Dolphin and Whale Sailing Tour in Los Gigantes

The Atlantic puts on a fine show here. This three-hour boat trip from Los Gigantes combines pilot whale and dolphin watching with a swim near Tenerife’s famous cliffs, all aboard a small sailboat limited to 10 people. The setting inside and around Teno Rural Park is the real prize, with dark volcanic cliffs rising from the sea and a good chance of seeing marine life.

I especially like the small group size and the useful mix of wildlife watching, snorkeling, drinks, and light food. Captains including Antonio and Francisco have earned praise for their local knowledge and friendly service. The main thing to consider is that the boat may use its engine for much or all of the route if the wind is weak, and reports about communication, smoking, and onboard comfort have not been entirely consistent.

The essentials at a glance

• Small Bavaria 44 sailboat: The boat carries no more than 10 people, with some departures having only six to nine passengers.
• Pilot whales are the main wildlife draw: Dolphins, turtles, birds, tropical calderones, and colorful fish are also possible sightings.
• Los Gigantes looks best from the water: The cliffs and nearby coastal scenery feel far more dramatic from offshore.
• A swim and snorkel stop is included: Equipment is provided, and the stop takes place in a quieter cove or sheltered coastal area.
• Food and drinks are part of the outing: Expect tapas or light snacks, with examples including melon, ham, tortilla, soft drinks, beer, and water.
• Plan ahead for parking: The marina area can be difficult for parking, so arriving early is sensible.

Setting out from Los Gigantes Marina

The tour begins at MPC Yacht Charter in Puerto Deportivo, near Yate El Mojo Picon on Calle Poblado Marinero. This is in Acantilados de Los Gigantes, the marina area directly beside the enormous volcanic cliffs.

I would arrive early. Parking can be tight, and a late arrival can hold up everyone aboard. The meeting point is near public transportation, but the supplied details do not specify a hotel pickup service, so you should plan to reach the marina on your own.

The tour is offered in English, and the skipper gives information about the coast, the sea, marine life, Teno Rural Park, the cliffs, Teide, and the nearby islands. Some departures have been led by Antonio, Francisco, or Anthony, so the exact captain may vary. The style is informal and personal rather than polished like a large commercial cruise.

That is part of the charm. You are not being loaded onto a huge vessel with dozens of people and a fixed commentary track. You are on a working-size yacht where the captain is steering, watching for animals, answering questions, and managing the timing of the trip.

Why the 10-person limit matters

The maximum of 10 people is one of the strongest reasons to choose this excursion. A small boat gives you a better chance of finding a comfortable place to sit, moving around without squeezing past crowds, and seeing the water without a wall of passengers in front of you.

Several departures have been particularly small, with six or seven passengers aboard. That changes the mood. The trip feels closer to a private outing than a standard sightseeing cruise, though you should not assume you will have the boat to yourself unless you book a private charter.

The smaller group also helps during the wildlife portion. When dolphins or pilot whales appear, you can usually get a clear view from more than one part of the boat. The captain can point out what is happening rather than simply steering past an animal while a large crowd gathers on one side.

There is a practical tradeoff. A small boat can feel more exposed to waves, and the captain has less staff support if someone feels ill. One serious account described smoking, music volume, and a lack of attention to a seasick child. Other experiences describe friendly service, good food, and a comfortable atmosphere. I would ask about smoking policy and bring motion-sickness protection if you are sensitive to the sea.

Watching pilot whales off Tenerife

The wildlife search is usually focused on pilot whales, called calderones in Spanish. These large, social cetaceans are the most regularly praised sighting on this route, with reports of single animals and large pods swimming close to the yacht.

You may also see dolphins. Some outings have included two types of dolphins, and one particularly successful trip had dolphins playing around the boat. Turtles, seabirds, and colorful fish are also possible, but none of these sightings can be promised.

That uncertainty is worth accepting before you book. This is a wildlife outing, not a show with scheduled animal appearances. One trip saw several dolphins but no pilot whales. Another saw dolphins but missed whales because loud New Year’s Eve activity had pushed the animals farther offshore. The captain’s job is to search and give you the best chance, not to manufacture a sighting.

The crew communicates with other boats in the area to help locate animals. That can mean the captain spends some time speaking with other skippers rather than providing a running commentary every minute. It is useful work, but if you expect constant narration, you may find the gaps noticeable.

I like the fact that the operator describes the experience as respectful of the animals and aims to disturb them as little as possible. Keep your expectations sensible: close views are possible, but no marine encounter should be treated as guaranteed or controlled.

Along the Acantilados de Los Gigantes

The coastal cruise beside Acantilados de Los Gigantes is the visual heart of the experience. The cliffs rise sharply from the water, and their scale is difficult to appreciate from shore. From the yacht, you see the rock walls from below, with the sea opening around you and the marina disappearing behind.

Some outings continue toward La Masca, another dramatic section of the coast. The route can vary with weather, sea conditions, and the location of the animals, so the captain may adjust the plan during the three hours.

This is also where the excursion earns its price. You are not only paying for a chance to see whales. You are getting a different angle on one of Tenerife’s most memorable coastal areas, one that is hard to experience from land.

The sea can be choppy. One departure still managed to find pilot whales despite rough water, while another enjoyed calm conditions and clear blue water. If you are prone to seasickness, eat lightly before boarding, bring any medication you normally use, and avoid treating the snacks as your first meal of the day.

The quiet cove swim and snorkeling stop

After the wildlife search and cliff cruise, the boat stops for swimming and snorkeling. The exact location may be a quiet cove, a sheltered coastal area, or the mouth of a barranco near the cliffs.

