Los Gigantes: Dolphin and Whale Watching Cruise by Speedboat

Wildlife and cliffs share the same two hours. This $33 speedboat trip from Los Gigantes pairs whale and dolphin watching in the Teno-Rasca Whale Sanctuary with a close look at Tenerife’s giant volcanic cliffs. I like the small rigid inflatable boat, which can carry up to 12 passengers, and I like that the route usually includes time for a swim in a clear-water bay.

The main thing to remember is that wildlife is never fully predictable. The trip is described as offering guaranteed sightings, but the practical terms say sightings depend on sea conditions and cannot be promised. You may see pilot whales, dolphins, turtles, flying fish, or jellyfish, but you may also spend much of the two hours searching.

The guides are a major part of the experience. Luca is often praised for his humor, care around the animals, and ability to spot pilot whales, while Alejandro has been noted for clear explanations and a cheerful manner. One drawback is that the host language is Spanish, so this may not suit you if you need a detailed commentary in English.

Key points before you book

• Small boat, maximum 12 passengers: You get a closer view than on a large sightseeing vessel, with more room for photos and less crowding.
• Pilot whales are the main sighting: These are technically the largest members of the dolphin family, so do not expect every trip to produce enormous baleen whales.
• Los Gigantes cliffs reach about 600 meters: The return route takes you close to the dark volcanic walls and views toward Masca Valley.
• Swimming is part of the plan: The boat may stop at Masca Bay, Barranco Seco, or Juan López for a short swim in clear Atlantic water.
• Sea conditions control the wildlife: Wind, waves, and visibility can change the quality of the trip, even when the crew works hard.
• Arrive early: Reach the meeting point 30 minutes before departure, and allow up to an hour if you need to park near Los Gigantes port.

Why the small RIB makes a difference

The boat is a rigid inflatable speedboat rather than a large yacht. That choice shapes the entire outing. With a maximum of 12 passengers, you are not looking over several rows of heads, and the boat can feel more personal when a pod appears nearby.

The smaller craft also gets you close to the waterline. That is useful for spotting fins, backs, and brief dolphin appearances. Several outings have brought passengers close to pods of pilot whales, with the engine switched off or slowed when the animals came near. That quiet approach matters. You hear the sea and the animals instead of a motor roaring beside them.

There is a tradeoff. A RIB gives you a more active ride, and the sea can feel choppy. One account described the trip as more of a leisurely cruise than a true speedboat run, while another found the ocean waves entertaining. Your experience will depend on the sea that day and on how much time the captain spends searching.

You should also expect spray. One family found the boat’s occasional splash amusing, but it is sensible to protect phones and cameras. Wear swimwear if you plan to enter the water, and bring a towel. A light jumper or jacket is useful in cooler or cloudy weather, particularly in winter.

Leaving Los Gigantes port for open water

You make your own way to Los Gigantes port. Hotel pickup and return transport are not included, so plan this part carefully. Traffic around the harbor can be heavy, and parking may be hard to find both inside and outside the port.

The operator asks you to arrive 30 minutes before departure. In practical terms, I would aim for an hour before the scheduled time if you are driving or using public transport. A late arrival does not qualify for a refund or a new departure, and one delayed outing was reported to have finished at its original end time, making the trip shorter.

Once aboard, the captain points the boat toward the Teno-Rasca Whale Sanctuary. This stretch of sea off Tenerife is promoted as the whale-watching capital of Europe, and it is known for regular sightings of pilot whales and dolphins. The fast boat helps reduce the time spent simply getting out to the viewing area, leaving more of the two-hour schedule for wildlife, cliffs, and swimming.

The port itself is also a pleasant start. Los Gigantes is framed by steep coastal rock, so you begin with dramatic scenery before reaching the open sea. Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the whole departure staring at the screen. The scale of the cliffs is easier to appreciate with your own eyes.

Watching pilot whales in the Teno-Rasca Sanctuary

The wildlife search is the heart of the tour. The captain scans the water and follows signs of activity, often looking for pilot whales first. Sightings have included small groups and pods of more than 20 animals, along with bottlenose or Atlantic dolphins.

Pilot whales are the most reliable highlight in the available accounts. You may see several animals surfacing together, sometimes including a mother and calf. The best moments can be quiet ones, when the captain cuts the engine and lets the boat rest while the animals pass nearby.

This is not a staged animal show. The crew cannot call wildlife to the boat, and the route may require searching. On one windy trip, dolphins were not found, but the guide kept the group entertained and continued with the coastal scenery. Another outing produced whales but no dolphins. That is a normal part of watching animals in the wild, not a failure of the trip.

The wording around guaranteed sightings deserves a careful note. The experience is marketed with guaranteed sightings, yet the practical information also says whales and dolphins cannot be guaranteed because sea conditions matter. Treat the guarantee cautiously and book for the whole outing, not for one exact animal.

You may also see extras. Turtles, flying fish, jellyfish, a shark, and even a brief glimpse of a marlin have been reported. These are possible bonuses, not promised parts of the route. The Portuguese man-of-war jellyfish, mentioned by one passenger, is especially worth viewing from the boat rather than touching.

How much time do you really spend with the animals?

The full trip lasts two hours, but not all of that is spent beside whales and dolphins. The boat must travel out from port, search the sanctuary, move toward a swimming bay, and return along the cliffs.

One outing spent roughly 20 to 30 minutes with whales, while another had a longer encounter with a pod. The exact balance depends on where the animals are and how quickly the captain finds them. If wildlife is close to the coast, you may get a fast sighting. If the search takes longer, less time remains for the bay or cliffs.

Some people will find the search exciting. Others may prefer a shorter wildlife stop and more time along the coast. If you are prone to seasickness, the long period of sitting on open water can be tiring, especially when the sea is rolling. The RIB is a good choice for access and group size, but it does not remove the motion of the Atlantic.

The guides add useful personality. Luca has been praised for explaining whale behavior, helping families sit together, and keeping the mood light without turning the trip into a noisy performance. Alejandro has also been singled out for answering questions and slowing the boat when passengers showed interest in something along the way. Commentary is in Spanish, so your ability to follow the facts may depend on your language skills.

Sailing beneath the Los Gigantes cliffs

After the wildlife search, the boat heads toward the coast and the huge cliffs of Los Gigantes and Masca. These walls rise to about 600 meters, making them among the highest coastal cliffs in the world.

This section gives the trip a second act. Even if the animals keep their distance, the cliffs provide a strong visual reward. From the water, you see the rock face from below, with fewer buildings and roads to interrupt the view. The route can also offer views into Masca Valley, one of Tenerife’s most striking mountain areas.

I especially like this part for anyone who has already seen Los Gigantes from land. The cliffs look large from the port, but their scale becomes clearer when the boat runs close to their base. Dark volcanic rock, narrow coastal inlets, and clear water create a sharp contrast.

The timing can vary. If the departure runs late, the captain may have to shorten the coastal section. One account found that a delayed start left little time for the cliffs before reaching the first bay. This is another reason to arrive early and keep the departure process smooth.

A short swim at Masca Bay or another cove

The boat may anchor in Masca Bay, Barranco Seco, or Juan López. These are described as clear-water bays, with the cliffs providing a dramatic backdrop. The swim is usually a welcome change after sitting and scanning the horizon.

You do not have to swim. One parent and child skipped the water in December because the Atlantic felt too cold, while others described the Masca Bay stop as one of the best parts of the trip. If you want to enter the sea, wear your swimsuit under your clothes and bring a towel.

Do not assume the swim will be the same length every time. The schedule gives only two hours for the entire outing, and wildlife sightings or delays can affect the stop. One trip offered about 20 minutes in a cove, while another passenger felt the swimming option had not been clearly explained.

Snorkeling gear is not listed as included. Bring your own mask if you want to look below the surface, but only use it if conditions and crew instructions allow. Glass objects are not permitted on board.

The bay is also a useful fallback when dolphin sightings do not happen. It cannot replace the wildlife encounter, but it gives you a scenic stop rather than a simple return to port.

The guides and the tone on board

The skipper can make or break a short boat tour, and this one receives its strongest praise for the crew. Luca is repeatedly described as friendly, funny, respectful toward the animals, and quick to find pilot whales. Alejandro is also praised for explaining marine life and local scenery in a relaxed way.

Small details help explain the positive impression. Captains have offered fruit, including oranges from a personal orchard, and lent a vest to a child who was cold. Those gestures are not listed as formal inclusions, so do not expect them every time, but they show the kind of personal service that can appear on a small operation.

