Los Gigantes: Dolphin & Whale Watching Tour on a Pirate Boat

Wildlife, cliffs, and a swim from a pirate ship. The Flipper Uno outing from Los Gigantes combines pilot whale and dolphin watching with a fun boat ride beneath the huge cliffs of Los Gigantes and Masca. I like the friendly crew and the generous drinks service, and I also like that you can swim from the boat using a staircase or trapeze. The main drawback is simple: wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, and the boat can feel crowded on busy departures.

The $39 price is strong value if you choose the two-hour trip and mainly want animals, sea views, and a swim. The three-hour option adds chicken-and-vegetable paella, fruit, and more time on the water, but some people have found the meal only average. Bring a towel for the hard seating, and arrive early because traffic and parking around Los Gigantes Harbor can be difficult.

Key things to know before boarding

• Pilot whales are the most regular sighting: Dolphins also appear, and some trips have seen large pods, but no wildlife encounter can be promised.
• The three-hour trip includes lunch: You get chicken and vegetable paella, fruit, and drinks. The two-hour trip is a better fit if you want a shorter outing without a meal.
• The trapeze is a real crowd-pleaser: You can use the steps for a calm entry or swing into the Atlantic for a splash.
• Los Gigantes is the visual highlight: The cliffs rise close to 600 meters and look especially impressive from sea level.
• The ride can be breezy and choppy: Even in warm weather, bring a light jacket or warm layer.
• Arrive at least 30 minutes early: If driving or using public transport, allow closer to an hour for parking and port traffic.

Starting at Los Gigantes Harbor

You meet at the Flipper Uno office on the right side of the harbor entrance. Look for the yellow-uniformed staff, then make your way to the pirate-themed boat.

The meeting point is easy enough to find once you are in the harbor area, but getting there needs planning. Parking can be hard to find inside and outside the port, and traffic may slow you down. The operator asks you to arrive 30 minutes before departure. I would treat that as the minimum, not the target, especially for an afternoon sailing or a busy holiday period.

The boat’s pirate design gives the trip a playful character from the start. It works particularly well for families, since children get more than a standard sightseeing cruise. The crew keeps the mood light, and several families have found the jokes, swimming stop, and pirate setting more memorable than a plain wildlife boat.

The vessel has toilets on board, along with seating and upper areas for better views. The trade-off is space. On full departures, the seating area can feel tight, and the seats are hard enough that a folded towel makes a useful cushion.

Searching for dolphins and pilot whales

The first part of the outing is spent looking for marine life in the waters off Tenerife. The crew watches the sea and explains what you are seeing, with guides offering commentary in Spanish, English, French, and German.

Pilot whales are a common highlight on this route. They are often seen in groups, sometimes close enough for clear views from the boat. Dolphins may appear too, with some outings encountering bottlenose dolphins or large pods swimming near the vessel. Flying fish have also made an appearance, and one family even reported seeing a turtle.

Still, set your expectations properly. This is a search for wild animals, not a guaranteed show. Some departures see only a few dolphins, while others encounter both dolphins and pilot whales. The boat operator cannot control sea conditions or animal movements, so you should book this for the overall sea outing rather than for a promised photograph.

I appreciate that the animals remain in their natural environment. The rules forbid feeding or touching marine life, and the crew does not present the encounter as a staged performance. Keep your camera ready, but also watch with your own eyes. Wildlife can surface quickly and disappear just as fast.

The guide’s commentary can be harder to hear from the upper deck, especially when the boat is moving or the sea is noisy. If learning about the animals and cliffs is important to you, sit where you can hear the guide clearly, or ask the crew when the explanation begins. The speaker volume has also been too loud for some people at times.

Seeing Los Gigantes and Masca from the water

After the wildlife search, the boat heads toward the cliffs of Los Gigantes and Masca. From sea level, the scale is impressive. The rock walls rise almost 600 meters, creating one of Tenerife’s most dramatic coastal views.

This is where the boat tour earns its place beyond whale watching. You see the cliffs from an angle that roads and viewpoints cannot provide. The dark rock faces, open Atlantic, and steep coastline make a strong backdrop for photographs, particularly when you can frame the cliffs, Masca, and Mount Teide in the same view.

The boat passes beaches and coastal bays before stopping near Masca for swimming. The exact feel of this section depends on the wind and sea. On calmer departures, you may have a relaxed swim stop. On windier days, the crew may shorten the time in the water, though you can still get in for a quick swim or jump.

I would keep your camera protected until the boat is safely stopped. Salt spray and movement are part of the ride, especially on a choppy day.

Swimming from the boat and using the trapeze

The swimming stop is one of the most popular parts of the trip. You can enter the water by the boat’s stairs, which is the sensible choice if you want a steady, simple entry. If you are feeling more adventurous, use the trapeze and swing out over the Atlantic.

The crew helps create a safe and cheerful atmosphere, and non-swimmers can be given a float to help them enjoy the water. That said, this is open ocean swimming, not a shallow beach stop. You should be comfortable with the conditions or use the stairs and flotation support.

The water can feel cold, even in summer. Several families enjoyed watching children take turns on the trapeze, while others preferred staying on board and watching the action. You do not have to swim to enjoy this part of the outing.

Bring a towel and swimwear, plus sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. A towel has two jobs here: drying off and making the firm boat seating more comfortable. It is also wise to bring a warm layer for the return ride, since the sea breeze can feel surprisingly cool after swimming.

Paella, fruit, and drinks on the three-hour option

The three-hour tour includes a lunch of chicken and vegetable paella, followed by a piece of fruit. Drinks are available throughout the outing, including water, cola, Fanta, beer, and red wine. Canarian schnapps is also included.

