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

The draw here is the mix of wildlife watching and Tenerife’s monumental west coast. You sail from Puerto Colón toward the cliffs of Los Gigantes and the coast by Masca, keeping watch for whales and dolphins along the way. Sightings are never guaranteed, but pilot whales and several kinds of dolphin are seen on some trips.

I like two things in particular: the crew shares information about whale and dolphin habitat, diet and migration, and the fare includes a warm lunch plus drinks. You also get room to sit back or sunbathe while the catamaran cruises along the coast.

The main consideration is scale. The boat can carry up to 160 people, and the wildlife search takes place on open water, where the motion can catch you off guard. The meal is practical rather than a culinary highlight, and the front sunbeds cost extra.

At a glance

• A 4.5-hour afternoon outing: Daily departure is scheduled for 1:15 pm, with the trip returning to its starting point.
• Wildlife is the goal, not a promise: The crew searches for whales and dolphins, but sightings and the amount of commentary can vary.
• Los Gigantes gives the trip its dramatic backdrop: The route also takes in the coast near Masca and Barranco de Masca.
• Lunch and drinks are included: Expect chicken meatballs, vegetable rice, bread and a banana, plus water, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages.
• Sunbeds cost extra: Front-of-boat loungers are first come, first served, and the charge may make them poor value for some.
• Pickup is limited to selected southern Tenerife hotels: You may need to make your own way to the port, so confirm your exact meeting point before the day.

Leaving Puerto Colón for the southwest coast

The trip starts at Puerto Colón, the marina area in Costa Adeje. The stated meeting address is Av. de Colón, 11, Playa de las Américas, and the scheduled departure is 1:15 pm. You’ll be told your boarding gate with your booking confirmation, so check the instructions rather than assuming that every catamaran leaves from the same spot.

The boat heads west, looking for whales and dolphins as it makes its way toward Los Gigantes and Masca. This is not a short harbor cruise: the full outing lasts about four and a half hours, giving the crew time to search offshore and then show you a stretch of Tenerife’s striking coast.

Three large catamarans operate this excursion, and you can’t choose or be guaranteed a particular one. The maximum group size is 160, so set your expectations for a shared outing, not a small-group wildlife expedition. The boats are designed to give you places to sit and areas to relax in the sun, but the number of people on board can affect how peaceful the ride feels.

Looking for whales and dolphins

The wildlife search is the most unpredictable part of the day. Pilot whales are among the sightings reported on this route, along with dolphins, including bottlenose and spotted dolphins. Some departures see both; others may spot only a few animals, or no whales at all. The crew can search, but no responsible operator can promise that wildlife will appear on cue.

When animals are found, the experience can be memorable, especially if you’ve never seen whales or dolphins in the wild. Keep your camera ready, but don’t spend the entire trip looking through a screen. Animals may surface briefly, and you’ll want to take in the scale of the sea as well as the sightings.

The crew is meant to explain where whales and dolphins live, what they eat and how they migrate. How much detail you hear may depend on the departure and the mix of languages on board. Commentary is offered in English and Spanish, but a large group and two languages can make an in-depth natural history talk difficult. If wildlife education is your main reason for booking, this may feel more like a scenic search with basic explanation than a specialist marine biology tour.

Los Gigantes and the coast near Masca

The cliffs of Los Gigantes are a major reason to choose this route. Seen from the water, their scale is easier to appreciate than from a road viewpoint: the boat gives you a broad view of the rock face and the coastline as it approaches. The cliffs are the visual centerpiece, and even a quiet wildlife day can still bring striking scenery.

The cruise also passes the coast by Masca and Barranco de Masca. You’ll be able to admire the rugged shoreline from the boat, rather than visit the inland village or hike the gorge. That distinction matters when you compare this outing with land-based tours: this is a sea-level look at the west coast, with wildlife watching built into the journey.

Some departures have included time to swim at a cove. Treat that as a possible bonus, not a guaranteed feature, since the exact stop can depend on conditions and the trip’s progress. If a swim is offered, you can join in or stay aboard and enjoy the scenery. The Atlantic can feel cool, and the boat ride itself is the main event.

What lunch and drinks are really like

A warm lunch is included, which is useful on a four-and-a-half-hour trip when you’d rather not worry about bringing a full meal. The stated menu is chicken meatballs, vegetable rice, bread and a banana. It’s simple, filling fare, not a restaurant lunch, and there is no alternative menu listed.

Food descriptions can differ from one departure to another, so it’s wise to book for the cruise and views rather than for a particular dish. If you have dietary needs, the information provided does not specify substitutions. Bring something suitable if you have a strict requirement, and check with the operator before booking if you need certainty.

