Tenerife · WHALE WATCHING TOURS

The 15 Best Whale Watching Trips in Tenerife

68 tours  ·  from $13 a head

Pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins live in the strait year round, so most trips find them and the real choice is the kind of boat you want to be on. These 15 range from a ninety-minute eco-yacht to a half-day sail under Los Gigantes, with swim stops, lunches and prices compared.

Tenerife: Eco-Yacht Whale and Dolphin Watching and Swimming - What you might see off Los Cristianos
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Tenerife: Eco-Yacht Whale and Dolphin Watching and Swimming

1.Eco-Yacht Whale and Dolphin Watching and Swimming

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 15,619 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $13Our pick

Sail from Los Cristianos aboard the Travelin Lady, a yacht built for whale watching, with a guide in English, French, Spanish or Italian. Look for pilot whales, dolphins and turtles, pass the Cave of Love, then swim or snorkel if time allows. The low-center-of-gravity hull and small-group feel add comfort; guides such as Ines bring the wildlife to life.

“Very nice tour! we saw dolphins, whales and turtles”

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Los Cristianos Respectful No-Chase Whale and Dolphin Safari - Two hours of searching, watching and learning
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Los Cristianos Respectful No-Chase Whale and Dolphin Safari

2.Los Cristianos Respectful No-Chase Whale and Dolphin Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 12,782 reviews · 2 hours · from $29

Sail from Puerto Los Cristianos aboard the Bahriyeli, a spacious ketch with open decks and an indoor salon. A multilingual, government-certified guide explains the whales, dolphins and local marine life while the crew follows a strict no-chase policy. The two-hour trip may spot pilot whales, dolphins, turtles or other wildlife, but sightings are never guaranteed.

“Really good trip. We managed to see a pod of dolphins and a family of pilot whales which was very special. The crew were helpful and very knowledgeable, as well as caring deeply about the animals - would highly recommend.”

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Costa Adeje: Whale & Dolphin Eco-Cruise with Snacks & Drinks - Three hours or five: choose your pace
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Costa Adeje: Whale & Dolphin Eco-Cruise with Snacks & Drinks

3.Whale & Dolphin Eco-Cruise with Snacks & Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 5,096 reviews · 3 - 5 hours · from $52

From Puerto Colón’s pier 8, White Tenerife’s catamaran heads into the Teno-Rasca Whale Sanctuary to look for dolphins and whales. You’ll get crew commentary and underwater audio, plus a swim stop, sandwiches and drinks. Choose three hours or add two hours for more coastline and a meal. Sightings are guaranteed, or you can reschedule if availability permits.

“The trip was wonderful. People who sit in the front “beds” will be fully wet from wave splashing. But it’s so fun. The service onboard was done by Mr Abian and he was excellent. Moving around the boat as if it was the easiest thing to do, serving and assisting everyone, sharing past experiences and tips for the island. Unlimited drinks (beer and wine) were served. The captain of the boat Carlos was funny in Spanish and English. And Omar was helpful dutifully first aid scenarios (sea sickness). Overall great experience, not overcrowded and perfect for a day trip! Tip: bring sunscreen!!! and apply as often as possible. Take a…”

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Los Gigantes: Dolphin & Whale Watching Cruise with Swim Stop - Looking for whales and dolphins offshore
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Los Gigantes: Dolphin & Whale Watching Cruise with Swim Stop

4.Dolphin & Whale Watching Cruise with Swim Stop

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 4,539 reviews · 2 hours · from $33

From Los Gigantes Port, Flipper Uno’s two-hour cruise takes you into the Teno-Rasca Whale Sanctuary to look for dolphins and whales, then past the cliffs before a swim stop in a bay such as Masca, Barranco Seco, or Juan López. A cold drink is included. The host language is Spanish, and sightings depend on sea conditions.

“Brilliant couple of hours in the water, professional crew who know their stuff. Highly recommended.”

