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

The best part of this five-hour cruise is the mix of wildlife and scenery. You search for pilot whales and dolphins in open water, then cruise beneath the towering cliffs of Los Gigantes, where you can swim in a sheltered bay. I especially like the included lunch with soft drinks, beer, and wine, plus the chance to see marine life without adding another paid activity. The main catch is a rolling boat, so bring seasickness medicine if rough water bothers you.

I also like the practical setup: you can board at Puerto Colón or choose pickup from a long list of Tenerife locations. Crew member Andy gets special praise for keeping the mood fun and helping people arrange safe transport home. Just arrive early for a better seat, and remember that wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed.

Key points to know before you book

• Pilot whales are the main target: The boat heads toward waters where sightings are more likely, with about 30 minutes set aside for watching them in the wild.
• Los Gigantes provides the grand finale: More than 600 meters of near-vertical cliff face rises above the bay where you stop for lunch and swimming.
• Lunch and drinks are included: Expect buffet-style food, soft drinks, and beer and wine during lunch. Extra cocktails and alcoholic drinks cost more.
• The boat can sway: Several people found the crossing rough, so this is not the best pick if you are prone to seasickness.
• Pickup is optional: The main meeting point is Puerto Colón, pier 14, beside the petrol station. Bus pickup is available from many resorts.
• The atmosphere is lively: Music, jokes, and a multilingual crew make this feel more like a social boat day than a quiet wildlife outing.

From Puerto Colón toward Tenerife’s whale waters

Boarding begins 15 minutes before departure at Puerto Colón, pier number 14, next to the petrol station. The listed departure is 11:00 a.m., but starting times can change by date, so check the schedule when booking.

You can meet the boat at the port, which is the simplest option if you have your own car or are staying near Costa Adeje. Pickup is also available from many places around Tenerife, including El Duque, La Caleta, Playa de las Américas, Puerto de la Cruz, and other resort areas. That convenience comes with a tradeoff: a bus transfer can add a fair amount of time to your day, especially if the coach collects people from several stops.

Once aboard, the boat heads along the southwest coast toward the whale-watching area. This stretch is about spotting animals in their natural setting, not watching a staged show. The crew searches for signs of pilot whales and dolphins and adjusts the route to improve your chances.

Pilot whales are the regular focus of this outing, though the wildlife can vary. People have also reported seeing several kinds of dolphins, turtles, flying fish, and even a shark. Those sightings are possibilities, not promises. The responsible expectation is a pleasant sea trip with a chance to see wild animals, not a guaranteed dolphin performance.

The 30-minute wildlife stop

The whale-watching portion includes roughly 30 minutes dedicated to viewing whales in the open sea. That may sound short, but it gives the boat a clear purpose and keeps the day moving toward Los Gigantes.

The most useful thing to understand is that the boat does not simply stop at one fixed viewing point. It sails toward an area with a better chance of finding pilot whales, then spends time observing what appears nearby. Conditions, animal behavior, and the number of boats in the area all affect what you see.

If dolphins appear, you may see them moving near the boat or in pods farther away. Pilot whales can be less theatrical than dolphins, but seeing them surface in open water is the more distinctive part of this trip. Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the whole stop looking through a screen. The action can be brief.

This is also the part most affected by weather and sea conditions. A calm day makes it easier to watch the water and enjoy the ride. On a rough day, the boat may sway enough to make the wildlife stop uncomfortable. If you get seasick, sit where movement feels least intense, avoid a heavy meal before departure, and bring medication that works for you.

Sailing beneath the 600-meter cliffs of Los Gigantes

After the wildlife stop, the boat continues toward Los Gigantes. These cliffs rise more than 600 meters and form one of the most dramatic coastal sights in Tenerife. Seeing them from sea level gives you a very different sense of scale than viewing them from a road or town above.

The cliffs are the visual centerpiece of the cruise. The boat approaches the west coast and anchors in one of the small bays below the rock walls. This is where the trip slows down and becomes less about searching and more about enjoying the setting.

You have about 40 minutes for the stop, including sightseeing, lunch, and swimming. That is enough time for a quick meal and a refreshing dip, but it is not a long beach visit. The boat remains your base, so you do not walk ashore or explore a coastal village during this excursion.

The water is described as clear and refreshing. You can swim from the anchored boat beneath the cliffs, an appealing option for confident swimmers who want something more memorable than a hotel pool. If you prefer to stay dry, you can eat, take photos, and enjoy the view from the deck.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and sunglasses. There is no reason to pack as if you are spending a full day on a beach. A small waterproof bag for your phone and valuables is sensible, though the provided information does not specify onboard storage.

Lunch, drinks, and the boat atmosphere

Lunch is included in the price, which helps this excursion feel like a full half-day outing rather than a simple sightseeing cruise. The food is served buffet style, and it has been described as plentiful and satisfying. Exact dishes are not specified, so you should not book this as a gourmet food experience.

Soft drinks are included. Beer and wine are also included at lunchtime, while other alcoholic drinks and cocktails cost extra. Some cocktails have been available for a small additional charge, including one-euro drinks on one reported outing, but prices can change. Treat those as optional extras, not part of the advertised package.

The crew puts real effort into the social side of the trip. Music plays on board, and the atmosphere can be lively, with jokes and plenty of interaction. Andy is singled out for keeping people entertained and for helping arrange taxis when passengers needed a safe way home. That kind of practical attention matters on a long boat day.

