Los Gigantes: Dolphin & Whale Watching Cruise with Swim Stop

The best part of this Los Gigantes cruise is the chance to watch pilot whales and dolphins in open water, then swim beneath Tenerife’s enormous western cliffs. The trip packs wildlife, sea views, a cold drink, and a quick ocean swim into two hours.

I like the crew’s apparent eye for spotting wildlife, and I like the way the boat pauses near whales rather than rushing past them. The main drawback is simple: wild animals do not follow a timetable, and sightings depend on sea conditions. You may see several pods, or you may get a shorter wildlife search.

Key points to know before booking

• Pilot whales are the main attraction: Dolphins, flying fish, turtles, and other sightings are possible, but no animal encounter is guaranteed.
• The cliffs are part of the show: You cruise close to Los Gigantes and Masca, with time to look up, take photos, and enjoy a drink.
• The swim stop varies: The boat may anchor at Juan López, Masca, Barranco Seco, or another clear-water bay.
• Two hours is a useful length: You get a taste of the coast without giving up most of your day.
• Arrive early at Los Gigantes Port: Plan to reach the harbor at least 30 minutes ahead, and closer to an hour if driving or using public transport.
• The price is strong value: At $33 per person, the cruise includes the boat trip, wildlife search, swim, and one cold drink.

Leaving Los Gigantes Port for the open sea

You meet at Los Gigantes Port and look for the Masca Express. This is not a hotel pickup excursion, so you need to make your own way to the harbor.

The port sits in one of Tenerife’s most dramatic coastal areas. The first minutes are already scenic, but the practical side deserves attention. Parking can be hard to find inside and outside the harbor, and traffic may slow you down. I would arrive an hour before departure if you are driving. That gives you time to park, locate the boat, and avoid beginning the trip in a panic.

The formal meeting instruction is to arrive 30 minutes before departure. Take it seriously. Late arrival means no refund or rescheduling.

Once aboard, the trip heads into the Teno-Rasca Whale Sanctuary. This marine area is promoted as the whale watching capital of Europe, and the waters around southwest Tenerife are known for regular sightings of pilot whales and dolphins. Still, this is a search for wild animals, not a staged show. Your results depend on weather, sea conditions, and where the animals happen to be that day.

Watching pilot whales and dolphins in their own habitat

Wildlife watching takes up much of the first part of the cruise. The crew scans the water and directs attention toward animals near the boat. A good sighting can be surprisingly close, with dolphins moving beside the vessel or pilot whales surfacing in groups.

Pilot whales are the most frequently noted large animal on this trip. You might see one group, several groups, or mothers with calves. A few people have also seen dolphins leaping in the boat’s wake, flying fish, turtles, and even larger unexpected sea life. Those extras are luck, not something you should book the tour expecting.

I especially like the reports of the engine being switched off near whales. That gives you a quieter view and a better chance to watch natural behavior rather than simply racing alongside the animals. You may hear the whales surface and breathe, and you have time to take photographs without the boat immediately moving on.

The crew’s skill matters here. Guides such as Alejandro have been praised for spotting animals, explaining what you are seeing, and keeping the mood light. The official language for the activity is Spanish, but Alejandro has been described as speaking excellent English and several languages. That may not apply to every departure, so ask if language support is important to you.

You should also keep expectations in check. The boat cannot guarantee whales or dolphins. Even if the crew works hard to find them, rough water or changing animal movements can limit the view. If you mainly want a guaranteed swim and cliff cruise, the wildlife search should be treated as an added possibility rather than the entire reason to go.

Sailing beneath Los Gigantes and Masca

After or during the wildlife search, the boat cruises along the cliffs of Los Gigantes and Masca. These dark volcanic walls rise sharply from the sea and give the trip its visual punch.

Seeing the cliffs from the water is different from viewing them from a road or lookout. The boat lets you look straight up from sea level, where the rock faces feel much larger. This is also the best part of the trip for photographs, especially if you want a sense of scale.

Masca adds another scenic stop, with the boat often heading toward Masca Bay or the coast near the Masca gorge. The exact route can vary with sea conditions. The scenery is the constant, while the wildlife location and swimming bay may change.

This is a relaxed cruise rather than a high-speed sightseeing ride. You can sit in the sun, watch the coastline, and take in the cliffs while enjoying one included drink. The choices are cola, Fanta, water, or beer. That small inclusion is useful because you do not need to arrange a drink while the boat is moving.

The boat has been described as clean and well maintained, with enough room to relax. It is still a small boat experience, and one person reported a short spell of dizziness. If you are sensitive to motion, sit where the movement feels easiest and consider bringing whatever personal remedy you normally use. The supplied information does not specify the boat’s full seating layout, so I would not assume unlimited shade or indoor space.

The swim stop at Masca Bay or Juan López

The final part of the outing is a swim in a clear coastal bay. Possible locations include Masca, Barranco Seco, and Juan López, with the actual choice shaped by sea conditions and the day’s route.

The boat anchors, and you can get into the water from the vessel. Masca Bay is the setting most often singled out, with the cliffs rising behind the swimming area. That combination makes the stop feel more special than a basic beach break. You are floating in the sea with volcanic walls around you, rather than standing on a crowded strip of sand.

The water is described as crystal clear, and some people have seen fish below the boat. Bring a snorkel mask if you want to make the most of that possibility. A mask is not listed as included, so pack your own.

Pool noodles may be available if needed, but the provided details do not promise flotation equipment on every trip. You should be comfortable entering the sea from the boat, or be prepared to stay aboard and enjoy the view. The stop is described as brief, so think of it as a refreshing dip rather than a long snorkeling session.