The food is best viewed as a practical boat lunch rather than a destination meal. Some people have found the paella tasty and filling, while others preferred the shorter trip and felt the meal was not worth choosing for its own sake. If you eat rice and want the full three-hour experience, it can be a pleasant addition. If you have dietary preferences, the stated meal is chicken and vegetables, with no alternative listed.

The drinks service is one of the stronger value points. You are not left to buy each drink separately, and the crew keeps refreshments moving during the trip. Beer, sangria-style drinks, and soft drinks have all been popular choices, though the exact drink presentation can vary.

The two-hour option is more focused. You get the boat ride, wildlife search, cliff views, swim stop, and drinks, without the included paella meal. For many people, that is enough time to enjoy the main attractions without making the outing feel long.

What the crew adds to the experience

The crew receives especially strong praise for being friendly, funny, and helpful. That matters on a group boat, where a warm crew can make a crowded deck feel much more relaxed.

The guides also speak several languages, which helps international groups follow safety instructions and wildlife commentary. Some passengers have found it difficult to hear the captain or guide from the upper deck, so location matters. The lower seating area may be better if you want to catch every explanation.

The crew has also helped nervous swimmers, assisted people who felt unwell, and made birthday occasions more personal. One child received a surprise birthday song from the entire boat after the family casually mentioned the occasion. That sort of small gesture fits the informal, family-friendly nature of the trip.

If you are prone to seasickness, think carefully before booking. The route can be choppy, and some passengers have felt ill. The boat has toilets, but the best protection is to eat lightly beforehand, stay outside where possible, and choose a seat with a clear view of the horizon.

Is $39 good value?

At $39 per person, this is a good-value half-day-style outing, particularly if your trip includes a wildlife sighting and a swim. You are paying for the boat, guide, whale and dolphin search, drinks, toilets, and access to the swimming stop. The three-hour version adds paella and fruit.

The value depends on what you want most. Choose the two-hour option if you want:

• A shorter afternoon activity
• Wildlife watching and cliff views
• Drinks without committing to a longer cruise
• A better fit for a busy holiday schedule

Choose the three-hour option if you want:

• More time on the water
• Included paella and fruit
• A fuller family outing
• More time for the swim stop, depending on sea conditions

The price is less appealing if you require a quiet, spacious boat or a detailed nature lecture. This is a lively pirate-themed trip, not a small specialist expedition. You are paying for a social outing with entertainment, scenery, swimming, and a fair chance of seeing whales or dolphins.

Who should book this pirate boat?

I would recommend Flipper Uno most strongly to families, couples who enjoy a relaxed group activity, and anyone who wants several experiences packed into one outing. The pirate boat, trapeze, drinks, and friendly crew give children plenty to look forward to, while the cliffs and wildlife keep adults interested.

It also suits first-time whale watchers. You do not need specialist knowledge to enjoy the trip, and the crew explains what is happening as the boat searches. The combination of pilot whales, dolphins, sea cliffs, and swimming makes the outing feel varied rather than repetitive.

You may want a different type of boat trip if you prefer silence, extra space, or a highly focused wildlife experience. A full boat can mean less room to move, and the guide may be hard to hear from the top deck. People who dislike choppy water should also be cautious.

For confident swimmers, the trapeze is great fun. For less confident swimmers, the steps and flotation support make the stop more manageable, but you should still remember that the swim takes place in the Atlantic, not a pool.

Booking, cancellation, and useful details

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and the reserve-now-pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want.

Pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to make your own way to Los Gigantes Harbor, and late arrivals are not refunded or rescheduled. Bring cash, even though the main tour inclusions are covered, as it may be useful for personal spending or a tip.

The operator does not permit smoking, vaping, drones, oversized luggage, glass objects, speakers, fishing, or feeding and touching animals. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed. Keep your bag compact and bring only what you need for a few hours on the water.

Should you book the Flipper Uno tour?

Book it if you want an easygoing, good-value boat day with pilot whales, dolphins, cliffs, drinks, and a swim all in one package. The crew’s humor and care are a major part of the appeal, and the views beneath Los Gigantes are worth the trip even if wildlife sightings are limited.

Choose the two-hour sailing for the simplest version. Choose three hours if paella and extra time on the water matter to you. Arrive early, bring a towel and warm layer, and board with realistic expectations about wild animals. With those points in mind, this is a lively and memorable choice for a Tenerife holiday.

FAQ

Where does the dolphin and whale watching tour depart from?

It departs from Los Gigantes Harbor. Find the Flipper Uno office on the right-hand side at the harbor entrance, where staff wear yellow uniforms.

How long does the tour last?

There are two options: approximately two hours or three hours. Check the available departure times when booking.

Is lunch included?

Chicken and vegetable paella, plus a piece of fruit, is included with the three-hour option. The two-hour option does not include the paella meal.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Included drinks are cola, Fanta, water, beer, and red wine. Canarian schnapps is also included.

Can I swim from the boat?

Yes. The boat stops in a bay near Masca when sea conditions allow. You can enter using the stairs or jump from the trapeze.

Will I definitely see dolphins or whales?

No. Sightings depend on sea conditions and the movements of wild animals. The tour searches for dolphins and whales, but sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Which languages does the guide speak?

Live guiding is available in Spanish, English, French, and German. The guide may be harder to hear from the upper deck while the boat is moving.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, beachwear, a camera, and cash. A warm layer is also useful because the sea breeze can feel cold.