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

Pilot whales and dolphins are the stars of this three-hour sailing trip from Los Gigantes, but the setting matters just as much. You cruise beneath the 600-meter Cliffs of the Giants, then stop in a clear-water cove for swimming and snorkeling before returning with tapas-style snacks and drinks.

I like the small group size, which tops out at nine on shared trips and ten on private charters. I also like the respectful wildlife approach, with the boat cutting its engines well before approaching whales. The main thing to keep in mind is that wild animals set the schedule, so dolphin sightings are never guaranteed, and the swim stop can be shorter than some families expect.

Key points to know before booking

• Pilot whales are the most regular sighting: Dolphins, turtles, tuna, colorful fish, and other species are also possible.
• The boat is a 14-meter sailing yacht: El Mojo Picón gives you more room and calm than a crowded sightseeing boat.
• The cliffs are part of the show: You get striking views of Los Gigantes from the water, including the chance to see Masca Beach and nearby coves.
• The food is simple but generous: Expect cold tapas-style snacks such as tortilla, local cheese, cured meats, breadsticks, fruit, and olives, plus drinks.
• Antonio is a major part of the experience: His easy manner, sailing skill, and interest in marine life have made a strong impression on many people.
• Bring a jacket and towel: The Atlantic can feel cool when the boat is moving, even on a sunny Tenerife day.

Sailing from Los Gigantes on El Mojo Picón

Your outing begins at MPC Yacht Charter in the port of Los Gigantes. Look for the company’s boat and arrive with your confirmation voucher. One practical note: the meeting point can be easier to find at the pier than in a traditional street-front office, so allow a little extra time to locate the yacht.

The boat is El Mojo Picón, a 14-meter sailboat used for both shared and private trips. With no more than nine people on a shared departure, the boat feels personal without being cramped. A private charter can carry up to ten people, making it a useful choice for a family group, a couple marking a special occasion, or friends who want control over the pace.

The appeal here is the boat itself. You are not simply being carried along a fixed route on a large vessel. You have room to sit, watch the water, take photographs, and enjoy the quiet rhythm of sailing. Some departures have included only five or six people, while the full shared group still has enough room for people to spread out.

The crew speaks Spanish, English, and French. Antonio is the skipper most often named in the available trip information, and Francesco is also mentioned as part of the team. Antonio is described as relaxed, funny, careful, and highly experienced at sea. He also takes time to explain the marine life and volcanic coast rather than leaving you to guess what you are seeing.

Watching whales and dolphins in the Teno-Rasca Marine Reserve

The boat heads into one of Tenerife’s best-known marine areas, the Teno-Rasca Marine Reserve. The area supports several kinds of cetaceans, and pilot whales are the most frequently reported sighting on this trip. They have been seen close to the boat, sometimes in family groups and sometimes alongside young whales.

Dolphins are also possible. Some outings have seen groups swimming beside the yacht for an extended stretch, while another departure saw whales but no dolphins. That variation is important. You are booking time in a wild habitat, not a marine park with a scheduled performance.

The crew’s approach to the animals is one of the strongest features of this trip. One account describes the engine being cut well before the yacht reached a whale, allowing the animal to remain undisturbed. That kind of distance and restraint makes the sighting feel more respectful and more meaningful.

You might also see sea turtles, tuna, manta rays, sharks, crabs, and smaller fish. The exact combination depends on the day. One outing recorded a baby pilot whale, while another included a family of dolphins and a baby dolphin that repeatedly leaped from the water.

Bring a camera, but keep it ready rather than staring at the screen. Whales surface quickly, and dolphins can appear on either side of the boat. A camera with a wrist strap is useful, though no special equipment is required.

Some people have found the 10 a.m. departure a good choice for whale watching, based on conditions they encountered. That is not a guarantee from the operator, but it may be worth considering when several start times are available. Sea conditions and animal movements matter more than any fixed rule.

The Cliffs of the Giants from sea level

Los Gigantes looks impressive from land, but the view changes completely from the water. The cliffs rise about 600 meters above the Atlantic, forming a dramatic wall of dark volcanic rock. From the yacht, you can appreciate their full height in a way that is hard to do from a road or viewpoint.

The route may also include views toward Masca Beach and other sections of the rugged coast. The cliffs provide a strong backdrop for photos, especially when the boat is close enough to show their scale but still far enough away to frame the whole wall of rock.

I like this part of the trip because it gives the whale watching a sense of place. You are not simply searching open water for a fin. You are moving through a striking volcanic corner of Tenerife, with the cliffs, coves, and Atlantic horizon all forming part of the experience.

The trip is also a good option if you want more than a wildlife cruise but less than a full-day sailing excursion. Three hours is long enough to see the coast, spend time looking for animals, stop for a swim, and eat something on board without taking up the whole day.

Swimming and snorkeling beside the cliffs

At some point, the crew anchors in a natural cove with clear water. Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to bring your own mask and snorkel. The stop gives you a chance to cool off and see smaller marine life after spending time watching whales and dolphins farther offshore.

The underwater setting can be excellent. People have reported colorful fish, crabs, and large numbers of smaller fish near the cliffs. You may see plenty, but the water is still a natural environment, not an aquarium, so visibility and marine life can change.

The main caution is the length of the swim. Several outings allowed around 10 to 30 minutes in the water, depending on the schedule and conditions. One family felt the time was too short for children who were eager to swim. Another group chose not to enter the water at all and still enjoyed the trip.

If swimming is your main reason for booking, ask about the expected stop when you arrive. If whale watching, sailing, and the cliffs are your priorities, the swim is a welcome extra rather than the central attraction.

Bring a towel and wear practical swim clothing under your regular clothes. A jacket is also useful because the boat can feel breezy after you leave the cove, even if you were warm while swimming.

