Our boat trip in Tenerife to observe cetaceans

If I had to choose one activity to do in Tenerife, it would undoubtedly be a boat trip to observe cetaceans. To be honest, I was a bit skeptical at first, because it’s not the first destination where this activity is offered. But, as always, I went through Manawa, which I trust, and given the positive reviews about the trip in question, I let myself be tempted—and I did well. It was truly a lovely surprise! I chose an excursion departing from the port of Los Gigantes: that already sets the tone, leaving near those immense cliffs!

Plus, when I booked the trip, I saw that we were going to head toward the Teno-Rasca protected marine area, a site listed as the first whaling heritage site in Europe and the third in the world. This reserve stretches along the southwest coast of Tenerife and is home to exceptional marine species like pilot whales, sea turtles, rays, etc. I was in the mindset of telling myself that I’d see what surprises nature had in store and that I’d just see! As I already told you a bit, I wasn’t disappointed, and it’s one of the must-dos in Tenerife.

Our excursion left at 10 a.m. from the port of Los Gigantes, aboard a beautiful sailboat that was spotless and very well maintained. We were barefoot, the sun was starting to warm up, and right away, the skipper and the captain put us at ease. Jérôme, one of them, spoke French and Spanish, which was perfect since our small group was mixed—half French-speaking, half Spanish-speaking. The atmosphere was relaxed from the start, with a clear little briefing on how the trip would unfold.

They explained that we were going to sail in the Teno-Rasca protected marine area, listed as Europe’s first whaling heritage site. It’s a conservation corridor where boating is very tightly regulated: only two boats are allowed in at the same time so as not to stress the animals. Just that—I thought it was great. You can feel that here, respect for wildlife comes first.

The skipper warned us: since these are wild species, nothing is guaranteed. Sometimes you see lots of animals, other times fewer—it all depends on the day’s conditions. He hoped we’d have the chance to spot pilot whales and, with a bit of luck, dolphins (apparently harder to spot because they move very fast). In the protected area, boats can only stay 15 to 20 minutes in the same spot, so you really have to enjoy the present moment.

And then—what incredible luck: we saw a large group of spotted dolphins, a migratory species and not resident in Tenerife. The skipper told us he hadn’t seen them again for almost a year! He estimated there were nearly 200 under the boat, and honestly, it was magical. They were jumping all around the sailboat, playing in the waves, and we even saw a baby dolphin with its umbilical cord still attached. I still have trouble believing it was real (and I’m not exaggerating!).

From our side, at the surface or not very deep, I think we saw a good fifty of them—it was impressive. I didn’t know where to look to avoid missing any. My only small regret is not having managed to photograph them well. But they were super fast and only about a meter long, which is rather small compared with other dolphin species. At least I really enjoyed the moment and I’m keeping plenty of images in my mind—it was incredible. I was lucky!

We then came across several pilot whales, calmer and easier to observe, that regularly surface to breathe. They’re residents of Tenerife, and you can see them almost all year. They’re also much less imposing than humpback whales; blue whales, gray whales, or beaked whales, for example. They’re still beautiful to see: they move in rhythm, two or three in a line and a few more farther away. We saw them from farther away than the dolphins (at the same time, some of the dolphins were just a few centimeters from our sailboat).

As soon as we started seeing marine animals (spotted dolphins first), we settled at the bow of the boat, on big cushions. Since it was a sailboat, it rocked quite a bit (just a heads-up: if you get seasick, this might not be the best option). There were eight of us on board, and half ended up a bit queasy (my partner included, haha!). Yet the captain told us the sea was calm that day, so I can’t imagine what it’s like when it isn’t. Besides, our trip had been canceled the day before because of the wind, so we were lucky everything went well this time.

After the observation phase, Jérôme showed us a small booklet with all the marine species that can be seen around Tenerife. I learned that it’s even possible to see sperm whales, even though it’s rare, and that they’re longer than the sailboat. It was super interesting! Next, we took a swimming break at the foot of the Los Gigantes cliffs, accessible only by sea. It’s quite impressive to swim at the edge of those rock walls 300 to 600 meters high. The water was gorgeous, clear and pleasant (a bit cool for some, but personally I found it rather nice). They lent us snorkeling gear—mask and snorkel—and even if we only saw small colorful fish, it was the setting that was worth it!

Back on the sailboat, they served us typical Spanish tapas: tortilla, serrano ham, veggies to dip in hummus, all accompanied by unlimited cold drinks. Honestly, that calm moment after swimming, facing the sea, felt so good.

