Los Gigantes: Whales and Dolphin Watching Cruise with Lunch

Pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins are the main attraction on this three-hour cruise, but the setting gives the outing its real punch. You’ll leave Los Gigantes, scan the water for cetaceans, then return beneath cliffs that rise about 600 meters from the sea. I especially like the small-group feel and the careful approach to wildlife, along with the chance to swim and snorkel beside the cliffs.

The crew, led on many trips by Antonio, also earns strong marks for friendly hosting and local knowledge. The main caution is that wildlife is wild, not scheduled, and the included lunch is better understood as cold tapas and snacks than a full cooked meal. Sea conditions can also affect how much time you spend in the water.

Key points to know before you book

• Pilot whales are the most reliable target: Bottlenose dolphins, turtles, tuna, and other species are also possible, with fin and sperm whales depending on the season.
• The cliffs are part of the show: The return route passes beneath the towering walls of Los Gigantes, with views toward Teide, La Gomera, and Teno Rural Park.
• Swimming time is short: The planned stop at the cove is about 30 minutes, though the actual time in the water can vary.
• Lunch is tapas-style: Expect cold meats, breadsticks, olives, fresh fruit, drinks, beer, water, and soft drinks rather than a hot restaurant meal.
• Small groups improve the mood: Shared departures can still feel calm and personal, while private trips offer more control over the day.
• Bring a jacket and towel: You need a towel for the swim, a camera for the views, and a jacket for the ride back.

Why this Los Gigantes cruise feels different

Many boat trips in Tenerife are built around a fast wildlife search, followed by a quick view of the coast. This outing has a more relaxed shape. You spend time looking for whales and dolphins, stop for a swim, eat on board, and finish with a slow coastal run beneath the cliffs.

That matters because the best part may not be one particular animal sighting. It is the combination of open sea, volcanic rock, clear water, and a small boat moving at an easy pace. If you see pilot whales close to the boat or a pod of dolphins staying alongside you, the day becomes unforgettable. If the animals remain distant, the cliffs and coast still give the trip a strong second act.

The tour is offered as a shared or private cruise. The small-group option is especially appealing if you dislike crowded excursion boats. Several departures have carried only a handful of people, giving everyone room to sit, watch the water, and move around without feeling packed in.

Antonio, also called Tony by some passengers, is often the captain and host. His role is more hands-on than simply steering the boat. He points out marine life, explains what you are seeing, shares information about the coast, and prepares the food. The tone appears friendly and informal, with plenty of room to ask questions.

Leaving Los Gigantes with Teide behind you

You meet at MPC Yacht Charter and board in the port of Los Gigantes. The first minutes are already scenic, with the harbor opening toward the Atlantic and the volcanic coast stretching away on both sides.

Keep your camera ready as the boat heads out. On a clear day, you can see Mount Teide, the island of La Gomera, and the Teno Rural Park. These views help you understand Tenerife’s western edge: this is not a flat resort coast, but a dramatic meeting of steep volcanic slopes and open ocean.

The boat itself is described as a clean, pleasant sailing yacht with enough space for a small group to sit comfortably. That creates a quieter mood than a large sightseeing vessel. You can sit back, watch the horizon, and talk with the guide without competing with a big crowd.

There is a practical side to the open-water start. The boat may roll, especially when it leaves the shelter of the port. If you are prone to seasickness, bring suitable medicine before departure. This is useful advice even for a short three-hour cruise, since some people have felt unwell during the whale-watching section.

Searching for pilot whales and dolphins

The wildlife search is not a performance with guaranteed appearances. The crew looks for signs of marine life and adjusts the route as needed. Pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins are the principal species mentioned for this area, and sightings can range from a few animals at a distance to groups swimming near the boat.

Pilot whales are a particularly good reason to choose this cruise. They are not as instantly familiar to many people as dolphins, but seeing them surface in a group gives you a sense of the animals’ size and social nature. Some trips have seen several pilot whales only a few meters from the boat.

Dolphins can be more active, and a sighting may include animals swimming alongside the yacht for an extended period. You might see them leap, turn, or move in and out of view. One memorable possibility is a family group with a young dolphin, though no particular behavior can be promised.

The area can also support loggerhead sea turtles and different fish species. Fin or sperm whales may appear depending on the season. Tuna, manta rays, and even a hammerhead shark have been spotted on individual outings, but these are bonus sightings rather than standard expectations.

The crew’s approach is an important part of the experience. The boat is kept at a respectful distance from the animals instead of charging directly into the group. You may not always get the closest possible photograph, but you get a more responsible encounter and a better chance of watching natural behavior.

Take photos, but do not spend the whole trip staring through your phone. Whales surface quickly, and the most rewarding moment is often the few seconds when you see the animal breathe, roll, or disappear beneath the water. Keep your camera ready, then put it down.

A 30-minute cove beneath the cliffs

After the wildlife portion, the cruise turns toward the Cliffs of the Giants. Their Spanish name, Acantilados de Los Gigantes, suits them perfectly. The dark volcanic walls rise dramatically from the water, reaching roughly 600 meters at their highest points.

This is the point where the trip shifts from animal watching to coastal scenery. The boat moves along the cliffs and stops at a cove at their base. The scale is difficult to judge from photographs, so being on the water looking straight up gives you a much better sense of their height.

The planned stop lasts around 30 minutes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and the cove has clear water suitable for a short swim and a look below the surface. You might see colorful fish, crabs, and other small marine life. The water can feel like a welcome break after sitting in the sun and watching the horizon.

Do not book this trip mainly for a long snorkeling session. Some departures have allowed only about 10 minutes in the water, while others have provided closer to the planned half hour. The captain must keep the cruise on schedule, and sea conditions can affect the stop.

