Royal Delfin – 4’5H Dolphin & Whale Watching – Los Gigantes Masca – Lunch & Swim

The cliffs are only half the show. This 4-hour-30-minute Royal Delfin cruise combines whale and dolphin watching with a sail past Tenerife’s southwest coast, a swim in Masca Bay, lunch, and drinks served aboard a purpose-built catamaran. I especially like the underwater viewing windows and the generous time at Los Gigantes, where the towering cliffs give the trip its strongest visual moment.

I also like that the ticket includes lunch, soft drinks, water, beer, sangria, and a small sandwich, rather than turning every drink into another purchase. The main caution is simple: wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, and the boat can feel crowded, with up to 200 people on board.

The tour leaves at 2 p.m. from the Puerto Colón area and returns to the same meeting point. At $72.29 per person, it offers a fair amount of time and food for the money, but it is best for you if you want a full afternoon at sea rather than a quiet, small-boat wildlife outing.

Key points at a glance

• Los Gigantes from the water: The huge cliffs near Masca Bay provide the most dependable visual highlight of the trip.
• Underwater viewing windows: You can watch below the surface from the catamaran, though animals may not pass beneath the boat.
• Wildlife in natural conditions: Dolphins, pilot whales, flying fish, turtles, and other cetaceans have been seen, but sightings vary from day to day.
• Masca Bay swim stop: You get time to swim in a dramatic bay surrounded by the cliffs.
• Food and drinks included: Lunch, a small sandwich, water, juice, soft drinks, beer, and sangria are included.
• Large group format: The boat can hold up to 200 people, which helps keep the price reasonable but reduces the feeling of privacy.

Leaving Playa de las Américas at 2 p.m.

The cruise begins at Av. de Colón, 11, in Playa de las Américas, near Puerto Colón. Your confirmation should give the final meeting details, and it is worth checking the exact boarding point before setting out because the area contains several boat operators.

The activity starts at 2 p.m. and ends back at the same place. That timing works well if you want a relaxed morning before sailing, though the return time means you should avoid booking a tight evening plan afterward. The boat is near public transportation, while parking fees are not included.

You receive confirmation at booking in most cases. If you book within 12 hours of departure, confirmation arrives as soon as possible and depends on space. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure. A cancellation for bad weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants brings a choice of another date or a full refund.

A catamaran built for viewing

The Royal Delfin is not just a basic excursion boat. It is a purpose-built catamaran with underwater glass viewing areas, giving you two ways to watch the sea. From above, you scan the water for fins, blows, and movement. Below, you can look through the glass and hope a dolphin or whale passes close enough to see.

That second viewpoint is a clever feature, and it received particular praise from people who caught whales near the lower viewing section. Still, you should keep expectations sensible. The boat cannot direct wildlife into position, and animals may remain at the surface, move away, or appear only briefly.

The catamaran offers a restroom, which matters on a four-and-a-half-hour outing. There is also a camera operator on board, with videos available to purchase after the trip. Treat that as an optional extra rather than part of the ticket price.

The group size is the biggest trade-off. A maximum of 200 people is a lot for a wildlife trip. You may find a good atmosphere, especially if you enjoy music and meeting other people, but the deck can feel full and the best viewing spots may go quickly. Some sailings have also had loud music, which may not suit you if you want to hear the sea and keep the trip calm.

Searching for dolphins and pilot whales

The boat follows the southwest coast from Costa Adeje and Playa de las Américas toward Los Gigantes. The central aim is to find cetaceans in their free, natural environment. Pilot whales and dolphins are the main hoped-for sightings, with occasional reports of flying fish and turtles adding to the day.

The wildlife element is exciting precisely because it is uncertain. On a strong day, you might see dolphins several times, pilot whales near the boat, and flying fish skimming across the water. Some outings have produced close encounters that made the underwater viewing area especially worthwhile.

On a quieter day, you might see only a few animals, and they may stay far from the catamaran. One important point is that the boat does not control what nearby vessels do. Small yachts and sailing boats can remain around the animals for a long time, making it harder for another boat to approach. Fast-moving private boats can also disturb the scene.

The crew generally moves slowly when dolphins approach, helping keep the encounter respectful. That is a good sign, but it cannot turn a poor wildlife day into a guaranteed show. If seeing dolphins is the only reason you want to go, a shorter cruise may offer better value. The extra hours here mainly add the coast, the cliffs, the swim, and the meal.

The coast from Costa Adeje to Los Gigantes

The route gives you a different view of Tenerife’s southwest coast. From sea level, the resort areas around Costa Adeje and Playa de las Américas give way to rugged cliffs and open water. The trip is not an offshore expedition. Much of the sailing stays near the coast, which some people appreciate for the scenery and others find less adventurous than expected.

The strongest section arrives near Los Gigantes. These cliffs rise dramatically from the water, and seeing them from below gives you a clear sense of their scale. This is the part of the cruise that does not depend on animal behavior. Even if the wildlife is shy, the cliffs and the approach to Masca Bay still provide impressive scenery.

The ride can be bumpy at times. Conditions at sea change, and the operator cancels when weather becomes seriously poor, but ordinary waves can still make the first part uncomfortable. If you are prone to seasickness, sit where you feel most stable, keep your eyes on the horizon, and avoid treating the included drinks as a challenge.

