Los Gigantes: Whales and Dolphin Watching Cruise with Lunch

Pilot whales and dolphins are the stars here, but the setting gives this three-hour cruise its real punch. You leave Los Gigantes, search the open water for cetaceans, then return beneath cliffs that rise about 600 meters from the sea. Antonio, also called Tony, is often at the helm, adding local sea knowledge and an easygoing touch.

I like two things right away: the small-group feel and the chance to swim at the base of the cliffs. The crew aims to keep a respectful distance from the animals, and the boat can feel intimate even when you book a shared trip. The main thing to consider is that wildlife is wild, and the swim may be shorter than expected when the boat needs to keep to schedule.

Key points to know before you book

• Pilot whales are the most likely headline sighting: Bottlenose dolphins are also common possibilities, with turtles, tuna, fish, and seasonal fin or sperm whales in the wider mix.
• The cliffs are part of the main show: You get a close coastal view of Los Gigantes, plus possible views of Teide, La Gomera, and the rural park of Teno.
• Swimming time is limited: The scheduled stop at the cove is about 30 minutes, though some departures have had less time in the water.
• Lunch means cold tapas-style food: Expect items such as meats, breadsticks, olives, fruit, and drinks rather than a cooked restaurant meal.
• The boat trip is calm but not motionless: Several people have found travel-sickness medicine useful, especially if you are prone to seasickness.
• Private and small-group options are available: The shared boat can still feel peaceful, with reported groups ranging from about six to nine people.

Leaving Los Gigantes in search of whales

Meet at MPC Yacht Charter in the port area and find the boat using the confirmation details. One practical point matters here: the meeting location can feel less obvious than a typical ticket office. Follow the directions to the pier and look for the boat with the company name on the boom.

Once aboard, the cruise heads away from Los Gigantes. The first section is about finding marine life, not racing to a fixed viewpoint. Your guide watches the water for signs of pilot whales and dolphins, and you will want to keep your camera ready because sightings can appear and disappear quickly.

Pilot whales are a major reason to choose this trip. They can swim close to the boat, and some departures have seen groups moving just metres away. Bottlenose dolphins may travel alongside the boat for several minutes, sometimes leaping near the hull. You might also see loggerhead turtles, tuna, rays, or other fish.

Fin whales and sperm whales are possible depending on the season. They should be treated as an extra possibility, not a promise. The sensible attitude is to enjoy the search itself, since no responsible operator can guarantee a particular species or a close encounter.

The crew’s approach is another plus. Antonio has been praised for his calm handling of the boat and for keeping a respectful distance from whales and dolphins. That matters. A close view is thrilling, but watching the animals without crowding them makes the experience feel more responsible.

Sea views of Teide, La Gomera, and Teno

Keep looking beyond the water. The route can open up views of Teide Volcano, the island of La Gomera, and the rural park of Teno. These views give you a better sense of Tenerife’s western coast, where steep land meets open Atlantic water.

The sea also changes the way you see Los Gigantes. From land, the cliffs feel like a wall. From the boat, you see their full rise from the water and the smaller folds, ledges, and coves at their base.

This is where the cruise earns more than a standard wildlife outing. Even if the animals stay elusive, you still have a scenic coastal ride, a chance to see the cliffs from below, and time on a sailing yacht. The setting is especially appealing if you have already spent time inland and want a slower side of Tenerife.

The sunset option adds a different mood. The same search for whales and dolphins takes place with the cliffs and sea changing color late in the day. Starting times vary, so check the available departure when you book rather than assuming every trip runs at sunset.

Swimming and snorkeling beside the cliffs

After the wildlife portion, the boat stops at a natural cove beneath Los Gigantes. The scheduled stop is about 30 minutes, with clear water suited to swimming and snorkeling. Gear is included, so you do not need to bring your own mask or snorkel.

The cove is a good change of pace. After sitting and scanning the horizon, you can get into the water, look for fish, and see the cliffs from below. Some people have found plenty of colorful fish and even spotted crabs during this section.

Keep your expectations sensible. The stop is not a long beach visit, and some departures have allowed only around 10 minutes in the water. The captain has to get everyone back to Los Gigantes on time, and sea conditions can affect the length of the swim. If swimming is your main goal, this may feel brief. If it is a bonus after whale watching, the timing works better.

You should bring a towel and a jacket. A jacket is useful even on a warm day because the boat can feel cooler once it is moving, and wet clothes make the ride back less comfortable. A camera is worth bringing, but protect it from spray and keep both hands free when moving around the boat.

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, but it is also marked as unsuitable for people with mobility impairments. Those descriptions do not give you enough detail about boarding or getting into the water, so contact the provider before booking if access is a concern.

Cold tapas, fruit, and drinks on the ride back

Food is served after the swim and snorkeling stop. Think of it as a cold tapas-style lunch rather than a plated hot meal. Previous menus have included meats, breadsticks, olives, fresh fruit, fruit skewers, and similar small items, with water, soft drinks, and sometimes beer available.

I like this format for a boat trip. You can eat casually, take a drink, and enjoy the return route without having to sit down to a formal meal. After time in the water, even a simple spread feels welcome.

Still, the word lunch may create the wrong idea if you expect a large cooked meal. The food is better understood as a generous snack assortment or light tapas lunch. If you have a large appetite, dietary needs, or allergies, check what can be provided before departure.

The return beneath the cliffs is one of the most peaceful parts of the trip. You have already had the excitement of the wildlife search, so the final ride lets you take in the rock faces, coves, and changing views at a slower pace. On some trips, the captain has also pointed out nearby beaches and local sights.

