Traditional Wooden Boat Whale Watching with Swim Stop Tenerife

Whale and dolphin watching off south-west Tenerife

The waters between Tenerife and La Gomera are one of the best places in Europe to see cetaceans. Deep water close to the shore and calm seas in the island's shelter attract a resident group of short-finned pilot whales, which live here all year, as well as bottlenose dolphins and, in some seasons, other species passing through. That is why whale watching in Tenerife has an exceptionally high sighting rate compared with most destinations.

On board, the crew explains how the pilot whales live in family groups, how they dive for squid at night and rest near the surface by day. The boat holds a legal whale-watching permit, keeps the required distance, limits its time with each group and never chases the animals, so every encounter happens on the whales' terms.

Puerto Colón and Costa Adeje

Puerto Colón is the busy marina of Costa Adeje, lined with cafés, shops and boats of every size, and the departure point of the 5-hour cruise and one of the 2-hour cruises. You board at pier 14, next to the petrol station, a short walk from many hotels in Costa Adeje and Playa de las Américas.

From here the boat follows the coast north-west, passing the resort beaches and rocky headlands of the south. The departure time leaves you the morning free or lets you combine the trip with a relaxed beach afternoon. If you are planning things to do in Costa Adeje, a boat trip from Puerto Colón is one of the easiest outings to fit into a holiday.

The cliffs of Los Gigantes

The 5-hour option heads towards Los Gigantes, the sheer volcanic cliffs on Tenerife's west coast that plunge between 300 and 600 metres into the Atlantic. The Guanches, the island's first inhabitants, called them the Wall of Hell, and from the sea you understand why: the rock faces rise straight from deep blue water with no beach at their foot.

Seeing the cliffs from a boat is the best way to grasp their size, because the road and the village sit only at their southern end. A Los Gigantes boat trip also passes through rich feeding grounds for dolphins and pilot whales, so the longer route gives more time for wildlife and more varied scenery.

Swim stop and lunch on board

When the captain finds calm, clear water near the coast, the boat anchors for a swim stop of about 15 to 20 minutes. The water off the south of Tenerife is usually between 19 and 24 degrees, ideal for a refreshing dip from the boat's ladder. Snorkel gear and towels are not provided, so bring your own if you want them.

On the 5-hour cruise, lunch is served on board while the boat rests at anchor or heads back towards Puerto Colón. It turns the outing into a relaxed half-day at sea, with time to sunbathe on deck and watch the coast go by. On the shorter cruises, drinking water is included and other drinks can be bought on board.

Los Cristianos harbour

The 2-hour cruises on a classic wooden schooner leave from Los Cristianos, a former fishing village that grew into one of the liveliest towns in the south of Tenerife. The harbour is also where ferries depart for La Gomera, and its seafront promenade leads to sandy beaches and plenty of restaurants.

Boarding is in Zone A of the harbour, 15 minutes before departure at 10:00, 12:00 or 14:00, which makes it easy to choose a time that suits your day. The lower decks of the schooner sit close to the water, a pleasant spot for watching dolphins swim alongside the hull. After the cruise, the promenade and beaches of Los Cristianos are right beside the pier, so it is easy to stay on for a swim or a meal.