Los Gigantes: Dolphin and Whale Watching Cruise by Speedboat

Pilot whales can appear within minutes of leaving Los Gigantes, and a small RIB lets you watch from close range without the crowd of a big excursion boat. The trip also brings you beneath the enormous Masca and Los Gigantes cliffs, then to a quiet bay for a swim.

I like the small group size, capped at about 12 people, and the strong value at $33 for two hours. I also like that guides such as Luca and Alejandro explain the marine life, cut the engine near animals, and add character with humor and small touches such as fresh fruit.

The main thing to keep in mind is simple: wildlife sightings are never certain, despite the prominent promise of sightings. Sea conditions can prevent a whale or dolphin encounter, and much of the two hours is spent moving between the port, wildlife area, cliffs, and swimming bay.

Key points to know before booking

• Pilot whales are the regular star: These animals are technically the largest members of the dolphin family, and pods are often found off Tenerife’s west coast.
• The RIB holds up to 12 passengers: You get a closer, more personal view than on a large catamaran, though the ride can feel lively in rough water.
• The Teno-Rasca Whale Sanctuary is the main wildlife area: This protected stretch is known as one of Europe’s leading whale-watching zones.
• Masca Bay adds a swim stop: Bring swimwear and a towel if you want to enter the clear Atlantic water.
• Los Gigantes cliffs are part of the return route: The boat passes below cliffs rising about 600 metres, with views toward the Masca valley.
• Arrive early: Parking and port traffic can be awkward, so arriving an hour early is wiser than arriving only 30 minutes before departure.

Why this two-hour trip works so well

This is not a long luxury cruise with a meal and a sun deck. It is a compact wildlife trip built around a fast ride to the west coast’s whale area, a search for marine life, a coastal cruise, and a short swim.

That tight format is useful. You do not spend half a day on the water, and the $33 price is low compared with many larger boat excursions. If you have only a few days in Tenerife, this gives you wildlife and scenery in one outing without consuming an entire morning or afternoon.

The trade-off is comfort. A rigid inflatable boat has an open layout and a low profile, which puts you close to the sea and gives you good sightlines. It also exposes you to spray, wind, and motion. On calm days, that makes the trip lively. On a windy day, it can make some people queasy.

The boat can carry up to 12 passengers, though some departures have had only six or 11 people. That small capacity matters. You are not trying to see over several rows of heads, and you can usually turn quickly when the skipper points out a fin or blow.

Leaving from Los Gigantes port

You make your own way to Los Gigantes port. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so allow extra time if you are driving from another part of Tenerife.

Parking can be difficult both inside and outside the harbor. Traffic around the port can also slow you down. The practical move is to arrive about one hour before departure, even though the formal meeting instruction asks you to be there 30 minutes early.

Late arrival is a serious problem. If you miss the departure, there is no refund or rescheduling. Keep your booking details ready, and do not rely on finding a parking space immediately beside the boat.

The host language is Spanish. Guides such as Luca, Alejandro, and Alessandro have been praised for communicating clearly with international passengers, but you should not book this expecting a full tour in English or another language.

The speedboat ride toward the sanctuary

Once the RIB leaves the harbor, the skipper heads west toward the Teno-Rasca Whale Sanctuary. This is the part where the boat earns its place over a slower sightseeing vessel.

The rigid inflatable design allows the skipper to cover open water quickly. One account describes finding a pod of dolphins within roughly 10 minutes of leaving the harbor, while other trips located pilot whales after a longer search. Wildlife is wild, so the timing changes from day to day.

The speed can be part of the fun. You feel the boat rise and settle over the water, and spray can reach the passengers. One person described the ride as more of a leisurely cruise than a true speedboat trip, so keep your expectations sensible. It is brisk enough to reach the viewing area efficiently, but it is not an all-out racing experience.

Sit securely and follow the skipper’s instructions about seating. The boat is small, and keeping people balanced matters when it turns or crosses a wake. Pregnant women may join, but the operator states that they do so at their own risk.

You may see more than whales and dolphins. Sightings have included turtles, flying fish, jellyfish, common dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, and even occasional larger fish. These are possibilities, not promised parts of the route.

