Whale Watching Catamaran Cruise with Transfer, Buffet by MC

Pilot whales are the main attraction here, and you have a good chance of seeing them close to Tenerife’s south coast. The small catamaran setting feels calmer and more personal than the large party boats that cruise nearby. The crew explains what you are seeing, then gives you time to enjoy the sea rather than rushing from one sight to the next.

I like the included food and drinks, which turn a basic boat ride into a proper half-day outing. I also like the choice of open sun decks, shaded seating, and a flybridge, so you can move around as the weather changes. The main drawback is the sea itself: even a stable catamaran can roll, and some people have felt sick when the water turned rough.

Key points to know before you book

• Pilot whales are the usual highlight: Dolphins and sea turtles are also possible, but no wildlife sighting can be guaranteed.
• A real small-group feel: The boat carries a maximum of 24 people, with many departures running at about 20 passengers.
• Food and drinks are included: Expect tapas-style items, fruit, snacks, water, soft drinks, beer, and champagne.
• Swimming is part of the outing: The captain stops at a suitable spot, with snorkeling equipment available.
• Hotel transfer covers south Tenerife: Pickup can be requested from Golf del Sur, Los Cristianos, Playa de las Américas, Adeje, Playa Paraíso, Callao Salvaje, and Alcalá.
• Plan for movement: Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and something warm for an evening sailing.

Setting out from Puerto Colón

The tour begins at Pantalan 6 in Puerto Colón, Costa Adeje. If you arrange a transfer, pickup is available only from selected resorts in southern Tenerife, and the exact time is confirmed after booking. It can be 20 minutes to an hour before sailing, so leave yourself ready and waiting rather than planning a tight connection.

The meeting point is easy to pair with a stay in Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos, or Playa de las Américas. If you are outside the transfer area, you need to make your own way to Puerto Colón. The cruise returns to the same place, which keeps the logistics simple.

The Monte Cristo is a purpose-built catamaran, with a restroom onboard and several places to sit. You can choose the forward sundeck for sun and open views, the flybridge for a higher viewpoint, or the inside sofa and shaded areas when the heat picks up. This matters more than it may sound. Three hours on a boat is much easier when you are not stuck in one seat.

The boat holds no more than 24 people. That is small compared with the large party catamarans that operate from the same coast, though one report found the boat felt a little full on a rougher outing. Your sense of space will depend on the sailing date and how many people book it, but the capacity is clearly limited.

Watching pilot whales in open water

Once the boat leaves the marina, the crew heads along the coast in search of whales and dolphins. The usual star is the short-finned pilot whale, a resident species commonly seen around Tenerife’s southern waters. You may see a single animal, a pod, or several groups moving through the sea.

The best moments come when a pod surfaces beside the boat. You might see backs appear in a line, hear the breath at the surface, or watch the animals change direction together. The boat does not place you in a controlled aquarium setting, so sightings remain natural and unpredictable. Some days produce several pods, while other outings may be less generous.

The crew helps you get more from the sighting by explaining the animals and pointing out movement in the water. Laura has been praised for attentive guiding, while Daniela, Michel, Miguel, and the captains have also been singled out for friendly service and clear information. The exact crew may vary, but the approach is consistent: find the wildlife, keep a respectful distance, and help you understand what you are seeing.

Dolphins are also possible. Some outings have included large groups of dolphins, and a sea turtle has appeared on at least one trip. You should treat these as welcome extras, not promises. The tour focuses on free-ranging marine life, so wildlife luck remains part of the deal.

The views are another reason to come. From the water, you see Tenerife’s southern coast and mountain slopes from a different angle. The boat ride gives you a quiet break from resort streets, with the sea and island scenery doing most of the work between sightings.

Food, drinks, and the easy pace

The buffet is simple rather than elaborate, but it adds real value. Expect items such as tortilla, cheese, quiche, bread, crisps, and a selection of meat, along with fruit, snacks, and tapas-style food. Previous menus have been described as tasty and plentiful, though one unhappy passenger found the food disappointing. You should think of it as a casual boat buffet, not a restaurant meal.

Drinks include water, soft drinks, beer, and champagne. The crew serves drinks during the cruise, and several people particularly appreciated the attentive service. That means you can settle into the outing without constantly reaching for your wallet or wondering when the next refreshment stop will be.

I like this format because the food does not interrupt the wildlife watching. You can have something small, move to the rail when the crew spots whales, and return to your plate afterward. It also makes the price easier to judge. At $71.35 per person, you are paying for transport on the water, a three-hour cruise, crew service, food, drinks, and a swim stop, not just a short wildlife sighting.

The food and drink package is especially useful for families and couples who want a relaxed outing rather than a bare-bones boat ride. If you do not drink alcohol, the soft drinks and water still make the package useful. If you expect a lavish lunch, keep your expectations in check.

A swim stop after the wildlife search

After the boat has spent time looking for whales and dolphins, the captain stops for swimming when conditions allow. You can take a short swim from the boat, and snorkeling equipment is provided. This gives the outing a change of pace after the focused wildlife search.

The swim is optional. You can remain onboard, enjoy the view, or sit in the shade while others enter the water. This is helpful if you are not a confident swimmer, if the sea feels cool, or if you simply prefer watching the coast from the deck.

