Whale and Dolphin Watching Sailing Tour – Los Gigantes (3H)

The best part of this small-group sailing tour is the combination of wildlife watching and time beneath the 600-meter Cliffs of the Giants. You are not simply taken offshore and brought back. The three hours include a quiet sail, careful whale and dolphin viewing, a cove stop, and food on board.

I especially like the intimate scale and the skipper, Antonio, who is often praised for his calm manner, sailing skill, and easy explanations. I also like that the crew cuts the engines before approaching whales, keeping the encounter respectful rather than turning it into a noisy chase.

The main consideration is that wildlife is wild. Many trips see pilot whales and dolphins, but sightings cannot be promised. The sea can also be rough, and the swim stop may be shorter than some families expect. The included meal is best understood as a generous cold tapas spread, not a full restaurant lunch.

Key points to know before you book

• Pilot whales are the regular highlight: Dolphins, turtles, tuna, rays, and many fish have also appeared, but sightings depend on conditions.
• The 14-meter El Mojo Picón keeps the mood personal: Shared trips are limited to nine people, with private sailing available for up to ten.
• Los Gigantes provides the visual drama: The boat gives you striking views of the cliffs from the water, including time near their base.
• Swimming and snorkeling are included: Gear is provided, though the length of the water stop can vary.
• Antonio receives consistent praise: His relaxed style and clear explanations add a lot to the outing.
• At $76, the package is fairly strong: You get three hours, a sailing yacht, wildlife watching, snorkel gear, snacks, drinks, and a guide.

Why this Los Gigantes sailing trip feels different

Tenerife has plenty of boat trips, so the choice is not simply about getting onto the Atlantic. It is about the pace and scale of the outing. A large excursion boat can cover more passengers, but a small sailing yacht gives you more room to listen, look, and enjoy the coast without a crowd around every rail.

MPC Yacht Charter operates from Los Gigantes, on the western side of Tenerife. The setting is ideal for a sea trip because the cliffs rise sharply from the coast and the surrounding waters are known for cetacean sightings. The tour heads into the Teno-Rasca Marine Reserve, an area used by whales and dolphins in their natural habitat.

The boat is El Mojo Picón, a 14-meter sailboat. Shared outings take up to nine people, although some departures may carry around ten passengers depending on the arrangement. The company also offers a private charter for up to ten people, which makes sense for a family group, birthday, anniversary, or anyone who wants more control over the pace.

I would choose the shared trip if you like meeting people and want to keep the price reasonable. A private charter costs more, but it gives your group the boat to itself and may be a better fit for a special occasion.

Setting out from MPC Yacht Charter

You meet at MPC Yacht Charter in advance with your confirmation voucher. The starting point is Los Gigantes, and the boat returns there after the three-hour outing.

Allow time to find the actual boat and pier area. One useful practical detail is that the vessel carries the company branding on the boom. The meeting arrangement may not look like a large ticket office, so arrive prepared to look for the boat rather than expecting a prominent shopfront.

Once on board, you have safety equipment, a multilingual guide, and the chance to settle into the yacht before heading along the coast. Tours are offered in Spanish, English, and French. Antonio is the skipper most often singled out for his friendly and relaxed approach, though the listing also describes a multilingual crew.

The boat has enough room for people to spread out, sit, take photographs, or enjoy the view. It is not a tiny open speedboat. That matters on a three-hour trip, especially if you want a calmer ride and some shade or shelter from the wind.

Bring a towel, camera, and jacket. Even on a sunny Tenerife day, the wind at sea can make the return trip feel cool. If you are prone to seasickness, take sensible precautions before boarding. One departure had several people feeling unwell, so a calm forecast is helpful, but no small boat can remove the natural movement of the ocean.

Watching pilot whales and dolphins in the reserve

The wildlife portion is the heart of the outing. The crew looks for cetaceans in the Teno-Rasca Marine Reserve, where pilot whales are a common target. Several trips have seen small groups close to the yacht, including a family with a very young calf.

