Los Gigantes: Whales and Dolphin Watching Cruise with Lunch

Pilot whales can surface just metres from the boat, and that is the special pull of this three-hour cruise from Los Gigantes. You also get striking views of the 600-meter cliffs, Teide Volcano, La Gomera, and the Teno countryside without spending a full day at sea.

I like the small-group feel and Captain Antonio’s relaxed, warm approach. I also like that the trip combines wildlife watching with a swim and snorkel stop, rather than making you sit on a boat for three hours. The main thing to know is that the lunch is a cold tapas-style spread, not a full hot meal, and the time in the water can be shorter than some people expect.

Key points to know before you book

• Pilot whales are the main wildlife sighting: Bottlenose dolphins are also common possibilities, with turtles, tuna, fish, and seasonal fin or sperm whales.
• The cliffs are a major part of the trip: You return along the base of Los Gigantes, where the rock walls rise about 600 metres above the sea.
• Captain Antonio gets strong praise: He combines local information, sailing skill, jokes, and a friendly manner.
• The boat suits a quieter outing: Groups may be as small as six to nine people, giving the cruise a more personal feel than a large excursion boat.
• The meal is simple and generous enough: Expect cold meats, breadsticks, olives, fruit, drinks, and similar tapas-style items.
• Bring a towel and jacket: The sea can feel cool after swimming, even on a bright day.

Setting out from Los Gigantes

You meet at MPC Yacht Charter and board for a three-hour cruise along Tenerife’s west coast. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate return transfer.

Los Gigantes is a fine place for this kind of trip. The port sits beside towering volcanic cliffs, and the views begin before you have properly left shore. As the boat heads out, you may see Teide Volcano, the island of La Gomera, and the rural park of Teno. Keep your camera ready, since the scenery changes quickly once the boat turns toward open water.

The cruise is available as a shared or private trip. Small groups are one of its strongest features. Boats used for the outing can feel comfortable with only six to nine people aboard, leaving space to sit, sunbathe, or move around for a better view.

That smaller setup also helps if you dislike the feel of a crowded excursion. You are more likely to hear the guide clearly and ask questions. On the other hand, boat capacity and group size can vary, so a shared booking does not guarantee an almost-private outing every time.

Searching for pilot whales and dolphins

The first main part of the cruise is a search for cetaceans in their natural setting. Pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins are the key possibilities. You might also see loggerhead turtles, tuna, and other fish. Fin whales or sperm whales can appear depending on the season, but these sightings should be treated as a bonus rather than a promise.

This is wildlife watching, not a staged show. The crew cannot control where the animals surface or how long they stay nearby. That uncertainty is part of the appeal, but it is also the reason you should avoid booking the trip with a guaranteed-sighting mindset.

The boat may approach carefully and keep a respectful distance. Several outings have included pilot whales close to the boat, while dolphins have sometimes swum alongside for many minutes. One especially memorable possibility is seeing a family group with a young dolphin, though nature, as usual, keeps its own timetable.

Captain Antonio is a major part of the experience. He is described as an experienced sailor who shares information about marine life and the surrounding coast in English or Spanish. His style appears friendly and informal, with plenty of conversation and occasional jokes rather than a stiff, scripted presentation.

Bring a camera, but do not spend the whole time looking through it. A whale’s back or a dolphin’s leap can appear and vanish in seconds. I would use your phone for short clips, then put it away and watch the water directly.

The 600-meter cliffs from the sea

After the wildlife search, the boat moves toward the cliffs of Los Gigantes. These steep volcanic walls rise around 600 metres above the water, making them far more impressive from below than from a road or viewpoint.

The return along the cliffs is one of the strongest visual parts of the outing. From sea level, you can see the scale of the rock face in a way that photographs often fail to capture. The boat also passes coastal scenery and beaches that are difficult to appreciate from land.

The cruise may include views of Masca Beach and other coastal spots, depending on the route and conditions. The exact order can change because the captain needs to balance wildlife sightings, sea conditions, swimming time, and the fixed three-hour schedule.

If photography matters to you, sit where you can turn toward the cliffs on the return. A wide-angle phone lens helps, but do not worry if you have only a basic camera. The height and closeness of the cliffs do most of the work.

Swimming and snorkeling beneath the cliffs

The boat stops for about 30 minutes at a natural cove near the base of the cliffs. This is your chance to swim or snorkel in clear water, with the rock walls rising around you.

Snorkeling gear is included, which keeps the outing simple. You might see colourful fish, crabs, and other marine life in the cove. Some outings have had a good number of fish in the water, making this stop more than a quick dip.

Still, plan for flexibility. Reports from the trip include swimming periods of roughly 10 minutes when the schedule was tight. The advertised stop is about 30 minutes, but the actual time in the water can depend on how long the wildlife search takes and how promptly the group returns to the boat.

That matters if swimming is your main goal. If you mainly want whales, dolphins, cliffs, and a pleasant sea ride, the water stop adds welcome variety. If you are booking specifically for a long snorkeling session, this cruise may feel too short.

You should bring your own towel. A jacket is useful after swimming, when wind and spray can make the ride back feel cooler. The tour is not suitable for people with heart problems, and the supplied information also says it is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Although wheelchair accessibility is listed, you should confirm the practical boarding arrangements directly before booking if access is important to you.

Cold tapas, fruit, and drinks on the way back

After the swim, the crew serves food and drinks on board. Expect a light, cold spread rather than a restaurant-style lunch. Items described from the trip include meats, breadsticks, olives, fruit skewers, and similar tapas-style snacks, with beer, water, soft drinks, and other refreshments available.

I would think of this as a well-timed sea snack. After swimming and sitting in the wind, food tastes especially good, and the casual arrangement fits the boat better than a formal meal would. It is enough to make the cruise feel like a complete half-day outing, but it may not satisfy you if you arrive expecting a substantial hot lunch.

The meal also gives you a chance to relax while the boat travels below the cliffs. This slower part of the trip can be just as pleasant as the wildlife search. You can talk with the group, take in the coast, and let Captain Antonio point out features along the shore.

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed beyond the drinks supplied as part of the activity. Fireworks and explosive substances are also prohibited, as you would expect on a boat.

Sunset departures and changing light

A sunset option is available. This adds a different mood to the trip, with the cliffs, sea, and wildlife viewed in softer evening light.

The sunset departure may appeal to couples and photographers, but it also means you should prepare for cooler air after the swim. A jacket becomes especially useful. Since wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed at any time of day, choose the sunset version for the atmosphere and timing, not because it promises better animal encounters.

Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want. The three-hour duration is long enough to include wildlife watching, the cliff route, a water stop, and food without taking over your entire day.

Is $74 a fair price?

At $74 per person, the value is good if you want several experiences in one outing. The price includes the shared or private cruise, guide, safety equipment, snorkeling gear, drinks, appetizers, and lunch. You are paying for a boat ride, wildlife search, coastal sightseeing, and a swim stop in a single three-hour package.

The strongest value comes from the small-group format. A large boat can be cheaper, but it may feel less personal and give you a weaker connection with the guide. Here, the possibility of travelling with only six to nine people makes the outing feel more relaxed and gives you a better chance to ask questions.

Private bookings can make sense for a family or special occasion, especially if you want more control over the pace. A shared trip still appears to offer a calm atmosphere when numbers are low, so you do not necessarily need to pay for private use to enjoy a personal experience.

The one value warning is the food. Do not compare this price with a cruise that includes a full cooked lunch. The meal here is cold tapas, fruit, and drinks. For most people, that is a pleasant extra rather than the reason to book.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it to you if you want a quiet coastal outing with wildlife, dramatic scenery, and a short swim. It suits couples, families, and small groups who prefer a personable captain to a large, noisy boat.

It can also work well for a family with children, since the trip includes several different activities. The water stop may be brief, though, so children who mainly want to swim should know that whale watching remains the central purpose.

You should be comfortable on a boat for three hours. One outing had several people feeling seasick, so motion sickness medicine may be worth considering if you are prone to it. That is not a criticism of this particular boat. Open-water conditions can affect anyone.

The tour is a weaker match if you need guaranteed wildlife, a long snorkel session, a hot meal, or fully clear accessibility arrangements. It is also not suitable for people with heart problems, and the activity information advises against it for people with mobility impairments.

Booking details that matter

The tour is offered in English and Spanish. You should meet at MPC Yacht Charter in advance with your confirmation voucher and return to that meeting point after the cruise.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately, which is useful when your Tenerife plans are still moving around.

Bring your voucher, towel, camera, and jacket. Wear something suitable for a boat and swimming, but the supplied information does not specify a dress code, so keep your packing practical rather than elaborate.

The activity has a rating of 4.6 from 569 reviews, a strong result for a wildlife trip where sightings depend on nature. The repeated praise centres on Antonio’s sailing skill, friendly manner, local information, close but careful wildlife encounters, tidy boat, and relaxed small-group atmosphere. Those are the features I would weigh most heavily when comparing this cruise with larger whale-watching boats.

Should you book the Los Gigantes cruise?

Book it if you want more than a standard whale-watching ride. The combination of pilot whales, possible dolphins, a 600-meter cliff route, snorkeling, and cold tapas makes the three hours feel varied and well used.

Go in with sensible expectations. Wildlife is never guaranteed, the swim may be shorter than hoped, and lunch means cold snacks rather than a hot plate. If those points suit you, $74 is a fair price for a small-group boat experience with a personable captain and some of Tenerife’s best coastal views.

FAQ

How long does the Los Gigantes whale-watching cruise last?

The cruise lasts three hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you plan to book.

What animals might I see?

The main possibilities are pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins. You might also see loggerhead turtles, tuna, other fish, and, depending on the season, fin whales or sperm whales.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling gear and safety equipment are included in the activity price.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Food includes appetizers, fruit, and drinks. The meal is a cold tapas-style spread, with items such as meats, breadsticks, olives, and fruit skewers.

Where does the cruise start and finish?

You meet at MPC Yacht Charter with your confirmation voucher. The cruise ends back at the same meeting point.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. The live guide service is available in English and Spanish.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now-and-pay-later option is also available.