Whale and dolphin watching by catamaran in Tenerife
Our experience on the whale- and dolphin-watching catamaran in Tenerife: what you see, what’s included, prices and times, and what the trip is like with kids.
Miriam5 min readVerified · June 2026
We love being out on the water and whenever we can, we take a boat trip. We’ve already done several whale- and dolphin-watching tours in Tenerife: by sailboat, by kayak, even on a Viking ship, but this time we decided to go out on a catamaran.
Whale- and dolphin-watching trip
If you’re visiting Tenerife, one of the most popular activities is a boat trip to watch whales and dolphins. In Tenerife, lots of companies offer boat tours to watch cetaceans.
My advice when choosing a whale-watching trip in Tenerife is to check that the boat is on the list of vessels authorised for whale-watching tourism. That way you’ll know the company you book with respects the rules and you’re supporting responsible tourism.
There’s a wide variety of whale-watching trips in Tenerife — choose the one that best suits your tastes and needs.
Catamaran tour
We booked a 3-hour trip on a catamaran departing at 10:30. This whale-watching trip in Tenerife doesn’t include hotel pickup and leaves from Puerto Colón marina, in Playa de las Américas in the south of Tenerife.
Since we live in Tenerife, we decided to go in our own car. If you’re driving too, bear in mind it’s not easy to find parking near Puerto Colón, as it’s a tourist area, but there’s a private car park at the marina itself, Parking Puerto Colón. Parking Puerto Colón is open from 7:30 to 23:30 and costs €0.02 per minute or €7.20 for the whole day.
If you’d rather be picked up at your hotel than drive, there’s another catamaran leaving from Costa Adeje that does include pickup. We’ve done that one too, so if you’d rather not deal with parking, it’s a good option.
Meeting point: Pantalán 8, Marina Puerto Colón (Costa Adeje, south of Tenerife)
Duration: 3 or 5 hours
Departures: 3h on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays (10:30, 14:00 and 17:30); on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, a 5h trip (10:30) and a 3h trip (16:00)
Language: Spanish and English
Cancellation: free up to 24h before.
The catamaran
The catamaran is quite spacious and has a maximum capacity of 74 passengers. There are several benches to sit on, though the girls decided they wanted to sit up front and ride on the net, so the water would splash them.
The crew were three lovely, friendly guys who, before setting off, gave us some tips for a pleasant, safe trip.
The day was cloudy, but the thermometer read 26 degrees, so it wasn’t cold. We set off in search of dolphins and whales, but we didn’t see as many as on other boat trips we’d done before.
The crew did everything they could so we wouldn’t leave without seeing cetaceans, sailing across several areas until we managed to see a few whales — some even jumped, which apparently isn’t very common.
Afterwards, the boat hugged the coast and anchored near a beach, where we could have a dip and enjoy some snacks too.
What does the catamaran trip include?
The 3-hour trip includes an open bar of water, white wine, soft drinks and beer. During the swim stop they serve sandwiches — chicken, vegetable or ham and cheese. Coffee isn’t included and costs €2. It doesn’t include snorkel gear or towels.
I haven’t mentioned it yet, but the boat has an underwater sound system with speakers on deck, so you can hear the sound of the cetaceans on board. That made the experience even more exciting.
How much does the catamaran whale-watching tour in Tenerife cost?
This company also offers a 5-hour trip, so prices for this tour vary depending on whether you book the 3-hour catamaran tour or the 5-hour one.
| 3 h trip | 5 h trip | |
|---|---|---|
| Adults | €47 | €59 |
| Children (3–9) | €29 | €37 |
| Under 3 | €5 | €5 |
Prices per person, depending on the option chosen.
My take
My take on the catamaran whale-watching tour in Tenerife is very positive. The staff were attentive and friendly throughout the trip. As it’s a big boat, there were more kids around for my daughters to play with. And while it’s true we didn’t see many cetaceans, we shouldn’t forget that’s not the crew’s fault. No tour guarantees 100% that you’ll see dolphins or whales, though the odds are very high. And as I said, we did get to see them thanks to the crew, who did everything they could so we’d take home that lovely memory.
Tips
- These tours are very popular, so I recommend booking in advance to be sure of a spot on the date and time that suits you best.
- A little tip if you’re travelling with kids: bring a snack in your bag in case they don’t like the food served on the boat.
What to bring: comfortable shoes, swimwear, sunglasses and a hat. Towels aren’t included, so don’t forget yours.
Thanks for joining us on this trip — we hope you enjoyed it. If you’re looking for activities or things to do with kids in Tenerife, you’ll find lots of ideas on this blog.
FAQ
Where does the catamaran leave from?
From Pantalán 8 at Marina Puerto Colón, in Costa Adeje (south of Tenerife). The trip doesn’t include hotel pickup.
How long does the trip last?
You can choose between two options: 3 hours or 5 hours. The 5-hour one is more complete: it sails out to the Teno-Rasca strip, with the Los Gigantes cliffs and Masca bay.
What’s included?
Lunch with drinks (sandwiches on the 3-hour trip; chicken rice on the 5-hour one), plus water, beer and soft drinks. Snorkel gear isn’t included, but can be hired on board.
Is it suitable for children and babies?
Yes. Under-3s are allowed and there’s a reduced rate for children aged 3 to 9. As it’s a big boat, there are usually more kids on board.
Do you always see whales and dolphins?
There’s no 100% guarantee on a given trip, but the odds are very high: bottlenose dolphins and pilot whales live in these waters all year (and sperm whales are sometimes seen on the 5-hour trip). Also, if no cetaceans are spotted, the tour offers free rebooking.
What if I get seasick?
If you’re prone to seasickness, take something before boarding, sit in the central part of the catamaran and look at the horizon. The sea is usually calmer in the morning.
