Eco-Catamaran Whale and Dolphin Cruise with Swim Stop Costa Adeje

Puerto Colón and the Costa Adeje Coastline

Puerto Colón is the busy marina at the centre of Costa Adeje, framed by the beaches of Fañabé, Troya and El Bobo and lined with seafront cafés and boat kiosks. Your catamaran waits at pier 8, and the trip begins with a safety briefing before the crew casts off and heads out past the breakwater into the open Atlantic.

The first stretch follows the south coast, with fine views of Playa de las Américas and, further east, Los Cristianos with Montaña de Guaza behind it. From the water you see how the resorts sit below the dry volcanic hills, and on clear days the summit of Mount Teide appears above them. Whale watching in Costa Adeje is popular because the deep, sheltered water starts so close to the marina, so sightings often come early in the trip.

The Teno-Rasca Marine Conservation Area

The sea between Punta de Teno in the north-west and Punta de Rasca in the south of Tenerife is protected as the Teno-Rasca marine strip, a Special Area of Conservation of the European Union. Its deep waters, which plunge to over 1,000 metres close to shore, shelter a resident population of short-finned pilot whales and frequent bottlenose dolphins, while species such as Atlantic spotted dolphins, common dolphins and Bryde's whales visit at certain times of year.

Inside this area boats follow strict rules on distance, speed and time spent with each group, so encounters are calm and natural. The crew explains how pilot whales live in close family groups, why they rest at the surface by day and how they dive deep for squid at night. With patience and a good eye, you may see calves swimming beside their mothers.

Listening to the Ocean on an Eco Catamaran

This catamaran is designed to leave a lighter footprint, using energy-efficient engines and batteries, and it switches to sail power when the wind and sea allow. That means less noise in the water around the animals and a quieter, more pleasant ride for you, with plenty of space on the trampolines and shaded seating areas.

One of the best moments is when the crew lowers the underwater sound equipment, a hydrophone that brings the clicks and whistles of dolphins and the calls of pilot whales onto the deck. It gives children and adults alike a new way to understand these animals, and the crew's commentary turns each sighting into a short lesson in marine biology. If no whales or dolphins appear, you can rebook another trip, subject to availability.

The Los Gigantes Cliffs

On the extended route the catamaran continues north-west along the coast to the Acantilados de Los Gigantes, sheer walls of dark volcanic rock that rise several hundred metres straight out of the sea at the western tip of Tenerife. Seen from below, with seabirds wheeling across their face and waves breaking at their foot, they are one of the most impressive natural sights in the Canary Islands.

A Los Gigantes boat trip is the only way to appreciate the full height of the cliffs, which run for kilometres towards the Teno massif and are best lit in the late morning. The crew points out the folds and layers left by ancient lava flows, and the small town of Los Gigantes, with its marina, sits where the cliffs begin.

Masca Bay and the Swim Stop

Beyond the cliffs lies Masca bay, a secluded cove at the mouth of the Masca ravine, where the mountains of Teno Rural Park drop into clear blue water. With no road down to the shore, it is reached only by boat or by a demanding hike through the ravine, and legend says pirates once hid here. A Masca bay boat trip lets you enjoy this wild setting in comfort.

During the trip there is free time to swim and snorkel in the Atlantic, at a spot chosen by the crew according to the sea conditions, so pack swimwear and a towel. Snorkelling equipment is available on board if you do not bring your own. Lunch is served on board with fresh fruit and soft drinks, with a vegetarian option on request, before the catamaran turns back towards Puerto Colón.