Right off Puerto Colón in Costa Adeje starts one of the most rewarding stretches of sea in the Canaries. The channel between Tenerife and La Gomera holds a resident population of short-finned pilot whales that lives here year-round without migrating, alongside resident bottlenose dolphins. You don't need hours at sea to find them: you just need to leave from the right harbour.
The stretch of sea running from Punta de Teno to Punta de Rasca, along Tenerife's south-west coast, is one of the best areas in Europe for cetacean watching. Pilot whales are the regulars here, joined by bottlenose dolphins and, with a bit of luck, sea turtles. Because the sanctuary sits so close to shore, many boats reach it in under half an hour.
The eco-friendly whale and dolphin cruise sails from berth 8 in Puerto Colón on a catamaran built to reduce its footprint: low-consumption engines that switch off in favour of sail whenever the wind allows. On board, an underwater sound system lets you listen in live while the crew scans the water for pilot whales and dolphins.
The short version runs 3 hours for €47 per adult, with sandwiches, water, soft drinks and beer included, plus a stop to swim and snorkel in a quiet cove. Sightings are guaranteed: if no cetaceans show up, you can repeat the trip at no extra cost, subject to availability.
Book the 5-hour version and the same catamaran carries on after the sighting stretch to the Los Gigantes cliffs and Masca bay, with lunch on board included (chicken and rice, a vegetarian option, and wine). It's a way to pack the Teno-Rasca sanctuary and one of Tenerife's most photographed coastlines into a single outing, with no return to port in between.
The catamaran is accessible for foldable wheelchairs and offers hotel transfers; the on-board guide speaks Spanish and English.
This isn't the only trip of its kind on the island, and it's worth knowing how they differ:
Where can you see whales in Costa Adeje? In the Teno-Rasca sanctuary, the stretch of sea between Punta de Teno and Punta de Rasca on Tenerife's south-west coast. The eco cruise sails from berth 8 in Puerto Colón, Costa Adeje.
How much does the Costa Adeje whale cruise cost? From €47 per adult for the 3-hour option, with food and drink on board included. The 5-hour version adds a visit to Los Gigantes and Masca bay with lunch.
What happens if no whales or dolphins show up? The cruise comes with a sighting guarantee: if no cetaceans appear, you can repeat the trip at no extra cost, subject to availability.
Still planning the trip? Read what to do in Tenerife, check the Teide cable car or browse all our things to do in Tenerife.
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