Costa Adeje: Whale & Dolphin Submarine Vision Mini Cruise

I like this Costa Adeje whale-and-dolphin submarine cruise because it’s short, practical, and built for real sightings. You sail out from Puerto Colón along Tenerife’s southwest coast, and you can watch marine life through underwater windows without getting soaked.

Two things I’d pick in a heartbeat: the crew’s spotting skills (many people report multiple species), and the format. A bigger catamaran means you can move around on deck while still getting time below for the submarine-style viewing.

One thing to keep in mind: it’s a boat ride, so if you’re sensitive to motion, plan ahead. Even with good boats, a few passengers mention the swell can be noticeable, and the underwater viewing quality can vary day to day.

Key highlights worth planning around

• 16 large underwater windows: peak underwater viewing without the wet suit.
• Multilingual guidance (English, Spanish, German, French): safety talk plus marine-life education.
• Respectful, sustainable watching: crew works to observe without pushing animals around.
• 2 hours, not half a day: easy fit if you want whale time without a big time commitment.
• Puerto Colón dock access (Dock 12): straightforward meeting point on the Costa Adeje side.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Finding the Royal Delfin at Puerto Colón (Dock 12)

You meet at the Royal Delfin catamaran at Dock 12 in Puerto Colón, in Costa Adeje. That’s good because it’s a clear, single meeting location instead of a “meet by the big statue” situation.

Plan to arrive early enough to get settled before departure. One of the nicest practical bits from passenger feedback: boarding tends to be smooth, and getting to your preferred side of the deck early helps.

If you booked a transfer, the tour notes a bus back to your pickup point after you return. That matters if you’re basing yourself around Costa Adeje and don’t want to mess with taxis.

Why this catamaran format matters more than you think

This is a spacious catamaran cruise, not a tiny rigid boat. That’s a real advantage in two ways.

First, you’ll have more room to spread out on deck to watch. Many people mention they could walk around and choose spots on either side of the boat, which helps when pods change direction.

Second, bigger boats tend to feel calmer for some travelers. Several visitors specifically call out that they didn’t get sea sick, or that the boat felt comfortable, though a few others still mention motion depending on conditions.

The submarine-style viewing: 16 windows and actual time below deck

The signature feature here is 16 large underwater windows. The whole point is to give you a peak-underwater experience without jumping in the water or worrying about wet gear.

When the crew finds whales or dolphins, you may get a few minutes below deck to observe them through the glass. In practice, that means you’re not just staring from the surface and hoping for the best. You’re watching swimming movement from underneath the waterline.

A quick reality check: one traveler reported that the glass-bottom section didn’t seem very effective for visibility on their sailing day. That’s not something you can control, so I’d treat underwater viewing as a bonus that can be amazing, rather than something guaranteed to be crystal-clear every time.

The crew and guides: more than spotting, it’s also safety and education

What turns this from a simple boat ride into an actual experience is the guide work. You’ll hear an introduction with a safety vest demonstration, and you get live commentary in English, Spanish, German, and French.

From visitor stories, the best guides don’t just recite facts. They help you anticipate what to watch for and how to observe without stressing the animals. Some passengers even mention going quiet when animals are near, so everyone can see better.

One guide name you might hear is Anja. Multiple travelers highlight her attentiveness and strong multilingual delivery, which is a big deal if you don’t speak Spanish or German.

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The main sail: Adeje’s southwest coast for year-round marine life

You’re cruising along Tenerife’s southwest coastline near Adeje, starting from Puerto Colón. The crew uses local knowledge to track pods that live near the island year-round.

This is why the tour is built around crew-guided searching rather than a fixed “we go here at 10:00” plan. Whales and dolphins move, so the best results come from a team that knows where to look and when to slow down.

And the coast matters. Many people report seeing pilot whales and several dolphin types in this area. You’re not just chasing random sightings far from the island.

Your 2-hour game plan: what happens before and during the sightings

The whole cruise is 2 hours, and it’s structured so you don’t lose the afternoon to long transit.

While details vary slightly by day, here’s how the timing usually feels:

• You depart from Puerto Colón and start the search with crew guidance.
• There’s a view point segment with guided narration while you sail.
• There’s also a photo stop where you typically get extra time for marine-life watching (listed as 30 minutes).
• Then you head back to Puerto Colón and finish at the Royal Delfin catamaran.

In plain terms: you get multiple opportunities to see animals both above water and, when conditions allow, from the underwater windows.

View point and photo stop: good for watching, better for photos than you’d expect

The tour includes a guided viewpoint and then a photo stop with additional dolphin and whale watching time (30 minutes).

Even if you’re not a “professional photo” person, this is useful. It gives the pod a little time on the boat’s side, which improves your odds of clear views. Passengers often mention pilot whales staying close to the boat, and that kind of pacing helps.

