Tenerife: Catamaran Whale & Dolphin Cruise with Los Gigantes & Swim

Pilot whales and dolphins leap off Tenerife's volcanic cliffs, from a catamaran deck with lunch included

You board a catamaran at Porto Colon and sail toward Masca Bay, scanning for pilot whales and dolphins in their natural habitat while the crew navigates past Los Gigantes' towering volcanic cliffs. You swim in Masca Bay, eat lunch on board, and drink from the shaded bar, all included, before returning in the afternoon. No arrangements needed beyond showing up.

Step-by-step itinerary

Catamaran cruise with wildlife and swim

• Depart from Porto Colon
• Spot dolphins and pilot whales
• Enjoy drinks and lunch on board
• Sail along Los Gigantes cliffs
• Anchor in Masca Bay for swim
• Relax and sunbathe on deck

The experience

"The whales, they know when we're coming," our captain said as we cast off from Porto Colon, squinting at the water like he'd done this a thousand times. And he probably had. The catamaran cuts through the strait between Tenerife and the smaller islands, and within the first hour, you're scanning the surface for dorsal fins. Pilot whales and dolphins move through these waters regularly, not guaranteed, but regular enough that the crew knows the routes, the times, the spots where the pods tend to gather. You're on deck the whole time, sun on your face, a cold drink in hand, and the island's volcanic spine rising up behind you.

The real draw, though, is sailing into the shadow of Los Gigantes. These cliffs don't photograph well from land. They're too tall, too close, too much. From the water, they're just there, 600 meters of dark rock dropping straight into the sea, and you're small beneath them. The catamaran slows down, the crew points out the geology, and you realize why people come back to Tenerife. After an hour or so of cruising, the boat drops anchor in Masca Bay and you get time to swim. The water's cold enough to wake you up, warm enough that you don't want to get out. Lunch is served on board (nothing fancy, but real food, not a snack), and the bar stays open with beer, sangria, water, soft drinks. You're not rushed.

The whole thing runs from Porto Colon, which is on the south coast, and takes up most of a day without eating into your evening. Lifejackets are provided, and the crew handles everything. If you're hoping to see whales and dolphins, you will or you won't, that's the ocean, but either way, you're spending the day on a catamaran off one of Spain's most dramatic coastlines with food and drink sorted. That's the trade.

What’s included

• Catamaran cruise from Porto Colon.
• dolphin and whale spotting.
• lunch on board.
• beer, sangria, water, and soft drinks at the shaded bar.
• swim stop in Masca Bay.
• lifejacket.
• views of Los Gigantes cliffs and Tenerife's volcanic coastline.

Before you book

Days and timesTue · Thu · Sun · 11:20

AgesAges 12+ · 3 to 11 years · Under 3 — Free

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical level

Operated by Destination Services Spain

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a full day on the water without arranging transport, food, or timing yourself. The catamaran handles the route, the crew handles the stops, and you show up at Porto Colon ready to sail.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

3 to 11 years; under 3, free.

How long is the cruise?

The tour takes up most of a day, though exact duration is not stated. Plan for a half-day to full-day experience.

Is whale and dolphin spotting guaranteed?

No. Pilot whales and dolphins are known to frequent these waters, but sightings depend on weather and ocean conditions. The tour proceeds regardless.

What's included in lunch?

Lunch is served on board. The specific menu is not detailed, but drinks (beer, sangria, water, and soft drinks) are complimentary at the shaded bar.

What if the weather is bad?

Weather conditions may affect the tour. Check with the operator about their cancellation or rescheduling policy.

Do I need swimming ability?

The tour includes a swim stop in Masca Bay, but participation is optional. Lifejackets are provided for safety.