Royal Delfin – 4’5H Dolphin & Whale Watching – Los Gigantes Masca – Lunch & Swim

The best part of this 4.5-hour Tenerife cruise is the mix of wildlife and scenery. You sail from the southwest coast toward Los Gigantes, where steep cliffs meet the sea, while watching for dolphins, pilot whales, turtles, and flying fish in their natural setting.

I like the underwater viewing windows, which give you a different angle when animals come close, and I like that lunch, snacks, and drinks are included rather than added one bill at a time. The main caution is that wildlife is unpredictable, and the boat can feel crowded, especially when all 200 spaces are in use.

Key points at a glance

• Los Gigantes and Masca Bay: Cruise along Tenerife’s southwest coast to the dramatic cliffs and stop in a sheltered bay for swimming.
• Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed: Dolphins and pilot whales are often seen, but they may stay far from the boat or not appear at all.
• Underwater viewing windows: The purpose-built catamaran offers a below-water look, though animals do not always pass beneath it.
• Food and drinks included: Lunch, a small sandwich, beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, water, and snacks are provided.
• Afternoon departure: The boat leaves at 2:00 pm and returns to the starting point after about four and a half hours.
• Good value for a half-day at sea: At $72.29 per person, the price makes sense if you value the boat ride, meal, drinks, swim, and coastal views together.

A 2:00 pm departure from Tenerife’s southwest coast

Royal Delfin leaves at 2:00 pm from the meeting point at Av. de Colón 11 in Playa de las Américas, with the sailing route running from Puerto Colón along the coast toward Los Gigantes. The boat returns to the same general meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate ride back after the cruise.

The afternoon timing suits you if you want a relaxed morning before heading to the marina. It also means the outing fills a large part of the afternoon and early evening, so do not pair it with a tightly timed dinner reservation or another excursion.

The operator accepts mobile tickets, and confirmation is normally issued when you book. If you book within 12 hours of departure, confirmation follows as soon as possible, subject to space. The tour is offered in English, and service animals are allowed.

The listed maximum is 200 people. That is a sizeable group for a boat trip, and the experience can feel full when everyone gathers on deck, queues for food, or heads to the swimming area. If personal space is important to you, this is worth considering before you book.

Searching for dolphins and pilot whales

The boat heads west along Tenerife’s southwest coast, passing the shoreline between Playa de las Américas, Costa Adeje, and the waters near Los Gigantes. The purpose is to find cetaceans in the open sea, not to visit an aquarium or watch a trained show.

That distinction matters. Some outings produce repeated dolphin sightings, pilot whales near the boat, and even extra wildlife such as turtles or flying fish. On other days, animals may appear only briefly, remain at a distance, or avoid the boat altogether.

You may see dolphins leaping beside the catamaran, but you should not book this as if a sighting were guaranteed. The crew cannot control the animals, weather, sea conditions, or the actions of other boats. One practical advantage of the longer route is that the boat has more time to search, although a four-and-a-half-hour trip still cannot promise a better wildlife encounter every day.

Several reported outings had sightings of dolphins and pilot whales, with some particularly memorable encounters near the boat. Other outings produced only a couple of distant sightings. That variation is not a flaw unique to this excursion, but it does affect how you judge the price.

The ride can also become bumpy in open water. The operator cancels in genuinely poor weather, but normal waves are part of a sea trip. If you are prone to motion sickness, sit where you feel most stable, keep your eyes on the horizon, and bring any medication you normally use. The provided information does not specify a particular seating area, so ask the crew if you need help choosing a calmer spot.

Underwater windows on the Royal Delfin catamaran

The Royal Delfin is purpose-built for sightseeing, with underwater glass viewing windows as one of its most unusual features. You can look below the waterline rather than relying only on the view from the rails and upper deck.

I like this feature most when wildlife approaches the boat at the right angle. It can make a close pass feel special, particularly when you see the animal moving beneath the surface instead of only catching a fin above it.

