3-Hour Private Tour with Whale and Dolphin Watching

Whales, cliffs, and a quiet cove make this a strong Tenerife outing. I like the small private group, capped at 10 people, and the chance to see pilot whales and dolphins without a crowded tour boat. I also like the mix of wildlife, Los Gigantes views, swimming, snorkeling, drinks, and tapas. The main concern is weather: rough wind can affect comfort and sightings.

For $687.84 per group, this is not a cheap three-hour cruise, but the price makes more sense when shared by several people. A full group pays less than $69 per person, while two people pay nearly $344 each. Captain Antonio, also called Toni, receives repeated praise for friendly service, calm handling, safety, and clear explanations. The tour earns a 4.9 rating from eight reviews, though one account raised concerns about the boat’s age and repainting.

Key points to know before booking

• Pilot whales and dolphins in open water: Sightings are possible, but no wildlife tour can promise a guaranteed encounter.
• Private boat for up to 10 people: Your group has the vessel to itself, giving you more room and a quieter outing.
• Los Gigantes from sea level: The cliffs rise about 600 meters and look especially dramatic from the water.
• Thirty-minute swimming stop: The boat anchors at a clear-water cove below the cliffs for swimming and snorkeling.
• Tapas and drinks included: The food is simple, casual, and suited to a morning or midday cruise.
• Three-hour route from Los Gigantes: The tour begins and ends at the same marina, which keeps the plan easy to manage.

Setting out from Los Gigantes Marina

The tour begins at MPC Yacht Charter in the Los Gigantes marina, at Yate El Mojo Picon on C. Pob. Marinero. You return to this same meeting point after roughly three hours, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup location.

Los Gigantes is on Tenerife’s west coast, a part of the island known for steep volcanic cliffs and open ocean views. The boat leaves from the marina and heads into waters where pilot whales and dolphins may be seen in their natural setting. That wording matters. This is not a show, aquarium, or feeding experience. The animals are wild, and sightings depend on the day.

The vessel is described as a comfortable 14-meter sailboat with room for 10 people. The boat is also referred to as the Mojo Picon, and one review identifies it as a Bavaria 44. You have a spacious deck for views and photographs, but a sailboat can feel quite different from a wide, purpose-built sightseeing vessel. If you are sensitive to movement, good weather will matter.

Captain Antonio, or Toni, is central to the experience. Several accounts praise his friendly manner, careful sailing, and explanations about the sea life. One family specifically felt safe bringing a 10-year-old, and another account describes a three-year-old enjoying the sight of small whales. That suggests a welcoming tone for families, though the sea can still be tiring for young children.

Looking for dolphins and pilot whales

The first main part of the cruise is the search for cetaceans. You will spend time sailing through the area rather than moving from one fixed viewing platform to another. That gives the trip a more natural feel, but it also means patience is part of the deal.

The most specific sightings reported are dolphins and pilot whales. One account describes whales coming very close to the boat, while another notes pilot whales during the trip. These are encouraging signs, but you should not treat them as a promise. Wild animals choose the timing and distance.

The crew’s approach appears to be one of the tour’s strongest features. Antonio is praised for explaining what is happening and for discussing cetaceans at sea. That can turn a simple sighting into a better experience, since you are not left guessing at every fin or splash.

Bring a camera, but keep your attention on the water too. Wildlife rarely poses neatly, and the best moments may last only a few seconds. The open deck should give you useful viewing angles, while the private format means you are not competing with a large crowd for every photo.

The boat’s size also brings a practical tradeoff. Ten people is a small group for a private yacht, but it is not the same as having a boat for two or three. If your group fills all 10 places, the deck will feel more social and less secluded. For a couple or small family, the space should feel much more generous.

The Los Gigantes cliffs from the water

The cliffs are one of the clearest reasons to choose this particular departure point. Los Gigantes rises roughly 600 meters above the sea in near-vertical walls. Seen from land, they are impressive. Seen from a boat at their base, they feel much larger.

The route includes views toward the cliffs, the Teide volcano, La Gomera, and the protected Teno area. Visibility will decide how much you see. On a clear day, the combination gives you a broad picture of Tenerife’s volcanic character: high rock walls close to the boat, a major volcano inland, and another island offshore.

I especially like the way this adds value to the wildlife search. If the whales keep their distance, you still have a scenic coastal cruise. If the sea life appears, the cliffs provide a remarkable backdrop. You are not spending all three hours staring at a blank horizon.

The cliff views also make this a good choice for photographers. The boat gives you changing angles that are hard to get from shore. Keep your camera ready during the approach, since the scale is most striking when the vessel is close to the rock face.

A 30-minute swim below the cliffs

The boat stops at a natural cove with clear water beneath the cliffs. The cove is accessible only by boat, according to the tour details, so this is more than a routine marina swim. You get about 30 minutes to cool off, swim, and snorkel.

That half-hour is a useful break from the wildlife search. You can stretch, get in the water, and enjoy the setting without rushing straight back to the marina. The cliffs overhead should make the stop feel special, even if you are not interested in snorkeling.

Do not assume this is a full snorkeling excursion with extensive equipment or guided instruction. The information confirms that you can snorkel, but it does not give details about equipment, water temperature, or the amount of marine life in the cove. If snorkeling is your main goal, ask the operator what is supplied before booking.

Swimming is optional in practical terms, even though the stop is part of the route. You can remain on deck, enjoy the views, and have a snack if you prefer not to enter the water. That flexibility helps groups with mixed interests.

The sea conditions remain important here. A calm cove may be pleasant, but the wider route can still feel windy or unsettled. One account refers to wind reaching 43 knots and raises concerns about how the trip would operate in such conditions. The operator responded that sailing in winds that strong would not be possible. The useful lesson is simple: ask about conditions if the forecast looks poor, and do not expect a sailing trip to run normally in severe wind.

Tapas, drinks, and the pace of the boat

The tour includes time for a snack with tapas. Drinks and finger food are also mentioned in the feedback, and one account specifically praises the tapas. Another refers to lunch, but you should think of this as light food rather than a full restaurant meal.

That is the right scale for a three-hour sailing trip. Tapas give you something to eat after swimming and keep the outing from feeling like a bare sightseeing transfer. The food also adds a social touch to a private charter.

If you have allergies, strict dietary needs, or expect a substantial meal, confirm the menu before departure. The available details do not specify the exact tapas, drinks, or quantity. A small snack is included, but the tour should not replace a planned lunch for hungry adults.

The pace sounds relaxed rather than hurried. You have time for the wildlife search, coastal views, a 30-minute water stop, and food. The captain’s explanations are another part of the rhythm. This is a better fit for people who want an easy morning on the sea than for anyone seeking a high-speed adventure.

What the private price really means

The listed cost is $687.84 for the group, with a maximum of 10 people. The value depends almost entirely on your group size.

For 10 people, the cost works out to about $69 per person. For five people, it is about $138 each. For two people, it is close to $344 each. That makes this much easier to recommend to a family group, two couples, or a gathering of friends than to a solo visitor or pair.

The private format is the main premium. You are not simply buying a seat on a large boat. Your group controls the social atmosphere, and you avoid sharing the outing with a much larger crowd. The vessel’s 14-meter size, open deck, swimming stop, food, and captain’s attention add to that value.

Still, privacy does not remove the basic uncertainty of wildlife watching. You could pay the full group price and see dolphins and pilot whales, or spend much of the time searching. The cliffs and cove reduce that risk by providing strong scenery and a planned swim, but nature remains in charge of the headline event.

The 4.9 rating from eight published reviews is a positive signal, especially because the praise is specific. People highlight close whale sightings, dolphins, pilot whales, the captain’s friendly style, the sense of safety, the tapas, and the cliff stop. The small sample size means you should treat the rating as encouraging rather than conclusive.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would choose this tour for a group that wants a private sea outing with several parts to it. It suits families, couples traveling with friends, and anyone who values quiet space more than the lowest possible price.

It is also a good choice if you want Tenerife scenery from the water. The cliffs, Teide, La Gomera, and Teno give the trip visual variety, while the cove offers a break from sitting on deck.

Families may appreciate the short duration. Three hours is long enough for a real boat outing but short enough to avoid turning the day into a major expedition. The accounts suggest that children can enjoy it, including a three-year-old and a 10-year-old, though you should judge your own child’s comfort on a moving boat.

I would be more cautious if you dislike wind, motion, or uncertain wildlife sightings. The tour requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund. If the forecast is unsettled, keep your schedule flexible.

Practical details before you reserve

Confirmation is provided at booking. The activity is near public transportation, and service animals are allowed. Most people can participate, but the available information does not provide detailed mobility guidance for boarding, deck access, or the swimming stop.

The tour starts and ends at MPC Yacht Charter, Puerto Deportivo, Yate El Mojo Picon, C. Pob. Marinero, 38683 Acantilados de Los Gigantes, Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Plan to arrive at the marina with enough time to find the exact boat and meeting point.

The cancellation terms are straightforward. You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather forces the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Bring swimwear, sun protection, and a camera. The tour includes swimming and snorkeling, but the supplied details do not confirm what towels or snorkeling equipment are provided. Ask before departure if those items matter to you.

Should you book the Mojo Picon sailing tour?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the cost and want more than a basic whale-watching ride. The combination of wild pilot whales and dolphins, 600-meter cliffs, a boat-only cove, tapas, and a private deck gives the three hours real variety.

I would not choose it solely because you expect guaranteed whales. Choose it because the wildlife search is part of a broader west-coast cruise. If you can accept changing sea conditions and the possibility of a quiet wildlife day, this is a strong, personal way to see Tenerife from the water.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at MPC Yacht Charter, Puerto Deportivo, Yate El Mojo Picon, C. Pob. Marinero, 38683 Acantilados de Los Gigantes, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point in the Los Gigantes marina.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately three hours.

How many people can join the private tour?

The boat has capacity for up to 10 people, and only your group participates.

What animals might I see?

The tour searches for whales and dolphins in their natural habitat. Pilot whales and dolphins have been seen during the experience.

Is swimming included?

Yes. The boat stops for about 30 minutes at a natural cove where you can swim and snorkel.

Are food and drinks provided?

A snack with tapas is included, and drinks and finger food are mentioned as part of the experience.

What sights can I see from the boat?

The route includes views of Los Gigantes Cliffs, Teide volcano, La Gomera, and the protected Teno area.

Can service animals join?

Yes, service animals are allowed.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.