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Costa Adeje whale watching | Cruises from Puerto Colón

Stand on the edge of Puerto Colón in Costa Adeje and you’re already in whale country. A short sail of just a few miles off the south coast puts you over deep Atlantic water where resident pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins live all year.

From here, whale watching Costa Adeje isn’t just a trip; it’s the easiest way to turn your Tenerife beach holiday into an open-sea moment: catamarans with open bars, quieter yachts with small groups, sailboats that stop for snorkeling, and private cruises where it’s just you, your people, and nature.

Use this page when you want to compare costa adeje whale watching options, decide which boat suits you, and pick a port that matches your vibe.

Why choose Costa Adeje for whale & dolphin watching?

Year-round sightings

The south-west coast between Tenerife and La Gomera holds a resident population of short-finned pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins, so sightings are possible almost every month of the year.

Very high success rate

Operators sailing from Costa Adeje and Puerto Colón report success rates close to 98–99% on dolphin and whale encounters, thanks to these resident pods and short sailing distances.

Short, easy cruises

Most whale watching Tenerife Costa Adeje tours last 2–4 hours, which is long enough to find whales but short enough to fit around pool time, kids’ naps, or an evening out.

Choice of boat styles

From big catamarans with open bars to 10-guest yachts, RIBs, and classic sailboats, Costa Adeje is where you get the most variety.

Family-friendly

You can literally walk from your hotel, grab a coffee on the promenade, and be on a boat in minutes. No long transfers, no 6am alarms unless you want that calm-morning sea.

What to expect on a Costa Adeje whale watching cruise

You’ll check in at Puerto Colón marina (often around docks 8–15, but the exact pontoon is always on your voucher). From here, boats usually sail 2–3 miles offshore into deeper water where pilot whales and dolphins feed.

Once you clear the harbor, the coast drops away pretty quickly. In 15–30 minutes you’re already in waters where:

  • Short-finned pilot whales are resident all year
  • Bottlenose and Atlantic spotted dolphins are common
  • In some months you can also see migratory species like sperm whales or humpbacks passing through the Canary corridor

Crews usually cooperate over radio and sometimes radar to share sightings, which is why the hit rate is so high.

When the skipper reaches a pod, they’ll slow down and stay at a regulated distance, drifting or idling so you can watch without disturbing the animals. Expect:

  • Pilot whales surfacing in tight family groups
  • Dolphins weaving along the bow or riding the wake
  • Calmer babies tucked close to mum if you’re lucky

On some tours you also get hydrophones to listen to clicks and whistles underwater, especially on eco-style catamarans.

Many dolphin watching Costa Adeje trips add a swim stop in a sheltered bay. You’ll usually:

  • Anchor near a quiet cove or cliff-backed bay
  • Get snorkel gear if it’s included
  • Swim off the back ladder while the crew keeps watch

It’s not a 'swim with whales' situation – that’s not allowed under local law – but it’s a nice reset after watching them from the deck.

Depending on your boat:

  • Shared catamarans often include sandwiches + soft drinks/beer/wine
  • Yachts and sailboats lean more into tapas, Canarian lunch, or lighter snacks
  • Private cruises usually adapt to whatever you’ve booked in advance

You sail back along the Costa Adeje coastline, with views of Playa de Fañabé, El Duque, and sometimes as far as Los Gigantes on longer runs.

You can put guests on a costa adeje whale watching cruise any month and still be honest that sightings are very likely. That said:

  • All year: Pilot whales + bottlenose dolphins (resident populations).
  • Roughly Nov–May: Better chances to catch migratory whales (sperm, humpback, fin) passing through the channel.
  • Morning vs afternoon: Mornings usually mean calmer seas and clearer light; afternoons are warmer and feel more “holiday mode” but can be choppier.

So if someone is prone to motion sickness or traveling with kids, steer them toward a morning Costa Adeje whale watching tour from Puerto Colón.

Which whales and dolphins can you see?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. The south-west coast off Costa Adeje sits right on top of a marine corridor where pilot whales and dolphins live year-round, so chances of sightings are extremely high.

Other whale watching ports in Tenerife

Los Gigantes

Las Galletas

Los Cristianos