Adeje: Whale Watching Tour to Los Gigantes with lunch & swim

Los Gigantes gives this boat trip its real drama: vertical cliffs rising more than 600 meters above the sea, reached after a search for pilot whales and dolphins off Tenerife’s southwest coast. You get wildlife, a striking coastal cruise, lunch, and time in the water in one five-hour outing.

I like the wildlife stop, where you watch animals in their own environment rather than at a marine park. I also like the practical mix of included food, soft drinks, and beer and wine with lunch. The main caution is the sea: the boat can sway, and anyone prone to seasickness should prepare carefully.

Key points

• Pilot-whale search: Set aside about 30 minutes for watching whales and dolphins in the open sea.
• Los Gigantes cliffs: Cruise beneath Tenerife’s towering west-coast walls before anchoring in a bay.
• Lunch on board: Expect buffet-style food, soft drinks, and beer and wine during the lunch stop.
• Swimming time: Bring swimwear and a towel for a stop in clear water below the cliffs.
• Multilingual crew: Tours operate in Spanish, English, French, German, and Italian.
• Optional pickup: Hotel-area coach transfers are available, but Puerto Colón is the simplest choice if you are already nearby.

From Puerto Colón to Tenerife’s whale-watching waters

The trip begins at Puerto Colón in Costa Adeje. Boarding starts 15 minutes before the scheduled departure, with the meeting point at pier number 14 beside the petrol station. The listed departure is 11:00 a.m., though you should check the date you want because starting times can vary.

I would arrive early. The boat trip is social and relaxed, but getting on board before the last rush gives you a better chance of choosing a comfortable place to sit. This matters more than it might on a short harbor cruise because you will spend several hours at sea.

The route first heads away from the port into the waters where pilot whales are commonly sought. Dolphins may also appear, and the crew watches for signs of marine life while the boat moves along the coast. The exact sightings cannot be promised, since these are wild animals, but the tour is built around looking for them in their natural setting.

That distinction matters. You are not visiting an aquarium with a fixed show time. The animals may surface close to the boat, remain farther away, or not appear at all. The experience is strongest when you treat the search itself as part of the outing, rather than measuring the day only by how many animals you see.

A 30-minute look at pilot whales and dolphins

The wildlife portion includes about 30 minutes dedicated to watching whales in the sea. The boat sails toward an area with a better chance of finding pilot whales, while keeping an eye out for dolphins and other marine life.

Pilot whales are the main target, and sightings can be memorable because you see them moving through open water rather than being presented on cue. Some outings also produce views of several dolphin pods, and the supplied experience details include reports of turtles, flying fish, and even a shark. Those extra sightings are possibilities, not promises, but they show why it helps to keep watching the water between the main stops.

The crew adds much to this part of the day. The tour is offered in five languages: Spanish, English, French, German, and Italian. One crew member named Andy receives special praise for keeping the mood lively and helping people with practical problems, including arranging taxis for passengers trying to get safely back to their accommodation.

Expect an upbeat boat atmosphere rather than a silent wildlife survey. Music and friendly crew interaction are part of the experience. That suits you if you want a sociable half-day at sea. If you prefer a quiet, specialist nature trip with long periods of still observation, this may feel more entertaining than scientific.

Sailing toward the 600-meter walls of Los Gigantes

After the whale-watching stop, the boat continues toward Los Gigantes. The cliffs are the visual centerpiece of the trip, with near-vertical walls rising more than 600 meters from the sea. Seeing them from below gives you a sense of their scale that is hard to get from a road viewpoint.

This section is not just a transfer to lunch. The coast changes the feel of the outing, shifting from open-water wildlife watching to dramatic rock scenery. Keep your camera ready, but remember that photos and videos are not included in the price if you want the operator’s versions.

The boat then anchors in one of the bays beneath the cliffs. The stop lasts about 40 minutes according to the scheduled breakdown, including sightseeing, food, and swimming. That is enough time for a meal and a quick swim, but it is not an all-afternoon beach stop.

The bay provides a welcome pause after the moving boat. You can eat, look up at the cliffs, and get into the clear water if conditions allow. The swim is one of the tour’s strongest features, but you should not expect a long session. The time is shared between lunch, swimming, and the overall schedule.

Lunch, drinks, and the swim stop

Food is served on board in a buffet-style setup. The meal is included, along with soft drinks. Beer and wine are also included at lunchtime, while other alcoholic drinks are not included. Cocktails and sangria may be available for an extra charge, with one account noting cocktails priced at €2.

The meal is useful rather than luxurious. It means you do not need to arrange lunch separately during a five-hour excursion, and it gives you something substantial after the whale-watching portion. Reports describe the food as plentiful and satisfying, though your enjoyment may depend on how well you handle the boat’s motion.

That last point is important. If you are already feeling seasick, a buffet meal may not appeal. Several people found the boat’s movement difficult, particularly during the crossing. I would bring any seasickness medicine you normally use and take it before the boat gets rough, following the product instructions. The tour information specifically advises sunglasses, sunscreen, swimwear, and a towel, and all four belong in your day bag.

The swimming stop is in clear, inviting water below Los Gigantes. It offers a refreshing change from sitting on deck, but conditions can vary. The experience does not promise a beach, changing rooms, or a long period in the water, so arrive ready to swim and keep your expectations simple.