I think you can guess—I loved this boat trip in Tenerife to observe cetaceans. Honestly, I didn’t have any particular expectations, especially since as soon as we got on the boat, the skipper warned us that nature would decide and we’d see what it had in store. I was very lucky to see spotted dolphins since it’s a migratory species. Plus, I saw about fifty, and it’s even more incredible to think there were actually around 200 under the water beneath our sailboat.

What I really appreciated was the respect for the species, with only two boats at a time in the protected area for 20 minutes. That seems short, but I prefer to think everything is done with respect for marine wildlife. And since there were only ten of us in total on the sailboat, I felt it gave an exclusive vibe and not a “tourist trap.” In Los Gigantes, I saw other operators offering this type of excursion, but they were boats with far more people. Maybe they also allowed you to see species—I don’t know—but it was already less appealing… That said, that’s just my personal opinion.

As for me, I did the excursion with Blue Dream Sailing. Their approach is authentic, respectful, and well organized, while keeping a friendly, relaxed vibe. All excursions take place aboard the sailboat Sangria, with the captain and Jérôme, the skipper. By the way, they offer several excursion formats: the most popular is the one I did, which lasts about 3 h 30. Of course, when you’re having a good time, you want it to last even longer. But I found it to be the right length, and everything flows well. If you want even more privacy, you can even do private outings with friends or family, with the captain and skipper accompanying you in observing marine species and during swimming moments. These are trips at sea that can last between three and six hours, depending on your wishes (and your budget, too).

To go even further, you can head out for the whole day with Blue Dream Sailing. That lets you discover more of the seabed and sail along the Los Gigantes cliffs. With this option, you’ll also enjoy a full meal on board, not to mention the return at sunset, with the coasts of La Gomera in the distance (well, not that far in reality—you can see them very well!). In short, what sets this operator apart from the others is its philosophy of observing marine life without disturbing it, in small groups (about ten people maximum), with a passionate team that speaks French, Spanish, and English, and unlimited drinks and tapas. All you have to do is let yourself be carried away!

Thanks to its mild climate and rich waters, Tenerife is one of the best places to observe marine mammals like whales and dolphins in their natural habitat. Most excursions depart from the southwest coast, because that’s where the Teno-Rasca protected area is located, which I mentioned above. I’m going to tell you about the different ports and departure points, each offering a different vibe and setting.

To begin with, Costa Adeje is the best-known departure point for observing cetaceans in Tenerife. To give you an idea, Costa Adeje is the refined, modern seaside resort in the southwest of the island. It includes several ports, such as Puerto Colón. That’s where several excursions depart each day. I think it’s the ideal place to go to the beach and head out to sea. Simply put: the area has a huge number of beaches and restaurants. The advantage is that there are several departures per day. Plus, you’ll reach the Teno-Rasca protected area quickly.

Of course, excursions often vary depending on the type of boat:

• Catamarans: for a friendly, comfortable atmosphere, often with drinks included.
• Sailboats: more intimate (8 to 12 people maximum) for a calm experience that’s more respectful of nature. This is the type of trip I did!
• Speedboats: for those who want a more dynamic moment and to reach the observation areas quickly.

In any case, I recommend heading out to sea early in the morning: the water is calmer and you’ll likely have a better chance of seeing marine species.

It’s precisely from Los Gigantes that I did my boat trip to observe cetaceans. Honestly, from the start, the setting is impressive. This is where you’ll find the famous walls, 300 to 600 meters high. This little port is quiet—I really liked the vibe there. It’s also more authentic than the ports of the big seaside resorts.

As soon as you leave the port, the sea is an intense blue, with the immense cliffs on one side and the coasts of La Gomera in the distance. You sail for about 40 minutes (I’d say) before arriving at the Teno-Rasca protected marine reserve, a paradise/sanctuary for pilot whales, dolphins, and even turtles. Well, I unfortunately didn’t see any turtles—but you can’t have it all! And the skipper and the captain had warned us: they’re much harder to observe. They only stick their heads out of the water, and for a short time, because they can stay underwater for several consecutive hours.

Also, very often, excursions end with a moment of swimming and snorkeling right at the edge of the rock walls. Honestly, it was incredible! I’d never seen them so close. And when you swim there, you feel tiny beside them—a great final note for the sailboat trip.

In a nutshell, I’d say a trip from Los Gigantes offers a more authentic experience, in a unique setting you won’t find anywhere else. I really recommend it!

Located right next to Playa de las Américas, Los Cristianos is one of the liveliest ports in the south of Tenerife. It’s also an excellent starting point for a sea trip to meet marine mammals. I’d say it’s the place for you if you’re looking for a friendly atmosphere.

Here, the port is larger and there are many excursions: there are comfortable catamarans and small boats. Once again, the destination is the Teno-Rasca protected marine area, where pilot whales and dolphins live year-round.

