Freebird Tenerife

They make the roads rugged and testing in Tenerife, but the Freebird jeeps are up for the challenge. Snaking up the tight winding hill roads, they feel safe and sure, the thought of swinging a coach round some of those corners is enough to make your breakfast feel uneasy.

The Toyota DGD Land Cruisers seat 7 passengers and absorb the worst that the islands’s roadways can throw at them. To be fair, the road systems of Tenerife are remarkable, the road to the village of Masca took 17 years to complete, just imagine getting all the heavy digging, levelling and tarmacing equipment up and down those hills.

The north west corner of the island is served by a spiralling road that drops down into the valleys, thankfully the government have ensured that special viewing points or Miradors, appear at regular intervals, to pull in and capture the sprawling plantations and rock formations below.

For comfort and protection, you can’t get much better than these stylish jeeps to crunch through the miles. Make way for the Freebird convoy, we are on the road to fun and discovery, and nothing’s gonna stop us.

Hugging the hills on narrow roads above a sheer drop, this really is getting close to nature. It’s worth it though as I look out on the panoramic views of banana plantations, old volcanic lava flows and the rugged coastline beyond. In the comfort of a Freebird jeep, the ground might rise and fall but the suspension has got it covered.

Like many holiday makers, I always thought that the beaches and nightlife were the start and end of Tenerife, but this trip opened my eyes to the history and true nature of the island. Our convoy of six jeeps, set off from the built up areas of Las Americas and Los Cristianos, but we were soon climbing through villages forgotten by time.

I’d heard of the hidden village of Masca but wasn’t prepared for the sight of it nestling in the folds of the towering mountains, almost looking like a model from afar. Onward to Garachico, and the legacy of past volcanic eruptions was all around, the large rock just out to sea was, i’m told, spat out there when the island roared with a fierce explosion many years ago. Down in the fishing village below, the rock loomed even larger and rugged outcrops made natural enticing pools.

Filling up my camera at each viewing stop, the contrasts kept coming, up to Chinyero, the site of the last eruption in 1909, blimey that’s a bit too recent, the low cloud cooled the air but we were all cosy in the jeeps. A typical Canarian dinner at a restaurant, fuelled us up for the next stage, and the locl wine gave us a taste for the vineyard shop in the village of Santiago del Teide. The local produce had to be sampled, well it would have been rude not to.

It left ample time for a stop above Los Gigantes to take in the towering cliffs that inspired the name, before closing the full day with a leisurely drive back to our pick up points.

Oh dear, someone missed the boat in Tenerife this week. The whales and dolphins wont have been impressed by this floating mini, they prefer to see passengers and crew enjoying themselves on the range of Freebird catamarans.

The specially adapted Mini was in Playa de las Americas this week, it’s one of a small batch built by BMW’s Spanish division for promotional work. At the weekend it will be moving up north to surprise people on Las Terresitas beach, near Santa Cruz.

Boat trips have got to be one of the best and most enjoyable ways of topping up a tan and on the Freebird Two whale and dolphin cruise, it’s a perfect setting.

After a couple of hours of sun and fun, a cooling dip was just what was needed. With my young family in tow, I was a little nervous about taking them into the open sea, but my concerns were soon proved to be groundless.

A secluded sandy bay just round from the busy resorts of Adeje, looked refreshing and enticing. With three exit points from the back of the boat and steps down to just above water level, even the kids joined in the fun. Calm, clear and above all safe, it was the perfect way to round off a great 3 hours excursion.

I asked my two boys later what they liked most about our trip. I was a bit taken aback when they said the penquins ! then I realised, they meant the balloon models made for them by Charlie the on board entertainer. Personally, I will often think of it as the day I braved the waters of the Atlantic.

A 20 ton, 14 metre long Finback or Razorback whale was washed up dead on a beach in Cadiz this weekend. Tests will reveal the cause of death but it’s another blow to the survival of these magnificent animals.

How lucky we are in Tenerife to have whales and dolphins swimming off our coasts. A third of all the world’s species either live or pass through these waters and there is no better way to see them than on a boat trip.

Freebird has been opening a window into their world for 13 years and their staff understand the delicate balance of nature that has to be maintained to protect these animals. Dont miss the chance to see whales and dolphins in the wild, it’s a sight worth fighting to preserve.

Tenerife is surrounded by the sea, peppered with ports and marinas, and served by a huge flotilla of boats, ships and anything else big enough to float and transport curious visitors to sample the delights of nature. It takes a pretty special excursion to impress a cynical old sea dog like myself, but the Freebird two, whale and dolphin trip packs in the pleasures and entertains and informs in a three hour spectacular.

Puerto Colon may not be the biggest marina on the island but it’s certainly one of the busiest, and at 9.30am it’s bobbing and bustling with life. The Freebird Two catamaran is moored at the back of the marina and cuts a majestic fiqure against the backdrop of a forest of masts and the rising mountains of Adeje, already bathed in baking sunshine.

Filing on to a hearty welcome, some make for the seats and some spread out on the netting area at the front of the boat, there’s plenty of room, and as we cast off our host Barry runs through the treats on offer. An assortment of rolls, unlimited beer, wine and soft drinks and even Charlie, a childrens entertainer, armed with balloons, balls and magic tricks to keep the young crewmates enthralled.

Relaxed and informal is the order of the day but with a mix of mirth and merriment, Barry manages to stress the need to keep all cigarette ends and other rubbish on board and in the bins. This concern for the environment is a welcome underlying theme of the trip.

Settling back in the sun we prepare to wait for our first encounter, but within 20 minutes the first pod of bottlenose dolphins is spotted, and what a treat they are, up close and at ease with our prescence, and the cameras are soon clicking away. Within the hour we spot a group of pilot whales, again close and frolicking in the waves.

Charlie has been busy and we have some new additions on board in the shape of balloon model penquins, while other youngsters are trying their hand at magic and juggling.

It’s nice to have experts on hand, and Barry is able to share his years of experience, while youthful volunteers from the Atlantic Whale Foundation share the fruits of their research and their concerns for the future of the wonders in the sea around us. Dropping anchor just off a secluded bay near La Caleta, it’s time to dive in for a cooling swim in the calm clear water. Like all the other experiences on board Freebird Two, it’s captured on video by our trusty cameraman from My Videoi for those who want to buy a replayable reminder of their day.

All too soon it’s time to head back for harbour but not before a parting glass of bubbly is raised to the crew. The tans will eventually fade, but the memories will remain special for many years to come.

I get a bit concerned sometimes when I think of all the pleasure boat trips out there in the ocean off Tenerife. What impact are they having on the sea life, are they taking care not to pollute the very waters that attract them? I must share my experience of a recent trip on the Freebird Two from Puerto Colon to see the whales and dolphins.

Firstly it was good to hear the on boat guide announce that smokers should stick to one area of the boat and make sure they put their cigarette ends in the plastic cups provided. It seems such a small thing to flick a cigarette butt into the sea but animals swallow them and the filters expand in the water and prevent them from eating. Volunteers from the Atlantic Whale Foundation, were on board and helped to explain about the dangers these magnificent creatures face and gave out leaflets showing all the possible species we might see.

What really caught my attention though was when one of the crew leant out from the boat and scooped up a turtle that looked to be in some difficulty. Thankfully after a swill under the tap to clean it up and a quick once over, it was ready to be gently launched back into the waves.It was a nice insight into the daily concern and respect that these crews show towards a sea world that many would otherwise never experience at close quarters.

Freebird Sailing was founded in 1994, specialising in cruises aboard a 30-seater catamaran. Owing to our focus on providing great value, high quality excursions with attentive service, delicious food and entertainment, we have grown immensely over the last few years and are now the largest catamaran service in the Canary Islands, with our meticulously maintained tailor-made fleet comprising of five sleek and comfortable boats. British/Spanish owned and run by a team of 35 highly experienced crew members, office and transport staff, we specialise in 3 and 4 ½ hour luxury whale and dolphin cruises sight-seeing off Tenerife’s spectacular coastline and private charters.

We operate year-round with multiple daily sailings except in rough weather and carried over 150,000 customers from all over the world in 2002.