There is no shortage of whale watching tours in Tenerife. Stand anywhere near Puerto Colón marina in Costa Adeje on a clear morning and you will count a dozen boats loading up with passengers, from sleek small RIBs with a handful of people on board to enormous catamarans that could comfortably hold a wedding party. They all claim to offer the best experience. They all promise sightings. And they all look roughly the same from the harbour wall.
But they are not the same. Not even close.
The type of tour you book will completely change your experience on the water. The difference between a rushed, overcrowded catamaran and a calm, small-group eco tour with a marine biologist on board is not just a matter of price. It is the difference between ticking a box and genuinely remembering something for the rest of your life.
Contents
- Why South Tenerife is One of the Best Places in the World for Whale Watching
- The Three Types of Tour: What You Need to Know
- 1. Large Catamaran Tours (The Popular Choice)
- Recommended Catamaran Operators
- 2. Small Group Eco Tours (The Better Wildlife Experience)
- Recommended Small Group Operators
- 3. Private Yacht Charters (The Premium Option)
- Recommended Private Charter Operators
- What to Look For When Booking Any Tour
- What You Will Actually See
- Practical Information Before You Go
- The Honest Verdict
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why South Tenerife is One of the Best Places in the World for Whale Watching
Before getting into the tours, it is worth understanding why this part of the Atlantic is so special. The stretch of ocean between the south coast of Tenerife and the island of La Gomera is a designated marine protected area known as the Teno-Rasca corridor. The waters are deep, nutrient-rich, and home to a permanent resident colony of around 500 short-finned pilot whales and approximately 250 bottlenose dolphins.
Permanent. As in, they live here year-round. This is not a seasonal migration situation where you cross your fingers and hope something shows up. These animals are here in January, in August, and every month in between. Sighting success rates on licensed tours consistently run between 90 and 99 percent, and many reputable operators offer a free return trip if nothing is seen.
On top of the resident species, the waters around the south of Tenerife attract up to 22 different cetacean species depending on the time of year, including sperm whales, Bryde’s whales, and occasionally orca. Between November and May, the chances of seeing larger migratory species increase. Whale Watch Tenerife’s own sighting records from 2024 and 2025 include orca, false killer whales, and fin whales.
Most tours depart from Puerto Colón marina, Avenida de Colón, 38660 Costa Adeje. Easily reached from Los Cristianos, Playa de las Américas, and Costa Adeje by taxi (approximately €10 to €15) or on foot from nearby hotels. Some tours also depart from Los Cristianos harbour.
The Three Types of Tour: What You Need to Know
Not all whale watching tours in the south are created equal. The format of the tour, the size of the boat, the number of passengers, and the approach the operator takes to the animals all make a fundamental difference to what you actually experience on the water.
| Tour Type | Group Size | Price From | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Large Catamaran | 50 to 150 passengers | €40 to €42 adults | Families on a budget, groups, social atmosphere |
| Small Group Eco Tour | 10 to 11 passengers | €57 to €60 adults | Wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, memorable experience |
| Private Charter | Your group only | From €300 per boat | Special occasions, families, maximum flexibility |
1. Large Catamaran Tours (The Popular Choice)
These are the big boats you see lined up at Puerto Colón every morning. Large catamarans typically carry between 50 and 150 passengers and run several fixed departures per day, usually between two and three hours per trip. They are the most widely advertised option and the easiest to book at short notice.
You board with a large group of strangers, head out to the whale watching zone, and then compete for a decent spot along the railing when animals are spotted. On a sunny day with 100 people on board, getting a clear view can be genuinely difficult. The atmosphere is social and lively, the boats are stable and comfortable, and drinks are usually included. The guides on these tours vary considerably.
Families on a budget, large groups, solo travellers who want to meet people, or anyone who simply wants to see a pilot whale at least once without spending too much. If you want a fun morning on the water with a drink in hand, catamarans deliver reliably.
Wildlife enthusiasts wanting an intimate experience, photographers, or anyone hoping for a calm, unhurried encounter with the animals. With 100 people on board, the wildlife experience takes a back seat to the social one.
