Los Gigantes: Dolphin and Whale Watching Tour with Drinks

Wildlife, cliffs, and a swim stop. This Los Gigantes boat trip packs a lot into two or three hours, combining dolphin and whale watching with views of the Masca and Los Gigantes cliffs, drinks, and time in the Atlantic. I especially like the chance to see pilot whales in their natural setting and the easygoing mix of sightseeing and water fun. The paella lunch on the three-hour option also gives this outing more value than a simple wildlife cruise.

I also like the friendly, multilingual crew and the choice of entering the sea by steps or by trapeze. The main caution is simple: dolphins and whales are wild animals, so sightings depend on sea conditions. The boat can also feel full, and people prone to seasickness should think carefully before booking.

The tour has earned a strong 4.5 rating from more than 1,000 reviews, with the crew, pilot whale sightings, paella, and swim stop receiving the most praise. It is a lively, family-friendly outing rather than a quiet, small-boat nature trip.

Key points to know before booking

• Pilot whales are a real possibility: Many outings spot pilot whales, and dolphins may appear close to the boat, but no sighting is guaranteed.
• The three-hour option gives you more: It includes chicken and vegetable paella, fruit, drinks, a swim stop, and more time near the cliffs.
• The trapeze is the star for active families: You can use the boat’s steps or swing into the sea if conditions allow.
• Los Gigantes and Masca provide the scenery: Cliffs reaching almost 600 meters make the coastal views memorable even if wildlife stays away.
• The crew sets a playful tone: Guides speak Spanish, English, French, and German, and the pirate-style boat theme is especially popular with children.
• Arrive 30 minutes early: Find the Flipper Uno office at the right side of the Los Gigantes Harbor entrance, where staff wear yellow uniforms.

Setting out from Los Gigantes Harbor

Your trip begins at the entrance to Los Gigantes Harbor. Look for the Flipper Uno office on the right-hand side and the staff in yellow uniforms. You need to arrive 30 minutes before departure. This matters because late arrivals do not receive a refund or a new departure time.

There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you will need to make your own way to the harbor. Bring cash, too. The tour includes drinks, but cash may be useful for personal purchases or a tip if the crew looks after you well.

The boat returns to the same meeting point at the end. That makes planning easier, especially if you have a meal or another activity scheduled nearby. Still, allow a little breathing room after the cruise. Sea conditions can affect the pace of the trip, and you may not step ashore at precisely the advertised duration.

The boat has toilets on board, which is helpful during a three-hour outing. The overall feel is informal and social. This is not a silent wildlife research trip. Expect commentary, jokes, music or announcements, and a group atmosphere.

Searching for dolphins and pilot whales

The first main part of the excursion is the search for marine life. The crew takes you out from Los Gigantes and keeps watch for dolphins and whales, with sightings depending on the sea and the animals’ movements.

Pilot whales are among the most likely highlights. Several people have seen them clearly, sometimes alongside pods of dolphins. Dolphins can come close to the boat, giving you a better look than you might expect from a fast-moving vessel. Keep your camera ready, but do not let it keep your eyes fixed on the screen. Wildlife can appear for only a few seconds.

The captain or guide provides information about the animals and the surrounding coast. Commentary is available in Spanish, English, French, and German. If your group includes several languages, the guide may repeat information, so the pace can feel less like a private tour and more like a shared excursion.

Sightings are never promised. The tour description is clear on this point, and you should be equally clear with yourself before booking. You may see pilot whales and dolphins, only dolphins, or no cetaceans at all. That uncertainty is part of wildlife watching, not a fault that the crew can fix.

The outing still has value without animals. You will be out on the Atlantic with a strong view of Tenerife’s western coast, and the cliffs provide a major visual payoff. Still, if seeing whales is your only reason for going, keep your expectations sensible.

The Masca and Los Gigantes cliffs from the water

The cliffs are not just a backdrop between wildlife sightings. They are one of the best reasons to choose this trip.

The cliffs of Los Gigantes and Masca rise almost 600 meters above the sea. Seen from the water, their height is easier to appreciate than from land. A boat lets you look upward from close range, where the rock walls feel far more imposing than they do in a distant photograph.

