Adeje: Whale and Dolphin Watching Cruise with Lunch and Swim

The best part of this Adeje cruise is the chance to see pilot whales and dolphins in open water, then watch the sea from below through 16 panoramic submarine windows. I like the respectful approach: the boat keeps its distance and lets the animals come near. I also like that lunch, fruit, and a steady supply of drinks are included.

The main drawback is simple: wildlife is never guaranteed, and the Atlantic can turn choppy soon after leaving Puerto Colón. The boat is large and can feel busy when whales appear or everyone gathers for the swim, but the extra space and several viewing levels help.

Key points at a glance

• Two routes: Choose the 3-hour Diego Hernandez Bay cruise or the 4.5-hour trip toward Masca and Los Gigantes.
• Whale sanctuary waters: The cruise travels through the Teno-Rasca Special Conservation Area, a regular home for pilot whales, dolphins, seabirds, and other marine life.
• Underwater viewing: Sixteen panoramic submarine windows let you see below the waterline without getting wet.
• Lunch and drinks included: Expect a casual meal, fruit, soft drinks, water, beer, and sangria.
• A proper swim stop: The boat anchors for roughly 40 minutes, usually in clear water near a scenic bay.
• Good multilingual support: Guides speak Spanish, Dutch, English, German, Italian, and French.

Why this cruise works so well in Tenerife

Tenerife’s southwest coast gives you two good reasons to leave the beach for half a day. The first is the resident marine life. Pilot whales live in these waters, and dolphins often travel in small groups close to the boat. The second is the coast itself, with dark volcanic cliffs, bays, and the towering walls of Los Gigantes.

This is not a fast thrill ride. It is a steady catamaran outing with time to look, listen, take photos, eat, and swim. That makes it a good match for families and couples who want several activities in one booking rather than a short wildlife trip followed by a separate lunch stop.

The boat is called Royal Delfín, and its glass-bottom design gives the trip an unusual extra feature. You can watch the water from the open decks, then go below to the underwater viewing area. The lower windows will not replace snorkeling, but they offer a different view of the sea and can be especially fun for children.

The Teno-Rasca area is protected for good reason. Whales, dolphins, birds, and fish use this part of Tenerife as a natural feeding and resting area. The crew’s stated approach is to avoid chasing animals or feeding them. That matters. A close sighting feels much better when the boat is waiting quietly rather than pushing into a pod.

Leaving Puerto Colón and finding your sea legs

The meeting point can vary with the option you book, so check your confirmation carefully. The cruise generally works from Puerto Colón, where the crew gives a safety briefing before the catamaran heads out.

The first half hour is a useful settling-in period. You get views of the coast, a chance to choose your spot, and time to decide whether the upper deck or lower viewing area suits you. If you are prone to seasickness, stay outside and keep your eyes on the horizon. Several people found the water choppy near the harbor, and morning departures can feel cool in the breeze.

Bring a light jacket even on a warm day. Tenerife may be sunny on shore, but wind across the open deck can make the first part of the cruise noticeably cooler. Sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, comfortable shoes, swimwear, and a weather-appropriate layer are the sensible kit.

The catamaran can carry a large group, yet the multiple decks prevent it from feeling confined most of the time. The busiest moments come when the crew spots whales or dolphins. You may need to move around other passengers for a clear view, so do not expect a private charter atmosphere.

Watching pilot whales and dolphins in protected waters

The main wildlife search takes place between the coast and the open Atlantic. Pilot whales are the most regular sighting associated with this route, while dolphins can appear in pods alongside the boat. You might also see flying fish, sea turtles, seabirds, or other passing marine life, but these are bonuses rather than promises.

The crew helps point out animals and explains what you are seeing in several languages. A guide such as Johan may give information in multiple languages, while other trips may feature guides including Anita. The exact guide depends on the sailing, but the multilingual format is useful when families and couples on the same boat speak different languages.

