CATAMARAN OCEAN CRUISE TOUR, Food & Drinks included!

The most memorable part of this Tenerife cruise is the chance to watch pilot whales and dolphins in open water, followed by a swim stop at Playa de los Hippies. You are not looking at animals in a tank. Sightings are never certain, but the route gives you a real chance to see them in their own setting.

I like the south Tenerife pickup and drop-off, which saves you a taxi ride to Puerto Colón, and I like that food and drinks are built into the price. The crew serves tapas, fruit, snacks, and a good range of drinks, with one trip even ending in a honey-rum shot. The main caution is group size: the usual advertised limit is 18, but one sailing carried 24 adults and a child.

Key points to know before you book

• Pilot whales are the main wildlife possibility: Dolphins may also appear, but no sighting can be promised.
• Playa de los Hippies adds a proper break: You can swim, snorkel, eat, drink, or simply look back at Tenerife from the sea.
• Hotel pickup is available in south Tenerife: Add your hotel, phone number, and email when booking.
• Food and drinks are included: Expect tapas, fruit, snacks, and drinks rather than a full restaurant-style meal.
• The cruise lasts about three hours: That makes it easy to fit into a half-day, though the wildlife search leaves limited time for the beach stop.
• Check the expected passenger count: The experience is advertised for up to 18 people, but one outing exceeded that number because of a weather-related rescheduling issue.

Leaving Puerto Colón for open-water whale watching

The trip begins at Club Náutico Puerto Colón in Costa Adeje, one of the main boating points on Tenerife’s south coast. If you use the pickup service, the operator asks you to provide your hotel, telephone number, and email address. That detail matters, since the pickup plan needs to be arranged before the day of the cruise.

Once aboard, the catamaran heads away from Puerto Colón in the direction of La Gomera. You are not going all the way to the island in three hours. The point is to move into the waters where whales and dolphins are often seen, then return along the coast for a swim and food stop.

The boat is described as spacious, which helps during the wildlife portion. You can move your view from one side to the other, an advantage when an animal surfaces without warning. Still, a catamaran is a working boat, not a private charter. If the vessel fills beyond the expected number, finding a clear view can become harder.

The wildlife search is the heart of the cruise. Pilot whales are a regular possibility in these waters, and several outings have seen family groups, including a mother with a small calf. Dolphins have also been spotted, sometimes in more than one group. The crew explains what you are seeing and gives context about the animals and the ocean rather than simply pointing and moving on.

That said, keep your expectations sensible. Whales and dolphins are wild, and the boat cannot summon them on schedule. One outing produced no dolphins, even though the passengers spent time searching. If you need a guaranteed animal encounter, this is not the right kind of activity. If you are happy with a genuine chance to see wildlife, the uncertainty is part of the deal.

Why the pilot whale sightings matter

Pilot whales are not the giant, dramatic animals many people picture when they hear the word whale. They are social toothed whales that often travel in family groups, so watching several surface together can be especially moving. A mother and calf staying with the group gives you a glimpse of a living community rather than a single animal passing by.

The best moments may be brief. You might see a back, a fin, or a blow, then wait for the next appearance. That rhythm rewards patience. I would bring your attention, not just your camera, because quick sightings can be easy to miss while checking a screen.

The crew’s role is important here. On the strongest outings, staff have been described as professional, welcoming, and careful around the animals. They also offer explanations about the whales and show concern for the ocean. Those qualities make a difference: a wildlife trip feels much better when the crew treats the animals as wild creatures rather than props for a photo.

Dolphins are a welcome extra. One outing recorded various groups, while another saw dolphins along with pilot whales and many fish. But you should judge the cruise by the quality of the sea experience, not by a promised checklist. The operator itself cannot control what appears.

Playa de los Hippies: a useful second act

After the wildlife search, the catamaran heads to Playa de los Hippies. This stop changes the pace. Instead of scanning the water, you can swim, snorkel, sit back with a drink, or look toward Tenerife’s mountains from the sea.

The beach stop is also when the included food comes into play. The offering includes tapas, fruit, snacks, and drinks. The strongest food comments describe generous tapas portions and food that was better than expected. Another outing praised the tapas as excellent. That suggests a more satisfying spread than the bare minimum, though you should not expect a full sit-down lunch.

Food quantity may depend on the number of people aboard. One sailing with more passengers than expected was described as having limited food, while drinks remained plentiful. That is a fair point to keep in mind. If you are booking mainly for lunch, ask about the current passenger count and menu before committing.

The drinks service receives the most consistent praise. There is a choice of drinks, and one account specifically noted that there was no strict limit on the number served. The exact selection is not stated, so do not assume a particular brand or cocktail menu. A honey-rum shot at the end has been offered as a small finishing touch.

Swimming and snorkeling are optional, not compulsory. You can enjoy the bay from the boat if you would rather stay dry. If you do get in, allow time to dry off before the return journey, since the trip ends back at Puerto Colón and the full outing is only about three hours.

A three-hour format that works for a half-day

Three hours is a useful length for this activity. You get a proper boat outing without giving up an entire day in Tenerife. It can fit around a morning or evening plan, although the exact sailing time is not provided here, so check the booking details before arranging other commitments.

