Whale and Dolphin Watching Catamaran with Transfer and Buffet

Pilot whales are the stars of this small-group catamaran cruise. From Puerto Colón, you spend about three hours looking for whales and dolphins, then stop for a swim and sail back past Tenerife’s south coast. Sightings are very common, but nature keeps the final say.

I like the limited group size of 24 and the unusually generous food-and-drink service. You get a more personal boat ride than on a packed excursion vessel, with tapas, water, soft drinks, beer, and sparkling wine served during the trip. The main consideration is that dolphins are not guaranteed, and the swim stop can be fairly ordinary.

Key points to know before booking

• Pilot whales are the most likely sighting, often close to the boat, while dolphins and sea turtles are possible but never promised.
• A maximum of 24 people keeps the catamaran comfortable and gives you a better chance at a clear view.
• Hotel transfers cover much of southern Tenerife, including Golf del Sur, Los Cristianos, Playa de las Américas, Adeje, Playa Paraíso, Callao Salvaje, and Alcalá.
• Tapas and drinks are included, with choices such as Spanish tortilla, cheese, quiche, bread, crisps, meat, water, soft drinks, beer, and champagne.
• Swimming and snorkeling equipment are provided, with a stop near the coast after the wildlife search.
• The $71.35 price is strong value if you use the transfer, food, drinks, and three-hour boat ride.

Setting out from Puerto Colón

Your day begins at Puerto Colón in Playa de las Américas, at the Monte Cristo Catamaran departure point. If you are staying in southern Tenerife, you can request hotel pickup at least 24 hours before sailing. Pickup times vary, usually arriving 20 minutes to one hour before departure, so keep your phone available for the confirmed time.

The service area covers the island’s main southern resort belt. It includes Golf del Sur, Los Cristianos, Playa de las Américas, Adeje, Playa Paraíso, Callao Salvaje, and Alcalá. There is no pickup from Puerto de la Cruz or the north, so northern visitors must arrange their own way to Puerto Colón.

The catamaran is built for comfort and open-water viewing. It has a forward sundeck, a flybridge with seating, and an indoor sofa area. You can move around to find sun, shade, or a better angle for photographs. A restroom is onboard, and life jackets are available for everyone.

Shoes may be removed before sailing, so wear something easy to take off. Pack a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a secure way to carry your phone. One useful tip is a phone lanyard or neck holder, especially when you are leaning over the rail to photograph a whale.

The first search for whales and dolphins

Once the boat leaves the harbor, the crew begins looking for cetaceans in the waters off Tenerife’s south coast. A guide helps identify what you are seeing and directs the boat toward good viewing areas. The exact route depends on where the animals are that day, so this is a search rather than a fixed sightseeing circuit.

Pilot whales are the main hope, and they are frequently seen in this part of the Atlantic. Several people have seen groups close to the catamaran, which can make the encounter feel remarkably intimate. You might see a whale surface beside the boat, disappear, and then reappear only a few meters away. That unpredictability is part of the appeal, but it also means you should keep your camera ready.

Dolphins are also possible, sometimes in lively groups that travel quickly across the water. Some departures see both dolphins and pilot whales. Others find whales but no dolphins. The company makes no promise about any particular species, and that is important to understand before you pay for the trip.

The boat provides good viewing angles, but you should not expect every moment to be a perfect photograph. Animals surface without warning, and passengers naturally gather on one side when something appears. The smaller capacity helps here. With no more than 24 people, you have more room to shift position than you would on a large excursion boat carrying dozens or hundreds.

The wildlife search is the heart of the trip, and the crew’s attitude matters. The staff are described as friendly, attentive, and clear in their explanations. They also keep drinks moving while everyone waits for the next sighting, which makes quiet stretches less tedious.