That limitation is easy to accept if you see the swim as one part of the day. The central purpose is whale and dolphin watching, with snorkeling as a pleasant extra. If you want extended time in the water, a dedicated snorkeling trip would be a better match.

What lunch really means on this boat

Food arrives after the swim, which is good timing. You can dry off, settle into your seat, and enjoy a selection of snacks while the boat begins its return along the cliffs.

The meal is simple and cold. Expect items such as sliced meats, breadsticks, olives, fresh fruit, and fruit skewers, along with water, soft drinks, and in some cases beer. The presentation is more like a generous tapas spread than a plated lunch.

I like this format for a boat trip. It does not require a galley meal or a formal table, and the food is easy to eat while taking in the view. It also gives the crew time to prepare something practical after swimming. Just adjust your expectations if the word lunch suggests a hot entrée.

The drinks and snacks are included in the price, which improves the overall value. You are not left searching for food after the activity, and a cold drink is welcome after time in the sun. If you have dietary needs, the supplied information does not specify available alternatives, so ask before booking.

Returning under Los Gigantes

The return route is more than a ride back to the harbor. The yacht follows the coast beneath the cliffs, giving you another angle on the rock walls and small coves.

This slower final section suits the character of the trip. You have already completed the wildlife search and swim, so you can relax with a drink, review your photos, or listen as the guide explains more about the island and sea.

The views can be especially striking in the late afternoon. A sunset option is available, allowing you to watch the cliffs and open water change color as the light fades. A sunset departure may appeal to couples and photographers, while a daytime cruise gives you the best light for spotting animals and seeing underwater life.

The activity finishes back at the original meeting point. Since the total duration is three hours, it fits neatly into a day based in Los Gigantes or nearby parts of western Tenerife.

Is $74 good value?

At $74 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water, but it covers several separate elements: a three-hour cruise, a wildlife search, snorkeling equipment, a swim stop, snacks, drinks, lunch, and a guide.

The price makes more sense when you compare it with the likely alternatives. A basic boat ride may offer the same cliffs but no wildlife search or food. A larger whale-watching boat may have more seats but less personal attention. Here, the small-group setting, included refreshments, and swim stop create a fuller half-day experience.

Private departures cost more than the listed per-person price may suggest, so check the exact option before you book. A shared trip can still feel intimate when numbers are low, and it is the sensible choice if you want the experience without paying for exclusive use.

Value also depends on your priorities. If your main goal is a guaranteed swim, the limited water time may disappoint. If you want a calm coastal outing with a serious chance of seeing pilot whales, plus dolphins and good scenery, the price is easier to justify.

The strong 4.6 rating from 569 reviews supports the tour’s general appeal, but you should not treat that as a guarantee of perfect conditions. Wildlife sightings, sea state, group size, and swim time can vary from one departure to another.

Who should choose this trip?

I would recommend it to couples, families with older children, and small groups who want several experiences in one outing. You get wildlife, sailing, coastal views, a swim, snorkeling, and food without giving up an entire day.

It is also a good choice if you care about a gentler wildlife encounter. The crew aims to keep a respectful distance, and the small boat can make it easier to watch animals without the noise and crowd of a large vessel.

Families should note the short swim stop. Children may want more time in the water, and the tour’s schedule may not allow it. The boat can still work well for families because the cruise is only three hours and the guide keeps the journey active with wildlife and local information.

This is less suitable if you have serious heart problems or mobility limitations. The activity information says it is wheelchair accessible but also says it is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, so contact MPC Yacht Charter directly to clarify the boarding and onboard arrangements before paying.

Bring a towel, camera, and jacket. The jacket matters even on a warm Tenerife day, since wind can pick up once you are away from the port. Alcohol and drugs, fireworks, and explosive substances are not allowed.

Booking, timing, and cancellation

The tour runs for three hours, with starting times shown when you check availability. A sunset version is available, but the exact departure time depends on the date and booking option.

Spanish and English are spoken on the tour. Private and small-group choices are available, and you can reserve now and pay later if that option appears for your selected date.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. That policy is useful if your Tenerife plans depend on weather or changing schedules, though you should still check the exact terms shown at booking.

Should you book the Los Gigantes whale cruise?

Book it if you want a well-rounded sea outing rather than a single-purpose wildlife trip. The best version of the day combines pilot whales or dolphins near the boat, a clear-water swim beneath the cliffs, a relaxed tapas lunch, and a scenic return toward Los Gigantes.

Go in with realistic expectations. The animals choose the schedule, snorkeling may be brief, and lunch is cold tapas rather than a hot meal. With those points understood, the $74 price is fair for a small-group cruise that puts wildlife, food, and Tenerife’s most dramatic coastal views into one compact experience.

FAQ

How long is the Los Gigantes whale and dolphin cruise?

The cruise lasts three hours. Starting times depend on the date and availability shown when you book.

Where does the cruise start and finish?

You meet at MPC Yacht Charter in Los Gigantes. The activity finishes back at the same meeting point.

Which animals might I see?

The main species are pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins. Loggerhead sea turtles, fish, and tuna are also possible, while fin or sperm whales may appear depending on the season.

Is swimming and snorkeling included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and the boat stops at a cove near the base of the cliffs for swimming and snorkeling. The planned stop is about 30 minutes, but time in the water may vary.

What food and drinks are provided?

The meal is a cold, tapas-style selection that may include meats, breadsticks, olives, and fresh fruit. Drinks include water and soft drinks, with beer also provided on some departures.

Is there a sunset option?

Yes. A sunset tour option is available, allowing you to watch the whales, dolphins, and Los Gigantes cliffs in the evening light.

What should I bring, and can I cancel?

Bring a towel, camera, and jacket. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and reserve now and pay later is available for eligible bookings.