Los Gigantes: Whales and Dolphin Watching Cruise with Lunch

Whales beneath Tenerife’s cliffs. This three-hour cruise from Los Gigantes combines wildlife watching, a swim and snorkel stop, and a cold lunch on board. I especially like the small-group feel and the chance to see pilot whales close to the boat without turning the trip into a crowded race across the sea. The views of the 600-meter Cliffs of the Giants, Teide Volcano, La Gomera, and Teno Rural Park add plenty even if the animals stay out of sight.

The main consideration is that wildlife is never guaranteed. Most outings appear to see pilot whales, dolphins, or both, but one party saw whales without dolphins, and another saw dolphins without whales. The swimming stop can also be shorter than expected, with one family reporting about 10 minutes in the water rather than the advertised 30-minute stop.

Key points before you book

• Pilot whales are the main wildlife draw: Bottlenose dolphins are also commonly sought, with loggerhead turtles and seasonal sightings of fin or sperm whales possible.
• Small groups make the boat feel personal: Some trips carry only six to nine people, and private bookings are available.
• The cliff stop is a highlight: You can swim or snorkel beneath the towering Los Gigantes cliffs, with clear water and fish below.
• Lunch means cold tapas-style food: Expect meats, breadsticks, olives, fruit, and drinks rather than a cooked restaurant meal.
• Antonio and Tony receive strong praise: The captain is described as friendly, relaxed, funny, and highly attentive to the sea and local wildlife.
• Bring a jacket and motion-sickness medication: The boat ride can be smooth, but some people became ill on the open water.

Leaving Los Gigantes on a small yacht

You meet at MPC Yacht Charter in the port area of Los Gigantes. The meeting point can take a little attention to find. One useful practical note is that you may not see a large office or obvious street-level booth. The directions lead you toward the pier, where you should look for the boat carrying the company name on its boom.

The cruise lasts three hours and returns to the same meeting point. It is offered as a shared or private outing, with small groups available. That group size matters here. A wildlife trip is much more pleasant when you can move around the boat, hear the captain, and take a clear photo without a crowd pressing against the rail.

The boat itself is described as clean, comfortable, and spacious enough for small groups. Some outings have carried only six passengers, while another had nine. That creates a quieter setting than the larger sightseeing boats that often operate around Tenerife’s coast. A shared trip still feels fairly intimate when the group is this small.

Captain Antonio, also called Tony by some passengers, is a major part of the experience. He is praised for his easy manner, practical sea knowledge, humor, and ability to spot wildlife. He also appears happy to explain the animals, the coast, and the places you pass. One family even had the chance to take the helm, though that should not be treated as a standard inclusion.

Searching for pilot whales and dolphins

Once the boat leaves the harbor, the focus shifts to the open water. The crew looks for short-finned pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins, the two species most closely associated with this outing. The boat may also encounter loggerhead sea turtles, tuna, colorful fish, and other marine life.

The strongest wildlife reports describe pilot whales swimming only a few meters from the boat. Several groups also saw pods of dolphins, including a mother and young dolphin that stayed alongside the boat for more than 15 minutes. Other sightings included two dolphin species, a manta ray, and even a hammerhead shark, although these are special encounters rather than animals you should count on seeing.

The captain’s approach appears respectful. He keeps a suitable distance from the whales and dolphins rather than chasing them or crowding them with the boat. That is important for both the animals and your own experience. You get a better sense of natural behavior when the crew gives the pod room to choose its direction.

You should set your expectations correctly. This is not an aquarium show. The boat may spend time searching, and the animals may surface briefly, move away, or remain out of view. The trip is well suited to anyone who values the chance to see wildlife in the sea, but less suited to someone who needs a guaranteed close encounter.

A jacket is worth packing even on a sunny day. The boat is moving, and the open water can feel cool. If you are prone to seasickness, the experience is also a good reason to consider travel-sickness medicine before departure. One group reported that three passengers became ill, even though the outing itself was highly enjoyable.

Tenerife views from the water

The cruise offers much more than a wildlife search. As you travel along the coast, you can photograph Mount Teide, the island of La Gomera, and Teno Rural Park. Seeing these places from the sea gives you a different view of western Tenerife, especially when the boat turns back toward Los Gigantes.

The Cliffs of the Giants are the grand visual prize. These near-vertical rock walls rise about 600 meters above the water and become more impressive as you approach their base. From a boat, you can look almost straight up at the cliffs, with their scale made clear by the tiny vessel below.

The return route along the cliffs is especially attractive. It gives you time to put the camera away and simply watch the rock face, coves, and water. If you choose the sunset option, the cliffs and sea take on warmer light, while the whale and dolphin search gains a calmer evening mood. The exact wildlife conditions still depend on nature, of course.

A cove for swimming and snorkeling

After the wildlife portion, the boat stops for around 30 minutes at the base of the cliffs. The cove has clear water and is used for swimming and snorkeling. Equipment is included, so you do not need to bring your own mask or snorkel.

This stop breaks up the outing nicely. After sitting and watching the water, you can get in, cool off, and see the underwater life close to shore. Several parties saw many fish, colorful fish, crabs, and tuna during the outing. The setting beneath Los Gigantes gives the swim a memorable backdrop that a standard beach stop cannot match.

Still, keep the timing in mind. The stated stop is about 30 minutes, but the actual time in the water may be shorter if the cruise is running late or needs to return on schedule. One family estimated roughly 10 minutes of swimming. If swimming is your main goal, you may find the wildlife search and cliff cruise more important than the snorkeling itself.

