A catamaran trip beats another beach day. This 3-hour ocean cruise from Puerto Colón de Adeje heads out toward La Gomera for whales and dolphins, then settles into Playa de los Hippies for water time and a laid-back break. You also get tapas, snacks, fruit, and a solid mix of drinks while you’re underway.

What I like most is how easy it is to do without extra planning. South Tenerife pickup and drop-off are included, and the meeting point is right at Club Náutico Puerto Colón de Adeje. The second big win is the onboard setup: you’re not just looking out a window—you get time to swim/snorkel, plus lunch-style bites and drinks to keep the afternoon moving.

One thing to consider: this is a weather-dependent outing, and if plans shift on the day, it can affect how crowded the boat feels and how much food is available. Also, wildlife sightings aren’t guaranteed, so I’d book with the right expectations—your payoff is the whole experience at sea, not a promised dolphin guarantee.

Key highlights that make this cruise worth it

• Whale and pilot whale spotting: you head out in search mode and the crew explains what they’re looking at as you go
• Playa de los Hippies swim time: a real stop for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing with mountain views
• Food and drinks included: tapas, snacks, fruit, plus a noticeable emphasis on drink service
• Ginger for motion sickness: offered onboard to help with sea-sickness for people who get queasy
• Small-ish group feel: it’s advertised for up to 18 people, though weather-related rescheduling can change the day’s count

Setting sail from Puerto Colón de Adeje (and keeping it simple)

The trip starts at Club Náutico Puerto Colón de Adeje, in Costa Adeje. If you’re staying in the south, pickup and drop-off are included, which matters on a short 3-hour tour—less time commuting, more time on the water.

Even better, the tour is designed to be straightforward. You meet at the marina area, get onboard, and the day runs on a clear rhythm: cruise out, wildlife search, then a beach stop with time in the water. The boat is described as spacious, and that comfort helps when the sea gets a little bumpy.

One practical detail: pickup requires info you add at booking (your hotel, telephone number, and email). So if you’re the type who hates last-minute messages, do that step right away and you’ll avoid stress later.

Heading toward La Gomera: the whale-and-dolphin search part

The core of the experience is the time out at sea in the direction of La Gomera. This is when you’re scanning the water for whales and dolphins, and you’ll feel the difference between a casual sunset cruise and an active wildlife outing.

From the feedback people shared afterward, pilot whales are a highlight—sometimes in separate family groups, including a mother with a small calf. That’s the kind of sighting that makes the whole cruise click, because you’re not just seeing a spout in the distance; you’re watching animals behave in their environment.

A key expectation-setting point: sightings can’t be guaranteed. Weather and animal movement control the day. But if you keep that in mind, you’ll appreciate the effort—the crew keeps looking and adjusts so you actually get time to observe when the action appears.

First stop in the Golf Costa Adeje area: a smooth early rhythm

The schedule includes a first stop labeled in the Golf Costa Adeje area before you settle into the main ocean search and then head for Playa de los Hippies. In practice, what this means for you is a steady progression rather than a long, unbroken stretch.

That matters because it can break up the “sit and wait” feeling. The crew’s goal is to find wildlife and manage the group comfortably, and the timing is built around getting you positioned for the best shot at seeing something interesting.

If you’re sensitive to motion sickness, this early cruising period is when you should be ready—bring your personal comfort items, and pay attention to what the crew offers onboard (more on that next).

Playa de los Hippies: where swimming and snorkeling take over

The second part of the tour is the best kind of contrast: a beach stop at Playa de los Hippies. This is where you shift from scanning ocean surfaces to actually using your time—swimming, snorkeling, or simply relaxing and watching the mountains of Tenerife from the shore.

This stop is described as inviting and scenic, and it’s long enough to feel like a break rather than a quick photo stop. People also tie the day together with the simple moment of jumping into the water after time at sea. If you’ve been on “view-only” tours, you’ll appreciate that this one gives you agency.

One practical drawback to keep in mind: water conditions vary. The activity is planned for swimming and snorkeling, but the day’s sea state affects how comfortable it feels. If you’re bringing a snorkel setup, keep it simple and expect you might mostly use it when the boat is positioned well.

Food and drinks included: tapas, fruit, and real drink service

This is a standout value because the cruise includes food and drinks, not just a toast or a small snack. You’ll get tapas, snacks, fruit, and drinks during the trip—so you’re not hunting for lunch afterward.

From people’s experiences, the food quality lands better than you’d expect on a short catamaran excursion. Portions were described as ample, and there was a good choice of tapas and snacks. There’s also a noticeable emphasis on drink availability, with people specifically pointing out the broad choice and that drink service didn’t feel stingy.

A fun detail: one person mentioned a honey rum shot at the end of the trip. That kind of small finish sounds silly until you’re the one holding a cup at golden hour—it gives the afternoon a “wrapped up properly” feeling.

