We present you the different options for whale watching in Tenerife. We have fabulous boats to sail the Atlantic waters and enjoy this incredible activity. Come and enjoy with your children, friends and family.
Did you know that you can tell a cetacean from a shark by its tail? Sharks have them vertically and cetaceans horizontally.
Whale and dolphin watching in Tenerife
Our boats are safe for the environment and the cetaceans. Enjoy the marine fauna of Tenerife South in its natural habitat.
The captain of the boat knows the bay very well, he takes the boat to the areas with the best whale watching possibilities.
During the whale watching excursion in Tenerife we sail at low speed and stay long enough for the tourists to enjoy the experience.
Tenerife is one of the best places in the world to see whales and dolphins. This is one of the most requested activities by our visitors. We do not guarantee that you will see dolphins and whales during the excursion, but we give you a very high probability.
Take the kids on a great holiday in Tenerife and give them the experience of seeing whales and dolphins in their natural environment. This will be an unbeatable gift that will leave them with beautiful memories.
We remind you not to throw rubbish into the water or make loud noises that could frighten the animals. Enjoy the experience!
Species that inhabit the waters of the southwest of Tenerife
Up to 21 species of cetaceans are found in this area, some inhabiting permanently and others at specific times of the year. You can also see some cetaceans with migratory habits whose route includes this area of the Atlantic.
Bottlenose dolphin
Scientific name: Tursiops truncatus. Also called bottlenose dolphins or turson, you can see them very close to the coasts of Tenerife. This is the species of the Flipper dolphin from the popular TV series.
You can identify them by their intense grey colour, which gradually fades on the lower parts of the body. They reach a length of 3 metres at maturity. They usually swim in groups of 20 dolphins on average and can be seen all year round in Tenerife South.
Pilot whales
Scientific name: Globicephala macrorinchus, due to their balloon-shaped head. They are also known as pilot whales. It is a large toothed cetacean. It can reach 5 metres long and weigh up to 2 tonnes. They are said to be the friendliest whales in existence.
Pilot whales have the ability to dive to depths of over 1,000 metres for more than 20 minutes. They can be seen all year round in this area.
Atlantic spotted dolphin
Scientific name: Stenella frontalis. Its name is due to the spots that cover the surface of its body and that are completely present in adulthood. They are very active dolphins that swim in groups. They grow up to 2.3 metres long and weigh up to 80 kilograms. They are sporadically seen.
Rough-toothed dolphin
Scientific name: Steno bredanensis. They are characterised by their grooved teeth, which in turn give them their name. They also have an elongated skull which makes them easy to distinguish from other species. They reach a length of 2.7 metres and weigh 150 kilograms. They are darker in colour than bottlenose dolphins and have lighter spots. They swim in groups of 8 individuals on average. They can be seen at specific times of the year.
Sperm whale
Scientific name: Physeter macrocephalus. It is a large species with a length similar to that of a whale, reaching 18 metres and weighing 50 tons. You can identify them by their small dorsal fin, large head and dark skin with striations.
They dive to a depth of up to 2,000 metres and stay down for more than an hour to forage for food. They are most commonly seen during the spring.
Common dolphin
Scientific name: Delphinus delphis. It is a very popular species in all the seas of the planet and in Tenerife you can see them in winter. It is characterised by its yellowish colouring on its sides. It reaches 2.5 metres in length and weighs 120 kilograms. It is a migratory species.
False killer whale
Scientific name: Pseudorca crassidens. It is a sociable and charming animal. Identify them by the bulge in the middle of their fins, slender body and dorsal fin of approximately 30 centimetres. They have a homogeneous deep grey colouring all over their body. They reach up to 6 metres in length and weigh 1,500 kilograms. It usually swims in large groups of up to 50 individuals. It is a migratory species.
Private whale and dolphin watching tour in Tenerife
In the list below you will find some of our available activities for private boat charter. In addition to the information about each activity, at the end of the text you will find a detail of the activities together with the contact form for booking.
11 persons spacious catamaran charter with Kalima
Enjoy a day on the Atlantic Ocean on board of this spacious 36 feet catamaran. The Kalima is a comfortable and spacious boat for everyone to enjoy. You will have the possibility to choose from 3 to 8 hour trips.