The stop is not a full snorkeling expedition. The main purpose is to enjoy the sea for a while, with equipment supplied for convenience. The exact swimming location depends on the captain and conditions, so you should not expect a fixed reef or a guaranteed underwater wildlife encounter.

Bring your own swimsuit and towel. Sunscreen and sunglasses are also essential, since the open deck can feel much brighter than the marina. For sunset or evening departures, pack a light layer. One of the more practical tips from the trip is to bring something warm, and you may also get splashed even when the day starts sunny.

Comfort, seasickness, and weather

A catamaran is more stable than many single-hull boats, but it still moves. If you are prone to seasickness, take sensible precautions before boarding. The operator suggests herbal ginger tablets or Dramamine, and you should follow the directions for any medicine you use.

The reports are mixed in a useful way. Many outings have been smooth and relaxing, while one rough sailing left several people feeling sick. Another person felt the boat was slightly overfilled, though most descriptions mention ample room and a small group. The honest takeaway is simple: the vessel helps, but it cannot control the Atlantic.

Choose a seat with care. Fresh air and an outside view may help if you feel unwell, while the inside sofa offers shelter from spray and sun. Do not wait until you feel sick before moving around or telling the crew. The crew has helped people rest and made space for those who needed it.

Weather also affects the schedule. The cruise requires suitable conditions, and a cancellation caused by poor weather brings a choice of another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number needed to run the outing is not reached.

Transfer, timing, and the $71.35 price

At about three hours, this is a useful half-day activity. You still have time for the beach, a resort dinner, or another Tenerife attraction on the same day. Morning departures can be a good choice if you want cooler conditions, while an evening or sunset sailing adds softer light and a quieter feel.

The transfer saves effort if you are staying in the covered resort areas. Pickup is available from Golf del Sur, Los Cristianos, Playa de las Américas, Adeje, Playa Paraíso, Callao Salvaje, and Alcalá. The pickup time is not identical for every hotel, so wait for the confirmed time rather than assuming the sailing time is also your pickup time.

At $71.35, the outing is not the cheapest way to reach the sea, but it is a fair package for what is included. You get a small catamaran, crew service, wildlife watching, buffet food, alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, a swim stop, snorkeling equipment, and possible hotel transport. A bare whale-watching trip may cost less, but you would need to compare the boat size and what is included before calling it better value.

The trip is booked around 14 days ahead on average, so I would not leave it until the last moment if your dates are fixed. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Who will enjoy this catamaran most

This is a strong choice if you want marine wildlife without giving up half a day. It suits couples, families, and small groups who like a calm boat ride with food, drinks, and a chance to swim.

It is also a good fit if you dislike large party boats. The maximum of 24 people keeps the scale modest, and the crew can give more personal attention. The atmosphere can still become lively, especially when people are excited by whales or dolphins, but it is not designed as a loud party cruise.

You should think twice if you are highly sensitive to motion, need wheelchair access, or want a guaranteed close-up wildlife encounter. The catamaran is not wheelchair accessible, and sightings depend on nature. Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed, but the boat still requires you to manage boarding and movement at sea.

Should you book the Monte Cristo cruise?

I would book this if you want a well-rounded Tenerife sea outing rather than a quick wildlife ride. The combination of pilot whales, possible dolphins and turtles, a swim, buffet food, free-flowing drinks, and a small group gives the three hours a good rhythm.

Book it with realistic expectations. You may see several pods, or you may have a quieter day. The sea can be bumpy, the food is casual, and the boat is not wheelchair accessible. Bring a towel, sunscreen, a warm layer, and seasickness medicine if needed.

For a south Tenerife stay, the included transfer and the door-to-door ease add value. If you want a friendly crew, open views, and a chance to see whales in their natural setting without spending a full day at sea, this is an easy tour to recommend.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching cruise depart?

The boat departs from Monte Cristo Catamaran at Puerto Colón, Pantalan 6, Costa Adeje, Tenerife. The cruise returns to the same meeting point.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup can be requested from hotels in Golf del Sur, Los Cristianos, Playa de las Américas, Adeje, Playa Paraíso, Callao Salvaje, and Alcalá. Pickup time is usually 20 minutes to one hour before sailing, with the exact time confirmed after your request.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts about three hours. It includes the wildlife search, time on the water, food and drinks, and a possible swim stop.

What animals might I see?

You may see pilot whales, dolphins, and sea turtles. Wildlife is free-ranging, so sightings are possible but cannot be guaranteed.

Is food and drink included?

Yes. The package includes buffet and tapas-style food such as tortilla, cheese, quiche, bread, crisps, meat, fruit, and snacks. Drinks include water, soft drinks, beer, and champagne.

Can I swim or snorkel from the boat?

Yes. The captain takes you to a suitable swimming area when conditions allow, and snorkeling equipment is provided. Swimming is optional.

Is the catamaran wheelchair accessible?

No. The catamaran is not wheelchair accessible. A restroom is available onboard, and service animals are allowed.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. If the minimum number of people is not reached, you are also offered another date or experience, or a full refund.