Puerto de la Cruz Cruises and Boat Tours
Puerto de la Cruz cruises and boat tours are best understood as Tenerife boat experiences available to travelers staying in the north of the island rather than as a large collection of cruises leaving directly from the Puerto de la Cruz waterfront.
The strongest options usually involve transport to Tenerife’s south or west coast, where the island’s main whale-watching and excursion ports are located. From Puerto de la Cruz you can book whale and dolphin trips with hotel pickup, longer Los Gigantes and Masca cruises, a submarine experience in southern Tenerife or a full-day La Gomera excursion that includes the ferry from Los Cristianos.
The most important booking decision is therefore not simply which boat you prefer. You need to check where the vessel actually leaves from, whether transport from Puerto de la Cruz is included, how long the road transfer adds to the day and whether you want wildlife, dramatic coastal scenery, an underwater experience or an island excursion.
EuroAquaTours helps you choose the Puerto de la Cruz boat trip that best fits your preferred experience, available time and tolerance for travelling from northern Tenerife to the island’s main departure ports.
Quick Verdict
For most first-time visitors staying in Puerto de la Cruz, choose a whale and dolphin watching trip that includes transport from northern Tenerife. This gives you access to the southwest coast where Tenerife’s main whale-watching routes operate without requiring you to organize a separate long drive to the departure port.
A longer whale-watching route that also reaches Los Gigantes and Masca is particularly attractive when you are comfortable turning the excursion into a substantial day out. Choose the submarine trip when seeing marine life underwater appeals more than spending several hours on an open boat, or choose La Gomera when visiting another Canary Island is more important than the boat journey itself.
For island-wide route planning, see our Tenerife Cruises and Boat Tours guide. If the Los Gigantes cliffs are one of your main priorities, compare the dedicated Los Gigantes Cruises and Boat Tours hub.
Good to know: Do not assume that “pickup in Puerto de la Cruz” means the boat leaves from Puerto de la Cruz. Many of the strongest bookable water experiences collect guests in the north and transfer them by road to Puerto Colón, Los Cristianos, Los Gigantes or another southern departure point. Check both the pickup location and the actual port before booking.
Start Here: Find and Book Your Puerto de la Cruz Boat Trip
Use the live options below to review current availability, pickup arrangements, actual boat departure ports, total duration, routes and included transfers before choosing your trip.
Good tour types to explore: whale and dolphin watching with north transfer, Los Gigantes and Masca cruises, La Gomera ferry day trips and submarine experiences with Puerto de la Cruz pickup.
Not Sure Which Puerto de la Cruz Boat Trip to Book?
If this is your first visit and seeing whales and dolphins is one of your priorities, start with a southwest Tenerife whale-watching cruise that includes pickup from Puerto de la Cruz. It solves the main logistical problem of staying on the opposite side of the island from the major whale-watching ports.
Choose a longer Los Gigantes and Masca route when dramatic cliffs, a swim stop and more time at sea appeal to you. Choose the submarine experience if you prefer observing marine life from inside a vessel rather than from an open deck. Choose La Gomera when your priority is exploring another island and you are comfortable with a long full-day excursion.
If you would rather travel independently to a major departure port and choose from a wider selection of local cruises, review our Los Cristianos Cruises and Boat Tours guide.
Best Puerto de la Cruz Boat Trips at a Glance
- Best overall boat experience: whale watching with Los Gigantes, lunch and swimming
- Best for wildlife and scenery: southwest Tenerife whale and dolphin cruise
- Best unusual marine experience: submarine trip with Puerto de la Cruz pickup
- Best island day trip: guided La Gomera excursion with ferry
- Best if you can travel independently: start directly from Los Gigantes
- Best overall timing: whale watching is possible year-round, while weather and individual tour schedules still matter
Puerto de la Cruz Boat Trip Departure Guide
The Most Important Thing to Know Before Booking
Puerto de la Cruz is a very useful accommodation base for northern Tenerife, but it is not one of the island’s main whale-watching departure ports.
