Los Gigantes: Whales and Dolphin Watching Cruise with Lunch

The main draw is the chance to watch pilot whales and dolphins in open water, then swim beneath the towering Cliffs of the Giants. This is not just a wildlife outing. It combines sea time, coastal views, snorkeling, and a simple meal in one three-hour trip.

I like the small-group feel and the care taken around the animals. I also like the setting: Teide Volcano, La Gomera, Teno Rural Park, and the giant cliffs all appear during the cruise. Captain Antonio is often singled out for his easy manner, sailing skills, and ability to spot marine life.

The main thing to weigh is that wildlife is never guaranteed, and the swimming stop can be shorter than expected. The meal is also cold tapas and snacks, not a hot restaurant-style lunch. Bring a jacket, towel, camera, and motion-sickness medicine if you are prone to seasickness.

Key points to know before booking

• Pilot whales are the most likely highlight: Bottlenose dolphins and other cetaceans are also possible, with fin or sperm whales depending on the season.
• The cliffs are part of the experience: The boat returns along the base of the roughly 600-meter Cliffs of the Giants.
• The swimming stop lasts about 30 minutes: Conditions and timing can shorten the time in the water.
• Lunch means cold snacks and drinks: Expect tapas-style food, fresh fruit, breadsticks, olives, meats, and beverages.
• Small groups make a difference: Some departures have had only six to nine passengers, giving the trip a calm, personal feel.
• The tour returns to its starting point: Meet at MPC Yacht Charter in Los Gigantes and finish back there.

Setting out from Los Gigantes

You meet at MPC Yacht Charter in the port area of Los Gigantes. Check your confirmation carefully, as the meeting point can be easy to miss. The boat may be at the pier rather than beside an obvious office, and the company name is displayed on the boom of the yacht.

The cruise lasts three hours, with several possible starting times depending on availability. A sunset option is also offered, giving you the chance to watch the coast and marine life in softer evening light.

This is a shared cruise unless you choose a private option. The small-group format is one of its strongest features. A boat carrying six to nine people feels far less crowded than a large sightseeing vessel, and you have a better chance to ask questions or find a clear place to watch the sea.

The exact boat arrangement can vary, but the experience is based around a sailing yacht with room to sit, relax, and sunbathe. One family even noted that their young child slept through much of the trip because the ride was smooth. Still, the open Atlantic can move quickly, so take seasickness medication before departure if you need it.

Searching for pilot whales and dolphins

After leaving the port, the captain heads out to look for cetaceans. Pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins are the main targets, but you may also see loggerhead turtles, tuna, fish, and, depending on the season, fin or sperm whales.

Pilot whales are particularly associated with this part of Tenerife, and sightings can be close enough to feel remarkable while still keeping a respectful distance. The boat may pause near a group and allow the animals to move naturally around it. You should bring a camera, but keep your attention on the water too. Wildlife often appears for only a few seconds.

Some trips have seen groups of pilot whales close to the boat, followed later by dolphins. Other outings have found dolphins swimming beside the yacht for an extended stretch, sometimes with a young dolphin leaping from the water. That variety is part of the deal. You might see several species, or you might have a quieter trip with only a few sightings.

The captain’s role matters here. Antonio is described as an experienced sailor who gives information about local marine life and the coast while keeping the mood relaxed. He has also been praised for letting passengers take the helm on some trips, though this should not be treated as a guaranteed part of every departure.

The crew aims to watch the animals without crowding them. That is important. A boat that keeps a little distance may not give you the closest possible photograph, but it gives the encounter a more responsible feel.

Views of Teide, La Gomera, and Teno

Keep looking beyond the wildlife. From the water, you can photograph Teide Volcano, the island of La Gomera, and the Teno Rural Park. The view changes as the boat moves along the coast, giving you a broader sense of Tenerife’s western edge than you get from a road or beach.

The Cliffs of the Giants are the visual centerpiece. These near-vertical rock walls rise around 600 meters from the sea, and their scale is hard to judge until you are close to the water below them. The boat eventually heads toward the cliffs after the main wildlife search.

The return along the cliff base is especially scenic. You are looking upward rather than across a distant viewpoint, so the rock faces feel much larger. Keep your camera ready, but protect it from spray and secure loose belongings when the boat is moving.

The coastal views also help fill out the trip if wildlife takes time to find. That does not replace seeing whales or dolphins, but it means the outing still has a strong sightseeing element.

Swimming and snorkeling below the cliffs

The boat stops for about 30 minutes at a cove near the base of the cliffs. This is your chance to swim or snorkel in clear water, and snorkeling gear is included.

The stop gives the trip a welcome change of pace. After watching the open sea, you can get into the water and look for smaller fish and other marine life. Several outings have found colorful fish and crabs around the snorkeling area.

Do not assume the full 30 minutes will always be spent swimming. Timing, sea conditions, and the need to return to port can reduce the time in the water. One family found the swimming period shorter than the children hoped, while another group described the stop as a very satisfying part of the trip.

You need to bring your own towel. A jacket is also useful because the wind can feel cool after you leave the water, even on a sunny day. The tour provides safety equipment, but you should follow the crew’s instructions closely, especially when entering or leaving the water.

This part of the trip may not suit everyone. The activity information says it is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or heart problems, despite also marking the activity as wheelchair accessible. If either issue applies to you, contact the operator before booking and ask about the boat, boarding process, and swimming stop.

What lunch on board really means

Food is served after the swimming and snorkeling stop, usually while the boat rests or begins the return journey. The meal is best understood as a cold tapas-style spread rather than a hot lunch.

