Los Gigantes: Dolphin & Whale Watching Cruise with Swim Stop

Pilot whales and dolphins are the main event on this two-hour cruise from Los Gigantes, but the setting does plenty of work too. You sail beneath the towering cliffs, pause for a cold drink, then swim from the boat in a clear-water bay near Masca, Juan López, or Barranco Seco.

I like the mix of wildlife and scenery, since you are not stuck watching empty sea if the animals keep their distance. I also like the price: at $33 per person, you get the boat trip, wildlife search, cliff views, swim stop, and one drink without turning it into an all-day commitment.

The main catch is simple: whale and dolphin sightings are never guaranteed. Sea conditions can also make the ride bumpy, and parking at Los Gigantes can be difficult, so you need to arrive early and allow extra time.

Key points at a glance

• Pilot whales are the regular star: The cruise often finds groups of pilot whales, sometimes including calves, along with dolphins.
• The cliffs are part of the experience: You sail close to the dramatic rock walls of Los Gigantes and the Masca area.
• The swim is from the boat: The crew anchors in a bay such as Masca, Juan López, or Barranco Seco for a refreshing sea stop.
• One drink is included: Choose from cola, Fanta, water, or beer while you enjoy the views.
• The crew adds real value: Guides including Alejandro have been praised for spotting animals, explaining sea life, and keeping the mood friendly.
• Plan carefully at the harbor: Arrive 30 minutes before departure, or an hour early if you need to park or reach the port by public transport.

Why this short cruise works so well

This is a compact boat trip with a smart three-part plan: look for marine life, cruise past the cliffs, then stop for a swim. You are not committing half a day to the sea, which makes the outing easy to fit between other Tenerife plans.

The cruise operates in the Teno-Rasca Whale Sanctuary, an important marine area off Tenerife and one of Europe’s best-known places for whale watching. The usual prize is the short-finned pilot whale, though dolphins are often part of the show. Some outings have also spotted turtles, flying fish, and other sea life.

I like that the trip does not treat whale watching as a guaranteed performance. The crew searches according to the sea and animal conditions. When whales are nearby, reports describe the boat slowing or switching off its engine so passengers can watch more quietly. That is a better approach than racing after animals for a quick photograph.

The experience is best understood as a nature trip with a scenic boat ride attached, not as an aquarium visit. You may see several groups of whales and dolphins, or you may get a more modest sighting. The operator makes this clear, and you should book with the right expectations.

Leaving from Los Gigantes Port

You board at Los Gigantes Port, looking for the Masca Express. The activity is provided by Flipper Uno, so keep both names in mind when you arrive. The harbor is in a beautiful part of Tenerife, but getting there takes planning.

Arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure. If you are driving or using public transport, I would allow an hour. Parking can be hard to find both inside and outside the harbor, and traffic around the port can slow you down.

This is not the sort of excursion where arriving at the last minute works well. If you miss the departure, there is no refund or rescheduling. That policy makes the early arrival especially important.

Once aboard, you can settle in for the first part of the cruise. The boat gives you open views of the water and cliffs, although the ride may feel lively in rough conditions. One passenger reported brief dizziness on the smaller boat, so anyone prone to seasickness should think about taking sensible precautions before departure.

Watching pilot whales and dolphins in open water

The boat heads out in search of dolphins and whales, with the crew scanning the water and responding to sightings. Pilot whales are the most commonly described whale sighting on this trip. You might see a small group, a larger pod, or mothers with calves moving together.

The dolphin encounters can be just as exciting. Dolphins have been seen swimming beside the boat, crossing through its wake, and gathering in groups around it. One outing had roughly 13 dolphins near the boat, while another included dolphins leaping and playing in the current.

You should bring a camera, but keep it ready rather than glued to your screen. Wildlife appears quickly, and the best moment may be a fin, a blow, or a close pass that lasts only a few seconds. The crew’s sharp eyes matter here. Guides such as Alejandro have been praised for finding animals and pointing out what passengers might otherwise miss.

The guides also add useful context about whales, dolphins, and other sea life. Spanish is the stated language for the host or greeter, though individual excursions have included guides able to communicate well in English and other languages. If you need detailed commentary in a particular language, confirm that before booking.

The wildlife experience varies with the day. Some groups have seen whales, dolphins, turtles, and flying fish. Others have seen dolphins but not whales. That difference is not a sign that one trip was good and another was poor. Wild animals set the schedule.

Cruising beneath the Los Gigantes cliffs

After the wildlife search, the route turns toward the huge cliffs of Los Gigantes and the Masca area. These dark volcanic walls rise sharply from the sea, giving the boat a dramatic viewpoint that you cannot get from inland roads.

The cliffs are especially valuable if the animals are being shy. You still get a memorable stretch of scenery, with the boat moving close to the rock faces and into the area around Masca Gorge. The guides may also share facts about Los Gigantes while you cruise.

This part of the outing is relaxed. You can sit back, take photographs, and have your included drink. Choices are cola, Fanta, water, or beer. It is a small inclusion, but it fits the trip well, especially before the swim.

Do not expect a full sightseeing tour of the coastline. The schedule is only two hours, and the wildlife search takes priority. The cliffs are an important part of the route, but the exact time spent in each area can change with sea conditions and animal sightings.

Swimming in Masca Bay or another clear-water cove

The final part of the trip is a stop in a sheltered bay. Possible locations include Masca, Barranco Seco, or Juan López, depending on conditions and the day’s route.

