Whale Watching Catamaran Cruise with Transfer, Buffet by MC

Wildlife is the real star here. This three-hour catamaran cruise leaves Puerto Colón for the waters off southern Tenerife, where pilot whales and dolphins often swim free. I like the small group of up to 24 people, and I like that the trip includes a buffet, drinks, and time for a swim rather than rushing back to port after the first sighting.

The main caution is the sea. A catamaran is stable, but it still moves, and some people have felt seasick when the water turned rough. The food is simple rather than gourmet, and sightings can never be guaranteed, so book this for the ocean experience, not as a promise of a perfect wildlife show.

The Monte Cristo crew has earned a strong reputation, with a 4.8 rating from 550 reviews and 96 percent recommendation. Guides and crew members named in feedback include Laura, Daniela, Michel, Miguel, and Captain Andrea. Several people especially praised Laura’s friendly, attentive guiding.

Key points to know before you book

• Pilot whales are the usual highlight: Sightings of several pods are common, with dolphins also appearing on many trips.
• The boat carries no more than 24 people: That gives you more room than the large party catamarans passing along the coast.
• Food and drinks are included: Expect tapas-style buffet food, fruit, snacks, soft drinks, water, beer, and champagne.
• Swimming and snorkeling are part of the outing: The captain stops in a suitable spot, with equipment provided.
• Hotel transfer covers southern Tenerife: Pickup can be requested from Golf del Sur, Los Cristianos, Las Americas, Adeje, Playa Paraíso, Callao Salvaje, and Alcalá.
• Bring protection from sun and spray: Pack swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, and sunscreen, plus a warm layer for an evening sailing.

Setting out from Puerto Colón

The boat leaves from Monte Cristo Catamaran at Puerto Colón, Pontoon 6, in Costa Adeje. If you are staying in the main resort areas of southern Tenerife, you can request hotel pickup. The transfer may arrive 20 minutes to one hour before departure, and the exact time is confirmed after you make the request.

That transfer is useful if you do not have a car, especially from Los Cristianos, Playa de las Américas, or the hotels around Adeje. It turns the outing into a door-to-door half-day plan. If you stay outside the listed pickup zone, you need to reach Puerto Colón yourself.

Once aboard, you have several places to settle. The catamaran has a forward sundeck, a flybridge, indoor sofa seating, and shaded areas. I would look around before choosing a seat. The upper level can offer a fine view, but the front deck gives you a more open feel, while the inside area is helpful if the sun becomes too strong or the sea gets lively.

A restroom is available on board. The catamaran is not wheelchair accessible, so this is an important point to check before paying.

Three hours in Tenerife’s whale country

The cruise heads out along the southern coast, with views back toward Tenerife’s mountains. The route is not simply a straight run to one fixed spot. The captain searches the surrounding waters for marine life, which means the exact outing depends on conditions and where animals are active that day.

Pilot whales are the main target. The waters around Tenerife are well known for regular sightings of these animals, and the trip often finds pods swimming near the boat. Several outings have seen many pilot whales, including a pod of nine. Dolphins are also frequently seen, and some trips have included a sea turtle.

This is a good place to set expectations. You may see whales close to the boat, but wildlife remains wild. You cannot schedule an animal to appear at a particular minute. The crew’s job is to search, explain, and give the animals space, not stage a performance.

That respectful approach matters. The best encounters described from this cruise involved the boat stopping near a pod while the guide explained what people were seeing. You may get a close look at backs, fins, and the movement of the group through the water. You might also spend time scanning an apparently empty sea. Both are normal parts of whale watching.

The crew’s explanations add real value. People have praised the clear facts shared about the animals, as well as the calm way the crew handles sightings. Laura, Daniela, Michel, Miguel, and Captain Andrea have all received warm personal praise for being attentive and friendly. The guide does not simply point toward a fin and move on. You can expect help identifying what is in front of you.

Why the small group makes a difference

A maximum of 24 people is one of the strongest features of this cruise. The boat still has a social feel, but it is not built around a huge crowd, loud music, or a party atmosphere. That gives you a better chance of moving between the front, upper deck, and shaded seating when the view changes.

It also makes the service more personal. Crew members can offer drinks, answer questions, and help someone who feels unwell. One family described how the crew found a quiet place for a sick child to rest. That kind of care is more difficult on a very large boat.

Do not read small group as private charter. You are still sharing the catamaran with other people, and one person felt it was somewhat overfilled when the sea was rough. Most accounts describe plenty of room, with around 20 people aboard on some trips, but space can feel tighter when everyone moves to one side for a sighting.

Tapas, fruit, beer, and a simple buffet

The included food is a practical advantage. The buffet may include tortillas, cheese, quiche, bread, crisps, meat selections, fruit, tapas, and other snacks. Drinks include water, soft drinks, beer, and champagne.

I would think of the meal as a generous boat buffet, not a restaurant lunch. Some people found the tapas tasty and the food better than expected. One less favorable account called the food poor, so standards clearly vary from person to person. Still, having food included means you do not need to organize lunch around the cruise, and the steady supply of drinks adds to the relaxed feel.

The crew is often praised for keeping people supplied. Several outings included attentive table service, with drinks offered throughout the trip. That is a pleasant touch, especially after time in the sun or sea.

If you are prone to motion sickness, eat lightly before boarding and be careful with alcohol. The boat is a stable catamaran, but stability is not the same as stillness. Take ginger tablets or Dramamine before departure if those are part of your normal routine. A few people became sick in rough conditions, and the possibility should be treated seriously.

