One of the best things to do in Tenerife is to hop on a boat trip from Costa Adeje in search of whales and dolphins. The waters here are perfect for a huge variety of marine life. You can spot up to 21 different species of cetaceans, fish, and sea creatures you won’t find anywhere else.
So, going on a whale watching tour is one of the best things to do in Tenerife! Here, you can spot pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins all year round.
Where to see whales in Tenerife?
While Tenerife is the best island in the Canary Islands for whale watching, you’ll notice that tours usually kick off from just a few ports, including:
Puerto Colon: Costa Adeje overlooks the Atlantic Ocean, and it’s right from Puerto Colón where you’ll find the best tours to see whales and awesome boat trips. When you book a tour, agencies usually include hotel pick-up if you’re staying around here.
Playa de Las Americas: Close to Costa Adeje and Los Cristianos, Playa de Las Americas is another awesome spot in Tenerife for whale watching. While there aren’t any tours directly from Playa de Las Americas, you can easily stroll over to Puerto Los Cristianos, where you’ll find plenty of great boats ready to take you out, including the Viking Ragnarok, Travelin Lady, and the Maxicat catamaran tour.
Los Gigantes: Los Gigantes is located just north of Costa Adeje and is famous for its gigantic cliffs that give the town its name. While there are fewer boat tour options from here, you’ll get to see the whales and the cliffs from an even better angle. No doubt, Los Gigantes is the best place to spot whales in Tenerife. You’ll not only have more chances to see these amazing creatures, but you’ll also be surrounded by the magical cliffs above the sea.
Las Galletas: The whale watching tours from Las Galletas set off from the southernmost point of Tenerife, right from Puerto de Las Galletas. You’ll cruise along the rocky and picturesque coast before heading out further to spot some whales. This spot is way less touristy than Costa Adeje, so whale watching tends to be a bit more chill, but it’s not great for those who get seasick. Here, the waves are bigger and the sea’s a bit rougher.
When’s the best time to see whales in Tenerife?
Thanks to its awesome location, you can spot whales and dolphins in Tenerife any time of year. Species like common dolphins and pilot whales are always easy to see, no matter when you visit!
That said, if you want to catch a glimpse of a wider variety of whales and sea creatures, the best time to go is in winter (between November and February) or spring. This is when you’ll spot the most migratory whales and dolphins in the area, giving you the best chance to see blue whales, minke whales, and other species.
So, winter and spring are the best times to catch some whale action, but you can hop on a whale watching tour in Tenerife all year round.
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