Drinks and tapas while you watch the sea

Food and drink are served during much of the cruise. The selection can include Spanish tortilla, olives, tomatoes, cheese, quiche, bread, crisps, canapés, and meat. Water, soft drinks, beer, and champagne are available, giving you a reasonable choice of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

Think of the meal as a cold tapas buffet, not a full restaurant lunch. It is enough to make the outing feel cared for and self-contained, but the food is not the reason to book. Some people find it tasty and plentiful, while others consider it simple. I would set your expectations at light snacks and small plates rather than a grand feast.

Vegetarian food is available if requested when you book. Since the buffet is not described as heavily vegetarian, make that request in advance if it matters to you. The crew can also accommodate small celebrations on some departures. A birthday cake and a song have even been arranged for a child, though special surprises should not be assumed unless you confirm them.

The included drinks add real value to the fare. A three-hour boat trip can become expensive when every bottle or glass costs extra, so the open service makes the outing feel relaxed. Drink responsibly, especially if you plan to swim later and if the sea is moving.

A swim and snorkel stop near Tenerife’s coast

After the wildlife search, the captain anchors near the coast for swimming and snorkeling. Equipment is provided, so you do not need to bring your own mask or snorkel. Wear your swimsuit under your clothes from the start, since changing onboard may be less convenient than simply arriving ready.

This section is pleasant but should be kept in proportion. Some people enjoy getting into the water and seeing small fish beneath the boat. Others find the stop less impressive than the whales, with ordinary marine life rather than a major underwater spectacle.

The boat may anchor off a beach rather than directly beside a place you can walk ashore. One departure stopped near a beach associated with nudists, so the setting may not suit everyone. You stay on the catamaran unless the crew says otherwise.

The swimming stop works best as a refreshing break after time spent scanning the horizon. It gives children and active adults something to do, while anyone who prefers to remain dry can relax on deck. The catamaran has shaded seating and indoor space, so you are not required to swim.

Sailing back along the south coast

The final part is a slower sail along Tenerife’s southern shoreline. You get views of the mountains, beaches, and coastal resorts from the water, a useful change of perspective from the roads and promenades below.

This is a good time to settle with a drink, review photographs, and let the trip wind down. The return sailing is not a second wildlife expedition, so I would treat it as scenic relaxation rather than expect another major sighting.

The full outing lasts about three hours. That is long enough for a proper search, a meal, a swim, and a coastal cruise without taking up your entire day. The boat returns to Puerto Colón, and transfer passengers are taken back to their pickup area.

How much value do you get for $71.35?

At $71.35 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water, but it includes several costs that can quickly add up elsewhere. You get a three-hour catamaran ride, a wildlife guide, hotel transfer in much of southern Tenerife, tapas, drinks, swimming, snorkeling equipment, and use of the onboard facilities.

The group size is the key value point. A boat limited to 24 people costs more than a basic high-capacity cruise, but you gain space and a more personal feel. You are less likely to spend the entire outing behind someone else’s head or squeezed along a rail.

The transfer also matters. If you are staying in Los Cristianos, Adeje, Playa de las Américas, or another listed resort, pickup saves you a taxi ride and the trouble of finding Puerto Colón. If you are already nearby and can reach the harbor easily, the price still makes sense if you plan to use the food, drinks, and swim stop.

The wildlife itself cannot be priced like a guaranteed attraction. You may see pilot whales very close to the boat, or you may have a quieter outing with fewer sightings. The operator is clear that animals are common but not guaranteed. That is the honest tradeoff with any wildlife cruise.

Seasickness, comfort, and family suitability

A catamaran is more stable than many single-hull boats, but it still moves. If you are prone to seasickness, consider taking ginger tablets or Dramamine before boarding, following the product directions. Sitting in a central or sheltered area may also help, though the supplied information does not promise a particular seating arrangement.

The vessel has shaded areas, a forward sun deck, a flybridge, indoor seating, and a restroom. It is not wheelchair accessible, so people who need step-free access should contact the operator before booking.

Children can join, but they must be accompanied by an adult. The trip can suit families, especially because the whale search, food, and swim stop break the day into distinct parts. Young children may find the waiting between sightings slow, while older children are likely to enjoy the animals and water time.

The crew provides life jackets for all passengers. Still, keep an eye on children near the rails and during the swim stop. This is a boat excursion, not a supervised children’s program.

What the strong rating tells you

The experience has a 4.8 out of 5 rating from 2,712 ratings, and 96 percent of people recommend it. The praise centers on the same practical strengths: close pilot-whale sightings, friendly service, a comfortable number of passengers, plentiful drinks, and smooth hotel transfers.

The best feedback focuses on the crew’s warmth and attention. Staff members have helped with drinks, explained the whales, handled family needs, and made birthdays feel special. That personal service matters on a small boat, where the crew’s care shapes the whole afternoon.

The less positive points are also useful. Dolphin sightings can fail to appear. The swim stop may feel basic, and the tapas are light rather than elaborate. One concern is that the catamaran has more seating than dedicated sunbathing space, so sun worshippers may find the layout less ideal.

These are not deal breakers for me. They simply show that this trip is strongest as a wildlife-and-hospitality cruise, not as a luxury meal, serious snorkeling expedition, or guaranteed dolphin encounter.

Who should book this catamaran?

I would choose this trip if you want to see Tenerife’s marine life without spending a full day at sea. It fits couples, families, and small groups who like a relaxed pace, friendly service, and a little swimming after the animal search.

It is especially good for anyone staying in the south who values hotel pickup. The included drinks and tapas also make it easy to enjoy the afternoon without carrying much more than swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a phone.

I would think twice if your sole goal is dolphins. Dolphins are possible, but pilot whales are the more realistic target. I would also look elsewhere if you need wheelchair access, want a large open sunbathing deck, or expect a polished restaurant-style lunch.

The experience is offered in English, and most people can participate. Confirmation arrives at booking. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, while poor weather or an insufficient number of bookings can lead to a rescheduled trip or full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this Monte Cristo Catamaran trip if you want a well-rounded three-hour outing with a genuine chance of close pilot-whale sightings, a maximum of 24 passengers, hotel transfer, drinks, tapas, and a swim stop.

The best reason to go is the combination. You are not paying only for a wildlife search, and you are not settling for only a coastal cruise. You get both, with food and friendly service filling the gaps between sightings.

Just keep your expectations honest: whales and dolphins are wild animals, the tapas are simple, and the snorkeling is a bonus rather than the main event. For $71.35, that is a fair bargain for a comfortable southern Tenerife boat trip.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran depart from?

The departure point is Puerto Colón, Pantalan 6, in Playa de las Américas, Costa Adeje, Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup can be requested from hotels in Golf del Sur, Los Cristianos, Playa de las Américas, Adeje, Playa Paraíso, Callao Salvaje, and Alcalá.

Is pickup available from northern Tenerife?

No. There is no pickup from Puerto de la Cruz or the north of the island. You must make your own way to Puerto Colón if you stay outside the southern pickup area.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts approximately three hours and ends back at the meeting point in Puerto Colón.

What animals might I see?

You may see pilot whales, dolphins, and sea turtles. Sightings are very common, but no specific animal sighting is guaranteed.

How many people can join the cruise?

The activity has a maximum of 24 participants.

What food and drinks are included?

The food can include tortillas, cheese, quiche, bread, crisps, meat, olives, tomatoes, and other tapas-style items. Drinks include water, soft drinks, beer, and champagne.

Can I swim or snorkel?

Yes. The captain stops at a swimming and snorkeling area, and equipment is provided.

Is the boat wheelchair accessible?

No. The catamaran is not wheelchair accessible.

What should I bring?

Bring or wear a swimsuit, towel, sunglasses, and sunscreen. A secure phone holder is also useful for taking photographs near the rail.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the trip is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.