Keep your expectations sensible. The underwater rooms are not a guarantee that you will see whales or dolphins below the boat. Several sightings have taken place away from the lower windows, while other trips have produced memorable views through them. Conditions, visibility, animal behavior, and the position of the boat all matter.

The catamaran gives you several ways to spend the cruise. You can watch from outside, look through the underwater windows, enjoy the scenery, eat, or relax with a drink. That variety helps during quieter stretches when the sea is empty.

Music is part of the atmosphere. Some outings have had a well-liked playlist and a relaxed mood, while loud music has bothered some people. If you want a quiet nature trip with constant commentary, this may feel more like a social boat outing than a specialist wildlife expedition.

Los Gigantes cliffs and the approach to Masca Bay

The route toward Los Gigantes is a major reason to choose this cruise. The cliffs rise dramatically from the sea, giving you a different view of Tenerife than you get from a road or resort promenade.

From the water, the scale of the cliffs becomes clearer. You are not simply looking at a distant coastal landmark. The boat brings you beneath the towering rock walls, with the sea opening around the catamaran.

The route then continues toward Masca Bay, where the boat stops for swimming. This is the scenic centerpiece of the second half of the outing. You can get into the warm sea, look back toward the cliffs, and enjoy a pause after the wildlife search.

Swimming conditions depend on the day and the sea. The stop is designed for a leisurely swim rather than a formal snorkeling lesson. One particularly useful point from the experience details is that the stop takes place at Masca Bay near Los Gigantes, so you get both the swimming break and the cliff setting in one location.

If you do not want to swim, you can remain on board and enjoy the bay from the deck. The supplied information does not state whether flotation equipment is provided, so ask the crew before entering the water if you need assistance.

Lunch, sandwiches, and unlimited drinks

Food is included in the ticket, which improves the value of the four-and-a-half-hour trip. A small sandwich is served as a snack, followed by a courtesy lunch at Masca Bay. The lunch has been described as rice, meatballs, and salad.

I would call the food practical rather than a reason to book the cruise by itself. Some people find it tasty and satisfying, while others find the meatballs too processed and the meal short on local character. The quality may also vary with expectations. You are being fed during a boat excursion, not taken to a Tenerife restaurant.

The snack deserves a small warning for anyone with dietary restrictions. The available information records salami sandwiches and does not confirm a vegetarian alternative. If you do not eat meat, ask the operator in advance rather than assuming a suitable snack will be available.

Drinks are one of the stronger inclusions. Beer and sangria are provided, along with soft drinks, juice, and water. Several outings have been praised for drinks being available from boarding until the return. Coffee and tea are not included, and liquor such as whiskey, rum, and vodka is excluded.

This arrangement makes the cruise easier for families and groups. You can eat and drink without carrying a full picnic, and parents can choose soft drinks or juice while adults choose beer or sangria. Remember that alcohol and swimming do not mix well, so pace yourself if you plan to enter the water.

What the four and a half hours feel like

The length is a useful middle ground. Shorter whale-watching trips may suit you if wildlife is your only goal, but this cruise adds the Los Gigantes route, lunch, drinks, and Masca Bay swimming.

The first part is spent sailing and searching. That can be thrilling when animals appear, but slower when the sea is quiet. You may also spend time watching the coast, listening to music, talking with other people, or using the underwater windows.

The Masca Bay stop breaks up the journey. It gives you a clear change of pace: wildlife search first, then food and swimming among the cliffs, followed by the return journey. For many people, this makes the longer duration feel worthwhile.

The group atmosphere is social and informal. A full boat can mean noise, queues, and limited room at the most popular viewing points. It can also create a friendly mood, especially if you enjoy meeting people during a shared outing.

Staff are repeatedly described as friendly and attentive, and the crew speaks several languages according to the information provided. A camera operator may record parts of the trip, with videos available for purchase afterward. That is optional, and the video cost is not included in the stated price.

Is $72.29 a fair price?

At $72.29 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get onto the water, but the comparison should include what is bundled into the fare. You receive a roughly 4.5-hour catamaran trip, whale and dolphin watching, a swim stop, lunch, a snack, beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, water, and use of the onboard facilities.

The price is easier to justify if you want a full half-day rather than a short wildlife ride. It is also attractive if you would otherwise pay separately for lunch and drinks during a day at the coast.

The value is weaker if your only aim is to see dolphins up close. Wildlife may stay distant, and several people who had fewer sightings felt the trip did not match the price. A shorter tour could suit you better if you want to spend less time on board and care less about the meal, drinks, and Masca Bay stop.

Parking fees are not included. The tour is near public transportation, but the supplied information does not give a specific bus route or parking location. Build in enough time to reach Av. de Colón 11 without rushing, particularly because the departure is fixed at 2:00 pm.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would choose Royal Delfin if you want several Tenerife experiences in one outing. It works well for couples, families, and groups who like a relaxed boat atmosphere, dramatic coastal views, swimming, and a chance to see wild animals.

It also suits you if you prefer not to organize food and drinks separately. The included refreshments remove some of the usual expense and planning from a long afternoon at sea.

Families should note the full duration, possible waves, and group size. Most people can participate, but the information does not provide detailed guidance about child ages, mobility access, life jackets, or changing facilities. Contact the provider if your party has a specific accessibility or safety need.

Wildlife photographers and serious whale watchers may want a smaller or more specialized trip. A catamaran carrying up to 200 people is built for a broad holiday audience, not a quiet research-style outing. The underwater windows are a useful extra, but they do not turn the cruise into a guaranteed close-encounter tour.

Small details that improve the day

Bring swimwear and a towel if you plan to use the Masca Bay stop. The exact changing arrangements are not specified, so wear something practical and avoid relying on a full private changing room.

Keep your phone protected from spray, especially during the open-water sections and swimming stop. The mobile ticket is convenient, but a charged phone is also useful if you want to keep the ticket accessible.

If you are vegetarian, ask about the sandwich before departure. The available food information only confirms a small salami sandwich, rice, meatballs, and salad, so do not assume the snack can be changed.

Plan for a social boat, not a silent one. Music has been part of the fun for some people and too loud for others. If you prefer peace, step away from the main music area when possible and use the open deck or viewing windows.

Finally, keep wildlife expectations flexible. A day with dolphins, pilot whales, flying fish, or a turtle can be remarkable. A day with only distant sightings can still offer Los Gigantes, Masca Bay, swimming, lunch, and a long ride along Tenerife’s coast, but it may not feel worth the same price to everyone.

Should you book Royal Delfin?

Book it if you want a complete afternoon on the water, with scenery, food, drinks, swimming, and a reasonable chance of seeing dolphins or pilot whales. The friendly crew, underwater windows, striking Los Gigantes cliffs, and included refreshments give the tour plenty of appeal.

Skip it if you need guaranteed wildlife sightings, a small quiet group, gourmet food, or a specialist nature guide. The boat can be crowded, the sea can be bumpy, and animals may remain far away.

The cancellation terms are useful: you can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before departure. Changes or cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, while poor weather or failure to reach the minimum group size can lead to another date, another experience, or a full refund.

FAQ

How long is the Royal Delfin tour?

The boat trip lasts approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes.

What time does the tour start?

The stated departure time is 2:00 pm.

Where does the tour meet?

The meeting point is Av. de Colón 11, 38660 Playa de la Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Does the tour include whale and dolphin watching?

Yes. The cruise searches for whales and dolphins in their natural environment. Sightings are not guaranteed because the animals are wild.

Which animals might be seen?

The experience focuses on whales and dolphins. Sightings have also included pilot whales, turtles, and flying fish.

Is swimming included?

Yes. The boat stops in Masca Bay near Los Gigantes for a swim.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A courtesy lunch is included, along with a small sandwich snack. The meal is described as rice, meatballs, and salad.

What drinks are included?

Beer, sangria, soft drinks, juice, and water are included. Coffee, tea, and hard liquor are not included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded. If the operator cancels because of poor weather or insufficient numbers, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.