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

The main draw is simple: you head out from Los Gigantes in a small boat to look for pilot whales and dolphins, then swim beneath the huge cliffs at Masca Bay. The ocean sightings are never guaranteed, but the setting gives this short trip two strong chances to deliver.

I like the small-boat feel, which puts you close to the water and makes the whale watching more personal. I also like the two-part plan: wildlife first, then a swim, cold drink, and cliff scenery instead of two hours spent only searching at sea.

The trade-off is time. Two hours goes quickly, and some departures spend only about 15 minutes with the animals or at the swimming stop. Wind can also affect the route, and the music may be too loud if you want a quiet wildlife experience.

Key points to know before booking

• Pilot whales are a real possibility: Many trips spot several whales, and some also find dolphins or more than one dolphin species.
• Masca Bay is a swimming stop, not a beach visit: You enter the water from the boat, and the stop may last around 10 to 15 minutes.
• Los Gigantes provides the grand finale: The return route passes close to the towering cliffs and gives you the best views from sea level.
• You get one drink: Water, a soft drink, or beer is included after the swim.
• Bring your own snorkeling gear: Goggles and equipment are not provided.
• The price is unusually modest: At $28 per person, this is a good-value half-day outing, though you should keep your expectations realistic about wildlife time.

Why this Los Gigantes boat trip works so well

Los Gigantes is one of Tenerife’s best places to get on the water. The cliffs rise dramatically along the coast, and the nearby sea is known for regular sightings of whales and dolphins. This trip makes use of both attractions without taking up an entire day.

At $28 per person, the outing is priced more like a quick harbor excursion than a major boat tour. That matters if you want to add a sea experience to a Tenerife holiday without paying for a longer cruise, lunch, or hotel transport. You get wildlife watching, a swim, a drink, a guide, and the cliff views in one compact package.

I would treat the price as excellent value when you see whales or dolphins and still worthwhile when the wildlife is limited. The cliffs and Masca Bay give the trip a second purpose, so the boat ride is not dependent on one lucky animal sighting.

The tour is offered in English and Spanish, and the guide explains what you are seeing during the trip. The crew has been praised for being friendly, helpful, and good at finding animals. Some departures use a lively atmosphere and music, while other accounts describe guides speaking directly to each group instead of relying on a loud speaker.

Starting at the Los Gigantes harbor

You meet at C. Pob. Marinero, 1, local 21, with check-in listed at Maritima Acantilados or the Nashira Uno office. The harbor has cafes and restaurants nearby, which is useful if you arrive early or want something to eat after returning.

Allow time to find the correct office. The check-in point can feel a little unclear, and one practical tip is to look toward the last stand in the harbor. You may receive physical tickets or further instructions at the meeting point, so arriving early is sensible, even though some departures have told people to return closer to sailing time.

The boat returns to the same meeting point. There is no hotel pickup, so you need to make your own way to Los Gigantes. That is easy enough if you are already in the port area, but it makes the trip less convenient if you are staying elsewhere on Tenerife.

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. Still, ask about your own needs before booking if you plan to swim, since the swimming stop takes place from the boat rather than at a standard beach access point.

The first 30 minutes on the speedboat

The trip begins with roughly 30 minutes on the speedboat. This is the outward run toward the areas where whales and dolphins may be found, so the boat ride itself is part of the experience rather than dead time.

A smaller boat gives you a closer view of the water and makes it easier to follow animals when they appear. You may see them near the surface, beside the boat, or moving in and out of view. That closeness is one of the strongest reasons to choose this excursion instead of a much larger sightseeing vessel.

The sea can be windy, and conditions affect comfort. One departure changed to a larger boat and extended the cruise when the wind was strong. That kind of adjustment can help the ride feel safer and steadier, but the exact boat may vary with conditions.

Sit where you can see the water clearly, but do not expect a quiet ride every time. Music may be played during the journey, and one complaint focused on the volume disturbing the natural setting. If you prefer calm wildlife watching, this is worth keeping in mind.

