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

The best part of this Los Gigantes whale-watching tour is its small sailing boat. With room for as few as six to nine people, you get a calmer experience than the crowded motorboats common along Tenerife’s coast. Captain Antonio is often at the helm, pointing out pilot whales, dolphins, turtles, tuna, and other sea life while keeping a respectful distance.

I like the combination of wildlife and scenery, and I like that you also get time to swim or snorkel beneath the 600-meter Cliffs of the Giants. The main consideration is the sea itself: sightings are never guaranteed, and several people found the water choppy enough to cause motion sickness. The swim stop can also be fairly short.

Key points to know before booking

• Small sailing group: Shared trips usually carry no more than 9 or 10 people, with private charters available for up to 10.
• Pilot whales are the main sighting: Dolphins, turtles, tuna, rays, and many fish have also appeared on different outings.
• Three activities in one: You get wildlife watching, a coastal sail, and a swim or snorkel stop near Los Gigantes.
• Cold tapas-style food: Expect tortilla, local cheese, cured meats, breadsticks, olives, fruit, and drinks rather than a large restaurant meal.
• Antonio is a memorable guide: He is praised for his relaxed manner, sailing skill, local knowledge, and care around the animals.
• Bring a jacket and motion-sickness medicine: The Atlantic can feel cool and unsettled even on a sunny Tenerife day.

Sailing from Los Gigantes on El Mojo Picón

The boat for this outing is the 14-meter sailing yacht El Mojo Picón. That size gives you a useful middle ground. You are not squeezed into a large excursion boat, but you still have enough room to sit, move around, take photos, and watch the water from different spots.

Shared tours are limited to a small group, often around six to nine people, with a stated maximum of 10. That matters more than it might sound. Whale watching involves waiting, scanning, and moving from one side of the boat to the other. On a crowded vessel, your view can disappear behind a wall of people. Here, the low passenger count makes the outing feel more personal and less rushed.

You meet at MPC Yacht Charter in the port area of Los Gigantes. Bring your confirmation voucher and arrive in advance. One practical detail is easy to miss: the boat may be easier to identify than the office. Look for the yacht and its brand name on the boom rather than expecting a large street-level ticket booth.

The crew speaks Spanish, English, and French. Antonio is the guide most often named in the feedback, though Francesco is also mentioned as a friendly crew member. The guiding style is informal and warm. You get explanations about the local sea life, the volcanic coast, and the places you pass, without the feel of a large scripted tour.

Searching for whales and dolphins in the Teno-Rasca Marine Reserve

The first major part of the cruise is the search for cetaceans in the Teno-Rasca Marine Reserve. Pilot whales are the most consistent highlight described in the tour information and guest experiences. Dolphins also appear, sometimes swimming beside the boat for several minutes or leaping near the yacht.

Sightings have included groups of pilot whales, young whales, several dolphin species, turtles, tuna, manta rays, and even a hammerhead shark. That variety is part of the appeal, but you should keep your expectations sensible. No wild-animal trip can promise a particular species or a close encounter. One family saw pilot whales but no dolphins, while other outings produced both dolphins and whales.

The captain’s handling is important here. Reports describe the engine being cut well before the boat reached the whales, allowing the animals to pass without being chased. You may still get close views, sometimes within several meters, but the aim is observation rather than pursuit. That approach makes the experience feel more respectful and gives you time to watch natural behavior instead of a staged show.

Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the entire time staring at a screen. Pilot whales surface briefly, and dolphins can appear on either side of the boat. A phone with a wrist strap or a camera secured against spray is sensible. The boat’s movement also means that some photos will be blurred. The best reward is often the sight itself: a fin, a dark back, or a whole group moving through open water.

Several people liked the 10 a.m. departure for wildlife viewing, with one person noting that whales may be easier to find earlier in the day. That is useful guidance, not a fixed rule. Wildlife patterns change, but a morning sailing can also give you more of the day afterward for exploring Los Gigantes.

Swimming beneath the 600-meter Cliffs of the Giants

After the wildlife search, the yacht heads toward a quiet cove near the cliffs. This is where the tour changes pace. You move from scanning the horizon to floating in clear water with the giant rock walls rising above you.

The Cliffs of the Giants are the visual centerpiece of the trip. Rising about 600 meters, they look especially impressive from the water, where you can see their full height without buildings or roads blocking the view. The return sail beneath the cliffs is one of the best times to photograph them. Wide-angle shots work well, but remember to turn the camera toward the boat too. The contrast between the small yacht and the enormous rock face tells the story better than a close-up alone.

Snorkeling equipment is included. In the cove, you may see colorful fish, crabs, and other small sea life. One outing also recorded tuna, while another found a large number of fish close to the rocks. The water is described as clear, making this a worthwhile extra rather than a token stop.

Still, the swimming time is not always long. Some outings allowed about 30 minutes, while one family found it closer to 10 minutes because the boat needed to return on time. If swimming is your main reason for booking, you may find the stop too brief. The tour is primarily a whale and dolphin cruise, with snorkeling added to round out the three hours.

You do not have to swim. The stop is also a good chance to sit on deck, enjoy the view, or take photos from the water’s edge. Bring your own towel, as it is specifically listed among the things to pack.

What the included food and drinks are really like

The tour includes appetizers, fruit, drinks, and lunch. On the shared cruise, lunch is best understood as a light cold spread or tapas-style meal, not a hot full-service lunch.

Typical items described include Spanish tortilla, local cheese, cured meats, breadsticks, olives, fruit skewers, and other small snacks. Drinks may include water, soft drinks, beer, and wine. The food is served after the water stop or during the relaxed return portion, which makes it welcome after swimming and snorkeling.

I would not book this as a food tour. If you need a substantial meal, eat before departure or plan something afterward. But for a three-hour sailing, the spread is more generous than a few packets of snacks, and it adds to the easygoing feel of the trip. Private charters are described as including a light brunch, so the exact food service may differ depending on the booking type.

The combination of cold tapas, a drink, and the view from beneath the cliffs is one of the details that makes the $76 price easier to assess. You are paying for the boat, crew, marine wildlife search, snorkeling equipment, food, and a small group, not simply for transport across the water.

Is $76 a good value for three hours?

At $76 per person, this is not the cheapest boat trip around Tenerife. It can still be good value if you care about space, a sailing yacht, and a small group rather than the lowest possible price.

The price includes safety equipment, snorkeling gear, snacks, drinks, and the guide. You also get three separate experiences: open-water wildlife viewing, a coastal sail, and a cove stop. A private charter is available for up to 10 people, which can make the cost more attractive for a family or group sharing the total rather than paying for separate private boats.

The value is less convincing if you mainly want a long snorkeling session or a guaranteed dolphin encounter. The wildlife is wild, and the water stop may be short. You should also compare the atmosphere you want. A large motorboat may cover the same general coast, but this yacht offers fewer people, a quieter setting, and more direct contact with the captain.

The strongest value comes from the small-group format. Several outings had only five or six people, while even a full boat still left room for everyone to sit comfortably. That makes the price feel justified for couples, families, and anyone who dislikes packed excursions.

Timing, comfort, and the rough-water question

A sunny day on Tenerife does not guarantee a smooth Atlantic crossing. One outing was calm enough for a child to sleep through much of the ride, while another had several people feeling sick. The boat’s sailing style can feel gentle, but the sea can change quickly.

If you are prone to motion sickness, take suitable medicine before departure and avoid arriving on an empty stomach. Stay near the center of the boat when possible, keep your eyes on the horizon, and use the jacket you bring if the wind picks up. A light jacket is useful even when the port feels warm.

The tour is listed as wheelchair accessible, but the same information also says it is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. That is a clear point to confirm directly before booking. Access to a yacht, movement around the deck, and getting into the water can be different from access to the meeting point.

The activity is also not suitable for people with heart problems. Alcohol and drugs, fireworks, and explosive substances are not allowed. Those rules are ordinary safety measures, but the open sea leaves little room for poor judgment.

Who will enjoy this Los Gigantes cruise most?

I would choose this tour for couples who want a quiet outing, families with children old enough to manage a boat ride, and anyone who prefers a personal guide to a large excursion operation. It suits people who want several highlights in one morning or afternoon without spending a full day at sea.

Children enjoyed the wildlife and swimming on family outings, and the boat has enough space for a small family group. Still, children who want a long water-play session may be disappointed if the swim stop runs closer to 10 minutes than 30.

The cruise also works well for photographers. You get whales, dolphins, cliff views, a sailing yacht, and clear water in one compact trip. Just protect your equipment and keep it ready for fast-moving animals.

You might skip it if you dislike boats, need guaranteed animal sightings, or want a serious snorkeling trip. You should also think twice if motion sickness is a major concern. A three-hour duration is manageable for many people, but an uncomfortable ride can feel long.

Booking details that matter

You can choose a shared cruise or a private charter. Shared trips offer the social side of meeting a small mix of people, while a private booking gives your own group more control over the atmosphere. Private trips are available for up to 10 people.

The guide service is available in Spanish, English, and French. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option can help if your Tenerife plans are still shifting.

Starting times vary, so check the available departure when booking. The meeting point is MPC Yacht Charter in Los Gigantes. Bring a towel, camera, and jacket, and consider motion-sickness medicine even if the weather forecast looks good.

Should you book the whale and dolphin sailing tour?

Book it if you want more than a quick wildlife sighting. The small yacht, respectful approach to whales, close views of the Los Gigantes cliffs, and included cove stop create a well-rounded three-hour outing. Antonio’s friendly, relaxed guiding style is a major part of the appeal when he is your captain.

I especially recommend it for anyone choosing between a crowded sightseeing boat and a quieter sail. The $76 cost is fair for the small group and the extras, though you should think of the food as tapas and the snorkeling as a short addition, not the main event.

Skip it if you need a guaranteed dolphin encounter or a long swim. For most people who want a personal day on the water with a real chance of seeing pilot whales, this is a strong choice on Tenerife’s west coast.

FAQ

How long is the Los Gigantes whale and dolphin tour?

The sailing tour lasts three hours, including wildlife watching, coastal sailing, a cove stop, and time for swimming or snorkeling.

How many people are on the shared boat?

Shared tours are offered for small groups, with a maximum of 9 guests stated in the tour information. The boat can also accommodate up to 10 people for a private charter.

What animals might I see?

You may see pilot whales, dolphins, sea turtles, tuna, fish, crabs, manta rays, and other marine life. Sightings are not guaranteed because the animals live in the wild.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear and safety equipment are included. You should bring your own towel.

What food and drinks are included?

The cruise includes appetizers, fruit, drinks, and lunch. The shared outing is described as a light tapas-style spread, with items such as tortilla, local cheese, cured meats, breadsticks, olives, and fruit.

Which languages does the guide speak?

Guiding is available in Spanish, English, and French. Antonio is one of the captains associated with the sailing trips.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.