3h Whale watching Share Tour Costa Adeje Lina7 Mizendoha

The main draw here is the chance to watch resident pilot whales from a 12-meter sailing boat off Costa Adeje. The trip also includes a quiet swim and snorkeling stop, so you get more than a quick look at sea life before heading back to Puerto Colón.

I like the small-boat setting and the simple extras: cold drinks and snacks are included, and the boat has shade, bathrooms, and plenty of room to sit. The main thing to understand is that this is sold as a sailing-boat trip, but the crew may run the engine rather than set the sails. It suits you best if whale watching matters more than the sailing itself.

Key points to know

• Resident pilot whales: The boat heads into the waters where pilot whales live year-round.
• Three useful water activities: You can watch dolphins and whales, then swim and snorkel during the coastal stop.
• A 12-meter boat: Lina7 or Mizendoha offers shaded seating, an outdoor table, bathrooms, and room to move around.
• Captain Maxi may lead the trip: He has been specifically praised for making the outing special.
• Good small-group value: At $65 per person, snacks, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and three hours on the water are included.
• Sailing is not guaranteed: Calm weather or a tight schedule may mean the boat travels under power.

Setting off from Puerto Colón in Costa Adeje

You meet at Gate 5 in Puerto Colón, the marina on Tenerife’s south coast. From there, Lina7 or Mizendoha takes you out for a three-hour round trip along the volcanic coast.

The boat is a 12-meter sailing catamaran-style vessel with a roof for shade. That roof matters in Tenerife. Even on a pleasant day, three hours in open sun can become tiring, especially when you are watching the water and forget how long you have been outside.

The interior is set up for longer trips, with a roomy living area, two sofas, a table for eight, storage, and a galley. You will not need most of the cabin facilities during a three-hour outing, but the onboard bathrooms are a practical advantage. The aft cabins have direct bathroom access, and the bathrooms include showers with hot water.

This is not a bare-bones open boat. Solar panels, water storage, refrigerators, and a cooking area are part of the vessel’s equipment. For you, that translates into a steadier, more comfortable base at sea, although the trip remains an outdoor activity. Bring a sun hat and towel, since neither is supplied.

The first hour: leaving Costa Adeje behind

The route begins with roughly one hour of sailing from Costa Adeje. In this part of the trip, the pleasure is the change of view. Puerto Colón quickly gives way to the open Atlantic, with Tenerife’s volcanic shore providing the backdrop.

The word sailing needs a little explanation here. The boats are sailing boats, but the crew does not promise that the sails will be raised. One recent passenger felt disappointed that the boat never set even a small jib, while the crew explained that wind, timing, and the planned stops made it impractical.

I would treat the sailing label as a description of the boat, not a promise of a full sailing lesson or a quiet voyage under canvas. If you mainly want to feel the wind in the sails, this may not satisfy you. If you want a stable boat with more space than a fast motor vessel, the design still works well.

The first hour also gives the crew time to look for wildlife. Keep your expectations sensible. Whales are wild animals, not scheduled performers, and sightings can vary in distance and light. The trip is authorized for whale watching in southern Tenerife, and its main target is the resident population of short-finned pilot whales in Canarian waters.

Looking for pilot whales and dolphins

The wildlife section lasts about 15 minutes in the listed route, though the actual amount of time spent watching animals can depend on where they are found. Pilot whales are the main attraction. Dolphins may also appear, but a sighting can be distant or backlit by the sun.

That light is worth considering. A view that looks clear from the boat may still make photographs difficult if you are facing the sun. I would bring a camera, but I would put the experience ahead of getting a perfect picture.

The strongest part of this outing is the chance to see pilot whales in their local waters rather than treating the boat trip as a simple speed run along the coast. The boat has official authorization for whale watching, and the small scale can give you a calmer setting than a large excursion vessel.

The weaker point is the amount of natural-history information. The skipper has shared facts about the whales, and Captain Maxi has been praised for his care and handling of the trip, but the commentary may not be as detailed as a specialist wildlife lecture. If you want answers about diet, diving depth, body size, or age, ask the guide directly. Do not assume the trip includes a full scientific talk.

That distinction matters. You are paying for a boat outing with wildlife viewing, not a formal research presentation. For some people, that balance is ideal. You spend less time listening and more time looking. For others, especially anyone who wants to learn how pilot whales live, the information may feel thin.

A coastal swim and snorkeling stop

After the wildlife viewing, the boat spends about 30 minutes around Costa Adeje for a light meal, swimming, and snorkeling. This is where the trip changes pace. Instead of scanning the horizon, you can get into the water and look at fish close to the shore.

Snorkeling equipment is available, and cold drinks and snacks are included. A simple food stop may not replace a full restaurant meal, but it is useful after time in the sun and on the water. The boat also has an outdoor table beneath an awning, giving you a comfortable place to eat without sitting in direct sun.

The swimming stop has earned particular praise for feeling relaxed and uncrowded, with time to watch fish in a sheltered area. I would still pack your towel, since one is not included. You should also be ready for the sea ladder. One person found the ladder uncomfortable because it moved with the swell and came close to the boat, creating a risk of pinched fingers.

That is a practical warning, not a reason to skip the swim. Use the ladder slowly, keep your hands clear of the side rails and boat edge, and listen to the crew. If you are unsteady in moving water, you may prefer to stay aboard and enjoy the shade.

The swimming stop is also the clearest example of what this tour is trying to be. It is not only a whale-watching run. It combines wildlife, a short coastal cruise, food, and time in the water. You receive more variety in three hours, but the tradeoff is less time for any single activity.

