Dolphins and whales from a Tenerife catamaran. I love the chance to spot pilot whales and dolphins and I also like that lunch and drinks are part of the deal while you cruise the volcanic coast. You’ll sail out of Porto Colón, keep an eye on the water during wildlife time, then head into the shadow of the Los Gigantes cliffs before cooling off with a swim around Masca Bay.

One possible drawback: the included food and drink setup is more basic than fancy. If you’re expecting big meals or a wide cocktail menu, you might feel a little underwhelmed, and wildlife sightings are never guaranteed—part of the game on the open sea.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• Porto Colón departure: the trip starts from a convenient Tenerife coastal hub.
• Built-in downtime: sun time plus scheduled swim time near Masca Bay.
• Wildlife-focused sailing: you’re in waters where pilot whales and dolphins are possible.
• Los Gigantes by water: the cliffs are best seen from the sea.
• Included lunch and drinks: beer, sangria, water, and soft drinks come on board.
• Smallish group: maximum of 30 travelers, so it doesn’t feel like a mega-boat (most days).

A 4-Hour Catamaran That Fits a Tenerife Half-Day

Tenerife days can go two ways: either you pack in “see everything” mode, or you slow down and let the island unfold at sea level. This Freebird catamaran cruise is clearly in the second camp. At about 4 hours, it’s long enough to feel like you escaped the resort bustle, but short enough that you’re not stuck hauling your towel around all afternoon.

You’ll also like the basic simplicity of the plan. You’re not trying to rush from point A to point B on land. Instead, you’re on a stable catamaran deck with time to look outward, not down at your phone.

And if you care about comfort, you’re starting from a good place: catamarans typically mean more open deck space and a smoother ride than many traditional boat tours. One review even mentioned sun beds, which is exactly what you want if you’re planning to spend real time watching the water.

Porto Colón to Masca: The Day’s Flow Makes Sense

The timing matters. The tour starts at 11:20 am, which is nice because you’re not waking up at the crack of dawn for a boat. You’ll be getting out onto the water when the day is warming up, but before late-afternoon crowds and heat really hit.

From Porto Colón, you’ll head along Tenerife’s dramatic volcanic coast. This matters more than it sounds. The coast here isn’t subtle—it’s steep, rugged, and built for sea views. Being out on deck lets you appreciate that terrain without the “I drove past it and forgot it” feeling.

Then comes the part you’ll remember: sailing toward the Los Gigantes cliffs and setting up for a swim near Masca Bay. That swim stop is your practical payoff. Even if you do everything right, a whale-watching trip can end up being all watching, no splashing. Here, you have a cool-off slot built into the itinerary.

Los Gigantes Cliffs: Best Seen While You’re Floating

Los Gigantes has a reputation for a reason. From the water, those cliffs feel even more towering because you get height and scale at the same time. You’re not just looking at a photo background—you’re literally moving along the base of it.

This is also when the experience shifts gears from wildlife scanning to scenery and comfort. You’ll have a break in the action, then drop anchor so you can swim. Reviews describe swimming next to the cliffs, which is the kind of detail that turns a “boat trip” into a clear memory.

Practical tip: bring swim gear even if you think you won’t. You’re going to spend time on deck, and once the boat settles, it’s easy to decide you want water time.

Wildlife Watching: Pilot Whales and Dolphins (No Guarantees, Still Worth It)

This trip is marketed around dolphin and pilot whale spotting, and the route is planned for that. You’ll be sailing in waters known for pods, and the idea is simple: keep eyes on the horizon and the surface, and let the crew do the scanning.

Two things I like about this approach:

1. You’re not stuck in a single spot for hours. Moving water gives you more chances to find activity.
2. The catamaran format keeps you feeling like you’re part of the hunt, not stuck behind a safety rail.

Now, the reality: wildlife is wildlife. You can’t control sightings. But you can control how you show up. If your goal is whales and dolphins, show up ready to look—bring sunscreen, wear sunglasses if you need them, and expect that you’ll spend some time staring at the sea like a cheerful detective.

Also, different captains can change the vibe. One review highlighted Captain Luca for making the journey comfortable and interesting, while another mentioned Captain Dani focusing on getting people good dolphin and whale moments. You might not get the exact same energy, but the best versions of this trip share that common thread: the captain takes the wildlife part seriously.

Lunch and Drinks: Nice Inclusions, With a Caveat

Here’s where you should be realistic. The tour includes lunch on board plus beer, sangria, water, and soft drinks. There’s also mention of a shaded bar setup for the drinks, which is a win on a sunny Tenerife day.

But based on what’s actually described in experiences, the included food can be simple rather than “restaurant quality.” Some people talk about a snack or roll rather than a full meal that feels heavy and satisfying. That doesn’t ruin the trip—it just changes your expectations.

