Whale and Dolphin Watching in Tenerife

If you're taking a holiday in Tenerife, a boat trip is not only an optional activity; it's a necessity. This island is special in that pilot whales (pilot whales) live in its sea waters throughout the year, so there's almost a guarantee of an encounter with these magnificent beings. Dolphins, sea turtles, and breathtaking views of Mount Teide from the sea round out the boat trip.

This guide is penned to help you, especially if you're a new island visitor, navigate the huge variety of boat tours and choose the one that will provide you and your family with an unforgettable experience.

What are the different boat trips available? Choosing Your Ship

A boat is a holiday style option. It calls all the shots: whether it's a sun-tanned day enjoying a cocktail on the deck, an educational adventure, or a family pirate-themed trip. There are two principal departure places: Puerto Colon in Costa Adeje, from which most of the large catamarans depart, and the harbour in Los Cristianos, which has budget and some theme boats. Let's take a look at the principal options.

Types of boats and experiences

Now that you know which boats cruise the local waters, let's determine your priorities.

Tips for guides: Wandering around the port can get a bit annoying with the sheer number of tour sellers. To avoid wasting your time and energy on trip day, I recommend you choose and book a whale and dolphin watching boat ahead of time by looking it up online. That way, you can plan your stop before you reach the port.

How to choose your ideal outing? 3 fundamental questions

Finding your ultimate tour doesn't involve surfing through hundreds of websites. Simply ask yourself three simple questions about your expectations.

How much time and money do you have?

The tour's length and cost go hand in hand. The longer you'll spend at sea, the more you'll see and the pricier it will be.

• Half-day tours (2 hours): Ideal for novices or low-budget sea enthusiasts. As an example, a tour aboard Traveling Lady costs approximately 25 euros.
• Full-day tours (3 hours): Engage more diving and are typically carried out on smaller boats to observe in closer proximity. Cost: approximately €65, like Eco Whale Watching.
• Long tours (4-5 hours): Typically in larger catamarans, lunch, drinks, and several swimming breaks included.

What kind of holiday do you desire?

Choose what's most important to you on this day.

• Relaxation and sunbathing: If you're going to lazily bob about on the waves with a drink in hand and sunbathe on deck, roomy, relaxed catamarans are your best bet. On others, like the Freebird, you can rent a luxuriant sunbed in the bow for an extra fee (around €10-€20). Guide tip: These spaces are not reserved in advance, so to guarantee a sunbed, it's worth arriving early, even if you've arranged a transfer.
• Adventure and amusement: If you're bringing kids with you or just want to be a swashbuckling pirate searching for treasure (and whales), don't hesitate to book a spot on character ships like the Shogun or Peter Pan.
• Close Encounters with Nature: For a more personal encounter with whales and dolphins by viewing them up close in a small group, choose small boats or special ships like the Royal Dolphin with underwater windows.

What's Included?

To make sure, always inquire about what is included in the ticket price. Here are some key things to ask for:

• Snacks and food: Sandwiches light on small boats or an entire paella dinner, occasionally on bigger catamarans.
• Beverages: Water, soft drinks, and often beer and wine on longer tours.
• Swimming and snorkeling breaks.
• Snorkel equipment: Are masks and snorkels available?

You've got your schedule arranged, now discover what delights await in the water.

Who and what does one see in the ocean?

Boat tour to Tenerife is not merely a boat tour. It's an opportunity to have a taste of salt spray on your cheek, watch the pilot whales' backs shining in the sun, and hear only wind and the ocean, just a few kilometers from the hotel.

Marine Life: Guaranteed Encounter

• Pilot whales (pilot whales): They are the superstars of the ocean in this area. They are also referred to as "calderones" in local Spanish and reside along the coast of Tenerife throughout the year, which makes a spotting nearly certain. Whole family groups complete with calves may be observed floating on the surface of the sea.
• Dolphins: Bottlenose dolphins are by far the most frequent. They are frequent sightings; they love playing in the waves of the boat, but unlike whales, their spotting is not 100% certain. Dolphins can most likely be found near fish farms at the shore—more like a neighborhood McDonald's for them.
• Sea turtles and others: It's probable to see a sea turtle swim by. Occasionally, there are even the odd very strange sightings, such as with a hammerhead shark, but these will be more likely to be a fluke than a norm.

Island Views: Tenerife from a New Perspective

Don't miss a glimpse not only of the water, but of the coast. The sea offers a completely different perspective of the island: you'll see great cliffs, secluded coves, and, of course, the peak of Mount Teide rising from above the clouds. These alone are a valuable part of the excursion.

With this preparation of anticipation, all that is left is to prepare yourself suitably for your boat excursion.

Beginner Tips: Preparing for Sailing

Here is a last to-do list to make your boat ride as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

1. Sunscreen is priority one. Out on the water, the sun is much stronger, and the cooling sea breeze will lead you to believe it's cooler. Believe me, it's deceptive! Without high SPF sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses, you'll be burnt to a crisp and ruin the rest of your trip.
2. Do not overeat before you go. A little breakfast or lunch is best to avoid seasickness. If you are prone to motion sickness, take drugs beforehand. Tip: If you do get sick when sailing, swim in the ocean - it generally fixes it.
3. Bring a swimsuit and a towel. Most tours (especially those that are longer than two hours) feature a swim break at a beautiful bay. Don't miss the opportunity to cool off in the fresh waters of the Atlantic!
4. Arrive early. Boats depart on time and won't hold up for late-arriving passengers. Arriving early will also give you the best seats on the boat.
5. The secret to fantastic photos: Don't try to take a leaping dolphin through your viewfinder, just videotape. Then you can play it back and capture the highlights in excellent quality.