Wildlife, cliffs, and a swim in one day. This five-hour cruise from Puerto Colón combines pilot whale and dolphin watching with a sail along Tenerife’s southwest coast, a buffet lunch, and time in the water beneath the towering cliffs of Los Gigantes. I like the mix of nature and easy holiday fun, especially the chance to see marine life before spending a relaxed hour at anchor. The main drawback is the sea itself: the boat can sway hard, and seasickness is a real concern.

I also like the value at about $63 per person, since food, soft drinks, and beer and wine at lunchtime are included. The crew gets strong praise for keeping the mood lively, with music, jokes, multilingual hosting, and plenty of help when needed. Still, this is not a quiet wildlife research trip. It has a social, party-boat feel, and extra alcoholic drinks, photos, and videos cost more.

Key points to know before booking

• Pilot whales are the main wildlife target: The boat heads toward an area where sightings are more likely, with about 30 minutes set aside for watching whales in the open sea.
• Los Gigantes is the scenic centerpiece: The cliffs rise more than 600 meters above the water, making the lunch and swim stop especially memorable.
• Lunch is included onboard: Expect buffet-style food, soft drinks, and beer and wine during the lunch stop.
• The boat ride can be rough: Bring seasickness medicine if you are prone to motion sickness, and choose your seat early if you want a steadier or more comfortable position.
• The atmosphere is lively: Music, cocktails, jokes, and a friendly crew make this a good fit for a sociable day at sea.
• Pickup is optional: You can meet at Puerto Colón, Pier 14, or select a bus pickup from one of the listed stops around Tenerife.

What this Tenerife boat trip is really like

This is a full half-day on the Atlantic, not a quick ride out and back. You leave Puerto Colón at 11:00 a.m., search for dolphins and whales, cruise west toward Los Gigantes, stop for lunch and swimming, then return by boat to the port.

The tour’s appeal comes from its variety. You are not spending five hours doing only one thing. The first part focuses on marine life, the middle section brings the dramatic cliffs close, and the final portion gives you time to eat, swim, listen to music, and enjoy the return cruise.

The wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed. The boat heads toward waters with a better chance of seeing pilot whales, and the experience includes a planned 30-minute period for observing them in their natural setting. Dolphins, pilot whales, turtles, flying fish, and even a shark have been seen during similar outings, but you should treat those as possible sightings rather than promises.

That distinction matters. If your only reason for booking is to see a particular animal, you may find the outing frustrating if the sea stays quiet. If you view the whale search as one part of a larger day on the water, the trip offers better value and less pressure.

Leaving Puerto Colón at 11:00 a.m.

Boarding begins 15 minutes before departure at Puerto Colón, Pier number 14, beside the petrol station. The activity ends at the same meeting point, so you have a clear start and finish if you make your own way there.

The port is in Costa Adeje, a practical base for a boat excursion along Tenerife’s southwest coast. If you are staying nearby, meeting at the pier keeps the day simple. You can also choose optional bus pickup from a long list of locations, including El Duque, La Caleta, Playa de las Américas, Los Cristianos, Puerto de la Cruz, and several hotels and apartment areas.

Read the pickup details carefully. The transfer option can add substantial road time, with coach portions listed at about two and a half hours. That may reflect the many pickup and drop-off points rather than a single direct ride. You need to wait at your selected pickup point, and the instructions advise calling the emergency telephone if the bus is five minutes late.

For anyone staying close to Puerto Colón, I would favor meeting at the pier. It gives you more control and avoids a long collection route. Pickup makes more sense if you do not have a car or do not want to arrange a taxi.

Searching for dolphins and pilot whales

Once away from the port, the boat heads into the waters off Costa Adeje. The crew searches for dolphins and pilot whales, with the route shaped by the location of recent marine activity and sea conditions.

The most praised part of the wildlife section is the chance to see pilot whales at close range. Several outings have also produced multiple dolphin pods. The excitement comes from watching animals surface, move through the water, and disappear again without a staged performance or aquarium barrier.

You should keep your expectations sensible. Wildlife watching involves patience, and the boat may spend time moving between possible sightings. The boat’s movement can also make it hard to keep your eyes trained on the sea, particularly if the swell picks up.

The scheduled wildlife viewing time is about 30 minutes. That may sound brief, but it gives the crew a clear window to focus on the animals before continuing toward Los Gigantes. If dolphins or whales appear nearby, that half-hour can feel full. If sightings are distant, it may feel short.

The crew uses several languages: Spanish, English, French, German, and Italian. The multilingual setup is useful for a mixed international group, though one account noted that Italian explanations were not always offered without being requested. If you select Italian guidance, ask early if you need information translated.

Sailing beneath the Los Gigantes cliffs

After the wildlife search, the boat continues toward Los Gigantes, the famous wall of volcanic rock on Tenerife’s west coast. The cliffs rise more than 600 meters above the sea, creating the most dramatic setting of the excursion.

This is where the cruise changes character. The open water and moving wildlife give way to a more defined view, with huge vertical rock faces above the boat and small bays along the coast. You get time to take photos, but remember that photos and videos are not included in the price if the provider offers a separate photo service.

The cliffs are impressive even from the boat, but their scale is difficult to judge until you are directly beneath them. Their height gives the lunch stop a strong sense of place. You are not simply eating on a boat in open water. You are anchored near one of Tenerife’s best-known coastal sights.

The listed stop at Los Gigantes lasts about 40 minutes, though the broader description explains that lunch and swimming take place in a bay beneath the cliffs. This is the part of the schedule where timing matters. You will have enough time for a meal and a swim, but not an unhurried beach afternoon.

