Not everyone who wants a day on the Atlantic wants a rod in their hands. These are the trips where the ocean itself is the point — the light, the cliffs, the water, and whatever surfaces alongside.
The Trips
- [Sunset cruise and proposals](/boat-tours/sunset/) — the golden hour off the south-west coast, with La Gomera on the horizon. The quietest sea of the day, and the one people choose when the occasion matters.
- [Private or group tour?](/boat-tours/private-vs-group/) — what you actually gain by taking the whole boat, and when a shared departure is the smarter spend.
What You See Out There
The water off South Tenerife holds resident pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins year-round, with seasonal visitors passing through the channel between Tenerife and La Gomera. Sightings are common but never promised — they are wild animals, and any operator who guarantees them is selling something. Our whale and dolphin season guide sets out what is resident and what is seasonal.
The coastline does its own work: the Costa Adeje beaches, the volcanic shelf, and the Los Gigantes cliffs rising 500 metres straight out of the sea.
Choosing Between a Tour and a Charter
A boat tour is time-boxed and priced per trip. A yacht charter is priced per boat and shaped around your group — worth it once the headcount or the occasion justifies it. If someone in the group wants to fish, a private fishing charter covers both, since nobody is obliged to hold a rod.
FAQ
Where do boat tours depart from?
Puerto Colón marina in South Tenerife, a short taxi ride from most Costa Adeje and Los Cristianos hotels. Confirm your meeting point and time when you book — it varies by trip.
Will we see whales or dolphins?
Often, but never guaranteed. Resident pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins live in this stretch of water year-round, which makes encounters likely rather than certain.
Are boat tours suitable for children?
Generally yes, and the sheltered south coast helps. Trip length and sea state matter more than age — see our guide to fishing and boating with kids.
Can we book a boat tour for a proposal or a birthday?
Yes. Sunset departures are the usual choice for proposals; for larger celebrations see birthdays on a yacht.