Tour with Whale and Dolphin Watching plus food included

Whales and dolphins are the main event here, but the best part is the mix: you spend most of the trip at sea, then anchor at Diego Hernández Bay, also called Spaghetti Beach, for a swim. The route follows southern Tenerife’s special conservation area, where guides explain the animals and the waters they depend on.

I like the local food and drinks included in the price, and I like the sensible three-hour length. You get enough time for wildlife watching without giving up half a day. The main drawback is the boarding process at Puerto Colón, which can feel unclear and crowded if staff do not keep the queue moving.

• Whale and dolphin watching: Look for bottlenose dolphins, common dolphins, and pilot whales in southern Tenerife waters.
• Protected coastal route: The cruise passes through a special conservation area covering parts of Buenavista del Norte, Santiago del Teide, Guía de Isora, Adeje, and Arona.
• Swim at Spaghetti Beach: The 30-minute stop at Diego Hernández Bay adds a refreshing break from sitting on the boat.
• Food and drinks included: Local products are served during the cruise, making the $47.06 price easier to justify.
• Family-friendly crew: The captain and team are described as polite, informative, professional, and good with children.
• Large catamaran setting: The boat can take up to 104 people, so you get space and stability, but not an intimate private-boat outing.

What This Three-Hour Catamaran Cruise Is Really Like

This is a straightforward sea excursion from Puerto Colón, designed to combine wildlife watching with a swim and a casual meal. You board at Avenida de Colón in Playa de las Américas, then head along Tenerife’s southern coast aboard a MAXICAT catamaran.

The trip lasts about three hours. Around two and a half hours are given to the coastal cruise, wildlife watching, food, drinks, and general time at sea. The final 30 minutes are set aside for swimming at Diego Hernández Bay.

That balance matters. Some boat trips spend nearly all their time chasing sightings and leave you cold, hungry, or restless. This one gives you a second purpose after the wildlife portion. Even if the animals keep their distance, you still get a coastal cruise, lunch, drinks, and a swim.

The catamaran is described as environmentally friendly, and the route passes through a protected special conservation area known as a ZEC. That does not guarantee sightings, since whales and dolphins are wild animals, but it gives the trip a clear reason beyond simple sightseeing. Your guide explains the animals and the marine setting rather than treating the ocean as a stage set.

Leaving Puerto Colón for Southern Tenerife

The meeting point is at Av. de Colón, 11, in Playa de las Américas. Pickup is offered, but you need to confirm the pickup time in advance and arrive 10 minutes before the stated time.

The boarding point deserves a little patience. The shore-side queue may not be obvious, and the MAXICAT sign or line can be hard to spot. If several groups arrive at once, people may move ahead before the staff organize everyone. I would arrive early, ask directly where the MAXICAT queue begins, and keep your booking information ready.

Once aboard, the mood depends partly on the crew and partly on the group. The boat can carry up to 104 people, so this is not a quiet, private sailing trip. At the same time, the size gives the catamaran a stable feel and lets you move around to find a good view.

The crew has received strong praise for being polite, professional, and helpful with children. One point worth noting is that the atmosphere can vary. Another MAXICAT boat on the same outing had a more lively, party-like energy, while this trip may feel calmer. If you want music and a festive mood, that uncertainty is worth considering.

Searching for Bottlenose Dolphins and Pilot Whales

The first major part of the trip is wildlife watching off the coast of Tenerife. The species listed for this area include bottlenose dolphins, common dolphins, and pilot whales. You may also see sea birds such as Cory’s shearwaters or ospreys.

The guide provides explanations about the animals and the environment where they live. That makes the cruise more useful than simply pointing toward a fin in the distance. You can learn what you are looking at and why this part of the coast supports both resident cetaceans and migratory birds.

Wildlife watching always requires a realistic attitude. The animals are not performing on a schedule, and the crew cannot promise a particular species. You might see dolphins clearly, spot pilot whales farther away, or spend time scanning the water before anything appears. The protected status of the area helps explain the route, but it does not turn nature into a guarantee.

I would bring patience and keep your eyes moving. One side of the boat may offer the best view for a few minutes, then the action can shift. The catamaran format gives more than one place to stand or sit, which helps when several people want the same view.

This is also where the tour’s three-hour length works well. You have enough time to watch the water without committing to a full-day cruise. If you are traveling with children, the wildlife search gives them something to look for, while the later swim provides a clear change of pace.

Local Food and Drinks Served at Sea

Food and drinks are included, with local products served during the cruise. The supplied details do not give a full menu, so you should not book this expecting a particular dish or special dietary arrangement unless you confirm it in advance.

Still, including food adds useful value. A three-hour boat trip can feel long when you are sitting in the sun and watching the horizon. A meal breaks up the time and means you do not need to arrange lunch separately.

The food also fits the style of the outing. This is not a formal dining cruise. It is a relaxed catamaran trip where you can eat, drink, watch for wildlife, and enjoy the coastline. I would think of the meal as a practical part of the experience rather than its main reason for booking.

If your group includes children, having food and drinks on board is especially convenient. The crew has been praised for working well with children, and a simple meal helps keep the outing comfortable. Just remember that motion on the water can affect appetite, particularly if you are prone to seasickness.

A Swim at Diego Hernández Bay

The boat stops at Diego Hernández Bay, known locally as Spaghetti Beach, for about 30 minutes. This is the most active part of the outing. You can leave the wildlife-watching position behind, cool off in the Atlantic, and enjoy the clear water.

Thirty minutes is long enough for a refreshing swim, but it is not a beach day. You will need to keep an eye on the time and return to the catamaran when asked. The stop works best as a change of pace, not as a chance to settle in for hours.

The bay is one of the trip’s strongest features because it gives you a definite destination after the open-water search. You are not only hoping to see something in the distance. You also get a chance to enter the water and enjoy the coast in a direct way.

Conditions can affect the experience. The tour requires good weather, and swimming depends on the sea and the crew’s judgment. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. That policy gives you some protection, though weather-related changes can still affect your holiday plans.

Is $47.06 Good Value?

At $47.06 per person, this is a solid value for a three-hour outing that combines several paid elements: a catamaran cruise, wildlife watching, a guided explanation of the local fauna, food, drinks, and a swimming stop.

The price looks especially fair if you would otherwise pay separately for a boat ride and lunch. You also avoid planning transport between several activities. Pickup is offered, though you need to confirm the time in advance.

The value is less clear if you mainly want a small, quiet boat or a highly personal wildlife encounter. A maximum capacity of 104 people means the experience can feel busy. You are paying for a shared excursion with a stable catamaran and organized schedule, not for a private charter.

I would also place some value on the crew. The captain and team have been described as informative, polite, and professional, with particular care shown toward children. That can make a major difference on a boat trip. Clear explanations and calm staff help the experience feel organized, especially when the sea or the wildlife does not cooperate.

Who Will Enjoy This Trip Most?

I would recommend this cruise to families, couples, and first-time visitors who want an easy introduction to Tenerife’s southern coast. The mix of animals, food, drinks, and swimming keeps the day varied.

It also suits people who want a shorter activity. At about three hours, you can fit it into a beach day or combine it with other plans in Playa de las Américas or Costa Adeje.

The trip may suit you particularly well if you value:

• A simple all-in-one outing
• Wildlife watching without a full-day commitment
• A swim in a scenic bay
• Food and drinks included in the fare
• A crew comfortable around children
• A shared catamaran with room for a large group

I would hesitate if you dislike organized group activities, crowded boarding areas, or uncertain wildlife sightings. You should also avoid treating the excursion as a guaranteed whale encounter. The animals are free-moving, and the natural setting is part of the deal.

Practical Tips for a Smoother Morning or Afternoon

Confirm pickup details before the day of the trip. Arrive at the pickup point 10 minutes early, then ask where the MAXICAT line begins if the boarding area is not obvious.

Keep your schedule flexible around the cruise. The stated duration is approximately three hours, and weather can affect the departure. A change to another date or a full refund is available if the operator cancels because of poor conditions.

Bring what you need for a swim, but avoid carrying anything you cannot keep secure on a boat. The information provided does not state that towels or special swimming equipment are supplied, so check before you go if those items matter to you.

I would also plan for the possibility that the sea feels active. Even a calm-looking coast can move beneath a catamaran. If you know you get seasick, take your usual precautions before boarding and choose a position that feels comfortable.

The tour is offered in English. Most people can participate, and the activity is near public transportation. Pickup is also offered, making it easier if you are staying away from Puerto Colón.

Cancellation and Weather Details

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience begins. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded, and changes inside that same 24-hour window are not accepted.

The cutoff follows local Tenerife time. Weather matters because this is a sea activity. If poor conditions force cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Should You Book the MAXICAT Cruise?

I would book this tour if you want good variety for a reasonable price. The combination of cetacean watching, local food, drinks, and a swim gives you more than a simple boat ride, and the three-hour schedule is easy to fit into a Tenerife holiday.

Book with realistic expectations. You may see bottlenose dolphins, common dolphins, pilot whales, Cory’s shearwaters, or ospreys, but no wildlife trip can promise a sighting. The boat can hold up to 104 people, and the boarding process may need better organization.

For families and first-time visitors, the benefits outweigh those rough edges. For a private, quiet, luxury sailing experience, I would choose something else. For an affordable coastal outing with nature, food, and a swim built in, this MAXICAT trip is a sensible choice.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour start?

The tour starts at Av. de Colón, 11, 38660 Playa de las Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain. The boat is based at Puerto Colón.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately three hours. About two hours and 30 minutes are allocated to the catamaran cruise, with a 30-minute stop at Diego Hernández Bay.

What animals might I see?

You may see bottlenose dolphins, common dolphins, and pilot whales. The trip may also include sightings of Cory’s shearwaters or ospreys.

Is food included?

Yes. Food and drinks are included, with local products served during the trip.

Can I swim during the tour?

Yes. The catamaran stops at Diego Hernández Bay, also known as Spaghetti Beach, for about 30 minutes so you can swim in the Atlantic Ocean.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience begins.