Dolphins may travel beside the boat or leap near the surface. Sightings have included groups that stayed alongside for several minutes, giving you time to watch rather than simply catch one quick glimpse. Some outings have also recorded turtles, tuna, manta rays, fish, crabs, and even a hammerhead shark.

Still, I would book this as a marine experience, not a guaranteed animal show. One trip saw pilot whales but no dolphins, and that is part of the bargain when animals remain in the wild. The right attitude is to value the quiet sailing and scenery even if the ocean does not produce a full list of species.

The approach to wildlife is one of the tour’s strongest points. The engine is cut well before the boat gets close to whales, rather than pushing right up beside them. That gives you a more peaceful encounter and reduces the pressure on the animals.

Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the whole time looking through a screen. Pilot whales surface briefly, and dolphins can appear on either side of the boat. A wide-angle phone setting is useful for the cliffs, while a fast response matters more than perfect zoom for wildlife.

Some passengers have seen whales only a few meters away. That can happen, but it should not be treated as a promise or a normal distance. The crew’s responsibility is to observe carefully, not force a close approach.

Sailing beneath the 600-meter Cliffs of the Giants

The cliffs are the other major reason to choose this departure point. From land, Los Gigantes is impressive. From the water, you get a different sense of scale as the dark volcanic walls rise above the yacht.

The route includes sailing close to the cliffs and time near their base. This is an excellent stretch for photographs because you can frame the full height of the rock walls with the boat, sea, and coastline in the same picture. The return sail can be especially scenic, with the yacht moving along the foot of the cliffs rather than heading straight back to port.

The cliffs also provide a welcome change after wildlife watching. For part of the trip, you can stop scanning the water and simply take in the rock formations. I like that this prevents the experience from becoming a single-purpose whale excursion. Even on a quiet wildlife day, the coastline gives the trip real visual value.

The boat may also pass views toward Masca Beach and nearby coves. The exact route depends on sea conditions and the skipper’s judgment, so do not expect a fixed sightseeing checklist. The attraction is the coastal setting itself, seen from a low and quiet sailing boat.

Swimming and snorkeling in a clear-water cove

After the wildlife search, the boat anchors in a sheltered cove for swimming or snorkeling. The equipment is included, so you do not need to bring your own mask or snorkel. The water around the cliffs can be clear enough to see colorful fish, crabs, and other small marine life.

This stop adds something active to the trip. You can leave the deck, cool off, and see the coastline from water level. The view back toward Los Gigantes while you snorkel is one of the more memorable parts of the outing.

Do not assume the swimming stop will last the same amount of time on every departure. Some people had roughly 30 minutes in the water, while another family felt the swim lasted closer to ten minutes. The captain must balance the stop with wildlife conditions, wind, and the promised return time.

If swimming is your main reason for booking, this may not satisfy you as much as a dedicated snorkeling excursion. If you see it as a pleasant break during a whale-watching trip, it works well. Children can enjoy it, but parents should be ready for a shorter water session if the schedule or sea conditions require it.

Bring your own towel. A camera that can handle water is useful, but secure it carefully on the boat. Alcohol and drugs, fireworks, and explosive substances are not allowed.

Cold tapas, fruit, and drinks on the way back

Food is included, but the wording can be confusing. The meal is generally a light cold spread rather than a cooked lunch. Expect items such as tortilla, local cheese, cured meats, breadsticks, olives, fruit skewers, and other tapas-style snacks. Drinks can include water, soft drinks, beer, and wine, depending on the service for that departure.

I consider this a generous snack service for a three-hour boat trip. It is enough to make the outing feel complete, particularly after swimming, but I would not skip breakfast or treat it as a full midday meal.

The food also suits the relaxed style of the cruise. Instead of rushing back to port after the swim, you can sit with a plate of local-style snacks and watch the cliffs pass by. Music may be played, and the atmosphere is generally informal.

