Boat Excursions Whale & Dolphin Watching
Boat Excursions SALE Whale & Dolphin Watching
Boat Excursions SALE Whale and Dolphin Watching
Boat Excursions Whale and Dolphin Watching
Boat Excursions Whale Watching
Boat Excursions Whale & Dolphin Watching
Boat Excursions Private and Shared Charter
Boat Excursions SALE Shared Sailing or Whole Boat
Boat Excursions Whale and Dolphin Watching
Boat Excursions Los Gigantes & Masca
Boat Excursions SALE Whale and Dolphin Watching
Boat Excursions Yellow Submarine Tour
Boat Excursions SALE Utopia Open Bar Cruise
Boat Excursions Private Charter from Costa Adeje
Boat Excursions Private Hire from Costa Adeje
Boat Excursions Private Hire from Costa Adeje
Boat Excursions Private Charter from Marina del Sur
Boat Excursions SALE Private Charter from Costa Adeje
Boat Charters Charter from Costa Adeje
Boat Excursions Small‑Boat Whale Watching
Boat Excursions SALE Private Charter from Costa Adeje
Boat Excursions Charter from Costa Adeje
Boat Excursions Charter from Costa Adeje
Boat Excursions Los Gigantes Tenerife
Boat Excursions Whale and Dolphin Watching
Boat Excursions Accessible Boat from Los Cristianos
Boat Charters SALE Private Charter from Costa Adeje
Boat Charters Private Charter from Costa Adeje
Boat Charters Private Hire and Fishing Trips
Boat Charters Private Hire from Costa Adeje
Boat Excursions Private Hire from Costa Adeje
Boat Charters Private Sun Odyssey 37, Up to 8 Guests
Pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins live off this coast rather than passing through, which is why sightings are routine here instead of lucky. The management plan for the area says nowhere else in the world is a cetacean population this faithful to a patch of sea this small. Protected since 2011, and Europe's first Whale Heritage Site since 2021.
Not a whale at all but the second-largest dolphin, and the animal you are most likely to meet. Tagged off Tenerife, they were found hunting squid below 1,000 metres, sprinting after it in the dark: the researchers called them cheetahs of the deep sea.
They give each other names. Every calf invents a signature whistle and keeps it for life, and answers when it hears its own played back. They sleep one half of the brain at a time, so one eye stays open.
You can read their age off their skin: born plain grey, they gain spots through life, so a pod shows clean young animals beside adults gone almost pale with mottling.
The only dolphin you can name from its profile alone: no crease between forehead and beak, just one smooth cone that looks faintly prehistoric. It spends the summer here and breeds in these waters.
The baleen whale you are most likely to see, and the one that never has to migrate: it stays in warm water all year while its relatives commute to the poles.
Around 224 live in Canary waters. The deepest-diving mammal there is, recorded near 2,000 metres, and the loudest animal alive: it finds squid by echo in total darkness. It sleeps upright.
In practice you nearly always see them. The pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins live here, so the crews know where to look, and boats come back with sightings on around 95% of trips. They are still wild animals in open water, so no trip can promise it.
Barco Azul is the licence the Canary Islands government issues for whale and dolphin watching. The boats that hold it fly this flag, and only they may go out to where the resident pods live and approach them.
The southwest coast of Tenerife is one of the best places in the world for seeing whales and dolphins from a boat. Short-finned pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins live in the channel between Tenerife and La Gomera all year rather than passing through, which is what makes sightings routine here instead of a matter of luck. Twenty-one species occur regularly in Canary waters. There is a guide to what lives out there further down this page.
All our boat trips in Tenerife depart from Puerto Colón in Costa Adeje or from Los Cristianos harbour. Most last between 2 and 4.5 hours and include drinks, snacks, and a swimming stop in a sheltered bay. Browse the options above to compare boats, durations, and prices. Every booking comes with our Best Price Guarantee.
The choice depends on your group, your budget, and how much time you have:
Large catamarans like the Freebird One and White Tenerife carry more passengers and are the most affordable option. They're good for families, include food and drinks, and have plenty of space to move around. Some have underwater viewing windows for spotting marine life below the surface.
Mid-size boats like the Royal Delfin offer a smaller group experience with a more personal feel. The Royal Delfin has underwater windows and glass panels in the hull.
Sailboats like the sailboat tour offer a quieter, more relaxed experience under sail. Good for couples or anyone who prefers a calmer pace.
Private charters give you the entire boat to yourself. If you want privacy and flexibility, see our private boat hire section.
Every boat trip along the south coast of Tenerife passes through the whale and dolphin habitat, so sightings are included on virtually all excursions. You don't need to book a specific "whale watching tour" to see them. That said, the crew on every boat knows where to look and will adjust the route based on the latest sightings.
The most commonly seen species are short-finned pilot whales (resident, visible year-round) and Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. Depending on the season, you may also see spotted dolphins, common dolphins, or occasionally larger species like Bryde's whales and sperm whales.
All boats in our fleet operate under the Canary Islands' "Bandera Azul" whale watching regulations. This means maintaining minimum distances from the animals, limiting time near pods, and cutting engines when whales are close. Swimming with wild dolphins or whales is not permitted in the Canary Islands.
Departure points. Puerto Colón marina (Costa Adeje) and Los Cristianos harbour. Both have parking available nearby. Most boats include hotel pickup from Costa Adeje, Playa de las Américas, and Los Cristianos.
Duration. Excursions range from 2 hours (coastal cruise with whale watching) to 4.5 hours (longer trips reaching the cliffs of Los Gigantes). Private charters can run up to a full day.
What's included. All excursions include at least drinks and snacks. Longer trips usually include a full meal (often paella or a cold buffet). Snorkelling equipment is provided on most boats.
Best time of day. Morning trips (10am to 12pm departures) tend to have calmer seas. Afternoon and sunset departures are also available and popular, especially in summer.
Sea conditions. The south coast is sheltered from the trade winds, so the sea is usually calm. On rare rough days, operators may reschedule or offer a full refund.
Children. Most boats accept children of all ages. The larger catamarans are the most comfortable option for families with young kids.
Not sure which trip to pick? Message us on WhatsApp or email with your dates, group size, and what matters most to you (price, group size, whale watching focus, or a specific boat style) and we'll recommend the best option.
