If you’re lucky enough to be taking a cruise around the Canary Islands, there are lots of sights to see and activities to get involved in, whether you’re looking for family fun or unique experiences. From whale and dolphin spotting, to exploring centuries old pyramids there’s a lot more to this picturesque volcanic region than first meets the eye…
Whale and dolphin watching – you may have thought that you would need to travel to more exotic climes to see whales and dolphins, but one third of all whale and dolphin species pass through the waters of the Canaries, which means that this is a prime spot for seeing plenty of fine specimens. Bottlenose dolphins, pilot whales, sperm whales and risso dolphins are just some of the species that can be viewed on a whale and dolphin watching boat trip in the warm waters around Tenerife.
Theme parks – Tenerife is a hugely popular holiday destinationwith tourists of all sorts and so the amenities for entertainment here are numerous and exciting, including some fantastic theme parks. Aqualand was Tenerife’s first water park and has a resident dolphin show as well as plenty of rides and slides; Siam Park is Tenerife’s new water kingdom and has a huge range of facilities, from rapids and rides to a floating market; Rebu Park is aimed at keeping the kids entertained with all sorts of games and activities; and Jungle Park and Monkey Park offer the opportunity to encounter all sorts of exotic animals whilst adventuring on rope bridges and through waterfalls and lagoons.
The Guimar Black Pyramids – the 60,000 square metre Black Pyramid Park comes as quite a shock to anyone who thought that the pyramids were a uniquely Egyptian creation. The Canaries pyramids are located around 26km from Santa Cruz de Tenerife and make for a fascinating day trip to see one of the area’s most unique historical sights. These constructions are thought to have been built for the winter and summer solstices and have been compared to those built by the Maya and Aztec civilisations in Mexico.
Teide National Park – this glorious national park contains the Teide-Pico Viejo stratovolcano, the highest point in Spain at more than 7,500m above sea level. Here, there are incredible views out over the island and Gran Canaria, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro, as well as plenty of fantastic hiking and walking routes, complete with wonderful scenery. Las Cañadas Natural Park, within Teide, is a UNESCO protected zone and has some breathtaking landscapes with imposing sheer cliffs and otherworldly lava formations.
Santa Cruz – this vibrant city is the capital of this Canary Island and a bustling port that is home to the regional Canarian parliament, as well as a broad spectrum of entertainment and activities. Sightseeing spots here include exploring the Garcia Sanabria Park, soaking up the sun on the glorious beach of Playa de las Teresitas, shopping for bargains at the Africa city market and strolling around the Plaza de Espana, the largest square in the Canaries. There are also numerous fabulous eateries and bars, and nightlife to rival the best that this area has to offer.
These are just some of the most popular one day excursions for those who are cruising around these warm waters. Whether you’re looking for culture, food, entertainment or history, there’s plenty to keep everyone occupied on the fascinating island of Tenerife.