If you’re picky about timing (or you eat fast), aim to eat when the crew offers the food. On a normal day, service is smooth. On a weather-rescheduled day, crowding can influence how quickly things come out and how much is available—so keep expectations flexible.

Sea-sickness help: ginger onboard is a real comfort trick

Let’s talk comfort, because catamaran days can be rough for some bodies. One review specifically noted that the crew offers ginger onboard to help avoid motion sickness, and it was described as very useful.

You don’t need to be a dramatic seasickness case for this to matter. Even if you’re usually fine, taking ginger early can make the “rolling” part of the trip more manageable.

My advice: if you’ve ever gotten queasy on boats, don’t wait until you feel bad. Take the ginger when you board or soon after, and sit where the boat movement feels most comfortable for you.

Pickup, group size, and the one catch about crowding

On paper, the tour caps at a maximum of 18 travelers, and that’s a sweet spot for a 3-hour experience. Smaller groups usually mean better attention from the crew and more room to move around.

But here’s the caution: on at least one trip, the boat carried more people than the listed maximum. The provider explained that the catamaran is licensed for more, and that extra passengers happened because of weather-related rescheduling from the prior day. That day-of change is the main thing to watch.

What you might feel if that happens:

• the boat can feel more crowded than expected
• food service might feel more limited
• the overall vibe turns from intimate to busy

If you’re booking for a calm, spacious feel, it’s smart to be okay with mild variability. If you’re booking for whale and beach time with food and drinks included, you’ll likely still find it worthwhile—just don’t treat the 18-person number like a physical guarantee.

Who this cruise suits best (and who might skip it)

This cruise is ideal if you want a short Tenerife activity that combines three things in one go: wildlife time, water time, and included lunch-style food and drinks.

It’s especially good for:

• couples and small groups who want a half-day plan
• people who don’t want to spend time finding their own boat or booking separate activities
• anyone who likes the idea of swimming/snorkeling instead of only watching from the deck

You might want to skip or choose another option if:

• you’re very sensitive to sea motion and want zero uncertainty
• you’re strict about crowd levels on a short itinerary
• you need guaranteed dolphin sightings (no wildlife tour can promise that)

Practical tips for a smooth 3-hour Tenerife catamaran day

Pack like it’s a sea day, not a walking tour. Wear something you can move in, and bring sun protection even if the morning looks mild—ocean light can be intense.

Also:

• Bring a light layer if you get chilly on open water.
• If you plan to snorkel, keep your gear simple. The stop time is limited, so you’ll spend more time enjoying the water than troubleshooting equipment.
• If you get motion sick, use the ginger the crew offers and consider sitting in the most stable area for you.

And don’t overlook the staff interaction. People repeatedly praised how professional and welcoming the crew felt, and that matters because the crew is the one translating what you’re seeing at sea. If they spot something, good crew guidance helps you actually understand it in real time.

Price and value: what $108.37 buys you here

At about $108.37 per person for roughly 3 hours, you’re paying for a full catamaran experience: transport via sea route, a wildlife search outing, a beach time stop, and included food and drinks.

If you price this like a DIY day, it’s not just “a boat ride.” You’d likely spend extra on getting to a different activity, buying snacks and drinks, and covering the time cost of coordinating separate plans. Here, the cruise bundles the moving parts together.

The only value caveat is weather-driven variation. If the day ends up more crowded due to rescheduling, the experience can still be fun, but the food service expectations should soften. Still, the core ingredients—time on the water, wildlife search, and the Playa de los Hippies swim stop—remain the heart of the day.

Should you book this catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want an easy, well-fed half-day in Tenerife with genuine ocean time and a real swim stop. The combination is strong: whale and dolphin spotting efforts plus Playa de los Hippies, all with food and drinks included and extra comfort help like onboard ginger.

Think twice if you’re the type who gets fixated on exact headcounts or you’re chasing a guaranteed dolphin sighting. On wildlife days, the ocean decides the schedule, and weather can shift the passenger mix.

If you go in with flexible expectations, you’ll likely love the afternoon rhythm: out to sea, eyes on the horizon, then a beach break where you can finally cool off in the water.

FAQ

Is pickup included for this cruise in Tenerife?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off for south Tenerife are included, but you’ll need to add your hotel, telephone number, and email address when booking.

Where does the cruise start and end?

The cruise starts at Club Náutico Puerto Colón de Adeje (Av. de Colón, Costa Adeje) and ends back at the same meeting point.

How long is the catamaran ocean cruise?

The duration is approximately 3 hours.

What food and drinks are included?

Food and drinks are included, with tapas, snacks, fruit, and a selection of drinks provided during the trip.

Can I expect to see dolphins and whales?

Sightings are not guaranteed because they are wild animals. The tour goes out to look for whales and dolphins and tries its best based on conditions.

What’s the maximum group size?

The tour is listed with a maximum of 18 travelers, though on certain weather-affected days the number onboard can be higher due to rescheduling.

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