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 dramatic coast scenery. You sail from Puerto Colón toward Los Gigantes, where towering cliffs frame a stop at Masca Bay for swimming and lunch. Pilot whales, dolphins, flying fish, and even turtles have been seen, but nature sets the schedule.

I like the underwater viewing windows, which give you another way to watch marine life, and I like that lunch, soft drinks, beer, and sangria are included. The main drawback is the large capacity, up to 200 people. It can feel crowded, and sightings may be distant or brief on a quiet day.

What makes this Tenerife cruise worth considering

• Los Gigantes and Masca Bay: The cliffs and sheltered swimming stop give the cruise a strong scenic payoff, even when animals stay away.
• Purpose-built catamaran: Underwater glass viewing areas offer a different angle from the open deck.
• A full 4.5 hours at sea: You have time for wildlife watching, lunch, drinks, scenery, and a swim without rushing.
• Whales and dolphins in the wild: Pilot whales and dolphins are possible, along with flying fish and other marine life.
• Food and drinks included: Lunch, sandwiches, water, juice, soft drinks, beer, and sangria are part of the package.
• A social, lively atmosphere: Music, a friendly crew, and an onboard video service make this feel like a day out rather than a quiet nature trip.

Leaving Puerto Colón at 2:00 pm

The cruise begins at Av. de Colón, 11, in Playa de las Américas, with the boat sailing from Puerto Colón. The activity returns to the same meeting point after about four and a half hours, so you can plan the rest of your evening around a return in the early evening.

The operator gives you a mobile ticket, and the tour is offered in English. The meeting information is worth checking carefully before you set off, since one comment found the location unclear and suggested simply walking to the boat. I would allow extra time to find the correct boarding point rather than arriving at the last minute.

The catamaran can carry up to 200 people. That capacity explains much of the experience. You get plenty of onboard space and a lively setting, but you should not expect a small private sailing trip. Families, couples, and larger holiday groups all share the boat.

Watching dolphins and pilot whales offshore

The boat follows Tenerife’s southwest coast from Costa Adeje and Playa de las Américas toward Los Gigantes, looking for cetaceans in their natural environment. The common sightings described for this route include dolphins and pilot whales. Flying fish have also been seen, and one outing produced a turtle sighting.

That wild setting is both the attraction and the risk. The crew cannot place animals beside the boat, and there is no guarantee that dolphins will appear at the underwater windows. Some outings produce repeated sightings, while others offer only a couple of brief encounters. You might see animals close to the surface, far from the boat, or not at all.

The underwater viewing areas are a worthwhile feature, but keep your expectations sensible. A glass window does not turn the boat into an aquarium. Marine life has to pass beneath the catamaran at the right moment, and several comments describe seeing whales and dolphins from the main deck but not through the lower windows.

I like the fact that the cruise is built around observation rather than a staged animal encounter. When dolphins are nearby, the boat slows, giving you a better chance to watch them without a frantic chase. That said, the experience can feel less rewarding if your main goal is close-up dolphin photography.

The coast from Costa Adeje to Los Gigantes

The scenery improves as the catamaran heads west. The coast near the resort areas gives way to the massive cliffs of Los Gigantes, one of the most impressive sights in this part of Tenerife. The cliffs provide a strong visual reason to book the longer cruise, especially if the animals are having a quiet day.

You spend much of the trip near the coast rather than far out in open water. That keeps the cliffs in view and makes the ride scenic, though one comment found the route too close to shore for a whale-watching trip. I see this as a trade-off: you get coast views and easier access to Masca Bay, but less of the feeling of heading into remote ocean.

Conditions can also change the mood of the ride. The first part may be bumpy, and the catamaran will move with the waves. The operator explains that normal waves are part of being at sea and that cancellations are more likely only when conditions become seriously rough. If you are prone to seasickness, this is a point to take seriously.

Masca Bay swimming stop

The swimming stop at Masca Bay is one of the clearest reasons to choose this 4.5-hour outing instead of a shorter wildlife cruise. The boat stops in the bay near Los Gigantes, giving you time to swim in the sea with the cliffs around you.

The setting is the highlight. You are not simply stepping off at a generic beach. The cliffs make the swim feel like part of the coastal sightseeing, and the warm water suits a relaxed holiday afternoon. Some outings also describe snorkeling at the stop, though the amount of underwater life can vary.

You should bring a swimsuit and expect a proper swim stop rather than a quick photo pause. The water and weather determine how enjoyable it feels, and anyone who prefers to remain dry can stay aboard. The tour does not promise a particular level of snorkeling or marine life beneath the surface.

Lunch, sandwiches, and unlimited drinks

Food is served onboard, with a small sandwich offered during the trip and a main lunch at Masca Bay. The meal has been described as rice, meatballs, and salad. Some people find it tasty and filling, while others consider it basic and not especially local.

That distinction matters. I would treat the meal as convenient boat food, not a reason to book a culinary excursion. It saves you from packing lunch and gives you something substantial during a long afternoon at sea, but the quality may not satisfy you if you expect Canarian specialties.

Drinks are a strong part of the value. Water, juice, soft drinks, beer, and sangria are included, with several comments describing drinks as available throughout the cruise. Coffee and tea are not included, and spirits such as whiskey, rum, vodka, and liquor are excluded.

A small practical point: the snack sandwiches have been described as salami sandwiches. If you need a vegetarian option, do not assume one is available. Ask before boarding or plan to bring suitable food, while remembering that the included lunch and snacks are part of the operator’s catering.

Music, crew, and the onboard mood

The crew is frequently described as friendly and attentive. Staffing levels appear to be good for a boat of this size, and the crew works hard to keep food and drinks moving while helping people enjoy the swim stop.

Music is part of the character of the cruise. A strong playlist helped make one outing feel fun and relaxed, while another person found the music too loud. You should expect a social boat atmosphere, not a quiet naturalist talk.

The experience also includes a cameraman who records parts of the trip. Videos can be purchased afterward, and one package was delivered to a hotel. This is optional, but it can be useful if you want a souvenir without trying to film everything yourself.

No guide names are provided, and the tour is offered in English. Comments also indicate that staff speak several languages, but English is the listed language for the activity. If you want detailed commentary about marine biology, confirm how much explanation will be given, since the strongest part of this product is the boat outing itself rather than a formal lecture.

Is the $72.29 price fair?

At $72.29 per person, this sits above a short dolphin-watching trip but includes more time and more services. You are paying for about 4.5 hours on the water, a large catamaran, wildlife watching, the Los Gigantes route, a Masca Bay swim, lunch, snacks, soft drinks, water, beer, and sangria.

I think the price is fair if you value a full half-day outing. The swim and meal give you something to do even when wildlife sightings are limited, and the cliffs add a second major attraction. The package is less convincing if your only goal is to see dolphins as close as possible.

A smaller boat might feel more personal, but this product is not presented as an intimate charter. Its value comes from convenience and variety. You can spend one afternoon at sea without arranging lunch, drinks, and a separate swim stop.

The rating of 3.8 from 192 ratings reflects that split. The strongest experiences include repeated dolphin and whale sightings, good food, friendly service, and a fun atmosphere. The weaker ones focus on crowding, basic food, rough water, loud music, and animals staying too far away.

Who should book the Royal Delfin?

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want several Tenerife highlights in one outing. It suits families and couples who like a lively boat, want time to swim, and prefer an included lunch rather than arranging every detail themselves.

It is also a good fit if Los Gigantes matters as much to you as the wildlife. The cliffs and Masca Bay can make the afternoon worthwhile even on a day with limited sightings.

I would be more cautious if you want a quiet, small-group nature trip. The boat can be full, with up to 200 people, and the music and social atmosphere may not suit everyone. I would also think twice if you would be disappointed by distant dolphins or no dolphin sightings at all.

The tour is suitable for most people, and service animals are allowed. It is near public transportation, though parking fees are not included. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure. If poor weather or an insufficient number of bookings causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Should you book this 4.5-hour cruise?

Book it if you want a broad, easy half-day at sea: wildlife, cliffs, lunch, drinks, and a swim in one package. The scenery and Masca Bay stop give the cruise substance beyond a simple search for dolphins.

Skip it if you want guaranteed animal sightings, a small boat, or a refined meal. The Royal Delfin offers good variety and generally warm service, but its large capacity and unpredictable wildlife make the experience uneven. For many people, the best reason to book is not one perfect dolphin encounter. It is the combination of Los Gigantes, a swim in Masca Bay, and a relaxed afternoon on the water.

FAQ

How long is the Royal Delfin cruise?

The cruise lasts approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Av. de Colón, 11, 38660 Playa de las Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain. The boat sails from Puerto Colón.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 2:00 pm.

Where does the cruise end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Are whales and dolphins guaranteed?

No. The cruise searches for whales and dolphins in their natural environment, but sightings depend on wildlife and sea conditions.

What animals might I see?

Possible sightings include dolphins, pilot whales, flying fish, and turtles. The tour is focused on whales and dolphins.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A complimentary lunch is served onboard, along with a small sandwich snack during the trip.

Which drinks are included?

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

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You must cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.