Adeje: Whale Watching Tour to Los Gigantes with lunch & swim

The best part of this five-hour cruise is the change of scenery: first, open water and the chance to see pilot whales and dolphins, then the towering cliffs of Los Gigantes. The boat gives you two very different Tenerife experiences in one outing.

I like the included lunch and soft drinks, which make the $63 price easier to justify, and I like the swim stop beneath the cliffs. Crew member Andy gets special praise for keeping the mood lively and helping passengers with transport after the trip. The main caution is simple: the boat can sway hard in rough water, so seasickness is a real concern.

Key points to know before booking

• Pilot whales are the main wildlife target: The boat heads toward an area where sightings are more likely, with about 30 minutes set aside for watching whales in their natural setting.
• Los Gigantes supplies the visual drama: The cliffs rise more than 600 meters above the sea and form the backdrop for lunch and swimming.
• Lunch is served onboard: Expect buffet-style food, soft drinks, and beer and wine during lunch. Other alcoholic drinks cost extra.
• The swim stop is in a small bay: You can leave the boat and swim in clear water, weather and sea conditions permitting.
• Puerto Colón is the base: Boarding begins 15 minutes before departure at Pier 14, beside the petrol station.
• Pickup is optional: Bus transfers serve many locations, but they can add a long amount of road time to an already full day.

Setting out from Puerto Colón at 11:00

The outing begins at Puerto Colón in Costa Adeje. For the stated departure, boarding starts at 10:45, with the boat leaving at 11:00. The meeting point is Pier 14, next to the petrol station, and the activity finishes back at this same pier.

That early arrival matters. A boat trip is not the place to arrive at the last minute, especially if you want a good seat. One useful tip is to get there early, since the upper or outer seating areas give you better views and more fresh air. They also expose you more to wind and spray, so bring sunscreen and hold onto your hat.

You can arrange pickup from one of many points around Tenerife, including El Duque, La Caleta, Costa Adeje, Puerto de la Cruz, and several apartment and hotel stops. The transfer option is handy if you do not have a car, but it may be a slow way to reach the port. The supplied timing lists up to 2.5 hours for bus travel, so check the exact pickup point and schedule before choosing it.

If you arrange your own transport, go directly to Puerto Colón. That keeps the day simpler and gives you more control over your arrival.

Looking for dolphins and pilot whales off Tenerife

Once the boat leaves Costa Adeje, the crew searches for dolphins, pilot whales, and other marine life. The trip is not a guaranteed wildlife show. These are wild animals, and the boat must search for them in open water. Still, the route is designed to reach an area with a better chance of seeing pilot whales.

The dedicated wildlife stop lasts about 30 minutes. That may sound short, but it gives the crew a clear window to focus on the animals instead of trying to watch them while also moving toward the cliffs. You might see pilot whales, several types of dolphins, and other sea life. Sightings recorded during the trip have also included a turtle, flying fish, and even a shark, but those are lucky extras rather than promises.

The strongest reason to book this outing is the combination of wildlife and scenery. A short dolphin cruise can feel repetitive if it only circles the same stretch of water. Here, the wildlife search leads into a longer coastal route toward Los Gigantes, so the day has a natural second act.

Pay attention to the guide during the wildlife stop. The tour operates in Spanish, English, French, German, and Italian. The crew has a playful style, and Andy is singled out for keeping the atmosphere moving. One important point for Italian speakers: a language may be listed as available, but you should still ask early if you need key explanations translated.

Cruising toward the cliffs of Los Gigantes

After the wildlife stop, the boat continues toward Los Gigantes on Tenerife’s southwest coast. The cliffs are the star of this part of the trip, rising more than 600 meters in near-vertical walls above the sea.

Seeing Los Gigantes from the water gives you a scale that is hard to get from land. From a road or viewpoint, you look across at the cliffs. From the boat, you look up from below, with the sea and the hull of the vessel adding to the sense of height.

This is also a pleasant time to settle into the cruise. The boat ride includes music, and the crew keeps the tone social rather than formal. That suits people who want a fun half-day on the water. It may not suit you if you want a quiet, naturalist-led trip with long stretches of silence.

The boat itself is described as clean and picturesque, but it can sway noticeably. That is worth taking seriously. Several people became seasick during the crossing, and one passenger skipped lunch because of it. If you usually feel ill on boats, bring suitable medication and sit where movement affects you least. The supplied information does not specify a particular seating area, so ask the crew for practical advice when you board.

Lunch in a bay beneath Los Gigantes

The boat anchors in a small bay below the cliffs for about 40 minutes. This is where the trip shifts from wildlife cruise to relaxed coastal outing.

Lunch is buffet style, with food and soft drinks included. Beer and wine are also listed as included at lunchtime. The food is described as plentiful and satisfying, which is useful on a five-hour boat trip. You do not need to search for a café halfway through the outing, and the meal is served while you sit beneath one of Tenerife’s most dramatic sights.

Other alcoholic drinks are not included. The activity information says alcoholic drinks are excluded, while specifically including beer and wine with lunch. In practical terms, treat the meal-time beer and wine as included, and expect to pay for cocktails or other drinks. Feedback mentions cocktails costing about €1 or €2, but prices can change, so carry a payment method if you want extras.

The lunch stop is also the main social part of the day. Music continues, and the crew may mix drinks and keep the mood lively. Andy is noted for his humor and for making sure people are looked after. That friendly approach can make the boat feel festive, though passengers seeking a calm meal should know this is not a silent picnic.

Swimming in clear water

After lunch, you can swim in the bay. The water is described as clear and refreshing, and the setting beneath the cliffs is the kind of detail that makes this more than a standard boat transfer.

Bring swimwear and a towel. You should also pack sunglasses and sunscreen, since the boat offers little escape from the sun once you are out on the water. The supplied information does not state how long the swimming portion lasts beyond its place within the 40-minute Los Gigantes stop, so think of it as a short swim break rather than a long beach afternoon.

Sea conditions matter here. The operator may need to adjust the swimming activity if the water is rough, though the provided details do not specify the exact policy. If you are not a confident swimmer, ask the crew about the setup before entering the water.

The best choice is to keep your expectations modest. You are not visiting a beach with changing rooms and a long stretch of sand. You are stepping from a boat into a bay, swimming under high cliffs, and returning onboard for the coastal ride back.

The return along Tenerife’s southwest coast

The boat returns to Puerto Colón along the southwestern coast. This gives you another chance to see the coastline from sea level and to enjoy the final part of the cruise without needing to change boats or locations.

The whole boat portion lasts about five hours, with the wildlife search, Los Gigantes stop, lunch, swimming, and return cruise built into the same outing. The listed schedule also shows several cruise segments around Costa Adeje and Puerto Colón. Exact sailing times can vary, so check the available start time when booking.

The return is not simply dead time. If the sea remains calm, it lets you wind down with a drink, music, and views of the coast. If the water is rough, this may be the hardest part for anyone prone to seasickness. Take medication before you feel ill, not after, and avoid a heavy meal if motion usually affects you.

At the end, you return to Puerto Colón. If you booked a bus transfer, the coach takes you back to your selected stop. The transfer network includes 32 drop-off points, but the exact location depends on the option you choose. After the scheduled pickup time, the instructions say to call the emergency telephone if the bus has not arrived within five minutes.

What the $63 price really covers

At $63 per person, this is good value if you want several elements in one half-day: wildlife watching, the Los Gigantes cliffs, a boat cruise, lunch, drinks, and a swim.

The value comes from combining costs. A separate whale-watching cruise would cover the wildlife, while a coastal boat trip or excursion to Los Gigantes would cover the cliffs. Here, the same ticket includes both, plus a meal and soft drinks. Beer and wine at lunchtime add a little more value.

The price is less attractive if seasickness prevents you from eating or enjoying the crossing. One passenger chose not to eat lunch because of the boat’s movement, which means part of the package went unused. You should also budget for photos, videos, and extra alcoholic drinks, since those are not included.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. It also has a reserve-now, pay-later option, useful if your Tenerife plans are still shifting.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most

I would choose this for a family or couple that wants a social day at sea rather than a tightly focused wildlife study. The swimming stop breaks up the cruise, the buffet keeps things easy, and the cliffs give you a strong sightseeing payoff even if wildlife sightings are limited.

It also suits people staying around Costa Adeje who want pickup from a nearby hotel or apartment. The multilingual service is helpful for international groups, with Spanish, English, French, German, and Italian offered.

You should think twice if you get badly seasick, dislike music and group entertainment, or want a small, quiet boat with a specialist wildlife guide. The boat can sway, and the crew’s friendly style includes music and plenty of fun.

For wildlife, keep your expectations realistic. Pilot whales and dolphins have been seen, sometimes in impressive numbers, but no responsible operator can promise a particular species or close encounter.

Practical tips for a smoother day

• Arrive at Pier 14 at least 15 minutes before departure. Earlier is wiser if you want a better seat.
• Bring swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
• Carry medication if you are prone to seasickness.
• Eat lightly before departure if rough water affects you.
• Bring money or a payment method for photos, videos, cocktails, and other drinks.
• Confirm the pickup point if you are using the optional bus.
• Ask for Italian or another preferred language early if you need detailed explanations.
• Keep your phone and camera secure around spray and during the swim stop.

Should you book the Los Gigantes whale-watching tour?

Book it if you want a full, easy half-day that mixes wildlife, cliffs, lunch, music, and swimming. The strongest combination is the chance to see pilot whales and dolphins followed by lunch in a bay beneath 600-meter cliffs. At $63, the included food and drinks make the cost reasonable.

Skip it if you are highly sensitive to boat movement or want a quiet, scientific wildlife outing. For everyone else, this is a practical way to put several west coast highlights into one trip without arranging separate transport, meals, and sightseeing.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching tour start?

The tour starts at Puerto Colón, Pier 14, next to the petrol station in Costa Adeje.

What time does the boat depart?

The stated departure time is 11:00 AM. Boarding begins 15 minutes earlier, at 10:45 AM.

How long does the activity last?

The boat excursion lasts five hours. Check availability for the exact starting time.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

Pickup is optional. Bus service is available from selected points, with many hotel and apartment stops listed around Tenerife.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity finishes back at the meeting point at Puerto Colón.

What wildlife might I see?

The tour searches for pilot whales and dolphins. Other marine life, including turtles, flying fish, and sharks, has also been seen, but sightings are not guaranteed.

How long is the whale-watching stop?

The dedicated whale-watching experience includes a stop of about 30 minutes.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Food and soft drinks are included, and beer and wine are included at lunchtime.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

Beer and wine are included with lunch. Other alcoholic drinks are not included. Photos and videos also cost extra.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. If you are prone to seasickness, prepare suitable medication before the cruise.