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

The best part of this Royal Delfin cruise is the combination of wildlife and scenery. You sail from the south coast toward the enormous cliffs of Los Gigantes, watching for dolphins and pilot whales in their natural setting, then stop in Masca Bay for a swim.

I like the purpose-built catamaran’s underwater viewing windows, which give you another angle when animals come close. I also like that lunch, snacks, water, soft drinks, beer, and sangria are included, so the price feels easier to judge. The main caution is simple: wildlife is wild, and a full boat, loud music, rough water, or distant sightings can make the experience less magical than expected.

Key points to know before booking

• Los Gigantes is the scenic prize: The towering cliffs and Masca Bay give this cruise more than a standard dolphin-spotting trip.
• Underwater windows add interest: You may see marine life below the surface, but animals do not always pass beneath the boat.
• Food and drinks are included: Expect lunch, a small sandwich snack, water, juice, soft drinks, beer, and sangria.
• The swim stop is a real part of the trip: You get time to enter the warm sea at Masca Bay, weather and conditions permitting.
• The boat can feel busy: The maximum group size is 200, so do not expect a quiet private sailing.
• Sightings are never guaranteed: Dolphins, pilot whales, turtles, flying fish, or very little wildlife are all possible.

Setting sail from Puerto Colón at 2 p.m.

You meet at Av. de Colón, 11, in Playa de las Américas, with the cruise ending at the same point. The published departure time is 2 p.m., and the full outing lasts about four and a half hours.

The route follows Tenerife’s southwest coast from Costa Adeje and Playa de las Américas toward Los Gigantes. That matters because you are not simply heading offshore and waiting for animals. Much of the pleasure comes from the changing view of the coast, with the cliffs becoming more dramatic as you approach Masca Bay.

I would arrive with enough time to find the boat and settle in without rushing. The meeting point description can be a little unclear, so check the exact departure instructions after booking rather than assuming every nearby marina entrance is the same place. Parking fees are not included.

The catamaran is built for this kind of trip, with toilets aboard and underwater glass viewing windows. You can move around, sit outside, look toward the water, or wait below for a possible view through the submerged windows. On a boat carrying as many as 200 people, arriving early may help you get a more comfortable position, though the experience is not sold as a reserved-seat excursion.

Searching for dolphins and pilot whales

The wildlife search is the heart of the cruise, but it is also the part you must approach with realistic expectations. The boat looks for cetaceans in their free environment rather than taking you to a controlled animal show.

Dolphins and pilot whales are the most commonly described sightings on this route. On a good afternoon, you might see repeated groups of dolphins, pilot whales close to the boat, or animals moving alongside the catamaran. Some outings have also included turtles and flying fish, with flying fish sometimes skimming a surprising distance across the surface.

You may see animals from the outer deck, and the underwater windows offer a different view if something passes below. That feature is particularly useful for children or anyone who enjoys seeing the sea from below, but it is not a guarantee of an underwater show. Wildlife chooses its own route. A dolphin might surface beside the boat, stay farther away, or appear only briefly.

The boat reportedly slows when dolphins approach, allowing you to watch without chasing them at speed. That is a good approach for an ethical wildlife outing, although several boats in the same area can affect how close any one boat gets.

I would not book this trip solely because you must see dolphins. Book it because you want a sea outing that includes wildlife, cliffs, food, and swimming. That way, a quieter wildlife day still leaves you with a worthwhile coastal cruise.

Los Gigantes and the approach to Masca Bay

Los Gigantes provides the strongest visual moment of the route. The cliffs rise sharply from the sea, creating the sort of view that makes the long outward sailing worthwhile. From the water, you get a perspective that is hard to match from land.

The catamaran continues along the coast toward Masca Bay, where the boat stops for swimming. The bay is surrounded by the dramatic rock walls of the Los Gigantes area, so the setting is more memorable than a simple open-water swim.

The swimming stop is not just a quick dip. The four-and-a-half-hour format gives the crew time to pause, serve food, and let you enjoy the water without being pushed immediately back onboard. You should still expect conditions to shape the stop. Wind and sea state can affect how comfortable the swim feels, and the wider tour can be changed or canceled in poor weather.

If you prefer sightseeing to swimming, you can remain on the boat and enjoy the cliffs. If you want an active break from sitting, bring swimwear and a towel. The supplied information confirms a swimming stop, but it does not promise snorkeling equipment or a particular underwater scene. You should treat this as a sea swim, not a dedicated snorkeling tour.

Lunch, snacks, and drinks on the catamaran

Food is included, which makes the $72.29 price easier to assess. The menu described for the main meal includes rice, meatballs, and salad. Some people find it tasty and satisfying, while others consider it basic and not especially local.

That difference is important. If you are expecting a carefully prepared Canarian meal, you may be disappointed. If you see lunch as practical boat food included with a scenic cruise, it is easier to appreciate. The food is there to keep you going during a long afternoon on the water, not to serve as the main reason to book.

A small sandwich is also provided as a snack. The available details indicate that sandwiches may include salami, so anyone needing a vegetarian option should ask the crew before boarding or contact the operator in advance. A vegetarian alternative is not confirmed.

Drinks are one of the stronger inclusions. Water, juice, soft drinks, beer, and sangria are available, with several people particularly pleased that drinks continue throughout the trip. Coffee and tea are not included, and neither are spirits such as whiskey, rum, or vodka.