The return cruise along Tenerife’s southwest coast

Once the meal and swim are finished, the boat returns to Puerto Colón along the southwestern coast. This gives you another chance to look back at the cliffs and enjoy the sea from a different direction.

The return is part of the experience, not dead time. You have already had the main wildlife stop and the cliff visit, so the pace becomes more relaxed. This is when the music, drinks, and friendly crew help keep the boat atmosphere going.

The trip ends back at the same Puerto Colón meeting point. If you selected a coach transfer, the overall day includes coach travel between pickup and drop-off locations. The available pickup network covers many accommodation areas, including El Duque, La Caleta, Los Cristianos, Puerto de la Cruz, and other Tenerife stops. Check your exact pickup point carefully and wait there at the selected time. If the bus is late, the instructions ask you to call the emergency telephone five minutes after the scheduled pickup time.

If you have your own car or are staying close to Costa Adeje, going directly to Puerto Colón is likely the less complicated option. The pier is the central departure point, and the optional coach is most useful when you do not have convenient transport.

What the $63 price really covers

At $63 per person, this is a solid value if you want several activities packed into one outing. You are paying for a five-hour boat trip, wildlife watching, the Los Gigantes cruise, lunch, soft drinks, and the swim stop. Beer and wine at lunch are included too, which improves the value for adults who want a drink with the meal.

The price is less attractive if your main goal is a long swim or a specialist whale-watching trip. The wildlife stop is about 30 minutes, and the time is shared with a full coastal cruise, lunch, and entertainment. You are buying a broad day out rather than a narrowly focused research-style trip.

Photos and videos cost extra, and alcoholic drinks beyond the lunchtime beer and wine are not included. You can avoid those additions by using your own phone and sticking with the included drinks. Bring a waterproof case if you plan to photograph from near the water, though the tour information does not provide details about storage or changing facilities.

The strongest value comes from the combination. A separate boat cruise, meal, and trip to the Los Gigantes area could take more planning. Here, the crew handles the route and timing, and you get a clear view of what the day includes before you book.

The boat atmosphere and possible drawbacks

This is not a quiet luxury cruise. Music plays, cocktails may be mixed for an extra charge, and the crew works to keep the mood lively. That makes the outing a good match for couples, families, and groups who enjoy a shared social setting.

The crew’s friendliness is one of the most praised parts of the experience. Andy is singled out for his energy and practical help, and the wider team is described as attentive, funny, and welcoming. That human touch matters on a long boat trip, especially when people need help with transfers, drinks, or the swim stop.

The boat itself can sway noticeably. This is the one drawback you should take seriously. Sea conditions are not controlled by the tour, and several people became sick during the crossing. If you regularly suffer from seasickness, a five-hour boat trip may not be a wise choice, even though the meal and scenery sound appealing.

The language setup is broad, but you should still ask for clarification if instructions are not clear in your preferred language. The tour is offered in Italian as well as four other languages, yet one account found that Italian information was not always given without asking. That is a minor issue, but it is worth knowing before departure.

Who should book this five-hour excursion

I would recommend this tour if you want a convenient introduction to Tenerife’s southwest coast and prefer variety over a single-focus activity. You will get wildlife watching, cliffs, lunch, swimming, and a return cruise without having to organize each part yourself.

It suits you particularly well if:

• You want to see pilot whales and dolphins without committing to a full-day sea trip.
• You like a friendly boat with music and crew interaction.
• You want Los Gigantes views from sea level.
• You appreciate included lunch and drinks.
• You are staying near one of the pickup areas and want transport arranged.
• You are comfortable with open-water movement and a scheduled swim stop.

I would think twice if you get seasick easily, need a quiet boat, or want a long, unhurried swim. The boat may move sharply, the meal stop is fairly short, and wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those options help if your Tenerife plans are still changing, but they do not remove the need to check the pickup time and sea conditions for your chosen date.

Should you book the Los Gigantes whale-watching trip?

Book it if you want a good-value half-day that combines Tenerife’s best-known marine sights with a meal and a swim. The pilot whales and dolphins give the trip its purpose, while Los Gigantes provides the memorable scenery. The crew, especially Andy, adds warmth and energy to what could otherwise be a fairly standard boat outing.

Skip it if rough water is likely to spoil your day. For everyone else, arrive early at pier 14, bring sunscreen and a towel, prepare for motion, and keep your eyes on the sea. The best parts are the unplanned ones: a pod appearing beside the boat, a whale surfacing in the distance, or the first look up at those enormous cliffs from the water.

FAQ

Where does the boat leave from?

The tour departs from Puerto Colón in Costa Adeje, at pier number 14 beside the petrol station. Boarding starts 15 minutes before departure.

What time does the tour depart?

The stated departure is 11:00 a.m. Starting times can vary by date, so check availability when booking.

How long is the experience?

The boat excursion lasts five hours. Optional coach pickup and drop-off add travel time depending on your selected location.

What wildlife might I see?

The tour searches for pilot whales and dolphins in their natural environment. Additional sightings such as turtles, flying fish, or a shark are possible but cannot be guaranteed.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Food and soft drinks are included, with beer and wine included at lunchtime. Other alcoholic drinks, photos, and videos are not included.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. If you are prone to seasickness, prepare with the medicine you normally use.