Los Gigantes: Dolphin and Whale Watching Cruise by Speedboat

The best part of this two-hour Los Gigantes cruise is the small RIB speedboat. With room for only 12 passengers, you get a closer view of pilot whales and dolphins than you usually do from a large sightseeing boat. The trip also brings you right beneath the huge cliffs of Masca and Los Gigantes, so the wildlife is only half the show.

I like the efficient route to the whale-watching area, and I like that skippers such as Luca and Alejandro are praised for spotting animals, explaining what you are seeing, and shutting off the engine when wildlife comes close. The main drawback is simple: sightings depend on sea conditions. Dolphins and whales are common here, but nobody can honestly promise exactly what you will see.

Key points at a glance

• Small boat, maximum 12 passengers: A RIB gives you more space to watch and photograph wildlife than a large vessel.
• Pilot whales are the most likely highlight: You may also see dolphins, turtles, flying fish, jellyfish, or other sea life.
• Teno-Rasca Whale Sanctuary: The boat heads toward one of Europe’s best-known areas for watching marine mammals.
• Los Gigantes from sea level: The 600-meter cliffs look especially powerful from directly below.
• Swimming stop included: Masca Bay, Barranco Seco, or Juan López may be used, depending on conditions.
• Arrive early: Traffic and parking around Los Gigantes can be difficult, so allow at least an hour before departure.

Why this small Los Gigantes boat matters

At $33 per person, this is one of the more appealing low-cost ways to get onto the water around Tenerife. You are not paying for a long luxury cruise, a meal, or a full-day outing. You are paying for two focused hours: a fast run toward the wildlife area, time watching marine life, a look at the cliffs, and a short swim if conditions allow.

That focus works well. A larger boat may offer more seats and a steadier ride, but a small RIB can stop quickly, turn easily, and place you close to the water. Several trips have had far fewer than 12 passengers, which can make the outing feel personal rather than crowded.

The trade-off is comfort. A rigid inflatable speedboat is open to the weather, and the ride can be bouncy. One person described the boat as more of a leisurely cruise than a true speedboat, while others enjoyed the brisk ride and the spray. I would think of it as a compact adventure boat, not a calm yacht excursion.

Leaving from the port of Los Gigantes

You make your own way to Los Gigantes port. There is no hotel pickup or return transfer, and this matters more than it may first appear. The port area can have heavy traffic, while parking may be hard to find both inside and outside the harbor.

I would aim to arrive at least an hour before departure. The required meeting time is 30 minutes before the trip, but arriving only half an hour early could leave you rushing if the roads are slow or the parking lot is full. Late arrivals are not refunded or rescheduled, so this is one place where extra time is worth it.

Once you find the meeting point, the boarding process is generally straightforward. Bring your booking details and follow the local staff’s directions, since different boats may leave from nearby areas. The activity is operated by Flipper Uno, and the host language is Spanish. Guides still make an effort to communicate clearly with international passengers, using simple explanations and humor.

The boat holds up to 12 passengers, not counting the skipper. That small capacity is a major selling point. You are not looking over rows of heads, and you have a better chance of getting a clear view when a whale surfaces or dolphins come alongside.

The run to the Teno-Rasca Whale Sanctuary

The first part is a fast ride away from the harbor and toward the Teno-Rasca Whale Sanctuary. This is the main wildlife section of the trip, and the crew uses local knowledge to search for animals rather than simply following a fixed route.

Pilot whales are the sighting most often described. They are technically dolphins, despite their name, and groups can be large. You might see only a few, or you might find a pod of 20 or more. Some trips have included close views of a mother and calf, while others have produced both pilot whales and bottlenose or Atlantic dolphins.

The small boat helps here. When the animals appear, the skipper can reduce speed or cut the engine so you can watch without the constant noise of a motor. That also shows respect for the animals. The best moments are not necessarily the most dramatic ones. A whale surfacing quietly beside the boat, then staying nearby for several minutes, can be more memorable than a frantic chase.

You should keep your phone or camera ready, but do not expect perfect photographs. Wildlife appears without warning, and the boat may be moving or rocking. I would watch first and photograph second. The trip is about seeing animals in the sea, not collecting guaranteed close-up portraits.

The activity description uses the word guaranteed in connection with sightings, but the practical information makes the real situation clear: dolphins and whales cannot be guaranteed because sea conditions control what the crew can find. Some outings have seen both species, while others have seen pilot whales only, dolphins only, or no dolphins at all.

That uncertainty is normal for a wildlife trip. It is also why the cliffs and swimming stop matter. Even on a day when the animals stay out of sight, you still have a scenic boat ride and time along the coast.

What else might appear beside the whales

Tenerife’s waters can offer more than the headline animals. Depending on luck, you might see turtles, flying fish, jellyfish, or even a shark. A few outings have included unusual sightings such as a marlin or a Portuguese man-of-war jellyfish.

These sightings are bonuses, not promised parts of the itinerary. Your skipper may slow down to point out something interesting in the water, but the central aim remains whales and dolphins.

The guides receive especially strong praise for their role in making these moments useful. Luca is described as funny, attentive, and quick to spot pilot whales. Alejandro is noted for explaining marine life and answering questions. Alessandro is also mentioned as an engaging captain. Since the guide assigned to your boat can change, you should not book solely on the hope of getting one particular person.

The commentary may be fairly light. One account found the trip more focused on finding animals than on long natural-history talks. If you want a detailed lecture about every species around Tenerife, read up before you go. If you want a skipper who points out what appears and keeps the trip moving, this format should suit you.

The cliffs of Masca and Los Gigantes

After the wildlife search, the boat heads along the coast toward the dramatic cliffs of Masca and Los Gigantes. Rising roughly 600 meters, these volcanic walls are far more impressive from the water than from a distant road viewpoint.

The boat can run close to the cliffs, giving you a low, upward-looking view of the rock faces. You may also see into the Masca valley from the sea. This part of the route gives the trip a second purpose. You are not simply returning to the harbor after watching whales. You are seeing one of Tenerife’s strongest coastal sights from an angle that road visitors cannot get.

The timing can vary. If the crew spends a long time with a pod of whales, less time may remain for the cliff section or the swimming stop. One outing that started late ended at the planned time, leaving a shorter route than expected. That is worth remembering when you read the advertised two hours: the total duration is fixed, but the balance between wildlife, cliffs, and swimming can change.

I would still prefer a longer wildlife encounter over an artificial time limit. The experience is better when the skipper waits quietly while animals remain nearby. But if the cliffs are your main reason for booking, ask yourself if you would be happy with a shorter scenic section on a day when the whales are active.

A swim at Masca Bay or another cove

The final treat is a stop in a sheltered bay. Depending on the sea and the route, this may be Masca Bay, Barranco Seco, or Juan López. These coves have clear water and dark volcanic surroundings, creating a striking contrast with the open Atlantic.

You can swim if you want, or stay aboard and enjoy the view. The stop is usually short, around 20 minutes in some outings. Bring a towel and wear swimwear under your clothes if you might enter the water.

Do not feel pressured to swim. In December and February, the water may be too cool for some people, and several passengers chose to watch instead. The swimming stop is a useful bonus, not the main reason to book this trip.

A few practical details improve the stop. Glass objects are not allowed, so leave glass bottles and containers behind. Bring sun protection, but also pack a jumper or light jacket. The sea breeze can make the return ride feel cool, even on a sunny Tenerife day.

How much value do you get for $33?

The $33 price is strong value if you want a short wildlife outing without committing to a half-day boat trip. You get the speedboat, skipper, wildlife search, cliff views, and a possible swim for less than many larger organized cruises.

The price also reflects what is not included. There is no hotel pickup, no meal, and no promise of specific animals. You need to reach the port, allow time for parking, and accept that wildlife does not follow a timetable.

