Adeje: Whale Watching, Lunch & Swim Stop at Los Gigantes

The best part of this Tenerife boat trip is the mix: year-round pilot whales, a traditional wooden schooner, lunch on the water, and a swim beneath the cliffs of Los Gigantes. You are not simply heading out to spot marine life, then turning back. The day has a gentle rhythm, with plenty of time to sit, watch, eat, and enjoy the sea.

I like the small touches that make the cruise easy, including unlimited water and soft drinks, wine and beer with lunch, and a crew that speaks English, Spanish, French, German, and Italian. I also like the flexible spirit shown by the crew: when rough water has affected the route, captains have changed course rather than push on.

The main consideration is motion. Shogun is a sailing schooner, and it can sway more than a large motorboat. If you get seasick, take suitable medication before departure and choose your seat early. The swim stop and exact route also depend on sea conditions.

Why this five-hour cruise earns a place on your Tenerife plan

• Pilot whales live off Tenerife year-round, so sightings are likely, though no wildlife trip can promise an encounter.
• Shogun is a traditional wooden schooner, giving the outing a slower, more old-fashioned feel than a standard speedboat cruise.
• Masca Bay provides the swimming stop, with life jackets and float aids available.
• Lunch, water, and soft drinks are included, with wine and beer served during lunch for adults.
• Los Gigantes cliffs provide the main scenery, with views from the sea that you cannot get from a road viewpoint.
• The crew keeps the mood social and relaxed, with music, multilingual commentary, and help for families.

Setting sail from Puerto Colón

Your day begins at Puerto Colón in Costa Adeje, at pier number 14 beside the petrol station. Boarding starts 30 minutes before departure, and I would arrive at least 15 minutes early even if you already know the marina. Late arrival can mean missing the boat.

The pier is easy enough to reach from nearby hotels, and paid parking is available a short walk away. Parking can be tight in high season, so pickup may be the less stressful choice if you are staying outside Costa Adeje. Optional transfers serve selected locations, but check the exact pickup point and added road time when booking. Some pickup arrangements involve a long coach segment, which matters if you want the full five hours to feel like a boat outing rather than a full-day transport commitment.

Shogun is the unusual feature right away. This is an Arabian-style wooden schooner, not a sleek white catamaran or a compact motorboat. The woodwork and open deck give you room to move around, and the boat feels suited to a slow cruise. The tradeoff is that a sailing vessel can roll and sway in a lively sea.

I would not wait until the last minute to board. Early arrival gives you a better choice of seats and lets you settle before the boat leaves the marina. Bring a light jacket, even on a warm Costa Adeje morning. The ocean breeze can feel cool once you are moving.

Watching whales and dolphins off Costa Adeje

The southwest coast of Tenerife is known for resident pilot whales and regular dolphin sightings. Pilot whales live in these waters through the year, which gives this trip a stronger chance of wildlife viewing than an outing based only on seasonal migration.

Still, keep your expectations sensible. You may see whales close to the boat, dolphins moving alongside, flying fish, or other sea life. You may also have a day when one species does not appear. Dolphins are not guaranteed, and no captain can control wild animals. The most honest promise is a good chance of sightings, not a staged show.

The crew shares facts during the cruise in several languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, and Italian. Andy, also referred to as Andi on some departures, has been noted for keeping the mood lively while explaining what is happening. The style is more friendly entertainment than formal marine biology lecture, which suits a mixed group with children.

The boat’s licensed whale and dolphin operation is Blue Flag certified and carries the required safety equipment and insurance. That does not prevent seasickness, but it does provide reassurance for families. Crew members keep an eye on people during the trip, and children can use life jackets and float aids at the swim stop.

Stay alert rather than staring only at one side of the boat. A whale’s back can appear for a moment and vanish, while dolphins may surface in a loose group. You will get more from the experience if you accept that wildlife watching is about patience and brief sightings, not constant action.

