Whale Watching Catamaran Cruise with Transfer, Buffet by MC

Pilot whales are the stars of this three-hour catamaran cruise from Puerto Colón. You may also see dolphins, sea turtles, and Tenerife’s dramatic coast, but wildlife is never on a timetable. The boat gives you a comfortable base for watching the sea, then stopping for a swim if conditions allow.

I like the small group limit of 24 and the generous food-and-drink package. You get tapas-style buffet food, fruit, snacks, water, soft drinks, beer, and champagne, rather than paying for every little extra. The crew, including guides such as Laura, Daniela, Michel, Miguel, and captain Andrea, is praised for warm service and clear explanations.

The main caution is the sea itself. The catamaran is stable, but it still moves, and some people have become seasick, especially when conditions turn rough. Bring a warm layer for an evening sailing, sunscreen for the open deck, and a towel if you plan to swim.

Key points at a glance

• Pilot whales are the most likely headline sighting: Dolphins are also possible, with sea turtles occasionally appearing.
• A small catamaran beats a giant party boat: The maximum group size is 24, with room on the sundeck, flybridge, and inside seating.
• Food and drinks are built into the price: Expect tapas, fruit, snacks, beer, soft drinks, water, and champagne.
• Swimming may be part of the day: The captain can stop at a suitable spot, with snorkeling equipment supplied.
• Hotel pickup covers much of south Tenerife: Transfers can be requested from Golf del Sur, Los Cristianos, Las Americas, Adeje, Playa Paraiso, Callao Salvaje, and Alcalá.
• Sea conditions matter: The boat is stable, but movement is unavoidable, so prepare for possible seasickness.

Setting out from Puerto Colón

The cruise begins at Monte Cristo Catamaran’s berth at Pantalan 6 in Puerto Colón, Costa Adeje. If you are staying in the main resort area of southern Tenerife, reaching the marina is fairly straightforward. Hotel pickup is available by request from several southern resorts, with collection usually 20 minutes to an hour before sailing.

That transfer is useful if you do not want to arrange a taxi or navigate an unfamiliar marina. The exact pickup time is provided after you make the request, so do not assume the same collection time applies to every hotel. If you are staying outside the listed areas, you need to make your own way to Puerto Colón.

The boat is a purpose-built catamaran with a restroom, shaded seating, a front sundeck, a flybridge, and an indoor sofa. That variety matters. You can sit in the sun for a better view, move into shade when Tenerife’s heat becomes tiring, or retreat inside if the wind picks up.

The catamaran is not wheelchair accessible. Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed, but the boat is still a marine vessel with steps and changing conditions underfoot.

Looking for whales along Tenerife’s south coast

Once out from Puerto Colón, the crew takes you along the coast in search of marine life. The usual focus is on pilot whales, which are frequently seen in the waters around Tenerife. Dolphins are also possible, and a sea turtle can appear if luck is on your side.

This is not a staged animal show. The whales and dolphins are free in the Atlantic, so sightings cannot be promised or scheduled. That uncertainty is part of the point, though it can be hard for anyone expecting a guaranteed wildlife performance. The best approach is to treat the cruise as time on the ocean with a strong chance of seeing wildlife, not as a fixed checklist.

When animals are found, the crew explains what you are seeing and tries to give passengers a good view without turning the outing into a frantic chase. The open deck and flybridge provide several angles, and a smaller passenger load makes it easier to move around than on a large excursion boat.

Pilot whales are not the same as the enormous whales you might picture from wildlife documentaries. They are social, dark-colored cetaceans often seen in groups, and watching several animals travel together can be more rewarding than waiting for one dramatic breach. The experience is often about patience, quiet observation, and the sudden appearance of fins beside the boat.

The coastline adds another layer to the cruise. While you wait for wildlife, you have views back toward Tenerife’s mountains and the resort-lined southern shore. The boat ride itself is part of the experience, not just transportation to a whale sighting.

What the three-hour schedule feels like

The three-hour length is one of this cruise’s strongest practical features. You have enough time to get well offshore, search for animals, eat, and possibly swim, but the outing does not swallow your entire day.

That makes it easy to combine with another Tenerife activity. You could spend the morning on the water and still have time for lunch, a walk, or a second attraction. An early sailing may also be appealing if you want cooler conditions and less intense sun.

The exact rhythm can change. Wildlife sightings depend on where the animals are, and sea conditions affect how long the boat can remain in one area. After the search, the captain may take you to a suitable place for swimming and snorkeling. This gives the trip a welcome change of pace after time spent watching the horizon.

A swim from the catamaran is not a beach stop. You enter directly from the boat, and conditions determine whether it is comfortable. Snorkeling equipment is provided, but you should still bring your own swimsuit and towel. If you prefer to stay dry, you can remain on deck and enjoy the views, food, or shade.

Tapas, fruit, beer, and a proper break

The included buffet adds real value to the trip. Food includes items such as tortillas, cheese, quiche, bread, crisps, and a meat selection, along with fruit and other snacks. It is a simple buffet rather than a restaurant meal, but it gives you something substantial during a half-day at sea.

Drinks include water, soft drinks, beer, and champagne. The crew serves drinks during the outing, which means you do not have to keep returning to a bar or carry a bag of supplies around the deck. That is especially handy when the boat is moving.

I would still eat lightly before boarding if you are prone to seasickness. A heavy meal, alcohol, strong sun, and rolling water are not a good combination. The food is useful, but it should not tempt you to overdo it before you know how your stomach feels offshore.