Bring sunscreen, a towel, and clothing that can handle spray. The activity information also recommends goggles and snorkeling gear. Since the operator does not supply snorkeling equipment, pack your own if you want to look below the surface at Masca Bay.

Looking for pilot whales and dolphins

The wildlife portion usually takes place around Los Gigantes and lasts about 15 minutes in the stated schedule, though the crew may search longer or shorter depending on conditions and the animals. Some trips spend around 30 minutes looking for dolphins, while others reach the swimming stop sooner after a quick sighting.

Pilot whales are among the most likely large animals you may see. Reports include groups of several small whales, including a mother and calf, and one trip saw seven pilot whales. Dolphins are also regularly spotted, and some outings have found dolphins and whales together.

You might see more than one kind of dolphin. One particularly successful trip found three different dolphin species as well as whales. These results show the possible range of the outing, but they are not a promise. Wildlife moves freely, and one trip saw dolphins but no whales, while another found whales but not dolphins.

The crew’s role matters here. The guides search the water, follow signs of animal activity, and explain what you are seeing. The best accounts praise the staff for sharing facts without making the ride feel like a formal lecture. Their ability to find animals is a practical advantage on a short tour, since every minute spent searching reduces the time available for swimming and cliff viewing.

Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the entire sighting looking at a screen. The animals may surface only briefly. You can often see them close to the boat, yet a quick glimpse is still possible even when the crew does everything right.

The boats are expected to respect the animals, and the wildlife viewing is not presented as a chase. That is important to me. A good whale-watching trip should give you a chance to observe without turning the encounter into a noisy pursuit.

Masca Bay and the short swim

After the wildlife search, the boat heads to Masca Bay below the cliffs. The bay is the refreshing middle section of the trip, with clear water, steep rock scenery, and time to swim or simply sit back with a drink.

The listed swimming stop is about 15 minutes, although timing can change. If the boat spends longer finding whales or dolphins, the swim may be shorter. One account describes only about 10 minutes in the water, so do not book this expecting a long snorkeling session.

You enter the water from the boat. The boat does not pull up to a normal sandy beach, and you may need to jump or climb down into deep water. That makes the stop exciting for confident swimmers, but it may not suit anyone uncomfortable with open-water entry.

The bay can be a pleasant place to use your goggles. Fish have been seen in the water, and the clear conditions make a quick look below the surface worthwhile. Snorkeling equipment is not included, so pack your own mask and snorkel if that is important to you.

You can also skip the swim. The crew offers a drink, and you can enjoy the cliffs and the water from the boat. Included choices are water, a soft drink, or beer. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed as personal items, so stick to the drink supplied by the crew.

This is not a beach day. It is a short sea stop framed by dramatic rock walls. I like that distinction because it helps you choose the right experience. You come here for a memorable swim in a remarkable setting, not for a long, relaxed session in the sand.

Returning beneath the Cliffs of Los Gigantes

The final 30 minutes are devoted to the return ride and scenic views. The boat follows the coast near the Cliffs of Los Gigantes, giving you a different view from the one you see on land.

From the sea, the cliffs feel especially imposing. You can take in the scale of the rock face without buildings or roads filling the foreground. This is the part of the tour that remains worthwhile even when the wildlife search is quiet.

The return leg also gives you time to dry off and enjoy the included drink. Some trips play music and keep the mood lively, while others may feel more focused on the scenery and conversation with the guides. The tone depends partly on the crew and the group, so expect a social boat ride rather than a silent nature cruise.

You should be back at the harbor after about two hours, although departure delays or weather can affect the exact timing. One trip returned after about one hour and 45 minutes, while another was extended because of wind. Avoid booking a tight connection immediately afterward.

What the $28 price really includes

The $28 price covers the core parts of the experience:

• Whale and dolphin watching
• A swimming stop beneath the Los Gigantes cliffs
• One water, soft drink, or beer
• A guide in English or Spanish
• Insurance

That is a strong package for the cost. A longer cruise may give you more time at sea, but it will also take more of your day and usually cost more. This option works well if you want a taste of several Tenerife experiences without committing to a full-day outing.

