Adeje: Whale Watching Tour to Los Gigantes with lunch & swim

Pilot whales are the star of this five-hour cruise, but the real pleasure is the mix of open-water wildlife, towering Los Gigantes cliffs, lunch, and a swim from the boat. From Puerto Colón, you sail along Tenerife’s southwest coast in search of dolphins and whales in their natural setting.

I like the good-value package: food, soft drinks, and beer and wine with lunch are included in the $63 price. I also like the easy holiday rhythm, with a 30-minute whale-watching stop followed by a bay beneath cliffs more than 600 meters high.

The catch is the sea. This boat can sway hard, and several people became seasick. If you know you are sensitive to motion, bring medication, choose your seat early, and think carefully before booking.

Key points to know before you book

• Pilot whales and dolphins: The boat heads to waters where pilot whales are often seen, though wildlife sightings can never be promised.
• Los Gigantes by sea: You see the huge vertical cliffs from below, a far better angle than from a road or viewpoint.
• Lunch and swimming included: The boat anchors in a small bay for buffet-style food, drinks, and a swim in clear water.
• A lively crew: Staff keep the mood upbeat with music, humor, and help in Spanish, English, French, German, and Italian. Andy receives special praise for his friendly care.
• Puerto Colón departure: Boarding begins 15 minutes before the 11:00 a.m. departure at pier 14, next to the petrol station.
• Seasickness matters: The crossing may be rough, and the boat’s movement can make the trip unpleasant for some people.

Setting out from Puerto Colón at 11:00 a.m.

Your day begins at Puerto Colón in Costa Adeje, a practical departure point on Tenerife’s southwest coast. Go to pier number 14, next to the petrol station, and arrive at least 15 minutes before sailing. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

You can arrange optional pickup from one of the listed stops. The pickup network covers many parts of the resort area, including El Duque, La Caleta, Costa Adeje, Playa de las Américas, Puerto de la Cruz, and several apartment and hotel stops. If you use the bus, wait at your selected point and call the emergency number if the vehicle is five minutes late.

The transport details matter because the boat portion is only one part of a longer day. The schedule lists coach sections of about two and a half hours, while the cruise itself takes roughly four hours and twenty minutes in total. If you are staying near Puerto Colón and have your own car, going directly to the pier may be simpler.

Once aboard, you have a long stretch of open water ahead. This is not a quick harbor ride. The boat travels toward the area with a better chance of seeing pilot whales, so allow the sea time to be part of the experience, not just a transfer between two attractions.

Looking for dolphins and pilot whales

The first major part of the cruise is wildlife watching. The crew searches for dolphins and whales in their natural environment rather than taking you to a show or enclosed attraction. That makes sightings less certain, but also more meaningful when they happen.

The planned whale-watching stop lasts about 30 minutes. The main target is the pilot whale, a species commonly associated with the waters around Tenerife, but the boat may also encounter dolphins and other marine life. One outing included several types of dolphins, pilot whales, a turtle, flying fish, and even a shark, though you should treat those additional sightings as luck rather than part of the promise.

Keep your expectations sensible. You may see animals close to the boat, or you may see them at a distance. Wildlife follows its own timetable. The crew will direct attention toward sightings, but you should be ready to scan the water and accept that nature does not work like a theater schedule.

The boat’s movement is the main practical concern here. Rough water can make it hard to keep your eyes on the sea, and it may make some people ill before lunch arrives. Sit where you feel most stable, keep your gaze on the horizon when needed, and bring seasickness medication if you are prone to it. Sunglasses and sunscreen are also essential, since you spend much of the day exposed to sun and reflected light.

The crew helps shape the mood. Music and jokes keep the long crossing from feeling dull, and the multilingual service is useful for international groups. Spanish, English, French, German, and Italian are offered, although Italian explanations may require you to ask for them at times.

Sailing beneath the 600-meter walls of Los Gigantes

After the whale-watching section, the boat heads toward Los Gigantes. These cliffs rise more than 600 meters above the sea, forming one of Tenerife’s most striking coastal sights. Seeing them from the water gives you a sense of their height that is difficult to get from land.

The boat cruises along the west coast toward one of the small bays below the cliffs. This part is less about constant activity and more about looking up, taking photographs, and enjoying the change from open Atlantic water to a sheltered swimming stop.

Los Gigantes is especially good for photographers. The dark cliff faces, the small bay, and the boat’s position close to the water create a strong contrast. Bring your phone or camera, but protect it from spray. Photos and videos are not included in the price, so any official images are an extra purchase.

The stop at Los Gigantes lasts about 40 minutes and combines sightseeing, lunch, and swimming. That is a fairly tight window, so you will not have time for a long shore visit. You stay on the boat, anchored in the bay, rather than going ashore for a walk.

This is an important distinction. If you want to explore the village or hike near the cliffs, this cruise is not the right format. If you want a sea-level view with food and a swim, it uses the time well.

Lunch, drinks, and a swim from the boat

The boat serves a buffet-style lunch while anchored beneath the cliffs. The food is included, along with soft drinks. Beer and wine are included at lunchtime, while other alcoholic drinks are not included. Cocktails and sangria may be available for an additional charge, with one account noting drinks at around €2, but prices can change.

