After Madrid during the mid-cohort break it was time for resort relaxation. Canary Islands has many islands (some with active volcanoes) but we only visited Tenerife as we only had 4 days.
We stayed at a resort on the western side of the island, and flew into the airport at the south end of the island.
1. Catamaran Adventure: Baby Whales and Crystal-Clear Snorkeling
One of our favorite experiences in Tenerife was a catamaran excursion to see pilot whales. Unfortunately, no dolphins or turtles were seen.
There were several families of whales, including some babies that were only a few weeks old. One particularly memorable baby was named Eclipse, in honor of the eclipse around the time of her birth.
The whales swam alongside our boat, seemingly having a wonderful time.
After our whale encounter, we headed to a spot along the cliffs for snorkeling.
The water was absolutely crystal clear, and the underwater landscape was unlike anything we’d experienced before. The cliffs continued straight down into the ocean, creating a dramatic drop-off beneath us.
There was virtually no current or wave action, and we were incredibly buoyant. Floating effortlessly above that deep blue water, we spotted an eel and even found ourselves swimming right into a school of fish.
Shoutout to Third Element Charters for the great experience!
There is also a gelato place, Pistacio’s, in the marina who only served pistachio flavored ice creams. Pistachio Tiramisu. Pistacio Dulce de Leche. Pistacio Chocolate Dubai. Etc.
2. Piscina Natural Acantilado de Los Gigantes
Tenerife has some fascinating natural swimming pools formed by volcanic rock along the coastline.
At this one, the ocean waves crash against the rocky barriers, sending seawater spilling into the pools.
But here’s the catch: sometimes those waves bring YOU along with them!
Our catamaran guides had specifically warned us about these pools, explaining that powerful waves can sweep swimmers off their feet or even carry them toward the open ocean. They can be extremely dangerous under the wrong conditions, that didn’t stop these guys from going right to the edge (recognize 2 of them?).
3. Siam Park: World’s Top Rated Waterpark
Frequently recognized as one of the best water parks in the world, Siam Park is packed with adrenaline-filled rides, enormous slides, and elaborate Thai-inspired architecture.
Naturally, we had to compare it to Atlantis in the Bahamas. Both parks have a dramatic tower slide that sends you through an aquarium filled with marine life. But honestly, that’s about where the similarities end.
Siam Park wins for its roller coaster-like waterslides. Atlantis wins for its lazy river.
We spent just one day at Siam Park, compared to three days at Atlantis, but still managed to tackle all the major yellow- and red-rated rides.
- Kinnaree – Our #1 Favorite! This massive, approximately 200-meter-long hybrid waterslide combines high-speed twists and turns with an enormous tornado-style wave drop.
- Jungle Snakes – Great Ride, Efficient Line – Another favorite was Jungle Snakes, not just because the slides were fun, but because the line splits into four separate routes. That means the queue moves surprisingly quickly, which is always a bonus when you’re trying to squeeze as many rides as possible into one day.
- Tower of Power – The Big Drop – This was the first of the day, yikes!
- Wave Pool vs. Beach – One other big difference between the two parks: Siam Park has an enormous wave pool, while Atlantis offers access to beautiful beaches.
Note: Fast Pass Tips: Siam Park offers two different Fast Pass options, and understanding the difference can make a big impact on your day.
- Unlimited Fast Pass: Allows repeated priority access to eligible rides. In our opinion, not worth the additional cost.
- Single-Use Fast Pass: Provides one priority entry per eligible ride, excluding the lazy river and Tower of Power. This is the one we highly recommend, if you can get it!
4. Tenerife Beaches: Portugal Has Spoiled Us
Tenerife is a volcanic island, and its coastline reflects that. We found many areas to be rocky, with fewer of the expansive sandy beaches we’d become accustomed to in Portugal.
We did spend time at the beach by the Ritz-Carlton, which had a protected swimming area enclosed by a rocky barrier. You could swim out toward the barrier, making for a unique beach experience, especially compared to the open beaches we’ve been enjoying in Portugal.
5. A Four-Hour Michelin-Star Dinner at M.B.
While staying at the Ritz-Carlton in Tenerife, we decided to splurge on dinner at M.B., the Michelin-starred restaurant by renowned chef Martín Berasategui.
And when I say splurge, I mean committing to the full tasting menu and what turned out to be the longest dinner of our lives. Four hours! It was an entire experience.
Throughout the evening, we actually moved between different tables and rooms, making the meal feel more like a culinary journey than a traditional restaurant experience.
The service was equally elaborate. We had at least six different people waiting on us throughout the night. One of my favorite touches was the rolling bread cart, which arrived with a selection of seven different breads and french butter that was scooped like vanilla ice cream.
We started with four appetizers, worked our way through course after course of beautifully presented dishes, and somehow finished with three desserts.
By the end, we were beyond full. Of all the dishes, our favorites were the smoked amberjack and soldier shrimp. Both were standouts in an evening filled with elaborate preparations and interesting flavors.
Note: Martín Berasategui has two restaurants at the Ritz-Carlton Abama. Naturally, we booked the wrong one. Fortunately, the hotel had no problem accommodating a same-day change, and we were able to get into M.B. after all.
Just arrive hungry. Very hungry. And don’t make any plans afterward.
