Whale Watching Catamaran to Los Gigantes & Masca (Including drinks & warm lunch)

The main draw is the chance to see Tenerife’s resident pilot whales and dolphins from the deck of a catamaran, with the cliffs of Los Gigantes and Masca as your backdrop. I like the hot lunch and included drinks, and I like that the trip leaves in the afternoon, when the island’s sea air can feel less chilly than an early start.

This is a large-boat outing, not an intimate sailing trip. Sunbeds cost extra, the drinks come in small plastic cups, and the sea can be rough enough to make some passengers ill. You should also treat wildlife sightings as a bonus, not a promise.

Key points to know before booking

• Pilot whales are a regular highlight: Dolphins are also possible, but sightings and the amount of time spent watching animals can vary.
• Los Gigantes supplies the scenery: The tall cliffs and the coast near Masca give the cruise its strongest visual moments.
• Lunch is hot but simple: Expect chicken meatballs, vegetable rice, bread, and a banana rather than a choice of restaurant-style dishes.
• Drinks are included: Beer, soft drinks, and bottled water are available, though portions are served in small cups.
• Swimming may be offered: The boat can stop at a beautiful cove, depending on conditions and the crew’s plan.
• This is a sizable catamaran: Up to 160 people may be aboard, and three different large catamarans operate the excursion.

Setting out from Puerto Colón at 1:15 pm

The trip begins at Puerto Colón in Costa Adeje, near Playa de las Américas. The stated meeting point is Av. de Colón, 11, and boarding takes place through the gate number given with your booking confirmation.

The departure time is fixed at 1:15 pm, with trips offered daily except January 1. The cruise lasts about four and a half hours, so you return around early evening. That timing works well if you want a relaxed morning for the beach, breakfast, or a short outing before heading to the harbor.

Pickup is available from selected hotels in the south of Tenerife. It is not available outside southern Tenerife, and hotels close to the port may be asked to make their own way there. Give the operator your mobile number with the country code and your email address, then check the final pickup instructions carefully. A confusing pickup point can spoil the day before it begins.

The operator uses three large catamarans, so the exact boat is not guaranteed. This matters if you are expecting a particular layout or a certain number of seats. Plan to arrive with enough time to find the right gate, especially if you are collecting drinks, sunscreen, or medication before boarding.

What the catamaran feels like with a large group

This is a proper excursion boat, with room to move around, open areas for sunbathing, and places to sit out of the direct sun. It is not a quiet, small-group cruise. The maximum capacity is listed as 160 people, although the number aboard can be lower on a particular departure.

A large catamaran brings some useful advantages. The boat is stable enough for a full meal service, there is space to spread out, and the crew is accustomed to handling a mixed group. Several passengers have praised the friendly, attentive crew and the captain’s confident handling of the boat, including a careful maneuver in the small port at Los Gigantes.

The tradeoff is less personal service. Commentary may be brief, especially when the guide is speaking in both English and Spanish. If you want detailed marine biology talks or a quiet sail with only a handful of people, this probably is not the right format.

The front sunbeds are an optional extra and are sold on a first come, first served basis. A price of about 25 euros has been reported for a bed intended for two people, but the space may feel tight for two adults. You can avoid that extra charge by using the regular seating and deck areas.

Searching for pilot whales and dolphins

The boat heads west along Tenerife’s southern coast, looking for whales and dolphins on the way toward Los Gigantes and Masca. The waters off this part of Tenerife are known for resident pilot whales, and several departures have spotted them along with bottlenose or spotted dolphins.

Pilot whales are not the giant, dramatic animals many people picture when they hear the word whale. They are social, dark-colored whales that often travel in groups, and you may see several backs or fins surface together. Dolphins can be quicker and harder to follow, so keep your eyes on the water rather than waiting for the crew to point in one direction.

The crew shares information about where the animals live, what they eat, and how they migrate. The amount of explanation can vary. Some departures offer strong commentary, while others keep the narration short and focus on finding animals. In a multilingual group, the information may feel especially condensed.

Wildlife watching is never guaranteed. One outing may produce pilot whales and several groups of dolphins, while another may see only a few animals or no whales at all. The boat does not appear to spend unlimited time searching after a sighting, so you should book this for the combination of wildlife and scenery, not for a dedicated research-style whale safari.

Bring a camera, but keep it ready. Animals may surface for only a few seconds, and a phone held away from your face can make it easier to watch the water. Do not spend the whole cruise looking through a screen. The sea and cliffs are part of the experience.

Los Gigantes and the coast near Masca

Los Gigantes is the visual centerpiece of the cruise. The cliffs rise sharply from the sea and give you a dramatic view that is difficult to appreciate from inland roads. Seeing them from the water changes the scale: you look upward from the base rather than across from a distant viewpoint.

The boat continues toward the coast near Barranco de Masca. This is a good time to move around the deck if the weather is calm, since the changing angle gives you different views of the cliffs and shoreline. The coast is the reason this excursion can still feel worthwhile on a day when wildlife sightings are limited.

The route is not a land visit to the village of Masca or a hike through the gorge. You remain on the boat, seeing the coastal side of the area. If your main goal is the mountain village, this cruise will not replace a road excursion.

A swimming stop may be offered in a sheltered cove. The timing and location depend on sea conditions and the captain’s decision. You can swim if you wish or stay aboard and enjoy the view. Bring a swimsuit and towel if swimming appeals to you, but do not assume the stop is guaranteed.

Lunch, beer, soft drinks, and the onboard bar

The included lunch is served hot and consists of chicken meatballs, vegetable rice, bread, and a banana. Some people may think of it as a simple paella-style meal, but it is better to expect a basic catering dish rather than a freshly prepared restaurant lunch.

That distinction matters because lunch is one of the advertised inclusions. The meal does its job by giving you something warm and filling during a long afternoon at sea, but there is no stated menu choice. If you dislike meatballs or need a special diet, contact the operator before booking because no alternatives are listed.

Drinks include bottled water, soda, and alcoholic beverages. Beer is the main alcoholic option described in the onboard experience. The portions are often served in small plastic cups, so the phrase open bar should not lead you to expect premium brands, cocktails, or large pours.

The crew may bring food to your seat, while you may need to walk to the bar for drinks. That can be awkward when the catamaran is moving, particularly for anyone feeling unsteady. Take your time, use the handrails, and consider eating lightly until you know how your stomach is handling the sea.

Ice cream costs extra. The front sunbeds also cost extra. These are minor details, but they affect the final price if you want the most comfortable place to sit and a treat after lunch.

Sea conditions and seasickness

The most important practical issue is motion sickness. Even on a large catamaran, open water can produce a strong rolling motion. Several people have become ill on otherwise pleasant departures, and one person’s sickness can affect the comfort of everyone nearby.

If you are prone to seasickness, take sensible precautions before leaving shore. Eat lightly, avoid excess alcohol early in the trip, and bring any medication you normally use. The rear of the boat may be more suitable if you feel ill, and the crew may ask sick passengers to move there, but you should not rely on the crew to solve every seating problem.

A windproof jacket is useful even on a warm Tenerife day. The afternoon sun can be pleasant, but the moving boat creates a steady breeze. In April, one practical suggestion is to choose the afternoon departure rather than a colder morning trip, though the wind can still be noticeable.

The captain may cancel or change the departure if the weather is poor. In that case, you receive a choice of another date or a full refund. If the sea looks rough and you are uncomfortable with open water, it is better to choose a land-based excursion.

Is $72.08 a fair price?

At $72.08 per person, the price covers about four and a half hours on the water, the catamaran cruise, wildlife searching, the Los Gigantes and Masca route, lunch, bottled water, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks. Pickup may also be available from selected southern hotels.

That is reasonable value if you plan to use the full package. A boat trip, a meal, and drinks purchased separately could cost nearly as much, while the scenery is included rather than treated as an optional add-on.

The value drops if you mainly want a close wildlife encounter or a polished dining experience. Sightings vary, lunch is basic, the boat can be crowded, and sunbeds cost extra. You are paying for a broad afternoon experience, not a private charter.

I would compare this trip with smaller boat tours if wildlife is your top priority. The larger catamaran gives you more facilities and a lower per-person price, but a small boat may offer a quieter setting and more flexible wildlife viewing. No smaller-boat option is included here, so the choice depends on what matters most to you.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend it to first-time visitors who want to combine several Tenerife highlights in one outing. You get open-water scenery, a chance to see pilot whales and dolphins, a hot lunch, drinks, and a possible swim without arranging separate activities.

Families may like the variety, particularly if children are excited by boats and wildlife. The four-and-a-half-hour duration is long enough to feel substantial, though younger children may find the sea motion tiring.

It also suits couples and groups who care more about a relaxed afternoon than technical wildlife information. The crew is described as friendly and professional, and the boat gives you plenty to look at even when animals are not nearby.

I would think twice if you dislike crowds, need a quiet environment, have serious motion sickness, or expect gourmet food. The large boat is part of the bargain, and you should be comfortable sharing the experience with many other passengers.

Booking is flexible if your plans change. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before departure. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book the Los Gigantes catamaran?

Book this cruise if you want an easy, good-value afternoon that combines pilot whales, dolphins, cliffs, lunch, and drinks. The strongest moments are the wildlife sightings, the view of Los Gigantes from the sea, and the chance to swim near the cliffs when conditions allow.

Skip it if you want a private-feeling boat, premium drinks, or a guaranteed close encounter with whales. My best advice is to bring a windproof layer, prepare for possible seasickness, confirm your pickup point, and regard the lunch as practical fuel rather than the reason to go. With those expectations, this is a solid way to spend half a day on Tenerife’s southwest coast.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching catamaran depart?

The meeting point is at Av. de Colón, 11, 38660 Playa de las Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, near Puerto Colón in Costa Adeje.

What time does the catamaran leave?

The daily departure time is 1:15 pm. Trips operate 364 days a year, with January 1 listed as the closed date.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately four hours and 30 minutes and returns to the original meeting point.

Are hotel pickups available?

Pickup is offered from selected hotels in southern Tenerife. Hotels close to the port may need to go directly to the port, and pickup is not offered outside the south of Tenerife.

What languages are used on the tour?

The tour is offered in English and Spanish.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The included meal is chicken meatballs, vegetable rice, bread, and a banana.

Which drinks are included?

Alcoholic beverages, bottled water, and soda are included. Ice cream costs extra.

Are sunbeds included?

No. The sunbeds at the front of the boat cost extra and are available on a first come, first served basis.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.