If you want the full package, with transfer, food and unlimited drinks, the Puerto Colón catamaran is the most hassle-free choice. If you'd rather have few people and some peace, the sailing yacht in Los Gigantes is the most polished shared option, with cliffs as a backdrop. And if you're after the cheapest, Travelin' Lady's trip from Los Cristianos costs under €30, but it only runs from October to February.
One thing worth being clear about from the start: a sunset cruise is a scenic trip. You may see pilot whales or dolphins, because they live here all year, but if you want to watch whales and dolphins at your leisure, book a daytime trip.
Our picks
1
Catamaran with everything included
Monte Cristo, from Puerto Colón: 3 h with a free pick-up within 20 km of the port, a buffet of Canarian tapas and unlimited drinks.
GetYourGuide3 hours
Tenerife: Sunset Catamaran Tour with Transfer, Buffet & Drinks
4.7 (957 reviews)
from €64Check availability
2
The cheapest
Travelin' Lady, from Los Cristianos: 1.5 h on a yacht built for whale watching. October to February only, according to the operator.
GetYourGuide1.5 hours
Sunset by Travelin´ Lady: Eco Yacht Whale Watching
4.6 (2,293 reviews)
from €29.90Check availability
3
Private and short
2 h on a boat just for your group as the sun goes down; of the private sunset trips, the one with the lowest starting price.
GetYourGuide2 hours
Tenerife: VIP Private Luxury 2-Hour Sunset Boat Charter
5.0 (26 reviews)
from €350Check availability
What time does a sunset cruise leave?
There's no fixed time: operators set the departure by the sun, which in the south-west shifts by 2 h 50 min between mid-November and the June solstice. A "sunset" boat boarding at 17:00 in December and another boarding at 19:30 in June are equally normal. Check the time on your voucher, not on the general listing.
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 08:00 | 18:33 | 10 h 33 min |
| February | 07:45 | 18:58 | 11 h 13 min |
| March | 07:17 | 19:15 | 11 h 58 min |
| April | 07:42 | 20:32 | 12 h 50 min |
| May | 07:17 | 20:49 | 13 h 32 min |
| June | 07:10 | 21:05 | 13 h 55 min |
| July | 07:20 | 21:05 | 13 h 45 min |
| August | 07:37 | 20:46 | 13 h 09 min |
| September | 07:52 | 20:12 | 12 h 20 min |
| October | 08:07 | 19:38 | 11 h 31 min |
| November | 07:28 | 18:14 | 10 h 46 min |
| December | 07:51 | 18:13 | 10 h 23 min |
Canary Islands local time (the same as the UK, one hour behind mainland Spain), calculated for the south coast in the middle of each month.
These are the sunset times at Puerto Colón, in local time:
| Date | Sunset |
|---|---|
| 15 January | 18:34 |
| 15 March | 19:16 |
| 15 April | 20:33 |
| 21 June | 21:07 |
| 15 August | 20:47 |
| 15 October | 19:39 |
| 15 November | 18:15 |
| 21 December | 18:17 |
The jump between March and April isn't a mistake: the Canary Islands put the clocks forward at the end of March and back at the end of October, on the same dates as the UK, whose clock they share. After sunset there are 22 to 26 minutes of light left (civil twilight): if the boat gets back just as the sun goes down, you'll see that last half-hour from the harbour.
What's on offer and what it costs
| Boat | Port | Duration | Includes | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monte Cristo (catamaran) | Puerto Colón, pontoon 6 | 3 h | transfer, tapas buffet, unlimited drinks | from €64 |
| Travelin' Lady (yacht) | Los Cristianos | 1.5 h | October to February only | from €29.90 |
| Third Element (sailing yacht) | Los Gigantes | 2–3 h | drinks and nibbles | €75 adult / €60 child |
| Third Element private | Los Gigantes | on request | boat for up to 10 | €650 for the boat |
| Private boats on the platforms | south of the island | 2–3 h | depends on the listing | from €350 |
The Puerto Colón catamaran
Monte Cristo runs a 3-hour trip with three crew, a buffet of local tapas, fruit and sweets, and unlimited alcoholic and soft drinks. The pick-up is free within 20 km of the port, which covers Costa Adeje, Las Américas and Los Cristianos. The catamaran looks for whales first and then heads back to port as the sun goes down. It's the option for anyone who wants to leave everything to someone else: no car, no dinner and no drinks to sort out.
The Los Gigantes sailing yacht
Third Element sails a 14 m yacht with 10 people at most: €75 for adults (13 and over) and €60 for children, with drinks and something to nibble. The operator itself warns that it is "not a pure whale-watching trip". The appeal lies elsewhere: few people, the sun dropping over the sea and the cliffs behind you. Prices and bookings on its website. With little wind in the south, much of the trip will probably be under motor.
