REVIEW · TENERIFE
Tenerife: Marine-Life Tour with Transfer, Buffet and Drinks
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by Monte Cristo Catamaran · Bookable on GetYourGuide
A catamaran ride with dolphins and snacks. That’s the basic pitch, but what makes this one work is the mix of marine-life searching plus a real onboard routine—drinks when you want them, food when you’re hungry, and a swim stop in clear water. I also love that the crew keeps things friendly and efficient, with staff like Danielle and Michael showing up as helpful, present humans rather than distant operators. The only real drawback to plan for is that wildlife sightings are common—but never guaranteed.
You’ll likely get a close look at pilot whales and dolphins, with the captain and crew steering toward where the action is. I also like the payoff on the food side: tapas-style buffet plus wine, cava, and even a glass of champagne, so you’re not stuck with sad boat lunch. Still, if you’re sensitive to sun and spray, this is time outdoors on the water—so bring the basics and expect a bit of wind.
In This Review
- Key Takeaways
- Getting to Puerto Colón Without the Stress
- Board the Monte Cristo Catamaran: Comfort and the Small-Group Feel
- Dolphin and Whale Watching Off Tenerife’s South Coast
- A quick expectation check (so you’re not disappointed)
- The Swim and Snorkel Stop in a Clear Bay
- Tapas, Wine, Cava, and That Always-There Drinks Service
- Views Along the Coast: Why This Sail Beats a Bus Excursion
- Price and Value: Is $69 Actually Fair?
- Timing, Weather, and What to Pack for a 3-Hour Sea Day
- Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Might Want Another Option)
- Final Verdict: Should You Book Monte Cristo Catamaran?
- FAQ
- Where do I meet for the tour?
- Is hotel pickup included?
- How long is the catamaran cruise?
- What marine life might I see?
- Do I get snorkeling gear?
- What food and drinks are included?
- What should I bring or know about restrictions?
Key Takeaways
- Small-group vibe on the Monte Cristo Catamaran: one review highlighted room to move and no overcrowding, with capacity around 24 people.
- Whales and dolphins are the main event: sightings are extremely common, and crew work hard to find pods.
- Swim or snorkel in a calm bay: snorkeling gear is included, and you’ll drop anchor where the water is clear.
- Unlimited drinks with your meal: glasses kept topped up, plus wine/cava/champagne and other options.
- Tapas buffet lunch onboard: Spanish-style tapas, with a vegetarian option available when you book.
Getting to Puerto Colón Without the Stress
This tour is built around the south of Tenerife, with an easy starting point at Puerto Colón (Playa de Las Américas). If you choose the transfer option, you’ll get pickup from areas like Los Cristianos, Las Américas, and Adeje (and from south Tenerife accommodations), then you’re dropped near the boats.
If you’re meeting yourself, go to Dock #6 in Puerto Colón and look for the light grey catamaran with the name Monte Cristo Catamaran on the back. There’s also a public parking lot near the marina that costs €1.20 per hour, which is handy if you’re driving and don’t want to rely on taxis.
In practice, this matters because marine-life tours can feel rushed when you’re trying to solve logistics on your own. Here, the flow is “arrive, board, settle in, then go look for wildlife.” You get more time doing the fun part.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Tenerife
Board the Monte Cristo Catamaran: Comfort and the Small-Group Feel
On a catamaran, you naturally get better sea views and easier movement than on some bigger boats. This one also leans into a small-group feel. One review specifically mentioned the boat isn’t packed and that only about 24 people are allowed on board—meaning you don’t feel like you’re watching whales through a wall of elbows.
That’s not a small detail. When you’re trying to spot marine life, you want space: to stand, to take photos without leaning over strangers, and to drift toward the best sightlines when the crew calls attention to something off the bow.
The crew’s style comes through in the way the trip is run: attentive service, friendly pacing, and staff who help you feel settled quickly. Names that pop up in the feedback include Danielle and Michael, plus Steve Collins mentioned in an attendee note. The consistent theme is simple—people who actually keep things moving, not people who just read from a script.
Dolphin and Whale Watching Off Tenerife’s South Coast
The core experience happens on the water heading toward Puerto Colón, with the crew working to spot dolphins and whales in their natural habitat. Expect the process to be more “search and reposition” than “sit and wait.” Reviews repeatedly describe the guide and captain scanning carefully and adjusting the route when animals show up.
What’s most reassuring is the win rate. The tour notes that sightings are extremely common, and many people report seeing pilot whales and dolphins, sometimes right alongside the catamaran. One person even described pilot whales up close, while another highlighted a calmer protected-zone approach with only a few boats nearby.
That also means you should keep your mindset realistic. Wildlife isn’t a guarantee. If you’re unlucky on one trip, you’ll still have a nice sail with the chance to spot other sea life. Flying fish also showed up in feedback, and there’s a good chance you’ll see smaller birds and marine activity even if whales are shy on the day.
A quick expectation check (so you’re not disappointed)
- You’re not on a swim-with-wildlife mission.
- You’re watching animals respectfully in their environment.
- The crew tries hard, but nature sets the rules.
The Swim and Snorkel Stop in a Clear Bay
About partway through, the catamaran sails to a bay and drops anchor. This is where the trip shifts from “looking” to “doing.” You’ll have the option to swim, and snorkeling equipment is included, so you don’t need to hunt for gear at the last minute.
Why this stop is valuable: it turns the day from purely observational into something physical. Tenerife’s south-coast waters can be clear, and the bay setting tends to feel calmer than open sea. Reviews mention lots of people taking the plunge, plus seeing fish while swimming and snorkeling.