The meal is designed for convenience, not fine dining. You eat on board, with the cliffs as your backdrop, and the food provides a welcome break after the open-water ride. If the sea has made you feel queasy, you may not want to eat much. That is another reason to prepare for motion sickness before departure.

Then comes the swim. The boat anchors in clear, inviting water, and you can get in for a refreshing break beneath the cliffs. Bring swimwear and a towel, and keep sunscreen handy for the time after you leave the water.

The swim is a highlight for people who want more than a sightseeing cruise. It also gives children and active adults a chance to burn off some energy. Still, this is a boat stop, not a beach day. The available swimming time is limited, and the water may feel cool. Anyone who prefers to stay dry can remain aboard and enjoy the view.

Returning along Tenerife’s southwest coast

After lunch and swimming, the boat heads back toward Puerto Colón. The return cruise follows the southwestern coast, giving you another chance to look at Tenerife from the water and relax with the crew’s music and conversation.

By this point, the day has a clear rhythm: wildlife first, cliffs second, food and swimming third, then a long sail back. It is social and informal rather than quiet or luxurious. If you want a calm, small-group nature trip with no music, this may feel too lively. If you enjoy a friendly crew and a holiday atmosphere, the tone works well.

The staff’s care is one of the strongest parts of the experience. Andy is singled out for keeping the atmosphere alive and for helping people with transport home. That sort of practical attention is useful after a full day at sea, especially if you are returning to an apartment or hotel outside the immediate port area.

Is $63 a fair price?

At $63 per person, this is a solid value if you want several activities in one outing. The price covers a five-hour experience, whale and dolphin watching, the Los Gigantes cruise, a buffet lunch, soft drinks, and beer and wine during lunch. You would pay separately for transport, a meal, and a boat trip if you arranged each part on its own.

The value is less clear if you mainly want a short wildlife trip. Much of the day is spent sailing, and the boat may sway in rough conditions. You are paying for the full package, including the cliffs, swim, meal, entertainment, and return cruise.

The 4.5 rating from 353 ratings suggests a consistently strong experience, but the lower scores point to the same weakness: motion sickness. The boat is clean and attractive, the food is plentiful, and the crew is friendly, yet none of that removes the effects of heavy waves.

I would judge the price this way:

• Good value for a full half-day with lunch and swimming.
• Good value for families and groups who want a relaxed, social outing.
• Less appealing if you dislike organized entertainment or long periods on open water.
• Risky for anyone who regularly gets seasick and does not plan ahead.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it to you if you want to combine wildlife watching, coastal scenery, and a swim without arranging several separate bookings. It suits couples, families, and groups looking for an easy day out from Costa Adeje.

It also works well for people who enjoy a lively boat atmosphere. Music, jokes, cocktails for purchase, and a friendly multilingual crew make this more of a holiday party on the water than a silent nature survey.

You should think twice if your priority is a quiet, specialist wildlife excursion. You should also be cautious if you are very sensitive to waves. The activity information itself warns you to prepare for swimming, sun, and open water, and the experience can be physically demanding when the sea is rough.

The optional pickup is useful if you do not have a car, especially if you are staying outside Costa Adeje. If you are already close to Puerto Colón, direct arrival at the pier saves time and avoids a lengthy coach section.

What to bring and how to prepare

Pack lightly, but do not forget the basics:

• Sunglasses
• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Seasickness medication if needed

Arrive early if you want a better choice of seat. The boat can sway, so a comfortable position may make a real difference. Keep your camera secure, and remember that official photos and videos cost extra.

The activity offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. That is useful if your Tenerife plans are still shifting, but check the exact starting time and pickup point when you choose your date.

Should you book the Los Gigantes whale-watching tour?

Book it if you want a well-priced, full half-day on the sea with a real chance of seeing pilot whales and dolphins, plus cliffs, lunch, drinks, and swimming. The combination gives you plenty to do, and the crew adds warmth and humor to the long sailing time.

Skip it if you know rough water will spoil your day, or if you want a short, quiet wildlife trip with no party atmosphere. For everyone else, this is a practical way to see Tenerife’s southwest coast from a fresh angle. Prepare for the waves, arrive early, and you will be set up for the best version of the experience.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching tour depart?

The tour departs from Puerto Colón at pier number 14, next to the petrol station, in Costa Adeje.

What time does the boat leave?

The stated departure is 11:00 a.m. Boarding starts 15 minutes before departure. Check availability for the exact starting time when booking.

How long does the activity last?

The full activity lasts five hours.

Can I arrange pickup from my hotel?

Pickup is optional. You must wait at the selected pickup point and call the emergency telephone if the bus is five minutes late.

What wildlife might I see?

The cruise searches for pilot whales and dolphins. Other possible marine sightings mentioned for this experience include turtles, flying fish, and sharks, but no sighting is guaranteed.

How long is the whale-watching stop?

The whale-watching stop lasts about 30 minutes.

Do I visit Los Gigantes?

Yes. The boat sails to the cliffs of Los Gigantes, which rise more than 600 meters above the sea, and anchors in a bay below them.

Is swimming included?

Yes. You can swim from the boat in the clear water beneath the cliffs.

Is lunch included in the price?

Yes. A buffet-style meal and soft drinks are included. Beer and wine are included at lunchtime.

What languages are available?

The live tour guide service is offered in Spanish, English, French, German, and Italian.