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

Pilot whales and dolphins are the main draw on this five-hour trip from Puerto Colón, but the cliffs of Los Gigantes give the day a second act. Their near-vertical walls rise more than 600 meters above the sea, and seeing them from a boat gives you a striking view you cannot get from the road.

I like that the outing pairs wildlife watching with a swim and lunch in a sheltered bay, rather than making the whole trip a search at sea. I also like the warm, lively crew, with a crew member named Andy singled out for his humor and helpfulness. One thing to weigh carefully: the boat can sway in rough water, so this is a poor fit if you are prone to seasickness.

• Look for pilot whales and dolphins in their natural environment, with a dedicated 30-minute whale-watching stop.
• See Los Gigantes from below, where the cliffs rise more than 600 meters above the water.
• Stop for lunch and a swim in a bay beneath the cliffs.
• Get food and soft drinks included, plus beer and wine with lunch.
• Choose a language: the live guide is listed in Spanish, English, French, German, and Italian.
• Plan for motion at sea: the boat may sway, and some people have felt seasick on the crossing.

From Puerto Colón to the whale grounds

The boat leaves from Puerto Colón, pier number 14, beside the petrol station. Boarding starts 15 minutes before departure. The stated departure is 11:00 a.m., though starting times can vary, so check your selected date before setting your day around it.

After leaving the port, the crew heads along Tenerife’s southwest coast toward areas where pilot whales are more likely to be seen. The wildlife is not staged, and sightings cannot be guaranteed. The boat pauses for about 30 minutes for whale watching, giving you time to look out across the water and see what appears.

Pilot whales are the species named in the tour details. Dolphins are also part of the search, and reports from the trip have included dolphin pods and other marine life. The honest expectation is a chance to see animals in their natural setting, not a fixed show with a scheduled appearance. Keep your camera ready, but take time to watch without a screen, too.

This part of the trip is rewarding, but it is also where the sea conditions matter most. One account describes a boat that sways quite a bit and notes that several people felt sick. If you know you are sensitive to motion, consider taking whatever precautions you normally use for boat travel. The tour does not promise calm water.

The cliffs of Los Gigantes from the water

After the whale-watching stop, the boat sails toward Los Gigantes, on Tenerife’s west coast. The cliffs are the visual high point of the route: steep walls that rise more than 600 meters, with the boat offering a direct view from the water.

A boat trip changes the scale of the place. From land, you see the cliffs as part of the island’s coast; from below, their height becomes the whole story. The stop is also a change of pace after watching the open water for wildlife. Rather than turning straight back toward port, the boat anchors in one of the bays beneath the cliffs.

The stop is listed as about 40 minutes, with sightseeing, lunch, and swimming. That is a compact visit, so you should not expect a long beach day or an extended time ashore. You stay on the boat and enjoy the bay from there.

Lunch and a swim in the bay

At anchor, the crew serves lunch and gives you the chance to swim in clear water beneath the cliffs. It is a simple but effective combination: food, a break from the motion of the crossing, and a chance to get into the sea rather than only looking at it.

Food and soft drinks are included. Beer and wine are included at lunchtime, too. The meal has been described as buffet-style and plentiful, though the exact menu is not specified. If you have dietary needs, check with the operator before booking rather than assuming a particular option will be available.

The swimming stop is one of the trip’s best reasons to choose this outing over a wildlife-only cruise. Bring your swimwear and towel, and remember that the stop is limited. The activity calls for an open-water swim, not a supervised pool session, so decide based on your comfort in the sea.

Drink inclusions need a little care. Beer and wine are specifically included with lunch, while alcoholic drinks are otherwise listed as not included. Do not count on cocktails or other drinks being part of the price. Take sunscreen and sunglasses as well; the tour specifically recommends both.

The return along Tenerife’s southwest coast

Once the stop is over, the boat sails back to Puerto Colón along the southwestern coast. This gives you more time on the water after the cliffs and swim, and rounds out the five-hour outing with a coastal view rather than a direct transfer inland.

The full schedule balances three different parts of Tenerife: marine wildlife, the dramatic west-coast cliffs, and time in the sea. That variety is useful if you want a single half-day trip rather than arranging separate boat outings. It also means you should be ready for several hours aboard, not just a brief whale sighting.

The experience is led in Spanish, English, French, German, and Italian. A crew member named Andy has been praised for his humor and for helping people with practical needs, including arranging taxis after the trip. That is a nice sign of attentive service, but crew members can change, so book for the route and activities rather than expecting a particular person to be aboard.

Is $63 good value?

At $63 per person, the fare covers a five-hour boat trip, wildlife watching, the Los Gigantes stop, lunch, soft drinks, and beer and wine at lunchtime. That is a fair bundle if you want all those elements in one outing. The value is less compelling if you only want a short whale-watching trip or would not use the meal and swim stop.

The boat’s lively atmosphere is part of the appeal for many people. The crew has been praised for being friendly and funny, and music is part of the onboard mood. If you want a quiet, highly focused wildlife excursion, this may feel more social than you prefer. If you enjoy a friendly crew and a day that mixes wildlife, scenery, food, and a swim, the format makes more sense.

Photos and videos are not included. The published inclusions do not specify whether you can buy them, so do not count on a photo package. Bring your own camera or phone, but keep it secure around water.

Getting to the pier and choosing pickup

The meeting point is pier number 14 at Puerto Colón, next to the petrol station, and the tour ends back at the same point. If you choose a pickup option, wait at the pickup point you selected. The operator asks you to call the emergency telephone number if the bus has not arrived five minutes after the scheduled pickup time.

Pickup and drop-off options cover multiple locations, including places around Costa Adeje and other parts of Tenerife. Check the locations shown for your booking carefully. If you are driving or already staying near the port, meeting directly at the pier may be simpler.

The pickup details vary by selected option, so do not assume every departure includes transport. Allow time to reach the pier and arrive before boarding begins. The stated boarding time is 15 minutes before departure.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most?

This trip suits you if you want more than a wildlife sighting from a boat. You get time to look for pilot whales and dolphins, see the cliffs from below, eat lunch, and swim. It also works well for groups with different interests: one person can focus on the wildlife while another looks forward to the cliffs or the swim.

It is a less comfortable choice if you are highly prone to seasickness, dislike being on a boat for several hours, or want a quiet trip with little onboard entertainment. The crossing can be choppy, and the boat may sway. The wildlife is wild, too, so no one can guarantee exactly what you will see.

The tour has a rating of 4.5 from 353 reviews, with especially strong praise for the crew, wildlife sightings, food, and overall fun. Those are useful signs, but the practical question is whether you enjoy a social boat outing and can handle several hours at sea.

Should you book the Los Gigantes whale-watching tour?

Book it if you want a full half-day on the water with a good mix of wildlife, scenery, lunch, and swimming. The combination makes the $63 price easier to justify than a short cruise, particularly if you will use the included food and drinks.

Think twice if you get seasick easily or mainly want a calm, quiet wildlife trip. Check the departure and pickup details for your date, arrive at pier 14 early, and pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and sunglasses. If the sea suits you, this trip offers a memorable way to see Tenerife’s whales and cliffs from the water.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts five hours. Check availability for the starting time on your chosen date.

Where does the boat leave from?

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

What time does the tour depart?

The stated departure time is 11:00 a.m. Starting times can vary, so confirm the time for your selected date.

Which wildlife might I see?

The trip searches for whales and dolphins, with a 30-minute whale-watching stop. Pilot whales are specifically mentioned, but sightings are not guaranteed.

Is there a swim stop?

Yes. The boat anchors in a bay beneath Los Gigantes, where you can swim in the sea.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Food and soft drinks are included, and beer and wine are included at lunchtime.

Are other alcoholic drinks included?

Beer and wine are included with lunch. Other alcoholic drinks are not included.

Which languages are available?

The live guide is listed in Spanish, English, French, German, and Italian.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.