Watching pilot whales and dolphins in open water

The main wildlife target is the pilot whale. That name can confuse people, since pilot whales are actually dolphins. They are much larger than the familiar bottlenose dolphin, and a pod moving around a small boat can make for a powerful sight.

The best encounters described on this trip involved groups of six, 20, or even 22 pilot whales. Some passengers saw animals within a few metres of the boat, including a mother with a calf. Those close encounters are helped by the RIB’s size, but they depend on finding animals and following local rules.

A good skipper does not chase wildlife. Luca has been praised for turning off the engine when animals came close and keeping a respectful distance. That approach gives you a quieter view and reduces disturbance. It also means the boat may sit still for a while, so anyone prone to seasickness should prepare for that pause.

The viewing period can be shorter than you expect. One account described about 30 minutes watching animals, with the rest of the two-hour trip spent reaching the sanctuary, cruising along the coast, and going to the swimming bay. That is not necessarily poor planning. Boats need to search responsibly, avoid crowding animals, and allow time for the rest of the route.

Still, you should book this as a two-hour coastal outing, not as two uninterrupted hours of wildlife watching.

The operator notes that sightings depend on sea conditions, despite the description using guaranteed-sighting language. Take the more cautious statement as the accurate one. Some trips see dolphins, pilot whales, turtles, and flying fish. Others see only one type of animal, and a few may miss dolphins and whales altogether.

Cruising below the Los Gigantes cliffs

After the wildlife search, the boat heads toward the cliffs of Los Gigantes and Masca. This is where the trip changes from a nature search to a dramatic coastal ride.

The cliffs rise about 600 metres above the sea. From a boat below, their scale is difficult to judge from photographs alone. The view toward the Masca valley adds another layer, with steep volcanic rock leading inland from the coast.

The skipper usually takes the boat close enough for you to study the rock walls and look into the coastal inlets. This is a strong part of the tour even when wildlife is limited. On one windy trip with no dolphins, the cliffs and cove still made the outing worthwhile.

If you want good pictures, protect your phone from spray and keep it secure during the faster sections. The low boat gives you a clear angle, but it also means you are more exposed than you would be on a high-sided yacht.

The cliff section can be shortened if the departure runs late. One passenger reported a 15-minute delay that reduced the time available for the coast. That is another reason to arrive early and get the trip moving on schedule.

Swimming at Masca Bay and other coves

The usual swim stop is Masca Bay, though the boat may use Barranco Seco or Juan López depending on conditions. These coves have clear water and dramatic volcanic cliffs, making the break more than a simple chance to cool off.

You can swim, stay aboard, or simply enjoy the view. The stop has lasted around 20 minutes on some trips. In winter, the Atlantic may look inviting but feel cold, and several people chose to skip the water in December or February.

Bring swimwear and a towel if you want to get in. Snorkeling equipment is not clearly listed as included, and one passenger specifically advised bringing your own mask. Do not bring glass objects aboard.

The swim stop is a useful bonus because it breaks up the wildlife search. After sitting on a moving boat, a short pause in a sheltered bay can feel refreshing. It also gives you a reliable scenic stop on a day when animals are scarce.

The drawback is that the swimming time comes out of the same two-hour allowance. If you would rather spend every minute searching for marine life, the stop may feel like a compromise. If you want a relaxed mix of wildlife, cliffs, and water, it improves the trip.

The guides make a real difference

The skipper controls the quality of this experience. Guides named Luca and Alejandro have received particularly strong praise for humor, clear explanations, and careful handling of the boat.

Luca has been described as quick to locate pilot whales, respectful around the animals, and attentive to families. He has also offered fresh fruit, including oranges from his own orchard, and lent a child a vest when the weather turned cool. Those details are not guaranteed on every departure, but they show the personal style you might encounter.

Alejandro has been praised for explaining pilot-whale behavior and answering questions while pointing out bays and coastal features. Alessandro has also been noted for sharing facts about the cliffs and making the small-group trip feel personal.

The guiding style is informal rather than academic. One person found the commentary limited and suggested reading about Tenerife’s dolphins and whales beforehand. If you want a marine biology lecture with constant narration, this may feel light. If you prefer short explanations, jokes, and time to watch quietly, the approach should suit you.

The language remains an important limitation. The listed host language is Spanish. Some guides communicate clearly with non-Spanish speakers, but that is not the same as a guaranteed multilingual tour.

Comfort, weather, and seasickness

This is an open speedboat, not a sheltered cabin. Even Tenerife’s mild weather can feel cool once the boat is moving, especially when clouds cover the sun. Pack a light jacket or jumper in winter and on overcast days.

The ride can be wet. Spray is part of the experience, so keep cameras and phones protected. Wear secure footwear and avoid carrying loose items that can blow away.

Sea conditions affect both comfort and wildlife. Wind can prevent the boat from finding dolphins, and waves can make the ride tiring. If you often get seasick, consider taking your usual precautions and sitting where the skipper directs you for the best balance.

Children under two are not allowed. Older children have enjoyed the trip, including a seven-year-old who saw pilot whales close to the boat. Parents should still consider the child’s tolerance for sun, spray, motion, and a two-hour open-boat ride.

Is $33 good value?

At $33 per person, this is strong value if you want several experiences in one short outing. You get the boat, skipper, wildlife search, cliff views, and a swim stop without paying for transport from your hotel.

The small boat is the main value advantage. Large vessels can carry far more people, while this RIB holds about 12. That gives you more room to take pictures and a better chance of seeing animals when the boat changes direction.

The price is not a guarantee of a particular wildlife show. You are paying for access to a strong viewing area and for the skipper’s search, not for dolphins on demand. On a lucky day, the trip can feel like an exceptional bargain. On a poor-weather day, the cliffs and swim stop become more important.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve now and pay later make it easier to fit the tour into a changing schedule. Those terms do not protect you from arriving late, so keep the port timing firmly in your plan.

Who should book this Los Gigantes cruise?

I would choose this trip if you want a short, active boat outing with a real chance of seeing pilot whales and dolphins. It suits couples, families with children over two, and anyone who prefers a small craft to a crowded excursion boat.

It is also a smart pick if Los Gigantes is already on your Tenerife route. You get the cliffs from the water, which gives you a view you cannot match from the harbor or road.

I would think twice if you need a sheltered boat, dislike motion, or want guaranteed dolphins. You should also look elsewhere if hotel pickup is essential, if you need guiding in a language other than Spanish, or if your main goal is a long, detailed marine-life lecture.

Should you book it?

Book it if you value a small group, a lively ride, and a flexible outing that combines wildlife with the cliffs and a swim. The strongest reason to choose it is the chance to watch pilot whales close to a quiet RIB while the engine is cut back or switched off.

Go in with realistic expectations. Sea conditions may cancel the wildlife portion in practice, and the animal-watching window may be only 20 to 30 minutes. If you can accept that uncertainty, $33 is a fair price for two hours of open-water scenery and a possible encounter with Tenerife’s remarkable marine life.

FAQ

Where does the dolphin and whale cruise leave from?

The tour leaves from Los Gigantes port in Tenerife, Canary Islands. You must make your own way to the port because hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

How long does the speedboat trip last?

The advertised duration is two hours. A late departure can reduce the time on the water, so arrive early.

How many people fit on the boat?

The rigid inflatable speedboat can carry up to 12 passengers. Some departures may have fewer people.

Are whale and dolphin sightings guaranteed?

No. Sightings depend on sea conditions and the operator states that dolphins and whales cannot be guaranteed. The trip searches the Teno-Rasca Whale Sanctuary, where pilot whales and dolphins are often seen.

What animals might I see?

Possible sightings include pilot whales, dolphins, turtles, flying fish, and jellyfish. The exact animals vary with conditions and luck.

Is there time to swim?

Yes. The boat may stop at Masca Bay, Barranco Seco, or Juan López for a swim in clear water. Bring swimwear and a towel if you want to enter the sea.

Which language is the tour offered in?

The listed host language is Spanish. Guides including Luca and Alejandro have communicated clearly with international passengers, but another tour language is not guaranteed.

How early should I arrive?

You should be at the meeting point at least 30 minutes before departure. Because traffic and parking around Los Gigantes can be difficult, arriving about one hour early is recommended. Late arrivals are not eligible for a refund or rescheduling.