Snorkeling equipment is included. You can swim, look for fish, or simply remain aboard and enjoy the view. The stop has produced sightings of colorful fish and other marine life, and the clear water can make it a pleasant break from sitting on the boat.

I appreciate the choice built into this part of the tour. Not everyone wants to get into the sea, and nobody should feel pressured. Families, couples, and people who prefer a slower outing can treat it as a rest stop with scenery. Strong swimmers can make better use of the water.

The swim is not a full snorkeling expedition. It is one portion of a three-hour outing, so expect a short recreational stop rather than a long session devoted to underwater viewing. Conditions can also affect how enjoyable it is. Calm water will give you a better experience than wind and swell.

Snacks, drinks, and the onboard mood

Food is described as snacks, tapas, or a light Canarian-style lunch. Examples from the outing include melon, assorted ham, tortilla, dried meats, fruit, and other simple items. Drinks have included water, soft drinks, beer, and nonalcoholic beverages.

The food is a useful addition rather than the reason to book. It gives you something to eat after swimming and helps make the trip feel complete. I would still have breakfast first, especially if you are affected by motion.

Most accounts describe the snacks as good or delicious. One complaint described the food as stale and the drinks as disappointing, so expectations should remain modest. This is a light spread served on a small yacht, not a restaurant lunch.

The mood can also depend heavily on the captain and the group. Antonio is often singled out for being warm and entertaining, while Francisco received special praise for helping retrieve a phone from the marina before the trip. Other feedback raised concerns about jokes, smoking, music, and limited attention to passengers who were unwell.

Those conflicting reports matter. The open-air boat makes cigarette smoke less concentrated than it would be indoors, but it can still bother you, especially if you have children, asthma, or a seasick passenger in your group. If this is important, contact MPC Yacht Charter before booking and ask about current onboard smoking rules.

How the captain shapes the experience

This is a captain-led outing, not a large tour with several staff members. The skipper is responsible for navigation, finding wildlife, explaining the area, managing the swim stop, and serving the food and drinks.

That arrangement can feel wonderfully personal. Antonio has been praised for his facts about the island, whales, and sea, and for suggesting other places to visit in Tenerife. Francisco was described as friendly and attentive, while another captain was credited with finding a large pod and giving useful information throughout the day.

The same setup has a downside. If the captain is busy communicating with other boats or handling the yacht, the commentary may be brief. The English explanations are intended to cover the trip, but the balance between English and Spanish may vary depending on the group.

If you want a quiet trip with occasional information, this should suit you. If you need extensive interpretation in English or prefer a formal guide, confirm the language arrangements before departure.

Is $84.69 a fair price?

At $84.69 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach the water around Tenerife. It is also not an unreasonable price for a three-hour small-group yacht outing that includes wildlife watching, a swim and snorkel stop, equipment, snacks, and drinks.

The value improves when the group is small. A large boat might offer a lower price but a noisier, more crowded experience. Here you are paying for space, a more personal atmosphere, and a better chance of seeing the cliffs and animals without a packed deck around you.

The price is less appealing if your main goal is guaranteed whale viewing or extended sailing under sail power. One passenger noted that the boat used its engine throughout because there was not enough wind. That is normal for a timed excursion, but it means the title should not make you expect three hours of silent sailing.

I would book this for the overall combination of scenery, wildlife, and water time. I would not book it only for the food or only because you want a pure sailing lesson.

Who should book this Los Gigantes boat trip?

This excursion is a strong match for:

• Couples looking for a calm coastal outing with wildlife and a swim.
• Families whose children can manage a three-hour boat trip and changing sea conditions.
• Nature lovers who prefer a small group and animal watching in the open sea.
• Photographers hoping to capture pilot whales, dolphins, cliffs, and clear water.
• Visitors with limited time who want several Tenerife experiences in one morning or afternoon.

It may be less suitable if you need a fully accessible vessel, dislike open water, or are highly sensitive to smoke, music, or informal group dynamics. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate, but the supplied information does not give detailed access specifications for the yacht or boarding ramp.

The tour is offered in English, but the captain may also speak Spanish with other passengers. If language balance is especially important to you, ask before paying.

Booking and cancellation advice

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the activity returns to the same marina where it begins. The experience requires suitable weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather or low enrollment forces a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.

Because the tour is commonly booked about 10 days ahead, I would not leave it until the last minute if your Tenerife schedule is tight. Arrive early for parking and boarding, and keep the day flexible enough to handle a weather change.

FAQ

Where does the dolphin and whale tour start?

It starts at MPC Yacht Charter in Puerto Deportivo, near Yate El Mojo Picon, Calle Poblado Marinero, 38683 Acantilados de Los Gigantes, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the boat trip last?

The experience lasts approximately three hours.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 10 people. Some departures have operated with fewer passengers, creating a more private feel.

What marine life might I see?

Possible sightings include pilot whales, dolphins, tropical calderones, turtles, colorful fish, and seabirds. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. The tour includes a stop for swimming or snorkeling, and snorkeling equipment is provided.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the experience is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

Should you book it?

I would book this tour if you want a small-group view of Los Gigantes from the water, with a realistic chance of seeing pilot whales and dolphins, plus time to swim and eat a light snack. The combination is hard to beat for three hours, especially when the group is six to 10 people and the sea is calm.

Go in with practical expectations. The yacht may motor rather than sail, the sea may be choppy, wildlife is never certain, and the captain’s style can shape the day. Arrive early, prepare for motion, confirm smoking and language details if they matter to you, and choose this for the whole experience rather than a single promised sighting.