Los Gigantes: Whale or dolphin watching and swimming tour in Masca

The best part of this Los Gigantes trip is the combination of wildlife watching and dramatic scenery in just two hours. You head out by speedboat, search for dolphins and pilot whales, stop for a swim beneath the Masca cliffs, then return along one of Tenerife’s most impressive coastal views.

I like the small-boat feel and the sensible price of $28. I also like that the crew gives you time to swim and hands out a cold drink, rather than making this only a fast animal-spotting run. The main drawback is that wildlife is wild: you may see dolphins, pilot whales, or both, but sightings and viewing time can vary.

Key points

• Pilot whales are a strong possibility: The waters near Los Gigantes are known for regular whale and dolphin sightings, and several outings have seen groups of pilot whales.
• Masca Bay is the halfway reward: You can spend roughly 10 to 15 minutes in the water below the cliffs, with fish visible around the boat.
• The small boat gets you close to the sea: It is lively and direct, though there is no toilet onboard.
• The cliffs make the return ride special: The final run back to port passes close to the towering walls of Los Gigantes.
• Bring your own swim gear: A towel, sunscreen, goggles, and snorkeling equipment are useful. Snorkeling equipment is not supplied.
• The tour is short and good value: Two hours is enough for a taste of whale watching, swimming, and coastal views without taking up a whole day.

Setting Out From Los Gigantes Harbor

Your meeting point is at C. Pob. Marinero, 1, local 21, near the Maritima Acantilados or Nashira Uno office. Check the exact meeting instructions carefully, since the harbor has several stands and the check-in point can be easy to miss. One practical tip: the correct office may be at the last stand in the harbor.

The boat ride begins with about 30 minutes of travel by speedboat. This is not dead time. You get open views of Tenerife’s southwest coast, feel the pace of the boat, and move out toward the marine area where the whale and dolphin search takes place.

You should arrive ready for a wet, sunny outing. Wear swimwear under your clothes, bring a towel, and apply sunscreen before leaving the harbor. The boat has no toilet, and there is no beach facility at the swimming stop, so use the harbor restroom before departure.

This is a wheelchair-accessible activity, though you should still confirm the boarding arrangements if you need specific assistance. Pick-up from your hotel is not included, so you need to make your own way to Los Gigantes.

Searching for Dolphins and Pilot Whales

The wildlife portion is the heart of the trip. The crew takes you to a productive area and looks for movement at the surface, fins, blows, and groups of animals traveling through the water. The exact viewing time depends on how quickly the crew finds them.

Several outings have recorded pilot whales, including groups of small whales and sightings of adults with young. Dolphins are also regularly seen, sometimes in more than one species. Some trips have seen dolphins and whales together, while others have found one but not the other.

That range is important when you set expectations. This is not an aquarium visit, and no operator can promise a particular species. One trip may find whales after 15 minutes, while another may spend longer searching in windier conditions. On some outings, the crew has had to offer a larger boat and a longer cruise because of strong wind.

I like that the boat remains focused on finding animals rather than rushing immediately to the swimming stop. Still, the schedule is tight. The full activity lasts two hours, and some departures have spent about 15 minutes watching dolphins before moving on. If the animals take time to locate, your swim may be shortened.

The crew provides information in English and Spanish. Some guides speak to each group directly instead of relying only on a loudspeaker, which can make explanations easier to follow. You may hear details about pilot whales, dolphins, and the behavior being seen right beside the boat.

Keep your camera ready, but do not expect every sighting to produce a perfect photograph. The animals surface briefly, and the boat may be moving or changing position. Watching with your own eyes is often easier than trying to film every moment.

Why the Small Boat Matters

A smaller boat gives this trip a more personal feel than a large sightseeing vessel. You sit close to the water, so dolphins and whales can sometimes appear surprisingly near the boat. You may see an animal’s back below the surface before it surfaces fully.

