About this tour
When Lily from our BugBitten team sailed this catamaran out of Porto Colón, she got the full Tenerife coastal experience — dramatic volcanic cliffs, warm deck time, and a genuine shot at spotting pilot whales and dolphins in their element. The boat heads west along the island's wild southern shore, past the towering Los Gigantes rock faces, before anchoring in Masca Bay for a swim. It's a relaxed four-hour float with crew looking after you: complimentary drinks, lunch on board, and someone else steering while you soak up the Atlantic breeze. Mixed-fitness crews mix comfortably here.
Highlights
- Pilot whales and dolphins spotted naturally — no artificial feeding
- Los Gigantes cliffs loom massive from water level
- Swim stop in sheltered Masca Bay with catamaran anchored
- Shaded bar on board; cold drinks and hot food included
- Relaxed pace — lounging, not rushed sightseeing
- Captain shares marine life knowledge between wildlife moments
- Porto Colón departure avoids longer coach transfers
What to expect
The day kicks off with a civilised morning departure from Porto Colón marina on the south coast. You'll board the catamaran, get a quick briefing, and head west into open water where the crew scans for dolphins and whales. The first hour or so is spent cruising through their known habitat — binoculars in hand, crew calling out sightings. Lily spotted a pod of pilot whales breaching at distance, which was genuinely thrilling without being packed-boat circus.
As the morning wears on, you sail in the shadow of Los Gigantes, those jaw-dropping rust-coloured cliffs that rise almost vertical from the sea. Around midday you'll drop anchor in Masca Bay for a proper swim — the water's cool and inviting. Back aboard, there's lunch waiting (nothing fancy, but honest food), cold drinks flow freely, and the crew keeps things ticking. The return sail is leisurely; most of us were dozing in the sun by then.
What travellers say
- Marine life encounters feel authentic, not staged or crowded
- Included drinks and meals remove nickel-and-diming stress
- Los Gigantes views genuinely stunning from sea level
- Crew knowledgeable and attentive without hovering
- Accessible to all fitness levels — zero scrambling required
- Swim stop in protected bay breaks up the sailing nicely
- Wildlife sightings never guaranteed despite good odds
- Rough seas can cancel swimming or spoil deck time
- Lunch basic; don't expect culinary surprises on board
- Early morning start not ideal for slow risers
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This genuinely works if you want to see marine life without the false promises — whales and dolphins are there regularly, not guaranteed every trip but plausible. The catamaran's stable, food and drinks are included, and you're not locked into a rigid schedule. Swimming in Masca Bay alone makes it worthwhile. Suits all fitness levels since you're largely sitting or floating.
Early start (Porto Colón pickup is mid-morning typically). If seas are rough, the open deck loses its appeal fast and swimming may be cancelled. Wildlife sightings aren't promises — we were lucky, but you might just see empty ocean. The lunch is basic, not gourmet. Office hours are strict (weekdays only); weekend bookings need advance planning. Bring sunscreen and a hat — the deck is exposed. Alcohol only for over-18s, obviously. Group sizes can swell, though the catamaran doesn't feel rammed.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.