Exclusive Freebird Catamaran Whale & Dolphin to Masca From South

The Atlantic puts on the show here. This four-hour catamaran trip from Porto Colon pairs dolphin and pilot whale watching with views of Tenerife’s volcanic coast, Los Gigantes cliffs, and Masca Bay. I like the open-air setting and the chance to swim from the boat, and I also like that lunch, soft drinks, beer, and sangria are included. The main caution is that the food and drinks may be more basic than the polished all-inclusive wording suggests.

The cruise starts at 11:20 am and carries no more than 30 people, at least in the stated group limit. That is more manageable than a huge excursion boat, but the free bar can still get crowded. You may see dolphins and pilot whales, but wildlife never follows a schedule, so book this for the sea time and scenery first, with animal sightings as the prize.

Quick points before you book

• Dolphins and pilot whales are the main attraction: The boat heads into waters known for both, with a chance to watch them in their natural setting.
• Los Gigantes gives the cruise its dramatic backdrop: The towering cliffs are viewed from the water before the boat reaches Masca Bay.
• Masca Bay is the swimming stop: The crew drops anchor so you can cool off in the sea, weather and conditions permitting.
• Lunch and drinks are included: Expect a simple onboard meal, plus water, soft drinks, beer, and sangria.
• The 11:20 am departure shapes your day: Pickup is offered, but confirm the exact arrangements and meeting details when booking.
• The price is fair for a half-day cruise: At $70.98 per person, the value rests on wildlife sightings, swimming, food, and drinks all coming together.

What this Tenerife catamaran trip is really like

This is a relaxed coastal cruise rather than a fast sightseeing ride. You board at Porto Colon, settle onto the catamaran, and spend the next four hours looking out over the Atlantic from a low, open position on the water.

That matters in Tenerife. The south coast is known for dry volcanic slopes, high cliffs, and broad ocean views. From a catamaran, you get a different angle than you would from a road or resort promenade. The boat gives you time to sit in the sun, find shade, and watch the coast pass at a gentle pace.

I would think of the excursion as three experiences joined together: wildlife watching, a scenic cruise toward the Los Gigantes area, and a swim stop near Masca Bay. The balance is good for anyone who wants more than a short boat ride but does not want a full-day sailing trip.

The advertised maximum is 30 people. That is small enough to feel more personal than a large party boat, though the experience can still feel busy when everyone heads for drinks or gathers near the rail for wildlife. Past departures have featured captains and crew members named Luca and Dani, both praised for keeping the trip comfortable and helping guests enjoy the sightings. Crew quality can vary by departure, so I would not treat a particular captain as guaranteed.

Leaving Porto Colon at 11:20 am

The scheduled start is 11:20 am, a useful time if you want a leisurely morning before going to the marina. Pickup is offered, but the supplied details do not specify which hotels or areas are covered. Confirm your pickup point, or your exact meeting place at Porto Colon, before the day of the cruise.

The paper-ticket detail is worth noting. Keep your ticket handy rather than relying only on a phone confirmation. Booking confirmation is provided at the time of purchase, and the operator’s office hours are Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5:15 pm. The office is closed Saturday and Sunday, so last-minute weekend questions may be harder to sort out.

Once onboard, you can use the shaded bar, find a sunny spot, and watch Tenerife recede behind you. Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and a light layer. The boat offers sunbathing and swimming, but the Atlantic can feel cool after you have been sitting in the sun.

Watching dolphins and pilot whales offshore

Wildlife watching is the part everyone hopes will make the trip special. The catamaran sails into waters used by pods of dolphins and pilot whales, and the crew keeps watch for movement on the surface.

Dolphins may appear in groups, sometimes close to the boat and sometimes farther away. Pilot whales are actually large members of the dolphin family, though they look very different from the smaller dolphins you may picture. Their dark bodies and rounded heads make them an impressive sight when they surface.

Several departures have produced sightings of both dolphins and pilot whales. That is the strongest reason to choose this cruise over a simple coastal ride. Still, you should keep your expectations sensible. No operator can promise wild animals at a particular time or distance, and the trip’s value should not depend entirely on getting a perfect photograph.

The crew provides information about the animals as you watch. I like this part because it gives the wildlife a little context instead of turning the trip into a silent search for fins. Keep your eyes on the water, but also listen for announcements about where to look.

A catamaran is well suited to this activity. It offers open views and plenty of room to move between the sun and shade. If you get seasick, stay in a central area of the boat and avoid reading while underway. The listing does not describe seasickness facilities or medication, so bring your own precautions if you need them.

The Los Gigantes cliffs from the water

After the wildlife search, the route continues toward Los Gigantes. The cliffs are one of Tenerife’s most striking coastal sights, rising sharply from the sea and giving the cruise a strong visual center.

From the boat, you see the cliffs without roads, buildings, or viewpoints getting in the way. The scale is easier to appreciate from below. You can take photos, but remember that wide scenes often look smaller on a phone than they feel in person.

This portion of the ride is also when the cruise settles into its most restful rhythm. You can sit under the shade, have a drink, and let the coastline provide the entertainment. The trip is not packed with constant announcements or scheduled activities, which will suit you if you want a calm afternoon on the water.

On the other hand, anyone expecting a tightly timed sightseeing program may find the pace slow. Four hours is a generous amount of time for one coastal route. That is a benefit for people who enjoy sailing, but less so for anyone who wants to see several Tenerife attractions in one day.