The main boat experience may begin after a significant road transfer. A listing can say “Puerto de la Cruz” because pickup is available there even though the actual vessel departs from Puerto Colón, Los Cristianos, Los Gigantes or another marina in southern Tenerife.
This does not make the excursion a poor choice. It simply means the total experience should be evaluated as hotel pickup + transfer + boat tour + return transfer, not only by the advertised time spent onboard.
Puerto Colón, Los Gigantes, Los Cristianos or the Submarine: Which Should You Choose?
Choose according to what you want to experience, then check whether transport from Puerto de la Cruz is included. The actual departure port determines the route much more than the location of your hotel.
| Departure / Experience | Best For | Typical Experience | What to Check | Next Step |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puerto Colón / Costa Adeje | Whale watching with broad tour choice | Pilot whales, dolphins, longer coastal routes, swimming and some Los Gigantes trips | North pickup, transfer time, cruise duration, lunch and swim stop | Check availability |
| Los Gigantes | Cliffs, Masca and shorter access to western scenery | Whale watching beneath giant cliffs with routes toward Masca Bay | Whether pickup from Puerto de la Cruz is offered or you must reach the port independently | Explore Los Gigantes tours |
| Los Cristianos | Whale watching and La Gomera ferry trips | South-coast wildlife cruises or ferry crossing to San Sebastián de La Gomera | Pickup point, ferry documentation, transfer time and total day length | Explore Los Cristianos tours |
| La Gomera ferry excursion | Island sightseeing | Ferry crossing plus a full bus tour of La Gomera | Pickup, passport or ID, ferry port, lunch and return time | Check availability |
| Southern Tenerife submarine | Underwater viewing without swimming | Road transfer, submarine dive and additional free time in southern Tenerife | Pickup, full excursion duration, dive duration and accessibility | Check availability |
Simple rule: Choose a whale-watching trip with north transfer for the easiest first boat experience, Los Gigantes when cliffs and Masca are your priority, La Gomera for a full island day and the submarine when underwater viewing appeals more than an open-sea cruise.
Best Boat Experiences From Puerto de la Cruz
Best Overall: Whale Watching With North Transfer
For most visitors staying in Puerto de la Cruz, this is the most useful way to access Tenerife’s major whale-watching zone without arranging a rental car, parking or a separate transfer to the south.
Longer routes can combine whale and dolphin watching with the Los Gigantes cliffs, Masca Bay, swimming and lunch, making the road journey worthwhile when you want the boat trip to be one of the main activities of the day.
Best for: First-time visitors, wildlife lovers, families and travelers without a rental car.
What to check: Whether Puerto de la Cruz pickup is included for your selected date, actual departure port, pickup time, onboard duration and expected return time.
Best for Scenery: Los Gigantes and Masca
A longer western Tenerife route combines marine wildlife with some of the island’s most dramatic coastal scenery. The cliffs of Los Gigantes and a possible swim stop around Masca make this a much broader experience than a short whale safari.
Best for: Travelers who want wildlife, cliffs and swimming in the same excursion.
What to check: North transfer, exact port, total transfer time, swim stop and whether lunch or drinks are included.
Best Underwater Experience: Tenerife Submarine
The submarine excursion is useful when you want to experience marine life without spending the trip standing on an open deck or entering the water. The vessel descends beneath the surface in southern Tenerife while passengers watch through large viewing windows.
Best for: Families, non-swimmers and travelers looking for something different from a normal sightseeing cruise.
What to check: Pickup location, total seven-hour-style excursion commitment, submarine dive time, accessibility and the additional beach or free-time element.
Best Island Day Trip: La Gomera
A La Gomera excursion is a very different choice because the ferry is transportation to another island rather than the main sightseeing experience. After crossing from Los Cristianos to San Sebastián, the day normally continues by road through La Gomera.
Best for: Travelers wanting another Canary Island, landscapes, villages and Garajonay National Park.
