Comparing boats, durations and departure areas before booking makes a real difference to whale watching in Tenerife. It is one of the island’s best-known trips, but the type of vessel and the atmosphere on board vary a lot from one to another.
Board the Freebird catamaran (Freebird One) from Puerto Colón, in Costa Adeje, for responsible whale and dolphin watching in Tenerife. Choose a 3-hour route along the Adeje coast or a 4.5-hour sailing to Los Gigantes and Masca, with an expert guide on board, time...
4.4(2,876) reviewsFrom 47 €
3-hour Viking Ship Ragnarok adventure in Tenerife The Viking Ship Ragnarok is the only Viking-themed cruise in the Canary Islands. It has sailed off Tenerife since 2018, carries nearly 100 people and is adapted for guests with disabilities, so it works for all ages....
4.9(1,964) reviewsFrom 38,5 €
The private Teide tour and dolphin watching brings together the best of Tenerife’s land and sea in a single day, with pick-up at your hotel. In the morning we head up to Teide National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to see the volcano...
3.5(39) reviewsFrom 190 €
Sail for three hours aboard an exclusive sailboat in Tenerife and watch whales and dolphins in their natural habitat. Afterwards you'll anchor in crystal-clear coves, away from the crowds, to swim and snorkel among the local flora and fauna. Included Skipper Taxes Basic catering...
4.8(2,750) reviewsFrom 59 €
Board a catamaran in Costa Adeje. You will see whales and dolphins in the wild. On board you can listen to their sounds through an underwater audio system. Then we anchor to swim and snorkel in clear waters. The Tenerife catamaran trip is ideal...
4.8(2,750) reviewsFrom 47 €
The 5-hour catamaran tour takes you out to watch whales and dolphins off the coast of Tenerife. An underwater sound system with speakers on deck lets you hear them as they swim around the boat. We sail on to the cliffs of Los Gigantes...
4.8(2,750) reviewsFrom 59 €
This 3-hour trip runs on our glass-bottom catamaran along the southern coast of Tenerife, where you can watch whales and dolphins in their natural habitat. You sail past quiet coves in clear water, with a snorkelling session so you can see the underwater world...
4.8(2,750) reviewsFrom 63 €
Viking Ship Ragnarok in Tenerife, 2-hour cruise The Viking Ship Ragnarok has sailed off Tenerife since 2018 and is still the only Viking-themed ship in the Canary Islands. It carries nearly 100 people, is adapted for guests with disabilities and suits all ages. What...
4.9(1,964) reviewsFrom 25 €
No activities match these filters
Try removing a filter or searching for something else.
Seeing whales and dolphins out in open water is hard to beat. Thanks to its deep, nutrient-rich waters, whale watching in Tenerife works year-round, with a success rate close to 100%.
The channel between Tenerife and La Gomera is an internationally recognised Whale Heritage Site. It holds a settled colony of around 500 pilot whales and 250 bottlenose dolphins, so you see them on almost every trip.
Choose the experience that suits you best:
Always look for boats with the yellow «Barco Azul» (Blue Boat) flag. This certification ensures that the vessel complies with the law for respectful watching: they do not chase the animals, they keep a safe distance, and they carry guides on board to tell you about marine life.
The wildlife awaiting you in the Atlantic:
Seeing these animals out in open water is one of the things people remember most from a trip to Tenerife. A whale watching tour in Tenerife is worth it as much for the animals as for the way it changes how you look at the ocean around them.
Compare these options by route style, duration, departure point and the kind of traveller they suit best before deciding which experience fits your trip.
No, swimming is not required. The experience takes place onboard, and all safety measures are provided.
The most common are pilot whales, but sometimes you might spot sperm whales or other species, depending on the season.
Yes. Bottlenose dolphins are often seen alongside whales during the same tour.
Whale watching is possible all year round, thanks to the island’s stable marine ecosystem.
Absolutely. These tours are family-friendly and suitable for kids, with educational content and calm conditions.
Yes. Tours operate with eco-certified boats and follow regulations to minimize impact on marine life.
Depending on the operator, some tours include drinks, snacks, and optional swimming time.
Most whale watching tours leave from the southern harbors such as Puerto Colón or Los Cristianos.