If you’re traveling with kids, the photo stop time often turns into the “we’re finally seeing it” moment. One parent described the joy of hearing their child shout when the whale appeared—exactly the kind of memory this tour tries to create quickly.

What you might spot: common species and some surprises

Most days focus on dolphins and pilot whales. Based on traveler reports, you might see:

• Pilot whales (very commonly mentioned)
• Bottlenose dolphins
• Atlantic spotted dolphins
• Other dolphins reported by guests as well

Some visitors also report rarer moments, like:

• A turtle
• Even a Cuvier beaked whale (listed as a rare whale sighting by one passenger)

That range is a good reminder: whale watching is never fully predictable. What you can control is picking a cruise that maximizes your time with trained spotting and multiple viewing angles.

Seasickness and comfort: bring sun gear, and plan for motion

The “what to bring” list is simple: sunglasses, a sun hat, and sunscreen. I’d add one practical layer: consider anti-nausea medication if you get motion sick.

The tour notes that if you suffer from seasickness, you should bring your own medication if necessary. A few passengers mention that the boat can move up and down due to waves, so if you’re sensitive, don’t gamble.

Comfort-wise, you can sit in sun or shade, and there are options to move around on deck. Several travelers also suggest that this particular setup helps reduce sea sickness for some people, especially compared with smaller boats.

Drinks on board vs food included: budget expectations

Food isn’t included. You also shouldn’t plan on a lunch stop.

What you can expect instead: you can buy drinks on board, and some passengers say they were affordable (tea and coffee mentioned), plus ice lollies available for purchase.

So think of this as a “two-hour marine-life experience,” not a full meal day. If you need a snack or you’re traveling with picky kids, grabbing something before you go can make the whole outing easier.

Extra costs to know: photos and video

You can purchase photographs and video, but they’re not included in the ticket price. Several travelers mention a photo is taken during boarding, and then you can buy prints later (one person listed price examples).

If you care about photos, set aside a small budget for that on-site purchase. If you don’t, you can keep it simple and focus on the wildlife.

Price and value: $35 for 2 hours with real viewing options

At about $35 per person for a 2-hour cruise, the value here comes from three things:
1. You get both surface watching and underwater viewing via 16 windows.
2. You’re not just “on a boat”—you get a guided experience with multilingual interpretation.
3. Many travelers report multiple sightings, not a single quick pass.

The “value” also depends on what you compare it to. If you’ve ever paid much more for tiny boats with fewer viewing opportunities, this format feels like a practical sweet spot.

Accessibility notes: wheelchair access exists, but it’s not a full walk-through

The cruise is wheelchair accessible, but with limits you should understand.

Movement is limited to the main deck, and the bathrooms are not wheelchair-adapted. The tour also specifies that electric wheelchairs aren’t allowed.

If you use a wheelchair, it’s smart to inform the supplier beforehand so there’s enough space. That’s the kind of detail that prevents “we’ll try” situations on the day.

Rules of the trip: drones and what’s allowed

Two logistics points are spelled out:

• Drones are not allowed
• Electric wheelchairs are not allowed

If you’re bringing any specialized gear for filming, keep it simple and follow crew directions. The goal is quiet, respectful watching and safe operations.

What I’d do before booking (quick traveler checklist)

• If you’re prone to seasickness, plan medication ahead.
• Arrive a bit early to get your preferred deck position.
• Bring sun protection even if it’s cool in the morning.
• Treat underwater viewing as a big bonus, not a guarantee of perfect visibility every day.

Also, the booking offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and reserve now & pay later, which gives you flexibility if weather shifts.

Should you book this Costa Adeje submarine whale and dolphin cruise?

If you want a value-focused, two-hour whale watching trip with the chance to see dolphins and pilot whales both above and below the waterline, I think this is an easy yes.

Book it especially if:

• You like guided commentary in English, Spanish, German, or French
• You’re traveling with kids (many mention the underwater viewing was a highlight)
• You want more room on the water than smaller boats usually offer
• You prefer a short outing over an all-day expedition

Skip it or go in with lower expectations if:

• You’re very sensitive to motion and can’t handle boat movement
• Underwater visibility needs to be perfect for you every time (it can vary day to day)

FAQ

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for the cruise?

You meet at the Royal Delfin catamaran at Dock 12, Puerto Colón, in Costa Adeje.

How long is the whale and dolphin cruise?

The duration is 2 hours.

What languages is the live guide available in?

The live tour guide is available in English, Spanish, German, and French.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

It is wheelchair accessible, but movement is limited to the main deck and bathrooms are not wheelchair-adapted.

What should I bring with me?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, and sunscreen.

Is food included on board?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

Can I bring a drone?

No. Drones are not allowed.

Is there free cancellation?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

You can check availability for your dates here: