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

The best part of this three-hour sailing trip is the combination of wildlife and scenery. You are not simply motoring out to sea, ticking off a whale sighting, and turning around. The route also brings you beneath the towering Cliffs of the Giants, then to a cove for swimming and snorkeling.

I like the small scale, with shared trips limited to nine people and private charters available for up to 10. I also like the careful approach to marine life, with the engine cut well before the boat reaches whales. The main thing to consider is that wildlife is never guaranteed, and the Atlantic can be choppy enough to make some people seasick.

Key points

• Pilot whales are the regular star: You may see them close to the boat, along with dolphins, turtles, tuna, and other fish.
• The 14-meter yacht keeps the trip personal: Shared tours are small, so you have room to sit, watch, and take photographs.
• Swimming comes with a spectacular backdrop: The snorkel stop takes place near the base of Los Gigantes.
• Antonio is a frequent skipper: He is known for clear explanations, easy humor, and careful wildlife watching.
• The food is cold tapas, not a full restaurant lunch: Expect tortilla, local cheese, cured meats, breadsticks, olives, fruit, and drinks.
• The 10 a.m. departure may be worth choosing: One report found this time especially good for seeing whales, though sightings depend on nature.

Setting out from Los Gigantes

The trip begins at MPC Yacht Charter in the port of Los Gigantes. You should arrive early with your confirmation voucher and look for the yacht, since the meeting point can feel less like a traditional ticket office and more like a marina departure.

The boat is the 14-meter sailing yacht El Mojo Picón. It is large enough to feel steady and comfortable for a small party, yet small enough to avoid the packed-deck feel of bigger whale-watching boats. On shared departures, the maximum is nine people. That number matters: you can move around, find a clear view, and hear the skipper without competing with a crowd.

The sailing boat is part of the appeal. You get the quiet rhythm of the sea and the chance to enjoy the coast at a slower pace than on a fast motorboat. The trip may use the engine when needed, but the experience is built around being on a yacht, not racing from one sighting to the next.

Antonio is the skipper most often associated with this outing. He is described as an experienced sailor who explains the local marine life and volcanic coast in Spanish, English, and French. Francesco is also named in the tour information, so the exact crew can vary. In either case, expect a guide-led trip rather than a silent boat ride.

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

The boat heads into the waters of the Teno-Rasca Marine Reserve, one of the most important areas around Tenerife for seeing cetaceans. The usual star is the short-finned pilot whale. Dolphins are also regularly sought, and sightings can include turtles, tuna, manta rays, sharks, and smaller fish.

I would set your expectations correctly. The crew works in a productive marine area, but no responsible operator can promise a particular animal on a particular morning. One outing may bring several pilot whales close to the yacht, while another may produce dolphins but no whales. The value is in observing animals in open water, not in seeing a staged performance.

The approach is part of what makes the experience feel responsible. The boat is reported to stop its engine before getting too close to whales, allowing the animals to continue without being chased. You may still see them only briefly, or at a distance. That is a fair trade for a quieter encounter.

Pilot whales can be especially rewarding here because they often travel in family groups. Some departures have seen adults and calves, with the animals swimming only a few meters from the yacht. Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the whole trip looking through a screen. A whale surfacing beside a sailboat is easy to miss if you are busy checking your phone.

Dolphins can be more active and photogenic. They may travel alongside the boat, leap, or appear in groups. The crew’s job is to look for signs on the water and guide your attention, but you still need a little patience. Wildlife watching involves pauses, scanning, and the occasional false alarm.

The 600-meter Cliffs of the Giants from the water

Los Gigantes is impressive from land, but the view changes completely from sea level. The cliffs rise roughly 600 meters above the Atlantic, forming a dark volcanic wall along the coast. From the yacht, you can look almost straight up at the rock faces and see how large they are compared with the boat.

This is one of the strongest reasons to choose a sailing trip instead of a wildlife cruise alone. The cliffs give you a memorable setting even during a quiet stretch without whales or dolphins. Bring your camera, but also take a few minutes to watch the yacht pass under the rock faces without trying to frame every inch.

The return along the cliffs is often a calm part of the trip. The boat may slow down, giving you time to photograph the coast and enjoy the contrast between black volcanic rock, white wake, and open blue water. The scenery is not an extra decoration. It is one of the main attractions.

Swimming and snorkeling in a sheltered cove

After the wildlife search, the yacht anchors in a natural cove with clear water. This is the relaxed middle section of the trip, and snorkeling gear is provided. You can swim, look for small fish, and enjoy the cliffs from the water rather than from the deck.

The underwater viewing can be surprisingly good. Reports describe colorful fish, crabs, and plenty of fish close to the rocks. You might also prefer to stay aboard, especially if the sea is cool or you are more interested in the scenery than snorkeling.

The swimming time is not fixed in the information provided, and it can be shorter than some people expect. Several accounts describe roughly 10 to 30 minutes in the water. The exact length depends on the day’s timing, sea conditions, and wildlife activity. If swimming is your main goal, a dedicated snorkeling trip may suit you better. Here, it is one part of a broader three-hour outing.

The cove also gives you a break from scanning the horizon. You can use the provided equipment, sit in the sun, or simply watch the cliffs. Bring a towel and a jacket. Even in warm Tenerife weather, the breeze on the return journey can feel cool after you leave the water.

Cold tapas, fruit, and drinks aboard El Mojo Picón

The food is best understood as a generous snack spread rather than a full lunch. You may receive tortilla, local cheese, cured meats, olives, breadsticks, fruit skewers, and similar cold tapas. Drinks include water, soft drinks, and, according to several accounts, beer or wine.

