Whale and Dolphin Watching Catamaran with Transfer and Buffet

Pilot whales are the main attraction here, and Tenerife’s southern waters often bring them close to the boat. You may also see dolphins, sea turtles, and other wildlife, but sightings are never guaranteed. The maximum group of 24 keeps the boat from feeling like a floating crowd.

I especially like the combination of generous drinks and a tapas buffet with time in the water. I also like the easy hotel transfer from much of southern Tenerife. The trade-off is that the swim stop may feel basic, and a three-hour cruise gives you only a short window for wildlife watching.

What makes this catamaran trip worth considering

• Pilot whales are the likely highlight: The crew knows the usual search areas, and close sightings are common, though nature sets the schedule.
• A maximum of 24 people: You get more room and a calmer feel than on large excursion boats.
• Food and drinks are included: Expect tapas-style food, water, soft drinks, beer, and champagne during much of the cruise.
• Swimming and snorkeling are part of the outing: Equipment is provided, weather and sea conditions permitting.
• Southern Tenerife transfers are available: Pickup can be arranged from selected hotels in Golf del Sur, Los Cristianos, Playa de las Américas, Adeje, Playa Paraíso, Callao Salvaje, and Alcalá.
• The tour returns to Puerto Colón: The three-hour trip ends where it began, making it simple to fit into a beach holiday.

Setting out from Puerto Colón on the Monte Cristo

Your boat is the Monte Cristo Catamaran, departing from Pantalan 6 at Puerto Colón in Playa de las Américas, within the Costa Adeje area. This is one of southern Tenerife’s main harbors for boat trips, so allow time to find the right dock if you are making your own way there.

If you request transport, pickup is available only from selected areas in the south. The exact pickup time may be 20 minutes to an hour before sailing, and you need to request it at least 24 hours ahead. There is no hotel pickup from Puerto de la Cruz or other northern parts of the island.

The boat is designed for comfort, with seating on the flybridge, a forward sundeck, and an indoor sofa area. You will also find a restroom onboard. It is not wheelchair accessible, so anyone with mobility concerns should check carefully before booking.

The crew usually asks you to remove your shoes before boarding. That makes sense on a catamaran, but it also means you should arrive with clean, comfortable socks if you dislike walking barefoot. Keep your phone, sunscreen, and towel together in a small bag because loose items can become a nuisance once the boat gets moving.

Three hours in Tenerife’s whale waters

The first part of the cruise is devoted to finding cetaceans, the marine mammals that include whales and dolphins. The crew heads into the waters off Tenerife’s south coast and watches for signs of movement, fins, and groups at the surface.

Pilot whales are the species you are most likely to see. They are not the giant whales many people picture, but they are impressive animals, especially when they surface close to the catamaran. The boat’s raised seating areas help you look across the water, and the open design gives you several angles for photographs.

The crew’s local experience matters here. A good wildlife cruise is not simply a ride to a fixed point. The boat has to search, adjust its course, and respect the animals’ space. On this outing, the guide helps identify what you are seeing and points out the best side of the boat for photos.

Dolphins are possible, sometimes in lively groups, but you should not book this as a guaranteed dolphin show. Some departures see both dolphins and pilot whales. Others find whales but no dolphins. That is an important distinction, especially if one particular species is your main reason for going.

The same applies to sea turtles and other wildlife. They may appear, but the core expectation should be a search for whales and dolphins, not a fixed list of sightings. The operator clearly states that wildlife sightings are common but not guaranteed.

What it feels like with only 24 people

The 24-person limit is one of the better features of this trip. You are not packed into the large crowd that can make wildlife watching feel rushed and impersonal. A smaller group also makes it easier to move between seating areas, find a clear view, and hear the crew.

Actual group sizes can be around 20 people, though the boat may carry up to 24. That is small enough for a friendly atmosphere without making the trip feel private or exclusive. Families fit in well, and children can join when accompanied by an adult.

The catamaran is stable compared with many single-hull boats, but you will still feel movement. If you are prone to seasickness, consider taking a motion-sickness remedy before boarding. Ginger tablets or Dramamine are suggested by the operator, but you should use only what is suitable for you.

You may find the forward areas breezy while underway. The flybridge and other seating areas provide alternatives, and shade is available, but this is still an open-air boat trip. Bring sunscreen even on a mild day, and do not assume that cloud cover will protect you from the sun.

Tapas, drinks, and the practical value of the price

At about $71.35 per person, this is not just a wildlife-search ticket. The price covers roughly three hours on the catamaran, the marine-life outing, food, drinks, a swim and snorkeling stop, and possible hotel transfer in southern Tenerife.

The food is served as a light buffet or tapas-style spread. Expect items such as Spanish tortilla, olives, tomatoes, cheese, bread, crisps, quiche, canapés, and a selection of meat. It is more like a generous cold lunch than a full restaurant meal, so keep your expectations in the right place.

Vegetarian food is available if you request it when booking. The selection may be limited for strict vegetarians, so give clear notice rather than assuming the crew will know your needs. The food is useful because it removes the need to plan lunch around the cruise, but whales remain the reason to book.

Drinks include water, soft drinks, beer, and champagne. The crew serves drinks through much of the tour, and the alcohol supply can be generous. That is enjoyable for adults, but pace yourself in the sun, especially if you plan to swim. Some departures also include celebratory shots near the end, and the crew may help mark a birthday when told in advance.

For a family, the included food and drinks help make the cost easier to justify. For someone focused only on wildlife photography, the value depends more on the sightings and group size than on the buffet. You are paying for a relaxed half-day outing, not a specialist research cruise.

The swim and snorkeling stop

After the wildlife search, the captain anchors near the south coast for a more relaxed section of the trip. You can swim from the catamaran and use the provided snorkeling equipment.

This stop breaks up the whale watching nicely. After sitting and scanning the sea, getting into the water gives the afternoon a welcome change of pace. The catamaran’s position also gives you views back toward Tenerife’s mountains and beaches.

Keep your expectations modest. The snorkeling is an added activity, not a reef excursion. Fish may be visible beneath the boat, but the location can be near a beach and the underwater life may be fairly ordinary. If swimming is important to you, enjoy the water for what it is: a refreshing stop in the sea, not a major snorkeling destination.

The boat does not necessarily anchor close enough for you to go ashore. You swim from the catamaran, and the stop may be off a beach rather than on it. Bring a towel and wear swimwear under your clothes so you can use the time without changing onboard.

Returning along Tenerife’s southern coast

The final part of the trip is a gentle sail back toward Puerto Colón. This is when the cruise shifts from wildlife watching to scenery, with views of the south coast, beaches, and mountains.

It is a good finish because you are no longer waiting for the next sighting. You can sit back, take photographs, and enjoy the boat at an easier pace. The return also gives you another chance to see the coast from the water, a view you will not get from the resort roads.

The entire outing lasts about three hours. That is long enough for wildlife watching, lunch, and a swim without taking over your whole day. You can still spend the morning or evening at the beach, though transfer times may add some waiting around before and after sailing.

Crew service and the human side of the trip

The crew’s manner has a big effect on this type of outing, and this boat puts real effort into hospitality. Staff serve drinks, explain the plan, help with swimming, and point out wildlife as the boat moves.

The crew has included Michael, Andre, and Edmond, names associated with especially warm service and personal touches such as a birthday cake and a song. That kind of attention is not guaranteed on every departure, but it shows the sort of friendly atmosphere this operator aims for.

English is offered, and the tour is suitable for most people who can take part on a moving boat. Children must be accompanied by an adult. The catamaran has life vests for all passengers, and the crew gives instructions before setting out.

The boat is not wheelchair accessible. If you have difficulty with steps, balance, or moving between the dock and boat, contact the operator before paying. The official details do not promise special boarding help.

Who should book this Tenerife boat trip?

I would choose this cruise for a couple, family, or small group that wants several activities in one outing. You get wildlife watching, coastal scenery, drinks, a light meal, and swimming without having to arrange each part separately.

It is particularly suited to you if:

• You are staying in southern Tenerife and want hotel pickup.
• You prefer a small boat over a large party cruise.
• You enjoy pilot whales but understand that dolphins are not guaranteed.
• You want a social trip with food and drinks included.
• You like the idea of swimming but do not need a serious snorkeling site.
• You have a half-day available rather than a full day for a boat excursion.

I would think twice if your main goal is guaranteed dolphin viewing, serious underwater wildlife, or a quiet, alcohol-free nature trip. The boat is relaxed and friendly, but it is still a social excursion with drinks, food service, and a mixed group.

Book as early as you can if your dates are fixed. This trip is often reserved around 19 days ahead, and the 24-person limit makes it less flexible than a large boat tour. Confirmation is provided when you book, and pickup must be requested in advance.

What to bring and how to prepare

Wear swimwear under light clothing, and pack a towel, sunglasses, and sunscreen. A waterproof phone pouch or neck strap is a smart idea because you will be near the water and may want photos from the bow.

If you are prone to motion sickness, take suitable medication before boarding rather than waiting until the boat is underway. Even a stable catamaran moves, and the whale-search section can involve changes of direction.

Tell the operator about vegetarian food needs at booking. Also give advance notice if you are arranging hotel pickup, since the transfer is not automatic for every hotel or area.

The cancellation terms are simple: you can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before departure. Late cancellations and changes are not accepted for a refund. Poor weather or failure to reach the minimum number of participants can lead to a different date or a full refund.

Should you book the Monte Cristo Catamaran?

Yes, if you want a well-rounded southern Tenerife boat outing with a strong chance of seeing pilot whales. The small group, included drinks, tapas, and swim stop make the $71.35 price reasonable, especially when hotel transfer is available.

Just keep the wildlife promise honest. You might see dolphins, but you might not. You may spend more time watching pilot whales than anything else, and the snorkeling is a pleasant extra rather than the main event.

For most people staying in the south, this is a good-value choice. Pack for sun and motion, request your pickup and dietary needs early, and treat the wildlife as a gift rather than a guarantee.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran depart?

The boat departs from Puerto Colón, Pantalan 6, in the Playa de las Américas and Costa Adeje area of southern Tenerife.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup can be arranged on request from hotels in Golf del Sur, Los Cristianos, Playa de las Américas, Adeje, Playa Paraíso, Callao Salvaje, and Alcalá. There is no pickup from Puerto de la Cruz or the north of Tenerife.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately three hours and returns to the original meeting point.

What wildlife might I see?

You may see pilot whales, dolphins, sea turtles, and other surrounding wildlife. Sightings are common but are not guaranteed.

Is food included?

Yes. The cruise includes a tapas-style buffet with items such as tortilla, cheese, quiche, bread, olives, tomatoes, crisps, and meat selections.

What drinks are provided?

Available drinks include water, soft drinks, beer, and champagne.

Can I swim or snorkel?

Yes. The catamaran stops at a swimming area, and snorkeling equipment is provided.

Is the catamaran wheelchair accessible?

No. The catamaran is not wheelchair accessible.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the trip is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.