Cold tapas, fruit, and drinks on the return

The food is best understood as a light lunch or generous snack, not a cooked restaurant meal. The spread has included Spanish tortilla, local cheese, cured meats, breadsticks, olives, fruit skewers, and other cold tapas. Drinks are provided, including water, soft drinks, and, on some outings, beer or wine.

That menu works well after snorkeling. You can eat casually while the boat moves back along the coast, and the food gives the trip a pleasant social finish. The snacks have been described as fresh, tasty, and plentiful, though one practical description correctly calls the lunch a selection of cold snacks.

Private charters include a light brunch. If food is especially important to you, check the exact arrangement for your booking, since the standard shared-trip offering and private-charter brunch are described differently.

I see the food as part of the value rather than the main reason to book. The real cost is tied to the small boat, the three hours at sea, the crew, the wildlife search, and the swim stop. The snacks and drinks make the outing feel complete without pretending to be a full meal.

Is $76 a fair price for three hours?

At $76 per person, this is not the cheapest whale-watching option around Tenerife. It can still be good value if you care about a small group, a sailing yacht, personal guiding, and time near the cliffs.

The comparison is simple. A larger boat may offer a lower price per person, but you generally get less space, less direct contact with the crew, and a more crowded view of the water. Here, a maximum of nine people on a shared outing keeps the experience closer to a private charter, especially when the boat is not full.

The price also includes snorkeling gear, safety equipment, appetizers, drinks, and the three-hour cruise. You are paying for a compact half-day experience that combines wildlife watching, coastal scenery, swimming, and food.

The value is strongest for couples, families with older children, and small groups who want a calm outing. It is less compelling if you only want a brief dolphin sighting, if you dislike boats, or if a long swim session is your main goal.

What the tour feels like in real conditions

The best departures have a calm, easy mood. You sit on deck, watch the horizon, listen to the crew, and move between wildlife watching and coastal views. Several outings have included families and mixed nationalities, with guiding available in English, Spanish, and French.

The boat’s gentle movement has suited young children on some trips, including one child who slept through much of the sailing. That said, seasickness is possible. One outing had several people feeling unwell, so consider taking your usual motion-sickness medicine if you are prone to it. This is especially sensible if you have little boating experience.

The activity is described as wheelchair accessible, but the same information says it is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. That is a point you should clarify directly before booking. Boarding a sailboat and moving around a deck can present practical challenges even when an activity is listed as accessible.

The trip is also not suitable for people with heart problems. Alcohol and drugs, fireworks, and explosive substances are not permitted. These rules are straightforward, but they matter on a small boat where safety space is limited.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times depend on availability, so check the date you want rather than assuming a fixed daily schedule.

Shared sailing or private charter?

The shared option is likely enough for most couples and small families. With a maximum of nine people, you still get a personal setting, and the mix of people can add to the relaxed, sociable feel of the trip.

A private charter makes more sense if your group fills most of the boat, if you are celebrating something, or if you want a more controlled pace. It is also the better choice if you want to keep your group together without sharing the deck with other people.

The core experience remains the same: wildlife watching, the cliffs, a cove stop, snorkeling equipment, and food. The private option mainly buys privacy and flexibility, so compare the total charter cost with the per-person shared price before deciding.

Who will enjoy this Los Gigantes boat trip?

I would choose this excursion if you want several Tenerife experiences in one manageable outing. You get open-water wildlife watching, a proper sailing boat, views of the cliffs, a swim stop, and a light meal without committing to a full day at sea.

It suits:

• Couples looking for a quieter alternative to a large cruise boat
• Families who want wildlife and swimming in one activity
• Visitors interested in responsible whale watching
• Photographers who want the cliffs and marine life from the water
• Small groups celebrating a birthday or special occasion
• People who prefer a relaxed pace over a packed sightseeing schedule

I would think twice if you need a guaranteed dolphin sighting, want a long snorkeling session, or are very sensitive to motion. The boat is comfortable, but the Atlantic is still the Atlantic, and wildlife does not follow a timetable.

Should you book the MPC Yacht Charter trip?

Yes, if your priorities are a small group, respectful whale watching, and a well-rounded three-hour outing. The combination of pilot whales, possible dolphins and turtles, Los Gigantes cliffs, snorkeling, and cold tapas gives you plenty for the price.

Book with realistic expectations. You may see several species close to the boat, or you may get one memorable whale sighting and no dolphins. The swim may last 10 minutes or closer to 30. Those limits are part of a wild, weather-dependent trip, not a sign that the outing has failed.

For the best fit, choose the shared sailing if you want good value and a friendly atmosphere. Choose private if your group values privacy or has a special reason to control the setting. Either way, bring a jacket, towel, camera, and a willingness to let the sea set the pace.

FAQ

How long is the whale and dolphin watching tour?

The tour lasts three hours, including sailing, wildlife watching, the coastal route, the cove stop, and time for snacks and drinks.

Where does the tour start?

You meet at MPC Yacht Charter in the port of Los Gigantes. Bring your confirmation voucher and allow time to locate the boat at the pier.

What animals might I see?

Possible sightings include pilot whales, dolphins, sea turtles, tuna, manta rays, sharks, crabs, and smaller fish. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

How many people are on the shared boat?

Shared departures have a maximum of nine people. Private charters are available for groups of up to ten.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling gear and safety equipment are included, and the boat stops in a natural cove for swimming or snorkeling.

What food and drinks are provided?

The standard trip includes appetizers, fruit, and drinks. Food can include cold tapas such as tortilla, local cheese, cured meats, breadsticks, and olives. Private charters include a light brunch.

Which languages does the crew speak?

The live guide service is available in Spanish, English, and French.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The booking option also allows you to reserve now and pay later.