The Los Cristianos yacht
Travelin' Lady has a 1.5-hour sunset trip, the cheapest on this page, but only from October to February (season and times on travelinladytenerife.es). If you book on a platform, make sure your date falls within those months. On its daytime trip drinks aren't included, so take water just in case.
Whales at sunset: what to expect
Short-finned pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins live in the south-west all year, so you might see them on an evening trip. But the route is planned to be in the right spot when the sun goes down, not to spend time with the animals. The rules are the same at any hour: a minimum distance of 60 m and 30 minutes at most near them.
If whales and dolphins are what matters to you, go out in the morning and watch the sunset from dry land. Species, ports and months are in whale and dolphin watching.
Which port has the best view
The whole south-west coast faces west, towards the open sea and La Gomera, so from all three ports you'll see the sun drop into the water. The difference is in the surroundings.
- Puerto Colón (Costa Adeje): the most convenient if you're staying in Costa Adeje or Playa de las Américas, and the port for the catamarans with transfers.
- Los Cristianos: short trips and an easy-to-find harbour (the Excursion Zone: follow the blue line on the ground). More about the area in Los Cristianos.
- Los Gigantes: the most dramatic scenery, with cliffs up to 600 m high, and the port with the worst parking. The operators ask you to arrive an hour early. All about the town in Los Gigantes.
Private sunset boat
For a proposal, an anniversary or a group of friends, having a boat to yourselves changes the experience. The clearest verified price is Third Element's: €650 for a private sunset sail for up to 10 people, which is €65 a head with a full boat, less than the shared trip. On the platforms there are private 2- to 3-hour boats from €350.
Before you pay, ask what the price includes (drinks, food, transfer) and how many people it takes. More options and details under private boat hire with a skipper, and ideas for your trip in Tenerife for couples.
GetYourGuide3 hours
Tenerife: Sunset Catamaran Tour with Transfer, Buffet & Drinks
4.7 (957 reviews)
from €64Check availability
GetYourGuide1.5 hours
Sunset by Travelin´ Lady: Eco Yacht Whale Watching
4.6 (2,293 reviews)
from €29.90Check availability
GetYourGuide2 hours
Tenerife: VIP Private Luxury 2-Hour Sunset Boat Charter
5.0 (26 reviews)
from €350Check availability
GetYourGuide2 hours
Tenerife: Private Sunset Charter with Drinks and Tapas
4.9 (12 reviews)
from €410Check availability
GetYourGuide2 hours
Tenerife: Private Luxury Yacht Sunset Cruise
5.0 (8 reviews)
from €765Check availability
GetYourGuide1.5 hours
Spectacular Sunset Cruise in Tenerife: A Magical Experience
5.0 (1 reviews)
from €95Check availability
See all options on GetYourGuide →
Practical tips
- Wrap up. By the time you're heading back the sun has set and it feels cool out at sea. Tenerife Sailing Charters puts a jacket on its what-to-bring list, and rightly so.
- Seasickness. If you're prone to it, a catamaran is better than a sailing yacht: the listing for Tenerife Sailing Charters' yacht advises against it for anyone who gets seasick. Take your remedy before you board.
- Get there early. In Los Gigantes, an hour early because of the parking; elsewhere, 15–30 minutes. If you're late, the boat won't wait or give you your money back.
- The weather. If the operator cancels because of rough seas, you'll usually be offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel free of charge up to 24 h before on most trips.
To see how the other trips in the south fit together, have a look at our boat trips guide.
What time does a sunset cruise leave in Tenerife?
It depends on the month. The sun sets at around 18:15 in mid-November and at 21:07 at the June solstice, and the boats set their departure by that. The exact time is on your voucher.
How much does a sunset boat trip in Tenerife cost?
From €29.90 for Travelin' Lady's 1.5-hour trip (October to February), from €64 for the 3-hour catamaran with transfer and open bar in Puerto Colón, and €75 for the shared sailing yacht in Los Gigantes. A private boat starts at about €350.
Will I see whales on a sunset cruise?
You might, because pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins live in the south-west all year, but these are scenic trips. If whale watching is your priority, choose a daytime excursion.
Which month is best for a sunset boat trip?
Any: the sun sets over the sea all year round. In winter the boat leaves mid-afternoon and you're back in time for dinner; in summer the sun goes down after 21:00 and you return in the dark.
What should I take on a sunset cruise?
A jacket or sweatshirt for the way back, sun cream, sunglasses and, if you get seasick, a remedy taken before you board. If drinks aren't included, take water.