So I’d treat the lunch as:

• enough to take the edge off mid-ride
• not a reason to skip your own snack plan

If you have diet needs, this matters. One negative experience described the lunch as a roll with ham and cheese, and that’s a clear sign that the menu may not be built for everyone’s dietary preferences. The good news: the tour data doesn’t say there are multiple meal options. So the smart move is to plan as if the lunch might be fixed, then bring an extra nonperishable backup if you need one.

Alcohol note: alcoholic beverages are for adults over 18. If you’re traveling with a mix of ages, that’s something to keep in mind when the bar opens.

Crew Energy and Comfort: Mostly Good, Sometimes Mixed

A boat trip lives and dies by crew. You’ll feel it in how they communicate, how they guide you during wildlife moments, and how they keep the trip smooth.

What stands out from the positive side is that people felt the captain and crew made the ride comfortable and helped create a good atmosphere for spotting dolphins and whales. There are also mentions of getting a good deck view—one review said they were enjoying the animals from the front row area with sun beds.

The caution side is that service levels can feel inconsistent. One experience specifically called out that staff weren’t very engaging. Another said the crew felt like they let the sales team down. These aren’t deal-breakers for everyone, but they’re useful context if you’re the type who loves lots of friendly banter while you travel.

If you’re sensitive to that, adjust your expectations. This isn’t a silent retreat. It’s a working boat with a mission: spot animals, feed people, get you to Masca Bay, and return you safely. Friendly energy helps, but the core value is the sea time and the sightings.

Group Size and What That Means for Your Day

The maximum is 30 travelers, which is comfortably small for a cruise. That matters because fewer people often means easier movement on deck and less chaos when it’s time for drinks or the swim stop.

It also tends to make wildlife moments more manageable. If a pod appears, you want a crew that can handle the deck without turning it into a stampede. Smaller groups don’t eliminate crowding, but they usually reduce the worst parts of it.

One review did mention the trip felt crowded at times, so expect that Tenerife’s popular areas can bring a busy day overall. Still, max 30 is a better situation than the mega-coach style outings you sometimes see.

Price and Value: Is $70.98 a Good Deal?

At $70.98 per person, this is not the cheapest thing you can do in Tenerife. But it’s also not just a sightseeing ride. You’re buying a catamaran cruise with key extras:

• lunch included
• beer/sangria/water/soft drinks included
• lifejacket provided
• dolphin watching as part of the experience

You’re also getting the “sea view payoff” of Los Gigantes and a swim stop. That combination is what makes the price feel reasonable for many people—especially if you don’t want to piece together multiple activities.

The price becomes less of a slam dunk if:

• you want a big gourmet meal
• you’re hoping for lots of drink variety beyond beer/sangria and soft drinks
• you’re hoping for guaranteed whales (again: not possible to guarantee)

I think the best way to judge value is to decide what you want most. If your priority is wildlife time plus a real swimming break, this hits those boxes. If your priority is food quality or lots of entertainment, bring extra expectations—or extra snacks.

Who This Tour Fits Best

This is a good fit if you:

• want a low-effort, half-day plan
• care about pilot whale and dolphin chances
• like seeing Tenerife’s cliffs from the water
• enjoy simple onboard comfort (deck time, swim time, included drinks)

It can be less ideal if you:

• need specific dietary meals and don’t want to gamble on a fixed lunch
• hate any chance of crowding
• expect staff to run a constant commentary show

This is also a nice choice for people who don’t want to commit to a full-day excursion. Four hours is a sweet spot for a lot of itineraries, and your afternoon stays flexible.

Should You Book the Freebird Catamaran to Masca?

I’d book this if your goal is a classic Tenerife sea day: cliffs, sunshine, a swim, and a real attempt at dolphin and pilot whale spotting. The included lunch and drinks make it feel like a complete outing rather than a pricey “just get on a boat” ticket.

I’d hesitate if your top priority is a standout meal or very high-touch service throughout. The food is included, but multiple experiences describe it as basic. Wildlife sightings are also never guaranteed, so you’ll enjoy it most if you go in ready to be happy with the sea views even on a slower wildlife day.

FAQ

How long is the catamaran cruise to Masca?

The duration is about 4 hours.

What’s included in the ticket price?

The experience includes the catamaran cruise, lunch, beer, sangria, water, soft drinks, a lifejacket, and dolphin watching.

Is pickup available from the south of Tenerife?

Yes, pickup is offered.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 11:20 am.

Are alcoholic drinks included, and is there an age limit?

Beer and sangria are included. Alcoholic beverages are available only for adults over 18 years old.

What’s the maximum group size?

The tour has a maximum of 30 travelers.

Can I cancel and get a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid will not be refunded.

If you want, tell me where you’re staying (Las Américas, Los Cristianos, Costa Adeje, or elsewhere) and whether you’re traveling as a couple or with kids—I can suggest the best time to do this and what to pack for the swim stop.