3h Whale watching Share Tour Costa Adeje Lina7 Mizendoha

Pilot whales are the main attraction here, and seeing them in the waters south of Tenerife can be a fine holiday memory. I like the 12-meter sailing boat, which gives you more room than a small speedboat, and I like the relaxed stop for swimming, snorkeling, snacks, and cold drinks. Captain Maxi has earned particular praise for making the outing enjoyable.

The main catch is simple: this is not always a sailing trip in the literal sense. The boat may motor along if the wind is light or time is tight, so you should book it for the whale watching and small-group feel rather than for a guaranteed spell under sail. The short swim stop is also reached by a moving boat ladder, which requires care.

Key points before you book

• Resident pilot whales: The trip focuses on the pilot whales that live in the waters south of Tenerife.
• A roomy 12-meter boat: Lina7 or Mizendoha has shaded outdoor space, a large salon, cabins, bathrooms, and a kitchen.
• A three-hour outing: Expect roughly one hour heading out, wildlife watching, a swim stop, and a 45-minute return sail.
• Swimming and snorkeling included: Equipment is available, while towels and sun hats are not provided.
• Snacks and cold drinks: A small onboard refreshment service is included in the price.
• English, Italian, and Spanish: You can take the tour with a live guide in one of these three languages.

Leaving Puerto Colón for Tenerife’s whale waters

Your meeting point is Gate 5 at Puerto Colón in Costa Adeje, a practical starting point for a half-day on the water. The boat used is Lina7 or Mizendoha, both described as 12-meter sailing boats authorized for whale watching in southern Tenerife.

That authorization matters. Whale watching in the Canary Islands is not simply a matter of racing out to sea and hoping for a lucky sighting. Boats operating in this area must follow local rules designed to protect marine life. You still need patience, but you can feel better knowing the outing is set up for this particular kind of encounter.

The boat itself is much more than a bare transport vessel. It has a roof that provides shade, a large sitting area, an outdoor table with an awning, and space to move around. Inside are two sofas and a table for eight, along with cabins, storage, bathrooms, showers, and hot water.

You will not need most of those cabin comforts during a three-hour trip, but they tell you something useful about the boat. Lina7 or Mizendoha was built for longer time at sea, not just quick trips from the harbor. The kitchen has an oven, three burners, two sinks, and two refrigerators, while solar panels and a 900-liter water supply support the boat away from shore.

That extra room is one of the strongest reasons to consider this tour. A 12-meter boat can feel calmer and less cramped than a fast excursion vessel. It also gives you options: sit in the shade, watch from outside, or move inside if the sea becomes breezy.

The first hour: sailing out from Costa Adeje

The opening part of the route takes about one hour, with the boat heading along the Costa Adeje coast. This is your chance to settle in, find a comfortable seat, and take in Tenerife from the water.

The coast here is shaped by volcanic forces and Atlantic weather. From offshore, you get a different view of the island than you do from a resort road. The dark, wave-worn coastline and steep volcanic forms give the trip a sense of place before the whales even appear.

The word sailing needs a little qualification. One of the clearest practical points from the feedback is that the crew did not always set the sails. If there is not enough wind, or if the captain wants to keep to the planned route and wildlife schedule, the boat may travel under engine power.

That will matter to you if the sailing itself is the main reason you are booking. If you simply want a comfortable boat with room to sit, the distinction may not bother you. If you picture a quiet cruise with the sails raised, ask about conditions before departure and keep your expectations realistic.

The boat has shade, but you should still bring sun protection. A sun hat is not included, and the Atlantic glare can be strong even when the air feels cool. A towel is also not provided, so pack one if you plan to swim.

Fifteen minutes looking for pilot whales and dolphins

The wildlife portion is listed at about 15 minutes, although the exact time on the animals will depend on where they are and how the boat reaches them. The primary target is the short-finned pilot whale population that lives in Canarian waters.

Pilot whales are not the same as the huge baleen whales many people picture when they hear whale watching. They are toothed whales, social marine mammals that often move in groups. The trip description promises the chance to spot the resident pilot whales, but wildlife remains wildlife, and the experience depends on conditions and animal behavior.

Dolphins may also appear. One outing produced dolphin sightings at a distance, with the sun behind them, which is a useful reminder that a sighting can be real without producing a perfect photograph. Bright backlight can make animals harder to see, and a distant pod will not offer the close view you might imagine from promotional pictures.

The guide or skipper will point out the animals and share some facts. Captain Maxi received especially warm praise for his handling of the trip. Still, the educational side may be lighter than on specialist whale-watching boats. You should not expect a full marine biology lecture.

I would have liked more information about the pilot whales themselves, such as what they eat, how deep they swim, how large they grow, and how long they live. If learning about marine life is your top priority, look for a trip that puts naturalist interpretation at the center. This cruise puts more weight on a pleasant boat ride, a chance to see whales, and time in the water.

Keep your eyes open during this section, but do not spend the whole time looking through a phone screen. The most rewarding part may be the shared pause when everyone waits for a fin, back, or blow to appear. The boat’s smaller scale should help you feel closer to the action than you would on a large sightseeing vessel, though the tour does not state a fixed group size.

A half-hour swim stop along the Costa Adeje coast

After the wildlife watch, the boat sails for about 30 minutes before stopping for a swim, snorkeling, and brunch. This is the most active part of the trip and a good break after sitting and scanning the sea.

