Los Gigantes: Whale or Dolphin Watching Tour and Swim in Masca

The big draw here is the chance to watch pilot whales and dolphins in open water, then swim beneath the immense cliffs of Los Gigantes. It is a compact two-hour outing, so you get wildlife, sea views, and a swim without giving up a full day of your holiday.

I like the small, focused schedule and the fact that the crew often takes animal welfare seriously, slowing down or turning off the engine near whales. I also like the value: at $33 per person, your fare includes a guide, insurance, wildlife watching, the swim stop, and one cold drink.

The main caution is the sea itself. A speedboat can move sharply in rough water, and one passenger plainly noted that this is not ideal if you get seasick easily. The swim is also brief, about 15 minutes, and the water may feel cold outside the warmest months.

At a glance

• Pilot whales are the regular star: You might also see dolphins, turtles, flying fish, and other marine life.
• Masca Bay gives you the best photo stop: Swim in roughly 4 to 5 meters of water beneath the Los Gigantes Cliffs.
• The full outing lasts two hours: About 30 minutes out, 15 minutes watching wildlife, 30 minutes toward Masca, 15 minutes swimming, and 30 minutes back.
• The boat has shade: This matters on sunny afternoon departures, though sunscreen is still essential.
• One drink is included: Choose water, soda, or beer during the stop.
• Bring your own snorkeling gear: Equipment is not supplied, and the short swim is better with goggles.

Why Los Gigantes is a strong place for whale watching

The waters off Tenerife’s west coast are known for whale and dolphin sightings, and Los Gigantes gives you a dramatic setting for the trip. You are not simply looking at a blank stretch of sea. The outing combines marine life with the towering volcanic cliffs that make this part of the island special.

Pilot whales appear often on this route. Several recent departures also saw dolphins, and some spotted turtles or flying fish. Wildlife is never a sure thing, so you should book this as a sea trip with a good chance of sightings, not as a guaranteed animal encounter.

That distinction matters. You may see a whole family of pilot whales close to the boat, or you may spend more time searching and find fewer animals. One particularly careful outing kept looking until the crew found whales, then shut off the engine while the animals passed calmly beneath the boat. That is the kind of conduct I want from a wildlife trip: close enough to observe, but not aggressive or noisy.

The guides add much of the value. The crew speaks Spanish and English, and guides have been praised for translating explanations, answering questions, and keeping the mood light. Captain Juan Carlos and guide George were named on one highly praised departure, but staffing can vary by sailing.

The boat ride from the Los Gigantes harbor

You meet at the Maritima Acantilados or Nashira Uno office at C. Pob. Marinero, 1, local 21. There is no hotel pick-up, so you need to make your own way to the harbor. If you are staying outside Los Gigantes, allow extra time for a taxi or other transport.

Once aboard, the first 30-minute speedboat ride takes you out toward the wildlife area. The faster boat makes a two-hour schedule possible, but it also means you will feel the motion more than you would on a large, slow sightseeing vessel.

This is where your seat and the weather matter. The boat has a covered section that gives shade, a useful feature during sunny afternoon trips. The ride can still feel lively when the sea is choppy. If you are prone to seasickness, sit where movement feels manageable, keep your eyes on the horizon, and consider whether a speedboat is right for you.

The boat is not described as overcrowded, and several departures were praised for leaving enough room to see the water. Still, exact group size can vary. If you want the calmest experience, ask about the boat and conditions when you arrive.

Watching pilot whales and dolphins at sea

The wildlife portion lasts about 15 minutes in the planned schedule, though the crew may spend longer searching when conditions require it. That is a sensible approach. A short trip should not mean rushing past an animal simply to keep the clock perfect.

Pilot whales are the most consistent sighting described on this route. You could see a pod traveling together, including young animals with adults. Dolphins can appear as well, sometimes close to the boat and sometimes only briefly. Turtles and flying fish have also been seen, but they are bonuses rather than part of the promise.

You will want your camera ready, but do not expect every photograph to work. Whales surface without warning, and a moving boat makes timing tricky. I would keep your phone secure, use a wrist strap if you have one, and watch with your own eyes instead of staring at the screen.

The crew’s behavior around wildlife is important. Good departures have slowed down, stopped the engine, and avoided chasing animals. That creates a quieter encounter and gives you a better chance of seeing natural behavior. The best moments may be brief: a whale gliding beside the boat, a dolphin cutting across the bow, or a calm animal passing underneath.

There is no guarantee of dolphins, whales, or any specific species. One outing saw whales but no dolphins, while others saw both. The reasonable expectation is a well-run attempt to find marine life, with the cliffs and sea ride still providing a worthwhile day if the animals stay out of sight.

The run toward Masca Bay

After the wildlife search, the boat spends roughly 30 minutes heading toward Masca Bay. This section shifts the focus from animals to scenery, and it gives you time to enjoy the west coast from the water.

Masca Bay sits below the Los Gigantes Cliffs, where the rock walls look especially large from sea level. From land, you see the cliffs from a distance or from roads above. From the boat, you look straight up at them. That change in viewpoint is one of the strongest parts of the tour.

The ride also gives the crew time to explain what you are seeing and prepare for the swim. You may want a light layer for the boat ride, especially if the day is windy. The sun can feel strong, but wind and spray may make the water seem cooler once the boat slows.

A 15-minute swim below the cliffs

The stop at Masca Bay lasts about 15 minutes. You can swim, use your own snorkeling equipment, or stay aboard with your drink and take photographs. The water is described as clear, and past departures found shoals of fish in the area.

This is a scenic swim rather than a long snorkeling session. If you need time to change, settle into the water, and explore at a relaxed pace, 15 minutes will feel short. One passenger specifically found the swimming time a little brief. On the other hand, the short stop keeps the tour moving and works well for people who want a taste of the sea rather than a full water activity.

Some departures reported water temperatures around 17 degrees Celsius in winter. That is refreshing for hardy swimmers and cold for many others. Even in warmer months, ocean temperature can vary. Bring a towel and do not feel obliged to swim. The cliffs and bay are worth seeing from the boat.

The depth has been described at around 4 to 5 meters near the swim point. That is not a shallow wading stop, so you should be comfortable in open water. Goggles are useful, and your own snorkeling gear is required because equipment is not included.

A jellyfish sting was reported on one outing. It is not presented as a regular feature, but it is a reminder that this is the sea, not a managed swimming pool. Pay attention to the guide and local conditions before entering the water.

After the swim, the crew provides one drink: water, soda, or beer. A cold drink after a salty swim is a small detail, but it fits the pace of the trip well. Additional drinks are not part of the stated inclusion, so do not assume an unlimited bar.

Returning along the Los Gigantes Cliffs

The final 30 minutes are a scenic ride back to the harbor. Rather than taking the most direct route, the boat skirts the cliffs, giving you another chance to photograph their size and shape.

This return section is valuable because the light and viewing angle may have changed. You also get a calmer finish after the wildlife search and swim. If the sea is rough, though, the ride back may still be bumpy. Keep your belongings secure and hold on when the boat turns.

The crew may take photographs for you if asked, as one departure did. That can be handy when you want a group shot beneath the cliffs, though you should not treat photography as a guaranteed service.

Is $33 a good price?

At $33 per person, this is strong value for a two-hour boat trip in Tenerife. A wildlife outing, a cliff cruise, a swim, a guide, insurance, and a drink are all included. The price is especially fair if you want several small experiences in one morning or afternoon rather than paying for a longer cruise.

The trade-off is depth. You get only about 15 minutes for the formal wildlife viewing and about 15 minutes in the water. A dedicated whale-watching trip might give you more time at sea, while a dedicated snorkeling trip would allow more time in the bay. This excursion works because it combines both without becoming an all-day commitment.

The tour also avoids the cost and effort of arranging a boat trip and a separate cliff excursion. You do need to reach the harbor yourself, and snorkeling equipment costs extra if you do not bring your own.

Who will enjoy this trip most?

I would choose this outing for you if you want a short sea adventure with several highlights packed into one booking. It suits couples, families, and small groups who like wildlife but also want a scenic swim and a cold drink.

It is also a good fit if you have limited time in Tenerife. Two hours leaves room for another activity on the same day, and the tour does not require a full day at sea.

Families can enjoy it, and one very young child was especially excited to sit with the captain. Still, you should decide based on your child’s comfort with a speedboat, open water, and changing sea conditions. The data confirms wheelchair accessibility, but you should check the exact boarding arrangement with the operator before booking if you need specific assistance.

I would think twice if you get seasick easily, dislike fast boats, or want a long swim. You should also avoid booking it only because you need to see dolphins. Wildlife sightings are likely enough to make the trip appealing, but they are not guaranteed.

For your day bag, bring:

• A towel
• Sunscreen
• Goggles
• Your own snorkeling gear
• A secure case or strap for your phone

Smoking, vaping, alcohol and drugs beyond the included drink, littering, and personal speakers are not allowed. Those rules help keep the short trip pleasant and reduce disturbance around the wildlife.

Booking and cancellation details

The tour costs $33 per person and lasts two hours. You can choose from available starting times, with Spanish and English offered during the trip.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your plans depend on weather or the rest of your Tenerife schedule.

Should you book the Los Gigantes whale and swim tour?

I would book it if you want good value and variety more than a long, specialized wildlife expedition. The strongest version of the trip includes pilot whales or dolphins, a clear-water swim beneath the cliffs, and a friendly crew that respects the animals.

Go in with sensible expectations. The wildlife may vary, the sea can be rough, and the swim is short. Bring goggles, protect yourself from the sun, and skip the water if it feels too cold. For $33, this is an appealing way to see Los Gigantes from the water and add a memorable marine-life encounter to your Tenerife plans.

FAQ

How long does the Los Gigantes whale and dolphin tour last?

The tour lasts two hours. The planned schedule includes speedboat rides, wildlife watching, a 15-minute swim stop, and a scenic return along the cliffs.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at the Maritima Acantilados or Nashira Uno office at C. Pob. Marinero, 1, local 21.

Is hotel pick-up included?

No. Pick-up service is not included, so you must make your own way to the meeting point.

What is included in the price?

The fare includes whale or dolphin watching, a swim stop at the Los Gigantes Cliffs, one water, soda, or beer, a guide, and insurance.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Snorkeling gear is not included. Bring your own goggles and equipment if you want to look beneath the surface.

How long is the swimming stop?

The planned swimming and snorkeling stop lasts about 15 minutes.

Can I choose the language of the tour?

The live guide service is available in Spanish and English.

Is the boat tour wheelchair accessible?

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. Contact the operator ahead of time if you need details about boarding or other specific assistance.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve now and pay later is also available.