Los Gigantes: Whales and Dolphin Watching Cruise with Lunch

Whales beside a small yacht change the day. This three-hour cruise from Los Gigantes combines close wildlife watching with a swim beneath the 600-meter Cliffs of the Giants. I like the small-group feel and the careful approach to marine life, but sightings are never guaranteed and the swimming stop can feel brief.

At $74 per person, the trip offers solid value because your price includes the boat, guide, snorkeling gear, drinks, appetizers, and lunch. Captain Antonio receives especially warm praise for his friendly manner, sailing skill, local knowledge, and knack for making even a shared cruise feel personal. Just remember that lunch means a cold tapas-style spread, not a full hot meal, and seasickness is possible.

Key things to know before you book

• Pilot whales are the main attraction: Bottlenose dolphins and pilot whales are common targets, with turtles, tuna, fish, and seasonal fin or sperm whales also possible.
• The cliffs are part of the show: The return route follows Los Gigantes, giving you striking views from sea level beneath the towering rock walls.
• Swimming comes with a time limit: The planned stop is about 30 minutes, though some departures have offered less water time to stay on schedule.
• The food is light and cold: Expect tapas-style snacks, fresh fruit, breadsticks, olives, meats, fruit skewers, and drinks rather than a restaurant-style lunch.
• Small groups improve the mood: Boats may carry only six to nine people, and private trips are also available.
• Bring a jacket and towel: The boat can feel cool after swimming, even in Tenerife sunshine, and a camera is well worth packing.

Leaving Los Gigantes with Antonio at the helm

You meet at MPC Yacht Charter in the port area of Los Gigantes and return to the same point after roughly three hours. Follow the confirmation directions closely. One useful practical detail is that the boat may be easier to identify by its brand name on the boom than by looking for a large street-facing office.

The cruise is offered as a shared or private outing. Shared departures can still feel intimate, with some groups reporting only six, eight, or nine people aboard. That matters here. A small boat gives you a better chance of seeing the water from different angles, asking questions, and spreading out without the crowded feel of a large sightseeing vessel.

Captain Antonio, also called Tony by some passengers, is a major part of the experience. He is described as relaxed, funny, attentive, and highly skilled at handling the yacht. On some trips he has let people take the helm for a short time, though that is not presented as a guaranteed part of every departure.

The guide speaks Spanish and English, so mixed-language groups can follow the explanations. You can expect information about marine life and the surrounding coast, along with details about Tenerife’s views and the sea conditions. Antonio’s friendly approach seems particularly helpful for families and first-time boat passengers.

The search for pilot whales and dolphins

Once the boat leaves the port, the first part of the trip is devoted to finding cetaceans in open water. Pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins are the main species mentioned for this route. The waters around Tenerife can also produce sightings of loggerhead turtles, tuna, and other fish, while fin whales or sperm whales may appear depending on the season.

The best part of this activity is the sense of seeing wildlife on its own terms. You are not visiting an aquarium or watching a trained show. A whale may surface nearby, disappear, and reappear somewhere else. Dolphins may travel beside the yacht for several minutes, or the sea may remain quiet.

Several trips have had memorable sightings of pilot whales close to the boat. One group saw a family of dolphins, including a young dolphin that repeatedly leaped from the water. Another reported two dolphin species, a manta ray, whales, and even a hammerhead shark. These are exciting possibilities, not promises, so you should book this as a wildlife search rather than a guaranteed animal encounter.

The crew’s approach to the animals is another strength. Antonio has been praised for keeping a respectful distance instead of chasing or crowding whales and dolphins. That makes the experience feel more responsible, and it gives you time to watch natural behavior rather than a hurried pass by a pod.

Bring a camera, but keep your expectations sensible. The sea is moving, animals surface quickly, and the best photograph may be the one you take after putting the camera down and watching. You might see whales only briefly, while dolphins can sometimes stay alongside the boat for a longer stretch.

Views of Teide, La Gomera, and Teno

The wildlife search is only half the visual appeal. As you travel along the coast, you can look back toward Teide Volcano, see the neighboring island of La Gomera, and take in the rural park of Teno.

These views help you understand Tenerife from the water. The island is not just a beach destination. Its volcanic form rises sharply from the sea, and the scale is easier to appreciate from a boat than from a road. Keep your camera ready as the yacht changes direction, since the most dramatic view may be behind you.

The route also gives you a different perspective on nearby coastal spots, including Masca Beach. Sightseeing from the sea is a useful bonus because it adds scenery without requiring another bus ride or a long walk. You can sit back, listen to the guide, and let the coastline pass at a comfortable pace.

Swimming under the 600-meter Cliffs of the Giants

After the whale and dolphin search, the boat heads toward the Cliffs of the Giants. These near-vertical rock walls rise about 600 meters above the water, and seeing them from their base makes their height hard to grasp.

The planned stop lasts around 30 minutes at a natural cove. You can swim, use the supplied snorkeling equipment, or stay aboard and enjoy the view. The water is described as clear, and several outings found plenty of fish, colorful small fish, crabs, and other underwater life.

I would treat the snorkeling as a pleasant extra rather than the main purpose of the cruise. The wildlife search takes priority, and the water time can be shortened if the boat needs to return on schedule. One family found the swimming portion closer to 10 minutes, while other trips provided a fuller stop. The exact amount may depend on sea conditions, timing, and the animals seen earlier.

You should be comfortable getting in and out of the water if you want to swim. A towel is essential, and a jacket is useful once you are wet. The supplied safety equipment and snorkeling gear are included, but the information does not specify wetsuits, so pack with ordinary swimwear in mind rather than expecting a full snorkeling center setup.

What lunch really means on this three-hour cruise

Food is served after the swim, giving you something welcome to eat while the boat heads back along the cliffs. The meal is best understood as a cold tapas-style lunch.

The spread can include meats, breadsticks, olives, fresh fruit, and fruit skewers. Drinks have included water, soft drinks, chilled beer, and other refreshments. Many people have found the food tasty and thoughtfully prepared, with one description calling it simple but excellent.

If you expect a hot plate or a large restaurant meal, adjust that expectation. The portions are designed for a boat stop, not a formal lunch break. For most people, the combination of salty snacks, fruit, and drinks should be enough after a swim, but a very hungry eater may want to have a proper meal before or after the excursion.

The food also adds to the social side of the trip. On a small shared boat, everyone gathers around the snacks, talks about the sightings, and relaxes as the cliffs slide past. That casual moment is part of the value, especially when the group clicks.

The return beneath Los Gigantes

The final stretch follows the cliffs back toward the port. This is a slower, scenic finish after the more active wildlife search and water stop.

You get another chance to photograph the rock walls from below, now with a better sense of the coast’s scale. The return can feel calm and unhurried, particularly on a smaller sailing yacht with space to sit, sunbathe, or simply watch the water.

A sunset departure adds a different mood. The tour description says you can watch whales and dolphins as the sun sets with the sunset option. Keep in mind that lower light may make photographs harder, but the changing light on the cliffs can be especially appealing.

The trip is scheduled to end back at MPC Yacht Charter. Several accounts praise the boat for leaving and returning on time, which matters if you have dinner plans or another activity afterward. Still, sea conditions and wildlife sightings can affect timing, so I would avoid booking a tight connection.

How the $74 price holds up

At $74, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water, but it covers more than a simple sightseeing cruise. You receive a three-hour shared or private boat trip, a live guide in English or Spanish, snorkeling equipment, safety gear, drinks, appetizers, and lunch.

The value is strongest when the group is small. A six-to-nine-person outing gives you a more personal setting without the cost of hiring a private yacht. You also get three different experiences in one: wildlife watching, a coastal cruise, and a swim beneath the cliffs.

The price is less compelling if your main goal is extended snorkeling or a substantial meal. The swimming stop may be short, and the lunch is light. You are paying mainly for the boat, the captain’s local skill, the chance to search for wild animals, and the view of Los Gigantes from the sea.

Private trips make sense for families or groups marking a special occasion. A shared departure is likely the better buy for couples and small groups who want a relaxed yacht outing without paying for the whole boat.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a compact boat experience with several highlights packed into one morning or afternoon. It suits couples, families, and small groups who enjoy nature but do not need every minute planned around a single activity.

It is also a good choice if you value a calm captain and personal service. The strongest praise centers on Antonio’s manner, sailing ability, humor, and care with wildlife. Those qualities can make a large difference on a three-hour excursion.

Families should know that the boat ride itself may be smooth, and one family reported that a young child slept through much of it. At the same time, children who mainly want water play may find the swim too short. The main purpose is whale and dolphin watching, not an all-day beach stop.

If you are prone to seasickness, consider taking appropriate medication before departure. One outing had several people feeling ill, even though the cruise itself was highly praised. The open sea can be unsettled, and sitting low or facing the direction of travel may help, though the activity details do not promise a particular seating arrangement.

The information gives mixed signals about access. Wheelchair accessibility is listed, but the activity is also marked as unsuitable for people with mobility impairments. If you use a wheelchair or have difficulty boarding, swimming, or moving around a boat, confirm the practical arrangements with MPC Yacht Charter before paying.

The cruise is also marked unsuitable for people with heart problems. Follow that warning seriously, especially because the outing involves open water, movement on a boat, and swimming. Alcohol and drugs, fireworks, and explosive substances are not allowed.

Booking details that matter

The standard duration is three hours, and you need to check the available departure times for your date. Spanish and English guiding is available, and small-group and private options can be selected where offered.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available, which helps if your Tenerife schedule is still changing.

Pack a towel, camera, and jacket. The company supplies snorkeling gear and safety equipment, but you should arrive ready for changing conditions and a cooler ride after swimming.

The meeting point is MPC Yacht Charter in Los Gigantes, and the activity finishes there. Read the directions carefully and allow time to locate the actual boat in the port rather than assuming you will find a prominent office sign.

Should you book the Los Gigantes whale cruise?

I would book this cruise if you want a small boat, careful wildlife watching, and a scenic swim in one three-hour outing. The combination of pilot whales, dolphins, the cliffs, onboard tapas, and Antonio’s warm hosting gives the trip more character than a basic boat ride.

I would choose another activity if your priority is guaranteed animal sightings, a long snorkeling session, or a full hot lunch. No wildlife cruise can control the sea, and the water stop may be shorter than you hope.

For most visitors staying in southern Tenerife, the $74 price is fair, especially when the group is small and the boat is shared by only a handful of people. Bring a jacket, prepare for possible seasickness, and think of the lunch as generous boat snacks. With those expectations in place, this is an easygoing way to experience the ocean side of Los Gigantes.

FAQ

How long is the Los Gigantes whale and dolphin cruise?

The cruise lasts three hours. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability for your chosen date.

Where does the activity start and finish?

You meet at MPC Yacht Charter in Los Gigantes, and the cruise returns to the same meeting point.

What wildlife might I see?

The main species sought are pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins. You might also see loggerhead sea turtles, tuna, other fish, and, depending on the season, fin whales or sperm whales.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling gear and safety equipment are included in the price.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The cruise includes lunch, appetizers, fruit, and drinks. The food is a cold tapas-style selection, with examples including meats, breadsticks, olives, and fruit skewers.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, camera, and jacket. The jacket is useful after swimming or during a cooler period at sea.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.