The sea view toward Los Gigantes

After the whale-watching portion, Shogun continues toward Los Gigantes. These towering cliffs are among Tenerife’s most striking coastal sights, and seeing them from sea level changes their scale. From the boat, the rock walls rise directly above the water, with fewer roads, buildings, and viewpoints to interrupt the scene.

The approach is part of the pleasure. You have time to watch the coast change, feel the boat settle into its pace, and look back toward Tenerife. On clear days, the sea can also provide a memorable view toward Mount Teide, an extra detail that turns the crossing into more than simple transport.

This is where the cruise feels different from a quick whale-watching run. The crew is not trying to rush back after the first sighting. The cliffs give the day a second focus, and the route links marine life with one of Tenerife’s major natural sights.

The drawback is that conditions can change. Wind and waves have sometimes forced the captain to alter course. That can mean a rougher start, a changed sailing line, or a swim stop adjusted for safety. I see this as a sensible part of a sea trip, but you should not book expecting a fixed script.

Swimming in Masca Bay

The planned stop is Masca Bay, a sheltered cove near Los Gigantes. The boat anchors when conditions allow, and you can swim from the schooner using the supplied life jackets and float aids.

The water stop is optional. You can get in, stay on deck, or simply enjoy the cliffs and the quiet cove. That makes the trip workable for families with mixed interests. One person can swim while another remains dry with a drink and a view.

Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and sunglasses. A light jacket belongs in the same bag, since the crossing can feel cool and the breeze may continue after swimming. Small pets up to 12 kilograms are welcome, but they must remain with their owner and cannot enter the water.

Do not assume the swim will last for a fixed length if the sea is unsettled. The itinerary lists about 40 minutes for the Los Gigantes stop, but the captain has the final say. Water conditions come before the schedule, quite properly.

The setting is the reward. Swimming beneath the cliffs gives you a perspective that a road excursion cannot match. The stop is not a beach visit with facilities, so bring what you need onto the boat and treat it as a simple ocean swim rather than a full shore excursion.

Lunch, drinks, and the onboard mood

Lunch is served while the boat is anchored or during the stop near Los Gigantes. It is generally presented in a simple buffet or picnic style. You should expect a filling boat meal, not a restaurant tasting menu. Some descriptions praise the food as delicious, while one less enthusiastic account found it merely acceptable. That is a fair way to frame it.

The value is not just the food itself. You are eating on deck, with the cliffs and open water around you, and the meal breaks up the sailing time. Water and soft drinks are available throughout the cruise. Adults receive wine and beer with lunch, while extra alcoholic drinks outside that service cost more.

Some departures also offer cocktails and sangria for purchase, and cash may be needed for those extras. Do not count on every drink being included just because lunch is. The included package is clear: water and soft drinks during the cruise, wine and beer during lunch for adults.

Music adds to the social feel. The crew may take requests, and some departures have included music on the return sail. Andy has been singled out for keeping people involved without letting the entertainment overwhelm the boat trip. If you want a silent nature cruise, this may feel a little lively. If you enjoy a friendly group atmosphere, it helps the five hours pass easily.

The return sail to Puerto Colón

The return is deliberately unhurried. After lunch and the swim stop, you sail back toward Puerto Colón, with another chance to watch for dolphins and enjoy the last ocean views.

This is often the point when you appreciate the schooner most. The outward trip is focused on wildlife and the cliffs. The return gives you room to relax, finish a drink, and let the coast slip past without another major task on the schedule.

The crew may continue with music and light entertainment, and children may have opportunities for photographs with the captain. Staff also keep checking that people are comfortable. That personal attention has been a strong part of the experience, especially for families.

If the sea has been rough, the return can feel long. This is why seasickness prevention matters. Sit near the middle of the boat if possible, look toward the horizon, avoid heavy food before sailing, and take medication only as directed. The boat is safe, but safety does not make a rolling sea feel calm.

Is $64 good value?

