Dolphin and Whale Sailing Tour in Los Gigantes

The best part of this Los Gigantes whale-watching tour is the small boat. With no more than 10 people aboard the Bavaria 44 yacht Mojo Picon, you get a close view of the cliffs, sea life, and clear coves without being packed onto a large excursion boat. Pilot whales are the main prize, though dolphins, turtles, calderones, fish, and seabirds are all possible.

I like the three-hour length, which gives you time for wildlife, a swim, and a simple meal without taking over your day. I also like the relaxed, personal service from skippers Antonio and Francisco, who share facts about Tenerife, the sea, Teno Rural Park, and the animals. The main consideration is that this is a wildlife trip, not a guarantee of whales, and the boat may use its engine rather than sail if the wind is weak.

Key points to know before booking

• Small boat, maximum 10 people: The limited capacity makes this feel calmer and more personal than a crowded whale-watching cruise.
• Pilot whales are the usual highlight: Dolphins, turtles, calderones, and other marine life may also appear, but sightings depend on nature.
• Snorkeling is included: You can swim from the boat in a quiet cove, with masks and other equipment provided.
• Los Gigantes looks best from offshore: The cliffs rise dramatically above the water, especially around the coves and barrancos.
• Snacks and drinks come with the fare: Expect a light spread such as tapas, tortilla, melon, ham, fruit, soft drinks, water, and sometimes beer.
• Parking takes planning: The marina area can be difficult for parking, so arrive early rather than cutting it close.

Why a small sailing boat changes the experience

At $84.69 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get onto the water in Tenerife. It can still be good value if you want several experiences in one outing: whale watching, a coastal cruise, swimming, snorkeling, food, and views of Los Gigantes.

The key is the boat size. A maximum of 10 people leaves room to move around and makes it easier to ask the skipper questions. You are not simply looking over a crowd toward the horizon. You can sit near the bow, watch the water beside the boat, or take in the cliffs from the stern during the return trip.

Several group sizes appear in the feedback, including six, seven, eight, and nine people. That matters. The trip is designed to feel intimate, though the exact atmosphere depends on the other people aboard that day.

The yacht is identified as a Bavaria 44. It is a proper sailing yacht rather than a small open motorboat, with enough room for a short outing and a swim stop. Still, do not book this expecting a silent sailing lesson. One outing used the engine throughout because there was not enough wind. The crew explained that this was necessary to complete the route.

Setting off from Los Gigantes Marina

The meeting point is MPC Yacht Charter at Puerto Deportivo, near Yate El Mojo Picon on Calle Poblado Marinero in Acantilados de Los Gigantes. The trip ends back at the same place.

Give yourself extra time to find the marina and park. Finding a space can be difficult in the area, and arriving late creates a real problem on a small boat. One delayed departure affected the rest of the group, so I would aim to arrive early rather than rely on a last-minute dash through the harbor.

The tour is offered in English, and the captain gives information about the surroundings, the location of Mount Teide, the height of the cliffs, Teno Rural Park, and local marine life. The operator also says explanations are given in English and Spanish.

The exact balance of languages may depend on the group. If you are not comfortable with Spanish, it is reasonable to ask the skipper directly for the English explanation at the start. The trip works best when everyone understands the basic plan, the wildlife guidelines, and the safety instructions.

Acantilados de Los Gigantes from the water

The first major stop is the coast beside the Acantilados de Los Gigantes. From land, these cliffs are impressive. From the water, they feel much larger because your eye follows the rock face upward from sea level.

The boat gives you a different view of the coast than a road or lookout. You see the cliffs framed by open water, narrow ravines, and dark volcanic rock. The skipper may point out the surrounding geography and the features of Teno Rural Park.

This part of the route is valuable even if the animals are quiet. A wildlife outing can never promise a sighting, but the scenery gives the trip a solid second reason to go. You are not spending three hours only on a search for a fin.

The coast also provides the setting for the swim stop. Several outings stopped near a barranco or cove where passengers could swim with the cliffs behind them. The water has been described as clear and dark blue, with small fish visible while snorkeling.

Finding pilot whales and dolphins

The waters off southwest Tenerife are known on this excursion for tropical pilot whales, often called calderones. A large pod can be the emotional high point of the trip, with the animals surfacing near the yacht and sometimes moving alongside it.

Dolphins are another frequent possibility. Sightings have included playful dolphins close to the boat, and some outings found more than one type. Turtles, colorful fish, and seabirds have also appeared.

But keep your expectations sensible. One outing saw dolphins but no pilot whales. Another had dolphins after noise from a New Year celebration apparently pushed the whales farther offshore. The skipper may know the usual areas, but no captain controls the animals, the sea state, or the noise on the water.

The boat communicates with other boats to locate wildlife across a broad search area. That radio contact can make the captain seem distracted if you are expecting constant commentary, but it is part of the search process. The aim is to find animals while limiting unnecessary disturbance.

The operator says the crew tries to respect the marine life and avoid bothering it. That is an important point for you to consider. A good encounter should leave the animals room to move, rather than turning the boat into a noisy chase.

What the skipper adds to the trip

Antonio is the name most often associated with this excursion, while Francisco also receives strong praise. Both are described as experienced on the water and familiar with the cliffs, whales, dolphins, and island geography.

Antonio has been praised for steering the boat toward pilot whale pods, suggesting good places for underwater photos, and recommending other places to visit on Tenerife. Francisco has been described as friendly and informative, and on one occasion he recovered a passenger’s phone after it fell into the marina.

