Whale Watching Cruise with Lunch and Underwater Views Costa Adeje

Puerto Colón and the Southwest Coast

The cruise begins at Puerto Colón, the busy marina of Costa Adeje between Torviscas beach and Playa de las Américas, with a safety briefing and an introduction from your guide. Then the catamaran heads north along the sunniest coast of Tenerife, past La Caleta, the fishing harbour of Playa San Juan, the cliffs around Alcalá and the resort of Puerto de Santiago, with the volcanic slopes of the island climbing towards Mount Teide behind.

Because this coast is sheltered from the trade winds by the mountains, the sea is usually calm, which makes the long route comfortable. The marina is easy to reach on foot or by taxi from most hotels in Costa Adeje and Playa de las Américas, and paid parking is available nearby. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan to arrive a little before the 14:00 departure.

The Teno-Rasca Marine Area

The waters between Tenerife and La Gomera are protected as the Teno-Rasca Special Area of Conservation, and the area is widely recognised as one of Europe's best places for whale watching. The reason is the seabed, which drops to great depths very close to the coast, bringing food and shelter near the shore. A resident population of short-finned pilot whales lives here all year, together with bottlenose dolphins, while spotted and common dolphins, turtles and occasionally larger whales pass through.

Whale watching in Tenerife here follows strict rules: licensed boats approach slowly, keep their distance and limit the time with each group. Your guide explains how pilot whales live in close family units led by older females, how they rest at the surface and dive deep to feed at night. Sightings depend on the sea, but they are very common along this route.

The Underwater Viewing Deck

Below the main deck, the catamaran has 16 panoramic windows set beneath the waterline. When dolphins or pilot whales swim near the boat, you can go down and watch them move through the blue water, seeing how they glide and turn in a way that is impossible from above. Between sightings the windows show the deep Atlantic, with fish, jellyfish and light rays filtering down from the surface.

Children find this part fascinating, and it is also a cool, shaded place to rest during a long afternoon on the water. The underwater area and the upper deck are reached by stairs, while the main deck is accessible for manual wheelchairs up to 68 centimetres wide; please tell us in advance so the crew can prepare.

The Cliffs of Los Gigantes

The highlight of the route is the arrival at the Acantilados de Los Gigantes, vertical walls of volcanic rock that rise between 300 and almost 600 metres straight from the sea. They form the western edge of the Teno massif, one of the oldest parts of Tenerife, and their layers of basalt record eruptions that took place millions of years ago. Old sailors called them the Wall of Hell, because there was nowhere to land at their foot.

Seen from the deck of the catamaran, the cliffs feel immense, with seabirds nesting on the ledges and deep ravines cutting the wall. This long cruise is a comfortable way to enjoy a Los Gigantes boat trip from Costa Adeje without driving to the west coast, and the afternoon sun lights up the rock in warm colours.

Masca and the Swim and Lunch Bay

Beyond Los Gigantes, the cliffs continue to the mouth of the Masca gorge, a deep ravine that descends from the mountain village of Masca, high in the Teno Rural Park, to a small pebble beach reachable only on foot or by boat. Seeing the gorge open between the rock walls from the sea is a rare view, as most visitors only know Masca from the winding mountain road above.

The catamaran then anchors in one of the most beautiful bays on this coast for a swim in clear Atlantic water. Lunch is served on board while you enjoy the views, with vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free choices if you ask when booking, and drinks are served throughout the cruise. Snorkelling equipment is not included, so bring your own if you want to look at the fish.