3-Hour Private Tour with Whale and Dolphin Watching

The best part of this private cruise is the mix of open-sea wildlife and dramatic Tenerife scenery. You may watch pilot whales or dolphins in their natural setting, then swim beneath the towering Los Gigantes Cliffs, where the rock walls rise about 600 meters from the sea.

I like the small group limit of 10 and the generous three-hour schedule. I also like that the boat stops for 30 minutes of swimming and snorkeling, rather than treating wildlife watching as a quick photo stop. The main consideration is price: at $687.84 per group, this makes the most sense when shared by several people, not for a solo booking.

Key points

• Private sailing for up to 10 people: Your group has the boat to itself instead of sharing a large excursion vessel.
• Wildlife in open water: The aim is to find whales and dolphins, with pilot whales seen on past outings.
• A 14-meter sailboat: The Mojo Picón offers a spacious deck and a more personal setting than a big tour boat.
• A 30-minute cove stop: Swim and snorkel beneath Los Gigantes in clear water accessible only by boat.
• Wide coastal views: You can photograph Teide, La Gomera, the Teno reserve, and the cliffs.
• Food and drinks included: The outing includes a snack with tapas, plus drinks and finger food according to the trip details.

Sailing out from Los Gigantes

The tour begins at MPC Yacht Charter in the marina at Los Gigantes, officially listed at Yate El Mojo Picón, C. Pob. Marinero, Acantilados de Los Gigantes. You return to the same point after roughly three hours, which keeps the logistics simple if you are staying nearby or have arranged your own transport.

The boat is a 14-meter sailboat with room for up to 10 people. Its small capacity matters. You can move around the deck, take photographs without fighting for a railing, and ask the captain questions without trying to be heard over a large crowd. The setting also feels more like a private outing than a standard harbor excursion.

Captain Antonio, also called Toni, handles the boat and explains the trip. The information provided does not promise a formal marine biology talk, but the experience includes explanations about the cetaceans and the sea. That is useful when you are trying to understand what you are seeing, rather than simply pointing a camera toward a fin.

The vessel is referred to as the Mojo Picón, while one past account identified it as a Bavaria 44. The description calls it comfortable and spacious, and several accounts praise the sailing and sense of safety. One older account raised concerns about the condition of the wooden deckhouse and the need for repainting, while the provider disputed some details about the conditions described. I would treat the boat as a working sailboat, not a polished luxury yacht, and keep that distinction in mind when judging the price.

Searching for pilot whales and dolphins

Once the boat leaves the port, the main goal is to find whales and dolphins in their natural habitat. This is not a guaranteed animal encounter, and no responsible wildlife trip can promise one. Your captain searches the waters around Tenerife, where pilot whales have been seen during this outing.

Pilot whales are the main sighting mentioned in the available trip information. They are large, dark cetaceans with rounded foreheads, and seeing them close to a small sailboat can be far more memorable than watching wildlife from a crowded vessel. Dolphins may also appear, but you should book for the experience of being at sea, not for a guaranteed species list.

The private format gives the captain room to shape the pace around conditions and sightings. If animals appear, you can focus on watching instead of immediately preparing to leave for the next scheduled stop. If sightings take time, the quiet deck and open water still form part of the experience.

Bring a camera, but keep it ready for more than wildlife. The boat offers broad views back toward Tenerife, and the changing angle from the water makes the cliffs look much larger than they do from shore. You can also see Teide, the island of La Gomera, and the protected Teno area, depending on visibility.

A practical point: weather matters. The trip requires good conditions and can be canceled if the sea or wind is unsuitable. That is not an inconvenience unique to this company. It is a basic part of small-boat sailing, and it is one reason to avoid placing the cruise on the final day of your holiday.

The 600-meter walls of Los Gigantes

The cliffs are the visual centerpiece of the outing. Los Gigantes rises in near-vertical walls, reaching about 600 meters above the sea. From a boat, you get the most dramatic view because you can look almost straight up from water level.

The cliffs are not just background scenery between wildlife sightings. They give the trip a strong sense of place. You can photograph the dark rock faces, the bright water below them, and the scale of the coastline without buildings filling every frame.

I would save some camera time for simply looking. The boat’s position changes the view constantly, and a wide photo of the cliffs may not show how high they feel when you are sitting beneath them. If you are prone to motion sickness, the combination of open water and a sailing boat can be a factor, so consider your usual tolerance before booking.

The cliffs also make the later swim stop more special. You are not swimming beside an ordinary beach. You are floating in a natural cove under Tenerife’s giant coastal walls, with access from the sea rather than from a road or promenade.

Swimming and snorkeling in a boat-only cove

The tour includes about 30 minutes at a natural cove with clear water. The stop is designed for swimming and snorkeling, and the cove can be reached only by boat. This is a welcome change of pace after the wildlife search.

Half an hour is enough for a swim and a look beneath the surface, but it is not a full snorkeling expedition. The information does not specify equipment rental, so confirm what is supplied if snorkeling gear is important to you. Do not assume that every item you need will be on board.

The cove stop also gives you a chance to cool off and stretch your legs without leaving the boat. You can stay on deck if you prefer not to swim. Since this is a private outing, your group can enjoy the pause together rather than being pushed quickly through a crowded swimming stop.