The mood will not suit everyone. If you want a silent wildlife cruise with a naturalist-style lecture, this may feel too animated. If you enjoy music, drinks, swimming, and a friendly group setting, the tone should fit well.

The live guide service is offered in Spanish, English, French, German, and Italian. One Italian-speaking passenger needed to ask for translation at the start, so language coverage may depend on which crew member is speaking and how busy the boat is. If detailed commentary in one specific language is important to you, confirm that before booking.

The return sail along Tenerife’s southwest coast

After lunch and the swim, the boat returns toward Puerto Colón along the southwest coast. This gives you another stretch of coastal viewing and time to relax after the main stops.

The return is part of the experience, not just a transfer. You can enjoy the cliffs and coast from the water, talk with the crew, or settle into a quieter part of the boat. By this point, the drinks, sun, and movement may make you ready for a rest, so pace yourself.

The trip ends back at the same meeting point at Puerto Colón. If you use the optional bus service, the operator provides pickup and drop-off options from many locations. Wait at the selected pickup point, and if the bus is more than five minutes late, use the emergency telephone number supplied with your booking.

What the $63 price really covers

At about $63 per person, this is a fair value for a five-hour cruise that combines wildlife viewing, a major coastal sight, lunch, drinks, and swimming. You are paying for more than a short whale-watching ride. The included meal and lunchtime beer and wine reduce the extra spending once you are on board.

The value is strongest if you plan to use the whole package. Someone who only wants to see dolphins may find a shorter wildlife cruise cheaper and more focused. Someone who wants the cliffs, a swim, and a social boat day gets much more from this outing.

The included food is useful because you do not need to organize lunch during a five-hour activity. The included soft drinks help families keep costs under control. Cocktails, extra alcohol, photographs, and videos are not included, so carry a little extra money if those matter to you.

The optional coach pickup may also improve the value if you are staying far from Puerto Colón. If you already have a car and are nearby, driving to the port is likely simpler. The long pickup list means convenience varies by where you stay.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve now and pay later make this easier to fit into a changing holiday schedule. Check the exact time and pickup point before you commit, especially if you are coordinating it with another activity.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would choose this tour for someone who wants several Tenerife highlights in one outing. It suits families, couples, and groups who like a little of everything: wild animals, big coastal scenery, food, music, and a swim.

It is also a good fit if you are staying around Costa Adeje and want a simple half-day plan without arranging separate transport to Los Gigantes. The multilingual crew makes it accessible to an international group, and the included meal removes some of the planning.

You should think twice if you suffer badly from seasickness. The boat can sway, and rough waves have caused some passengers to feel ill. This is not a minor concern. Take precautions, choose your seat carefully, and consider a land-based outing if open water usually makes you miserable.

It may also disappoint you if you expect a quiet, specialist wildlife lesson. The crew is friendly and entertaining, but the experience is built around a fun group atmosphere. Wildlife sightings are a bonus of the route, not a controlled attraction.

For swimmers, the bay beneath Los Gigantes is a major reason to book. For non-swimmers, the cliffs and lunch still make the stop worthwhile, but the 40-minute anchor period may feel brief if you do not enter the water.

Small choices that improve the day

Arrive early. Boarding starts 15 minutes before departure, and getting there ahead of time gives you a better chance of choosing a comfortable seat. This matters on a boat where the ride can feel lively.

Wear practical clothing rather than your smartest resort outfit. You will want swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and sunglasses, and you may prefer a light layer for the boat ride.

Eat lightly before departure if you are sensitive to motion. Keep your eyes on the horizon when possible, and do not wait until you feel ill before taking the steps you normally use to prevent seasickness.

Keep your camera accessible during the wildlife portion. Dolphins and whales may surface with little warning, and the boat may not remain in one place for long. At Los Gigantes, take a few photos before lunch so you can enjoy the swim without rushing.

Plan your return carefully if you have an evening reservation. The advertised activity lasts five hours, but pickup and drop-off by coach can extend your day. The port meeting point is more predictable than a resort transfer.

Should you book the Los Gigantes whale-watching tour?

Book it if you want a social, well-filled half-day on the water, especially if you value the combination of pilot whales, dolphins, cliffs, lunch, and swimming. The $63 price makes good sense when you use the included meal and drinks, and the scenery beneath Los Gigantes gives the outing a strong second act.

Skip it if you are highly prone to seasickness, want guaranteed wildlife sightings, or prefer a quiet and serious marine-life trip. For everyone else, this is a practical Tenerife choice with a lively crew, a generous set of inclusions, and enough variety to keep five hours from feeling repetitive.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching tour start?

The tour starts at Puerto Colón, pier number 14, next to the petrol station. Boarding begins 15 minutes before departure.

What time does the tour leave?

The listed departure is 11:00 a.m. Starting times can vary, so check availability for your chosen date.

Are lunch and drinks included?

Yes. Food and soft drinks are included, along with beer and wine at lunchtime. Other alcoholic drinks, cocktails, photos, and videos are not included.

Will I see whales and dolphins?

The boat travels toward an area where pilot whales are more likely to be found and includes about 30 minutes for wildlife viewing. Sightings of whales and dolphins are possible, but they cannot be guaranteed.

Can I swim during the tour?

Yes. The boat anchors in a bay beneath Los Gigantes, where you can swim in the clear water. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and sunglasses.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is optional and available from many listed locations around Tenerife. If you choose it, wait at the selected pickup point and call the emergency telephone number if the bus is more than five minutes late.