Whale and Dolphin Watching Sailing Tour – Los Gigantes (3H)

The Atlantic brings the wildlife close. This three-hour sailing trip from Los Gigantes combines small-group whale and dolphin watching with a swim beneath Tenerife’s famous cliffs. I like the calm scale of the outing, with shared trips limited to nine people or private charters for up to 10, and I like that the crew cuts the engine well before approaching animals.

The other big plus is the setting. You sail beside the 600-meter Cliffs of the Giants, then stop in a clear-water cove for snorkeling, drinks, fruit, and cold local snacks. The main consideration is the sea itself: several people have felt seasick, and swimming time can be shorter than expected when the boat needs to keep to its three-hour schedule.

Key points to know before booking

• Pilot whales are the regular highlight: You may also see dolphins, turtles, tuna, colorful fish, and, on rare occasions, other marine life.
• The boat is El Mojo Picón: This 14-meter sailing yacht offers more room and quiet than a crowded sightseeing vessel.
• The Cliffs of the Giants are part of the show: The return along the cliffs gives you some of the best photo opportunities of the trip.
• The cove stop is flexible: Swimming and snorkeling are included, but the length of the water stop can vary.
• Food means cold tapas-style snacks: Expect items such as tortilla, local cheese, cured meat, breadsticks, olives, fruit, and drinks rather than a full restaurant meal.
• Antonio is often praised as captain and host: His relaxed manner, sailing skill, and explanations about the sea are a major part of the experience when he is leading the trip.

Setting sail from Los Gigantes

You meet at MPC Yacht Charter in the port area of Los Gigantes, with your confirmation voucher in hand. The boat is not presented as a large harbor attraction, so allow time to find the yacht and check the meeting instructions carefully.

The vessel is called El Mojo Picón, a 14-meter sailing boat. That size hits a useful middle ground. You get the feel of a real yacht, with room to sit, move around, and take photographs, but you avoid the crowds and loud atmosphere common on larger whale-watching boats.

Shared trips normally carry no more than nine people, while private charters can take up to 10. That small number matters. You have a better chance of asking questions, getting a clear view over the side, and finding a comfortable place to sit without fighting for space.

The boat has safety equipment, and snorkeling gear is provided. The crew speaks Spanish, English, and French, which helps if your group includes people with different language needs. The tone is relaxed rather than formal, with the captain handling the sailing and pointing out the coast and marine life.

Whale watching in the Teno-Rasca Marine Reserve

The main sailing section takes place in the Teno-Rasca Marine Reserve, a protected area off southwest Tenerife. The reserve is known for regular cetacean sightings, but no responsible company can promise a particular animal on a particular day.

Pilot whales are the species most often seen on this trip. You could see small groups moving near the boat, and several outings have included young whales. Dolphins also appear, sometimes swimming alongside the yacht for several minutes and leaping clear of the water.

Turtles, tuna, and other fish are possible sightings. A few outings have produced more unusual encounters, including a manta ray or a hammerhead shark, but treat those as lucky extras rather than part of the expected program.

The best part of the wildlife approach is the quiet method. The engine is shut down before the boat gets close, and the crew aims to watch without chasing or surrounding the animals. You may not get a dramatic close-up every time, but the experience feels more respectful and gives you a better chance to see natural behavior.

Captain Antonio receives especially warm praise for spotting wildlife and explaining what you are seeing. He is described as an experienced sailor with a calm, friendly style. Other feedback names Tony or Francesco, so the exact crew member may vary, but the company’s multilingual approach remains useful.

Take a camera, but keep it ready. Whales surface quickly, and dolphins can change direction without warning. A phone with a wrist strap or a compact camera is easier to manage than a large camera bag on a moving boat.

Sailing beneath the 600-meter Cliffs of the Giants

Los Gigantes means the giants, a fitting name for the dark volcanic walls rising dramatically from the sea. At up to about 600 meters high, the cliffs look especially powerful from water level, where you can see their full height without buildings or roads breaking up the view.

The trip gives you time to photograph the cliffs from different angles. The scale is hard to capture in one frame, so a wide phone setting helps. You can also get good images of the yacht against the rock, particularly during the return toward the harbor.

This part of the trip is more than a backdrop for whale watching. If the animals stay underwater for a while, the cliffs keep the outing visually worthwhile. You get a strong sense of Tenerife’s volcanic coast and see sections that are difficult to appreciate from land.

The crew may also point out beaches and coves along the coast. Some people have enjoyed views toward Masca Beach during the sailing. The route can change with sea conditions and wildlife, so think of the exact coastline sequence as flexible rather than fixed.

The cove stop: swimming, snorkeling, and cold tapas

After the wildlife search, the yacht anchors at a natural cove, often near the cliffs. This is your chance to get into the water, use the supplied snorkeling equipment, and look for fish in the clear shallows.

The snorkeling can be excellent for a short stop. People have seen colorful fish, crabs, and other small marine life close to the rocks. The view upward toward the cliffs makes this feel different from a normal beach swim.

Do not book this as a dedicated snorkeling excursion. The water stop can last around 10 to 30 minutes according to the trip reports, and it may be shortened to keep the boat on schedule. Some people have wanted more time in the water, while others have been happy to skip swimming and enjoy the boat.

After swimming, the crew serves snacks and drinks. The food is best understood as a generous cold tapas spread, not a plated lunch. Depending on the trip, you might receive Spanish tortilla, local cheese, cured meats, breadsticks, olives, fruit skewers, and similar items.