You might find the meal served within the first hour, depending on the day’s timing. The exact order can vary, so do not count on lunch being served only after the swim. The mix of food and drinks means you do not need to budget for an onboard meal, which is a real advantage for families and anyone trying to keep the total cost under control.

What the 4.5-hour format adds

The longer duration is useful if you want a full half-day at sea rather than a quick wildlife ride. You have time for the coastal route, animal search, Los Gigantes views, lunch, drinks, and the Masca Bay swim.

There is a tradeoff. If your only goal is to see dolphins or pilot whales, a shorter boat trip may suit you just as well. The extra time is valuable mainly because it combines several activities instead of repeating the same search offshore.

The ride can also feel physically long if the sea is choppy. One part of the route has been described as particularly bumpy, and the operator notes that waves are normal at sea. Very rough conditions may lead to cancellation, but ordinary motion is still possible. If you are prone to seasickness, plan carefully and choose a sensible place to sit.

Music is part of the atmosphere. A good playlist can make the return ride feel relaxed and social, but some people find the music too loud. This is not a silent nature cruise. The mood is closer to a casual group boat outing, with drinks, conversation, swimming, and background music.

Crowds, comfort, and the feel onboard

Royal Delfin uses a large catamaran, but the experience can still feel crowded when it is close to its 200-person maximum. You may need to move around others to reach a viewing area, and the best outside positions can fill quickly.

That size does have advantages. A larger boat usually provides more room than a small rigid inflatable craft, along with an onboard restroom and several places to sit. It also creates a lively social mood. If you like meeting people, the atmosphere can be fun and relaxed. If you want silence, privacy, or a private wildlife guide, this is not the right format.

The crew is frequently praised for being friendly and attentive. Staff speak multiple languages, though English is the stated language offered for the experience. A photographer or cameraman may record parts of the trip, with videos available to purchase afterward. That is optional and not part of the basic ticket.

The underwater viewing rooms are a useful feature, but do not assume they remove the need to find a good place on deck. Your best view depends on where the animals appear and how many people gather around the windows.

Is $72.29 good value?

At $72.29 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water in Tenerife. It is also more than a short dolphin-spotting ride. The price includes about four and a half hours, the Los Gigantes route, wildlife watching, lunch, a snack, nonalcoholic drinks, beer, sangria, a swimming stop, and use of the catamaran’s facilities.

I consider that a fair package if you will actually use the full outing. Families and couples who want one organized afternoon may find the inclusions convenient. You avoid paying separately for lunch and several drinks, and the route includes both major scenery and time in the water.

The value is weaker if you dislike group activities, rarely drink, or mainly want a guaranteed close-up wildlife encounter. No responsible operator can promise that dolphins or whales will appear beside the boat. On a quiet day, you may feel that the price is high for a scenic cruise with limited animal sightings.

Food quality also affects your personal calculation. The meal is generally described as adequate to good, but it is simple rather than gourmet. I would compare this trip with shorter wildlife cruises based on your priorities: choose Royal Delfin for the longer coastal route and swim stop, not just for the animals.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it to families, couples, and first-time visitors who want several Tenerife experiences in one booking. The wildlife search gives children something to watch for, the swim breaks up the ride, and the included food and drinks make the afternoon simple.

It also suits anyone who wants to see Los Gigantes from the sea. The cliffs are a strong reason to go even if the animal sightings are modest. The large catamaran, restroom, and steady onboard service make it more approachable than a small, basic boat.

You may want another option if you need a quiet setting, a private guide, a precise wildlife guarantee, or a high-end meal. People with motion sickness should also think carefully about the four-and-a-half-hour duration and possible waves.

Most participants can take part, and service animals are allowed. The experience is near public transportation. Confirmation is normally provided when you book, though bookings made within 12 hours of departure are confirmed as soon as possible, subject to availability.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 2 p.m. start time. Cancellations made within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes in that period are not accepted.

The cruise depends on suitable weather and a minimum number of people. If the operator cancels because of poor weather or insufficient bookings, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund. That policy matters for a boat trip because conditions at sea can change the comfort and safety of the day.

Should you book the Royal Delfin?

Book it if you want a full coastal afternoon rather than a quick animal sighting. The strongest reasons are the Los Gigantes cliffs, the Masca Bay swim, the underwater windows, and the generous drinks package.

Go with flexible expectations about wildlife, food, and crowd levels. You might see dolphins several times, pilot whales close to the catamaran, and even flying fish or a turtle. You might also see less than hoped for.

For me, the best way to judge this cruise is to ask one question: would you still enjoy a boat trip with great cliffs, a sea swim, lunch, and drinks if the wildlife stayed distant? If yes, the Royal Delfin is a sensible choice. If the animals are your only priority, choose a shorter or more specialized wildlife outing instead.

FAQ

How long is the Royal Delfin cruise?

The cruise lasts approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes.

Where does the cruise start?

It starts at Av. de Colón, 11, 38660 Playa de las Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

What time does the boat leave?

The scheduled start time is 2 p.m.

Where does the cruise finish?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Are dolphins and whales guaranteed?

No. The cruise searches for dolphins and whales in their natural environment, so sightings, distance, and viewing time can vary.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A complimentary lunch is included, along with a small sandwich snack.

What drinks are included?

Water, juice, soft drinks, beer, and sangria are included. Coffee, tea, and spirits such as whiskey, rum, and vodka are not included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.