What the boat and group size feel like

This is a small-group cruise rather than a large sightseeing vessel. Groups of six to nine people have been reported, and the boat has enough room for people to sit around, relax, or sunbathe. A shared departure can therefore feel surprisingly personal.

That size helps during wildlife watching. You are not trying to see over a crowd, and the guide can answer questions more easily. It also gives the trip a social but calm character, especially when everyone is interested in the same sightings.

The trade-off is that space is still limited compared with a big ferry. You will be outdoors on a moving boat for three hours, so choose clothing you can move in and expect some spray or wind. If you want the most private setting, ask about the private option. If you want good value, the shared trip appears to offer much of the same atmosphere at a lower cost.

Antonio and Tony receive the strongest praise for this experience. He is described as a friendly, relaxed captain who explains marine life and the local coast, handles the boat confidently, and sometimes lets people take the helm. The tour is offered in Spanish and English, so you can ask for explanations in either language.

Is $74 good value for three hours?

At $74 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a morning in Tenerife. It combines several separate activities, though: a wildlife cruise, a coastal sightseeing trip, a swim and snorkeling stop, equipment, food, drinks, and a guide.

The value is strongest if you want all of those pieces in one outing. You avoid booking a separate boat ride and a separate snorkeling activity, and the small-group setting gives you more personal space than many larger whale-watching boats.

The value is less clear if you care only about swimming or only about eating lunch on the water. The swim can be short, and the meal is cold tapas rather than a full restaurant lunch. You are paying mainly for time at sea, the captain’s local knowledge, the boat, and the chance to see wildlife in its natural setting.

The free cancellation policy, allowing a full refund up to 24 hours before departure, adds useful flexibility. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Tenerife plans are still shifting. Check the starting time and available group type before confirming.

Who will enjoy this Los Gigantes cruise most?

I would choose this for couples, families with older children, and anyone who wants a relaxed boat day rather than a loud party cruise. The mix of dolphins, pilot whales, cliffs, snorkeling, and food gives the three hours a clear rhythm.

It also suits photographers. You have several subjects to work with: quick-moving dolphins, whale fins, steep cliffs, Teide, La Gomera, and the cove. Bring a camera, but do not spend the whole trip staring through a screen. Wildlife sightings can be brief.

Families should discuss the water stop in advance. Some children will want much more than 10 or 15 minutes of swimming, while the schedule may allow only a short dip. The boat ride itself can still be enjoyable for children, especially if they are happy looking for animals and listening to the guide.

This is not the right choice for anyone with heart problems, according to the activity restrictions. It is also not suitable for people with mobility impairments as described in the booking information, despite the wheelchair-accessible label. Ask the provider for direct boarding details if you are unsure.

You should also think about seasickness. The boat is described as smooth and comfortable, and one small child slept through the ride, but other people have felt ill. If you know you are sensitive to motion, bring suitable medicine and eat lightly before sailing.

A practical three-hour plan

Arrive at MPC Yacht Charter with your confirmation voucher and allow enough time to find the actual boat at the pier. Wear swimwear under comfortable clothes, pack a towel, and carry a jacket for the return ride.

The trip generally follows this pattern:

• Leave Los Gigantes and begin the search for pilot whales and dolphins.
• Watch for turtles, tuna, fish, and seasonal whale species.
• Take in views of Teide, La Gomera, and Teno.
• Cruise toward the base of Los Gigantes.
• Stop at a cove for swimming and snorkeling.
• Have cold tapas, fruit, and drinks.
• Return to the port beneath the cliffs.

The order and exact timing can change with sea conditions and wildlife. That flexibility is normal for a nature trip. A captain who spends longer with animals may need to shorten the swim, while a quiet wildlife search may leave more time for the cove.

Do not bring alcohol, drugs, fireworks, or explosive substances. Safety equipment and snorkeling gear are supplied.

Should you book it?

I would book this cruise if you want a small-group wildlife trip with a proper coastal setting, not just a quick dolphin sighting. The strongest combination is the chance of seeing pilot whales close to the boat, a swim beneath the cliffs, and an unhurried return with tapas and drinks.

Choose a different outing if you need a long snorkeling session, a substantial hot lunch, or a guaranteed species sighting. Also confirm access arrangements if you have mobility concerns, and plan for possible seasickness.

For most visitors who want to experience the Atlantic side of Tenerife in one manageable outing, $74 is a fair price. The wildlife cannot be promised, but the cliffs, views, boat time, and cove stop give the trip value even on a quieter day.

FAQ

How long is the Los Gigantes whale-watching cruise?

The cruise lasts three hours. Starting times vary, so check the available times when you book.

Where does the cruise start and finish?

You meet at MPC Yacht Charter in Los Gigantes with your confirmation voucher. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Which animals might I see?

The main possibilities are pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins. You might also see loggerhead sea turtles, tuna, fish, rays, and other marine life. Fin whales and sperm whales are possible depending on the season.

Is a sunset cruise available?

Yes. A sunset option is available, allowing you to watch for whales and dolphins while enjoying the changing evening views. Check the departure times for the date you want.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling gear and safety equipment are included.

How long is the swimming stop?

The planned stop at the cove is about 30 minutes. The time in the water can be shorter depending on the schedule and conditions.

What food and drinks are included?

The boat provides appetizers, fruit, and drinks. The lunch is a cold tapas-style spread, with items such as meats, breadsticks, olives, and fruit. Beer, soft drinks, and water have been provided on departures.

Is the tour available in English?

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

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Reserve now and pay later is also available.