I like this style of food for a sailing trip. It is easy to serve, easy to eat between activities, and well suited to a stop in a quiet cove. Local cheese and tortilla give the meal a Spanish touch, while fruit is welcome after time in the sun.

One detail is worth keeping clear: the included lunch is not a hot restaurant meal. A report specifically described it as various cold snacks. Private charters include a light brunch, but you should not book this as a formal dining cruise.

The food also helps shape the social side of the trip. With only a small number of people aboard, the tapas stop gives everyone a chance to relax and talk. The mood is more like a shared picnic at sea than a scheduled buffet line.

Small groups, private charters, and the value of the price

At $76 per person, this is not Tenerife’s cheapest way to get on the water. It is also not just a short boat transfer. The price includes three hours aboard a 14-meter yacht, a small shared group, a marine-life search, the cliffs, a swimming stop, snorkel equipment, food, drinks, and safety gear.

For me, the strongest value comes from the group size. A larger boat may offer more seats, but it can be harder to hear the guide and find an unobstructed view. Here, even a shared outing can feel fairly personal. That is especially useful for couples, families, and anyone who dislikes mass-market excursions.

Private charters are available for up to 10 people. The higher private price may make sense for a birthday, family outing, or small celebration when you want control over the atmosphere. A shared trip is the better buy if you mainly want the yacht, wildlife, cliffs, and swim without paying for exclusive use.

The rating is listed as 4.7 from 691 reviews, with repeated praise for the boat, small groups, skipper, food, and close but careful wildlife viewing. I would put the value this way: you are paying for a slower, quieter alternative to a busy whale-watching boat. If that matters to you, the price is reasonable.

What the crew adds to the experience

The skipper can make or break a wildlife trip. Antonio is repeatedly described as warm, funny, calm, and highly experienced at sea. He also explains what you are seeing rather than simply pointing toward a fin.

That personal touch is useful when several nationalities share the yacht. The crew speaks Spanish, English, and French, so you can ask questions and follow the explanation even when the group is mixed.

There is also a practical side to the skipper’s role. A good captain reads the sea, adjusts the route, and respects the animals. Reports describe Antonio stopping the engine before approaching whales and pointing out the best places along the coast. That approach gives the trip a relaxed pace without making it feel aimless.

Some departures have been small enough for only six people. Others have had close to the nine or 10-person limit. Either way, the boat is described as spacious enough for people to sit, sunbathe, or move around without feeling packed.

Choosing the best departure time

The tour lasts three hours, and starting times vary. A 10 a.m. departure received special praise as a good choice for whale watching. One explanation given was that pilot whales may be harder to spot later in the day when they spend more time underwater.

I would not treat that as a guarantee, but a morning sailing has other advantages. The light can be clear for photographs, and the trip leaves plenty of time afterward for lunch or another activity. Afternoon departures may suit you better if you prefer a slower start or want to combine the cruise with a relaxed evening in Los Gigantes.

A sunset sailing option is also available. That changes the focus from morning wildlife watching to warm light, coastal views, and a more atmospheric return. If seeing animals is your top reason for booking, choose a time based on availability and sea conditions rather than assuming sunset will produce the same sightings.

Who should book this Los Gigantes sailing trip

I would recommend this tour to you if you want several experiences in one outing: wildlife watching, a yacht ride, dramatic cliffs, swimming, snorkeling, and a simple Spanish-style meal. It works particularly well for couples and families who prefer a quiet boat to a large commercial cruise.

Children can enjoy the dolphins, whales, and water stop, though the amount of swimming time may feel short for children who mainly want to play in the sea. The boat has been described as smooth and comfortable, but open water is still open water.

You should think twice if you have serious mobility limitations or heart problems. The information describes the activity as wheelchair accessible but also says it is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, so you should confirm the exact boarding and onboard arrangements before paying.

Seasickness is the more common practical concern. At least one outing had several people feeling ill. If you are prone to motion sickness, bring the remedy you normally use and eat lightly before sailing. A jacket is useful even when the day begins warm.

Booking details worth knowing

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. Starting times depend on availability.

Bring a towel, camera, and jacket. Snorkeling equipment and safety equipment are supplied, so you do not need to pack your own mask unless you prefer to use it.

Alcohol and drugs, fireworks, and explosive substances are not allowed aboard. The boat leaves from MPC Yacht Charter in Los Gigantes, and you should meet there in advance with your confirmation voucher.

Should you book it?

Book this Los Gigantes whale and dolphin sailing tour if you value small groups, careful wildlife watching, and a personal skipper more than a guaranteed sighting or a long swim. The yacht, cliffs, pilot whales, dolphins, tapas, and clear-water cove give you a well-rounded three hours at sea.

I would choose a morning departure, bring motion-sickness protection if needed, and think of the food as cold tapas rather than lunch at a restaurant. If you want a quiet yacht experience with a real chance of seeing whales and dolphins, this is a strong pick. If your priority is extended snorkeling or guaranteed wildlife, choose a specialist activity built around that single purpose instead.

FAQ

How long is the whale and dolphin watching tour?

The sailing trip lasts three hours.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at MPC Yacht Charter in the port of Los Gigantes. Meet there in advance with your confirmation voucher.

What marine life might I see?

Possible sightings include pilot whales, dolphins, sea turtles, tuna, fish, manta rays, and sharks. Sightings are not guaranteed because the animals are wild.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included, and the boat stops at a natural cove where you can swim or snorkel.

What food and drinks are included?

The shared trip includes appetizers, fruit, and drinks. The food is generally cold tapas such as tortilla, local cheese, cured meats, breadsticks, and olives. Private charters include a light brunch.

What languages does the guide speak?

The tour is available in Spanish, English, and French.

Can I cancel the booking?

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