The route also gives you views of bays and coastal sections that are difficult to appreciate from the harbor. If the animals remain elusive, these cliffs help keep the trip worthwhile. Several parts of the outing are scenic rather than activity-focused, so you get time to simply watch the coast pass by.

The pirate-style presentation adds a playful touch. It is not a formal sailing experience, and the theme may feel a little theatrical for adults seeking a quiet nature cruise. For families, though, it gives children something extra to enjoy between animal sightings and the swim stop.

The group size can affect how much you enjoy the scenery. One outing may feel comfortably social, while another can feel crowded. The boat has been described as full at times, and that can make it harder to find a clear place at the rail. If personal space matters to you, a smaller boat may suit you better.

Swimming near the cliffs

The boat stops in a clear Atlantic bay for a swim, often near the Masca area. This is where the trip changes from sightseeing cruise to active water outing.

You can enter the water using the boat’s stairs, which is the practical choice if you want a steady, easy way in and out. If you are feeling adventurous, you can use the trapeze and swing into the sea. The trapeze is a major hit with families and adults who enjoy a little harmless showing off.

You should bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat. Beachwear is also listed among the recommended items. The boat provides free time for swimming, but the length of the stop can change with wind and sea conditions. One outing had a shorter swim because of the wind, although people still had a chance to enter the water.

If you are not a confident swimmer, ask the crew about the available flotation support. Foam equipment has been provided for nonswimmers, according to the trip details and firsthand reports. You should still remain honest about your swimming ability and follow the crew’s instructions.

The water stop is not a private beach visit. You are swimming from a boat, with other passengers nearby and a limited amount of time. That makes it fun and convenient, but it may not satisfy you if you want a long, quiet swim.

Do not touch or feed marine life. Smoking, vaping, fishing, glass objects, drones, speakers, and littering are not allowed. These rules protect both the people on board and the sea around you.

Paella, fruit, and drinks on the three-hour option

If you choose the three-hour option, the food adds real value. You receive chicken and vegetable paella, followed by a piece of fruit. The meal has been praised as tasty, and it turns the trip into a fuller half-day-style outing rather than a short boat ride with a quick drink.

The menu is not designed for every diet. The stated meal is chicken and vegetable paella, and there is no listed alternative such as tortilla or tapas. If you do not eat rice, or if you follow a special diet, check before booking rather than assuming another dish will be available.

Drinks include water, cola, Fanta, beer, and red wine. Canarian schnapps is also included. The drinks help make the time on board feel relaxed, though soft drinks may be served in small cups rather than full cans. That is a minor point, but it may matter if you are expecting unlimited cans.

The three-hour outing appears to be the better choice if you want the complete experience. It gives you the wildlife search, cliff views, swimming, food, and drinks in one package. The shorter option can make sense if you have limited time or mainly want to see the coast from the water.

Food is served on a shared boat, not in a restaurant. You should expect a casual meal, with the ocean and cliffs doing most of the work for the atmosphere. The paella makes the trip more satisfying, but it should not be the only reason you book.

A crew that keeps the mood light

The crew receives some of the strongest praise. Guides are described as attentive, funny, helpful, and professional, with language support for Spanish, English, French, and German.

That mix matters because a boat trip can feel awkward if the information is hard to follow or the crew seems distant. Here, the guide helps explain the marine life and keeps the group involved. The tone is lively, with jokes and a friendly style rather than a formal lecture.

The crew also appears to be attentive when someone feels unwell. One person who became seasick received help from a boat hand. That is reassuring, but it does not remove the basic risk of motion sickness. The open Atlantic can be choppy, so consider eating lightly before departure and choosing a place on the boat where movement feels manageable.

Sound levels may not suit everyone. A few people found the speakers too loud or had trouble hearing the captain at times. If you want every word of the commentary, stay reasonably close to the guide when possible.

The clean onboard toilets are another useful touch. You will not have to cut the trip short because there is no bathroom, especially on the longer option.

Is $38 good value?