Depending on the itinerary you choose and its duration, you can see cetaceans in their natural environment, swim and snorkel in a beautiful cove, visit the impressive Los Gigantes Cliffs and Masca Bay. Drinks are included in the price.
Motor boat charter for whale watching with Fairline 42
Enjoy this majestic motor boat with a capacity of 12 people. We depart from the harbour of Puerto Colon to the whale watching areas of Tenerife. After this, the boat anchors for everyone to get off for a swim on the beach.
Depending on the length of the trip you choose, you can visit the cove El Puertito, the cliffs and the splendorous Masca Bay.
3 hour speed boat charter with White Heaven
Come and enjoy with your family or friends. This boat has a maximum capacity of 11 passengers. In addition to whale watching, you will visit a beautiful cove in the bay of Tenerife South, which can be El Puertito de Adeje or Diego Hernandez. Snorkelling equipment, drinks and snacks are included.
Shared boat trips to see whales and dolphins in Tenerife
Below is the list of activities available on our website for shared whale and dolphin watching boat trips.
Boat trip in Los Gigantes with Freebird
We offer you a unique and fascinating activity. In addition to whale watching in Tenerife you will be able to see the impressive cliffs of Los Gigantes and enjoy the ocean.
The excursion departs from the harbour of Puerto Colón to the waters near the island of La Gomera where we expect to see dolphins and whales happily cruising around. The species that most frequent these areas are the bottlenose dolphins and pilot whales.
After enjoying the experience we head towards the cliffs. You will be amazed to see the grandeur of these large and imposing rocks that protect the coast of Tenerife.
After the sighting and the walk along the cliffs, we head to Masca Bay to go for a swim and enjoy the refreshing waters of the Atlantic. The activity ends with a delicious lunch included in the package and then we return to the harbour.
Book this activity for 3 hours for whale watching or for 4 and a half hours to have more time to relax, enjoy the sea and cool off.
Whale and dolphin watching in Tenerife with Royal Dolphin
We have this sensational boat to enjoy a unique adventure. You will be able to see whales and dolphins like never before. This boat is equipped with underwater windows that will allow you to see the marine activity under the floor of the boat. It also has underwater cameras that record the movement of the animals close to the boat for broadcasting on televisions on deck.
After seeing Tenerife’s amazing marine animals you will pass by the Los Gigantes Cliffs. Many of those who have been there express amazement and excitement due to their sheer size. After this, you will be taken to the Bay of Masca for a refreshing swim in its delicious waters. During the stop in the bay you can relax on the sand, swim and snorkel. Everything you want for a spectacular holiday you will find with the Royal Dolphin catamaran.
The trip ends with a delicious lunch and then return to the harbour. Remember that we have transport to the different resorts in Tenerife, just write to us to check availability.
Whale watching excursion with Eden catamaran
We have an activity with just enough time to see cetaceans in Tenerife. With a duration of two hours, this excursion will take you to the areas most frequented by dolphins and whales.
The boat departs from the harbour of Puerto Colon in Costa Adeje for the neighbouring island of La Gomera. The tour focuses on whale and dolphin watching in their natural habitat. The tour includes a refreshing drink.
We also have a 3 hour tour for more fun. If you rent the boat for 3 hours you can go ashore to cool off and swim. Soft drinks, water and beer are also included.
Boat trip to Los Gigantes with Maxicat
We offer you this wonderful excursion to see the cliffs and cetaceans in their natural habitat. The boat departs from Puerto Colon, Costa Adeje in search of cetaceans. Remember that this is one of the best places for dolphin and whale watching. After spotting them, the boat heads towards the cliffs.
This boat trip includes lunch and a stop at Masca Bay for swimming and snorkelling. Remember that we have transfers from different places in Tenerife such as Los Cristianos or Puerto de la Cruz, on request.
Transport
We offer a transport service for those staying in the most important tourist centres of Tenerife South and Puerto de la Cruz. This will depend on the activity you choose and where you are staying in Tenerife.
For more information about whale and dolphin watching in Tenerife we invite you to write us to our WhatsApp, through which we will inform you about the availability of transport to the place where you are staying. We offer transport from Los Cristianos, Playa de Las Americas, Puerto de la Cruz, Los Gigantes, Costa Adeje, Puerto Santiago and other places.