The trade-off is that the route has to balance several activities in a short period. The boat must travel out from Puerto Colón, search for wildlife, reach the beach, serve food, allow time for swimming, and return. If the whale watching takes longer because the crew is tracking a group, the beach stop may feel brief.

That is not necessarily a flaw. Wildlife should come before a rigid timetable, and spending more time with a pod of pilot whales is likely to be the better choice. Still, you should not book this expecting a long, lazy afternoon anchored in one bay.

The pickup service adds real value if you are staying in the south of Tenerife. You avoid arranging transport to Costa Adeje, and the return to the same meeting point keeps the plan simple. The cruise itself begins and ends at Club Náutico Puerto Colón, so check that your hotel is within the pickup area before assuming transport is included.

What the $108.37 price really covers

At $108.37 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend three hours in Tenerife. But the price includes several parts that would otherwise add up: the catamaran ride, wildlife search, swim stop, food, drinks, and south-coast pickup when available.

The value is strongest if you want a ready-made half-day outing. You are paying for the boat, crew, route, food service, and transport coordination in one booking. You also avoid having to arrange a separate whale-watching trip and beach stop.

The value is weaker if you care only about swimming or only about reaching a beach. A simpler boat ride may cost less, and a beach day gives you more time in the water. This cruise earns its price through the combination of wildlife, scenery, food, and convenience.

Group size affects that calculation. An outing with 18 people can feel reasonably personal on a spacious catamaran. One reported sailing carried 24 adults and a child, not counting the crew and drink service. The operator explained that bad weather the previous day caused a rescheduling problem and brought extra people together. That may have been an unusual case, but the published capacity and actual experience did not match on that occasion.

If a small group is essential to you, confirm the number directly before booking. If you can accept a larger boat group, the price remains reasonable when the wildlife viewing and food service both work well.

The crew, comfort, and the small practical details

The crew has received strong praise for being friendly, professional, and attentive. That matters on a boat because the staff control more than the drinks. They help passengers feel secure, explain the animals, organize the swim stop, and keep the trip moving.

Sea conditions can affect comfort. One passenger had seasickness but still found the trip beautiful and appreciated ginger offered onboard. If you tend to feel unwell at sea, take that detail seriously. Ginger may help, but it is not a guarantee. Sit where movement feels easiest, watch the horizon, and avoid arriving with a heavy meal already in your stomach.

The experience is offered in English. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The activity is near public transportation, but pickup is also available, giving you two ways to reach the port.

The boat is not presented as an adults-only outing. Children have taken part, and the cruise has suited both adults and children. Still, the sea, changing weather, and swimming stop mean you should decide if your child is comfortable on a moving boat.

The tour requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel the sailing, you are offered another date or a full refund. For your own planning, avoid placing an important timed activity immediately afterward, especially if the weather forecast is unsettled.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would choose this for someone staying in Costa Adeje or elsewhere in south Tenerife who wants several experiences in one outing. It is especially suited to couples, families, and small groups who like wildlife but also want swimming, scenery, and a relaxed meal.

It also works well for first-time visitors. You do not need to organize a separate transport plan, wildlife trip, and lunch. The crew handles the route, explains the animals, and brings you back to the same port.

You may want another activity if you dislike uncertainty. No operator can promise whales or dolphins, and one trip saw no dolphins. You may also prefer a different option if a strictly small group is important, since the passenger count has not always matched the expected maximum.

Pack practical items: swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and a phone or camera with a secure grip. The supplied information does not specify equipment rental, so do not assume snorkeling gear is included. Ask before departure if using a mask and fins is central to your plans.

Should you book the Puerto Colón catamaran?

I would book this cruise if you want a well-rounded half-day on the sea, not a single-purpose whale search. The combination of pilot whale watching, a Playa de los Hippies stop, tapas, fruit, snacks, drinks, and south-coast pickup gives the outing solid value.

Book with two conditions in mind. First, treat wildlife as a possibility rather than a promise. Second, confirm the current passenger limit if you are paying for a small-group feel. If those points suit you, this is a practical and enjoyable way to see Tenerife from the water, with enough food and swimming time to make the three-hour format worthwhile.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start?

The cruise starts at Club Náutico Puerto Colón de Adeje, Av. de Colón, Costa Adeje, Tenerife.

Where does the cruise finish?

The activity ends back at the Puerto Colón meeting point.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately three hours.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes, pickup is offered in south Tenerife. You should provide your hotel, telephone number, and email address when booking.

What wildlife might I see?

You might see pilot whales and dolphins. Sightings are not guaranteed because the animals are wild.

Is swimming included?

Yes. The cruise stops at Playa de los Hippies, where you can swim or snorkel if you choose.

Is food included?

Yes. The experience includes tapas, snacks, fruit, and drinks.

Is the cruise offered in English?

Yes, the activity is offered in English.

How many people can join the cruise?

The experience is advertised for a maximum of 18 travelers. One sailing carried more people after a weather-related rescheduling issue, so confirm the current passenger arrangement if group size matters to you.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

You can choose a different date or receive a full refund if poor weather causes the cancellation. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.