What to check: Puerto de la Cruz pickup availability, early start, identity documents, ferry conditions and the long overall duration.
Best With Your Own Car: Depart Directly From Los Gigantes
If you are already renting a car and do not mind driving across Tenerife, booking directly from Los Gigantes can remove the long multi-hotel transfer and gives you access to several shorter boat formats close to the cliffs.
Best for: Independent travelers, road trips and visitors who want more control over their schedule.
What to check: Driving time, parking, check-in time and whether the savings are worth giving up an included transfer.
Best for Wider Choice: Depart From Los Cristianos
Los Cristianos is another useful southern base if you are prepared to travel independently. It has dedicated whale-watching departures and is the key ferry gateway for La Gomera.
Best for: Travelers combining a boat trip with southern Tenerife or a La Gomera crossing.
What to check: Driving or bus logistics, parking, boat departure time and whether your selected experience already includes north pickup.
EuroAquaTours Puerto de la Cruz Cruise Finder
Want Whales and Dolphins?
Choose a south or west Tenerife whale-watching cruise with north pickup. Check that Puerto de la Cruz is included in the transfer zone for your selected departure.
Want Los Gigantes Too?
Choose a longer whale-watching route that continues toward the cliffs and Masca rather than a short two-hour wildlife cruise.
Traveling With Children?
Compare a larger catamaran with included transport against the submarine excursion. The right choice depends on whether your family prefers several hours at sea or underwater viewing from an enclosed vessel.
Want to Visit Another Island?
Choose La Gomera. Treat it as a full-day island excursion with a ferry component rather than as a conventional cruise.
Have a Rental Car?
Consider driving directly to Los Gigantes or Los Cristianos. This can give you more departure choices and avoids waiting through multiple hotel pickups.
Only Want a Short Local Boat Ride?
Puerto de la Cruz currently has much weaker direct tourist-boat inventory than Tenerife’s south and west. If a short local departure is essential, check current live inventory carefully before assuming one will be available.
Compare Puerto de la Cruz Cruises and Boat Tours
| Experience | Best For | Typical Format | What to Check | Next Step |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whale watching with north transfer | Best overall boat choice | Hotel pickup, south-coast departure, wildlife watching and return transfer | Pickup zone, actual port, total duration and wildlife policy | Check availability |
| Los Gigantes and Masca cruise | Wildlife plus scenery | Longer whale-watching route with cliffs, swimming and lunch on selected trips | Transfer time, swim stop, food and return time | Check availability |
| Submarine excursion | Families and underwater viewing | North pickup, road transfer, submarine dive and southern Tenerife free time | Full-day duration, dive time, pickup and mobility requirements | Check availability |
| La Gomera ferry day trip | Island exploration | Transfer to Los Cristianos, ferry and guided La Gomera land tour | ID, pickup, ferry crossing, lunch and return time | Check availability |
| Independent south/west departure | Rental-car travelers | Drive to Los Gigantes, Los Cristianos or another port and book locally | Parking, check-in time, route and cancellation policy | Check current options |
Before booking: Check both your pickup point and the boat’s actual departure port, plus transfer time, onboard duration, wildlife policy, swim stops, lunch or drinks, accessibility and expected return time. For a wider pre-booking checklist, see our Boat Tour Booking Guide.
Planning Tips for Boat Trips From Puerto de la Cruz
Check Pickup and Port Separately
This is the single most important booking check. Puerto de la Cruz may be your hotel pickup point while your vessel is more than an hour away on another part of Tenerife.
Allow Time for Multiple Hotel Pickups
Shared transfers may collect passengers from several hotels. The road portion of the excursion can therefore take longer than a direct drive to the departure port.
Do Not Schedule a Tight Evening Plan
A four- or five-hour cruise can become a much longer door-to-door excursion once north-to-south transport is included. Leave a buffer before dinner reservations or another fixed activity.
Take Motion Sickness Seriously
The road crossing and Atlantic boat ride can both involve movement. Travelers who are prone to motion sickness should consider the full journey, not only the time at sea.
