Whale Watching Catamaran to Los Gigantes & Masca (Including drinks & warm lunch)

A whale spotting cruise, but with a view. This half-day catamaran pairs whale and dolphin searching off Tenerife with big scenery time near Los Gigantes and the Barranco de Masca.

You get a guide who talks about whales and dolphins, plus the comfort factor of open deck space and included onboard comforts.

I really like two things about this tour: the included alcoholic drinks and the fact you are fed with a warm lunch during the ride. I also like that it is built as a true half-day outing, so you get sea time and sightseeing without burning your whole afternoon.

One consideration: whale and dolphin sightings are never guaranteed, and on larger catamarans the experience can feel more “mass event” than small and quiet. If you are prone to seasickness, plan ahead, because open water plus a full passenger load can be rough for some people.

Key highlights worth your attention

• Whales and dolphins on the Atlantic: the trip is designed to search for whales and dolphins while moving between Tenerife’s coast highlights.
• Warm lunch plus soft drinks and bottled water: chicken meatballs, vegetable rice, bread and banana, with soda/pop also included.
• Alcoholic drinks are included: you can enjoy a beer or other included drinks while you relax on the decks.
• Los Gigantes and Masca coast time: you spend viewing time admiring the coastline and the cliffs area.
• Large catamaran reality: up to 160 people and three possible boats in rotation, so the vibe will not be private.
• Sun beds cost extra: they are not included and are first come, first served.

From Puerto Colón out to Los Gigantes and Masca in 4.5 hours

This is a classic Tenerife half-day format. You depart from Costa Adeje, with the sailing beginning from the port area (Puerto Colón), and the tour runs about 4 hours 30 minutes.

The sailing itself is part of the point. You are out on the water searching for wildlife while you also build in time to enjoy Tenerife’s dramatic coastline. If your day is already packed with other stops around the south, this is a clean way to add one more “wow” moment without losing the entire afternoon.

Departure timing is straightforward: daily at 13:15. The schedule runs 364 days per year, with January 1 closed, so it is easier to line up with your travel dates than some niche operators.

How the whale and dolphin spotting works (and how to manage expectations)

The goal is whale and dolphin spotting, with the guide providing wildlife info along the way. The tour format includes commentary about where whales and dolphins are found, what they eat, and their migrations, which makes the time at sea more than just waiting for a spout.

That said, the sea has its own plans. On big catamarans, you can also end up with a “small number of sightings” outcome, even when the crew does everything right. I recommend going in with a flexible mindset: expect the search, hope for the best, and treat whatever you spot as a bonus.

If you are serious about seeing more, your best move is simple: stay on deck where the crew asks you to look, and keep an eye out when the boat changes direction. Wildlife spotting usually improves when you are positioned and watching actively, not when you are tucked away inside.

Drinks and lunch on board, what inclusion really feels like

This is one of the strongest reasons to choose this tour. The price includes alcoholic beverages, plus bottled water, soda/pop, and a warm lunch.

The lunch menu is specific: chicken meatballs, vegetable rice, bread and banana. There is no mention of special dietary alternatives, so if you need gluten-free, vegetarian, or other options, you should plan based on what is provided in the standard meal.

About the bar: alcohol is included, and it is designed as an onboard perk while you relax. The drinks can be served in small plastic cups, so I would not treat it like a cocktail lounge. Still, for many people, having beer on board while you cruise near Los Gigantes is exactly the reason they book.

One more practical note: if the seas are a bit bumpy, eating and drinking can feel different. I would eat early if you get a sensitive stomach, and keep water within reach.

Los Gigantes cliffs and Barranco de Masca coast viewing time

The route pairs wildlife time with scenery time near Los Gigantes and the area toward Masca. Before you return, you get a chance to relax on board and enjoy views of the Barranco de Masca coastline.

This is the part that makes the tour feel like more than a wildlife hunt. The cliffs are the kind of scenery you remember, with steep rock faces meeting the Atlantic, and even when wildlife is quiet, the coast still delivers.

Timing matters here. Because this is a half-day schedule, you likely will not get long stops the way you would on a full-day excursion. Instead, you get viewing time while the boat is moving through the area, so you spend more time “watching the coast roll by” than doing a land walk.

If you love photos, bring a phone camera strap or a good grip. On open decks, you will be turning and leaning often, and a careless moment can ruin the shot.

Relaxing on deck, sun beds, and where to sit for comfort

The boat has deck space for relaxing and sunbathing. There is also mention that sun beds at the front of the boat are extra and first come, first served, so do not plan your entire comfort strategy around getting one.

If you want the easiest time during the ride, pick a spot that matches your comfort level with motion. A big catamaran can feel stable, but you are still on the Atlantic, and some people feel sick. If you have motion sickness history, pack your usual remedy and consider sitting where the boat movement feels least intense.

Also, with up to 160 travelers, deck space can fill fast. I like to treat this as a “get there a bit early, claim your spot, then settle in” kind of outing, not a “wander around and wait” kind.

Getting to the meeting point, and how pickup actually works

This tour includes pickup offered, but with clear limits. You must leave a mobile number (with country code) and an email, so they can send your meeting instructions. The gate number for boarding is confirmed in your booking confirmation.

Pickup is offered from set hotels in the south of Tenerife. If you are staying close to the port, you may need to go directly to the port instead of being picked up.

There is also an important operational detail: there are 3 large catamarans running this excursion, and you cannot guarantee which specific one you will be on. That matters for comfort, because different boats can feel a little different in layout and crowd flow.

For the meeting point, the start is listed at Av. de Colón, 11, 38660 Playa de la Américas, and the tour ends back at the same meeting point. The sailing itself is described as starting from Puerto Colón in Costa Adeje, which fits the same area.

The crew and onboard energy, what makes the ride feel fun

Most people come for whales and cliffs, but the crew affects how enjoyable the hours feel. The tour includes a guide who shares information during the sail, and the vibe tends to be friendly and active, with staff focused on running the ship smoothly.

That is especially valuable on a half-day schedule. You do not have a lot of downtime, so the crew’s pacing matters, from calling attention for sightings to managing the lunch and drink flow.

If you care about education, keep your expectations realistic. With a large group and multiple languages, you might not get a deep science lecture style experience every minute. You still get a solid baseline: where these animals are found, what they eat, and the idea of their migrations.

Price and value at $72.08 per person

At $72.08 per person, the big value lever is not just the catamaran ride. It is the combo: wildlife search, included drinks, and a warm lunch.

If you have paid separately for boat trips in the past, you know how quickly “snacks and a soda” adds up. Here, you get a real meal on board and alcohol included, which tends to turn this from a budget sightseeing activity into something that feels like a treat.

The trade-off is scale. With up to 160 travelers and multiple boats, you are paying for an efficient route and included perks, not for an intimate experience. If you want quiet conversations with a guide and wide-open deck space, this might feel a touch crowded.

So I think the right way to judge value is this: if you want Los Gigantes scenery plus wildlife time, and you care about included food and drinks, this price makes sense. If you only care about seeing whales and dolphins at all costs, you should know that nature is the boss.

Who this tour fits best, and who should choose something else

This tour fits best if you want a balanced mix of sea wildlife and coastline. It is a great match for wildlife lovers who enjoy being on the water, and for groups who want an onboard social vibe with food and included drinks.

It is also a strong fit for first-time visitors to south Tenerife, because the route gives you Los Gigantes and the Masca coast area in a single half-day block. If you are juggling multiple activities, this is easy to slot in.

I would think twice if you strongly prefer small boats or quiet, because the tour runs with large catamarans and a capped maximum of 160. And if seasickness is a major issue for you, bring a plan, because some people feel it on open water.

Should you book this Tenerife whale watching tour?

Book it if you want an efficient half-day experience with included drinks and a warm lunch, plus a chance to spot whales and dolphins while cruising toward Los Gigantes and the Masca coast. The included value is real, and the scenery alone is enough to make the time on the water worthwhile.

Skip it or look for a smaller-boat option if your top priority is a quiet, intimate wildlife experience or if you are sensitive to motion and do not want any risk. Nature spotting can be hit or miss, and the large group format can make it feel less personal.

If your travel style is practical, outdoorsy, and you like your “sea day” to include comfort perks, this is a solid pick for Tenerife.

FAQ

What time does the catamaran depart?

It departs daily at 13:15 (1:15 pm). The tour runs for about 4 hours 30 minutes.

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts in the Puerto Colón area in Costa Adeje, with the meeting point address listed as Av. de Colón, 11, 38660 Playa de la Américas.

Is pickup included?

Pickup is offered from set hotels. Some hotels near the port may require you to go directly to the port, and pickup is not offered outside the south of Tenerife.

What do I need to provide for pickup instructions?

You should leave your mobile number (with country code) and your email so the operator can share meeting instructions.

What is included in the price?

Included are alcoholic beverages, bottled water, soda/pop, and a warm lunch (chicken meatballs, vegetable rice, bread and banana).

What is not included?

Sun beds at the front of the boat are extra. Ice creams also cost extra.

Are the tours guided in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English (and also in Spanish).

Do I need a printout ticket?

You’ll receive a mobile ticket.

Is whale and dolphin spotting guaranteed?

The tour is designed to search for whales and dolphins, but sightings are not guaranteed. The experience depends on conditions at sea.

How many people are on the tour?

The tour has a maximum of 160 travelers. There are also three large catamarans operating this excursion, so the specific boat can vary.