The return sail and onboard comfort

The trip finishes with about 45 minutes of sailing back toward Costa Adeje and Puerto Colón. By this point, you will likely have had the main wildlife viewing, the snack stop, and the swim. The final leg gives you time to sit outside, dry off, and watch the coast recede.

The boat’s interior provides a useful backup if the sun becomes too strong. It has a large living room, sofas, a dining table, cabins, storage, and bathrooms. You are not expected to spend the entire outing below deck, but the indoor space makes the boat feel more forgiving than a small open launch.

The roof provides shade throughout the trip. That is one of the best features for a three-hour outing, especially if you are traveling with someone who does not want constant exposure to the sun. You should still bring sun protection. The operator supplies snacks and drinks, but not hats or towels.

The boat’s equipment also includes a raft and solar panels, along with 900 liters of water capacity. Those details are more important for the vessel’s independence than for your sightseeing, but they show that Lina7 and Mizendoha are fitted for proper offshore use rather than being simple harbor craft.

What $65 gets you

At $65 per person, the price includes three hours on the boat, whale watching, snacks, cold drinks, and access to snorkeling equipment. That is a fair package if you plan to use the water stop and value a smaller, more comfortable boat.

The value is less clear if your only goal is to see whales as quickly and cheaply as possible. Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed in a particular place or at a particular distance, and the dolphin viewing may be brief. You are also paying for the boat itself, the time at sea, the swim stop, and the onboard comforts.

I would think of the cost in three parts:

• The wildlife search around southern Tenerife
• The three-hour boat outing with shade and bathroom access
• The swimming, snorkeling, snacks, and drinks

If you use all three, the price makes sense. If you do not plan to swim, or if you expect a dedicated sailing trip with sails raised, you may feel you paid for features you did not receive.

The small-boat format is a real part of the value. You are not simply buying a seat on a large sightseeing vessel. Lina7 or Mizendoha offers a more personal setting, with an outdoor table, sofas, and room to spread out. The exact number of passengers is not provided, so I would not book this expecting a guaranteed intimate group size. Still, the boat’s layout is designed for comfort rather than maximum capacity.

The crew, commentary, and sailing question

Captain Maxi receives especially warm praise for making the outing special. That points to an important part of this kind of trip: the person handling the boat shapes the day. A friendly skipper can make a short whale sighting feel worthwhile, while a quiet crew can leave you wanting more explanation.

The tour is offered in English, Italian, and Spanish. You can expect guidance in those languages, though the amount of wildlife information may vary. The skipper has shared useful facts about the whales, but the commentary does not appear to be the central product.

I would ask early in the trip whether the sails are likely to be used. Wind conditions can change, and the captain has to balance sailing time with wildlife viewing and the swim stop. Still, your expectations will be clearer if you know that the boat may travel under engine for much of the route.

For me, the tradeoff is reasonable if I am choosing between a comfortable whale-watching cruise and a true sailing lesson. It is not reasonable if I am booking mainly to sail under canvas. The description of a luxury sailing boat may lead some people to expect more wind-powered travel than the three-hour schedule allows.

Who should book this Costa Adeje outing

I would choose this trip if you want several easy activities in one morning or afternoon. It works especially well for you if you enjoy wildlife but also want time to swim, snack, and sit in the shade.

It is a good fit for:

• Couples who want a relaxed coastal outing
• Families who prefer a boat with indoor space and bathrooms
• People who want whale watching without committing to a full-day trip
• Anyone who values a swim stop as much as animal sightings
• Visitors who prefer a sailing boat’s slower, roomier feel

I would think twice if you need highly detailed marine biology commentary. I would also choose another option if raising the sails is your main reason for booking, or if you want a guaranteed close view of dolphins and whales.

Swimmers should bring a towel and take care with the ladder. Non-swimmers can stay aboard during the water stop, but the boat’s appeal is strongest when you are happy with a mixed itinerary rather than wildlife viewing alone.

Booking details worth knowing

The meeting point is Gate 5 at Puerto Colón in Costa Adeje. The duration is three hours, with departure times depending on availability. English, Italian, and Spanish are available.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the booking option allows you to reserve now and pay later. Those policies are useful if your Tenerife plans are still changing.

Bring a sun hat, towel, and normal sun protection. Snacks, cold drinks, and snorkeling equipment are included, but you should not expect the operator to provide personal beach items.

Should you book Lina7 or Mizendoha?

Book it if your ideal outing mixes pilot whales, a calm boat ride, a swim, and light refreshments. At $65, the package offers solid value when you use the included snacks, drinks, and snorkeling equipment, and the shaded 12-meter boat is more comfortable than a basic open craft.

Skip it if you want a true sail under raised canvas or a detailed lesson about whale biology. The biggest strength is variety and comfort, not technical sailing or expert-level interpretation. If you set your expectations that way, this can be a pleasant three-hour break from the resorts of Costa Adeje, with Captain Maxi and the crew helping turn a simple wildlife outing into a more personal day on the Atlantic.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching tour begin?

The meeting point is Gate 5 at Puerto Colón in Costa Adeje, Tenerife.

How long does the boat trip last?

The experience lasts three hours, with departure times available according to the schedule.

Which whales can I expect to look for?

The trip focuses on resident pilot whales living in the waters around the Canary Islands. Dolphins may also be seen.

Is swimming or snorkeling included?

Yes. The route includes about 30 minutes for swimming and snorkeling near Costa Adeje, and snorkeling equipment is available.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. Snacks and cold drinks are included.

What languages are available on the tour?

The live guide service is available in English, Italian, and Spanish.

Should I bring a towel and sun hat?

Yes. Towels and sun hats are not included, so bring your own.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve your place and pay later.