The crew anchors, and you can enter the sea for a swim. Masca Bay is the setting most often associated with this stop, with steep cliffs rising around the water. The combination of clear sea, volcanic rock, and the boat floating offshore makes this feel quite different from a normal beach visit.

The swim is usually brief, so think of it as a refreshing break rather than a long session in the water. Some outings have had pool noodles available for anyone who wants extra support. A snorkel mask is worth bringing if you have one. One passenger reported seeing many fish below the boat, although snorkeling is not the main advertised activity.

You should also remember that this is a boat-entry swim. You will not be walking onto a sandy beach, and the crew may adjust or shorten the stop if the sea is not calm enough. Anyone who is not a confident swimmer should ask the crew about the safest way to enter and leave the water.

What the crew adds to the trip

The staff are one of the strongest parts of the experience. The captain and guide handle the boat, look for animals, explain what you are seeing, and keep the mood light. Several outings have been described as friendly, well organized, and safe even when the waves were large.

Alejandro is one guide whose name comes up in connection with especially strong guiding. He has been praised for his explanations of whales and dolphins, for speaking good English, and for helping passengers get the most from the sightings. Other crew members have also been described as attentive with children and willing to answer questions.

Some outings have included playful touches, such as letting passengers take turns at the wheel under supervision or sit near the captain for a better view. Treat these as possible extras, not fixed promises. The crew’s main job is safety and responsible wildlife watching.

The boat has been described as clean and well maintained, with room to relax. Still, the exact feel depends on the departure and sea state. If you want a large, very stable vessel with lots of indoor space, this short boat excursion may not be your ideal choice.

Is $33 a good price?

At $33 per person, I consider this good value if you want several experiences in one short outing. The fare includes the cruise, the search for whales and dolphins, the Los Gigantes cliff route, the swim stop, and one cold drink.

You are also paying for access to a coastline that is difficult to appreciate fully from land. A separate wildlife outing plus a cliff cruise and a boat swim would normally take more planning and time. Here, the three elements fit together in two hours.

The value depends on your expectations. If you book only to see a whale at close range, you are taking a gamble because wildlife sightings cannot be promised. If you see the trip as a chance to spend time at sea in a major whale sanctuary, with possible dolphins and whales plus impressive cliffs, the price makes more sense.

The short duration is another advantage. Families can try a boat outing without giving up an entire day. Couples can fit it around lunch or another Tenerife activity. You also avoid paying for a long meal service or extra equipment you may not use.

Practical advice before you go

Wear clothing that can handle sea spray, and bring sun protection. You will be exposed to the sun while watching wildlife and during the cliff section. A light layer may also be useful if the breeze picks up.

Bring a swimsuit and towel for the swim stop. A snorkel mask can add interest in the bay, but it is not listed as included. Keep your phone or camera secure, since the boat and water are both active environments.

Smoking, vaping, alcohol brought from outside, drugs, glass objects, speakers, nudity, and touching animals are not allowed. The included beer is the exception to the general alcohol rule, and you should follow the crew’s instructions around wildlife at all times.

The trip is conducted in Spanish according to the activity details. Some individual guides have spoken excellent English, but language support should not be assumed unless confirmed. If you are booking for children, note that the crew has made efforts to include younger passengers, though the sea and boat setting still require close attention from parents.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those options help if your Tenerife schedule is still shifting, but they do not change the strict no-refund rule for arriving late.

Who should book this boat trip?

I would choose this cruise if you want a reasonably priced introduction to Tenerife’s west coast and do not need a full-day charter. It suits people who like wildlife, dramatic coastal views, and a quick swim more than people who want a formal sightseeing lecture.

Families can enjoy the variety, especially when dolphins or whales appear and the boat later stops for a swim. Couples get a relaxed outing with good scenery. Solo visitors can also fit it easily into a larger Los Gigantes day.

You should think twice if you get seasick easily, dislike open-water boat rides, or need guaranteed animal sightings. The sea may be choppy, the boat is not a shore-based attraction, and nature does not follow a timetable.

Should you book the Los Gigantes cruise?

Yes, if you can accept the uncertainty of wildlife watching. The strongest combination is the chance to see pilot whales and dolphins, the imposing Los Gigantes cliffs, a swim in a clear bay, and a cold drink, all for $33 and within two hours.

Book it as a flexible nature outing, not a guaranteed whale encounter. Arrive early, allow time for parking, bring swim gear and sun protection, and keep your camera ready. If the sea is kind, you may see whales with calves, dolphins alongside the boat, or even turtles and flying fish. If not, the cliffs and swim still give the trip a solid reason to leave the harbor.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

The cruise departs from Los Gigantes Port. Look for the Masca Express when you arrive.

How long does the activity last?

The advertised duration is two hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

How much does the cruise cost?

The listed price is $33 per person.

Are whale and dolphin sightings guaranteed?

No. Sightings depend on sea conditions and the movements of the animals.

What animals might I see?

The main wildlife targets are dolphins and pilot whales. Turtles and flying fish have also been seen on some outings.

Where does the swimming stop take place?

The boat may stop in Masca, Barranco Seco, or Juan López. The exact bay depends on conditions and the route that day.

Is a drink included?

Yes. One cold drink is included. You can choose cola, Fanta, water, or beer.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The listed host or greeter language is Spanish. Individual guides may speak other languages, but this should be confirmed before booking if it matters to you.

How early should I arrive?

You must be at the harbor 30 minutes before departure. If you are driving or using public transport, arriving about an hour early is recommended because traffic and parking can be difficult.