Snorkeling equipment is available, so you do not need to bring your own mask and fins. The stop is intended for swimming and watching fish, and one recorded outing included time in a sheltered area. The exact water conditions and location can vary, so treat this as a relaxed water stop rather than a formal snorkeling lesson.

The boat’s facilities make this pause easier. There are bathrooms, changing space, storage, and showers with hot water. You can have a snack, take a cold drink, and dry off before the return journey.

The ladder deserves attention. It can move with the boat as you climb in or out, and one swimmer found it uncomfortable and nearly caught their fingers. Use both hands, wait for a steady moment, and follow the crew’s instructions. If you have limited balance or hand strength, you may prefer to enjoy the stop from the boat rather than enter the water.

This is also where the tour’s mix of comfort and informality becomes clear. You are not being rushed through a large, fixed attraction. You have time to swim, eat a little, and look back at Tenerife from offshore. On the other hand, the stop may feel more important to some people than the brief wildlife watch, especially if whales are distant.

The included snacks and cold drinks add real value here. This is not a full restaurant meal, so do not book it expecting an elaborate brunch. Think of it as a light refreshment service that keeps the three-hour outing easy and pleasant.

The final 45 minutes back to Puerto Colón

The return leg takes about 45 minutes, bringing you back to Lina Yacht at Puerto Colón. You can use this time to sit under the roof, watch the coast recede, and finish your drink.

The return is also a chance to decide what mattered most to you. If the pilot whales came close, that will likely be the highlight. If the animals stayed distant, the boat ride, swim, and peaceful time at sea may carry more of the experience.

The trip follows a compact schedule, so each part has a clear purpose. You spend an hour reaching the whale-watching area, about 15 minutes focused on marine life, 30 minutes sailing to the swim stop, 30 minutes swimming and eating, and 45 minutes returning. That leaves little spare time if the sea conditions or wildlife viewing cause delays.

Do not read the timetable as a promise that every minute will unfold exactly this way. Boats need to adjust for conditions, and wildlife does not follow a clock. The schedule is most useful as a guide to the balance of the tour: it is part whale watching, part coastal cruise, and part swim outing.

What the $65 price gives you

At $65 per person, this tour sits in a reasonable range for a three-hour boat experience that includes whale watching, snacks, cold drinks, and snorkeling equipment. The price also buys access to a larger, well-equipped vessel rather than just a seat on a fast transfer boat.

I see the best value here for someone who wants several activities in one outing. You get a chance to see pilot whales, a coastal cruise, a swim, snorkeling, and simple refreshments without committing to a full day at sea.

The value is less clear if your only goal is expert whale education. The tour offers some facts, but the information may not be as detailed as what you receive from a dedicated naturalist-led trip. Nor should you pay this price expecting a guaranteed sailing experience, since the boat may motor instead of setting its sails.

The price is also easier to justify because the boat has useful onboard comforts. Shade, toilets, hot water, storage, a large salon, and an outdoor table all help make three hours at sea more comfortable. On a basic excursion boat, a swim stop can feel awkward. Here, there is more room to change, sit, and take a break.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times depend on availability, so check the schedule when you choose your date.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most

I would recommend this experience to you if you want a small-scale coastal outing with a chance to see pilot whales, but you also want time to swim. It works well for people who prefer a calm boat with shade and seating over a high-speed ride.

It should suit mixed groups. One person can watch for whales, another can enjoy the snacks, and another can swim or snorkel during the stop. The English, Italian, and Spanish guide options also make it practical for many visitors.

Families and less confident swimmers should pay close attention to the ladder. The boat has comfortable facilities, but the water entry point moves with the sea. Anyone who does not want to swim can remain onboard and still enjoy the stop.

Book it with different expectations if you are a serious sailor or marine-life enthusiast. You may be disappointed if the sails remain furled or if the guide gives only a short explanation of the animals. The trip is better understood as a comfortable whale-watching and swimming cruise on a sailing boat, not a pure sailing lesson or a specialist research outing.

Should you book Lina7 or Mizendoha?

Book this tour if you value comfort, a manageable three-hour schedule, and several activities in one package. The strongest features are the spacious 12-meter boat, the included snacks and drinks, the chance to see resident pilot whales, and the swim stop with snorkeling equipment.

I would think twice if you need a guaranteed close whale encounter, a long wildlife session, or detailed marine science commentary. I would also choose another option if setting sail is essential to the experience.

For most visitors staying in Costa Adeje, this is a pleasant way to spend part of a day at sea. Go for the possibility of pilot whales and the relaxed boat time, not for a promise of perfect sightings or constant sailing. Bring a towel and sun hat, use care on the ladder, and give Captain Maxi or the skipper your attention when wildlife appears.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching tour meet?

The meeting point is Gate 5 at Puerto Colón in Costa Adeje, Tenerife.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts three hours.

What marine life can I see?

The main target is the resident pilot whales in the waters south of Tenerife. Dolphins may also be seen.

Is swimming included?

Yes. The schedule includes a swimming and snorkeling stop along the Costa Adeje coast.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is available during the water stop.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. Snacks and cold drinks are included. A full meal is not specified.

What should I bring?

Bring a sun hat and towel, since neither is included. The tour is offered in English, Italian, and Spanish, and cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund.