Day trips3 hoursFree cancellation up to 24h before

Tenerife: Catamaran whale watching, Costa Adeje

Catamaran whale and dolphin watching trip from Costa Adeje, the south of Tenerife. Pilot whales resident year-round, dolphins almost guaranteed. 4.7/5 with 4,248 reviews.

4.74,248 reviews

Photo credits

Tony Hisgett, CC BY 2.0, vía Wikimedia Commons · source
Gustavo A. Pérez, CC BY-SA 4.0, vía Wikimedia Commons · source
Tony Hisgett, CC BY 2.0, vía Wikimedia Commons · source
Martina Nolte, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, vía Wikimedia Commons · source
Andrea Imre, Pexels License · source
John Arellano Riera, Pexels License · source
Su-Enna, Pixabay License · source
sailingstellar, Pixabay License · source

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Practical details

Duration: 3 hours
Guide languages: Spanish · English
Mobile ticket: No need to print
Instant confirmation: Right after booking
Wheelchair accessible: No
Minimum age: No restriction
Pets: Not allowed
Cancellation: Free up to 24h before

Highlights

Departures from Costa Adeje (convenient for south Tenerife hotels)
Pilot whales resident year-round in the Tenerife–La Gomera channel
Bottlenose and spotted dolphins common year-round
Catamaran with deck space and swimming stop

Our take

The south Tenerife option for whale watching. Convenient if you're staying in Los Cristianos or Las Américas, with the same excellent pilot whale sighting rates as the Los Gigantes route.

What's included

3-hour catamaran trip
Whale and dolphin watching
Swimming stop (conditions permitting)

Not included

Transport to the port
Food and drink (snack bar usually available on board)

Good to know

What to bring

Swimsuit (there is usually a swimming stop)
Sun protection
Light jacket or windbreaker

Not suitable for

People prone to severe seasickness

Things to keep in mind

The departure from the south coast makes this the most convenient option for hotels in Las Américas, Los Cristianos, and Adeje
Both morning and afternoon departures are typically available
Sighting rates are very high — pilot whales are resident in these waters, not seasonal

Meeting point

Puerto Colón or Puerto de Los Cristianos, Costa Adeje, Tenerife

Costa Adeje is the main resort area in south Tenerife. Exact departure port (Puerto Colón in Las Américas or Los Cristianos) is confirmed on your voucher. Both ports are well served by local buses from the south resort area.

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The experience

Whale watching from the south of Tenerife

If you're staying in the Costa Adeje resorts — Las Américas, Los Cristianos, El Médano — this is the whale watching trip to book. It departs from the south coast and heads into the Tenerife–La Gomera channel, one of the most productive cetacean habitats in the Atlantic.

What lives here

Short-finned pilot whales are the resident species. Unlike migratory whale species, they live in this channel year-round in family pods of 10 to 30 individuals. Sighting rates are consistently high throughout the year.

Bottlenose dolphins are very frequently seen, often bow-riding alongside the catamaran. Atlantic spotted dolphins are also common.

The trip

Three hours on a catamaran, with a naturalist guide providing commentary. The trip usually includes a swimming stop in open Atlantic water — bring your swimsuit.

Responsible whale watching

Whale watching in the Canary Islands is strictly regulated. Boats must maintain minimum distances from cetaceans and may not chase or surround them. Operators on this route work within the regulations.

Accessibility

Limited. Requires climbing onto a catamaran. Not suitable for wheelchairs.

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before with full refund.

Frequently asked questions

How does this differ from the Los Gigantes trip?

Both trips access the same cetacean habitat. The key difference is the departure point — this trip leaves from Costa Adeje in the south, making it more convenient for the main south Tenerife resorts. The Los Gigantes trip leaves from the west coast and adds the dramatic cliffs as a backdrop.

Is there a swimming stop?

Most departures include a swimming stop in calm, clear Atlantic waters. This is weather and sea-condition dependent. Confirm with the operator on booking.