Whale Watching Catamaran Cruise with Transfer, Buffet by MC

Pilot whales are the main attraction here, and the sightings can be remarkably close. From Puerto Colón, the Monte Cristo catamaran heads into the waters off Tenerife, where pods of pilot whales and dolphins often travel freely. I like the small group of up to 24 people and the chance to watch wildlife without signing up for a giant party boat.

I also like the simple comforts: a buffet of tapas-style food, fruit, beer, soft drinks, and other drinks, plus room to sit in sun or shade. The crew, including guides such as Laura, Daniela, Michel, Miguel, and Captain Andrea, keeps the trip friendly and informative. The main drawback is the sea. Even a stable catamaran can roll, and several people have felt sick when the water turned rough.

Key points

• Pilot whales are the usual star: You may also see dolphins, sea turtles, or other marine life, but sightings remain dependent on nature.
• A proper three-hour outing: You get wildlife viewing, a swim stop, food, drinks, and time to enjoy Tenerife’s coast without giving up a full day.
• Small-group feel: The boat carries a maximum of 24 people, with some trips operating at about 20 passengers.
• Hotel pickup is limited: Transfers can be requested from Golf del Sur, Los Cristianos, Las Americas, Adeje, Playa Paraiso, Callao Salvaje, and Alcalá.
• Food and drinks are included: Expect tapas, tortillas, cheese, quiche, bread, crisps, meat, fruit, water, soft drinks, beer, and champagne.
• Prepare for sun and motion: Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunglasses, and sunscreen, and consider seasickness medicine if you need it.

Setting Out from Puerto Colón

The meeting point is Monte Cristo Catamaran at Puerto Colón, Pontoon 6, in Costa Adeje. This is the main departure point for anyone making their own way to the boat. If you request hotel pickup, the minibus collects you roughly 20 minutes to one hour before sailing, depending on your location and the day’s schedule.

The pickup zone covers much of southern Tenerife, including Golf del Sur, Los Cristianos, Playa de las Américas, Adeje, Playa Paraiso, Callao Salvaje, and Alcalá. The exact pickup time is confirmed after you make the request, so do not plan a tight appointment immediately before or after the cruise.

The transfer is useful if you are staying in one of those resort areas. It removes the need to find Puerto Colón, and the air-conditioned minibus has been especially helpful for people who prefer a door-to-door start. If you stay outside the listed areas, you need to reach the marina yourself.

The catamaran is built for comfort, with a forward sundeck, an upper flybridge, and seating inside. You can move around to find sun or shade, though the most popular upper seats may go quickly. There is also a restroom onboard, a small but important detail on a three-hour trip.

Three Hours on the Water

Once the boat leaves Puerto Colón, the outing settles into an easy rhythm. The crew searches for marine life while you take in the coast and the mountains of Tenerife from the water. The catamaran gives you several viewing positions, so you are not confined to one bench or cabin.

The boat carries no more than 24 people, and some departures have had around 20 passengers. That is a useful middle ground. You get more space than on a large excursion boat, while still having enough people for a lively social feel.

The crew is one of the strongest parts of the experience. Laura has been singled out for her warm, attentive guiding, while Daniela, Michel, Miguel, and Captain Andrea have also helped make trips personal and well organized. The crew explains what you are seeing, watches passenger safety, and keeps food and drinks moving without making the outing feel like a formal lecture.

You should still keep expectations sensible. This is a wildlife trip, not a show with trained animals. The captain can search likely waters, but nobody can promise a particular species or a perfect close approach. Pilot whales are the most commonly reported sighting, with dolphins also appearing often. A few outings have included a sea turtle, though that should be treated as a lucky extra.

Meeting Tenerife’s Pilot Whales

Pilot whales are the usual highlight. They often travel in pods, and the boat may pause near a group while the animals surface and move through the water. Seeing several whales together gives you a better sense of their social behavior than spotting one distant fin from shore.

Some encounters have involved pods of around nine animals, while other trips have seen many more. The strongest experiences come when the whales travel alongside the catamaran, giving you repeated views rather than one quick appearance.

Dolphins can add a more energetic contrast. They may appear near the boat or farther off, and their presence can turn a good wildlife outing into a memorable one. You might also see a turtle, but the trip does not make a promise about exact sightings.

The guides add value here by explaining the animals rather than simply pointing at them. That matters because a whale watching trip can otherwise become a frantic contest for the best view. The crew helps you understand what you are looking at and encourages a respectful distance.

Bring a phone or camera if you like, but keep it ready before the boat reaches the animals. Wildlife rarely waits while you adjust settings. Also remember that the sun can be strong even when the breeze feels cool.

Food, Beer, and a Swim Stop

After the wildlife search, the cruise shifts into a more relaxed part of the day. A swim stop gives you the chance to get into the Atlantic from the boat, and snorkeling equipment is provided. The stop is optional, so you can stay onboard if the water or conditions do not appeal.

This is not a beach visit. You enter and leave the water from the catamaran, and the timing depends on the captain and sea conditions. For many people, the swim is a welcome break after sitting and watching the water. It also gives you a different way to enjoy Tenerife’s coast.

The included food is better described as a simple buffet or tapas spread rather than a full restaurant meal. Expect items such as tortillas, cheese, quiche, bread, crisps, meat, fruit, and other small snacks. Several people have found it tasty and plentiful, while one less enthusiastic assessment found the food basic. That is a fair way to view it: good fuel and a pleasant part of the package, but not a culinary event.

Drinks include water, soft drinks, beer, and champagne. The crew serves drinks during the trip, and the open offering adds real value at this price. If you are marking a birthday or special occasion, tell the crew in advance or at the start. One birthday outing included a cake and a song, a thoughtful touch that shows the staff can add a personal moment when circumstances allow.

How the Sea Can Change the Day

A catamaran is more stable than many smaller boats, but stable does not mean motionless. When the Atlantic becomes choppy, you will feel the rise and fall. A handful of people have become sick on rougher trips, and that can affect the mood onboard.

If you are prone to seasickness, take practical steps. Ask a pharmacist about an appropriate motion sickness treatment, or consider the suggested ginger tablets or Dramamine before boarding. Stay where you can see the horizon, avoid reading, and do not wait until you feel ill before taking action.

The boat has plenty of open space, but the best place for comfort can vary with the conditions. The upper deck offers good views and fresh air, while inside seating provides shelter. Bring a light layer for an evening sailing, since the breeze can feel cool after sunset, and expect the possibility of spray near the water.

The crew appears to take passenger comfort seriously. They have helped people who felt unwell by giving them room to rest and checking on them. Still, no crew can remove the basic risk of motion on a boat. If seasickness is a major concern, a land-based whale watching viewpoint may suit you better.

The Value of $71.35

At $71.35 per person, this cruise sits above a bare-bones boat ride but includes much more than transport on the water. You are paying for about three hours, a small catamaran, crew service, wildlife searching, a buffet, drinks, a swim stop, and, in many cases, hotel transfer.

The transfer can make the price particularly attractive if you are staying in the southern pickup zone. A taxi or separate transport to Puerto Colón would add cost and effort. If you are already close to the marina, the value depends more on how much you care about the food, drinks, and smaller boat.

The group limit matters too. Large whale watching boats can offer lower prices, but they may feel crowded and less personal. Here, a maximum of 24 people leaves more room to shift between the front, flybridge, and indoor seating. It also gives the crew a better chance to help individuals.

The trip is not a bargain if you are looking only for a guaranteed whale sighting. Nature does not work that way, and rough seas can reduce comfort. But if you want a half-day outing with several parts to it, the package is well judged. You can see marine life, swim, eat, and return with time left for dinner or another Tenerife activity.

Who Will Enjoy This Catamaran Most

I would choose this for couples, families, and small groups who want a relaxed sea outing rather than a loud party cruise. The food and drinks make it easy for mixed groups, since some people can focus on wildlife while others enjoy the social side.

It also suits first-time whale watchers. The crew gives context, the route is simple, and the three-hour length is long enough to feel worthwhile without taking over the entire day. The included transfer is useful for visitors based in the main southern resorts.

The trip can work well for a birthday or other small celebration. The crew has marked occasions with cake and music, though that kind of extra should not be assumed unless arranged directly.

It is less suitable for anyone needing wheelchair access, since the catamaran is not wheelchair accessible. People with serious motion sickness should also think carefully. Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed, but the sea remains the deciding factor for comfort.

Practical Ways to Improve Your Trip

Wear swim clothes under your regular clothes if you plan to use the water. Bring a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a warm layer for an evening cruise. The upper deck is exposed, so sun protection matters even when the breeze is pleasant.

Choose a morning departure if you want cooler conditions. One early trip was praised for avoiding the strongest heat. Evening and sunset sailings have their own appeal, with softer light and a pleasant atmosphere, but they can feel cooler and may require an extra layer.

Arrive ready to board rather than treating Puerto Colón as a place to shop for last-minute supplies. Your food and drinks are included, and there is a restroom onboard, but you should bring any personal medication you need, especially motion sickness treatment.

If you want a particular seat, arrive on time. The flybridge and captain’s area can offer excellent views, but those positions are limited. Do not expect to sit beside the captain for the whole trip, since the operating crew needs to work safely.

Finally, keep your expectations focused on the experience, not a checklist. Pilot whales are common on these outings, but dolphins and turtles are less predictable. The mountains, open sea, swim stop, and attentive crew still give the trip value if wildlife takes time to appear.

Should You Book This Cruise?

I would book it if you want a well-priced half-day outing that combines wildlife, swimming, food, drinks, and a small group. The strongest reasons are the frequent pilot whale sightings, the room on the catamaran, and the care shown by crew members such as Laura, Daniela, and Captain Andrea.

I would skip it only if you dislike boat motion, need wheelchair access, or require a guaranteed wildlife encounter. For everyone else, $71.35 is a fair package price, especially with south Tenerife pickup included. Take seasickness precautions, bring sun and swim gear, and leave part of your day free for the simple pleasure of being on the Atlantic.

FAQ

Where does the whale watching cruise depart?

It departs from Monte Cristo Catamaran at Puerto Colón, Pontoon 6, in Costa Adeje, Tenerife.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup can be requested from hotels in Golf del Sur, Los Cristianos, Las Americas, Adeje, Playa Paraiso, Callao Salvaje, and Alcalá. Pickup times vary from about 20 minutes to one hour before sailing.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately three hours and returns to the original meeting point.

What animals might I see?

You may see pilot whales, dolphins, and sea turtles in their natural habitat. Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Is food included?

Yes. The included buffet and snacks can include tortillas, cheese, quiche, bread, crisps, meat, and fruit.

What drinks are included?

Included drinks can include water, soft drinks, beer, and champagne.

Can I swim or snorkel?

Yes. The captain takes the boat to a suitable swimming or snorkeling area, and snorkeling equipment is provided. Bring your own swimsuit, towel, sunglasses, and sunscreen.