The swim can be affected by the weather. If the sea is too rough, the crew may need to choose another bay or adjust the stop. That flexibility is sensible, but it means the exact swimming location is not fixed.

What the $33 price really covers

At $33 per person, this is a good-value short outing if you want several experiences in one booking. The price includes:

• The two-hour cruise
• Whale and dolphin watching
• A stop near Los Gigantes cliffs
• A swimming stop
• One cold drink

A similar outing can easily become poor value if it spends most of its time traveling and offers little else. This one has a clear rhythm: wildlife search, coastal scenery, drink, and swim. The short duration also helps the price feel reasonable, especially for families or anyone fitting the cruise between other Tenerife plans.

The limitation is that hotel transportation is not included. You also do not pay for a guaranteed sighting, because no operator can honestly promise one in the wild. If dolphins and whales are the only thing you care about, the risk matters. If you value the cliffs and swim just as much, the package offers better protection against a quiet wildlife day.

The included drink is modest, but practical. A beer, cola, Fanta, or water gives you something cold while the boat is near the cliffs. Do not expect a meal or a full drinks service.

Timing, comfort, and the feel on board

Two hours is long enough to reach the wildlife area, spend time looking, cruise past the cliffs, and stop for a swim. It is short enough to suit people who do not want an all-day boat trip.

The crew is a large part of the experience. Alejandro and other staff have been praised for friendly service, good humor, safety, and an ability to keep children interested. The crew may share facts about whales, dolphins, sea life, and Los Gigantes. They have also helped people take turns near the captain’s position, though you should follow the crew’s instructions rather than assume this will happen on every departure.

The atmosphere can be lively and informal. There may be jokes, conversation, and a relaxed holiday mood. If you want a silent, highly formal wildlife expedition, this may feel too casual. If you enjoy a friendly boat ride with some entertainment between sightings, it should suit you well.

The boat has received praise for being clean and running on time. Those are not flashy features, but they matter. A clean boat makes the swim stop more pleasant, and a punctual departure protects the rest of your day.

The official host language is Spanish. Some crew members may speak English or other languages, but this is not guaranteed in the basic activity details. If detailed commentary is important to you, confirm the language before booking.

Who will enjoy this Los Gigantes cruise?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• People who want a short, affordable ocean outing
• Families looking for wildlife, cliffs, and a swim in one activity
• Couples who like scenic boat trips with a relaxed mood
• First-time visitors to Tenerife who want to see the western coast from the water
• Anyone interested in pilot whales and dolphins without committing to a full-day excursion
• Swimmers who are happy getting into the sea from a boat

You should think twice if you dislike small boats, are prone to seasickness, or need a guaranteed animal sighting. The sea can be rough, and a marine wildlife trip always carries uncertainty.

It is also not the best choice if you want a long snorkel session. The swimming stop is described as a quick, refreshing break. The main product is the combination of wildlife watching and coastal scenery.

Smoking, vaping, alcohol and drugs, glass objects, speakers, nudity, and touching animals are not allowed. The included beer is an exception to the general alcohol restriction, since it is specifically part of the service. Treat the animals and the crew’s instructions with respect.

Simple planning tips for a better outing

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a snorkel mask if you own one. A waterproof phone pouch is sensible if you hope to film from the boat or during the swim.

Arrive at Los Gigantes Port with more time than you think you need. Parking is difficult, and the harbor can be busy. I would aim for an hour before departure by car or public transport, even though the formal minimum is 30 minutes.

Keep your schedule flexible around the cruise. The activity lasts two hours, but weather and sea conditions can affect the route, wildlife search, or swim location. Avoid booking something immediately afterward if missing a precise connection would cause trouble.

Bring a light layer even on a warm day. The sun can feel strong while the boat is stopped, but moving across the water can feel cooler. The supplied information does not state how much shade is available, so dress for direct sun.

For photos, watch the water rather than staring at your phone. Dolphins can appear quickly, and pilot whales may surface farther away than expected. Listen to the crew’s directions, since they are scanning a much wider area than you can from one seat.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve and pay later, which helps if your Tenerife plans depend on weather.

Should you book the Flipper Uno cruise?

Book it if you want a well-priced two-hour mix of wildlife, cliffs, and swimming. The strongest reason is the balance. You are not relying on whales alone to make the outing worthwhile, since Los Gigantes and Masca provide memorable scenery and the bay swim gives the cruise a clear finish.

I would book with realistic expectations. You may see large groups of pilot whales, dolphins with calves, turtles, or flying fish, but none are guaranteed. The crew can search carefully, but nature decides the result.

For $33, Flipper Uno offers enough variety to make the risk reasonable. Arrive early, bring swim gear and a snorkel mask, and choose this cruise if you want an active coastal break rather than a long, formal wildlife expedition.

FAQ

Where does the cruise leave from?

The cruise leaves from Los Gigantes Port. Look for the Masca Express.

How long does the cruise last?

The activity lasts two hours.

How much does the cruise cost?

The listed price is $33 per person.

Are whales and dolphins guaranteed?

No. Sightings depend on sea conditions and the movements of wild animals.

What animals might I see?

The cruise searches for whales and dolphins. Pilot whales are commonly seen, and other possible sightings described for this trip include turtles and flying fish.

Where does the swimming stop take place?

The boat may stop at Juan López, Masca, Barranco Seco, or another suitable bay, depending on sea conditions.

Is a drink included?

Yes. You receive one cold drink, with choices including cola, Fanta, water, or beer.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. You must make your own way to Los Gigantes Port.

How early should I arrive?

You should be at the harbor 30 minutes before departure. If you are driving or using public transport, arriving about an hour early is recommended because traffic and parking can be difficult.