Tenerife: Whale Watching Catamaran Cruise with Buffet & Pickup

Small group catamaran cruise Tenerife whales dolphins buffet

You’ll sail along Tenerife’s coastline in a small group catamaran cruise, spotting whales and playful dolphins up close with a local guide nearby to share stories or help out. Relax on open decks with drinks in hand, taste fresh tapas from the included buffet, and maybe try snorkeling if you feel like it. It’s a few hours that leave you lighter somehow.

Step-by-step itinerary

• Meet crew at Puerto Colon
• Board catamaran
• Watch whales and dolphins
• Relax on sundecks and fly-bridge
• Enjoy drinks, fruit, snacks, and tapas
• Soak up sun with mountain views
• Return to Puerto Colon

The Experience

We stepped onto the catamaran at Puerto Colón just as the morning sun was getting serious — not hot yet, but you could smell sunscreen and sea salt in the air. The crew greeted us with easy smiles (I think one of them was humming something Spanish under his breath), and we found a spot on the sundeck where the breeze felt just right. I didn’t expect to feel nervous, but there’s something about heading out from Tenerife’s coast that gets your heart going a bit.

Our guide — I think her name was Marta — started pointing toward these dark shapes moving in the water, and suddenly everyone went quiet except for a little kid who kept saying “delfín!” over and over. The whales were closer than I thought they’d be. You could hear them exhale, this deep puffing sound, and it made me grin like an idiot. Dolphins popped up too, almost showing off. Someone passed around plates of fruit and little tapas from the buffet (the olives were salty-sweet, still thinking about those), and there was cava if you wanted it. I tried to say “gracias” with my mouth full — not my best look.

I wandered up to the fly-bridge after that, just to get a better view of the mountains behind us. The light changed every few minutes — sometimes gold, sometimes almost blue — and people just lounged or chatted quietly. At some point Marta offered snorkeling gear but honestly I was happy just soaking up the sun and watching clouds drift by. There’s this feeling you get when you’re out there: calm but also sort of awake in a new way. Hard to explain unless you’ve done it.

What’s included

• Your day includes transfer from your accommodation to Puerto Colón where you’ll join a small group catamaran cruise along Tenerife’s coast.
• All fees and taxes are covered; enjoy unlimited use of snorkeling gear if you want to swim.
• A buffet offers tapas, snacks, veggies, fruit and sweets alongside drinks like cava, beer, wine or soft drinks before returning comfortably by air-conditioned vehicle.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Monte Cristo Catamaran

Traveler reviews

4.82★★★★★★★★★★

572 verified traveler reviews

5 ★505

4 ★46

3 ★11

2 ★3

1 ★7

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

How long is the Tenerife whale watching catamaran cruise?

The tour lasts about 3 hours from Puerto Colón.

Is hotel pickup included for this catamaran cruise?

Yes, transfer is included in your booking.

Are food and drinks provided during the cruise?

Yes, there’s a buffet with tapas, snacks, fruits, sweets plus drinks like cava, beer, wine, soft drinks and water.

Will we definitely see whales or dolphins?

The tour aims to spot whales and dolphins in their natural habitat but sightings can’t be guaranteed.

Is snorkeling equipment available?

Yes, use of snorkeling equipment is included if you want to swim.

Are infants or small children allowed on board?

Yes, infants and small children can join; prams or strollers are allowed too.

Is this cruise suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, it’s suitable for all physical fitness levels.

Are service animals allowed on this tour?

Yes, service animals are welcome on board.