Masca Bay, lunch, and a swim

At Masca Bay, the boat stops for swimming. This is one of the tour’s best ideas because it breaks up the wildlife search and gives you time to enjoy the water rather than simply look at it. The bay is surrounded by Los Gigantes, so even the swim comes with a memorable setting.

You should bring swimwear, a towel, and protection from the sun. The supplied information confirms a swimming stop, but it does not promise snorkeling equipment or specific water activities beyond swimming. Some people have described the stop as excellent for snorkeling, though what you see below the surface can vary.

Lunch is served on board during the cruise, with a small sandwich offered as a snack. The meal has been described as rice, meatballs, and salad. Some people find it tasty and filling, while others consider it plain and too commercial for the price. I would treat it as practical boat food, not a meal worth choosing the tour for.

The snack can be useful earlier in the trip, especially if you eat lunch later than usual. One limitation is that the sandwiches have been served with salami, so you should not count on a vegetarian option unless the operator confirms one directly.

Included drinks are a real part of the value. You receive water, juice, soft drinks, beer, and sangria, with drinks available throughout the trip according to the experience details. Coffee and tea are not included, and neither are spirits such as whiskey, rum, or vodka.

How the price measures up at $72.29

At $72.29 per person, this is not the cheapest way to look for dolphins around Tenerife. You are paying for a long afternoon, a large catamaran, a wildlife search, the Los Gigantes route, a swim stop, lunch, and a useful range of drinks.

That package can represent good value if you plan to make full use of the boat. I would particularly consider it if you want one outing that combines sightseeing, swimming, and food. You do not need to arrange a separate meal during the cruise, and the included drinks prevent the final bill from rising every time you want water or a beer.

The value is weaker if your only priority is wildlife. A long cruise does not guarantee more sightings, and the boat’s capacity means you may not get a quiet, personal experience. The rating of 3.8 from 192 ratings reflects that split. Many people have had a wonderful day with repeated sightings, while others felt the food, crowding, or limited animal encounters did not justify the price.

I would compare this tour with shorter whale-watching trips if your schedule is tight. Pick Royal Delfin when the Masca Bay swim and Los Gigantes scenery matter as much as dolphins and whales.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most?

This outing suits you if you want a social, all-in-one sea day. Families can benefit from the combination of wildlife, music, food, drinks, and swimming, though the operator does not provide a detailed child-specific schedule. Couples and groups of friends may enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and the chance to spend several hours outside the resort.

It is also a good choice for anyone who wants to see Los Gigantes without arranging a separate land excursion. The cliffs are the reliable star, while the animals are the bonus you hope for.

You may prefer a smaller or shorter boat if you dislike crowds, loud music, or an organized party atmosphere. The maximum capacity of 200 people is important here. This is a broad public cruise, not an intimate marine research trip.

The experience is suitable for most people, and service animals are allowed. Still, you need to be comfortable with a four-and-a-half-hour boat ride, a possible swim from the boat, and normal movement at sea. The supplied information does not give detailed access measurements or assistance arrangements, so contact Royal Delfin directly if you have specific mobility needs.

Practical ways to make the day better

Arrive with enough time to find Av. de Colón, 11, and confirm the boat location. Puerto Colón can be busy with several operators, so do not rely on a vague landmark alone.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and a light layer. The coast can feel warm while the boat is moving, and the sea spray or wind may make the return trip cooler.

Eat a normal meal before boarding if you have a large appetite. The included food is convenient, but it is not designed as a special dining experience. If you follow a vegetarian diet, ask about the sandwich before departure.

Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the whole cruise staring at a screen. Animals can appear suddenly, and the best sighting may be brief. The underwater windows are worth checking, but also look from the open deck for a wider view.

Finally, allow the sea to set the pace. A wildlife cruise is not a stage show. A day with pilot whales, dolphins, flying fish, and a turtle can be extraordinary. A day with distant sightings may feel less satisfying, even when the crew does everything properly.

Should you book Royal Delfin?

I would book this cruise if you want Los Gigantes, Masca Bay, lunch, swimming, and wildlife in one organized afternoon. The included drinks and long route make the $72.29 price reasonable for a full package, and the underwater viewing windows add something beyond a standard sightseeing boat.

I would skip it if you want a small, quiet vessel or if dolphin sightings are your only goal. The large group, occasional loud music, variable food quality, and uncertain wildlife encounters are real limitations.

For the right visitor, Royal Delfin offers a fun and easygoing day on Tenerife’s southwest coast. Go for the whole mix, not just the promise of whales.

FAQ

Where does the Royal Delfin cruise start?

It starts at Av. de Colón, 11, 38660 Playa de las Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, in the Puerto Colón area.

What time does the boat leave?

The scheduled start time is 2 p.m.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes.

Are lunch and drinks included?

Yes. The experience includes lunch, a small sandwich, water, juice, soft drinks, beer, and sangria. Coffee, tea, and spirits such as whiskey, rum, and vodka are not included.

Does the cruise stop for swimming?

Yes. The boat stops for a swim in Masca Bay near Los Gigantes.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If bad weather causes the activity to be canceled, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. Free cancellation is also available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time.