Bottled water, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages are included. Beer is mentioned as part of the onboard offering, but the drink selection and serving sizes may feel limited if you expect a full bar. The included drinks add value, especially if you’d otherwise buy refreshments during the outing, but don’t assume premium cocktails or a wide choice.

Ice cream costs extra. The sunbeds at the front of the boat also come at an additional charge and are available first come, first served. If you’re happy to sit elsewhere and use the regular deck areas, you can enjoy the trip without paying for either extra.

Choosing your place on board

The catamaran has areas where you can relax and sunbathe. You don’t need to pay for a front sunbed to be on deck, but those loungers may appeal if you want a dedicated place to stretch out. Check the price before committing: the fee has been described as high, and the space may not suit two adults comfortably.

For a better chance of choosing a spot you like, arrive with enough time to follow the boarding instructions. The operator confirms the gate with your booking details, and the boat assignment is not guaranteed. Don’t count on a particular vessel or seating arrangement.

The sea can be choppy, even when the trip feels manageable to others on board. If you’re prone to seasickness, consider carefully whether an open-water cruise is right for you. The excursion provider specifically notes that good weather is required, but calm conditions can’t be promised just because the boat departs. Bring suitable motion-sickness remedies if you normally use them, and dress for wind on deck.

Is $72.08 good value?

At $72.08 per person, you’re paying for a long coastal cruise, a wildlife search, the Los Gigantes scenery, a warm lunch and included drinks. If you make use of the food and beverages and value the chance to see whales and dolphins, the price can represent a reasonable half-day outing. It also saves you from arranging a separate boat trip and lunch.

The value drops if you expect a small boat, a guaranteed close-up wildlife encounter, extensive expert commentary or a high-quality meal. The group can be large, wildlife sightings vary, and the meal is basic. Add-on sunbeds and ice cream can raise the final cost, so decide in advance whether you need them.

This is best judged as a scenic, all-in-one boat excursion rather than a dedicated wildlife research trip or luxury sailing experience. Its strongest points are the chance to spot marine life, the coastal views and the convenience of having lunch and drinks included.

Pickup, timing and practical planning

The tour departs daily at 1:15 pm, except January 1, when it does not operate. It runs 364 days a year and returns to the meeting point. The stated duration is approximate, so leave some flexibility after the trip rather than scheduling a tight connection.

Pickup is offered from selected hotels in southern Tenerife, but not every hotel is covered. After booking, provide a mobile number with country code and an email address so the operator can send the meeting instructions. You’ll be told the closest available pickup point; hotels near the port may be asked to go directly there. Pickup is not offered outside the south of Tenerife.

The experience is offered in English and Spanish, and confirmation is provided at booking. Most people can participate, but the boat operates on open water, so think about your comfort with motion before you reserve. If bad weather cancels the trip, you’ll be offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before departure; changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted.

Who should book this catamaran trip?

I’d choose this outing if you want to see Tenerife from the water and are happy to let the crew search for wildlife without a guarantee. It suits couples, families and first-time visitors who want a half-day activity with scenery, a meal and drinks included. The chance to see dolphins or pilot whales is a real bonus, and Los Gigantes makes the route worthwhile even when sightings are limited.

I’d look elsewhere if you want a small, quiet boat, specialist wildlife guiding or a carefully prepared lunch. The large-capacity catamaran and basic menu are important parts of the experience, not minor details. If you’re easily seasick, be especially cautious: this is an open-water trip, and several hours on a moving boat can be tough.

Book it for the coast, the wildlife chance and the convenience of lunch and drinks in one fare. Skip it if you need guaranteed sightings or a more intimate boat. Check your pickup instructions, keep the afternoon free, and bring a layer for the wind.

FAQ

How long is the whale-watching trip?

The tour lasts approximately four hours and thirty minutes and returns to its starting point.

What time does the catamaran depart?

The scheduled daily departure is 1:15 pm. The tour is closed on January 1.

Where does the tour start?

The stated meeting address is Av. de Colón, 11, 38660 Playa de las Américas, Tenerife. Check your booking confirmation for the boarding gate.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is offered from selected hotels in southern Tenerife. The operator will confirm the closest pickup point after receiving your booking details, and some hotels near the port must go directly to the port.

Which languages are offered?

The tour is offered in English and Spanish.

Are whale and dolphin sightings guaranteed?

No. The crew searches for whales and dolphins, but sightings depend on wildlife and conditions.

What food is included?

The included warm lunch is chicken meatballs, vegetable rice, bread and a banana.

Which drinks are included?

Bottled water, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages are included. Ice cream costs extra.

Do the sunbeds cost extra?

Yes. Sunbeds at the front of the boat have an extra charge and are available first come, first served.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts.