Los Gigantes: Whale or Dolphin Watching Tour and Swim in Masca

The ocean puts on the show. This two-hour boat trip from Los Gigantes combines wildlife viewing with a swim beneath the enormous cliffs of Masca Bay, making it a strong choice if you want several Tenerife highlights in one short outing. I especially like the close pilot whale sightings and the 15-minute swim stop with a cold drink included. The main caution is simple: the speedboat can feel rough in choppy water, and swimming time is brief.

You meet at C. Pob. Marinero, 1, local 21, at either the Maritima Acantilados or Nashira Uno office. There is no hotel pickup, so you need to make your own way to the port. The tour costs about $33 per person, which is good value for a two-hour trip that includes a guide, insurance, wildlife watching, a swim stop, and one water, soda, or beer.

Key points at a glance

• Pilot whales are the most reliable highlight: Several departures have seen pods close to the boat, with dolphins also appearing on many trips.
• Masca Bay gives you a new angle on Los Gigantes: The cliffs look even larger when you are floating beneath them.
• The boat has shade: A covered section helps during sunny afternoon trips.
• Swimming time is short but scenic: You get about 15 minutes in water reported at roughly 17 degrees in winter.
• The crew takes animal welfare seriously: Guides have stopped engines and allowed whales to pass calmly beneath the boat.
• Bring your own goggles and snorkel gear: Snorkeling equipment is not included, and the clear water may tempt you to look below the surface.

Leaving Los Gigantes on a compact speedboat

The trip begins near the port at Los Gigantes, on Tenerife’s west coast. You board a speedboat and head out for roughly 30 minutes before reaching the main wildlife-viewing area.

This is not a large excursion ship with a wide dining deck and plenty of room to wander. It is a smaller, quicker boat, which gives you a closer feel for the water but also exposes you more to its movement. The boat has a roof or covered section, useful when the sun is strong, though you should still bring sunscreen.

I would arrive early enough to find the correct office without rushing. One useful detail is that the location marker has reportedly appeared on the wrong side of the port area, while the actual office is on the right. Look for Maritima Acantilados or Nashira Uno rather than relying on the map alone.

There is no included transfer service. If you are staying around Costa Adeje, you need to arrange transport yourself. One party paid about 40 euros for a taxi from Costa Adeje, though your current fare may differ. Add that cost when comparing this outing with tours that include hotel pickup.

Watching pilot whales and dolphins in open water

The wildlife portion usually lasts about 15 minutes, though the captain may spend longer looking if the animals are not found quickly. That flexibility matters. Ocean wildlife follows its own schedule, not the tour clock.

Pilot whales are the species most often seen on this route. You might see a family group moving slowly near the boat, and several departures have reported whales passing within a few meters. Dolphins are also common sightings, sometimes appearing soon after leaving port. Turtles and flying fish have been seen too, but they are occasional extras rather than promised features.

The best part is the calm approach. Guides have been praised for cutting the engine while whales moved around or under the boat. That gives you a quieter look and reduces disturbance. You should still expect wildlife watching to be unpredictable. A tour can produce dolphins, pilot whales, both, or no close sighting at all.

The crew’s approach also improves the mood on board. Guides explain what you are seeing in Spanish and English, answer questions, and help people spot movement on the water. Captain Juan Carlos and guide George have received especially warm praise for their friendly, engaged manner on some departures. Do not expect a formal marine biology lecture, but you can expect useful explanations and a crew that wants everyone to get a good look.

If you bring a phone, keep it secure. A speedboat, sea spray, and excited passengers are a poor combination for an unprotected device. Binoculars are not necessary, since the boat may get close, but a camera with a decent zoom can help when the animals stay farther away.

Seeing Los Gigantes from below

After the wildlife stop, the boat heads toward Masca Bay beneath the Los Gigantes Cliffs. The journey takes roughly 30 minutes, and this is when the scale of the cliffs becomes clear.

From land, the cliffs are impressive. From the water, you look straight up at their dark rock walls, with the boat tucked into a narrow-looking stretch of coast. The change in viewpoint is the real reward. You are not simply taking another photograph of the cliffs. You are seeing how they meet the sea.

The ride itself is part of the sightseeing. The boat moves along the coast, giving you time to take photos and watch the rock formations change. Sit where you can see outward, but remember that every seat may not offer the same view throughout the trip. If you care about shade, ask the crew where the covered seats are before settling in.

Masca Bay is often called Masca Beach in trip descriptions, but do not expect a developed beach visit with shops, toilets, or loungers. The appeal is the water, the cliffs, and the quiet stop from the boat. This is a sea excursion, not a beach day.

A quick swim in Masca Bay

The swim stop lasts about 15 minutes. That is enough for a quick swim, a look below the surface, and a few photos, but not enough for a relaxed snorkeling session.

The water can be cool. One February trip recorded water at about 17 degrees, and another group decided it was too cold to swim. In summer, the stop is easier to enjoy, but you should still treat it as an optional activity rather than a required part of the tour.

You can swim, use your own goggles, or simply remain on board and enjoy the view. Snorkeling gear is not included, so pack your own mask and snorkel if you want to see fish. Several people have reported shoals of fish in the water, but the exact conditions can change with the day and the sea.

The crew offers one drink during the stop or after swimming. Choices include water, soda, or beer. That small touch works well after a quick swim, particularly on a warm afternoon. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed on the boat apart from the included beer, and you must not smoke, vape, litter, or use speakers.

A jellyfish sting has been reported during one swim, so sensible sea precautions are worthwhile. The supplied advice to bring a towel, sunscreen, goggles, and snorkeling gear is practical. You may also want a light layer for the ride back, since wet swimwear and wind can make the return feel cooler.

The return ride along the cliffs

After the swim, the boat makes its way back toward Los Gigantes, taking about 30 minutes. This is a slower scenic section rather than another wildlife search.

Use this time for photos, but do not spend the whole ride staring at your screen. The cliffs look different from each angle, and the return route gives you one last chance to see the full scale of the rock walls from sea level.

The boat returns to C. Pob. Marinero, 1, local 21. The full outing lasts about two hours, which makes it easy to fit into a morning or afternoon in Los Gigantes. It is also short enough for people who do not want to commit to a longer whale-watching cruise.

How good is the $33 value?

At about $33 per person, this is one of the better-priced ways to combine marine wildlife and the Los Gigantes coast. You receive a guided boat trip, insurance, whale and dolphin searching, the Masca Bay stop, and one drink.

The value is strongest when you see both wildlife and the cliffs. Even if dolphins do not appear, the route still includes pilot whale searches, coastal views, and a swim stop. On the other hand, you are paying for a chance to see wild animals, not a guaranteed performance. If your only goal is a close dolphin sighting, that uncertainty matters.

The short duration helps keep the price reasonable. You are not spending half a day at sea, and you do not need to build an entire day around the activity. The tradeoff is limited time at each stage. Wildlife watching may take longer if the crew is searching, which can leave the swimming stop feeling quick.

You also need to account for transport to Los Gigantes. Since pickup is not included, the total cost may be higher if you are staying outside the port area. For someone already near Los Gigantes, the advertised price is much easier to justify.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most?

I would choose this for someone who wants a short, active Tenerife outing rather than a full-day cruise. Families, couples, and small groups can all enjoy it, especially if some people want wildlife and others want a swim.

It suits you if you like moving fast between highlights. You see the open sea, watch for whales and dolphins, approach Masca Bay, swim, and return along the cliffs in two hours. That variety is the reason the trip feels full without becoming a long commitment.

It may not suit you if you get seasick easily. One passenger specifically advised caution after a rough day, and another described the sea as agitated even though the crew handled it professionally. A speedboat can feel lively, especially when conditions are not calm.

You should also think carefully about the swim. If cold water bothers you, you can remain on the boat and enjoy the scenery. If swimming is your main reason for booking, the 15-minute limit may feel too short.

The tour is listed as wheelchair accessible, but you should confirm the practical boarding arrangements before booking if you use a wheelchair. Accessibility in a port and on a moving speedboat can depend on the exact vessel and sea conditions.

Useful tips before you go

• Bring sunscreen and reapply it. The covered roof helps, but it may not shade every seat.
• Pack a towel and your own goggles.
• Bring snorkeling gear if you want to look below the surface.
• Keep phones and cameras protected from spray.
• Wear swimwear under your clothes if you plan to enter the water.
• Check the exact meeting office, since the map marker may not be perfectly clear.
• Leave enough time to reach the port without rushing.
• If you are prone to seasickness, consider taking appropriate precautions before departure.
• Do not bring speakers, cigarettes, vapes, or outside alcohol.
• Listen to the guide near the whales. The quietest approach is better for both you and the animals.

Should you book the Los Gigantes whale tour?

I would book it if you want good value, a short boat ride, and the chance to pair pilot whale or dolphin watching with a swim beneath the Los Gigantes Cliffs. The crew’s friendly style, covered boat, animal-conscious approach, and included drink add real value at this price.

I would skip it if you need guaranteed wildlife, dislike moving boats, or want a long snorkeling session. For everyone else, this is a smart half-day-sized activity, especially if you are already staying near Los Gigantes and can reach the port easily. Keep your expectations realistic, bring your own goggles, and treat the swim as a bonus. The cliffs alone make the trip worthwhile.

FAQ

Where does the Los Gigantes whale and dolphin tour start?

The meeting point is at C. Pob. Marinero, 1, local 21, at either the Maritima Acantilados or Nashira Uno office.

How long does the boat tour last?

The tour lasts two hours. It includes the ride out, wildlife watching, the Masca Bay swim stop, scenic coastal views, and the return to port.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Pickup service is not included, so you need to arrange your own transport to the meeting point.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Snorkeling gear is not included. Bring your own goggles and snorkeling equipment if you want to explore the water during the stop.

What drink is included?

One drink is included. You can choose water, soda, or beer.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. A reserve-now-and-pay-later option is also available.