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

Dolphins, cliffs, and a swim in three hours. This sailing trip combines wildlife watching with a relaxed coastal outing, rather than treating whale spotting as the whole show. I like the small-group format, capped at nine on shared trips, and the chance to see Los Gigantes from the water, where its 600-meter cliffs feel especially dramatic. The main consideration is that wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, and the included lunch is better understood as a generous spread of cold snacks than a full hot meal.

Captain Antonio receives especially warm praise for his calm manner, local knowledge, and careful approach to whales. I also like that the boat stops for swimming and snorkeling, with equipment supplied. Still, sea conditions can affect comfort, and one past trip had several people feeling seasick, so bring motion-sickness medicine if you need it.

Key points at a glance

• Pilot whales are a regular highlight: The waters off Los Gigantes are known for sightings of pilot whales, dolphins, turtles, and fish.
• A 14-meter sailing yacht: El Mojo Picón gives you more room and a quieter feel than a large sightseeing boat.
• Small groups matter: Shared trips hold up to nine people, while private charters take up to ten.
• Swimming below the cliffs: The cove stop adds snorkeling, colorful fish, and a welcome break from sitting on the boat.
• Antonio sets the tone: His friendly explanations and careful wildlife approach are among the strongest parts of the experience.
• Good value at $76: You get three hours, wildlife watching, sailing, snorkeling gear, snacks, drinks, and safety equipment.

Setting out from Los Gigantes

You meet at MPC Yacht Charter in the port of Los Gigantes, with your confirmation voucher ready. The boat is El Mojo Picón, a 14-meter sailboat used for both shared outings and private charters.

The port sits beneath the famous cliffs, so the visual payoff begins early. Once you leave the harbor, you get a broad view of Tenerife’s volcanic coast and the sheer rock walls that give Los Gigantes its name. From sea level, the cliffs rise almost straight upward, making the scale hard to judge from land.

I would arrive with enough time to find the boat without rushing. One useful detail from past departures is that the meeting point may not look like a large ticket office. Follow the directions to the pier and look for the boat with the MPC Yacht Charter name on it.

The shared tour is designed to feel personal. With a maximum of nine people, you have a better chance of finding a comfortable viewing spot and asking questions than you would on a packed catamaran. A private charter can take up to ten people, which suits families, couples celebrating something special, or a group that wants control over the day’s pace.

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

The first major part of the trip takes place in the Teno-Rasca Marine Reserve, an important marine area off Tenerife’s southwest coast. The captain searches for cetaceans while explaining the animals and the volcanic coast in Spanish, English, or French.

The most commonly reported sighting is the short-finned pilot whale. These animals can appear close to the boat, sometimes within several meters, but the crew aims to watch without chasing or crowding them. That is important. A good wildlife trip is not measured only by how close the boat gets.

Dolphins may also swim alongside the yacht. Past sightings have included groups, young dolphins, and animals that stayed near the boat for several minutes. You might also see sea turtles, tuna, manta rays, or other fish, but these sightings are less predictable.

I like the way this tour treats wildlife watching as a patient search rather than a guaranteed performance. Some outings have seen both whales and dolphins quickly. Another trip saw pilot whales but no dolphins. That is the honest reality of watching wild animals, and you should book with that expectation.

Antonio is often the person making the difference. He has been praised for spotting animals, explaining what you are seeing, and keeping the mood easy without turning the trip into a loud show. On one outing, the engines were shut off well before approaching the whales. That kind of restraint helps protect the animals and gives you a quieter, more natural encounter.

Bring a camera, but keep it ready. Wildlife can appear suddenly and vanish just as fast. A phone with a wrist strap or a compact camera is more practical than changing lenses while the boat is moving. You will also want to photograph the cliffs, which provide a dependable subject even during a quiet wildlife period.

Seeing Los Gigantes from the water

The cliffs are more than a backdrop between sightings. They are one of the main reasons this outing works so well.

From the boat, the walls of Los Gigantes rise above the Atlantic in layers of dark volcanic rock. The view changes as you sail along them, and the water gives you a cleaner angle than the busy viewpoints on shore. You may also pass coastal areas and beaches that are difficult to appreciate from the road.

The return section beneath the cliffs is especially appealing. After the wildlife search and swim, you can settle back with a drink and watch the rock face pass overhead. This is the slower part of the trip, and it gives the three-hour schedule a pleasant rhythm: open sea, wildlife, cove, food, and cliffs.

The best photographs will not all come from the wildlife. The 600-meter cliffs offer the more reliable photo opportunity, especially when the boat is positioned below them. A wide-angle phone setting helps, since the cliffs are too tall to fit easily into a standard close shot.

Swimming and snorkeling in a natural cove

The boat anchors in a sheltered cove for a swim or snorkel. The water is described as clear, and snorkeling gear is included, so you do not need to bring your own mask and fins.

This stop gives the trip a useful change of pace. After sitting and scanning the sea, you can get into the water and look for smaller fish around the rocks. Past outings have included colorful fish, crabs, and plenty of marine life close to the cliffs.

Do not assume the swimming stop will last for a fixed length of time. Reports range from about ten minutes to roughly thirty minutes, depending on the day and the schedule. The captain must still return to Los Gigantes on time, and sea conditions can affect how long it is sensible to remain in the water.

If swimming is your main reason for booking, this may not be the right excursion. Wildlife watching comes first. If you see the cove stop as a bonus, it adds real value and makes the outing feel more varied.