The crew’s approach to wildlife is also important. Accounts describe the engine being turned off near the animals and the boat keeping a respectful distance. That gives you a better chance to observe natural behavior instead of watching a frantic chase.

The official host language is Spanish. Some passengers who did not speak Spanish still found the captain clear and helpful, but you should not book this expecting a full English-language nature talk. If facts and species identification are your main reason for going, read a little about pilot whales and Tenerife’s marine life before departure.

Is $33 good value for two hours?

At $33 per person, this is strong value if you want three things in one short outing: a small boat, a chance to see marine life, and a close coastal view of Los Gigantes. Large boat tours can cost more while carrying far more people, and the RIB gives you a better chance of seeing the water without obstruction.

The price is also fair because the trip includes a skipper and the speedboat ride. You do not pay extra for a separate cliff cruise after the wildlife portion. Swimming is built into the route when time and sea conditions permit.

The value is less certain if you are booking solely to see dolphins. No wildlife trip can control the animals, and dolphins are not found on every departure. You may see pilot whales instead, which are impressive but are not the giant whales some people picture when they hear the word whale.

At two hours, the tour is easy to fit into a day in western Tenerife. It does not consume a half-day, yet it gives you time on the water, a wildlife search, a coastal passage, and possibly a swim. That compact schedule is one of its best features.

Who should choose this trip?

I would choose this outing if you prefer a small group and an active boat ride over a large, slower vessel. It suits couples, families with older children, and anyone who wants photographs from close to the water.

It is also a good match if you are staying near Los Gigantes and can reach the port without hotel transport. The short duration makes it practical before or after another activity, provided you leave enough time for parking and check-in.

Children under two cannot join. Pregnant women are allowed on board at their own risk, so anyone who is pregnant should consider the movement of a RIB and the condition of the sea before booking.

I would hesitate if you need a guaranteed dolphin sighting, a full English commentary, or a calm, steady ride. I would also think twice if you are very sensitive to motion. The boat’s small size is a benefit for viewing, but it means you feel the sea more directly.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Tenerife schedule is still shifting, but they do not protect you from arriving late at the port.

Should you book the Los Gigantes speedboat cruise?

Book it if you want a personal, good-value sea trip rather than a wildlife guarantee. The strongest reasons are the small 12-passenger boat, skilled skippers such as Luca and Alejandro, respectful viewing of pilot whales, and the excellent cliff scenery.

Go with realistic expectations. You might see dolphins, pilot whales, turtles, or other sea life, but conditions can produce fewer sightings. The swimming stop may be brief or shortened, and the commentary is in Spanish.

For the best chance of enjoying it, arrive at least an hour early, bring a towel and light jacket, protect your phone from spray, and keep your plans flexible. If the sea is kind, this compact trip gives you an unusually close look at Tenerife’s wildlife and cliffs for a modest price.

FAQ

Where does the dolphin and whale watching cruise depart?

It departs from the port of Los Gigantes in Tenerife. You must make your own way to the port because hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

How long does the cruise last?

The listed duration is two hours. This includes the journey to the wildlife area, time searching for animals, the coastal route, and a possible swimming stop.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $33 per person.

Are whale and dolphin sightings guaranteed?

The activity information says sightings depend on sea conditions and cannot be guaranteed. Pilot whales and dolphins are commonly sought, but neither animal is certain on every departure.

What animals might I see?

Possible sightings include pilot whales, dolphins, turtles, flying fish, jellyfish, and other marine life. Specific animals are not guaranteed.

Is there a swimming stop?

The boat may stop at Masca Bay, Barranco Seco, or Juan López for a swim. The length of the stop can depend on sea conditions, wildlife sightings, and the timing of the trip.

What language does the guide speak?

The listed host language is Spanish. Some passengers have found the guides clear and helpful even when they did not speak Spanish, but an English commentary is not listed.

How early should I arrive?

You should be at the meeting point 30 minutes before departure. If you are driving or using public transport, allow up to an hour because traffic and parking around Los Gigantes port can be difficult.

Can young children or pregnant women join?

Children under two are not allowed. Pregnant women may join at their own risk, taking into account the movement of the speedboat and sea conditions.