Water conditions and visibility can change with the weather. Clear water is part of the appeal, but the actual quality of snorkeling depends on the day. I would think of snorkeling as a pleasant part of the cruise, not the sole reason to reserve it.

Tapas, drinks, and the rhythm of the trip

A snack with tapas is included during the outing. Past accounts also describe drinks and finger food being offered. This is a light meal, not a full lunch, so eat beforehand if you need something substantial or have dietary needs that are not addressed in the booking information.

The food adds comfort to the schedule. Three hours on a sailboat can feel long if every minute is spent scanning the water, and a small snack creates a natural pause. You can talk with your group, enjoy the cliffs, and take in the views without rushing through the wildlife portion.

The relaxed timing is one of the stronger features here. The outing combines several activities without turning into a checklist: sailing, wildlife watching, sightseeing, swimming, snorkeling, and a light bite. None of these sections appears designed to take over the entire trip.

If you have a young child, the experience may work well, provided the child is comfortable on a boat. A three-year-old was reported to have enjoyed seeing the small whales, and a 10-year-old was described as feeling comfortable and safe aboard. Those details do not replace your own judgment, but they suggest that the boat can suit families when sea conditions are calm.

What the private price really buys you

The listed cost is $687.84 per group of up to 10 people. At full capacity, that works out to about $69 per person. With five people, it is about $138 per person, and with only two people, the cost becomes much harder to justify.

The value comes from privacy and space. You are not paying only for a seat and a chance to spot a fin. You are reserving the entire boat for your group, with a captain, a smaller setting, a swimming stop, views of major coastal sights, and food and drinks included.

For a family reunion, two couples, or a group of friends, this pricing can compare well with buying several separate seats on a premium boat. You also avoid the social friction of sharing a small vessel with strangers. You can decide where to sit, when to take photos, and how much conversation you want.

The calculation changes for a small party. If you are alone or traveling as a couple, a shared whale-watching cruise may offer better value, even if it provides less privacy. This tour is strongest when you can fill much of the 10-person capacity.

The boat itself may also shape your expectations. The experience is described as comfortable, but at least one account found the yacht older and in need of cosmetic maintenance. If you want a spotless modern vessel with luxury finishes, this may not be the right match. If you care more about a small group, an experienced captain, and time on the water, the value looks better.

Safety, weather, and the practical details

The trip is weather dependent. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refundable, and changes during that period are not accepted.

The published information says most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The meeting point is near public transportation, though transport to the marina is not described as part of the experience. You should plan to reach the Los Gigantes port on your own.

Strong wind can change the character of a sailing trip quickly. One account described extremely strong wind, while the provider challenged the accuracy of that description and noted that such conditions would make sailing impossible. The useful lesson is simple: check the weather and stay in contact with the operator before departure if conditions look rough.

Wear clothes that can handle sea spray, bring sun protection, and use a secure case for your phone. These are practical choices for any small boat, especially when you plan to photograph wildlife and swim afterward.

Who will enjoy the Mojo Picón most

I would recommend this trip to you if you value privacy, flexible space, and a slower pace. It suits groups who want to combine wildlife watching with a swim and scenic cruise instead of booking separate activities.

Families can benefit from the small setting, though you should consider each child’s comfort around open water. Couples may love the quiet atmosphere, but the fixed group price gives better value when shared with friends or relatives.

The cruise also suits photographers. You can photograph whales, dolphins, cliffs, Teide, La Gomera, and the Teno reserve from a constantly changing viewpoint. Keep expectations sensible: wildlife does not perform on schedule, and the clearest photo may be of the coastline rather than a whale.

I would hesitate if you want a guaranteed whale encounter, a full meal, a long snorkeling session, or a new luxury yacht. I would also compare prices carefully if your group has only one or two people.

Should you book this Los Gigantes cruise?

Book it if you can fill at least half the boat and want a private day on the water with several different elements. The combination of pilot whale and dolphin searches, the 600-meter cliffs, a 30-minute swim, tapas, and views toward Teide and La Gomera gives the three hours a good range.

Before paying, confirm what snorkeling equipment is included and ask about the expected sea conditions. If you accept that wildlife sightings are never guaranteed and that the yacht may have an older working-boat feel, this is a personal and well-paced way to see Tenerife’s west coast.

FAQ

How long is the whale and dolphin tour?

The tour lasts approximately three hours.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at MPC Yacht Charter in the Los Gigantes marina, at Yate El Mojo Picón, C. Pob. Marinero, 38683 Acantilados de Los Gigantes, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How many people can join the private boat trip?

The boat has a capacity of up to 10 people, and only your group participates.

What animals might I see?

The tour searches for whales and dolphins in their natural habitat. Pilot whales have been seen during this experience.

Is swimming included?

Yes. The boat stops for about 30 minutes at a natural cove where you can swim and snorkel.

Are food and drinks provided?

A snack accompanied by tapas is included. The trip information also describes drinks and finger food being offered.

What sights can I see from the boat?

You can take photographs of Los Gigantes Cliffs, Teide volcano, La Gomera, and the protected Teno reserve.

Is the tour suitable for most people?

The provided information says most people can participate. Service animals are allowed.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You are offered a different date or a full refund if the experience is canceled because of poor weather.