What’s nice about Los Cristianos is that after your excursion, you can easily enjoy the beach right next to the port, have lunch on a terrace, or stroll through the shopping streets in the center. In my view, it’s a good plan for families or for those without a car. Finally, I recommend choosing an excursion labeled “Blue Boat,” which guarantees respect for cetaceans and their natural environment.

You’re used to it: here comes the practical corner that brings together all the info you need to know about a cetacean observation trip in Tenerife.

This should please more than one of you: you can observe cetaceans all year round! Thanks to the deep, warm waters of the southwest coast, you can observe resident pilot whales and dolphins in any season. Here’s a quick rundown of each season because they’re all quite different. That way you can adjust your travel dates to Tenerife if needed!

• Spring–summer (April to September): the sea is calmer, the sky is blue. Even though the island’s weather is very changeable with its microclimates, the conditions are more favorable during this period for people prone to seasickness.
• Fall–winter (October to March): generally speaking, there’s a bit more swell and wind, but also more migratory species that are not resident in Tenerife’s waters, like turtles and spotted dolphins (the ones I saw). I’m talking about this dolphin species because it’s the one I observed, but there are many others that are just passing through.

In short: there’s no bad season in Tenerife for seeing cetaceans. If you want to maximize comfort and gentle sailing, go between May and September. If you’re curious to encounter passing species, fall and winter can hold very nice surprises. As for me, it was late September—so almost at the start of fall.

On the same topic, and to help you plan your travel dates, know that we wrote an article on: When to go to Tenerife.

Even if you can observe cetaceans year-round in Tenerife, there’s another very important factor to consider: the time of day.

If you can, I recommend choosing the morning to head out to sea. The water is calmer, the wind hasn’t picked up yet, and the morning light is softer. Plus, most marine animals are more active at that time: it increases your chances of seeing them! In early afternoon, from 1 p.m. on, the trade winds start blowing in the southwest, making sailing much rougher (watch out if you get seasick).

There are also certain private excursions at sunset. It’s ideal for a unique, peaceful moment. The light is incredible, but you’ll likely have fewer chances of spotting whales and other marine species.

Roughly speaking, to fully experience it, morning remains the best option! So take advantage of it: that way, you’ll have no regrets, even though you must always keep in mind that it’s wildlife and nature that decide. In other words, it’s better to favor the best conditions for this unique outing!

In reality, the length of a trip to observe cetaceans in Tenerife depends on your expectations and what you choose. In general, trips last about three hours. For me, that was roughly the duration of the one I did. I think it’s the right timing to experience it without spending the whole day on it.

If you want to take your time and enjoy it more, some operators offer formats of six or even eight hours. In those cases, you can go farther along the southwest coast and have more time for swimming and relaxing.

Another small tip for you: if it’s your first time on a boat, go for three hours. I found it sufficient and, in case you get sick, it won’t last very long (haha). Also, sailboats move more slowly, so if you can plan more time, it’s a good option—even though you feel the waves more than on a motorboat.

But keep in mind that observation time in the protected area is limited to twenty minutes per boat, in order to properly respect the cetaceans. Honestly, make your choice based on your vacation plans and your wishes. Whatever the length, you’ll have a great time—I’m sure of it!

The price of a sea excursion to observe cetaceans in Tenerife varies a lot depending on the type of boat (catamaran, sailboat, yacht), the length of the excursion, the number of participants, the services included (drinks, meals, snorkeling, etc.) and, of course, the operator.

To give you an idea of current prices:

• For a classic trip of about two to three hours, prices start around €35 per person.
• For a package with more services (drinks, light meal, snorkeling, smaller group), expect more like €45 to €80 per person. My trip was rather in the higher range, but it was worth it!
• For a premium or private excursion (luxury sailboat, small group, full day, high-end services), prices can reach €90 per person and even more for full privatization.

In any case, I recommend taking a good look at the type of boat, the options included, and the length of your excursion. That’s how you’ll gauge the budget you want to allocate.

That’s it, we’ve reached the end of our boat trip to observe cetaceans in Tenerife. I hope you enjoyed my story as you read along! I can tell you it’s one of my best memories on the island. And since every trip is different, I’d be ready to do it again to see what surprises nature would have in store, even though I’ll always keep in mind the images of those moments of life I saw that day.

To discover other water activities, I invite you to check out our review of our snorkeling excursion in Tenerife, not to mention our guide to kayaking in Tenerife!

See you soon for more experiences at sea in Tenerife!

Written by Laura CALLES

Thanks to Mélanie and Sylvain, I had the chance to discover the Canary Islands, specifically Tenerife and Lanzarote, so that I could share these island paradises with you. Two real favorites of mine!

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