The best viewing position changes quickly. Stay ready to move between the side rails, upper deck, and lower windows. When animals pass below the hull, the submarine windows can give you a brief look that is hard to get from the railing.

I especially like the combination of outdoor and underwater viewing. You are not limited to trying to spot a fin in the distance. You can also see the waterline from below, which gives children a reason to stay interested between sightings.

Still, keep expectations sensible. One trip may produce several groups of pilot whales and dolphins, while another may offer fewer sightings. The crew cannot control the animals, the weather, or the sea conditions. Anyone booking mainly for a guaranteed close encounter should think twice. Anyone happy to enjoy the coast and sea even on a quieter wildlife day is more likely to have a good time.

The company’s approach is to keep a respectful distance and allow the animals to approach. That may mean you do not get the closest possible photograph, but it is the right tradeoff for a responsible wildlife outing.

Choosing Diego Hernandez Bay or Los Gigantes

You have two cruise lengths, and the choice affects the character of the day.

The 3-hour Diego Hernandez cruise

The shorter route sails in search of cetaceans before stopping at Diego Hernandez Bay. Here, you get about 40 minutes for swimming in clear Atlantic water. Lunch is served during the stop, and drinks remain available throughout the trip.

This is the practical choice if you want a half-day activity without giving up most of your morning or afternoon. It gives you wildlife viewing, a swim, food, and coastal scenery in a compact package.

The tradeoff is that this route does not take you all the way to Los Gigantes. You may see the cliffs from a distance, but the main focus is the whale search and swim stop. If the great volcanic cliffs are your priority, choose the longer route.

The 4.5-hour Masca and Los Gigantes cruise

The longer cruise continues southwest toward the Cliffs of Los Gigantes, some of Tenerife’s most dramatic coastal scenery. After the wildlife search, the boat anchors in a scenic bay for swimming and lunch.

This version gives you more time at sea and a stronger coastal sightseeing element. The high cliffs make the swim stop feel special, and the views are a major part of the value. It is the better choice if you want the cruise itself to be a main event rather than a short excursion between other plans.

The extra 90 minutes can also mean more time for wildlife spotting, but it does not guarantee more whales or dolphins. If you get seasick, the longer option asks more of you. If you enjoy a slow day on the water and want Los Gigantes, it is worth considering.

The swim stop, lunch, and drinks

The swim stop is not a quick photo pause. It lasts around 40 minutes, giving you enough time to get into the sea, swim from the boat, and dry off before the return journey. The water can be wonderfully clear, and some people see fish beneath them while swimming.

You enter from the boat rather than from a beach. That means you should be comfortable using a swimming platform or ladder. Bring your own towel, since one is not listed among the inclusions. Snorkeling equipment is also not provided, so pack your own only if you want it and if your booking conditions allow it.

Lunch is served on board. The meal has been described as a straightforward, filling option, with dishes such as meat, rice, salad, fruit, and sometimes a Canarian-style dessert. It is not a restaurant meal, but it does the job after time in the sun and sea. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free meals are available upon request, so make that request before departure.

Drinks are one of the strongest value points. Water, soft drinks, beer, and sangria are available, with self-service machines making it easy to refill without waiting for a server. A small traditional honey-rum-style shot may be offered to adults on the return to port, though this should be treated as a pleasant extra rather than part of the core promise.

If you are sensitive to motion, do not overeat or overdrink before the wildlife search. The boat may roll, especially near the open coast. Take your usual seasickness medicine before departure, and bring it with you if appropriate. The crew can help, but they cannot remove the swell.

What the boat and crew add to the experience

The Royal Delfín is built for sightseeing rather than speed. You can sit on different levels, walk around while the boat is moving, and choose between open-air views and the submarine section.

The lower deck is useful when the sun is strong or when children want to watch for movement under the hull. The upper areas are usually better for fresh air and for people who feel queasy. When whales appear, the open sides give you more than one place to look, though popular viewing spots can become crowded.

The crew receives particularly strong praise for friendliness, safety, and language skills. Guides explain the animals and the coast without turning the trip into a lecture. Staff have also helped passengers who felt ill, and the general service includes help with family photographs.

There is a photographer on board who takes pictures and video for purchase. You can buy a record of the trip afterward, but it is not included in the $59 price. Bring your own phone or camera if you prefer, and use a wrist strap or secure case near the rail.

The atmosphere is generally relaxed, with music played at a moderate volume. That matters on a family boat. You can still hear the guide and enjoy the sea without feeling trapped in a floating nightclub.

Is $59 good value?

At $59 per person, this is strong value if you want more than wildlife spotting. The price covers the sightseeing cruise, a guide, whale and dolphin watching, underwater windows, lunch, drinks, and a swim stop. Paying separately for each of those elements would quickly add up.

The value is strongest on the 4.5-hour route, simply because you get a longer coastal cruise and the Los Gigantes scenery. The 3-hour route may suit you better if you want to keep the cost and time lower while still getting the main ingredients.

The meal is functional rather than gourmet, and the boat is not a small, private sailing yacht. Those are the fair compromises at this price. If you want personal service and silence, book a small charter. If you want a sociable outing with food and drinks already handled, this package makes financial sense.

The high overall rating, 4.4 from 1,573 reviews, fits the pattern of the experience: the crew, wildlife sightings, clean boat, swim, and included drinks receive the most praise. The weaker points are the occasional crowding, choppy water, and a lunch that some people find basic.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to families, first-time visitors to Tenerife, couples who want a relaxed day at sea, and anyone who likes the idea of combining wildlife with a swim and lunch. Children have several things to watch for, including dolphins, whales, underwater views, and the swim stop.

It is also a useful choice for mixed groups. One person can photograph the coast, another can watch for animals, and another can stay below near the viewing windows. You do not have to swim to enjoy the cruise.

Think carefully if you dislike being on a large boat, cannot tolerate motion, or need a guaranteed close wildlife encounter. The vessel is accessible, but wheelchair movement is limited to the main deck, and the bathrooms are not wheelchair-adapted. Electric wheelchairs are not allowed, and wheelchair users should contact the supplier in advance to confirm space.

The cruise is not suitable for pets, except assistance dogs. Drones, feeding animals, and touching marine life are not allowed. Those rules protect both passengers and the animals.

Final booking advice

Book this trip if you want a well-priced half-day or full afternoon with several built-in pleasures: wildlife in natural surroundings, a proper swim stop, lunch, and open-ended drinks. Choose Diego Hernandez for a shorter outing, or Masca and Los Gigantes if the cliffs and longer time at sea matter most.

I would choose the longer route for a first visit to Tenerife, provided you are comfortable on the water. Arrive prepared for wind, keep seasickness precautions in mind, and judge the trip by the whole experience rather than by one particular sighting. The whales and dolphins are wild animals, but the coast, swimming stop, food, and submarine windows still give you plenty to enjoy.

FAQ

How long does the cruise last?

You can choose between a 3-hour cruise to Diego Hernandez Bay and a 4.5-hour cruise toward Masca and the Cliffs of Los Gigantes.

Are lunch and drinks included?

Yes. Lunch and a selection of drinks are included. Available drinks can include water, soft drinks, beer, and sangria. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free meals are available upon request.

Will I definitely see whales and dolphins?

No wildlife sighting can be guaranteed. The cruise searches for pilot whales and dolphins in the Teno-Rasca Special Conservation Area, where these animals regularly live.

Is there time to swim?

Yes. The boat stops for roughly 40 minutes at a bay or coastal swimming area. Bring swimwear, sunscreen, and a towel.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Snorkeling equipment is not included.

What languages are available on board?

Live guides may provide service in Spanish, Dutch, English, German, Italian, and French.

Is the boat wheelchair accessible?

The boat is accessible, but wheelchair movement is limited to the main deck. The bathrooms are not wheelchair-adapted, electric wheelchairs are not allowed, and wheelchair users should inform the supplier in advance.