Dolphin and Whale Sailing Tour in Los Gigantes

Whales, cliffs, and a quiet boat ride make a fine Tenerife day. This three-hour trip from Los Gigantes combines pilot whale watching with a swim and snorkel stop beneath the towering cliffs of Teno Rural Park. I especially like the small limit of 10 people and the chance to see marine life without being packed onto a large boat.

I also like the relaxed mix of wildlife, scenery, and time in the water. Captains such as Antonio and Francisco receive strong praise for spotting animals and explaining the sea and island. The main consideration is that wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, and a few passengers have raised concerns about smoking, music, and uneven communication on board.

At $84.69 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water. Still, the price includes a small group, snorkeling equipment, drinks, and snacks, so it offers fair value if you want a personal outing rather than a big-boat cruise.

Key points to know

• Pilot whales are the main attraction: Tropical calderones, dolphins, turtles, and other marine life may appear, but sightings depend on conditions and animal movement.
• The group is capped at 10 people: This gives you more room and a better chance to see the water from the boat’s sides.
• Los Gigantes looks best from offshore: The cliffs and the mouth of a barranco take on a different scale when viewed from the sea.
• A swim and snorkel stop is included: Equipment is provided, and you can swim, snorkel, or stay dry on the boat.
• Antonio and Francisco are names to look for: Both captains receive praise for finding whales and sharing local information.
• Arrive early at the marina: Parking can be difficult around the meeting point, and arriving late can delay the whole group.

Setting out from Puerto Deportivo Los Gigantes

The trip begins at MPC Yacht Charter, at Yate El Mojo Picon in the marina on Calle Poblado Marinero, in Acantilados de Los Gigantes. You return to the same point after roughly three hours.

I would arrive early. Parking in the area can be hard to find, and the boat cannot simply wait forever for a late arrival. One passenger described arriving late because of road construction, while the operator said the group had waited well beyond the scheduled time. The practical lesson is simple: build in extra time for the road, parking, and finding the boat.

The meeting area sits near one of Tenerife’s most dramatic coastal views. Even before departure, you are close to the tall volcanic cliffs that give Los Gigantes its name. The marina itself is the useful reference point, so check the exact boat name and meeting details before you leave your hotel.

This is a mobile-ticket activity, and confirmation is provided when you book. The tour is offered in English, though the captain may also speak Spanish during the trip. Service animals are allowed, and the activity is described as suitable for most people.

Why a 10-person sailboat changes the experience

The maximum group size is one of the strongest reasons to consider this tour. Several outings carried only six, seven, eight, or nine people, leaving more open space than you usually get on a large whale-watching boat.

That smaller setting matters when an animal surfaces. You can move your gaze from one side of the boat to the other without fighting through a crowd. It also makes the trip feel more social and personal, especially when the captain points out a pod or explains what you are seeing.

The boat used on at least one outing was described as a Bavaria 44. It is a proper sailing yacht rather than a basic open excursion boat, with enough room for a small group to sit, watch, and move around. Do not expect unlimited space, though. Ten people is a small group for a marine tour, but the boat is still compact, and choppy water can make movement awkward.

The word sailing needs a small footnote. If the wind is weak, the boat uses its engine. One passenger enjoyed the outing but felt it did not count as sailing because the motor ran throughout. The operator explained that there is no practical alternative when there is not enough wind to complete the route. If you mainly want a yacht-style wildlife trip, this should not trouble you. If sailing under canvas is the central reason you are booking, keep your expectations flexible.

Watching pilot whales along the Teno coast

The wildlife search takes place along the coast near Los Gigantes and within the protected Teno Rural Park area. Pilot whales, also called tropical calderones, are the species most often mentioned, but dolphins are also a regular highlight in the accounts of this outing.

The best moments can be wonderfully simple: a pod surfacing near the boat, dolphins moving alongside the hull, or a captain quietly changing course after spotting activity in the distance. One outing found a large pod of pilot whales close to the boat. Another saw dolphins but no whales, with unusually loud New Year’s celebrations thought to have pushed the whales farther offshore.