Expect a selection such as meats, breadsticks, olives, fresh fruit, and fruit skewers, along with drinks. Beer, water, soft drinks, and other beverages are mentioned in the food and drink service. The food is simple, but it suits the setting. After time in the water, a plate of snacks and something cold to drink can be exactly what you want.

This is an important point for comparing boat trips. The $74 price includes the three-hour cruise, wildlife search, snorkeling equipment, appetizers, drinks, lunch, and safety gear. For many people, that makes the cost fair, particularly when the boat carries a small number of passengers and includes both a wildlife outing and a coastal swim.

If you expect a full cooked meal, you may feel let down. If you see lunch as a generous snack spread during a boat trip, the value is better. Food quality can also depend on the day and the selection prepared on board.

How personal is the small-group experience?

The shared cruise can still feel intimate. Boats on some departures have carried only six passengers, while others have had around eight or nine. That gives you room to relax and makes it easier to hear the guide.

A small group also means less time spent organizing people. The captain can adjust the conversation to the passengers on board, explain what you are seeing, and point out coastal details. English and Spanish are spoken.

The atmosphere is generally relaxed rather than formal. You may sit around the boat, sunbathe, take photographs, and talk with other passengers. This works well for couples, families, and people who want a quiet morning or afternoon on the sea rather than a loud party boat.

The private option is worth considering for a special occasion or a group that wants more control over the pace. It costs more than the advertised shared rate, but private or small-group availability lets you compare comfort and privacy against price.

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, and neither are fireworks or explosive substances. That is ordinary safety guidance, but it helps set the tone: this is a calm marine outing, not a party cruise.

Sunset departures and timing

The sunset version adds a different mood to the same basic plan. The cliffs, sea, and island silhouettes can look very different later in the day, and the return trip may offer softer light for photographs.

Wildlife activity is not guaranteed to improve at sunset, so choose this option for the atmosphere rather than as a promise of better sightings. You will still need to check the available starting times when booking.

Three hours is a sensible length. It gives the crew time to search for wildlife, visit the cliffs, stop for swimming, serve food, and return to the port without turning the trip into an exhausting full-day outing.

Start times matter if you are combining this with another Tenerife activity. Allow enough room before and after the cruise for meeting at the port and possible changes caused by conditions. The published activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is $74 a fair price?

At $74 per person, this sits above a basic short boat ride but includes more than transportation. You are paying for a guided wildlife search, a sailing trip, snorkeling equipment, a swim stop, food, drinks, and views of one of Tenerife’s most dramatic coastlines.

The value is strongest when the boat remains small. A personal guide, more open space, and less crowding around wildlife can make the experience feel very different from a large excursion boat.

The price is less attractive if your main goal is a long snorkeling session or a substantial hot meal. The swim may last less than expected, and the lunch is cold tapas. You are mainly buying a flexible mix of wildlife watching and scenery, with food and swimming added to the day.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option also make planning easier. Check the conditions attached to your booking, and remember that wildlife sightings depend on nature, not on a guarantee.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend this outing to you if you want several experiences in one: whales, dolphins, a sailing boat, a short swim, coastal views, and a casual meal. It suits couples, families, and small groups who prefer a quiet boat to a crowded excursion.

It is also a good choice for photographers. You can capture dolphins, pilot whales, Teide Volcano, La Gomera, Teno Rural Park, and the Cliffs of the Giants in a single outing. Just bring a camera you can keep secure around water.

Families should know that the swimming time may feel brief for children who mainly want to play in the sea. On the other hand, the smooth boat ride, calm atmosphere, and small group can work well for a family outing.

This is not the best fit if you need guaranteed wildlife, dislike open-water movement, want a long snorkeling session, or require full accessibility without checking the boat details first.

Should you book the Los Gigantes cruise?

Book it if you want a well-rounded three-hour sea trip rather than a single-purpose whale watch. The strongest reasons are the small-group setting, Antonio’s relaxed approach, the chance to see pilot whales and dolphins, and the dramatic return beneath the Cliffs of the Giants.

Go in with realistic expectations. Sightings are never certain, swimming may be limited by timing or conditions, and lunch is a cold tapas spread. If those points suit you, $74 is a reasonable price for a personal outing that combines wildlife, scenery, snorkeling, and food without taking up your entire day.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start?

Meet at MPC Yacht Charter in Los Gigantes with your confirmation voucher. The activity finishes back at the same meeting point.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts three hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

What wildlife might I see?

The main species are pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins. You might also see loggerhead turtles, tuna, fish, and seasonal fin or sperm whales.

Are whale and dolphin sightings guaranteed?

No. The cruise searches for wildlife in its natural environment, but sightings depend on conditions and animal movements.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a swimming or snorkeling stop are included.

How long is the swimming stop?

The planned stop at the cove lasts about 30 minutes, though the time in the water can vary.

What food and drinks are included?

The boat provides appetizers, fresh fruit, drinks, and lunch. The food is a cold tapas-style selection rather than a hot meal.

Is the cruise available as a private trip?

Yes. You can choose between a shared cruise and private or small-group availability.

What languages are spoken?

The live guide service is available in English and Spanish.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, camera, and jacket. If you are prone to seasickness, the experience information and passenger feedback make taking suitable medicine beforehand a sensible precaution.

Is the activity suitable for people with mobility impairments?

The activity information says it is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or heart problems, although it is also marked as wheelchair accessible. Contact MPC Yacht Charter before booking to confirm whether the boat and boarding process meet your needs.