Whale Safari to Los Gigantes with pickup from North

The best part of this Tenerife boat trip is the view from the water: Los Gigantes’ enormous cliffs rise above the coast while the crew searches for whales and dolphins offshore. You also get a proper sea stop at Masca Bay, not just a slow pass by the rocks.

I like the North Tenerife pickup, which saves you the trouble of arranging transport to Puerto Colón, and I like the generous onboard meal with soft drinks, water, and beer and wine served during lunch. The main thing to weigh is the balance between wildlife viewing and party-boat atmosphere. Music can be loud, and the actual cetacean search may be shorter than you expect.

Key points to know before booking

• Whale watching is part of a five-hour boat day, but sightings are never guaranteed and the legally permitted observation time may last no more than 30 minutes.
• The Shogun is a traditional Arab Schooner, though it normally travels under motor power rather than by sail.
• Masca Bay brings the practical fun: about 40 minutes for lunch and a swim straight from the boat.
• Pickup from Puerto de la Cruz is included, with transport usually provided by red Barrera Chinea buses.
• Lunch includes rice with vegetables, coleslaw, meatballs in tomato sauce, bread, and banana, plus unlimited water and soft drinks.
• This can feel like a social party cruise, with music and a group size of up to 125 people.

The real appeal: cliffs, open sea, and a swim stop

This excursion gives you three different Tenerife experiences in one day. First comes the search for marine life. Then you anchor near Masca Bay beneath the cliffs for food and swimming. Finally, you cruise back along the southwest coast, with time to see the shore from a viewpoint that roads cannot provide.

That combination makes the trip more useful than a simple dolphin-spotting outing. If the animals keep their distance, you still have the cliffs, the boat ride, the lunch, and the swim. If you want a quiet naturalist tour with long stretches of silence, though, this is probably not the right match.

The tone appears to be friendly and lively rather than formal. Music plays onboard, and the crew encourages a sociable atmosphere. You can join in, but you are not required to treat the day as a floating party. Families have enjoyed the trip, and the swimming stop gives children and adults a welcome break from sitting on deck.

One practical point matters here: the wildlife is free to move away. The provider explains that observation time is limited by rules intended to protect the animals. You should treat a whale or dolphin sighting as a fortunate part of the day, not as a guaranteed performance.

From Puerto de la Cruz to Puerto Colón

Your day begins with pickup in Puerto de la Cruz at around noon. The transport partner is Barrera Chinea. Their buses are usually red, though other colors may be used, and the guide gets off at stops to help locate passengers.

That detail is helpful because the pickup may not look like a private tour vehicle with a large sign on the front. Keep an eye out for the company name on the side of the bus and remain near your agreed pickup point. Private transportation to Puerto Colón and back to your hotel is included in the price.

The transfer forms a sizeable part of the day. The published timing gives roughly two hours for the outward boat section, about 40 minutes at Masca Bay, and around two hours for the return cruise, while the complete experience lasts approximately five to ten hours once road transfers are included.

You should not book this on a day when you need to catch an evening flight or keep a tight dinner reservation. The experience is built as a full outing, not a quick harbor ride.

Setting out from Puerto Colón

At Puerto Colón, you board the Shogun, described as a traditional Arab Schooner. That gives the boat a more distinctive feel than a plain, modern sightseeing vessel. Do keep your expectations realistic: although it is presented as a sailing-style boat, it normally travels under motor power for convenience.

The boat is legally authorized for cetacean observation and carries a Blue Flag designation. Those points matter because whale and dolphin trips operate under rules about how boats approach marine life. The captain cannot simply chase animals or remain beside them indefinitely.

The first major boat section heads toward Los Gigantes. The crew searches for cetaceans along the way, and the open-water setting is part of the experience. You might see whales, dolphins, or nothing at all. Several reports describe close whale sightings and dolphins, while one particularly unhappy account found the wildlife viewing far too brief. Both outcomes are possible on a sea trip involving animals in the wild.

The official response explains that observation can last up to 30 minutes when it does not disturb marine life. That is an important correction to the common assumption that five hours means five hours of whale watching. Much of the cruise is simply travel, coastal viewing, conversation, music, and time on the boat.

What to expect from the whale and dolphin search

If seeing cetaceans is your main reason for booking, keep your expectations measured. The operator does not control where the animals go, and the excursion does not promise a guaranteed sighting. Good weather and favorable conditions help, but they cannot turn the sea into a wildlife enclosure.

I would choose this outing if you want a chance to see marine life as part of a broader coastal day. I would not choose it if you would consider the trip a failure without a close encounter. The provider has clearly stated that the animals remain in their natural habitat, and the observation period is limited for their protection.

Bring patience and a willingness to enjoy the boat ride itself. The views of the southwest coast and the cliffs near Los Gigantes provide a second reason to be on the water. The crew also remains attentive during the trip, which is reassuring when the boat is carrying a large group.

The maximum capacity is 125 people. That is not an intimate wildlife expedition. It does mean you will have a social atmosphere, more movement around the deck, and less personal space than on a small boat. If you prefer a small-group outing, check the boat size carefully before paying.

Masca Bay: lunch, cliffs, and a jump into the sea

After the wildlife search, the boat reaches the Los Gigantes area and anchors in Masca Bay. You get about 40 minutes here for lunch and swimming. The stop is short, so think of it as a refreshing break rather than a long beach visit.

Swimming is from the boat. You can jump directly into the sea, and the stop has been praised as a welcome chance to cool off after the rolling motion of the cruise. Snorkeling equipment is not supplied, so bring your own if you want to look below the surface.

You will need to bring your own towel and sun cream. Towels are not provided, and the boat does not include personal photography services. Wear swimwear under your clothes if you want to get into the water without spending time looking for a changing spot. The operator says there are places to change, but the schedule is not designed for a leisurely shower and wardrobe change.

The bay also provides one of the most memorable settings of the day. The cliffs around Los Gigantes are impressive from sea level, where their height is easier to appreciate than from a road viewpoint. The boat gives you time to look up at them while eating, swimming, or simply staying on deck.

What is served for lunch

The included meal is more substantial than the usual packet snack. It consists of rice with vegetables, coleslaw, meatballs in tomato sauce, bread, and a banana. Water and soft drinks are available throughout the trip.

Beer and wine are included during lunch. That wording matters: do not assume unlimited alcohol for the whole cruise. The formal inclusions specify beer and wine with the meal, while alcoholic drinks outside that service are not included.

Some people have enjoyed the food and the relaxed drinks service, while another account found the meal disappointing. Food on a large boat is best judged as convenient group catering, not a restaurant meal. Its value lies in saving you from packing lunch and giving you a hot, organized meal during the anchorage.

If you have strict dietary needs, the available information does not confirm special menus. You should ask the provider before booking rather than assume the standard meal can be changed.

The return along Tenerife’s southwest coast

After Masca Bay, the Shogun returns toward Puerto Colón near the coast. This section takes around two hours and gives the guide time to explain details about the southwest side of Tenerife.

For me, this return is important to the value of the outing. You are not simply transported back after the wildlife search. You get a long coastal view from the sea, with the cliffs and shoreline changing as the boat moves north toward Puerto Colón.

It is also the part most likely to test your patience if you expected nonstop activity. The music, drinks, conversation, and coastline carry the experience for the remainder of the trip. People who enjoy a relaxed group atmosphere may find this easygoing. People seeking quiet wildlife observation may find it too loud.

Once you reach Puerto Colón, the bus waits to return you to your hotel in Puerto de la Cruz. Since both transfers are included, you do not need to arrange a taxi between the north and south of the island.

Music, group size, and the party-boat question

The biggest choice here is not only wildlife versus scenery. It is also quiet cruise versus lively cruise. The boat uses music to create a good-vibes atmosphere, and some accounts describe the music as loud and mostly in Spanish. Others found the crew funny, friendly, and easy to enjoy.

Nobody is forced to join the party, but you should expect the sound level and social energy to be part of the product. This is a group boat with room for up to 125 people, not a silent nature tour. If you want to read, watch the water, or sit quietly, try to position yourself away from the main music area if possible.

The atmosphere can work well for families, couples, and groups of friends who want a simple day at sea. It may be less suitable for anyone who dislikes loud music, crowded decks, or a fixed schedule.

The crew has received strong praise for being attentive and helpful. That is especially useful during boarding, swimming, meal service, and the wildlife search. Still, a positive crew cannot control the weather, the sea, or the animals.

Is $74.71 a fair price?

At $74.71 per person, the value depends on how many parts of the package you will use. You are paying for round-trip transport from Puerto de la Cruz, about five hours on the boat, wildlife searching, the Los Gigantes and Masca Bay route, lunch, soft drinks, water, and beer and wine during lunch.

That is a reasonable bundle for someone staying in the north who would otherwise need to arrange transport to Puerto Colón. The included meal and drinks also reduce extra spending during the day. The swimming stop adds a real activity rather than just another viewing pass.

The price is harder to justify if you only want a short whale-watching trip. Much of the outing is travel time, and the actual cetacean observation period may be limited. You are also paying for a large-group atmosphere, not a private boat or close personal guidance.

I would call it good value for a full coastal day with lunch and a swim. I would call it weaker value for a dedicated wildlife enthusiast who wants a small boat, extended observation, and minimal music.

Practical details that affect your decision

The tour is offered in English, and confirmation is provided at booking. Service animals are allowed, and the departure area is near public transport, though the included pickup makes that less important for you.

The experience requires suitable weather. If poor conditions cause cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. It also requires a minimum number of people, so a cancellation is possible if that number is not reached.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded. Keep the local time in mind when calculating the deadline.

Pack sun protection, a towel, swimwear, and any snorkeling gear you want to use. Do not count on supplied towels, sunscreen, or photos. Also, keep your phone protected from spray during the open-water sections.

Who should book the Shogun cruise?

You should book this trip if you want a full-day Tenerife outing combining transport, a coastal cruise, a meal, a swim, and a chance to see whales or dolphins. It is particularly useful if you are based in Puerto de la Cruz and do not want to solve the logistics of reaching Puerto Colón yourself.

Families may like the clear structure and the chance to get into the water. Couples and friend groups who enjoy music and a social deck should find the mood easy to join. The cliffs near Los Gigantes are the reliable visual highlight, while wildlife sightings are the welcome bonus.

You should think twice if silence, small groups, or guaranteed animals are essential. The boat can carry up to 125 people, the music may be loud, and the Shogun uses motor power despite its schooner design. The honest way to book it is to see it as a lively sea day with wildlife searching, not as a pure scientific whale-watching expedition.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The boat portion starts at Puerto Colón. Pickup and return transportation are provided from Puerto de la Cruz.

What time does pickup begin?

The listed start time is 12:00 pm.

How long does the experience last?

The complete experience takes approximately five to ten hours, including transport. The boat program includes about two hours toward Los Gigantes, 40 minutes at Masca Bay, and about two hours returning to Puerto Colón.

What boat is used?

The cruise takes place on the Shogun, described as a traditional Arab Schooner. It normally travels under motor power rather than sailing.

Are whale and dolphin sightings guaranteed?

No. The animals are in their natural habitat, so sightings cannot be guaranteed.

How long can the wildlife observation last?

The provider states that cetacean observation can last up to 30 minutes when the animals are not being harmed or disturbed.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes rice with vegetables, coleslaw, meatballs in tomato sauce, bread, and a banana.

Are drinks included?

Water and soft drinks are available throughout the trip. Beer and wine are included during lunch.

Can I swim during the cruise?

Yes. The boat stops at Masca Bay for swimming, with about 40 minutes allocated for the stop.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. You may bring your own snorkeling equipment, but it is not supplied.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the tour is canceled because of poor weather, you can receive a different date or a full refund.

What is the cancellation deadline?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.

How many people can join the boat trip?

The maximum group size is 125 people.

My booking verdict

I would book the Shogun if I wanted a convenient, sociable day on Tenerife’s southwest coast and understood that whale watching is only one part of it. The Los Gigantes cliffs, included lunch, Masca Bay swim, and North Tenerife pickup give the $74.71 price solid value.

I would skip it if I wanted a quiet, small-boat wildlife search or if a sighting was non-negotiable. Go for the complete day at sea, and let the whales and dolphins be the bonus.