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Costa Adeje: Whale Watching Catamaran Tour with Drinks - Pilot whales, dolphins, and a chance encounter
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Costa Adeje: Whale Watching Catamaran Tour with Drinks

5.Whale Watching Catamaran Tour with Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 3,653 reviews · 2 - 3 hours · from $41

From Puerto Colón, join a 2- or 3-hour catamaran trip with an English- or Spanish-speaking guide. Look for resident pilot whales and dolphins near offshore fish farms, hear about local marine life, and enjoy complimentary drinks. Choose three hours for a swim and snorkel stop at Playa Espagueti. The crew includes guides such as Lucy and Danny.

“Excellent crew saw plenty of pilot whales and bottle nose dolphins free drinks on board overall very good”

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Tenerife: Whale & Dolphin Watching with Drinks and Snacks - Watching for pilot whales and dolphins
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Tenerife: Whale & Dolphin Watching with Drinks and Snacks

6.Whale & Dolphin Watching with Drinks and Snacks

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 2,929 reviews · 3 hours · from $77

From Puerto Colón, sail with a skipper such as Guy or Maxi along Tenerife’s southern coast, watching for dolphins and pilot whales in a conservation area. The shared yacht carries no more than 11 passengers, and the three-hour trip includes snacks, unlimited drinks, snorkel gear and a stop in a secluded bay. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

“Had a great time and got see a pod of pilot whales which was amazing. Andy who picked us up and dropped us off was very friendly and Danny who took us out in the boat was a great guide and very knowledgeable. Would definitely recommend. The food and drinks were included and we were well looked after.”

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Whale and Dolphin Watching Catamaran with Transfer and Buffet - Tapas, drinks, and an easy lunch
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Whale and Dolphin Watching Catamaran with Transfer and Buffet

7.Whale and Dolphin Watching Catamaran with Transfer and Buffet

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,712 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $71Top rated

Set sail from Puerto Colón for about three hours aboard the Monte Cristo catamaran, with space for up to 24 people. The crew searches for pilot whales and dolphins, serves tapas and drinks, then pauses for a swim and snorkel before a coastal sail back. Hotel pickup can be requested in parts of south Tenerife.

“it was a good tour and the guides were very hospitable. we has so much fun. we got value for the money paid.”

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No chase Whale & Dolphin tour putting Marine Life first - we care - What the no-chase policy means in practice
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No chase Whale & Dolphin tour putting Marine Life first – we care

8.No chase Whale & Dolphin tour putting Marine Life first – we care

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,168 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $30

Sail for about two hours from Los Cristianos aboard Bahriyeli, a 23-meter Turkish gulet, with a crew of marine-life specialists. Look for resident pilot whales and dolphins without the boat pursuing them, and take in south-coast views and Mount Teide. Sightings vary, but turtles, seabirds and migrating whale species may also appear.

“All was organizes good. We saw dolphins and wales. It is nice that part of excurtion costs goes to donation.”

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Whale Watching Eco-Adventure from Costa Adeje - What the two-hour outing feels like
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Whale Watching Eco-Adventure from Costa Adeje

9.Whale Watching Eco-Adventure from Costa Adeje

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,066 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $72

Set out from Puerto Colón Marina in Costa Adeje aboard an eight-meter rigid inflatable boat, with no more than 10 people on board. Biologist guides, including John and Ion, lead a two-hour search for whales and dolphins in the Teno-Rasca Marine Protected Area. Listen through a hydrophone, learn about the wildlife, and receive free photos by email.

“Absolutely loved it! The organizer really cared for the wild animals and made sure they were not stressed out by the boat. We got up close to multiple pilote whales. 10/10 do recommend! :)”

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Costa Adeje: Whale & Dolphin Submarine Vision Mini Cruise - The underwater windows: a useful extra, not the whole show
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Costa Adeje: Whale & Dolphin Submarine Vision Mini Cruise

10.Whale & Dolphin Submarine Vision Mini Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,043 reviews · 2 hours · from $35

Sail for two hours from Puerto Colón along Tenerife’s southwest coast, watching for resident pilot whales and dolphins with a multilingual guide. The spacious catamaran has 16 underwater windows, though clear views depend on wildlife coming close. Bring sun protection, and seasickness medication if you need it.

“We saw several pilot whales families and many of the whales accompanied our boat. It was truly amazing and see these beautiful whales in their natural habitat. The comments were good and informative. It was very good value for money and I especially enjoyed the submarine part of the boat as it was possible to see more of the marine life inside of the ocean. I would highly recommend this tour.”