The water may also feel more suitable for confident swimmers. The details do not describe a dedicated shallow-water beach, and the stop takes place from the boat. Bring a towel, as requested, and remember that snorkeling is an added part of the trip, not the central product.

What lunch really means on this cruise

Food is included, but you should picture a generous snack spread rather than a hot, plated lunch. The food has been described as cold tapas-style fare, including a selection of meats, breadsticks, olives, fresh fruit, and fruit skewers. Drinks include water, soft drinks, and beer.

That kind of meal suits a boat trip. You can eat after the swim, when a simple salty snack and cold drink hit the spot. Several outings received praise for the taste and care put into the food, with one description calling it food made with love. Another gave the more useful warning that lunch consists of assorted cold snacks.

I would not book this cruise expecting a full restaurant lunch. If you have a large appetite, bring that expectation down to earth. The food is a pleasant inclusion and adds value, but the boat, wildlife, cliffs, and swim are the real reasons to book.

How much value do you get for $74?

At $74 per person, this outing sits in a reasonable range for a three-hour boat experience that includes wildlife watching, snorkeling gear, food, drinks, and safety equipment. You are not paying only for a short dolphin pass. The price covers several distinct parts of the day, and the small-group format makes the package more appealing.

The value is strongest when you see both whales and dolphins, enjoy a proper swim, and have a calm group on board. Several groups described seeing lots of whales and dolphins, while others had memorable sightings of pilot whales but no dolphins. Even a quieter wildlife day still includes the cliffs, coastal views, snacks, and time at sea.

A private cruise costs more than the listed shared rate, but the option may suit a family or group marking a birthday or special occasion. Private or small-group outings also give you more personal space and direct contact with the captain. For most people, though, the shared trip already appears intimate enough when passenger numbers are low.

The three-hour length is well judged. It gives you enough time to search for animals, reach the cliffs, stop for swimming, eat, and return without taking over the whole day. One party felt three hours was exactly right. That leaves room to explore Los Gigantes before or after the cruise.

Who will enjoy it most?

I would recommend this trip to couples, families, and small groups who want several experiences in one outing. You get wildlife, sailing, cliff scenery, snorkeling, and lunch without committing to a full-day excursion.

Children can enjoy the animals and the boat ride, though the sea conditions and swimming stop may determine how much they get from it. One family with a six-year-old had a smooth, comfortable trip, and the child slept for much of the ride. Another family wished the children had more time in the water, so young swimmers may focus more on the snorkeling than the wildlife search.

The cruise also suits people who care about responsible wildlife watching. The captain is praised for keeping distance from the animals, and the small boat avoids the feel of a mass outing. You still need patience, since nature sets the schedule.

It is less suitable if you have serious mobility limits or heart problems. The information also gives mixed accessibility guidance: the activity is marked wheelchair accessible but is separately described as not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Confirm the current arrangements with MPC Yacht Charter before paying if this affects your decision.

Useful tips for a smoother trip

• Arrive early at MPC Yacht Charter: Look at the pier for the named boat if an office is not obvious.
• Pack a towel, camera, and jacket: All three are specifically useful for the swim, photographs, and cool wind.
• Take motion-sickness precautions if needed: The boat may feel fine to most people, but open-water movement can affect some passengers.
• Expect cold tapas, not a hot meal: The spread can include meats, olives, breadsticks, fruit, and drinks.
• Keep your camera ready near the cliffs: The views of Los Gigantes, Teide, La Gomera, and Teno Rural Park are major parts of the trip.
• Allow for nature’s uncertainty: Seeing pilot whales is a strong possibility, but no operator can promise dolphins or any particular species.
• Consider the sunset departure: It adds softer light and a more relaxed return, while keeping the same basic wildlife and cliff focus.

The operator allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Spanish and English guiding are available. Alcohol and drugs, fireworks, and explosive substances are not allowed on board.

Should you book this Los Gigantes cruise?

I would book it if you want a small, friendly boat trip with a real chance of seeing pilot whales, plus a swim beneath Tenerife’s most dramatic cliffs. The captain is a key strength, and the combination of respectful wildlife watching, good views, snorkeling, and tapas-style food gives the three hours a satisfying rhythm.

I would think twice if your main goal is a long snorkeling session, a guaranteed dolphin encounter, or a hot lunch. The water stop may be brief, and the animals may not appear on your schedule.

For $74, the package offers good value when you treat it as a complete coastal outing rather than a single-purpose whale tour. Bring a jacket, plan for possible motion sickness, and meet the boat carefully at the pier. If you are happy to let the sea provide the surprises, this is one of the stronger ways to experience Los Gigantes.

FAQ

How long is the Los Gigantes whale and dolphin cruise?

The cruise lasts three hours and begins and ends at the MPC Yacht Charter meeting point in Los Gigantes.

What animals might I see?

The crew searches for pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins. You might also see loggerhead sea turtles, fish, tuna, and other cetaceans. Fin whales or sperm whales may appear depending on the season.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling gear and safety equipment are included, along with time to swim and snorkel at a cove beneath the Cliffs of the Giants.

What food and drinks are provided?

The included lunch is a cold tapas-style spread. It may include meats, breadsticks, olives, fresh fruit, and fruit skewers. Water, soft drinks, and beer are also provided.

Is a sunset cruise available?

Yes. A sunset option is available, allowing you to watch for whales and dolphins and enjoy the coast as the sun goes down.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, camera, and jacket. If you are prone to seasickness, consider taking suitable travel-sickness medicine before the cruise.