Whale and dolphin watching was one of the things I was most excited about before our trip to Tenerife, and I’m so glad we did it. The southwest coast of the island is one of the few places in the world where pilot whales and dolphins live all year round, so you have a really good chance of seeing them whatever month you go.
But I also want to be honest with you, because there are a few things I wish I’d known before booking. Not all tours are the same, some are much more respectful to the animals than others, and the “whales” you’ll most likely see are probably not what you’re picturing.
In this guide I’ll share our own experience on a big boat from Los Gigantes in September, what you can realistically expect to see, how big and small boats compare, a few popular tours depending on what you’re looking for, and how to make sure you pick one that actually treats the animals well.
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Is Whale Watching in Tenerife Worth It? My Quick Answer
Yes, definitely, as long as you go in with the right expectations. We saw pilot whales up close and dolphins in the distance, with the Los Gigantes cliffs as the backdrop, and it ended up being one of my favourite moments of the whole trip.
Just know that pilot whales are part of the dolphin family and look more like big, dark dolphins than huge whales, so don’t expect a humpback breaching next to the boat. And take the time to choose a respectful operator, because it really does make a difference, both for the animals and for your experience.
Our Whale Watching Experience in Tenerife
We did our trip in September on a big boat that left from the marina in Los Gigantes, right under the cliffs. I almost booked the first tour I saw, because I assumed they were all basically the same, and it was only when I started reading reviews that I realised how different they can be: in boat size, in respect for the animals, in type of activity.
Tip: One person from our group actually missed the boat because they were forced to park the car, as the parking spots in the port were very busy and there was a long queue. We went with time, but it was clearly not enough. Plan over an hour in advance and grab an ice-cream while you wait! Better safe than sorry 🥹
The sea was quite rough that day and the boat moved a lot, so in the end I was really happy we were on a bigger boat, because it felt much more stable than a small one would have. If you get seasick easily, that’s definitely something to keep in mind.
The crew explained what we were seeing and told us a bit about the animals, although there wasn’t a marine biologist on board like on some of the smaller eco tours. Then the pilot whales showed up, popping up around the boat, and seeing them in the wild was really special.
You usually see them many times, with the crew directing you toward where to look. As the guide told us, there was almost no day they have not see anything, as they live there year-round, though how active or how many will depend on the specific day.
We also saw dolphins, but they stayed further away, near the fish farm (the piscifactoría) off the coast, so we watched them more from a distance. It was a bit sad, seeing them by the fish farm, more for the fish than the dolphins, but anyway.
Looking back, I’d probably choose a smaller boat next time, to get a more personal experience with fewer people and more explanations, as long as the sea is calm. But for a rough day, the big boat was the right call and perfect if people get sea sick.
What You’ll Actually See in Tenerife
The sea between Tenerife and La Gomera drops off really deep, really close to the coast, which is why so many whales and dolphins hang around here. In 2021 this stretch of ocean became the first Whale Heritage Site in Europe, a title from the World Cetacean Alliance for places that do responsible whale watching, and around 28 species of whales and dolphins have been recorded in these waters. Most of them are just passing through, though, so here’s what you can realistically expect.
Short-finned pilot whales: the ones you’ll almost certainly see
These live off the southwest coast all year round, and they’re the reason most tours have such good sighting rates. Here’s the thing I didn’t understand before our trip: despite the name, pilot whales are actually part of the oceanic dolphin family, the second biggest after orcas.
They’re not small, males can reach about 24 feet (7.2 metres), but they have that dark body, rounded head and curved dorsal fin, so when they pop up next to the boat, your brain honestly goes “oh, big dolphins!” rather than “whale.” They live in tight family groups and often rest together at the surface, which is why you usually see several at once instead of just one.
This is what they look like from the boat:
Bottlenose dolphins: often, but not always close
Bottlenose dolphins also live here year-round. On our trip they stayed further out, around the fish farm off the coast, so we watched them from a distance, and that’s completely normal, since a good boat lets them decide how close they want to come.