That variation is important. This is a wildlife trip, not a staged animal show. Some departures report pilot whales, dolphins, turtles, and birds in one outing. Others see only dolphins or only pilot whales. I would book it because the search takes place in a beautiful setting, not because anyone can promise a particular animal.

The captains communicate with other boats to locate wildlife over a wide search area. To some people, radio conversations may look like a distraction, but this is part of how whale-watching crews find animals while avoiding pointless searching. Antonio is often praised for his ability to locate pilot whales and for offering facts about the animals, the island, and the sea. Francisco receives similar praise for finding a large pod and keeping the group informed.

The amount of commentary may depend on the departure and the captain. Most feedback describes friendly explanations in English and Spanish, including information about the cliffs, Teide, Teno Rural Park, dolphins, and whales. One unhappy passenger felt left out of conversations and said too much Spanish was used. If clear, continuous English narration is essential to you, confirm the language arrangements when booking.

Seeing Los Gigantes from the water

The cliffs are the scenic heart of the trip. From shore, Los Gigantes is impressive. From the water, you get a lower viewpoint that shows the rock walls rising directly from the sea.

The route can include sailing alongside the cliffs and toward the area around La Masca. The scale becomes easier to appreciate from a small boat, especially when you stop below the rock faces for a swim. Several accounts describe the cliff views as one of the best parts of the day, even when wildlife sightings varied.

The water around the coast is often described as clear and dark blue, with a quiet cove or sheltered area used for the swimming stop. You may see the cliffs behind you while snorkeling, which gives the break a memorable setting without requiring a separate beach visit.

This is not a beach day. The swim stop is part of a moving wildlife excursion, so the time in the water is limited. If you want hours of snorkeling, this will feel short. If you want a refreshing break after watching whales, the balance works well.

Snorkeling, swimming, and staying dry

Snorkeling equipment is included. At the stop, you can swim, practice snorkeling, or simply remain on the boat with a drink and take in the view.

The marine life below the boat can include colorful fish and other small species. One outing reported plenty of fish in a beautiful snorkeling spot, while another described snorkeling beneath the Los Gigantes cliffs. Turtles were also seen during some trips, but they are not promised.

I like this part of the itinerary because it keeps the three hours from becoming a single-purpose wildlife search. You get a chance to stretch, cool off, and see a different side of the coast. Families may appreciate the choice to participate or sit out, though parents should consider how their children handle a moving boat and open-water conditions.

Sea conditions matter. One account describes calm water, while another mentions a choppy sea. A boat can be comfortable and well handled without making rough water feel smooth. If you are prone to seasickness, bring whatever preparation you normally use and choose a calm-weather day when possible.

Snacks, drinks, and the easygoing finish

Food and drinks are included during the crossing. The offering has been described as snacks, tapas, or a light Canarian lunch, with examples including melon, assorted cured meats, tortilla, fruit, beer, soda, and water.

That is more useful than a token biscuit, especially after swimming. I would think of it as a light spread rather than a full meal. If you have a large appetite, bring your own additional food only if the operator allows it, since the supplied information does not describe a full lunch service.

Most feedback describes the snacks as tasty and the drinks as welcome. One strongly negative account called the food stale and complained about lukewarm water, while the operator said fresh products are bought daily. That conflict suggests the food experience can vary, or at least be perceived differently from one departure to another.

There are also conflicting comments about smoking. One passenger objected to cigarette smoke near a child, while the operator said the captain tries not to bother anyone and that the boat is open-air. If smoke is a serious concern for you or someone in your group, ask about the current onboard policy before booking. That is a fair question, especially for families, pregnant passengers, and anyone with breathing problems.

Music is another minor consideration. One complaint described loud music and the captain lowering it only after repeated requests. Most other comments do not mention a problem, but a small boat gives personal habits more effect. A quiet trip is likely, but not guaranteed in every moment.

