2-Hour Whale Watching Cruise with Underwater Windows Costa Adeje

Puerto Colón Marina, Costa Adeje

Puerto Colón is the busiest marina in south Tenerife, set between the beaches of Torviscas and Playa de las Américas in the heart of Costa Adeje. Most boat excursions of the south leave from its numbered docks, and the promenade around the harbour is lined with cafés, ice cream shops and places to watch the boats come and go. The beach of Torviscas lies just next to the marina, so it is easy to combine the cruise with a swim afterwards.

Getting there is simple from almost any hotel in the south: the marina is a short walk from much of Costa Adeje and Playa de las Américas, and a quick taxi ride from Los Cristianos. If you drive, there is paid public parking beside the docks, but it fills up in high season. Our catamaran waits at Dock 12, so plan to be there a little before 10:30.

The Adeje Coast from the Sea

Once the catamaran leaves the harbour, the whole Costa Adeje shoreline opens up behind you. You see the golden beaches of Fañabé and El Duque, the low cliffs and rocky coves towards La Caleta, an old fishing village that still has its small harbour, and the resort hotels stepping up the hillside. On clear days the summit of Mount Teide, the highest mountain in Spain, appears above the clouds behind the coast.

The southwest of Tenerife is the sunniest and calmest side of the island, sheltered from the trade winds by the mountains, which is why the sea here is usually smooth and good for whale watching through the year. Looking back from the water also shows how dramatically the island rises from the ocean, with dry volcanic slopes and deep ravines such as the Barranco del Infierno climbing towards the town of Adeje.

Pilot Whales and Dolphins of Southwest Tenerife

The waters between Tenerife and La Gomera form the Teno-Rasca marine protected area, one of the few places in the world where a population of short-finned pilot whales lives all year close to the coast. These dark, round-headed whales grow to about five or six metres and travel in close family groups, often resting at the surface, which makes them easy to watch. Bottlenose dolphins are also resident, and in some months common or spotted dolphins pass through in lively pods.

Whale watching in Costa Adeje is popular because the deep water starts so close to shore that the animals are often found within minutes of the marina. Licensed boats follow rules on distance, speed and time with each group, and the crew uses its local knowledge to find the families without disturbing them. Sightings depend on the sea, but they are very common on this coast.

The Underwater Viewing Deck

What makes this cruise special is the lower deck, fitted with 16 large windows below the waterline. When dolphins or whales swim near the boat, you can step down and watch them glide past underwater, seeing their shapes and movement in a way that is impossible from the surface. Between sightings, the windows show the deep blue of the Atlantic and sometimes small fish or jellyfish drifting by.

Children especially love this part, and it is a good way to enjoy the cruise if the sun or wind on deck is strong. The guide moves between the decks to explain the behaviour of the animals and answer questions. Please note that the underwater area is reached by stairs, while the main deck is accessible for wheelchair users who let us know in advance.