Practical tip: bring a towel and plan on getting some water on you even if you don’t snorkel. The wind can dry you out fast, but spray still happens.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Tenerife
Tapas, Wine, Cava, and That Always-There Drinks Service
Food and drinks on a boat can go one of two ways: basic and disappointing, or fun and easy. This one aims for fun, and it usually hits.
You’ll get a buffet lunch of tapas onboard, and the included drinks lineup is a big part of the experience. The tour information specifies bottled water, plus a glass of champagne, wine, and cava. Reviews back up the vibe: people talk about drinks being plentiful and glasses getting topped up without you having to track down a server.
A note on expectations: this isn’t a fine-dining meal with plated courses. It’s a social lunch—grab what you like, graze while you watch the sea, and keep things moving during a 3-hour outing.
Vegetarian travelers do have an option: a vegetarian choice is available if you request it at booking. If food matters to you, don’t assume they’ll figure it out on the day—request it when you book.
Views Along the Coast: Why This Sail Beats a Bus Excursion
The south coast of Tenerife is all about coastline angles: mountains rising from the water, beaches stretched along the volcanic curves, and that mix of deep ocean and bright sky that makes photos look better than you expect.
During the cruise, you get close to the shoreline to enjoy mountain-and-coast views while still staying focused on marine life. It’s not a “drive past highlights” style day. It’s a ride where the scenery and the animal-spotting both share the same time block.
Also, catamarans tend to feel more stable and airy than you’d think. The sail feels like a break from the heavier tourist routes—more open, less stop-start.
Price and Value: Is $69 Actually Fair?
At about $69 per person for a 3-hour small-group tour, you’re paying for more than just a boat ride. This price bundles several things that would cost extra separately:
- Boat time for dolphin and whale watching
- Hotel pickup and drop-off if you select the transfer option
- Snorkeling equipment
- Buffet tapas lunch
- Multiple included drinks (water plus wine/cava and a glass of champagne)
That’s the core value story. If you’re the type who wants your food and transport handled, this package makes sense. And the drinks inclusion changes the feel of the trip: it’s easier to settle in, socialize, and stop thinking about money until you’re back on land.
One more reality check: wildlife can change the day. Even when whales or dolphins don’t show up, you still get a structured catamaran cruise, a swim stop, and food/drinks. If you’re booking purely for a 100% whale sighting, no tour can honestly promise that. But the tour framework and feedback suggest your odds are strong.
Timing, Weather, and What to Pack for a 3-Hour Sea Day
This experience runs for about 3 hours. Starting times vary by availability, and some departures may be timed late enough for a sunset finish—one attendee described an afternoon departure that waited for sunset to close the trip. If you love golden-hour photos, it’s worth checking the later options when available.
Weather matters. The south of Tenerife can be bright and breezy, and you’ll feel it on the water. Bring:
- Sunglasses
- Sun hat
- Towel
- Sunscreen
If you get motion-sensitive, consider that you’ll be on a moving catamaran for the cruise segments, then stopping and anchoring in a bay. The ride length is short, which helps.
Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Might Want Another Option)
This is a great match if you:
- Want a straightforward half-day plan
- Like marine life but don’t want a huge-group, cattle-line tour
- Care about included extras like snorkeling gear, tapas lunch, and drinks
- Prefer a crew that keeps the mood relaxed and service quick
It might be less ideal if:
- You’re extremely noise- or motion-sensitive
- You’re traveling with someone who needs special accessibility accommodations you’ll want to confirm in advance (the tour says non-folding wheelchairs aren’t allowed, but collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated if accompanied by someone to help board and disembark)
- You’re booking for a solo minor—unaccompanied minors aren’t allowed, and children must be accompanied by an adult
Final Verdict: Should You Book Monte Cristo Catamaran?
I’d book this tour if you want a 3-hour south Tenerife experience that mixes nature with comfort. The biggest strengths are the combination: wildlife watching plus a real onboard lunch plus drinks and a swim/snorkel stop. When a crew is paying attention to finding pods and also keeping the service flowing, the whole trip feels like it has momentum.
Book with a clear-eyed expectation about wildlife. Even though sightings are extremely common, nature runs the schedule. If you’d be fine enjoying the catamaran ride, the bay swim, and the food/drinks even without a whale, you’re in the right place.
FAQ
Where do I meet for the tour?
Meet at Dock #6 in Puerto Colón, Playa de Las Américas. Look for the light grey catamaran with the name Monte Cristo Catamaran on the back.
Is hotel pickup included?
Pickup and drop-off in south Tenerife, Los Cristianos, Las Américas, and Adeje is included if you select the transfer option. If you’re using pickup, wait in your hotel lobby about 10 minutes before the scheduled pickup time.
How long is the catamaran cruise?
The tour lasts 3 hours.
What marine life might I see?
You’ll be on a dolphin and whale-watching cruise looking for whales, dolphins, and other wildlife. Sightings are described as extremely common, but they can’t be guaranteed.
Do I get snorkeling gear?
Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and there’s a swim/snorkel stop in a bay.
What food and drinks are included?
You’ll get a buffet lunch of tapas, plus bottled water, a glass of champagne, and wine and cava. Drinks are included as part of the onboard service.
What should I bring or know about restrictions?
Bring sunglasses, sun hat, towel, and sunscreen. Unaccompanied minors aren’t allowed, and children must be accompanied by an adult. Infants under 1 year get free admission. A vegetarian option is available if requested at booking. Non-folding wheelchairs aren’t allowed, but certain collapsible wheelchairs may be accommodated with assistance for boarding and disembarking.