The service style is personal rather than formal. You may receive explanations while the boat is moving, at the wildlife sighting, or during the coastal run. The information includes the animals, the cliffs, the island, and the wider setting around Teno Rural Park.

There is one important caveat. A small number of complaints describe poor handling of seasickness, smoking near children, loud music, and a lack of attention to some passengers. The operator disputed those accounts and said the captain is respectful, will lower the music, and does not smoke directly in front of children.

I would treat this as a point to clarify before boarding if it matters to you. On a small open boat, the skipper’s personal habits affect everyone more than they would on a large vessel. Ask about smoking and music at the start, especially if someone in your party is sensitive to smoke or prone to seasickness.

Swimming and snorkeling beside the cliffs

The water stop is one of the strongest reasons to choose this tour rather than a basic whale-watching trip. After looking for marine life and cruising below the cliffs, the boat heads to a quiet spot for swimming or snorkeling.

Masks and snorkeling equipment are included. You can get in the water to look for fish, or stay aboard and enjoy the view if you do not want to swim. The stop is described as a relaxed break rather than a long guided snorkeling session.

The setting does much of the work. Clear water, volcanic cliffs, and fish close to the boat create a memorable contrast with the open-water wildlife search. You may also be able to use an underwater camera, and one skipper has helped passengers find better positions for filming.

The sea can be choppy, so swimming comfort varies by day. If you are prone to motion sickness, keep that in mind before booking. The tour is suitable for most people, but the activity requires you to manage boarding, moving around the yacht, and entering or remaining on the water.

Snacks, drinks, and the return to port

The food is a light onboard spread, not a restaurant lunch. Descriptions include tapas, ham, dried meats, melon, fruit, tortilla, and other simple snacks. Drinks include water, soft drinks, and, on some trips, beer or other canned beverages.

For a three-hour tour, this is enough to take the edge off hunger and adds value to the fare. You should not book it expecting a full meal or a carefully designed menu. The food may also be less appealing if you are already feeling seasick.

The timing works well. After the wildlife search and swim, you can eat while the boat heads back toward the marina. That leaves you with time for another Tenerife activity later in the day.

The return route gives you one more chance to look at Los Gigantes from the water. Keep a camera ready, but protect it carefully around the marina and the boat’s edge. One passenger was lucky enough to have a dropped phone recovered, but that is not something to count on.

Is $84.69 a fair price?

The fare is reasonable for a small-group outing that combines several elements. You are paying for about three hours on a sailing yacht, a captain, a wildlife search, a swim and snorkel stop, equipment, snacks, and drinks.

The value improves if you care about avoiding crowded boats. A larger cruise may offer more space on deck or a lower per-person price, but it will not provide the same quiet, personal feel. Here, the small group is the central benefit.

The value is weaker if your only goal is to see whales. Sightings are not guaranteed, and one trip saw dolphins but no pilot whales. The better way to judge the price is to treat whale watching as one part of a coastal experience that also includes Los Gigantes, swimming, snorkeling, and food.

At 95 percent recommended and a 4.8 rating from 274 reviews, the overall record is strong. Still, the lower ratings point to practical issues that matter on a small boat: group comfort, language, smoking, music, and the captain’s manner. The positive experiences are much more common, but these concerns should not be ignored.

Who will enjoy this trip most?

I would recommend it to couples, families with older children, small groups of friends, and anyone who prefers a quiet yacht to a large excursion vessel. Nature lovers get a good mix of wildlife and scenery, while swimmers gain a worthwhile stop in a scenic setting.

It is also a good choice if you have only half a day. The three-hour format leaves room for lunch, a beach visit, or another attraction on Tenerife.

You may want another type of boat trip if you need guaranteed sailing under wind power, a full meal, a highly structured naturalist talk, or a smoke-free policy confirmed in advance. The yacht may run on its engine, and the onboard food is simple.

Service animals are allowed, public transportation is nearby, and most people can participate. The trip requires good weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather or low bookings cancel the outing, you are offered another date, another experience, or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not refunded.

Should you book the Los Gigantes whale tour?

Book it if you want a small, flexible sea outing rather than a guaranteed wildlife performance. The combination of pilot whales, dolphins, cliffs, snorkeling, and light food gives the three hours a pleasant rhythm.

I especially like the limited capacity and the chance to see Los Gigantes from offshore. Those features make the fare easier to justify than a basic boat ride.

Before paying, decide how important smoking, music, language, and a formal commentary are to you. If those details are serious concerns, ask the operator about them directly. For most people seeking a personal coastal experience with a real chance of seeing marine life, this is a sound choice.

FAQ

How long does the dolphin and whale tour last?

The excursion lasts approximately three hours.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at MPC Yacht Charter in Puerto Deportivo, near Yate El Mojo Picon in Acantilados de Los Gigantes. It finishes back at the same meeting point.

How many people can join the boat trip?

The maximum group size is 10 people.

What animals might I see?

Possible sightings include pilot whales, tropical calderones, dolphins, turtles, fish, birds, and other marine species. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. The tour stops in a quiet cove where you can swim or snorkel, and snorkeling equipment is included.

Are snacks and drinks provided?

Yes. Snacks and drinks are served during the trip. The food is a light spread, and examples include tapas, tortilla, melon, ham, fruit, water, soft drinks, and sometimes beer.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The activity is offered in English. The operator also says the skipper gives explanations in English and Spanish.

Is parking available near the meeting point?

Parking is in the marina area, but it can be difficult to find a space. Arriving early is recommended.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather cancels the excursion, you are offered a different date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.