Tenerife is one of the largest of the Canary Islands located off the coast of Spain. The warm waters here attract whales and dolphins on their usual migration patterns.
If you’re planning a trip to the Canary Islands, and more specifically to Tenerife, you won’t want to miss out on seeing these stunning mammals of the sea up close in a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Tenerife offers wonderful experiences for all travelers and viewing their seasonal residents is only one of the fun and interesting activities you’ll find.
Best Whale Watching Tours From Tenerife
| Costa Adeje: Masca & Los Gigantes Whale Watching Cruise | From Adeje: Whale & Dolphin Watching Cruise w/ Lunch | Tenerife: Whale & Dolphin Tour w/ Underwater Views | |
|---|---|---|---|
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| Departure Point: | Puerto Colon, Dock 10 or 15 | Calle Colon, Pantalan 12 | Puerto Colon, Dock 12 |
| Departure Time: | 1:15 PM | 2:00 PM | 10:30 AM |
| Duration: | 4 hours, 30 minutes | 4 hours, 30 minutes | 2 hours OR 3 hours |
| Includes: | Cruise, lunch, sodas and beer, education about local whales and dolphins, time to swim | Snacks, lunch, beverages, views through underwater windows in the boat | Cruise with optional pickup and dropoff, optional lunch and beverages, optional swim stop |
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Quick Answer: The 5 Best Rated Tenerife Whale Watching Tours For 2024
- Costa Adeje: Masca & Los Gigantes Whale Watching Cruise
- From Adeje: Whale & Dolphin Watching Cruise w/ Lunch
- Tenerife: Whale & Dolphin Tour w/ Underwater Views
- Costa Adeje: 3-Hour Whale Watching Tou w/ Food & Drinks
- Tenerife 3-Hour Luxury Cruise w/ Whale & Dolphin Watching
Whether you’d like to go for a swim while on your cruise or a delicious lunch with a cold drink sounds better, perhaps you’d even like both, there are whale and dolphin watching cruises in Tenerife for everyone.
Tenerife Whale Watching Tour Reviews
1. Costa Adeje: Masca & Los Gigantes Whale Watching Cruise
- Departure Point: Puerto Colon, Dock 10 or 15
- Departure Time: 1:15 PM
- Duration: 4 hours, 30 minutes (approx)
- Includes: Cruise, lunch, sodas and beer, education about local whales and dolphins, time to swim
Aboard your luxury vessel, relax and take in the warm, Spanish sun while you enjoy unlimited beverages and also snacks and lunch.
You won’t just have the opportunity to see the pilot whales and both bottlenose and spotted dolphins that are at home in these waters, you’ll also learn quite a bit about them.
Their diets and migration patterns are fascinating details and you’re free to ask questions of the knowledgable staff on board.
Be sure to have your camera ready to snap quick pics of not only whales and dolphins but turtles that may come to the surface as well as large schools of fish.
You can choose the optional pickup and drop off which can make getting to your whale and dolphin watching cruise much easier.
You can also choose to upgrade your cruise to include a sun lounger onboard so you can sunbathe and lounge in comfort.
Enjoy the stunning views of the Los Gigantes cliffs and the Bay of Masca as you travel along the coastline while enjoying the best in luxury service from both your captain and onboard staff.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
2. From Adeje: Whale & Dolphin Watching Cruise w/ Lunch
- Departure Point: Calle Colon, Pantalan 12
- Departure Time: 2:00 PM
- Duration: 4 hours, 30 minutes (approx)
- Includes: Snacks, lunch, beverages, views through underwater windows in the boat
As you leave the port, you’ll head along the southern coastline of Tenerife toward Acantilado de los Gigantes. These cliffs reach to almost 2,000 feet and are a truly stunning sight.
Also in this area, you’ll experience the secluded and quiet Bay of Masca. Feel free to go for a swim in the warm waters. When you’re back on board, it’s time for lunch before heading back to port.
This 4 hour and 30-minute cruise will take you through waters that are home to many species of sea mammals, but the most common are the pilot whales and the bottlenose dolphins.
As you travel through areas that are common for whale and dolphin sightings, your captain will let you know to keep an eye on the wake at the back of the boat where they like to play.
A hotel pickup and drop off option is available and you can also purchase pictures as well as video taken on your whale and dolphin watching cruise.
Don’t miss out on the fantastic views of the beautiful, underwater world off the coast of Tenerife through the underwater windows in the bottom of the boat.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
3. Tenerife: Whale & Dolphin Tour w/ Underwater Views
- Departure Point: Puerto Colon, Dock 12
- Departure Time: 10:30 AM
- Duration: 2 hours OR 3 hours (approx)
- Includes: Cruise with optional pickup and dropoff, optional lunch and beverages, optional swim stop
If you’re looking for a whale and dolphin watching tour in Tenerife that you can customize to your own needs, this is the perfect cruise for you.