Recommended Catamaran Operators
Tenerife Whale Watching
| Price | Adults €42, children €25, infants free. Premium option (lunch + open bar) €59 adults, €37 children |
| Duration | Approximately 2 to 3 hours. Swimming stop at La Caleta Bay included |
| Meeting Point | Puerto Colón marina, Costa Adeje. Dock confirmed at booking |
| Includes | Drinks and sandwich. Eco-friendly approach |
| Website | tenerifewhalewatching.com |
White Catamaran / Abrazo
| Price | Adults €40, children 3 to 9 years €23, under 3 years €3 |
| Duration | Approximately 2 to 3 hours. Swimming stop included |
| Meeting Point | Docks 6 and 8, Puerto Colón marina, Avenida de Colón, Costa Adeje |
| Includes | Onboard refreshments. Glass bottom for underwater viewing |
| How to Book | Search White Catamaran Tenerife or Abrazo Catamaran on Google for current booking page |
2. Small Group Eco Tours (The Better Wildlife Experience)
Small group tours typically carry between 8 and 15 passengers on a specialist boat, often a rigid inflatable (RIB), a smaller yacht, or a purpose-built eco vessel. Many are led by marine biologists or naturalists with proper qualifications. The emphasis is firmly on wildlife education and responsible observation rather than entertainment.
With only 10 or so people on board, everyone gets a clear view. The boat can manoeuvre quietly alongside a pod without the noise and disruption of a larger vessel. Several operators use hydrophones, allowing you to listen to the pilot whales communicating underwater in real time. This alone is worth the extra cost.
The best small-group operators follow a strict no-chase policy, cutting the engines when animals are nearby and letting the whales decide how close they want to come. The result is often encounters where the animals approach the boat out of curiosity, something you are very unlikely to experience from the back of a 100-person catamaran.
Recommended Small Group Operators
Whale Watch Tenerife
| Boat | Custom-built 8-metre RIB. Maximum 10 passengers |
| Price | Check current pricing at whalewatchtenerife.org |
| Duration | 2 hours |
| Departures | Daily at 9:30, 12:00, and 14:30 |
| Meeting Point | Blue Gate / Dock 3, Puerto Colón marina, Avenida de Colón, Costa Adeje. Arrive 15 minutes before departure. No physical office |
| Includes | Biologist guide, hydrophone, free photographs, sightings guarantee (99.9%). Free return if nothing seen) |
| Certification | Blue Flag certified. Spanish environmental ministry permits |
| Phone | +34 634 351 856 |
| Website | whalewatchtenerife.org |
| @whalewatchtenerife | |
| facebook.com/whalewatchtenerife |
Not suitable for children under 3, pregnant passengers, those with back or neck problems, mobility issues, recent surgeries, or passengers over 130kg. Contact them directly if you have any concerns.
Whale Express
| Boat | Premium RIB. Maximum 11 passengers |
| Price | 2-hour tour: adults €57.90, children €39.90. Check website for 1-hour price |
| Duration | 1 hour or 2 hours. The 2-hour tour is strongly recommended for extended encounters |
| Meeting Point | Pontoon 4, Puerto Colón marina, Avenida de Colón, Costa Adeje |
| Includes | Marine biologist guide, free photographs, sightings guarantee |
| Phone | +34 722 400 121 |
| Website | whaleexpress.com |
Bonadea II Eco Whale Watching
| Experience | 29+ years operating. Barco Azul (Blue Boat) certified |
| Price | Check directly at bonadea2catamaran.com. Children under 12 months free (must be reserved) |
| Duration | 2-hour ecological tour |
| Meeting Point | Dock 4, Puerto Colón marina, Avenida de Colón, Costa Adeje |
| Includes | Hydrophone. Conservation partnerships with University of La Laguna. Private tours available |
| Website | bonadea2catamaran.com |
3. Private Yacht Charters (The Premium Option)
A private charter means the boat is exclusively for your group. No strangers, no fixed itinerary, no competing for rail space. Pricing is per boat rather than per person, from approximately €300 to €600 for a half-day charter. Split between a family of five or a group of six friends, it can work out comparable to two small-group eco tours per person.