The small group is where the value becomes clearest. A 12-passenger boat offers a more personal view than a large vessel, and it can approach the experience with less fuss. Several people valued being able to see whales from close range while the engine was off. That is a better use of your money than paying more for a crowded boat if your main aim is wildlife.

At the same time, you should not compare this $33 trip with a full-day sailing outing. This is a compact, active ride. Most of the two hours includes travel between the harbor, wildlife area, cliffs, and bay. One account estimated only about 30 minutes of direct animal watching, though the exact amount changes with conditions.

Who will enjoy this boat ride most?

I would recommend it to couples, families with older children, and anyone who prefers a small boat to a large group cruise. Children under two are not permitted, but a seven-year-old passenger enjoyed the trip, and the skipper was praised for helping children stay warm and comfortable.

You should be reasonably happy with an open-sea ride. If you are prone to motion sickness, the time spent watching whales can be difficult because the boat may sit or move slowly on the swell. Take appropriate precautions before leaving, though no specific medication or onboard treatment is listed.

Pregnant women are allowed aboard at their own risk. Because the boat can move sharply on the waves, this is a personal decision that should be made with care.

The trip is less suitable if you need a detailed bilingual presentation, hotel transport, or a fully predictable schedule. The host language is Spanish, and while the guides communicate clearly with international passengers, the amount of explanation can vary.

Booking details worth knowing

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. Starting times depend on availability.

Arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled departure at the very least. I would arrive an hour early because Los Gigantes parking and traffic can be awkward. If you are late, there is no refund or rescheduling.

Wear clothes that can handle spray, and bring a towel if you want to swim. Keep your phone secure, especially during the faster sections. Leave glass objects at your accommodation.

The sea decides much of the day. If conditions are poor, the boat may not find dolphins or whales, and the ride may feel rough. The crew can still offer coastal views and a bay stop, but you should book with the right expectation: this is a search for wild animals, not a scheduled animal performance.

Should you book the Flipper Uno speedboat?

I would book this tour if you want the best mix of small-group wildlife watching and Los Gigantes scenery at a modest price. The strongest reasons are the 12-passenger limit, the chance to watch pilot whales with the engine off, and the close coastal run beneath the cliffs.

I would skip it if you need a guaranteed dolphin sighting, dislike bouncy boat rides, or want a long, formal talk about marine biology. For everyone else, the uncertainty is part of the deal. You may see pilot whales, dolphins, turtles, and flying fish, then swim beneath volcanic cliffs. You may see fewer animals and spend more time cruising. Either way, the compact route gives you a good two hours on Tenerife’s west coast for $33.

FAQ

How long is the Los Gigantes speedboat tour?

The tour lasts two hours, though the time spent watching wildlife, visiting the cliffs, and swimming can vary with sea conditions and animal activity.

Where does the tour depart from?

The boat departs from the port of Los Gigantes in Tenerife. You must make your own way to the port.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

How many people can ride on the boat?

The RIB speedboat has a maximum capacity of 12 passengers.

Will I definitely see whales and dolphins?

No. Wildlife sightings depend on sea conditions. Pilot whales and dolphins are commonly sought, but specific sightings cannot be guaranteed.

What animals might I see?

You might see pilot whales, dolphins, turtles, flying fish, jellyfish, sharks, or other marine life. These sightings depend on conditions and luck.

Where does the boat stop for swimming?

The swimming stop may be at Masca Bay, Barranco Seco, or Juan López, depending on the route and sea conditions.

Do I need to bring swimming items?

Bring a towel and wear swimwear if you want to enter the water. You can also skip the swim and remain on the boat.

What language does the host speak?

The host or greeter language is Spanish.

Can children join the tour?

Children under two years old are not permitted. Older children can join, subject to the boat’s conditions and the parent or guardian’s judgment.

How early should I arrive?

You must arrive at the meeting point 30 minutes before departure. Because traffic and parking around Los Gigantes can be difficult, arriving at least one hour early is recommended.

Can pregnant women take the tour?

Pregnant women are allowed aboard at their own risk.

Is cancellation available?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.