Beer, water, soft drinks, and other refreshments are included. The quality receives repeated praise, especially the tortilla and local cheese. Private charters advertise a light brunch, but you should still expect a relaxed boat meal rather than a formal dining service.

If you have dietary needs, ask before departure. The supplied information does not specify vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or allergy arrangements.

What three hours feels like on the water

Three hours is a sensible length for this outing. You have enough time for a proper wildlife search, a coastal sail, the cove stop, and food without committing half a day to the sea.

The schedule is not divided into rigid blocks. The captain may spend more time with whales if the animals are active, then shorten the swim. If sightings take longer, the sailing and cove stop may shift. That flexibility is good for wildlife, but it means you should not expect every activity to receive equal time.

Morning departures can be a good choice if you want to prioritize wildlife. One person specifically felt a 10 a.m. start worked well because pilot whales may spend more time underwater later in the day. This is not a guarantee, but it is a useful reason to consider a morning sailing.

Sunset trips are also available. The cliffs and Atlantic light should be beautiful at that hour, but a sunset sailing may not be the best choice if your first priority is maximizing wildlife time. Pick the departure based on what matters most to you: animals, swimming, or evening atmosphere.

The boat can feel smooth and peaceful in calm conditions. Still, this is open-ocean sailing, and several people have felt sick. If you are prone to motion sickness, take your usual preventive medicine before leaving and sit where the movement feels least noticeable. Bring a jacket even on a warm day, since the breeze can build once you are away from shore.

Is $76 a fair price?

At $76 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water in Tenerife. It can still be good value if you care about the boat, the small group, and the quality of the overall outing rather than simply ticking off whale watching.

Your price includes the three-hour cruise, wildlife search, snorkeling equipment, safety equipment, appetizers or tapas-style food, and drinks. You are also paying for a sailing yacht rather than a basic transport boat, plus a captain who handles navigation, wildlife spotting, and local explanations.

The small capacity is the key value point. A larger boat may offer a lower headline price, but you may spend more time surrounded by people and less time at the rail. Here, even a shared booking can feel fairly personal, especially when only five to eight people are aboard.

The food helps round out the cost, though I would not choose the tour for lunch alone. The meal is cold and informal, with portions described as tasty and generous but not a full restaurant lunch. If you want a private celebration, the charter option for up to 10 people may make sense for a family group or special occasion.

Flexible booking also reduces the risk. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you keep plans open. Check the exact start time when booking, since departures vary.

Who will enjoy this sailing trip most?

I would recommend it to couples, families, and small groups who want several Tenerife experiences in one outing. You get wildlife, sailing, cliff views, snorkeling, and food without spending a full day at sea.

Children can enjoy the trip, and one family brought children aged seven and 10. The boat has also been described as smooth enough for a young child to sleep through much of the ride. Still, children should be comfortable around open water and able to follow crew instructions.

This is a good pick if you care about responsible wildlife watching. The crew keeps a respectful distance and avoids rushing directly at the animals. You may sacrifice a perfect photograph, but that is a fair trade for a calmer encounter.

It is less suitable if you want guaranteed dolphins, a long snorkeling session, or a large buffet. It is also not a good choice for anyone with heart problems, according to the activity restrictions. The information is mixed on access: the activity is marked wheelchair accessible, but it is also listed as unsuitable for people with mobility impairments. Contact MPC Yacht Charter before paying if access is important to you.

Practical things to bring

Bring a towel, camera, and jacket. The towel is useful after the swim, while the jacket protects you from wind during the open-water sections.

Wear something comfortable that can handle spray. Keep phones and cameras secure, especially when dolphins appear and everyone suddenly moves to one side of the boat.

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, and neither are fireworks or explosive substances. The included drinks are enough for the trip, so there is no reason to bring your own alcohol.

Arrive in advance at MPC Yacht Charter with your confirmation voucher. Finding a specific yacht at a port can take a few minutes, and one past sailing had people looking for the boat by its brand name on the boom rather than a large shore-side office.

Should you book the Los Gigantes yacht tour?

Book it if you want a quieter, more personal whale-watching outing with a real sailing boat, striking cliff views, and a short swim stop. The strongest reasons are the small group size, respectful approach to wildlife, and the consistently praised work of Antonio when he is your captain.

Think twice if seasickness is a serious concern, if you need guaranteed swimming time, or if you expect a full cooked lunch. Also confirm access arrangements if anyone in your party has mobility limitations.

For most people, $76 is reasonable for the combination of wildlife, sailing, food, and snorkeling. Choose a morning departure for the best chance of an active wildlife search, bring a jacket and motion-sickness precautions, and keep your expectations flexible. That is the right way to enjoy this excellent three-hour slice of Tenerife’s west coast.

FAQ

How long is the Los Gigantes whale and dolphin tour?

The sailing tour lasts three hours. The exact balance between wildlife watching, coastal sailing, swimming, snorkeling, and food can change during the trip.

What animals might I see?

You may see pilot whales, dolphins, sea turtles, tuna, and other fish. Sightings are not guaranteed, and unusual animals such as manta rays or sharks should be considered fortunate extras.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and safety equipment are included, and the yacht stops at a natural cove with clear water for swimming and snorkeling.

What food and drinks are included?

The tour includes appetizers, fruit, and drinks. Food is generally a cold tapas-style spread that can include tortilla, local cheese, cured meats, breadsticks, olives, and fruit. Private charters include a light brunch.

How many people are on the boat?

Shared cruises have a maximum of nine people according to the tour details. Private charters are available for up to 10 people.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you book without paying immediately.