The captains and the level of service

Antonio is the name most often associated with this trip. He is praised for finding pilot whales, offering information about local geography and marine life, and suggesting other places to visit on Tenerife. His long experience appears to help when the sea is not perfectly calm or animals are hard to spot.

Francisco also receives unusually warm praise. On one departure, a passenger dropped a phone into the marina, and Francisco entered the water to retrieve it. During the trip, he reportedly found a large pod of pilot whales and explained the wildlife and the island.

These personal touches help explain why the experience earns a 4.8 rating from 274 reviews, with 95 percent of customers recommending it. Still, the service is not perfectly uniform. One passenger described poor treatment of a sick child and felt ignored during the trip. Another felt singled out because the group’s main language was not Spanish.

I would treat this as a small owner-led boat outing, not a polished resort production. That can be a strength, because the captain may be more involved in finding animals and shaping the day. It can also mean that the tone depends heavily on the individual captain, the group, the sea, and the mood on board.

Is $84.69 good value for three hours?

At $84.69 per person, the cost is reasonable if you value the limited group size. You are paying for about three hours on a yacht, wildlife searching, the Los Gigantes coastline, snorkeling equipment, snacks, and drinks.

The strongest value comes from avoiding a crowded boat. A lower-priced trip with dozens of people may offer a similar view of the cliffs, but the small group gives you more space and easier access to the rail. It also makes the swim stop less hectic.

The price is less compelling if you expect a guaranteed whale sighting, a full lunch, or a pure sailing experience. Animals move, wind can disappear, and the boat may use its engine. I see this as a good-value combination of nature outing and coastal cruise, with wildlife as the exciting bonus rather than a guaranteed product.

The tour is often booked around 10 days ahead. That is a useful sign for planning, especially if your Tenerife schedule is tight. Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time. If bad weather cancels the outing, you can receive a different date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

Who will enjoy this Los Gigantes boat trip?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Couples wanting a quiet sea outing with scenery and wildlife.
• Families who prefer a small group to a crowded catamaran.
• Nature lovers who care about seeing animals in their own environment.
• Visitors who want to combine whale watching with a short snorkel stop.
• Anyone who wants to see Los Gigantes from offshore rather than only from land.

It may be less suitable if you need a guaranteed English-only experience, dislike any chance of cigarette smoke, or want a full sailing trip with the motor off. It may also be a poor fit if you get badly seasick or need a long, fully accessible route, since the available information only says most people can participate and does not provide detailed accessibility information.

My verdict on the Los Gigantes whale-watching tour

I would book this tour if I wanted a small, scenic wildlife trip and could accept the unpredictability of the sea. The limited group, strong record of pilot whale sightings, snorkeling stop, and excellent views of Los Gigantes give it more character than a standard large-boat cruise.

I would not book it blindly if smoke, language, or a perfectly quiet atmosphere were deal-breakers. Ask those questions before paying, arrive early for parking, and think of the snacks as a light meal. For most people, the best reason to go is the combination of a close view of Tenerife’s cliffs and the chance to watch pilot whales or dolphins in open water.

FAQ

How long is the Dolphin and Whale Sailing Tour in Los Gigantes?

The excursion lasts approximately three hours.

Where does the tour begin and end?

It begins at MPC Yacht Charter, at Yate El Mojo Picon in Puerto Deportivo, Los Gigantes. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

What animals might I see?

Possible sightings include pilot whales, also called tropical calderones, dolphins, turtles, birds, and other marine species. Sightings depend on the sea and the animals’ movements.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. The tour includes equipment for snorkeling, and you can also swim or remain on the boat during the stop.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 10 travelers.

Are snacks and drinks included?

Yes. Snacks and drinks are served on board. The food has been described as tapas or a light Canarian-style spread, with items such as fruit, cured meats, tortilla, beer, soda, and water.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience begins. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded. If poor weather or an insufficient number of participants causes the operator to cancel, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.