The 2-hour cruise includes a quick tour of the areas around Adeje, Santiago del Teide, and Guia de Isora where sightings of whales and dolphins are most common along the coast of Tenerife.
If you’d like to experience a little more during your cruise, you can choose the option to enjoy a delicious lunch on your way back to Puerto Colon along with a cold beer or glass of sangria.
The catamaran named the Royal Delphin will transport you around the waters off the shores of Tenerife comfortably on the deck and then underneath you’ll find a real show.
When there are whales and dolphins in the area, you can either view them from above as they play or you can head below deck to view them in their natural environment, under the surface of the warm Spanish waters of the Canary Islands.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
4. Costa Adeje: 3-Hour Whale Watching Tour w/ Food & Drinks
- Departure Point: Puerto Colon, Dock 10 or 15
- Departure Time: 10:00 AM, 1:15 PM
- Duration: 3 hours (approx)
- Includes: Cruise, snacks, sandwiches, sodas and beer
Pickup at your hotel is offered as an option and you will be dropped off back at your accommodations. This makes this tour easy to get to and a fun way to spend a morning or afternoon on the sea.
Enjoy a sun lounger at the front of the catamaran as your captain expertly navigates to some of the most popular sighting spots for the local pilot whales and dolphins.
While aboard, your crew will tell you all about these majestic sea creatures, including their migration habits and customs, as well as their diet and behavior.
While onboard, you’ll be treated to unlimited soft drinks or beer, whichever you prefer. Snacks and sandwiches will also be provided.
As a relaxing way to spend a day while visiting Tenerife, this tour is not only fun but educational which makes it ideal for the entire family.
Be sure to keep your camera ready for the whales and dolphins, and sometimes even the turtles or schools of fish that can be seen from aboard this luxury catamaran.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
5. Tenerife 3-Hour Luxury Cruise w/ Whale & Dolphin Watching
- Departure Point: Tenerife Sailing Charters, Plantan 7
- Departure Time: 10:30 AM, 1:30 PM
- Duration: 3 hours (approx)
- Includes: Pickup and dropoff from local hotels, lunch, beverages, use of snorkeling equipment
Cava, a sparkling wine similar to champagne but made with a different type of grapes, will be served before your captain heads out on the water in search of the dolphins and whales that call the coast of Tenerife their home.
These dolphins and whales love to play in the wake left behind by the boat so keep a sharp eye out and your camera ready. The captain will let you know when you are near areas that are popular for these sea mammals.
Not only will you get to enjoy beautiful views from the motorboat, but you’ll also have the opportunity to go snorkeling in a small, secluded bay, the Bay of Masca.
While aboard your captain’s vessel, enjoy free, unlimited drinks whether you’d like to enjoy an alcoholic beverage such as beer or wine, or you’d prefer water or soda. Lunch will also be served and if you choose not to snorkel when stopped, you can relax onboard with a snack.
Many travelers have seen turtles and other local marine life at the bay while snorkeling. You may want to bring along a disposable camera.
This 3-hour long tour is ideal for those who would like to see the southern coastline of Tenerife and get off the mainland for a bit of fun on the water.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
Tenerife Travel Guide
For those who love to travel, Tenerife is a bucket list destination not to be missed. Before you start making travel plans, however, be sure you know more about how to get there, get around the island, and get the most out of your trip.
Airports & Entry
Those flying to the Canary Islands from the US or even mainland Europe will most likely land in Tenerife and fly on from there. International flights usually land at Reina Sofia in the south, near Costa Adeje, as this is a larger and much more modern airport. If you’ve flown into Spain first and then on to Tenerife, you might have the option of flying to Los Rodeos which is in the north, closer to La Laguna.
Because there is the option of two different airports on the island of Tenerife, you can choose the one closest to your accommodations and the attractions you will be enjoying while there.
Planning Tips
There’s no place quite like Tenerife when it comes to a vacation destination. This means you may want to plan your trip a little different than you may plan other trips. We’ve listed our top five tips for planning a trip to Tenerife. Have another tip for those who haven’t been there? Please share in the comments!
Tip #1: Do Something Unique
There is literally a limitless number of things to do in Tenerife depending on what time of year you plan to go. While you will want to experience those things that the island is famous for, such as cruising to see whales and dolphins off the coast and taking the cable car up to the summit of Mount Teide, there are so many other things to do in Tenerife.
There are several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, for example, and so much of the island offers natural beauty you won’t want to miss. If you know when you will be there, try finding a local market, festival, celebration, or other events you wouldn’t be able to experience any other time of year.
Tip #2: Rent a Car
When visiting a city, you usually won’t want to rent a car as public transportation, taxis, and rideshares can be much easier and more affordable than renting a car. However, when visiting Tenerife, renting a car is recommended. Because you may want to explore other areas of the island that could take an hour or more to get there, renting a vehicle for the duration of your stay is usually much cheaper than if you were to pay for multiple, long taxi rides.