Other species (a bonus, not guaranteed)
With luck you might see spotted or striped dolphins, and occasionally bigger whales passing through on migration, but I wouldn’t book a trip expecting them. If someone promises you a humpback or a blue whale in Tenerife, be a little suspicious.
Big Boat vs. Small Boat: Which Should You Choose?
After doing our trip on a big boat and then reading through a lot of tour listings while writing this post, I realised the choice really comes down to three things: how much you care about the animals versus the day out, how well you handle a moving boat, and how long you want to be at sea.
| Big catamaran | Small eco boat (RIB) | Small group with Masca stop | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group size | Large, often dozens of people | Around 10 people | Small group |
| Length | 2 to 4.5 hours, depending on the option | Usually about 2 hours | About 4 hours |
| Example price* | From €62 for the 4.5-hour trip with lunch | Around £59 for 2 hours | From roughly $47 to $93 |
| Who explains things | A guide, usually not a scientist | A guide with a biology background | Captain and local guide |
| Extras | Food, drinks, swim stop in Masca Bay | Hydrophone to listen to the whales | Swim or snorkel in Masca cove, food and drinks |
| On a rough sea | More stable | You feel every wave | In between |
| Best for | Families, people who get seasick, a fun day out | Wildlife lovers, photographers | People who want whales and Masca in one trip |
*Prices are taken from listings that might be outdated by the time you read this, so check the current price when you book.
One thing I noticed: the long trips with lunch, drinks and a swim stop spend a big part of the time on the “day out” side of things, while the short eco trips are almost entirely about the animals. Neither is wrong, it just depends on what you want.
My honest take: on a calm day, if you really care about the animals and want to learn about them, I’d go for a small eco boat, and that’s what I’d choose next time. If you get seasick, are travelling with kids or want a relaxed day with food and a swim, a big catamaran is a great choice, and on the rough day we had, I was really glad we were on one.
Which Harbour Should You Leave From?
This is something I’ve noticed most guides skip, but it can save you a lot of driving. Tours leave from a few different harbours along the southwest coast, and the best one is usually just the closest to where you’re staying. We’ve created a map for your so it’s easy to see, visually, on which part of the island they are.
- Puerto Colón (Costa Adeje): the biggest choice of tours, from big catamarans to small eco boats, and easiest if you’re staying in Costa Adeje or Playa de las Américas.
- Los Cristianos: handy if you’re based in Los Cristianos or further south, like we were in Las Galletas.
- Los Gigantes: the one I’d pick if you want to see the cliffs from the water too, which for us was half the magic. I wrote a full guide to visiting Los Gigantes.
Popular Whale Watching Tours in Tenerife Compared
We’ve only done one tour ourselves, so I went through booking listings, reviews and other travellers’ recommendations to compare some of the most popular options. Prices and ratings are what I found at the time of writing, so double-check them when you book.
BEST TOURS LEAVING FROM LOS CRISTIANOS:
BEST TOURS LEAVING FROM COSTA ADEJE/PUERTO COLÓN:
BEST TOURS LEAVING FROM LOS GIGANTES:
My picks, depending on what you want
If you get seasick or are travelling with kids: a short trip on a big, stable boat. The Vision Submarine cruise stood out to me, because it’s short, it has a huge number of good reviews, and it clearly explains its no-chase policy, which is exactly what I’d want to see.
Click Here: Respectful no-chase whale and dolphin cruise
If you want a fun day out with food and a swim: a big catamaran like Freebird, ideally the longer trip that heads up towards Masca and Los Gigantes.
Click Here: Catamaran whale watching cruise with lunch
If you care most about the animals: a small boat with a biologist and a hydrophone, or a small sailboat, on a calm morning. This is what I’d choose next time.
Click Here: Small-group eco whale watching tour
If you want the whales and the cliffs: a small boat from Los Gigantes, like Third Element, or a trip like the one we did.
Click Here: Whale and dolphin watching from Los Gigantes
Whichever one you go for, it’s worth looking the company up on the ministry’s list of authorised operators (more on that below) before you book.
