REVIEW · TENERIFE
Tenerife : Whales and Dolphins with Food and Bath in Los Gigantes
Book on Viator →Operated by Neptuno Whale Experience Tenerife · Bookable on Viator
A whale-day in Tenerife beats a postcard. This tour couples whales and dolphins with a proper Los Gigantes cliff swim, plus lunch on board with wine and beer. The big thing to know up front: cetacean sightings are never 100% guaranteed.
I like that the crew works with you in real time to help you find the animals, and that the day includes more than just cruising around. One possible drawback: weather and sea conditions can affect how far you go, and that can change where you swim.
In This Review
- Quick hits before you go
- Where this Tenerife boat trip fits in (and why it’s worth your time)
- Price and value: what you get for about $66.42
- Timings from Puerto Colón: how the day actually breaks down
- Stop 1: Puerto Colón whale and dolphin search that’s guided in real time
- Stop 2: Los Gigantes cliffs (600 meters tall) and your swim stop
- Stop 3: return to Puerto Colón and a guided look at the southwest coast
- Lunch and drinks on board: what’s included, what it tastes like, and what to expect
- What’s not included (and what you should bring anyway)
- How to handle the biggest variable: weather and sea conditions
- Group size and comfort: what it means when the cap is 135
- Who this tour is best for (and who should pick something else)
- Should you book this Tenerife whales and dolphins with food and bath tour?
- FAQ
- What time does the boat leave?
- Where does the tour start and end?
- Do you offer pickup from hotels?
- How long is the tour?
- Is lunch included?
- Are whales and dolphins guaranteed?
- Can you swim, and is snorkeling gear provided?
- Is the tour conducted in English?
- What’s the cancellation policy?
Quick hits before you go
- Cetaceans are the main event, but the tour admits sightings aren’t guaranteed.
- Los Gigantes is the wow factor: cliffs rise about 600 meters above sea level.
- Lunch is included on board, with wine and beer during the meal.
- You get a swim stop, but snorkeling gear and towels aren’t included.
- Pickup runs from 10:00 to 11:45, with the boat leaving at 12:00.
Where this Tenerife boat trip fits in (and why it’s worth your time)
This is a half-day to full-day style outing built around one simple idea: go out early enough to have a real chance at whale and dolphin sightings, then pair it with a dramatic coastal setting where you can swim. If you’re based in Costa Adeje, it’s a very logical use of a day, because you’re not only sightseeing on land—you’re actually in the water’s “front row.”
The best part is that the day doesn’t feel like a single long waiting game. Even when the animal viewing is slower, you still have a set plan: a Los Gigantes anchoring with a swim, then time to enjoy the southwest coast on the return.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Tenerife.
Price and value: what you get for about $66.42
At about $66.42 per person, you’re paying for a wooden-boat day plus the “essentials” that make this more comfortable than a bare-bones excursion. What’s included is pretty meaningful for the price:
- Whale and dolphin watching at sea (with navigation to the best area)
- A wooden boat tour
- A stop for swimming by the cliffs area
- Lunch on board plus soft drinks, with wine and beer during lunch
- A professional crew on board with a face-to-face guide
- A mobile ticket
What you should budget separately: snacks outside of lunch (if you need them), towels, sunscreen, and any photos you might want. Also, snorkeling equipment is not included.
In short, you’re buying comfort and structure, not just a ticket to “go look.” For many people in Tenerife, that makes it a solid deal.
Timings from Puerto Colón: how the day actually breaks down
The tour starts from Puerto Colón S.A (Puerto) in Puerto Colón, Costa Adeje, with departure at 12:00 pm. Pickup, when offered, happens between 10:00 and 11:45, depending on where your hotel is.
Typical pacing looks like this:
- Stop 1 (about 2 hours): whale and dolphin search from Puerto Colón
- Stop 2 (about 40 minutes): anchor near Los Gigantes for swimming
- Stop 3 (about 2 hours): return crossing, guided around the southwest coast
The total time is listed as roughly 5 to 9 hours, so plan your day with some flexibility. Sea conditions can stretch timelines, and the crew may adjust the route for safety.
Stop 1: Puerto Colón whale and dolphin search that’s guided in real time
This is where you set your expectations correctly. Tenerife is often one of the better places to spot cetaceans, but the tour is clear that sightings are not guaranteed 100%. The tradeoff is that you’re not just hoping—you’re actively searching.
What I’d pay attention to is the way the crew and guide work while you’re out at sea. They help you find the animals and share marine-life facts as you go. That makes the “search time” feel useful, not like dead time.
If you’re aiming for the classic “we saw them!” moment, this first stretch is your best shot. One review highlighted seeing many whales and dolphins, and another called out pilot whales along with dolphins. That’s the kind of outcome you’re hoping for, and it’s exactly why the tour invests time before the sightseeing cliffs stop.
Stop 2: Los Gigantes cliffs (600 meters tall) and your swim stop
Next comes the visual payoff: Los Gigantes, where the cliffs rise around 600 meters above sea level. The tour anchors near the area, giving you time to swim in clearer water while the cliffs dominate the view.
A swim stop is a big part of why this tour feels like more than a wildlife cruise. You’re not just watching from a boat—you’re getting in the water.
A key caution, though: one review said the swim stop didn’t match the expected Los Gigantes or Masca Bay description due to weather and route adjustment. The company’s response pointed to safety and sea conditions as the reason. Translation for you: if the water is rough, don’t be shocked if the crew changes the plan to keep everyone safe.
Stop 3: return to Puerto Colón and a guided look at the southwest coast
After swimming and lunch, you head back toward Puerto Colón. This is the quieter section of the day, when you can relax, enjoy the views along the southwest coast, and listen to details about the island.
Why this matters: it turns the return trip into real sightseeing. Otherwise, return crossings can feel like time to kill. Here, you get a guided explanation of what you’re seeing along the coast, which helps Tenerife click as more than just beaches and viewpoints.
Lunch and drinks on board: what’s included, what it tastes like, and what to expect
Lunch is included, and it’s not a token snack. The meal plan lists:
- Rice with vegetables
- Coleslaw
- Chicken thigh
- Meatballs in tomato sauce
- Bread and banana
During lunch, you’ll have wine and beer, plus unlimited soft drinks and water refreshments.
From a practical standpoint, I like having a full meal in the middle of the day—especially on a sea tour where timing can shift. It also makes it easier if you’re traveling with someone who wants both nature and comfort.
One review praised that they ate on board, and another called the excursion complete with the swim and setting of Los Gigantes. The overall vibe from the included meal is that it’s designed to keep you fueled for the time in and around the water.
What’s not included (and what you should bring anyway)
The tour is clear about what it leaves out. Plan to bring your own:
- Snorkeling equipment (you can swim, but gear is not provided)
- Towels
- Sun cream
- Anything you want for photos
If you think you might snorkel, bring your own mask/snorkel and keep expectations realistic. The provided stop is primarily a swim time, and conditions can change what’s comfortable.
Also pack swimwear under your clothes if you can, because you’ll save time once the boat anchors. Even with a short 40-minute window, being ready helps you enjoy it more.
How to handle the biggest variable: weather and sea conditions
The tour requires good weather, and that’s not just fine print. In Tenerife, sea state can change quickly, and safety drives route decisions. One review mentioned that the route had to be adjusted and that they ended up not going to the expected areas.
That same feedback also suggests the crew handled the situation well and still made the experience worth it by keeping whale activity possible and maintaining a positive onboard atmosphere.
So here’s my advice: treat the itinerary as a plan, not a guarantee. If you’re booking, choose a day when you’re not racing the rest of your vacation schedule.
Group size and comfort: what it means when the cap is 135
This tour lists a maximum of 135 travelers. That puts it in the “big-group” category, but not so huge that it feels like a ferry. For wildlife spotting, more people means more eyes, which can help you find animals faster—but it can also get crowded on decks depending on how the crew manages movement during viewing.
If you’re the type who hates standing elbow-to-elbow, arrive early for pickup timing, and be ready to move to whatever side has the best sightlines when the crew spots something.
Who this tour is best for (and who should pick something else)
This tour is a strong match if:
- You want whales and dolphins plus a swim stop in a dramatic cliff setting
- You’d rather have lunch included than hunt for food between activities
- You like guided context about the marine world while you’re on the water
It might be less ideal if:
- You only care about Los Gigantes or Masca Bay and feel disappointed by route changes
- You need snorkeling gear provided (it’s not)
- You’re sensitive to rougher sea conditions and don’t like the idea of a modified itinerary
In general, it’s a good “one-boat day” option for first-time visitors to Tenerife’s southwest coast.
Should you book this Tenerife whales and dolphins with food and bath tour?
I’d book it if your priorities are wildlife plus a swim, and you’re okay with the honest reality that animal sightings depend on conditions. The included lunch, drinks, and onboard guide make it feel like a complete experience rather than a short trip that ends with you hungry and sunburnt.
You should think twice if you have your heart set on a very specific swimming location. The tour can adjust routes for safety, and that can shift where you end up in the water.
If you can be flexible and you want a guided boat day with a real chance at cetaceans, this is a solid option in Tenerife—especially for the value of everything included around the core whale-and-dolphin search.
FAQ
What time does the boat leave?
The boat leaves at 12:00 pm.
Where does the tour start and end?
It starts at Puerto Colón S.A (Puerto), Puerto Colón and ends back at the meeting point.
Do you offer pickup from hotels?
Pickup is available at an authorized point closest to your hotel. Pickup runs between 10:00 and 11:45, and you’ll receive details through messages after booking.
How long is the tour?
It’s listed as about 5 to 9 hours.
Is lunch included?
Yes. Lunch on board is included, along with unlimited soft drinks and water. Wine and beer are included during lunch.
Are whales and dolphins guaranteed?
No. The tour notes that sightings are not guaranteed 100%.
Can you swim, and is snorkeling gear provided?
There is a swimming stop, but snorkeling equipment is not provided.
Is the tour conducted in English?
Yes, English is listed as an offered language.
What’s the cancellation policy?
You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. The experience may be canceled due to poor weather, with an option for a different date or a full refund.