Pack a towel and a jacket. The jacket matters even in warm weather because the boat can feel cool once it is moving, especially after you come out of the water. A towel also keeps the seating area more comfortable for the return sail.

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, but the same information says it is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. I would clarify the boarding process and access arrangements directly with MPC Yacht Charter before booking if you have limited mobility. People with heart problems are also advised not to take part.

Cold tapas, fruit, and drinks on board

Food is included, but you should picture a light Spanish-style spread rather than a cooked lunch. Expect items such as tortilla, local cheese, cured meats, breadsticks, olives, fruit, and similar cold snacks, along with water, soft drinks, and other beverages.

This works well after snorkeling. You can eat without waiting for a formal meal service, and the selection gives you a taste of simple local fare. Several outings received special praise for the tortilla, cheese, and generous portions.

Private charters include a light brunch, while shared trips include lunch or appetizers and drinks as part of the package. The exact selection may vary, so do not book this expecting a restaurant-quality meal or a full buffet. It is more accurate to think of it as well-presented boat food that keeps you comfortable during the final part of the sail.

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, and you should not bring fireworks or explosive materials. The atmosphere is intended to remain calm and safe, particularly around wildlife and on a working sailboat.

What the three-hour timing really gives you

Three hours is a sensible length for this kind of outing. You have enough time to leave Los Gigantes, search for wildlife, sail along the coast, stop to swim, eat, and return beneath the cliffs without committing most of your day.

A longer trip might allow more time at anchor, but it could also become tiring if the ocean is choppy or sightings are slow. The three-hour format is a good fit if you want a special activity without giving up an entire day in Tenerife.

Departure times vary, so check availability when booking. Some past outings began at 10 a.m., and one experienced recommendation favored a morning departure because pilot whales may be easier to see earlier in the day. Treat that as a useful tip, not a guarantee. Animals do not follow a tour timetable.

Sea conditions are worth considering. One family found the sailing smooth enough for a child to sleep, while another outing had several people feeling unwell. If you are prone to seasickness, take suitable medicine before departure and avoid arriving on an empty stomach. Sit where you can see the horizon, and tell the crew if you begin to feel ill.

Is $76 a fair price?

At $76 per person, this sits above a basic short boat ride but offers more than a simple wildlife search.

Your price includes three hours aboard a 14-meter sailboat, a small shared group or private charter option, a live guide, wildlife watching, cliff views, swimming, snorkeling equipment, snacks, drinks, and safety equipment. You are also paying for a quieter setting than the large boats that operate along the Tenerife coast.

The strongest value comes from the combination. If you only wanted to see whales, a cheaper boat might meet that need. Here, you get several experiences in one outing: a sailing trip, a marine wildlife search, a coastal viewpoint, a swim, and food.

Private charter pricing is not provided, so you will need to check the cost for your date and group size. For a family or group of friends, the private option may make sense if the price difference is reasonable. It gives you a more personal setting and avoids sharing the boat with strangers.

The light meal should also be considered part of the value, but not the main reason to book. The wildlife, the cliffs, and the small-group atmosphere carry the experience.

Who will enjoy this sailing tour most?

This trip suits you if you want a relaxed half-day activity with several different elements. Couples will appreciate the quiet sailing and sunset option, while families can enjoy the dolphins, the cliffs, the food, and the chance to swim.

It also works well for people who dislike mass tourism. A full shared boat is still a shared boat, but nine people on a 14-meter yacht feels far more personal than a large excursion vessel. Some trips have had only five or six people, leaving plenty of room to sit, sunbathe, and move around.

The trip is less suitable if you need guaranteed wildlife sightings, a long snorkeling session, a hot meal, or a completely stable platform. The Atlantic can move the boat, and nature does not perform on demand.

The crew speaks Spanish, English, and French, which helps mixed-language groups. Antonio’s friendly style has been a repeated strength, and his approach suits people who prefer clear explanations without a nonstop commentary track.

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. Check the available starting times before booking, since the schedule changes by date.

Bring a towel, camera, and jacket. Wear clothing that can handle sea spray and a swim, although the provided information does not specify a dress code.

The experience has a 4.7 rating from 691 reviews, with strong praise for the crew, the boat, the small groups, the wildlife sightings, and the food. The most useful criticism is practical rather than serious: swimming time may feel short, the cold lunch is simple, and seasickness is possible.

Should you book it?

I would book this tour if you want more than a standard whale-watching ride. The small yacht, careful wildlife approach, clear cliff views, snorkeling stop, and snacks create a well-rounded three hours at sea.

Book a morning departure if the available timing suits you, bring motion-sickness medicine if needed, and treat whales and dolphins as a welcome possibility rather than a promise. If you value personal service, ask for a trip with Antonio when possible. For a family, couple, or small group seeking a calm Tenerife outing with real variety, $76 is a fair price.

FAQ

How long is the Los Gigantes whale and dolphin tour?

The sailing tour lasts three hours, including wildlife watching, coastal sailing, a swimming or snorkeling stop, food, and the return to Los Gigantes.

How many people can join the shared tour?

Shared excursions have a maximum of nine people. Private charters can take up to ten people.

What animals might I see?

Possible sightings include pilot whales, dolphins, sea turtles, tuna, manta rays, and other fish. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed because the animals are in their natural habitat.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and safety equipment are included, and the boat stops at a natural cove for swimming or snorkeling.

What food and drinks are included?

The tour provides appetizers, fruit, and drinks. The food is generally a light cold spread with items such as tortilla, local cheese, cured meats, breadsticks, and olives. Private charters include a light brunch.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide service is available in Spanish, English, and French.