Choose Responsible Whale Watching
Look for authorized whale-watching operators that follow Tenerife’s cetacean-protection rules. Wildlife should be observed rather than chased, touched, fed or treated as guaranteed entertainment.
Consider Going Directly to the Port
If you have a rental car, compare the convenience of included transport with booking directly from Los Gigantes or Los Cristianos. Direct departure can give you more control over the rest of your day.
Best Time for Puerto de la Cruz Cruises and Boat Tours
Tenerife’s southwest waters support resident pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins, which makes whale watching possible throughout the year. For Puerto de la Cruz travelers, the bigger practical variables are sea conditions, pickup schedules, daylight and how much of the day you want to devote to crossing the island.
January to March
Winter is still a realistic period for whale watching and Tenerife’s mild climate keeps boat excursions active. Bring an extra layer for the water and check conditions before a long transfer to the south.
April to June
Spring combines pleasant temperatures with strong wildlife potential. Resident cetaceans remain present, while other species can also pass through Tenerife’s waters during different parts of the year.
July to September
Summer provides long daylight and works particularly well for trips combining whale watching with Los Gigantes, swimming and Masca Bay. Popular excursions and north-transfer capacity can fill earlier during busy travel periods.
October to December
Autumn and early winter remain viable for wildlife and submarine trips. Weather and sea conditions should still be checked, and individual transfer or ferry schedules can vary around holidays.
Who Are Puerto de la Cruz Boat Trips Best For?
This destination works especially well for travelers who prefer staying in northern Tenerife but still want access to the island’s major marine experiences.
- Travelers staying in northern Tenerife Transfer-inclusive tours solve the problem of being far from the main whale-watching ports.
- First-time whale watchers Tenerife’s southwest waters support resident pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins, creating year-round wildlife-watching opportunities.
- Travelers without a rental car Hotel pickup can make a long cross-island journey much easier than combining public transport with a fixed boat departure.
- Families Larger catamarans and the submarine experience provide two very different family-friendly approaches to seeing marine life.
- Scenery lovers Longer routes toward Los Gigantes combine wildlife with towering cliffs and the Masca coastline.
- Island explorers La Gomera day trips allow you to use Puerto de la Cruz as a base while adding another Canary Island to your itinerary.
- Couples Longer wildlife cruises can combine scenery, swimming and relaxed time onboard, while private or smaller boats are easier to find when traveling directly to southern ports.
- Travelers building a wider Canary Islands trip Puerto de la Cruz fits naturally into a wider Canary Islands Cruises and Boat Tours itinerary.
Which Tenerife Boat Experience Fits Your Trip Best?
Puerto de la Cruz remains a useful base even when the boat leaves elsewhere. The right choice depends on whether convenience, wildlife, scenery, island exploration or underwater viewing matters most.
- Choose a whale-watching trip with north transfer for convenience This is the strongest starting point when you do not want to arrange your own journey to southern Tenerife.
- Choose Los Gigantes for cliffs, Masca and wildlife Longer western routes provide a stronger scenery component than a short whale-only trip.
- Choose Los Cristianos when you want more departure choice The port is useful for whale cruises and is also the ferry gateway to La Gomera.
- Choose La Gomera when another island is the priority The ferry is an important part of the day, but most of the sightseeing takes place on land after arrival.
- Choose the submarine when underwater viewing matters more than cruising This is a completely different experience and can work particularly well for non-swimmers and families.
- Choose an independent southern departure when flexibility matters Travelers with a car can often choose from a much wider boat inventory by reaching the port themselves.
Related EuroAquaTours Guides
Continue planning with related Tenerife, Canary Islands and wildlife-cruise guides.
Frequently Asked Questions About Puerto de la Cruz Cruises and Boat Tours
Do whale-watching boats leave directly from Puerto de la Cruz?
Puerto de la Cruz is not one of Tenerife’s main whale-watching departure ports. Many tours available to travelers staying there include road transport to a port on the south or west coast before the boat trip begins. Always check the actual departure port.
Can you go whale watching from Puerto de la Cruz?
Yes. Whale-watching excursions can include hotel or meeting-point pickup from Puerto de la Cruz and transfer you to the southwest Tenerife departure area. This is usually the easiest option for visitors staying in the north without a rental car.
Where do Tenerife whale-watching boats usually leave from?
Major departure areas include Puerto Colón in Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos and Los Gigantes. Individual operators and routes use different ports, so verify the meeting and boarding instructions for your exact booking.
What is the best boat trip from Puerto de la Cruz?
For most first-time visitors, a whale and dolphin watching excursion with included north transfer is the strongest choice. A longer route reaching Los Gigantes and Masca is especially useful when you want wildlife, cliffs and swimming in one day.
How long does a whale-watching trip take from Puerto de la Cruz?
The boat itself may last several hours, but the complete excursion can take much longer because Puerto de la Cruz is on the opposite side of Tenerife from the main southwest departure ports. Check the pickup and estimated return times rather than looking only at cruise duration.
Can you see whales and dolphins all year in Tenerife?
Yes. Tenerife has resident populations including short-finned pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins in its southwest waters, making whale and dolphin watching possible throughout the year. Wildlife is still wild, so a specific sighting should not be treated as guaranteed.
Can you visit Los Gigantes by boat from Puerto de la Cruz?
You can book excursions available with northern pickup that travel by road to a southern or western port before cruising toward Los Gigantes. If you have your own transport, another option is to drive directly to Los Gigantes and board there.
Can you visit La Gomera from Puerto de la Cruz?
Yes. Organized full-day excursions can collect visitors in Tenerife and continue to Los Cristianos, where the ferry crosses to San Sebastián de La Gomera. Most of the day is then spent touring La Gomera by road.
Does the ferry to La Gomera leave from Puerto de la Cruz?
No. The standard Tenerife to La Gomera ferry route used by these excursions leaves from Los Cristianos in southern Tenerife. A Puerto de la Cruz booking can therefore include a road transfer before the ferry crossing.
Is the submarine trip actually in Puerto de la Cruz?
No. The Puerto de la Cruz version includes pickup from northern Tenerife, but the submarine operates from Marina San Miguel in southern Tenerife. The full excursion can also include free time in the south.
Is it better to book a transfer or drive to the boat myself?
Choose included transport when convenience matters and you do not want to manage a long cross-island drive. Driving yourself can be better when you want a wider choice of departure times, plan to explore southern Tenerife afterwards or dislike lengthy shared hotel pickups.
Are Puerto de la Cruz boat trips suitable for families?
Many transfer-inclusive whale cruises and the submarine experience can work well for families. Check total door-to-door duration, child age rules, toilets, shade, stroller or wheelchair access and motion-sickness considerations before booking.
What should I bring on a whale-watching excursion?
Bring sun protection, water, comfortable clothing and an extra layer for the boat. If you are prone to motion sickness, consider appropriate precautions before both the road transfer and the Atlantic cruise.
How can I choose a responsible whale-watching tour?
Use an authorized operator that follows Tenerife’s whale-watching rules. Boats should keep appropriate distance, reduce speed around animals and limit observation time rather than chasing or surrounding cetaceans.
Final Recommendation
For most first-time visitors staying in Puerto de la Cruz, choose a whale and dolphin watching excursion that explicitly includes north-Tenerife pickup. It gives you access to the island’s strongest marine-wildlife area without requiring you to organize a long journey to the departure port yourself.
Choose a longer Los Gigantes and Masca route when cliffs, swimming and more time at sea are worth the additional commitment. Choose the submarine for underwater viewing, or La Gomera when exploring another island matters more than having a traditional boat-tour day.
Before paying, confirm the Puerto de la Cruz pickup point, actual port of departure, total door-to-door duration, onboard time, wildlife policy, food or swim inclusions and expected return time.
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