How to Choose a Respectful Whale Watching Tour
This is the part that matters most to me as an animal advocate and vegetarian since 10 years ago. Some boats get too close, chase the animals or crowd around them, which is really stressful for the whales, and it does happen here: in one inspection of the protected area off southern Tenerife, the Canary police checked 18 boats and opened seven sanction proceedings, four of them for operating without the required authorisation.
The rules a good operator follows
According to the official Tenerife tourism board and Spain’s environment ministry (keep an eye out if you boat doesn’t follow these rules), boats should:
- Stay at least 200 feet (60 metres) away from the animals
- Spend no more than 30 minutes with the same group
- Go slowly, no faster than 4 knots, and approach from the side at an angle, never head-on or from behind
- Never circle the animals, split up a group or come between a mother and her calf
- Leave if the animals seem disturbed
- Never let anyone swim with, feed or touch them
Check that the company is authorised
Whale watching companies in Spain need a permit from the environment ministry (called an AROC authorisation), and the ministry publishes a searchable list of authorised companies. You’ll also often see a yellow “Barco Azul” flag on authorised boats, but the flag alone isn’t a guarantee, so if you want to be sure, look the company up on the list before you book.
What to look for in reviews
- Good signs: people mentioning that the crew kept their distance, explained the animals’ behaviour or turned away when the whales moved off
- Red flags: reviews about the boat following the animals, lots of boats crowding around the same group, or promises that you’ll swim with dolphins
And one thing that impressed me while researching: some companies offer a free second trip if you don’t see anything, which takes away the pressure to chase a sighting, though as mentioned, it’s very rare this would be the case.
Practical Tips for Your Whale Watching Trip
- Go in the morning if you can. Morning departures usually have calmer seas and better light, while afternoons can get choppier and colder.
- Prepare for seasickness. Take tablets about an hour before you board, sit at the back of the boat at deck level and keep your eyes on the horizon. On a rough day, a bigger boat makes a real difference, as we found out. As mentioned, Tenerife is a windier island than we expected, and you could feel this in the sea as well.
- Bring a layer. Even on a hot day it gets cold out at sea, so a light jacket or sweater is a good idea.
- Wear sunscreen and a hat. There’s often little shade on deck, and the sun is strong here all year.
- Manage your expectations. These are wild animals, so sightings are never guaranteed, and the pilot whales are smaller than you might imagine.
FAQs About Whale Watching in Tenerife
When is the best time of year for whale watching in Tenerife?
Any time. Pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins live here all year, so you can go whale watching in any month. Spring is when you have the best chance of spotting migrating whales passing through. We went in September and saw both pilot whales and dolphins.
Where do whale watching tours leave from in Tenerife?
Most leave from Puerto Colón in Costa Adeje and from Los Cristianos, and there are also tours from Los Gigantes, which is where we went from, and from the smaller harbour in Playa San Juan.
Can you swim with dolphins in Tenerife?
No. Swimming with wild whales and dolphins isn’t allowed during whale watching trips. Some tours include a swim stop, but that’s away from the animals.
How much does whale watching in Tenerife cost?
It depends a lot on the type of trip. At the time of writing, a short two-hour eco trip on a small boat was around £59, while a 4.5-hour catamaran trip with lunch and a swim stop started from about €62 per adult. Prices change often, so check when you book.
Final Thoughts
Whale and dolphin watching ended up being one of the highlights of our trip to Tenerife, even if the pilot whales looked more like big dolphins and the dolphins kept their distance. If you go in with realistic expectations and take a few minutes to choose a respectful tour, I really think it’s one of the best things you can do on the island.
If you get seasick or are on a budget, a big boat is a great option, and if the sea is calm and you want a more personal experience, I’d go for a small eco tour. Either way, try to leave from Los Gigantes if you can, because seeing those cliffs from the water is unforgettable.
Check out our post on Los Gigantes Tenerife: Is It Worth Visiting? Our Guide to the Cliffs, Boat Trips & More
Check Out Our Other Tenerife Guides
Los Gigantes Tenerife: Is It Worth Visiting?
Best Beaches in Tenerife: North, West & South
Things to Know Before Going to Tenerife: 15 Things I Wish I Knew
Best Time to Visit Tenerife: When I’d Go Again
