Whale watching Tenerife: Respectful wooden boat with swim

Wooden boats keep the pace slow enough to watch dolphins without chasing them.

A whale and dolphin watching cruise from Costa Adeje aboard a classic wooden boat, with ethical viewing practices and an optional Atlantic swim. Sail along Tenerife's coast in search of marine life, listen to crew commentary on species behaviour and conservation, and cool off with a refreshing dip near the shore if sea conditions permit. Suitable for all fitness levels and wheelchair accessible throughout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Whale watching and swimming cruise

• Sail the Atlantic on wooden boat
• Watch whales and dolphins respectfully
• Swim near the coast if allowed

The experience

The wooden boat leaves Costa Adeje and heads out along Tenerife's coast at a pace that lets the crew spot whales and dolphins without disturbing them. You'll watch the animals in their natural habitat from a safe distance while the multilingual guide explains what you're seeing: the species, their behaviour, and the conservation work that protects them. The boat carries a captain and crew, onboard bathrooms, and bottled water throughout the sail.

Toward the end of the cruise, the boat stops in calm water for a swim. This swimming stop is optional and happens only if the sea and weather cooperate. The captain makes the call. Swimming floats are available for children. You can choose from four departure times (10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, or a longer 5-hour cruise to Los Gigantes), so you can fit the outing around the rest of your day in Tenerife.

All areas of the boat are wheelchair accessible, and the vessel is suitable for infants and small children. Infants must sit on an adult's lap during the sail. Public transportation options are nearby if you're arriving without a car, and accessible transport is available to reach the harbour.

What’s included

• Bottled water.
• multilingual guide in English, Spanish, Italian, French and one additional language.
• onboard bathrooms.
• optional swimming stop.
• swimming floats for children.
• crew and captain on board.

Options for this experience

4 options

Cruise departing at 10:00 AM (2 hours)Guide in English or Spanish · 10:00Lasts 2 hours. Food and drinks are not included: soft drinks, beer and wine can be bought on board.

Cruise departing at 11:00 AM (2 hours)Guide in English or Spanish · 11:00Lasts 2 hours. Food and drinks are not included: soft drinks, beer and wine can be bought on board.

Cruise departing at 1:00 PM (2 hours)Guide in English or Spanish · 13:00Lasts 2 hours. Food and drinks are not included: soft drinks, beer and wine can be bought on board.

5-hour cruise to Los GigantesGuide in 5 languages · 12:00Lasts 5 hours. Lunch and drinks are included: water and soft drinks throughout the cruise, plus beer and wine during lunch. Los Gigantes: this is an extended trip that sails along Tenerife's southwest coast and continues on to the Los Gigantes area.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Lasts 1h 50m, runs every day except Tuesday and Thursday, 4 start times, from € 24.40 per person, with live guides in 5 languages and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesMonday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday: 10:00 and 12:00Saturday: 11:00 and 13:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupUp to 125

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Neptuno Whale Experience Tenerife

Is this one for you?Choose the morning or midday departure for a shorter outing from Costa Adeje, or the Los Gigantes cruise if you're dedicating a full day and want to explore more of the coastline.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

In English and Spanish, at 10:00, 11:00, 12:00 and 13:00. In French, German and Italian, at 12:00.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What whales and dolphins live near Tenerife?

Pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins are the species most commonly seen in the waters off Costa Adeje. The crew's commentary covers their behaviour, migration patterns, and the conservation efforts protecting them in the Atlantic.

Can I bring my own snorkeling gear on the boat?

Snorkeling equipment is not included with the cruise. You're welcome to bring your own if you wish, though the swimming stop is a casual dip rather than a snorkeling session.

What happens if the sea is too rough for a swim?

The swimming stop is optional and depends entirely on sea and weather conditions. The captain decides whether it's safe to stop, so on rougher days the boat may return to harbour without swimming.

How long is the standard cruise?

The morning and afternoon cruises run for about two hours. A longer option to Los Gigantes takes five hours and covers more of Tenerife's western coast.