Private charters include a light brunch, while shared outings are described with appetizers, fruit, drinks, and lunch. If the exact food matters to you, ask the operator to confirm what will be served on your departure. The consistent point is that you will not be left without refreshments.

Is $76 good value for three hours?

At $76 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the Tenerife coast. The value comes from the number of elements packed into three hours: a sailing yacht, a small group, wildlife watching, cliff views, a snorkel stop, equipment, a guide, snacks, and drinks.

The small passenger count is important. You are paying for more space and a quieter feel than a high-capacity boat can usually offer. The skipper can explain what you are seeing, answer questions, and adjust the tone of the trip to the group.

The price also looks better if you care about the combination rather than just one activity. A dedicated whale trip might give you more time searching for animals. A dedicated snorkeling outing might give you longer in the water. This trip combines both with coastal scenery and food, so it works best for people who want variety.

Some passengers have considered it slightly expensive, especially when the lunch is understood as snacks. I think that is a fair caution. If your priority is the lowest possible price or the longest swim, compare other departures. If you want a small, comfortable sailing experience with several included extras, $76 is reasonable.

The overall rating is 4.7 from 691 reviews, and the repeated praise centers on the boat, the relaxed mood, the food, the whale sightings, and Antonio’s care. That pattern suggests the strongest value is the quality of the whole outing, not one spectacular feature guaranteed on every trip.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it to couples, families with older children, small groups of friends, and anyone who prefers a calm boat to a large sightseeing vessel. It is also a good choice if you want a first sailing experience without committing to a full-day cruise.

Families should know that the swim time may be limited. Children who need constant activity could find the wildlife search slow between sightings, although several families have enjoyed the relaxed pace.

The tour is less suitable for anyone with serious heart problems, according to the activity information. The information also gives conflicting signals about access: it is marked wheelchair accessible but also listed as unsuitable for people with mobility impairments. If access is important, contact MPC Yacht Charter before booking and ask about boarding, movement on deck, and the swim stop.

For the best chance of seeing the sea at its calmest, some passengers prefer the 10 a.m. departure, and one account suggests whales may be more active earlier before afternoon conditions. That is useful guidance, not a guarantee. Check the available start times and choose the departure that fits your day.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the trip for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are helpful when your Tenerife plans depend on weather or changing schedules.

Should you book the Los Gigantes whale and dolphin tour?

Book it if you want a small-scale sailing day that combines pilot whales, dolphins, cliffs, snorkeling, and simple local food. The boat and skipper receive unusually consistent praise, and the careful approach to wildlife is a real strength.

Skip it if you need guaranteed sightings, a long snorkeling session, or a substantial cooked lunch. The ocean sets the schedule, and the food is cold tapas rather than a formal meal.

For most visitors, I think the balance is right. You get a personal three-hour trip, excellent scenery, a chance to see wildlife in its own setting, and enough time in a cove to make the outing feel varied. Bring a jacket, keep your camera ready, and leave room in your plans for the sea to set the pace.

FAQ

How long is the Los Gigantes whale and dolphin tour?

The sailing trip lasts three hours, including wildlife watching, coastal sailing, the cove stop, and refreshments.

Where does the tour start?

You meet at MPC Yacht Charter in Los Gigantes with your confirmation voucher.

How many people can join the shared tour?

Shared trips are offered for small groups, with a maximum of nine guests stated in the activity information. Private charters are available for up to ten people.

What animals might I see?

Possible sightings include pilot whales, dolphins, sea turtles, tuna, manta rays, fish, crabs, and other marine life. Sightings are not guaranteed because the animals remain in the wild.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling gear and safety equipment are included.

Is food included?

Yes. The trip includes appetizers, fruit, drinks, and lunch. The food is generally a light cold tapas-style spread. Private charters include a light brunch.

Which languages are available?

The live guide service is available in Spanish, English, and French.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, camera, and jacket. Alcohol, drugs, fireworks, and explosive substances are not allowed.