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Tenerife: Los Gigantes Whale Watching Cruise by Sail Boat - Los Gigantes looks different from offshore
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Tenerife: Los Gigantes Whale Watching Cruise by Sail Boat

11.Los Gigantes Whale Watching Cruise by Sail Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 2,040 reviews · 3 hours · from $88

Set sail from Los Gigantes with a group capped at 10, looking for pilot whales, dolphins and turtles with a multilingual crew. Jamie, Eileen and David have led trips, though the crew can vary. Expect about two hours at sea, a swim and snorkel stop, fruit, sandwiches and drinks, with views of the cliffs on the return.

“we were super lucky to see a school og pilot whales with a very young baby among them. They approached our sailboat, swum along it and passed underneath it, sonetimes not even a meter away. It was a lovely trip, a precious memory that will last.”

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Tenerife: Marine-Life Tour with Transfer, Buffet and Drinks - Searching for Whales and Dolphins
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Tenerife: Marine-Life Tour with Transfer, Buffet and Drinks

12.Marine-Life Tour with Transfer, Buffet and Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,865 reviews · 3 hours · from $69

Sail from Puerto Colón on Monte Cristo Catamaran for a three-hour search for whales and dolphins, followed by a swim or snorkel stop and Spanish tapas. A live English-speaking crew explains the marine life and serves drinks. Hotel pickup in south Tenerife is optional; sightings are common but not guaranteed.

“Great trip we were picked up from our actual hotel which was great, served drinks and snacks and managed to see dolphins and whales, great trip staff so nice”

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Los Cristianos: Viking Cruise Whales & Dolphins Watching - Viking character, music and onboard atmosphere
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Los Cristianos: Viking Cruise Whales & Dolphins Watching

13.Viking Cruise Whales & Dolphins Watching

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,767 reviews · from $20

Set sail from Los Cristianos aboard Ragnarok, a roomy Viking-themed ship, for a two-hour cruise along Tenerife’s southern coast. An English- and Spanish-speaking crew leads the search for dolphins and whales, with scenic sea views, onboard toilets and drinking water. Sightings are never guaranteed, and the Atlantic can be choppy.

“Well I was booked for this trip in April for me & my partner & somehow we missed it ( got the wrong bus lol) so I contacted them to say I would be back in Tenerife in the end of November & they said no problem we will reschedule for when your back , witch I thought was so lovely & helpful , well I have just been on the trip & had a fantastic time and seen whales & dolphins , the crew were lovely and very helpful to I would highly recommend this trip xx yours karen from England xx”

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Costa Adeje: Whale and Dolphin Cruise with Food and Pickup - Taking in the south coast and Teide
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Costa Adeje: Whale and Dolphin Cruise with Food and Pickup

14.Whale and Dolphin Cruise with Food and Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 1,604 reviews · 3 hours · from $46

Take a three-hour catamaran cruise from Puerto Colón along Tenerife’s south coast, with a bilingual English- and Spanish-speaking crew to help spot and identify marine life. Look for pilot whales, dolphins, and seabirds, then stop at Diego Hernández Bay for a swim and a Canarian-style rice lunch. Hotel pickup is optional; bring your own snorkel gear.

“Absolutely amazing trip! Will be booking another, thank you so much!”

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Adeje: Whale and Dolphin Watching Cruise with Lunch and Swim - From Puerto Colón into the whale sanctuary
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Adeje: Whale and Dolphin Watching Cruise with Lunch and Swim

15.Whale and Dolphin Watching Cruise with Lunch and Swim

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 1,573 reviews · 3 - 4.5 hours · from $59

Set sail from the Adeje area with a multilingual guide to look for pilot whales and dolphins in the Teno-Rasca Whale Sanctuary. Choose a 3-hour cruise to Diego Hernandez Bay or a 4.5-hour trip toward Masca and Los Gigantes. Both include lunch, drinks, a swim stop, and views through 16 underwater windows.

“Everything was nice, I'd recommend it, the food was nothing special but tasty, the staff nice and helpful”

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