Los Gigantes: Dolphin and Whale Watching Tour with Drinks

The best part of this Los Gigantes boat trip is the mix of wildlife, cliffs, food, and swimming. You set out looking for dolphins and pilot whales, then cruise beneath the towering walls of Los Gigantes and Masca, which rise close to 600 meters above the sea. If conditions allow, the boat stops in a sheltered bay for a swim, with a trapeze for anyone keen on a splashy entrance.

I like the reasonable $38 starting price, especially when drinks and a boat trip are included. I also like the choice of a shorter 2-hour outing or a 3-hour version with chicken paella and fruit. The main consideration is simple: dolphins and whales are wild animals, so sightings depend on sea conditions. A full boat and rough water can also affect the mood.

Key points to know before you book

• Pilot whales are a real possibility: Sightings have included pilot whales, pods of dolphins, and both species close to the boat.
• The cliffs are a major part of the trip: Los Gigantes and Masca rise nearly 600 meters from the Atlantic and provide the strongest scenery of the outing.
• The 3-hour option includes lunch: Chicken and vegetable paella, fruit, and drinks make the longer trip the better value for many people.
• Swimming is part of the fun: Enter by the boat stairs or use the trapeze, with foam available for nonswimmers.
• The crew keeps the atmosphere lively: The Flipper Uno boat has a pirate-style feel, with a friendly, joking crew that works well for families.
• Arrive 30 minutes early: The meeting point is the Flipper Uno office at the right side of Los Gigantes Harbor entrance.

Setting out from Los Gigantes Harbor

You meet the Flipper Uno team at the entrance to Los Gigantes Harbor, on the right-hand side. Look for the office and staff in yellow uniforms. Arrive 30 minutes before departure. This matters here because late arrivals are not refunded or rescheduled.

There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you need to make your own way to the harbor. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, which makes it easy to plan around a meal or an afternoon in Los Gigantes.

The boat trip lasts either 2 or 3 hours, depending on the option you select. The 3-hour version uses a larger boat according to the supplied trip details and includes the paella meal. That extra hour gives the outing more breathing room, particularly if you want time for wildlife spotting, the cliffs, lunch, and a swim.

The boat has toilets, an important comfort on an Atlantic outing. Still, this is not a quiet private charter. The pirate-style boat and lively crew create a social, family-friendly atmosphere. If you prefer a small boat with little narration and plenty of silence, this may not be your ideal format.

Searching for dolphins and pilot whales

The first main aim is wildlife spotting. The crew takes you out from Los Gigantes in search of dolphins and whales, with commentary in Spanish, English, French, and German. The guide explains what you are seeing and provides information about the marine life along the way.

Pilot whales are among the animals seen on this route. Dolphins have also appeared in pods, sometimes close enough for clear views from the boat. That can be a thrilling moment, but you should set your expectations properly: no sighting is guaranteed. Sea conditions affect where the boat can go and whether animals appear.

That uncertainty is part of any responsible whale and dolphin outing. You are observing animals in their own environment, not visiting a show with a set schedule. Bring patience and keep your eyes moving across the water. A camera or phone is useful, but do not spend the whole trip staring at a screen. Wildlife often appears for only a short time.

The crew’s role matters here. A good guide helps you understand what to watch for instead of simply pointing at the horizon. The multilingual commentary is useful for mixed groups, although one passenger found it hard to hear the captain at times. Speakers can also be loud, so you may prefer a place away from the main sound system if you want a calmer ride.

Sailing beneath the Masca and Los Gigantes cliffs

Even if the animals stay out of sight, the cliffs give the trip a strong second act. Los Gigantes and Masca rise dramatically from the sea, reaching almost 600 meters. Seen from the water, the scale is hard to grasp from land. The boat lets you look upward at the rock faces while moving along the coast.

This is where the trip feels distinctly tied to Tenerife. The cliffs are not just a backdrop for photographs. They change how you understand the coast, showing the steep volcanic walls from the Atlantic rather than from a road or viewpoint.

The route passes beaches and heads toward the Masca area, where the boat looks for a calm bay. The exact stop can vary with wind and sea conditions. One group had less swimming time because of the wind, although they still managed to jump into the water. That is worth keeping in mind if swimming is your top priority.

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, and a camera. The open deck offers broad views, but the sun can be strong and there is little point in spending the whole trip uncomfortable. A towel and swimwear are essential if you plan to enter the water.

The swim stop and the boat trapeze

When the boat anchors in a suitable bay, you get free time to swim in the clear Atlantic water. You can use the boat stairs for a steady entry, or make a more dramatic splash from the trapeze. The trapeze has been a major hit with families and older children who want an extra bit of excitement.

You do not have to use it. The stairs provide a more controlled way into the water, and nonswimmers can use foam for support. Even so, this is an ocean swim rather than a pool session. Conditions, wind, and the amount of time available may affect how long you remain in the water.

The swim stop adds useful variety to the trip. Wildlife watching asks you to sit, scan, and wait. The water stop gets you moving and lets you cool off after time in the sun. The views are also excellent from the bay, with the cliffs rising around you.

Pack beachwear under your clothes if that is convenient, and keep your towel close. A waterproof pouch can help protect small valuables, though the supplied information does not promise dedicated storage. Leave large luggage at your accommodation, since oversize luggage is not allowed on board.

Paella, fruit, and drinks on the 3-hour trip

Choose the 3-hour option if lunch is important to you. It includes chicken and vegetable paella plus a piece of fruit. The meal has been described as tasty, with chicken, tomato, and peas in at least one serving.

The food makes the longer option easier to justify at the $38 price point, especially when you add the drinks. Available drinks include water, cola, Fanta, beer, and red wine. Canarian schnapps is also included. The trip is not simply a wildlife cruise with a paid meal added later. Food and drinks are built into the longer experience.

There is one limitation: the stated meal is chicken paella, and an alternative is not listed. If you do not eat rice or do not want chicken, check the selected option and meal details before booking. One person specifically wished for an alternative such as tortilla or tapas.

Drinks are served during the excursion, though soft drinks may come in small cups rather than cans. Alcohol is available, but keep your own sea legs in mind. The boat moves on the Atlantic, and some people may feel unwell even in moderate conditions. The crew has helped passengers who became seasick, but anyone prone to motion sickness should prepare carefully.

How the crew shapes the experience

The crew is a strong part of this boat trip. The guides are described as attentive, funny, and willing to keep the atmosphere relaxed. They also work across several languages, which helps when people on board speak Spanish, English, French, or German.

The tone is more playful than formal. The pirate theme adds to that feeling, particularly for younger children. Families may appreciate the jokes, the trapeze, and the sense that the boat ride itself is an attraction rather than just transport to a wildlife area.

The crew also handles practical needs. The boat has toilets, and staff have helped passengers feeling ill. The guides explain the marine life and point out the coastal sights, though announcements may be difficult to hear from some seats.

If you want a serious naturalist presentation with long periods of quiet observation, be realistic about the format. This is an entertaining group excursion with commentary, drinks, lunch on the longer option, and a swim stop. Its appeal comes from variety and energy.

Is $38 good value?

At $38 per person, the 2-hour version is priced as an accessible half-day activity rather than a luxury cruise. You are paying for the boat ride, guide, wildlife search, cliff views, drinks, and swimming time. The 3-hour choice adds paella and fruit, making it the stronger value if you want lunch and a fuller schedule.

The value improves when you use several parts of the experience. A person who only wants whale watching may find the swim and pirate-style entertainment less important. A family wanting several activities in one outing gets more from the price: wildlife, scenery, food, drinks, and a safe way to enter the sea.

Group size is the main value tradeoff. The boat can feel full, particularly on a popular departure. A crowded deck may make it harder to find the best viewing spot, and the atmosphere will be livelier than intimate. In exchange, you get a lower price and more included features than many small private outings.

The 3-hour option is also the safer choice if you want enough time for everything. Wildlife spotting cannot be rushed, and wind may shorten the swimming stop. The additional hour gives the crew more room to combine the search, cliffs, meal, and water stop.

Who will enjoy Flipper Uno most?

I would choose this trip for families, couples who want a varied outing, and anyone who likes the idea of a boat day without paying for a private charter. Children have several things to enjoy, including the pirate feel, dolphins, the trapeze, and the swim stop.

It also suits mixed-age groups. A parent or grandparent can stay on deck and enjoy the cliffs while younger passengers use the trapeze. The stairs and foam give less confident swimmers a gentler option, though every person should decide based on their own comfort in open water.

The trip is less suited to people who need a quiet boat, dislike group activities, or are highly sensitive to motion. The sea can be rough, the speakers may be loud, and the boat can feel full. If you are prone to seasickness, bring whatever preparation you normally use and choose your seat with care.

Bring cash as requested, along with your hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, towel, swimwear, camera, and beachwear. Smoking, vaping, drones, fishing, glass objects, speakers, and feeding or touching marine life are not permitted. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed.

Should you book this Los Gigantes boat trip?

Book it if you want several Tenerife highlights in one outing: possible pilot whales and dolphins, the Masca and Los Gigantes cliffs, a swim in a clear bay, drinks, and paella on the 3-hour option. The friendly multilingual crew and pirate-style boat make it especially suitable for families.

Choose the 3-hour version if you want lunch, a bigger boat, and more time for the full program. Choose the shorter option if you mainly want a wildlife cruise with cliff views and a swim.

Do not book it expecting guaranteed whales, a private setting, or a silent nature tour. The sea controls the wildlife and swimming conditions, and the group setting can feel busy. For a modest price, though, Flipper Uno gives you a lively and well-rounded way to see the Los Gigantes coast from the water.

FAQ

Where does the dolphin and whale watching tour start?

The tour starts at the Flipper Uno office at the entrance to Los Gigantes Harbor, on the right-hand side. Look for staff wearing yellow uniforms.

Where does the boat trip finish?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point at Los Gigantes Harbor.

How long does the excursion last?

You can choose a 2-hour or 3-hour option. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

Are dolphins and whales guaranteed?

No. Dolphin and whale sightings depend on sea conditions, so the operator cannot guarantee that you will see them.

What animals might I see?

Possible sightings include dolphins and pilot whales. The animals are observed in their natural environment.

Is lunch included?

Chicken and vegetable paella plus a piece of fruit are included when you select the 3-hour option. Lunch is not listed for every option.

What drinks are available?

Included drinks are cola, Fanta, water, beer, and red wine. Canarian schnapps is also included.

Can I swim from the boat?

Yes. The boat provides free time to swim when conditions allow. You can enter by the stairs or use the trapeze to jump into the sea. Foam is available for nonswimmers.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive 30 minutes before the tour starts. Late arrivals are not refunded or rescheduled.