Royal Delfin – 4’5H Dolphin & Whale Watching – Los Gigantes Masca – Lunch & Swim

Watch the cliffs rise from the sea. Royal Delfin combines whale and dolphin watching with a scenic cruise from Puerto Colón to Los Gigantes and a swim in Masca Bay. I like the purpose-built catamaran’s underwater viewing windows, and I like that lunch, soft drinks, beer, and sangria are included rather than added piecemeal. The main caution is simple: wildlife is wild, and a full boat can make the trip feel more commercial than intimate.

This is the company’s flagship cruise, lasting about 4 hours and 30 minutes. You’ll travel along Tenerife’s southwest coast from Playa de Las Américas and Costa Adeje toward the huge Los Gigantes cliffs. Sightings can be excellent, with pilot whales, dolphins, flying fish, and sometimes turtles, but some outings see animals only briefly or from a distance.

Key points to know before booking

• Los Gigantes is the visual star: The towering cliffs provide the most reliable highlight, even when marine life keeps its distance.
• The underwater windows add a second viewing option: You may see cetaceans below the surface, although animals do not always pass beneath the boat.
• Masca Bay provides the swimming break: You can swim from the catamaran in a dramatic setting surrounded by cliffs.
• Food and drinks are included: Expect a small sandwich or snack, a main lunch, water, juice, soft drinks, beer, and sangria.
• This is a large boat outing: The maximum group size is 200, so space and viewing positions may feel limited on a busy departure.
• The $72.29 price covers a long outing: It offers good value if you want scenery, wildlife watching, lunch, drinks, and swimming in one half-day trip.

Setting off from Puerto Colón at 2 pm

The tour starts at Av. de Colón, 11, in Playa de Las Américas, with departure listed for 2 pm. The boat sails from Puerto Colón, so check the exact boarding point carefully before leaving your hotel. One useful practical note is that the boat itself may be easier to find by walking to the marina than by relying on a vague meeting-point description.

The cruise ends back at the starting point. Since the outing lasts about four and a half hours, you should expect to return in the early evening. That timing makes this a useful afternoon plan, but you will want to leave enough room afterward for dinner or evening transport.

The catamaran is purpose-built for this kind of trip. It has restrooms, seating areas, food service, and underwater glass viewing rooms. You can move between the open deck, the viewing areas, and the shaded parts of the boat, though a departure carrying close to its 200-person maximum may feel crowded.

Watching dolphins and pilot whales in open water

The first major purpose of the cruise is to search for cetaceans along Tenerife’s southwest coast. The boat travels from the waters off Playa de Las Américas and Costa Adeje toward Los Gigantes, looking for dolphins and whales in their natural environment.

The best sightings can be memorable. Some outings have included repeated dolphin encounters, pilot whales close to the boat, flying fish, and even a turtle. Dolphins may approach easily while the catamaran moves slowly, giving you a better chance to watch their behavior rather than simply spot a fin before it disappears.

The underwater viewing windows are a real advantage when conditions cooperate. Seeing a whale or dolphin below the surface can feel very different from watching one from the upper deck. Still, you should treat the glass viewing room as an extra opportunity, not a guarantee. The animals choose where to swim, and several outings have had few sightings or animals that stayed far from the boat.

That uncertainty matters. You are paying for a search at sea, not a wildlife show with scheduled appearances. One outing may produce several close encounters, while another may offer only two brief dolphin sightings. Small yachts and sailing boats can also gather near the animals, making it harder for the catamaran to approach.

The sea can be bumpy, especially during the first part of the trip. Rougher conditions may affect your comfort and make photography difficult. If you are prone to motion sickness, consider your usual tolerance before booking, since the company does not present ordinary waves as a special warning.

The coast from Costa Adeje to Los Gigantes

The cruise is not only about animals. You’ll follow Tenerife’s southwest coast, with views toward Playa de Las Américas, Costa Adeje, and the dramatic cliffs of Los Gigantes.

Los Gigantes is the strongest fixed point on the route because the cliffs do not depend on luck or weather in the same way wildlife does. Their scale is best understood from the water, where the rock walls rise directly above the bay. The approach gives you time to take photographs and appreciate the contrast between the dark cliffs and the open sea.

The boat does spend much of its time near the coast rather than far offshore. That helps with coastal views and access to Masca Bay, but it may disappoint you if you expect a long expedition into open ocean. Think of this as a coastal cruise with wildlife watching, not a dedicated offshore whale research trip.

The crew also plays a large part in the mood. Several outings have been praised for friendly staff, good service, and a relaxed atmosphere. The music playlist has received particular approval, though loud music can bother you if you prefer quiet nature watching. The crew speaks several languages, which may help on a mixed international departure.

Arriving at Masca Bay for lunch and swimming

The boat stops in Masca Bay near Los Gigantes for the swimming break. This is one of the most appealing parts of the route because you get time to leave the viewing routine behind and enjoy the water beneath the cliffs.

The bay is repeatedly described as a beautiful place to swim. You can enter the sea from the back of the boat, so bring a swimsuit and a towel. The stop is intended for swimming rather than a beach visit, and you should not expect to walk ashore unless the crew specifically says otherwise.

Lunch is included, along with drinks. The main meal has been described as rice, meatballs, and salad. Some people have found it tasty and satisfying, while others considered the food plain or too processed. I would set your expectations at practical boat lunch rather than local Canarian cuisine.

A small sandwich or snack may be served while you wait for the main meal. The listed provisions include snacks, soft drinks, juice, and water, with beer and sangria also available. Coffee and tea are not included, and liquor such as whiskey, rum, and vodka is excluded.

The meal is one of the tour’s better value points. Buying lunch and drinks separately during a half-day outing could add up, and the crew keeps the refreshments flowing for much of the cruise. If you have dietary restrictions, check before booking, since the listed snack has been described as a salami sandwich and no vegetarian alternative is specified.

Swimming time is another reason to choose the longer cruise. It breaks up the boat ride and gives you a clear activity at a fixed location. The tradeoff is that the longest tour may not be necessary if your only goal is to spot dolphins and pilot whales. A shorter cruise could suit you better if swimming, lunch, and the full coastal route are not priorities.

How crowded and comfortable is the catamaran?

The advertised maximum is 200 people, which is a substantial group for a wildlife cruise. A full departure can create competition for the best rail positions and make the underwater viewing areas harder to enjoy at busy moments.

That does not mean the boat is automatically uncomfortable. The catamaran has several areas, including outdoor viewing spaces, indoor underwater windows, a restroom, and food service. You can usually change position during the cruise, but you may need patience when everyone gathers for a sighting or meal.

The crowd can also shape the atmosphere. Some people enjoy meeting others and like the lively music and social feel. If you prefer quiet observation, a smaller boat would likely feel more peaceful, though this particular experience is built around capacity and included services.

The staff-to-passenger service has received positive attention. The crew is often described as friendly and attentive, and the camera operator records parts of the outing. Video footage can be purchased afterward, which gives you a way to remember the day without trying to film every moment yourself.

What the $72.29 price really covers

At $72.29 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water in Tenerife. The value depends on how many parts of the package you will actually use.

You receive about four and a half hours on the sea, whale and dolphin watching, the Los Gigantes route, a Masca Bay swim, lunch, snacks, unlimited listed drinks, restroom access, and the catamaran’s underwater viewing areas. If you want all of those elements, the price is reasonable for a half-day outing.

The value drops if you mainly want a short wildlife trip. The boat may spend time near the coast, the animal sightings can be limited, and the lunch is functional rather than special. In that case, a shorter cruise could give you the main wildlife experience for less time and possibly less money.

Parking is not included, and coffee, tea, and spirits cost extra or are unavailable as part of the package. You should also budget for the optional video if you want it, since that is a separate purchase.

The overall rating of 3.8 from 192 reviews points to a mixed but generally worthwhile experience. The strongest praise centers on the crew, scenery, drinks, swimming, and successful sightings. The most common concerns are crowding, inconsistent wildlife, bumpy water, and food quality.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend Royal Delfin to you if you want several Tenerife experiences bundled into one outing. It suits families, couples, and groups who like a social boat atmosphere and do not want to arrange whale watching, lunch, and a coastal cruise separately.

It is especially appealing if Los Gigantes and swimming in Masca Bay matter as much to you as seeing dolphins. Those parts remain worthwhile even on a quiet wildlife day. The cliffs provide dependable scenery, and the swim gives the afternoon a clear payoff.

You should think twice if you need a small, quiet boat or guaranteed close wildlife encounters. A full catamaran, loud music, ordinary waves, and variable sightings may not match your ideal day at sea.

Most travelers can participate, and service animals are allowed. The tour is near public transportation, but parking fees are not included. Confirmation is normally issued at booking, though reservations made within 12 hours of departure are confirmed as soon as possible, subject to availability.

Cancellation and weather details

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 2 pm start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refundable.

The trip requires suitable weather. If poor conditions cause cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

Should you book Royal Delfin?

Book it if you want a full coastal day at sea, not just a quick search for dolphins. The combination of Los Gigantes, Masca Bay, swimming, lunch, drinks, and underwater viewing gives you several ways to enjoy the trip.

Go in with realistic expectations about wildlife. You might see dolphins and pilot whales close to the boat, or you might see only brief encounters. If you can accept that uncertainty and are comfortable with a potentially busy catamaran, the $72.29 fare offers a solid all-in-one outing. If food quality, peace, or guaranteed animal sightings matter most, choose a smaller or shorter trip instead.

FAQ

Where does the Royal Delfin tour start?

The listed start point is Av. de Colón, 11, 38660 Playa de las Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain. The catamaran sails from Puerto Colón.

What time does the tour depart?

The scheduled start time is 2 pm.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes.

Does the tour return to the starting point?

Yes. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Are dolphins and whales guaranteed?

No. The crew searches for cetaceans in their free and natural environment, but sightings depend on wildlife conditions. Past outings have included dolphins and pilot whales, while others have seen fewer animals or animals farther from the boat.

Is swimming included?

Yes. The boat stops in Masca Bay near Los Gigantes for swimming.

What food and drinks are included?

The package includes lunch, a small sandwich snack, water, juice, soft drinks, beer, and sangria. Coffee, tea, and spirits such as whiskey, rum, and vodka are not included.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience for a full refund. Cancellations or changes within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather or insufficient participation cancels the tour, you can receive a full refund or choose another option.