Whale and dolphin watching by speedboat on Tenerife: which tour is worth it?
Updated October 12, 2026 · 5 min read
For most visitors: the two-hour Dolphin and Whale Watching Speedboat Tour from Puerto Colón at €50, with 4.9 stars from 133 reviews, snorkel gear included and an English or Spanish guide. Cheapest, and by far the most reviewed: the Los Gigantes speedboat cruise at €28 – listed in Spanish only. If you want more time on the water: the three-hour Puerto Colón speedboat cruise at €65.
The three compared
| Tour | Duration | From | Rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puerto Colon: Dolphin and Whale Watching Speedboat Tour | 2 hours (2 – 3 on the booking page) | €50 per person | 4.9 (133) | guests who want an English guide and to snorkel |
| Los Gigantes: Dolphin and Whale Watching Cruise by Speedboat | 2 hours | €28 per person | 4.7 (1,383) | the cheapest trip, and the cliffs |
| Puerto Colon: Dolphin and Whale Watching Speedboat Cruise | 3 hours | €65 per person | 5.0 (34) | a longer outing with a sandwich |
Why the two Puerto Colón trips are not duplicates
Both are run by Sea Safari Tenerife from Puerto Colón, and both promise dolphins, whales and a swim or snorkel stop. The two-hour option can be booked private or shared, with a maximum of 11 people on board according to the booking page, and a drink and a snack. The operator names Palm-Mar or La Caleta for the swim, depending on the weather. The three-hour option lists a sandwich and one drink, and describes a return along the south coast with views of small harbours and natural pools; on a clear day, Teide and La Gomera.
What the listing does not say is what the third hour adds to the whale search. The extra €15 buys time and a sandwich; it does not buy more animals. Reviewers of both mention pilot whales, dolphins and turtles, and some a hammerhead shark, but that is what people saw, not what is promised. Two hours is enough for a first trip.
Check availability and prices for the two-hour speedboat tour from Puerto Colón
Los Gigantes: the cliffs are the extra
Departure is from the harbour of Los Gigantes, in a rigid inflatable with a skipper. After the whale search the boat runs close under the cliffs of Los Gigantes and Masca – the operator puts them at 600 metres – and stops in a bay such as Masca, Barranco Seco or Juan López for a swim. The Puerto Colón trips stay on the south coast; the high western cliffs are specific to this one.
The caveats are practical. The booking page lists Spanish as the language, and the review summary says clearer commentary would help; individual reviewers still praise the guide’s explanations, one noting that French and Spanish were no barrier, so ask before booking if commentary matters to you. The listing mentions a swim but no snorkel gear. You are asked to be at the meeting point 30 minutes before departure, and late arrivals get no refund or rebooking. Parking in the harbour is described as difficult, so arrive an hour early. If you need a car for the west coast anyway, compare rental cars.
The description says “guaranteed sightings”; a line further down says sightings cannot be guaranteed and depend on the sea. Trust the second.
Check availability and prices for the Los Gigantes speedboat cruise
Who should not take a speedboat
- Wheelchair users: both Puerto Colón booking pages list restrictions for wheelchairs, and the three-hour page also excludes strollers that do not fold. Ask the operator before booking.
- Anyone who gets seasick easily: a small fast boat is the opposite of a stable deck. Ask a pharmacist or doctor, and see what happens to boat trips when the sea is rough.
- Anyone who wants to sit and be served: that is a catamaran trip.
Bring a towel, sunscreen and swimwear – the Puerto Colón pages list all three.
The pick
Book the two-hour Puerto Colón speedboat tour unless you are staying in the west and the €28 cliff trip suits you better. More options are on the whale and dolphin watching page.