At about $38 per person, this is a strong-value outing if you want several activities in one booking. You are paying for the boat trip, guide, wildlife search, cliff views, swim time, drinks, onboard toilets, and, with the right option, paella and fruit.

The food and drinks are what make the price especially appealing. A separate boat trip, meal, and swim activity could cost more when booked individually. You also avoid the need to arrange several parts of the day yourself.

Value depends on your expectations. If you pay mainly to see a whale, the price may feel less worthwhile if the animals do not appear. If you see the wildlife as one part of a coastal outing that also includes swimming and the cliffs, the cost is easier to justify.

The bigger three-hour boat option has been described as the nicer choice by some people. It gives you more time and includes the meal, but it may also bring a larger group. The shorter trip may be more suitable if you dislike long outings or prefer to keep your time flexible.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the reserve-now, pay-later option make booking less risky. Read the selected option carefully, since paella is tied to the three-hour choice.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most?

I would recommend this experience to families, couples, groups of friends, and anyone who wants a cheerful afternoon on the water. Children tend to like the pirate theme, the trapeze, and the possibility of seeing dolphins close to the boat.

It also suits you if you want a broad taste of the coast without committing to a full-day cruise. In two to three hours, you can see the cliffs, look for animals, swim, and eat if you choose the longer option.

You may want a different kind of tour if you prefer quiet wildlife watching, a very small group, or a carefully controlled naturalist experience. The music or speakers can be loud, and the boat may feel full. People prone to seasickness should also treat the open-water setting as a serious consideration.

The experience is not suitable for unaccompanied minors, intoxicated passengers, or anyone hoping to bring oversized luggage, drones, fishing gear, glass objects, or speakers. Fireworks, weapons, sharp objects, and other dangerous items are prohibited.

Practical tips for a smoother trip

Arrive early, not just on time. The required arrival is 30 minutes before departure, and late arrival means no refund or rescheduling.

Wear swimwear under comfortable beachwear and bring a towel. Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat are important because you will spend much of the outing exposed to the sun.

Keep your camera secure, especially around the trapeze and swim stop. Bring cash if you want to tip the crew or need money for something outside the included drinks.

If you tend to feel sick at sea, think carefully before choosing this outing. The crew can help if you become unwell, but no boat tour can guarantee calm water.

For the best chance of enjoying the full package, I would choose the three-hour option. You get the food, extra time, and a more complete day on the water. If the wildlife does not show, you still have the cliffs and swim stop to carry the experience.

Should you book the Los Gigantes whale watching tour?

Book it if you want a good-value, social boat trip with several built-in highlights. The strongest combination is the possibility of pilot whales and dolphins, the enormous cliffs, the trapeze swim stop, and the casual paella meal with drinks.

I would be more cautious if you dislike crowded boats, loud commentary, or uncertain wildlife sightings. You should also skip it if you want a long, peaceful swim or a quiet, small-group cruise.

For most families and active visitors, this is an easy recommendation at $38. Choose the three-hour option if you want the meal and the fullest outing, arrive 30 minutes early, and treat the animals as a welcome bonus rather than a promise.

FAQ

Where does the Los Gigantes dolphin and whale tour begin?

It begins at the Flipper Uno office at the entrance to Los Gigantes Harbor, on the right-hand side. Staff wear yellow uniforms.

How early should I arrive?

You should arrive 30 minutes before the tour starts. Late arrivals are not eligible for a refund or rescheduling.

How long does the boat trip last?

The tour lasts two to three hours. Check the available options for starting times and the exact duration.

Are dolphins and whales guaranteed?

No. Sightings depend on sea conditions and the movements of the animals, so the tour cannot guarantee dolphins or whales.

Is food included?

Chicken and vegetable paella with a piece of fruit is included with the three-hour option. It is not listed as part of every tour option.

What drinks are included?

Included drinks are cola, Fanta, water, beer, and red wine. Canarian schnapps is also included.

Can I swim from the boat?

Yes. The boat provides free time to swim in a bay. You can enter using the stairs or use the trapeze to jump into the water, depending on conditions and crew instructions.