Whale and Dolphin Watching Sailing Tour – Los Gigantes (3H)

The Atlantic puts on the show. This three-hour sailing trip from Los Gigantes combines whale and dolphin watching with a swim beneath Tenerife’s towering cliffs, making it more personal than a large sightseeing boat. I especially like the small group size, usually no more than nine shared passengers, and the chance to sail on a proper 14-meter yacht rather than a crowded excursion vessel. The main consideration is that wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, and the included lunch is better described as cold tapas-style snacks than a full meal.

I also like the calm pace. Captain Antonio, along with the multilingual crew, gives the trip a friendly human touch, and the boat has enough room for sunbathing, sitting in shade, and moving around. You should bring a jacket and consider motion-sickness medicine, since the open Atlantic can be lively even when the day looks calm.

Key things to know before booking

• Pilot whales are the regular highlight: You may also see dolphins, turtles, tuna, rays, and other marine life in the Teno-Rasca Marine Reserve.
• The group stays small: Shared departures are limited to nine people, while private charters can take up to ten.
• The cliffs are part of the experience: You sail below the 600-meter-high Cliffs of the Giants, with excellent photo opportunities from the water.
• Snorkeling equipment is supplied: The boat stops at a natural cove for swimming and snorkeling, though water time can vary.
• Food is generous but informal: Expect drinks and cold snacks such as tortilla, local cheese, cured meats, breadsticks, olives, and fruit.
• The 10 a.m. departure may suit wildlife watchers: One person who took that sailing felt morning was better for seeing whales, though conditions and sightings vary.

Setting sail from Los Gigantes

You meet at MPC Yacht Charter in the port of Los Gigantes with your confirmation voucher. The boat is El Mojo Picón, a 14-meter sailing yacht used for both shared trips and private bookings.

The first thing I like about this setup is the size. A maximum of nine people on a shared trip feels very different from a boat carrying dozens of passengers. You have a better chance of seeing the water from the rail, asking questions, and finding a comfortable place to sit without turning the outing into a queue for the best view.

The yacht is described as clean, comfortable, and well equipped. Several passengers particularly appreciated having room to relax, while families found the ride smooth enough for young children. One family even reported that their child slept through much of the sailing.

The small scale does not mean luxury service in the formal sense. This is a friendly sailing outing, not a polished yacht charter with table service. The appeal is the boat, the setting, and the personal attention from the skipper.

Watching whales and dolphins in the Teno-Rasca Marine Reserve

The main sailing section takes place in the waters around the Teno-Rasca Marine Reserve, an important marine area off Tenerife’s southwest coast. The boat heads out in search of cetaceans in their natural surroundings rather than taking you to an aquarium or staged encounter.

Pilot whales are the most frequently noted sighting on this trip. You might see a small group moving near the boat, sometimes close enough for clear photographs. Dolphins have also been seen traveling alongside the yacht, with some groups staying nearby for several minutes. Turtles, tuna, colorful fish, rays, and even a reported hammerhead shark have also appeared on individual outings.

The boat’s smaller size helps keep the mood quiet. The skipper cuts the engine well before approaching whales, allowing the animals to continue without being chased. That is important to me. A close view is exciting, but a responsible distance matters more than getting the perfect photograph.

You should keep your expectations sensible. No wild-animal trip can promise a particular species on a particular day. Some departures have brought close views of both whales and dolphins, while one outing saw pilot whales but no dolphins. The sea decides the schedule, not the brochure.

Captain Antonio receives especially strong praise for his manner on the water. He is described as relaxed, funny, attentive, and passionate about the sea. He explains what you are seeing and points out details around the island without turning the trip into a nonstop lecture. The guiding is available in Spanish, English, and French.

If you want a formal marine biology talk, this may feel light. If you prefer useful explanations mixed with quiet sailing, jokes, and time to watch the water, the style should suit you well.

The Cliffs of the Giants from sea level

Los Gigantes is famous for its enormous volcanic cliffs, which rise about 600 meters above the Atlantic. From land, you see a dramatic wall of rock. From the boat, you get a different perspective as the cliffs rise directly from the water beside you.

This is one of the best reasons to bring a camera. The yacht gives you changing angles as it sails along the coast, and the cliffs provide a strong backdrop for photographs of the boat, the sea, and your companions. The return route beneath the cliffs is often one of the most peaceful parts of the trip.

The scale can be hard to judge in a photograph, so look for the tiny boats and people near the waterline. They make the height easier to understand. You will also have time to put the camera down and simply watch the rock faces pass by.

The cliffs are not a separate land visit. You do not hike to their base, and you are not getting off for a coastal walk. This is a water-level view, paired with sailing and wildlife watching.

Swimming and snorkeling in a natural cove

After the wildlife search, the boat anchors in a sheltered cove for swimming and snorkeling. The water is described as clear, with fish visible around the rocky coast. Snorkeling gear is provided, so you do not need to pack your own mask and fins.

This stop gives the three-hour trip a welcome change of pace. You move from scanning the horizon to looking underwater, with the cliffs still rising nearby. Several people enjoyed seeing colorful fish, crabs, and other small sea life close to the rocks.

Do keep the timing in perspective. The tour is built around sailing and wildlife, not an extended beach or snorkeling session. Some people had roughly 30 minutes in the water, while another family found the swimming stop closer to 10 minutes. The exact time can depend on the sea, wildlife activity, and the need to return to port on schedule.

If swimming is your main goal, you may want a dedicated snorkeling trip instead. If you want a refreshing break after watching whales and dolphins, this cove is a very good addition.

Bring a towel and a jacket. The jacket matters even on a sunny Tenerife day, since the wind can feel cool once the boat is moving again. A camera is also worth packing, but protect it from spray and keep your attention on the water when wildlife appears.

Lunch, drinks, and the Spanish touch

Food is included, but you should know exactly what that means. The meal is generally a spread of cold snacks rather than a hot restaurant lunch. Expect items such as Spanish tortilla, local cheese, cured meats, breadsticks, olives, fruit skewers, and similar tapas-style food. Drinks include water, soft drinks, and, on some outings, beer or wine.

I think this works well after swimming. You can sit around the boat, eat without fuss, and enjoy the views rather than stopping for a formal meal. The food has been described as fresh, tasty, generous, and prepared with care.

Still, do not arrive expecting a large cooked lunch. One person specifically noted that the lunch consisted of assorted cold snacks. That is not a complaint so much as a useful correction to the word lunch.

Private charters include a light brunch, while shared trips include appetizers, snacks, and drinks. If you have dietary needs, the supplied details do not specify special menus, so ask MPC Yacht Charter before booking.

Why the small group matters

The group size is one of the strongest reasons to choose this outing. Shared cruises take up to nine people, and private charters allow up to ten. That is small enough for the yacht to feel relaxed rather than crowded.

You can usually find a place to sit, stretch out, or watch from the front or side of the boat. The skipper can answer questions more easily, and the atmosphere tends to be social without being noisy. Several families, couples, and mixed-nationality groups found the mood calm and friendly.

A private charter makes sense for a birthday, family outing, or special celebration. It also gives your party more control over the mood and space. The shared option is the better value if you are happy meeting other people and want the same basic route at a lower total cost.

The boat can still feel small to anyone who dislikes open water. If the sea is rough, there is no large indoor ferry cabin to escape into. Motion-sickness tablets may be wise, especially if you know you are sensitive to boat movement.

Is $76 good value?

At $76 per person, the price is reasonable for a three-hour small-group sailing trip that includes wildlife watching, snorkeling gear, food, drinks, safety equipment, and the use of a proper yacht.

The value comes from combining several separate experiences in one outing. A standard boat trip might give you whale watching but no swim. A beach cruise might offer a cove but no wildlife search. Here, you get the marine reserve, the Cliffs of the Giants, a snorkeling stop, and refreshments in a single half-day activity.

The price is less compelling if you only want a long swim or a full meal. It is also important to remember that wildlife sightings depend on nature. You are paying for skilled searching, a respectful approach, the sailing setting, and the chance to see animals, not a guaranteed performance.

For couples and families who value space and a quieter boat, the cost compares well with a larger commercial excursion. Private charters will cost more overall, but the supplied information does not give a private charter price, so you should request a current quote.

Who should book this sailing trip?

I would choose this tour if you want a gentle mix of wildlife, scenery, and time in the water. It suits couples, families, small groups, and anyone who finds large boat excursions tiring.

It is also a good choice for people who care about responsible wildlife viewing. The crew aims to keep a respectful distance, and the quiet sailing style helps the experience feel less like a chase.

You may want a different activity if you have serious mobility limitations, heart problems, or little tolerance for boat movement. The activity information describes the meeting point and tour as wheelchair accessible, but it also says the experience is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. That conflict should be clarified directly with the operator before you book.

The tour is not designed as a long snorkeling day, a hot lunch cruise, or a guaranteed dolphin encounter. Its strength is the combination of a small yacht, skilled searching, dramatic cliffs, and an easy swim stop.

Practical details for a smooth day

The tour lasts three hours, with departure times depending on availability. The 10 a.m. sailing may be worth considering if seeing whales is your top priority, based on the experience of one passenger who felt they were more active earlier in the day.

Meet at MPC Yacht Charter in advance with your confirmation voucher. Bring a towel, camera, and jacket. Alcohol and drugs, fireworks, and explosive substances are not permitted.

The crew speaks Spanish, English, and French. You can book a shared cruise or a private group, and the provider offers reserve-now, pay-later booking on the stated terms. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund.

The experience has a 4.7 rating from 691 reviews, which fits the strongest pattern in the feedback: praise for the skipper, the small group, the boat, the wildlife, and the food. The occasional cautions are also clear: lunch is cold tapas, swimming time can be shorter than expected, and some people may feel seasick.

Should you book the Los Gigantes whale watching tour?

Yes, if you want a small, friendly sailing trip with several highlights packed into three hours. The best reasons to book are the limited group size, Captain Antonio’s warm approach, the chance to see pilot whales and dolphins, and the fine view of Los Gigantes from the water.

Choose a morning departure if wildlife is your main goal, bring motion-sickness medicine if needed, and think of lunch as Spanish snacks rather than a full meal. If you accept that the sea controls the sightings, this is a well-priced way to experience Tenerife’s southwest coast with more peace and personal attention than a large excursion boat.

FAQ

How long is the whale and dolphin watching tour?

The sailing tour lasts three hours.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at MPC Yacht Charter in the port of Los Gigantes. Meet there in advance with your confirmation voucher.

How many people can join the shared cruise?

Shared excursions have a maximum of nine guests.

Can I book a private sailing?

Yes. Private charters are available for groups of up to ten people.

What wildlife might I see?

Possible sightings include pilot whales, dolphins, sea turtles, tuna, fish, rays, and other marine life. Wildlife sightings depend on natural conditions.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is provided for the swimming and snorkeling stop.

Is food included?

Yes. Shared trips include appetizers, snacks, and drinks. The food is generally cold tapas-style fare such as tortilla, cheese, cured meats, olives, breadsticks, and fruit.

What languages does the crew speak?

The live tour guide service is available in Spanish, English, and French.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, camera, and jacket.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund under the stated cancellation terms.