Your skipper and crew focus entirely on your group. You set the pace. If the children want to stay longer with a pod of dolphins, you stay. If someone wants a swim stop at a quiet cove on the way back, that can often be arranged. Many private charter operators also offer sunset departures and special occasion packages.
Families with young children, groups celebrating something special, couples on honeymoon or anniversary trips, and anyone who values privacy and flexibility above all else. For groups of four or more, the per-person cost often justifies itself entirely.
Recommended Private Charter Operators
Atlantic Star
| Boat | Beneteau Cyclades 50.5 sailing yacht. Maximum 10 guests |
| Shared Tour Price | Adults €60, children €35. Groups of 3+ adults receive a discount |
| Private Charter | Contact directly for pricing. Book via Club Canary. Deposit to secure, balance on the day |
| Departures | Shared tours at 9:30, 12:30, and 15:30 daily. Sunset cruises also available |
| Meeting Point | Gate 0, Puerto Colón marina, Avenida de Colón, Costa Adeje. Gate 0 is directly opposite the Miishi sushi restaurant at the marina entrance |
| Includes | Snacks and drinks. Written sightings guarantee. Parking at Puerto Colón ~€1.20/hour |
| Discount Code | Use code ASTOURSDIRECT at checkout for an exclusive discount on direct bookings |
| Website | atlanticstartours.com |
Whale Watch Tenerife Private Tours
| Boat | Specialist RIB. Flexible duration |
| Meeting Point | Dock 3, Puerto Colón marina, Costa Adeje |
| Best For | Families, couples, nature photographers, research groups |
| How to Book | Contact directly to discuss requirements and schedule |
| Phone | +34 634 351 856 |
| Website | whalewatchtenerife.org |
What to Look For When Booking Any Tour
The Canary Islands government issues this licence to operators meeting strict standards around animal welfare, environmental impact, and guide qualifications. Whale Watch Tenerife, Bonadea II, and Atlantic Star all hold this certification. If an operator does not mention it, ask why.
Any tour claiming to be small group should give you a maximum passenger number. The operators on this list are all clear: 10 for Whale Watch Tenerife and Atlantic Star, 11 for Whale Express. If an operator cannot give you a clear number, it is probably not as small as they suggest.
The street touts around Puerto Colón marina work on commission. Every operator on this list has a direct website. Booking directly means better prices, and you deal with the operator directly if anything changes.
The sea around south Tenerife is typically calmer in the morning, which means more comfortable conditions and often better sightings. Most operators run their best tours in the morning. The 9:30am departure is the most popular for good reason.
What You Will Actually See
The star of the show is the short-finned pilot whale, a species that looks nothing like the dramatic, breaching humpbacks you might have seen on wildlife documentaries. Pilot whales are more compact and tend to move calmly at the surface rather than putting on an aerial display. What makes them extraordinary is how close they come and how relaxed they are around boats that approach them quietly.
On a good day with a responsible operator, pilot whales will swim alongside the boat, surface just a few metres away, and sometimes look directly at you. Pods often include mothers with calves, which is genuinely moving to watch.
| Species | Likelihood | Best Time of Year |
|---|---|---|
| Short-finned pilot whales | Year-round resident. Very high | All year |
| Bottlenose dolphins | Year-round resident. Very high | All year, calves in summer |
| Loggerhead turtles | Reasonable. Basking near surface | Warmer months |
| Spotted dolphins | Moderate. Pass through regularly | All year |
| Sperm whales | Occasional. Requires calm day | All year |
| Orca, fin whales, humpbacks | Rare but recorded in 2024 and 2025 | November to May most likely |
Practical Information Before You Go
Avenida de Colón, 38660 Costa Adeje. Taxi from Los Cristianos or Playa de las Américas approximately €10 to €15. Bus routes 416 and 467 also serve the area. Paid parking at the marina approximately €1.20 per hour. From most Costa Adeje hotels, walkable in 10 to 20 minutes.
Sunscreen is essential even on cloudy days. The water reflection is deceptively strong. Bring a light layer for the return journey as it can be cool on the water in the early morning. Motion sickness tablets should be taken at least an hour before departure if you are prone. Keep your bag small and waterproof-friendly on smaller open boats.
Large catamarans are the most stable and child-friendly option. Whale Watch Tenerife has a minimum age of 3. Atlantic Star and Whale Express welcome children with child pricing. Always check minimum age requirements before booking. For small-group eco tours, book at least a few days ahead. Slots are limited. In July and August, book as early as possible.
The Honest Verdict
If cost is the main concern and you just want to see a pilot whale at least once, the Tenerife Whale Watching catamaran at €42 per adult with drinks and a sandwich included does exactly that. It is a fair price for a fun morning on the water.
If you are willing to spend a little more and want an experience you will genuinely talk about when you get home, Whale Express at €57.90 for the 2-hour tour or Whale Watch Tenerife are the two clearest recommendations on this list. Both are biologist-led, both keep group sizes to a maximum of 10 or 11 people, and both have the kind of reviews that suggest people leave genuinely moved rather than merely satisfied.
If you are travelling as a family with young children, celebrating something special, or simply want the water entirely to yourselves, Atlantic Star’s private charter is the most memorable option. Book via atlanticstartours.com and use code ASTOURSDIRECT at checkout for a discount on direct bookings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best whale watching tour in Tenerife?
For a genuine wildlife experience, Whale Watch Tenerife and Whale Express are the two most consistently praised small-group operators. Both run with a maximum of 10 to 11 passengers, biologist guides, hydrophones, and free photographs. For a budget-friendly catamaran, Tenerife Whale Watching at €42 per adult is a solid choice. For a private or semi-private experience, Atlantic Star at €60 per adult with a sightings guarantee is the standout. Use code ASTOURSDIRECT on their website for a direct booking discount.
What is the best month for whale watching in Tenerife?
Whale watching in Tenerife is excellent year-round. Pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins are resident and present in every month. For the best chance of seeing larger migratory species such as sperm whales or Bryde’s whales, November to May is slightly better. Summer brings calmer seas and more dolphins.
Is whale watching in Tenerife ethical?
It depends entirely on the operator. Licensed operators following Blue Boat certification and no-chase policies are generally ethical and genuinely respect the animals. Every operator recommended in this guide holds the relevant certifications. Choosing a small-group eco tour with a certified operator is the most responsible choice.
Where do whale watching tours depart from?
Most depart from Puerto Colón marina, Avenida de Colón, 38660 Costa Adeje. Each operator has a specific dock or gate: Whale Watch Tenerife at Blue Gate/Dock 3, Whale Express at Pontoon 4, Bonadea II at Dock 4, Atlantic Star at Gate 0 (opposite Miishi sushi restaurant), and the Tenerife Whale Watching catamaran from the main marina. Always confirm your exact meeting point at the time of booking.
How long does a whale watching tour last?
Most tours run between 2 and 3 hours. Whale Express also offers a 1-hour option. Atlantic Star’s shared tour is approximately 3 hours. Private charters can be tailored to any duration.
Is whale watching in Tenerife suitable for people who get seasick?
The waters off the south coast are generally calm, particularly in the morning. Large catamarans are the most stable option. Small RIBs can be rougher and faster. If you are prone to seasickness, take medication at least an hour in advance and choose a larger, more stable vessel such as the catamaran options or Atlantic Star’s sailing yacht.
How much does whale watching in Tenerife cost?
Catamaran tours start from approximately €40 to €42 per adult with drinks included. Small-group eco tours cost €57 to €60 per adult for a 2-hour tour. Atlantic Star is €60 per adult with snacks and drinks included. Private charters vary by group size and duration. Contact operators directly for quotes.
Tour operators, prices, departure times, and availability are subject to change. Always book directly with the operator or through their official website and check current reviews before confirming. Meeting points and dock numbers are subject to change. Confirm with your operator at the time of booking.