Swimming at Masca Bay

The cruise reaches Masca Bay, where the boat anchors for a swim. This is the most active part of the outing and a welcome change after sitting and watching the coast.

You can cool off in the sea and look back toward the cliffs from the water. That view is the point of the stop. It is not the same as visiting Masca Valley by road, and this excursion does not take you into the valley on foot. You are seeing the coastal setting associated with Masca from the bay.

Swimming depends on sea and weather conditions, so do not regard it as an absolute guarantee. Bring swimwear under your clothes if that makes changing easier, and keep your belongings secure while you are in the water. The included lifejacket is useful for anyone who is not a confident swimmer, though the supplied information does not describe how long the swim lasts or whether flotation equipment beyond lifejackets is provided.

This stop makes the trip feel more like a holiday outing than a sightseeing transfer. You are not simply looking at Tenerife from a deck. You get the chance to enter the Atlantic, then return to the boat for food and drinks.

Lunch, drinks, and what to expect from the bar

Lunch is included, along with beer, sangria, water, and soft drinks. Alcohol is available only to adults over 18.

The food should be treated as a basic onboard meal, not a restaurant lunch. Previous portions have included a small roll with ham and cheese, and one account described hot food that was acceptable but not memorable. If you do not eat meat, or if you need a special diet, ask before booking. The supplied information does not promise vegetarian, vegan, or allergy-friendly options.

The drinks are also simple. You may find beer, sangria, bottled water, cola, and other soft drinks rather than a full bar. Some people have found the servings small, and the bar area can be crowded when many people go for drinks at once. I would collect what you need when service is available and keep water nearby, especially during the sunny part of the cruise.

This does not make the inclusions worthless. Buying a meal and several drinks separately on a four-hour boat trip could add up quickly. The issue is expectation. At $70.98, the food and drinks help the price make sense, but they are conveniences, not the reason to book.

Is $70.98 good value?

At $70.98 per person, this is priced as a mid-range half-day excursion. You are paying for a catamaran cruise, wildlife searching, a scenic route toward Los Gigantes and Masca Bay, lunch, drinks, and a swim stop.

The value is strongest when you use every part of the trip. If you see dolphins and pilot whales, enjoy the cliffs, swim, eat onboard, and have a few drinks, the price feels reasonable. You also avoid arranging separate transport, food, and a boat ride.

The value is weaker if you mainly want guaranteed whale photographs or a substantial meal. Wildlife remains unpredictable, and lunch may be only a small roll or simple hot dish. I would compare it with the cost of a shorter whale-watching cruise, but remember that this outing adds swimming, scenery, and refreshments.

The limited group size helps. A maximum of 30 people is not private, yet it should be easier to move around and find a good viewing spot than on a much larger boat. The actual feel depends on how full the departure is and how the group uses the deck.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it to couples, families, and solo visitors who want an easy half-day on the sea. It suits people who enjoy a mix of quiet sailing, wildlife, a swim, and casual food rather than a formal guided tour.

It is also a good choice if you are staying in southern Tenerife and want to see the coast from a new angle. The included pickup may make the outing easier, though you should confirm the exact pickup area before paying.

Families can take part because most people can participate, and lifejackets are included. Alcohol is restricted to adults over 18, as expected. The information does not list age limits, child prices, stroller arrangements, or detailed accessibility provisions, so ask the operator if any of those points matter to your group.

I would hesitate to recommend it to someone who dislikes open-water motion, needs a guaranteed special meal, or wants a luxury sailing service. The tone is casual and the catering is modest. You are buying a pleasant day at sea, not a high-end yacht charter.

Booking, cancellation, and small practical details

The tour is generally booked about 18 days ahead, which suggests that planning early is sensible during busy periods. Confirmation arrives when you book, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time.

If you cancel less than 24 hours before departure, you will not receive a refund. Changes inside that same 24-hour window are not accepted. The cut-off uses local Tenerife time, so check the clock carefully if your plans change.

Keep your paper ticket, arrive with time to spare, and confirm the meeting or pickup instructions. Since the office is closed on weekends, do not wait until Saturday morning to solve a booking question.

Should you book the Freebird cruise to Masca?

Book it if you want a balanced four-hour sea outing with several chances to enjoy yourself: dolphins and pilot whales, Los Gigantes cliffs, a swim at Masca Bay, and included refreshments.

Skip it if your main goal is gourmet food, a quiet private boat, or a guaranteed wildlife encounter. The strongest reports praise the animal sightings, the scenery, the swim, and captains such as Luca and Dani. The clearest weaknesses are simple food, limited drinks, and service that may feel less friendly or polished on some departures.

My advice is to judge the trip as a scenic wildlife cruise with a swim, not as a luxury all-inclusive experience. At $70.98, that is a fair deal when you want a relaxed afternoon on Tenerife’s Atlantic coast and can accept a basic lunch and the uncertainty of nature.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start?

The cruise starts from Porto Colon in Tenerife.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 11:20 am.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts approximately four hours.

Can I see dolphins and whales?

The trip sails into waters known for dolphins and pilot whales, but wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included in the tour price.

Which drinks are included?

Included drinks are beer, sangria, water, and soft drinks. Alcohol is available only to adults over 18.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund.