Royal Delfin – 4’5H Dolphin & Whale Watching – Los Gigantes Masca – Lunch & Swim

The best part of this cruise is the mix of wildlife watching and Los Gigantes scenery. You sail from Puerto Colón toward the cliffs, look for whales and dolphins in open water, then stop in Masca Bay for a swim with the towering coast around you. The purpose-built catamaran also has underwater viewing windows, a fun extra when the animals come close.

I like the generous four-and-a-half-hour schedule, which gives you time for lunch, drinks, sightseeing, and a proper swim instead of rushing from one stop to the next. I also like that beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, and water are included. The main drawback is simple: wild animals set the schedule, and the boat can feel crowded, especially near its maximum capacity of 200 people.

Royal Delfin at a glance

• Whales and dolphins in the wild: You search along Tenerife’s southwest coast rather than visiting a marine park.
• Underwater viewing windows: These offer a different angle when cetaceans pass near the boat, though sightings below the windows are never guaranteed.
• Masca Bay swim stop: The boat pauses in a scenic bay near Los Gigantes for swimming.
• Lunch and drinks included: Expect a small sandwich or snack, a cooked lunch, water, juice, soft drinks, beer, and sangria.
• A long afternoon on the water: The cruise starts at 2:00 pm and lasts about 4 hours and 30 minutes.
• A large catamaran experience: The boat has toilets and plenty of service, but this is not a quiet, private sailing trip.

From Puerto Colón toward Los Gigantes

The cruise begins at Av. de Colón, 11, in Playa de las Américas, with departure listed for 2:00 pm. The vessel sails from the Puerto Colón area and follows Tenerife’s southwest coast, passing the coastal zone around Costa Adeje and Playa de las Américas before heading toward Los Gigantes and Masca Bay.

This route gives you two very different views of Tenerife. Near the resort coast, you see the developed southern shoreline from the sea. Farther west, the cliffs around Los Gigantes become the main event. Their scale is difficult to judge from land, so seeing them from a boat gives you a better sense of their height and steep drop into the ocean.

I would arrive with enough time to find the exact boarding point. The meeting information gives an address, but the practical directions may not feel perfectly clear on the day. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, and parking fees are not included, so public transport may be easier if you are staying nearby.

Watching cetaceans without a guaranteed show

The crew searches for whales and dolphins in their natural environment. Pilot whales are among the sightings reported on this route, along with dolphins, flying fish, and occasionally a sea turtle. Some departures produce repeated dolphin sightings and close approaches. Other trips offer only brief or distant views.

That uncertainty matters. You are paying for time at sea and a chance to see wildlife, not a guaranteed performance. Dolphins may appear beside the boat, but they may also stay away. Whales might surface in the distance, and they may not pass beneath the underwater viewing rooms.

The catamaran’s design helps. You can watch from the deck, look toward the horizon, or use the underwater glass windows when conditions and animal movement allow. Seeing cetaceans through the lower windows can be thrilling, but you should treat it as a bonus rather than the main promise.

The crew may slow the boat when animals are nearby. This is valuable because it gives you a better chance to watch natural behavior instead of seeing a fast, hurried pass. Still, other boats can gather around the same animals, and their movement may affect how close the Royal Delfin can get.

The sea can also be bumpy. One account describes a rough first part of the trip, while the operator explains that ordinary waves are part of being offshore and that departures are usually canceled only when conditions are seriously rough. If you are prone to seasickness, take that possibility seriously, even though some people report a comfortable ride.

Los Gigantes and the Masca Bay swim

The cruise continues toward the cliffs of Los Gigantes before stopping in Masca Bay. This is the most dependable scenic part of the trip. Even if the wildlife is distant, the cliffs provide a dramatic reason to be on the water.

At Masca Bay, you have time to swim from the boat. The stop is not just a quick photo pause. The four-and-a-half-hour format gives the crew room to serve food and let you enjoy the water without turning the entire stop into a rushed exercise.

The bay is also where the trip feels most social. People gather on deck, eat, order drinks, and take turns swimming. If you prefer quiet sightseeing, a large catamaran with music and many passengers may feel lively rather than peaceful. If you like a relaxed group outing, that same energy can work in your favor.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and something dry to wear afterward. These are practical choices for any boat excursion, especially when the main swim stop comes after several hours at sea. The provided information confirms the swim stop but does not specify separate snorkeling equipment, so do not assume that gear is supplied.

Lunch, snacks, and drinks on board

Food is served during the cruise, with a small sandwich listed as a snack and a cooked lunch included. Reports describe a plate of rice, meatballs, and salad. Some people find the meal tasty and filling, while others find it plain and not especially local.

That is a fair way to judge it. This is boat catering, not a Tenerife food tour. The meal is useful because it keeps you from having to bring lunch for a long afternoon on the water. It also gives you a proper break between wildlife watching and swimming.

The snack detail deserves attention if you have dietary needs. The sandwich has been described as salami, and a vegetarian alternative is not guaranteed in the supplied information. Ask about food options before boarding if this matters to you.

Drinks are one of the stronger value points. Water, juice, soft drinks, beer, and sangria are included, and drinks are available throughout the trip. Coffee and tea are not included. Spirits such as whiskey, rum, and vodka are also excluded, so the drinks package is generous but not an open bar in every sense.

Music forms part of the atmosphere. Some people enjoy the playlist and the relaxed mood, while others find the music too loud. You may want to choose a seat away from the main speakers if you prefer to listen to the sea and conversation.

How crowded is the catamaran?

The maximum group size is 200 people. That makes this a sizable shared boat excursion, not an intimate whale-watching trip with a handful of passengers.

A full boat has clear advantages. More staff can serve food and drinks, the vessel has restrooms, and you have several areas from which to watch the coast. The crew has also been described as friendly, attentive, and multilingual.

The tradeoff is personal space. At busy times, it may be harder to claim a prime viewing position, move around the lower viewing area, or find a quiet corner. The underwater windows can attract a crowd when an animal is nearby.

I would book this if you enjoy a sociable day at sea and do not need silence or lots of room. I would look for a smaller boat if your priority is personal service, low passenger numbers, or photography without people around you.

Is the $72.29 price fair?

At $72.29 per person, the price covers about 4.5 hours on the water, whale and dolphin watching, the Masca Bay swim, lunch, snacks, and a broad selection of drinks. It also includes use of the boat’s viewing areas and onboard restroom.

That is reasonable value if you make use of the full package. A successful day can include dolphins, pilot whales, Los Gigantes, a swim, lunch, and drinks from departure to return. The longer schedule is especially useful for people who want a complete half-day outing rather than a short wildlife ride.

The value feels weaker if you book mainly to see dolphins close up. Wildlife sightings vary, and a boat full of passengers may not provide the close encounter you pictured. The lower viewing windows are a useful feature, but they cannot control where an animal swims.

You can also buy a recorded video after the trip. A cameraman documents parts of the cruise, and the finished video may be delivered to your hotel according to one account. This is optional, not part of the stated price, so treat it as a souvenir rather than a reason to book.

Who will enjoy this afternoon cruise?

This outing suits families, couples, and groups who want several activities in one booking. You can combine scenery, wildlife, swimming, lunch, and drinks without arranging separate excursions.

It also works well for people who want a gentle introduction to Tenerife’s southwest coast. The crew handles the route and catering, while you simply watch the shoreline and sea. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed.

I would be more cautious if you need guaranteed animal sightings, dislike waves, or want an uncrowded boat. The trip can also feel less appealing if your main goal is authentic local food. The included lunch is practical, but it is not the strongest cultural part of the experience.

Families should know that the provided information does not give a detailed child-specific schedule. The cruise has a swim stop, food, drinks, and a long duration, so plan around the needs of anyone who may become tired or seasick.

Timing, meeting point, and cancellation details

The scheduled start is 2:00 pm, and the cruise returns to the starting point after approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes. Confirmation is normally sent at booking. If you book within 12 hours of departure, confirmation is sent as soon as possible and depends on availability.

The tour requires suitable weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather or low numbers cause cancellation, you are offered another date or activity, or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, and late changes are not accepted.

The activity is offered in English. Since the crew has been described as speaking several languages, you may hear more than English on board, but the official offering is English.

My recommendation

I would book the Royal Delfin if you want a full, social half-day on the sea rather than a narrowly focused wildlife trip. The combination of Los Gigantes, Masca Bay, swimming, lunch, and included drinks gives the outing a strong overall shape.

I would not book it if a close dolphin encounter is essential. No responsible wildlife trip can promise that, and the large catamaran format means you may share the best viewing spots with many other people.

For most visitors, the deciding question is simple: do you value the complete experience or only the animals? If you want the complete experience, $72.29 is defensible. If you want the smallest boat and the most focused wildlife search, compare shorter or more specialized options before booking.

FAQ

Where does the Royal Delfin tour start?

The meeting point is listed at Av. de Colón, 11, 38660 Playa de las Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain. The boat sails from the Puerto Colón area and returns to the same meeting point.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 2:00 pm.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes.

Are whale and dolphin sightings guaranteed?

No. The tour searches for whales and dolphins in their natural environment, but wildlife sightings, distance, and duration cannot be guaranteed.

Is swimming included?

Yes. The boat stops in Masca Bay near Los Gigantes for a swim.

What food and drinks are included?

Included items are lunch, a small sandwich snack, water, juice, soft drinks, beer, and sangria. Coffee, tea, whiskey, rum, vodka, and other liquor are not included.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. If the operator cancels because of poor weather or insufficient numbers, you are offered a different date or activity, or a full refund.