So you have seen Tenerife from the inside. Why not learn and admire the beauty landscapes of the boomerang-shaped island from a new perspective? From whale and dolphin watching trips to day trips to the neigbouring island of La Gomera, there are various boat and cruise excursions on Tenerife to suit your budget, schedule and interest.
Holiday makers in the south of Tenerife enjoy close proximity to the departure points of these excursions, which tend to concentrate at the port of Los Cristianos and Puerto Colon in Costa Adeje. However, with the highway TF-1 connecting the northern and southern cities of the island, as well as regular and reliable public buses, travelling to the south of Tenerife is never a problem for tourists who choose to base themselves in the greener and more authentic part of the island. Most excursions providers offer pick up from nearby hotels and resorts free of charge or with a small fee, and there’s always the public buses, so don’t limit your choices to those with departure points near you. Another popular departure point is Los Gigantes, on the southwest side of the island.
Most boat trips offer whale and dolphin watching. The waters off the south and west coast of Tenerife is home to colonies of whales and dolphins. These beautiful sea mammals do not migrate and therefore, can be spotted all year round. Short-fin pilot whales are the main whale species to be found here, while bottle nose and stripe dolphins can often be spotted racing with your boat in these waters.
There are various boat trip durations (2, 3 or 5 hours) to suit your preference. Longer trips generally takes you further along the coast for some breathtaking views of Tenerife and allow time for a swim or snorkel. Prices often include soft drinks and food. A typical 3- hour trip includes whale/ dolphin watching, quick swim/ snorkel, soft drinks and lunch, while the 5-hour excursion is identical to that of the 3-hour trip but takes you to various interesting spots such as the majestic cliffs of Los Gigantes and beautiful bays of Masca.
For those who are more energetic and adventurous, there is the option to hike down the Masca ravine on the northwest of the the island and then catch a regular ferry to Los Gigantes (€10-15). The view of the giant cliffs from the sea is magnificent and with a little bit of luck, you might be able to spot whales or dolphins.
If you fancy island hopping, you can catch a ferry from Los Cristianos port to La Gomera island. Two major ferry companies offer crossing between Tenerife and La Gomera. Naviera Armas departs 3 times daily with journey time of 1 hour, ticket costs around €28 for a non-resident adult. Fred Olsen offer faster ferries (40 minutes) at higher price (€35), there’s also 3 daily departures. Alternatively, you can join an organised La Gomera day trip.
Boats used also comes in different styles and capacities: sail boat, catamaran, small cruise boat and glass-bottomed boat. There are even pirate-themed boats which takes you on a pirate voyage with crew dressed as privates providing exciting entertainment on deck.
Prices starts from €22 for adults (€11 child) for a 2-hour whale watching, including soft drinks. If you have time, longer trips seems to offer more value for money. And if money is not an issue, there are various private hires available so you get have the whole boat to yourself. Private hire is perfect for celebrations such as birthdays, anniversaries, or a romantic outing with your loved one. Prices start from €115 (including crew and drinks) per hour for a leisure cruiser with capacity of 10 people.
Please help conserve the marine life of Tenerife by choosing the official vendors with license. Such license indicates that the said operator is operating their excursions in an environmentally sustainable way that do not endanger the sea creatures.
