Tenerife is one of the most popular cruise destinations in the world, and it’s easy to see why.
With its year round sunshine, beautiful beaches and huge variety of natural landscapes, it’s an island that offers something for everyone.
I love Tenerife because you can tan on a beach in the morning, discover cute historical towns in the afternoon, and watch the Milky Way from the top of a 3,715m high volcano at night.
Few places offer that kind of variety in such small distances!
When P&O Cruises asked me to help them showcase all the amazing shore experiences that you can do on a cruise to Tenerife, I couldn’t have been more thrilled.
We didn’t do a cruise, but we spent five days on the island, trying out all the amazing shore excursions they offer.
If you’re planning a Canary Islands cruise, but aren’t sure what to expect once you arrive on land, this is the guide for you!
I have outlined all the best tours you can do once you arrive in Tenerife, including some logistics about the P&O shore experiences.
So without further ado, let’s dive in and discover the best shore experiences you can do in Tenerife, as part of a P&O Canary Islands cruise!
Table of Contents
About P&O Cruises to the Canary Islands & Tenerife
P&O Cruises is the most popular cruise lines in Britain, and it’s easy to see why. They have a variety of ships, which all offer the best of modern British cruising, but each ship is unique and has something different to offer.
Cruises are a great way to see a variety of different places, to get a taste for different cultures, while also travelling in style, thanks to all the comforts that cruise ships provide.
If you want to do a cruise to the Canary Islands, P&O Cruises offers a cruise starting in Southampton, as well as the new Fly-Canaries Cruises starting in October 2024.
On a Fly-Canaries Cruise you will fly to the Canary Islands, and start your cruise there, thus maximising your time in the sun!
After all, Tenerife is one most popular winter sun destinations in Europe for a reason. Here you will find warm weather and sunshine all year round; the perfect climate for all the exciting things to do on this island!
Click here to learn more about the Fly-Canaries Cruises by P&O Cruises!
12 epic shore excursions in Tenerife
Sea kayaking at Los Gigantes cliffs
Tenerife is famous for its water sports scene, but it’s not just about surfing and windsurfing, it’s also an incredible place to go kayaking!
Los Gigantes (or “The Giants”) is a series of cliffs on the coast of Tenerife, which reach up to 400 metres in height. It’s an imposing natural spectacle, and one of the best ways to admire it is by kayak.
We started our kayaking tour from Puerto de Santiago, the town just next to Los Gigantes cliffs. There are a variety of different tours, all of varying lengths, but the one we did was two hours.
I found this was enough to get a feeling for this incredible experience, without it getting too long or getting tired from the kayaking.
In two hours you will do a loop starting from the harbour, and kayaking all the way below these imposing cliffs. Paddling on your kayak, looking up at these 400m high cliffs, sure has a way to make you feel small.
It’s also a great activity for bird spotting fans, as the cliffs are covered with seagull nests! You can see them flying over the cliffs, and hear their cries as they accompany you on your kayaking experience.
Catamaran adventure & Whale watching
Did you know Tenerife was the first Whale Heritage Site in Europe? It goes without saying that it’s an incredible place to go whale and dolphin watching.
Here you’re pretty much guaranteed to see whales at any time of year, which makes it perfect for these catamaran tours.
We did the half day shore experience on board a spacious and luxurious catamaran, setting off from Puerto Colon in Costa Adeje.
The tour started off with a swimming stop at Playa Diego Hernandez, where we were served a tasty paella for lunch.
From there we then started the whale spotting part of the cruise!
The captain sailed us to the protected part of the sea, where he knew it was most likely to spot them, and we soon saw our first pod of pilot whales.
You obviously can’t get too close to the whales so as to not disturb them, but from the comfort of your catamaran you’ll be able to see them swimming past, their fins occasionally poking out of the water.
If you want to see whales and dolphins, this shore experience is the best way to do so, thanks to how likely it is to spot them in Tenerife.
Before boarding we were told there was a 99% to see whales and 60% to see dolphins, which are pretty good odds if you ask me!
Jet Ski safari & beach time
Another fun water-based experience you can do in Tenerife is a jet ski safari. Starting in Puerto Colon, you will board your jet ski and embark on a safari along the coastline of Tenerife.
You will have the option of choosing whether you want a single or double jet ski. This is ideal because, if like me you don’t want to drive the jet ski, you can still experience it as a passenger.
The tour lasts around 2 hours, and the exact distance travelled will depend on the group and how fast the jet skis are being driven.
Regardless of where you get to, you’re guaranteed to enjoy an adrenaline rush and thrilling experience!
You will whizz by the coast of Tenerife, enjoying the view of the mountains and fancy resorts dotted along the coast, and maybe even do a quick swim stop during the tour!
This is a half-day shore experience, so you could pair it with another activity in the south of Tenerife, like whale watching or kayaking.
The Water Kingdom: Siam Park
This one is a bit different as it isn’t exactly an organised tour. Through the new system “Musement”, you can purchase entry tickets to Siam Park, the biggest waterpark in Europe, at a competitive price.
There won’t be an organised shuttle bus so you will have to make your own way there from the Tenerife cruise terminal.
This gives you considerably more freedom than the standard organised tours, as you can go and come back at the time you want, without having to wait for the rest of a group.
Siam Park offers loads of different types of rides, both scary and relaxing, both for adults and for children. It’s a very fun way to spend a day, and especially if you’re on a family cruise, the children are sure to love it!
One thing you can do to make your time at Siam Park more enjoyable is to book the Fast Pass or VIP ticket. Especially if you’re visiting in high season, the queues can be huge!
You’ll spend a bit more money, but if you’re only at Siam Park for a day you don’t want to waste it queueing.
We had the Fast Pass bracelet and never waited more than 5 minutes for a ride. Make sure to go on The Dragon, it’s my favourite as it’s both thrilling and terrifying at the same time!
Mount Teide Half Day & Cable Car
Mount Teide is without a doubt one of the most incredible sights of Tenerife. With its 3,715m, it’s the highest peak in Spain and the second highest volcano in Europe.
Teide National Park stretches for just under 190km squared, and covers a huge variety of landscapes and views.
Driving from the cruise terminal at sea level, all the way up to Mount Teide, watching the landscape change as you drive past is already an amazing start, just wait till you reach the peak!
This shore experience lasts half a day.
They will take you to a number of viewpoints in Teide National Park, where you can enjoy the view over the Mount Teide peak, the sea of clouds and island below, and the unique volcanic landscape of Teide.
If the weather allows it, you will also take the cable car up to the peak of Mount Teide.
Unfortunately we weren’t able to do so as the winds were above 55 km/h, but standing at the top of the highest Spanish peak, enjoying the view over Tenerife, the sea and surrounding islands is a breathtaking experience.
This shore experience is perfect for the nature lovers, who want to be outdoors and enjoy vast and unique landscapes and views.
Stargazing at Mount Teide
Thanks to the Fly Canaries cruises, which will spend a night in the cruise port of Tenerife, you’ll be able to experience Tenerife, and Teide, by night.
Mount Teide is one of the best places to go star gazing in Europe.
Being so far above the cities of the island means that the sky, as seen from Mount Teide, is almost entirely free of light pollution. It’s part of the reason why Teide is home to a number of international telescopes.
From Tenerife you can see 83 of the 88 officially recognised constellations, a fact which enabled the sky of Teide National Park to be recognised as a “Starlight Destination”.
In this shore experience you will have the opportunity to admire the Milky Way, as well as all the stars and galaxies visible from Tenerife.
We had a super knowledgeable and passionate guide, who gave us loads of information on the constellations we were seeing.
You will not only learn about the history and conformation of the night sky and galaxies, but you’ll be able to see them first hand! In my opinion it’s one of the most magical experiences you can have in Tenerife.
Dinner & Show at Hard Rock Cafe
Similarly to the stargazing at Teide, this is a tour that you’ll be able to experience thanks to the overnight stay in Tenerife of the new Fly Canaries cruises.
If you want to see the nightlife of Tenerife and the Golden Mile, there is no better place to do so than Hard Rock Cafe!
Here you will be treated to a delicious meal, the exact menu will change depending on the package you choose, but you can expect tasty burgers and ribs to be on the menu!
During the dinner the show will start, and you’ll get to hear some epic rock music.
The artists playing change all the time, but the music style is usually similar. It’s Hard Rock Cafe after all! This shore experience is available both as an organised tour or through “Musement”.
Personally, I would suggest purchasing it through “Musement” and combining it with another experience in the south of Tenerife, like Siam Park, whale watching or kayaking.
Hard Rock Cafe is located on the south of the island, whilst the cruise terminal is in the north.
Unless you’re a very hardcore rock and Hard Rock Cafe fan, driving an hour there and then another hour back for a dinner show will be a bit much.
If you combine it with another activity in the south then you can optimise the travel time, and turn it into a full Tenerife exploring day!
Wine & Food Canary style
Tenerife isn’t just an island of stunning natural beauty, it’s also rich in culture and history. Part of that history is reflected in Tenerife’s culinary traditions.
If, like me, you love trying local foods when travelling, this half day Wine & Food Canary Style shore experience is perfect for you.
You will visit El Calderito de la Abuela, a local restaurant in the north of the island, run by two brothers.
Here you will first see a fun cooking show, where brothers Mario and Fabian will show you how to make traditional Canarian “mojo verde” sauce.
During the cooking show they will also tell you about the history of their restaurant, their family and the cuisine they serve. After the show, it’s time to actually try their delicious food!
The restaurant itself is in a very scenic spot, with huge windows overlooking the coastline of Tenerife.
You can sit back, relax, enjoy the view and taste a variety of Canarian delicacies, the perfect way to learn more about the traditions of this beautiful island!
After lunch you will be taken to Bodegas Monje, a local family winery for the wine tasting part of the experience.
They will first give you a tour of the winery, showing you the vineyard, the wine barrels and various machines involved in the wine making process.
You’ll then relax sit on their lovely outdoor terrace, enjoying the view over the vineyards and sea, while tasting delicious local wine and some typical Canadian nibbles like almogrote cheese.
Abaco Mansion lunch & San Pedro Walk
This is another great shore experience, which combines food, history and even nature.
This tour starts at a traditional Canarian mansion, where you will be served a delicious local lunch, followed by a lovely coastal walk at one of the most scenic trails of the island.
Abaco Mansion isn’t only where you will be eating, it’s also a historical mansion and you will be taken on a tour of the mansion before lunch.
The lady that gave us a tour of the mansion is called Rebecca, and she was super passionate about the work they do there.
The mansion is perfectly maintained in the local Canarian style, with wooden beams and the vintage architecture style.
You will learn about the history of the mansion, its owner, the tours and events they carry out there and the history of Canarian architecture more widely.
After lunch you will do the beautiful San Pedro Walk, also known as Rambla de Castro. This is a linear coastal trail, which is often ranked amongst the best hikes in Tenerife, thanks to its beautiful coastal views.
As you walk in the shade of tall palm trees you can enjoy views over the sea on one side, and lush green vegetation on the other.
It’s the perfect walk to get some movement in after the delicious lunch at Abaco Mansion!
Beach yoga and mojitos
If you’re not too fussed about spending hours sightseeing around Tenerife, but still want to do something unique on the island, then this beach yoga and mojitos experience is perfect for you!
You will be taken to Playa de las Teresitas, one of the most beautiful beaches in Tenerife.
Stretching for 1.5km, this incredible artificial beach is is characterised by its golden sand, which was imported from the Sahara Desert, its turquoise water and the towering cliffs that surround it.
It’s a beautiful beach to just sit and relax, but when you add to it a fun activity like yoga, it becomes the perfect setting!
You will spend around one hour moving from position to position through your yoga flow, and then reward yourself with some delicious mojitos.
We all know that mojitos taste better on the beach right?!
UNESCO Forest Walk & La Laguna World Heritage
This shore experience is perfect if you don’t fancy spending hours driving around the island, while still seeing some beautiful sights.
Located in the north of Tenerife, close to the cruise terminal, you’ll find the gorgeous town of San Cristobal de La Laguna, and the unique Anaga Rural Park.
San Cristobal de La Laguna, colloquially shortened to just La Laguna, is a UNESCO world heritage site, and was the capital of Tenerife until the 18th Century.
In La Laguna you will find cute cobbled streets lined with colourful houses, characterised by their unique colonial architecture.
Many of the museums and historical houses also still display the unique Canadian style patios, with wooden columns and beams.
It’s a lovely town to discover, which I highly recommend adding to every Tenerife itinerary.
After La Laguna you will visit Anaga Rural Park, my favourite part of the island. Anaga is a place of stunning natural beauty, with rolling green hills, fairy-like forests and jagged mountain tops.
You will start at the beautiful Mirador Cruz del Carmen, and then go for a walk in Anaga forest.
From the viewpoint you will enjoy a stunning view over the surrounding green countryside, with the peak of Mount Teide towering above it.
If you’re visiting Tenerife in winter, then you might even be lucky enough to see Mount Teide with snow, adding more contrast to the green rolling hills below!
The walking part of the tour will take you through some of the iconic spots of Anaga. Walking through the forest of Anaga feels like walking through an enchanted forest, with the occasional unexpected viewpoint over the sea.
Gardens & Puerto de la Cruz
This shore experience combines a bit of city sightseeing with nature sights. You will be taken to Puerto de la Cruz, one of the biggest cities on the island, and to its unique botanical garden.
Located in the north of the island, Puerto de la Cruz is one of the main hubs of Tenerife, without being overly touristy. Here you will have a more local experience, discovering the city life of Puerto de la Cruz.
The botanical garden of Puerto de la Cruz is a lovely place to explore, filled with exotic plants waiting to be discovered. It’s also home to the largest orchard in Tenerife!
Final thoughts on the best shore excursions Tenerife
There you have it, the ultimate compilation of best Tenerife sightseeing tours that you can do as part of a P&O Cruise shore experience!
Have you been on a Canary Islands cruise before before? How did you find it? Let me know in the comments below!
Tenerife is an amazing destination, which offers a huge variety of things to do. If you’re visiting the island on a cruise, these shore experiences are the best way to discover it.
By joining one of these tours you won’t have to worry about transport around the island, and will have a knowledgeable local guide always with you.
Whether you want to go star gazing at the top of Mount Teide, discovering cute colonial towns, trying thrilling water sports or tasting the delicious local cuisine, Tenerife has something to offer for everyone!
And the best part is you don’t have to worry about finding and arranging a place to stay in Tenerife, regardless of if you’re visiting Tenerife at Christmas or in summer, as you’ll be sleeping on board your cruise ship!
Joining one of these shore experiences also takes the hassle out of arranging travel around the island.
I hope you find my guide about the best shore excursions you can do on a Tenerife cruise useful, and that they help you in planning your P&O Cruise to the Canary Islands.
If you have any questions, just let me know in the comments below!
* Disclaimer: This blog post was sponsored by P&O Cruises, all thoughts and opinions are my own.*
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