At $64 per person, this is a fair price for a five-hour outing that combines several paid experiences: whale and dolphin watching, a schooner cruise, the Los Gigantes cliffs, lunch, soft drinks, and a swim stop. The included drinks and insurance improve the value, especially for families.

You are also paying for time, not just a quick sighting. A cheaper short boat ride may show you the coast or look for dolphins, but this experience adds a meal and a proper stop at Masca Bay. For two adults, the included lunch drinks can make a noticeable difference.

The value is weaker if you know you will not swim, do not enjoy group music, or are likely to feel ill on a swaying boat. In that case, a larger vessel or a shorter outing may suit you better. You also pay for a wildlife chance, not a guarantee. The boat can provide excellent conditions for sightings, but nature decides what appears.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the reserve-now, pay-later option make planning easier. Read the pickup terms carefully if you are staying beyond Costa Adeje, since a transfer can add substantial time to the day.

Who will enjoy Shogun most?

I would recommend this cruise to families, couples, and anyone who wants a gentle day on the water rather than a high-speed thrill ride. Children have wildlife, swimming, music, and the novelty of a wooden schooner to keep them interested.

It also suits adults who value an informal atmosphere. The crew is friendly and multilingual, and the onboard drinks make the trip feel more like a shared picnic than a strict sightseeing program.

You should think twice if you are highly prone to seasickness. The boat can sway, and several people have felt unwell on rough crossings. The captain may change course to find calmer water, but that cannot remove every motion.

You should also be comfortable with a group setting. This is not a private charter, and lunch, music, and the swim stop are shared. The reward is a sociable outing with a crew that actively keeps people involved.

Practical advice before you book

Arrive at Puerto Colón early, especially if you want a good seat. Wear sunscreen and sunglasses, bring a towel and swimwear, and pack a light jacket for the open water.

Keep your phone and camera secure around the swimming area. Photos and videos are not included, so you will need to take your own if you want a record of the day. Small pets are allowed, but they must stay with you and cannot swim.

If you are choosing between pickup and making your own way to the marina, compare convenience with time. Driving lets you reach pier 14 directly, but parking is paid and can be limited. Pickup removes that worry, though the transfer may add road time.

I would also keep the schedule flexible after the cruise. Sea conditions can shift the route, and the boat may return a little differently from the planned sequence. The captain’s choice to protect comfort and safety is more important than sticking rigidly to every minute.

Should you book this whale-watching cruise?

Book it if you want more than a quick wildlife sighting. The combination of resident pilot whales, possible dolphins, the Shogun schooner, lunch, and a swim beneath Los Gigantes gives you a full half-day with several worthwhile parts.

The strongest reasons to choose it are the traditional boat, the friendly multilingual crew, and the high chance of pilot whale sightings. The clearest reasons to hesitate are the boat’s motion, the shared social atmosphere, and the fact that dolphins, swimming, and the exact route depend on nature.

For most people staying in Costa Adeje, I consider $64 a sound price for the time and inclusions. Take seasickness precautions, arrive early, and treat the wildlife as a welcome surprise rather than a promise. Do that, and Shogun offers one of Tenerife’s more relaxed ways to see the coast.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching cruise depart?

The boat departs from Puerto Colón in Costa Adeje, at pier number 14 next to the petrol station. Boarding starts 30 minutes before departure.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts five hours. Optional pickup from selected locations can add coach travel before and after the boat trip.

Are whales and dolphins guaranteed?

No. Pilot whales live in the area year-round, so sightings are likely, but all wildlife sightings depend on natural conditions. Dolphins are not guaranteed.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served onboard. Water and soft drinks are available throughout the cruise, and wine and beer are included during lunch for adults.

Can I swim at Los Gigantes?

You can swim in Masca Bay when sea conditions allow. Swimming is optional, and life jackets and float aids are provided.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and sunglasses. A light jacket is recommended for the ocean breeze.