The trade-off is comfort. A speedboat can feel lively, especially if the sea is windy. If you are prone to motion sickness, sit where the movement feels least troublesome and avoid a heavy meal just before departure. The supplied information does not specify seating arrangements, so ask the crew where you should sit if you are concerned.

There is also a social side to the ride. The crew is described as friendly, funny, and helpful, and some outings include music during the ride. That can create a cheerful atmosphere, but one point deserves attention: music has been too loud for some people, especially during the wildlife portion. If quiet observation matters to you, ask whether the music can be lowered.

The boat follows rules against smoking, vaping, alcohol and drugs, littering, and personal speakers. The included drink comes after or during the swimming stop and may be water, a soft drink, or beer. You should not bring your own alcohol.

Swimming Beneath the Masca Cliffs

After the wildlife search, the boat heads toward Masca Bay. This is a scenic inlet below the Los Gigantes cliffs, with clear water and steep rock walls rising around you. The change of pace is welcome after the excitement of watching animals.

The swimming stop usually lasts around 10 to 15 minutes, depending on how much time was needed to find wildlife. You can get into the water, float near the boat, look for fish, or stay onboard and enjoy the view. The boat does not pull up onto a sandy beach, so if you swim, you will enter directly from the boat into deeper water.

That detail matters for families and anyone who is not a confident swimmer. You may need to jump or climb down from the boat, and there is no shallow beach entry at the stop. Ask the crew for help if you need it. You can also skip the swim and remain onboard.

Bring goggles if you want to see below the surface. Fish have been visible around the boat, but snorkeling equipment is not included. The tour information specifically recommends bringing your own towel, sunscreen, goggles, and snorkeling gear.

The water can be pleasant even outside the main summer season. One outing in November included a sea swim, but conditions can change with wind and weather. Do not count on a long snorkeling session. This is a short refreshing stop, not a dedicated snorkeling excursion.

Returning Beneath Los Gigantes

The return journey is more than transport back to the harbor. The boat runs along the cliffs of Los Gigantes, huge dark rock walls that rise sharply from the sea. Seen from the water, their scale becomes much clearer than it does from a road or town viewpoint.

This part of the tour gives you time to look up, take photographs, and enjoy the coast without having to plan another excursion. The cliffs are especially valuable for anyone who wants a strong scenic element but does not want to spend a full day at sea.

You may also have a drink during the stop or toward the end of the outing. Water, a soft drink, or beer is included. It is a small touch, but on a sunny boat ride it makes the tour feel more complete.

The route is listed as roughly 30 minutes back to port, with scenic views along the way. Depending on conditions and the wildlife search, the actual time on the water may be slightly shorter or longer. One departure returned after about one hour and 45 minutes, so keep a little flexibility in your plans after the scheduled finish.

Is Two Hours Enough?

For most people, yes, if you want a compact introduction to the coast. You get the main ingredients: a speedboat ride, a wildlife search, a swim, a drink, and views of the cliffs. You do not need to surrender a whole morning or afternoon.

Two hours also keeps the ride manageable for people who do not want a long time on open water. One outing was praised for being long enough without making the boat ride tiring. That is a real advantage if you are combining this with other plans in Los Gigantes.

The limit is time. You cannot expect an extended whale-watching session, a long swim, and a full snorkeling trip in the same short outing. If the crew spends extra time finding animals, the water stop may be closer to 10 minutes. If you want several hours at sea, choose a longer cruise instead.

I would plan this as a focused coastal activity, not as your only experience in Tenerife. It works well before lunch, after a walk around Los Gigantes, or as a lighter day between longer excursions.

What the $28 Price Gets You

At $28 per person, this is strong value if you want several experiences in one booking. The fee covers the boat trip, a guide, whale or dolphin watching, the Masca Bay swimming stop, one drink, and insurance.

The value comes from the mix. A short boat ride alone would not be enough, and a wildlife search alone might feel uncertain. Adding the swim beneath the cliffs and the coastal return route gives you several ways to enjoy the outing even if the animals remain elusive.

The price does not include hotel transport or snorkeling gear. You also need to pay for your own way to the harbor and bring the equipment you want for the water. Those costs are small, but they matter when comparing this with a larger package tour.

The 4.7 rating from 733 ratings reflects a consistently strong experience, especially for the price. The most praised elements are the friendly crew, close sightings of pilot whales and dolphins, the Masca swim, and the views of Los Gigantes.

Who Should Book This Boat Trip?

I would recommend it to couples, families with older children, and anyone who wants a short sea outing without committing to a full-day cruise. It is also a good match for first-time whale watchers because the tour combines wildlife with scenery and swimming.

You will probably like it if you enjoy a lively boat atmosphere, do not need a long swim, and are happy to accept that nature sets the timetable. The tour suits people who want value and variety more than a quiet, highly specialized wildlife trip.

Think twice if you need a guaranteed whale sighting, dislike boat movement, or want a long time in shallow water. It may also be a poor fit if you expect a beach landing, a toilet onboard, included snorkeling gear, or a silent ride with no music.

For families, the key question is water confidence. The swimming stop is from the boat, not from a gently sloping beach. Children and weaker swimmers should follow the crew’s instructions closely, and anyone who prefers not to enter the sea can stay aboard.

The tour is wheelchair accessible, but boarding details are not provided. If you use a wheelchair or need physical assistance, contact the operator before booking so the practical arrangements are clear.

Booking Details and Useful Preparation

The tour lasts two hours, with different starting times available. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately.

The live guide service is available in English and Spanish. The activity begins and ends at the harbor meeting point, with no pick-up service. Allow extra time to find the correct office and collect any required ticket or check-in instructions.

Pack lightly. The most useful items are:

• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Swimwear
• Goggles
• Your own snorkeling equipment
• A phone or camera with a secure grip

Leave speakers, cigarettes, vapes, and personal alcohol behind. Use the harbor restroom before boarding, since there is no toilet on the boat or at the swimming spot. Cafes and restaurants are available near the dock if you want food before or after the ride.

Should You Book It?

Book this trip if you want good marine wildlife odds, a brief swim, and Los Gigantes scenery at a modest price. The chance to see pilot whales is the main draw, but the cliffs and Masca Bay give you a worthwhile outing even when the animals are shy.

I would choose it over a longer cruise if your schedule is tight or you prefer a small boat and a lively two-hour ride. I would choose another option if your priority is extended whale watching, serious snorkeling, or a quiet nature trip.

The sensible approach is to enjoy the wildlife as a bonus rather than a promise. With that mindset, the combination of whales or dolphins, a cold drink, a quick swim, and the return beneath the cliffs makes this one of the better short activities from Los Gigantes.

FAQ

Where does the Los Gigantes whale and dolphin tour start?

The meeting point is at C. Pob. Marinero, 1, local 21, with check-in at the Maritima Acantilados or Nashira Uno office. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the boat trip last?

The scheduled duration is two hours. The wildlife search, swimming stop, and return route can vary slightly with sea and animal conditions.

Are whales and dolphins guaranteed?

No. The trip searches for whales and dolphins in an area known for sightings, but wildlife is unpredictable. You may see pilot whales, dolphins, both, or fewer animals than hoped.

Is swimming at Masca Bay included?

Yes. The boat stops at Masca Bay beneath the Los Gigantes cliffs for a swim. The stop is generally around 10 to 15 minutes, depending on how long the wildlife search takes.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. You need to bring your own snorkeling equipment if you want to use it. A towel, sunscreen, goggles, and swim gear are also recommended.

What is included in the price?

The price includes whale or dolphin watching, the swimming stop, one drink such as water, a soft drink, or beer, a guide, and insurance. Hotel pick-up and snorkeling equipment are not included.