The swimming and snorkeling stop

After the wildlife search, the captain usually finds a place for a swim. You can enter the water from the boat, and snorkeling equipment is provided. This gives the excursion a second purpose: even if the whale sightings are brief, you still have time to enjoy the Atlantic.

The stop is short enough to fit comfortably into a three-hour trip. You can swim, snorkel, or remain on deck and watch. Nobody has to get in the water, which helps if you prefer a dry afternoon or find the sea too cool.

Bring your own towel, swimsuit, sunglasses, and sunscreen. You should also expect some spray around the boat. For an evening cruise, pack something warm. The sea breeze can feel cool after sunset, and one useful tip is to bring a layer even if the port feels hot when you leave.

The swimming stop also breaks up the trip. You are not sitting in one position for three hours, waiting for another fin to appear. Instead, the outing moves from coastal views to wildlife watching, then to food and swimming.

Morning, afternoon, or sunset sailing

The length is well judged for most schedules. Three hours gives you enough time at sea without taking over the whole day. You can pair it with another activity in Tenerife, though I would avoid booking anything that requires a rushed return to the hotel.

The first time slot can be a smart choice if you dislike strong midday heat. One outing found the early start comfortable for that reason. Morning light can also make it easier to stay on deck while watching for animals.

Sunset trips have a different mood. The coast and mountains take on softer light, and the cruise feels more like an evening outing. Bring a warm layer, and remember that the wind may increase once the sun drops.

Your hotel pickup time depends on the sailing schedule and location. Allow the full window of 20 minutes to one hour before departure rather than planning an exact last-minute arrival.

What the $71.35 price really covers

At $71.35 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water, but it includes more than a basic sightseeing boat. You are paying for roughly three hours aboard a purpose-built catamaran, a crewed wildlife search, onboard explanations, a buffet, a broad drinks selection, a swimming and snorkeling stop, and possible hotel transport.

That package can be good value for couples, families, and anyone who wants a relaxed half-day rather than a bare whale-watching ride. The small capacity matters here. A cheaper, larger boat may give you less room, less personal attention, and a more crowded view when wildlife appears.

The price is harder to justify if you mainly want a guaranteed whale sighting or a full meal at sea. Nature does not provide guarantees, and the buffet is straightforward. I would book it for the complete combination of wildlife, coastline, swimming, and service.

The excursion is often booked around 14 days ahead, so popular dates may not remain open close to departure. Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time. Bad weather can also lead to a new date or a full refund, and the same applies if the minimum number needed to operate is not reached.

Who will enjoy this catamaran most

I would recommend this cruise to anyone who wants a calm introduction to Tenerife’s marine life. It suits couples, families, solo visitors, and small groups who value room to move and a friendly crew.

It is also a good choice if you are staying in southern Tenerife and want pickup included. The transfer saves hassle from several resort areas, though you should confirm that your hotel lies within the service zone.

You should think twice if you are highly prone to seasickness, need step-free wheelchair access, or dislike shared boat outings. The catamaran is comfortable, but the ocean can be rough. You may also prefer a different trip if your main goal is a luxury meal rather than a simple buffet.

Children and most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. Still, anyone who struggles with motion or boarding should check the practical details before booking.

My verdict on Monte Cristo Catamaran

I like the balance of this outing. You get a real chance to see pilot whales and dolphins in open water, but the day is not built around wildlife alone. The swim, buffet, drinks, mountain views, and open deck give you several enjoyable parts to the experience.

The crew receives the strongest praise, especially for kindness, safety, animal facts, and personal service. The small passenger limit helps them deliver that care. The main weaknesses are the normal risks of a sea trip: rough water, possible sickness, and no guarantee that wildlife will cooperate.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want a well-rounded three-hour sea trip with a strong chance of pilot whale sightings, a small group, included food and drinks, and a swim. It is particularly appealing with hotel pickup from southern Tenerife.

Skip it if you need guaranteed wildlife, wheelchair access, or a perfectly smooth ride. For most people who accept those limits, the $71.35 price is fair, and the combination of attentive crew, open-water wildlife, and time to swim makes this a worthwhile Tenerife outing.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching cruise depart?

The catamaran departs from Monte Cristo Catamaran at Puerto Colón, Pontoon 6, in Costa Adeje, Tenerife.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup can be requested from hotels in Golf del Sur, Los Cristianos, Las Américas, Adeje, Playa Paraíso, Callao Salvaje, and Alcalá.

How early will hotel pickup arrive?

Pickup times vary from 20 minutes to one hour before sailing. The exact pickup time is provided after you make the request.

How long is the cruise?

The experience lasts approximately three hours and returns to the original meeting point.

How many people can join the cruise?

The activity has a maximum of 24 travelers.

What animals might I see?

You may see pilot whales, dolphins, and sea turtles, along with Tenerife’s coastline and mountain views. Sightings depend on natural conditions.

Is food included?

Yes. The included buffet and snacks may include tortillas, cheese, quiche, bread, crisps, meat selections, and fruit.

What drinks are included?

Available drinks include water, soft drinks, beer, and champagne.

Can I swim or snorkel from the boat?

Yes. The captain takes the boat to a suitable swimming or snorkeling area, and snorkeling equipment is provided. Bring your own swimsuit, towel, sunglasses, and sunscreen.