Tip #3: Only Spend One Day At The Beach
No matter what time of year you plan your trip to Tenerife, the beaches will usually be crowded. You will most likely still want to experience the white sandy beaches and warm waters of the Canary Islands, but it’s not worth it to spend more than one day of your vacation at the beach. Spend the extra time exploring areas that are off the beaten path and you’ll find your trip much more memorable.
Tip #4: Always Bright a Light Jacket
Some months out of the year see more light rainstorms than others but because Tenerife is an island, you really never know when you might encounter a shower. Plus, the temps can get a little chilly at night no matter what time of year. Bring a light jacket with you and you’ll always be prepared.
Tip #5: Don’t Overdo It
There are so many things to see and do in Tenerife but trying to cram too much into the precious time you have while there might mean that you don’t get to experience much of it, and you only get to really say you did it because you have pictures to prove it. Take your time to truly live each experience and if that means taking a day to drive around the island in your rental car to relax and see the sights, that might just be the best thing you can do that day!
Restaurants & Eating Out
Tenerife is known for some great food and you’ll find everything from fine dining to some delicious street vendors. When out and about, don’t miss Cafe Mordisquitos for local “cuisine” on the street. If you’re looking for affordable fare, Restaurante El Guanche will serve up the local foods and Piazzale always has the classic Italian meals, including pizza.
While in Tenerife, you’ll want to enjoy at least one dinner at one of their 4- or 5-star fine dining restaurants. If you want to enjoy Mediterranean cuisine at its finest, make reservations at El Taller Seve Diaz before you even book your flight. El Rincon de Juan Carlos is well known for fabulous Spanish dishes.
Nightlife & Entertainment
Nightlife is a way of life in Tenerife and there are even bars and nightclubs that are family-friendly, such as St. Eugenes. Forget leaving the family at home or trying to find something safe and fun for the kids to do while you party it up on the beach. Bring them along!
For the adults, however, the beach club scene is where you want to be seen. Papagayo Beach Club is the #1 spot in Tenerife and the place most of the visiting celebrities will be headed. If you aren’t looking for a place that busy, check out Bull’s Head for the famous rock band, Vagabonds, or the Irish-themed nightclub, Dubliner, with their own resident band.
Getting Around
If you plan on staying in Costa Adeje or La Laguna exclusively while visiting Tenerife, you might want to stick to taxis. However, even if you plan to head out of town for some sightseeing or local tours, the bus system is well equipped to handle your needs as it reaches nearly every corner of the island. Bus passes are available a full day, multiple days, or even a week which can help you save a bit. Buses are referred to as guaguas on Tenerife.
Doing your own driving on the island of Tenerife can be quite convenient, allowing to travel when and where you’d like and also cutting down on traveling costs considerably during your stay. There are several ways to rent a vehicle but the best way may be to book your vehicle rental at the same time as your flight.
Accommodations
Tenerife is home to many of the chain hotels you can see almost anywhere else, such as the Hard Rock, but they seem to have their own particular style. The Bahia Del Duque was the first resort to bring luxury accommodations to the island and is still one of the most popular.
The Royal Hideaway Corales Suites can be convenient if traveling with a family or if you plan on being in Tenerife for a week or longer since you will have much more room and many more amenities than at typical hotels. If you’d like to get away from the city and experience the Biosphere Reserve of Anaga, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you might want to look into accommodations at Finca El Picacho.
Weather
Usually, there’s no time of year when you’ll find bad weather in Tenerife. While you might see a couple more rain showers in February and March, and perhaps also November, the days are still usually sunny and warm, which is just what you’d expect from the Canary Islands.
September is usually a great time to visit Tenerife as the days are warm and the nights get cool, meaning it is ideal for enjoying sunsets at the beach clubs and then dancing well into the night. Plus, it’s not the height of tourist season so accommodations and flights are most likely going to be a bit cheaper.
Attractions
There are some things that every first-time visitor to Tenerife should have on their to-do list. Taking the cable car up to the summit of Mount Teide is one of them and the other is to spend at least a few hours on one of their picturesque, white sandy beaches.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Tenerife include Anaga, a beautiful reserve filled with fig and banana trees, hanging vines, and the strong scent of jasmine. Another is La Laguna, which used to be the capital of Tenerife.
For those traveling to Tenerife with kids, the Siam Park is a waterpark with a Thai theme. As the most popular theme park on the island, both young and old can enjoy everything from the lazy river to adrenaline rush-inducing slides. Loro Parque provides education about local wildlife and puts on animal shows to delight all visitors.
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We chose the Tenerife 3-Hour Luxury Cruise as our Editor's Choice for the best whale and dolphin watching cruise from Tenerife.