The price does not include transport to Los Gigantes or snorkeling equipment. Those are easy costs to overlook when comparing tours. If you need a taxi or rental car to reach the harbor, add that to the total. If you want to snorkel, bring your own gear rather than expecting to hire it onboard.

There is no toilet on the boat or at the swimming spot. A toilet is available near the dock for a small charge, reported as about 50 cents. Use the facilities before departure, especially if you are traveling with children.

The trip also has clear behavior rules. Smoking, vaping, littering, speakers, alcohol, and drugs are not allowed. The drink supplied by the crew is the exception to the alcohol rule, since beer is listed as one of the included choices.

Who should choose this two-hour outing

I would choose this tour if you want a short, affordable boat trip with a good chance of seeing pilot whales or dolphins. It suits couples, families, and anyone who would rather combine wildlife watching with a swim than spend a whole day at sea.

It is also a good choice for a first boat trip in Tenerife. You get the open water, marine life, Masca Bay, and the Los Gigantes cliffs without a long commitment. The staff are described as friendly and accommodating, which helps if you have questions or need support during the outing.

You may want a different tour if your main goal is extended whale watching. The wildlife search can be brief, especially when the animals are found quickly or the schedule is affected by wind. You may also prefer another option if you want a long snorkeling stop, quiet nature commentary, or a beach where you can walk ashore.

Families should think about the deep-water swim entry. Confident swimmers may love it, but young children or anyone uneasy in open water may prefer to remain on the boat. The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, but the swimming method and boat layout are still worth confirming for your situation.

Practical advice for a smoother trip

Arrive with enough time to find Maritima Acantilados or the Nashira Uno office. The harbor check-in can take a little searching, and instructions may change once you receive your tickets.

Bring a towel, sunscreen, goggles, and your own snorkeling equipment. Wear something comfortable for a windy boat ride and expect to get wet near the water.

Keep your plans flexible after the tour. Boats can leave late, return early, or change size because of wind. The operator offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if the weather forecast is uncertain.

If you are sensitive to motion, remember that this is a speedboat trip. Sit where you can watch the horizon, and take the sea conditions seriously. The captain may adapt the boat or route when conditions require it.

Finally, do not measure the trip only by the number of animals seen. A wildlife sighting is never guaranteed. The cliffs, the boat ride, and the Masca Bay swim give you worthwhile scenery even on a quieter day.

Should you book the Los Gigantes whale and dolphin tour?

I would book it for the combination of low price, pilot-whale sightings, and a swim beneath Los Gigantes. The 2-hour format is easy to fit into a Tenerife itinerary, and the included drink is a welcome touch after the water.

Book with realistic expectations. You may see whales, dolphins, both, or fewer animals than hoped. The wildlife time and swimming stop can be short, the sea can be windy, and music may not suit everyone.

For a compact introduction to Tenerife’s west coast, this is a smart buy. Choose it when you want several memorable moments in one outing. Skip it only if you need a long wildlife session, a proper beach stop, or a guaranteed animal encounter.

FAQ

How long does the boat tour last?

The activity lasts about two hours. Exact starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

Where does the tour start?

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

Where does the tour finish?

The boat returns to the original meeting point at the Los Gigantes harbor.

Are whales and dolphins guaranteed?

No. The tour searches for whales and dolphins in their natural habitat, but sightings can vary. Some trips see pilot whales, some see dolphins, and some see both.

Is swimming included?

Yes. The boat stops in Masca Bay beneath the Los Gigantes cliffs for a swim. The stop is generally around 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the tour timing.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Snorkeling equipment is not included. Bring your own goggles and snorkeling gear if you want to use them.

What drink is included?

You receive one drink, with options listed as water, a soft drink, or beer.

Can I cancel the booking?

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