The food service also helps set the tone. This is designed as a relaxed coastal outing, not a bare-bones wildlife transfer. You can watch the water, chat with the crew, have a drink, and enjoy the mountain views between sightings.

The crew makes a noticeable difference

The crew’s approach is one of the strongest parts of the experience. Accounts of the trip repeatedly single out the staff for being friendly, attentive, and careful about passenger comfort. Laura is praised for her guiding and explanations, while Daniela, Michel, Miguel, and captain Andrea are also named in especially warm accounts.

The crew does more than point toward animals. They explain what you are seeing, keep an eye on safety, serve food and drinks, and help people settle in on the boat. That matters when someone feels unwell or needs a quieter place to rest.

The atmosphere seems more personal than you would expect from a standard boat excursion. A birthday celebration has included a cake and a song, and the crew has made an effort to mark special occasions. That is a nice extra, though you should not book the trip solely expecting a celebration for your own group.

The small capacity helps here. The maximum is 24 people, and some departures carry fewer. You are not guaranteed an almost-private cruise, but you are less likely to face the crowded feel of the large party catamarans that operate along the same coast.

Comfort, shade, and the seasickness question

A catamaran is a sensible choice for this kind of trip because its two hulls generally provide a steadier ride than a narrow single-hull boat. Still, stable does not mean motionless. The ocean can be choppy, and one poor experience described many people feeling sick during a rough outing.

If you are sensitive to movement, take precautions before boarding. The operator suggests herbal ginger tablets or Dramamine. Follow the instructions for any medicine you use, and do not rely on the boat’s stability alone.

Choose your position carefully. The front deck can give you an excellent view but may feel more exposed to spray and movement. The flybridge offers a higher viewpoint, while the shaded areas and interior sofa give you somewhere to retreat. Some passengers especially enjoy sitting near the captain for a clear view, but those places cannot be assumed.

For an evening cruise, bring a light jacket or warm layer. Tenerife may feel hot on land, yet the wind at sea can be cool once the sun drops. A swimsuit, sunglasses, sunscreen, and towel are the practical basics. Add a waterproof bag for small valuables if you plan to swim.

Is $71.35 good value?

At $71.35 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get onto the water, but the price covers more than a short boat ride. You are paying for roughly three hours aboard a purpose-built catamaran, a crewed wildlife search, hotel transfer when available, buffet food, a broad drinks selection, and possible swimming with equipment supplied.

The value improves if you use the transfer. A separate taxi to Puerto Colón and back could add a meaningful cost, especially for a couple or family. Pickup is not available everywhere, though, and the exact transfer time depends on your hotel and sailing.

The included drinks are another practical saving. Beer, champagne, soft drinks, and water can quickly add to the cost of a boat trip when sold separately. The buffet is modest but useful, and the reviews of the tapas are particularly positive.

The price feels less attractive if you mainly want a guaranteed whale sighting or a luxury meal. Wildlife is unpredictable, and the food is a quality snack buffet rather than fine dining. You are buying a well-rounded half-day on the sea, not certainty or luxury.

Who should book this catamaran?

I would recommend it to couples, families, and small groups who want wildlife, swimming, and food in one manageable outing. It suits you especially well if you value a calm boat with space to move rather than a loud, high-capacity party cruise.

It is also a good choice for a birthday or final-day activity. The crew has shown a willingness to help with special moments, and the three-hour format leaves room for other plans.

You should think twice if you are highly prone to seasickness, need step-free access, or dislike open-water movement. The boat is not wheelchair accessible, and rough conditions can affect even a well-designed catamaran.

It is also not ideal if your only goal is a particular species. Pilot whales are the strongest possibility, but dolphins and turtles are not guaranteed. Go because you want time on Tenerife’s coast with a chance to see wild animals, not because you expect an aquarium-style encounter.

Booking and cancellation details

The experience is offered in English, confirmation is provided at booking, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that period are not accepted for a refund.

The cruise requires suitable weather and a minimum number of participants. If the operator cancels for either reason, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund. Keep your schedule slightly flexible if this is an important part of your holiday.

Should you book it?

Yes, if you want a well-priced half-day at sea with a strong chance of seeing pilot whales, plus food, drinks, swimming, and a possible hotel transfer. The small capacity, comfortable catamaran, and attentive crew give it an advantage over large party boats.

Book with sensible expectations. You cannot control the wildlife or the sea, and some people may feel sick. Bring a warm layer, prepare for spray and sun, and consider motion-sickness medication. For most visitors staying in south Tenerife, this is a practical way to meet the island’s marine life without giving up the whole day.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching cruise depart?

The cruise departs from Monte Cristo Catamaran at Puerto Colón, Pantalan 6, in Costa Adeje, Tenerife.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup can be requested from hotels in Golf del Sur, Los Cristianos, Las Americas, Adeje, Playa Paraiso, Callao Salvaje, and Alcalá.

How early is hotel pickup?

Pickup times vary from about 20 minutes to one hour before sailing. The actual time is provided after you request the transfer.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately three hours and ends back at the departure point.

What animals might I see?

You may see pilot whales, dolphins, and sea turtles in their natural environment. Sightings cannot be guaranteed.

What food and drinks are included?

The buffet can include tortillas, cheese, quiche, bread, crisps, meat selections, fruit, and snacks. Drinks include water, soft drinks, beer, and champagne.

Can I swim or snorkel?

Yes. The captain may stop at a suitable snorkeling area, and equipment is provided. Bring a swimsuit and towel.

Is the boat wheelchair accessible?

No. The catamaran is not wheelchair accessible. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate.