WHALE & DOLPHIN TOURS
A must when visiting Tenerife!
Explore the Top Whale & Dolphin Trips
Tenerife’s west coast is the perfect place to spot whales and dolphins in the wild. Here’s a handpicked selection of trips that really stand out — friendly crews, respect for the animals, and great value for money:
Los Gigantes
Most tourism happens around Costa Adeje, but Los Gigantes is definitely worth a visit. Not just for the whales and dolphins, but also to sail along the spectacular cliffs — a unique way to see these giants up close.
The chances of spotting whales and dolphins are equally good along the entire west coast, but the coastline of Los Gigantes is an extra bonus you shouldn’t miss. That’s also why it’s my favorite departure point for a boat trip.
Here are three amazing boat trips departing from Los Gigantes:
Flipper Uno
A pirate-style wooden schooner with a crew in full costume. Great fun and a family-friendly atmosphere. Drinks are included, and food is served on the 3-hour tour. Every trip includes a swim stop in a sheltered bay.
Departure Los Gigantes
Capacity max. 91 personen
Price from: €33
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Masca Express
A medium-sized speedboat, partly covered so you can also stay in the shade. No loud music or crowds, just a relaxed atmosphere with plenty of space to enjoy the coastline. There’s a swim stop during the trip and a drink is served on board.
Departure Los Gigantes
Capacity max. 32 persons
Price from: €28
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Los Rápidos
Compact zodiacs — perfect for those who love speed and fun. You sit close to the water, giving you a great view of the animals up close. Maybe not ideal for small children, but perfect for nature lovers with a sense of adventure.
Departure Los Gigantes
Capacity max. 12 persons
Price from: €28
Book nowLos Cristianos
Los Cristianos is the perfect base for a boat trip. You can combine your sea adventure with a stroll along the colorful harbor, sandy beaches, and charming restaurants. Out at sea, the real highlight awaits: the chance to see whales and dolphins in their natural habitat — an unforgettable experience.
These are my personal favorites in Los Cristianos, from sustainable trips to family-friendly boats with onboard entertainment:
Bahriyeli
A lovely 2-hour trip on a classic wooden sailing ship – ideal for spotting whales and dolphins, with experienced guides. GetYourGuide often offers this tour at a great discount – definitely worth checking!
Departure Los Cristianos
Capacity max. 136 persons
Price from: €36
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Peter Pan
Step aboard the Peter Pan pirate ship for a 2-hour cruise along the coast of Los Cristianos. During the trip, you can spot whales and dolphins and take a refreshing swim during the stop. This excursion is also available with pick-up service in Costa Adeje.
Departure Los Cristianos
Capacity max. 60 persons
Price from: €30
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Ragnarok
This impressive Viking ship is a real top excursion. You’ll not only be on the lookout for whales and dolphins, but the fun crew ensures you won’t be bored for a second. With costumes, sword shows, and onboard entertainment, you really feel like you’ve stepped back into the time of the Vikings.
Departure Los Cristianos
Capacity max. 85 persons
Price from: €40
Book nowCosta Adeje
(Puerto Colón)
Puerto Colón, the harbor of Costa Adeje, is mainly focused on tourism, full of watersports, souvenir shops, and English pubs. You won’t find the typical Canarian atmosphere of Los Cristianos here, but it’s still an excellent starting point for great boat trips.
The boats first go in search of whales and dolphins and then often dock in Diego Hernández Bay (for long-time visitors: “Spaghetti Beach”), perfect for a refreshing swim in crystal-clear water.
These are my favorite excursions from Puerto Colón:
Shogun
A beautiful wooden ship in oriental style. During this 2-hour trip, you’ll search for whales and dolphins, take a refreshing swim in a scenic bay, and receive guidance from the experienced crew. Drinks are available on board (for purchase).
Departure Puerto Colón
Capacity max. 1365 persons
Price from: €30
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Maxicat
During this 3-hour catamaran trip along Tenerife’s south coast, you’ll search for whales and dolphins. Includes a swim stop, snack, drink, and free hotel pick-up (available from Los Cristianos to Playa Paraíso). Excellent value for money!
Departure Puerto Colón
Capacity max. 104 persons
Price from: €38
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White Tenerife
Stylish, eco-friendly, catamaran. On this boat, you can not only spot whales and dolphins up close but also hear them via underwater microphones. A unique experience! Snacks and drinks are included, plus a swim stop.
Departure Puerto Colón
Capacity max. 74 personen
Price from: €44
Book nowLas Galletas
Las Galletas is a lesser-known but surprisingly fun starting point for a few great boat trips.
The route is also unique: you first sail past the natural reserve of Punta de Rasca and then head toward the west coast, home to the largest population of whales and dolphins.
Prices are slightly higher than in other harbors, but the trade-off is a very comfortable experience — especially if you’re staying in Costa del Silencio. You depart directly from the charming harbor of Las Galletas.
The best boat trips from Las Galletas at a glance:
Five Star Boat
A relaxed whale and dolphin tour, with Canarian snacks and unlimited beer, soft drinks, and water included. For an extra fee, you can reserve a Balinese bed, complete with a bottle of cava. There’s also a swim stop during the trip for a refreshing dip in the ocean.
Departure Las Galletas
Capacity max. 32 persons
Price from: €60
Luxury Catamaran
Enjoy a relaxed 3.5-hour trip on this luxury catamaran while observing animals in their natural habitat. The tour is eco-friendly and small-scale, with opportunities for swimming and snorkeling. Snacks and drinks are included. A comfortable and unforgettable experience on the water!
Departure Las Galletas
Capacity max. 12 persons
Price from: €90
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Luxury Zodiac
Step aboard this luxury Zodiac for an intimate and comfortable whale and dolphin tour. The boat is small-scale, accommodating up to 6 guests, and can also be hired privately. Thanks to the built-in hydrophone, you can listen to the animals’ underwater sounds live. An unforgettable experience!
Departure Las Galletas
Capacity max. 6 persons
Price from: €95
Want to explore more excursions? The excursions page offers a handy overview of everything there is to do on Tenerife.
Easily book whale & dolphin tours via GetYourGuide
All mentioned boat trips can be booked well in advance. Booking via GetYourGuide offers several convenient benefits:
- Reliable & international: the links on this page go directly to GetYourGuide, a renowned global booking platform.
- Regular discounts: take advantage of special offers and significant savings.
- Plan ahead: book your excursions in advance and secure your spot, so you can enjoy Tenerife right away.
- Flexible: the weather here is stable and excursions almost always go ahead. Want to change your plans? You can easily reschedule or cancel your ticket up to 24 hours in advance at no cost.
Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. This means I may earn a small commission if you book an excursion through one of them – at no extra cost to you. It helps keep this website ad-free and independent. Thank you!
Why you’re almost guaranteed to see whales and dolphins
There are few places in the world where you can spot whales and dolphins in the wild as easily as on Tenerife. Not in an aquarium or a show, but out in the open ocean — just a few kilometers from the coast.
Since January 2021, the waters of the Atlantic between Tenerife and La Gomera have proudly carried the title Whale Heritage Site – the very first in Europe! And that’s not just a fancy label: it’s only given to places where whales and dolphins truly belong.
Along Tenerife’s west coast, whale watching tours depart daily, giving you the chance to observe these animals peacefully in their natural environment.
All whale watching tours in Tenerife are subject to strict regulations to protect the animals. Only vessels with the official Barco Azul label — recognized by the blue and yellow flag — are allowed to approach them closely. This certification ensures that every trip is conducted with respect for the animals and their habitat.
How this works in practice is demonstrated by Flipper Uno from Los Gigantes. This local organization has been operating for nearly thirty years with the same dedication and respect for the animals. In an interview, they explain how they follow the regulations, what they encounter along the way, and why responsible tourism at sea is so important.
👉 Read the full story