Lunch, drinks, and the swim stop

The boat anchors in a small bay under Los Gigantes, where lunch is served onboard. The meal is buffet-style, and the food has been praised as plentiful and satisfying. Soft drinks are included, along with beer and wine at lunchtime.

That is a useful inclusion at this price. A five-hour boat trip can become expensive if you must buy every meal and drink onboard. Here, the main meal is covered, so you can spend the day without constantly checking the menu.

Alcohol outside the included lunchtime drinks is not part of the standard price. Accounts of the trip describe cocktails and sangria being available for an extra charge at different prices, so I would carry some money if you want more than the included drinks. The exact bar pricing may vary.

The atmosphere during lunch is not formal. Music plays, the crew keeps the mood cheerful, and the boat feels more like a social excursion than a silent nature cruise. Andy received special praise for his energy and for helping with transport home after the trip. That kind of practical care can make a difference after a long day at sea.

After eating, you can swim in the clear water of the bay. The setting is the real prize: cool water below, steep cliffs above, and the boat serving as your base. Bring your own swimwear and towel, since neither is listed as provided.

The swim is optional. If the sea is rough or you do not feel steady after the wildlife section, you can remain onboard and enjoy the view. The water may look inviting, but this is an open-water stop rather than a supervised swimming pool, so you should be comfortable in the sea before getting in.

The return cruise to Puerto Colón

After the stop, the boat follows the southwestern coast back toward Puerto Colón. This return section gives you time to settle after lunch and take in more of the coast from the water.

The ride back can be the most tiring part for anyone affected by motion sickness. The boat’s movement, a full meal, sun, and alcohol can combine badly. If you are sensitive, take appropriate medication before departure, sit where the motion feels manageable, drink water, and avoid treating the included drinks as a challenge.

The exact seating experience depends on the boat and how early you arrive. One useful tip from the trip is to get there early if you want a good seat. Boarding starts 15 minutes before departure, so arriving at the port with time to spare is sensible.

The crew’s friendliness is one of the strongest reasons to choose this particular style of outing. You can expect jokes, music, and a warm approach rather than a dry lecture about marine biology. That will suit many people, especially families and groups who want a fun day. It may not suit you if you want quiet, long-form wildlife interpretation.

Is $63 good value?

At $63, the price is fair for a five-hour cruise that includes wildlife watching, the Los Gigantes route, lunch, soft drinks, and selected lunchtime alcoholic drinks. The boat covers a lot of coastline, and the combined schedule gives you more than a simple dolphin-spotting trip.

The value depends on how you use the day. If you see pilot whales and dolphins, swim beneath the cliffs, and eat lunch onboard, the package feels strong. If you suffer badly from seasickness and cannot enjoy the crossing, the included meal and scenic stop may not compensate for the discomfort.

The extra costs are easy to understand. Photos and videos are not included, and alcoholic drinks beyond those provided at lunch cost more. Optional pickup may also affect the total convenience, though the activity itself ends at the original pier.

Compared with booking separate transport, a meal, and a boat ride, this option keeps the day fairly simple. The price is especially reasonable for people who want a lively excursion rather than a small, highly specialized wildlife vessel.

Who will enjoy this excursion most?

I would recommend it to you if you want several classic Tenerife experiences in one booking:

• You enjoy being on the water for several hours.
• You want a real chance to see dolphins and pilot whales.
• You like dramatic coastal scenery and swimming from the boat.
• You enjoy music, drinks, and a friendly group atmosphere.
• You are staying near a listed pickup point or can reach Puerto Colón easily.

Families can find plenty to do, since the day includes wildlife, food, scenery, and swimming. Couples and groups of friends may especially enjoy the relaxed party atmosphere.

I would hesitate if you are highly prone to seasickness, dislike crowded or social boat trips, or need guaranteed wildlife sightings. The excursion also demands a fair amount of time at sea, so it is not ideal if you want a short coastal ride.

Pack sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. I would also bring a light cover-up, water, and motion-sickness medication if you normally need it. Sunscreen matters more than you may expect on open water, where wind can disguise how much sun you are getting.

The tour has a 4.5 rating from 353 reviews, with repeated praise for the crew, food, music, and animal sightings. The less flattering feedback is just as useful: the boat can sway a lot, the crossing can make people sick, and language support may need a polite request.

My booking verdict

Book this tour if you want a lively, good-value day that combines wildlife and Los Gigantes scenery with lunch and swimming. The best version of the experience includes pilot whales or dolphins, calm enough water to enjoy the bay, and a crew that keeps the five hours moving.

Skip it if rough seas are likely to ruin your day or if you want a quiet, specialist wildlife tour. For everyone else, the combination of marine life, towering cliffs, included food, and open-water swimming makes this one of the more varied boat outings from Costa Adeje.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Puerto Colón, Pier number 14, next to the petrol station. Boarding begins 15 minutes before departure.

What time does the boat leave?

The stated departure time is 11:00 a.m. Starting times can vary by selected option, so check availability when booking.

How long does the experience last?

The boat excursion lasts five hours. Optional bus pickup and return transfers can add road travel time.

Can I choose hotel pickup?

Yes. Pickup is optional, with many listed stops around areas including Costa Adeje, Playa de las Américas, Los Cristianos, and Puerto de la Cruz.

What food and drinks are included?

Food and soft drinks are included. Beer and wine are included at lunchtime.

Are cocktails and other alcoholic drinks included?

Alcoholic drinks beyond the included lunchtime beer and wine are not included. Extra drinks may be available to purchase onboard.

Can I swim during the tour?

Yes. The boat anchors in a bay beneath Los Gigantes where you can swim in the clear open water.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. If you are prone to seasickness, prepare appropriate medication before the boat leaves.