Los Gigantes: Dolphin and Whale Watching Cruise by Speedboat

Watching pilot whales off Tenerife feels like hitting the natural jackpot, fast. This Los Gigantes speedboat trip balances marine wildlife time with jaw-dropping cliff sailing, plus a real swim break in clear water. Two big wins for me are the chance for close viewing from a small RIB speedboat and the way the captain takes you right along the towering cliffs of Los Gigantes. One thing to know up front, sightings depend on sea conditions, so you are not guaranteed dolphins or whales every time.

The tone on board is friendly and focused, and you’ll often hear expert guidance from captains and guides like Luca and Alejandro, who talk about what you are seeing and keep the group moving smoothly. From the reviews, the best moments are when the boat slows down and the wildlife gets real space, not a chase scene.

The main consideration is timing and movement. This is a tight 2 hours, so you’ll spend some time traveling out and back before you get your window to watch the animals, then you head to a bay to swim.

Key Highlights You Will Actually Care About

• Small RIB speedboat setup means closer angles and more personal viewing
• Teno-Rasca Whale Sanctuary is the target area for whale watching off Tenerife
• Los Gigantes cliffs and Masca valley views are a top part of the experience, even if wildlife varies
• Swim stop in a crystal-clear bay gives you a break from the salt air and screens
• Guides like Luca and Alejandro bring quick, practical commentary and humor
• Sea state matters for animal sightings, so the day’s conditions shape the outcome

Speedboat Departure From Los Gigantes Port

You’ll start from Los Gigantes port and head out quickly by rigid inflatable speedboat, not a slow ferry. The speed is part of the value here. It gets you farther into the water faster, and that matters for wildlife watching because animals do not sit on a schedule.

Make it easy on yourself and show up 30 minutes early. The rules are strict: if you arrive late, there is no refund or rescheduling. Also, Los Gigantes can get traffic heavy, and parking around the harbor can be a pain, so I’d plan extra buffer.

On board, it’s typically a small group. Multiple reviews mention around a dozen passengers, which is a huge difference from big-boat tours where you fight for sightlines. In practice, that smaller size helps you film and photograph without spending half the trip looking at someone else’s shoulder.

The Teno-Rasca Whale Sanctuary, Where You Scan and Wait

Once you reach the Teno-Rasca Whale Sanctuary, the crew searches for whales and dolphins. This is the core of the trip. You’ll have time to look, take pictures, and watch behavior up close from the boat, when the animals are in range.

Now, here’s the honest piece: the experience is described as having guaranteed sightings depending on sea conditions, but it is also stated that dolphins and/or whales cannot be guaranteed. In plain terms, the company targets wildlife in the sanctuary, and the captain works hard to find it, but nature runs the show.

What I like about how this tour handles the wildlife moment is that the best reviews emphasize respectful boat behavior. People mention the engine being turned off near the animals to avoid disturbing them, and crews keeping a distance while still letting you observe. If you want the ethically minded version of whale watching, this is the kind of operation you should look for.

What you might see

From the reviews you provided, the most common sightings include:

• Pilot whales (often seen in groups, sometimes very close)
• Dolphins, especially pilot dolphin sightings and other small dolphins
• Turtles, sometimes along with other marine life
• A scatter of extras like flying fish and even jellyfish mentioned in passing

Even when conditions are not perfect, the scenery and marine life variety can still make the day feel like more than just a checklist.

How Long You Really Spend Watching Animals

This is a 2-hour cruise, so it runs on a tight rhythm. You travel out first, you scan and observe once you’re in the zone, then you head along the coast for the cliffs, and finally you anchor for a swim.

That means your wildlife window may feel short if sea conditions slow the search or if everyone wants photos quickly when the animals show up. One review even describes only about a 30 minute window for animal viewing, with a lot of the overall time spent on travel and then the bay stop.

If you get even slightly sea-sick, plan for it. I’d bring a light layer, sit where the boat motion is most comfortable, and consider eating something beforehand. Also, February and winter months can be cool, and one review specifically recommends packing a jumper or jacket.

Sailing Along Los Gigantes and Masca Cliffs at Close Range

After the sanctuary time, you’ll cruise close to the dramatic cliffs that make Tenerife feel otherworldly. The cliffs around Masca and Los Gigantes are some of the world’s highest coastal walls, described here as towering up to about 600 meters.

This is more than scenic bonus time. For many people, it’s what makes the cruise feel like value, even if the wildlife action is slower than hoped. You get a moving viewpoint, so you see the scale and shape of the volcanic coastline in a way shore viewpoints rarely match.

From the reviews, pilots and guides like Luca and Alejandro also share quick explanations about how the cliffs and sea conditions shape what you see offshore. The commentary is usually not long speeches. It’s practical, quick, and tied directly to what the boat is passing.

One thing I like about this route is that it keeps the experience balanced. You are not sitting in one spot waiting forever with nothing to look at. Even between sightings, you’re sailing through a wow-moment coastline.

The Bay Swim Stop, Crystal Water and a Real Pause

Your tour ends back at Los Gigantes after a swim stop in a pristine bay with crystal-clear water. The description names a few possible locations you might anchor near, including Masca, Barranco Seco, or Juan López.

This is one of the best parts because it breaks the “watch from the boat” pattern. When the boat anchors, you get a chance to cool off and swim in water that looks good enough to be a postcard, which is exactly what you want after sitting in sun and salt air.

A practical note: bring swim gear if you plan to actually use this stop. And even in winter, people reported swimming or jumping in quickly depending on temperature. In cold months, bring a towel and a warm layer for after.

Some reviews also mention brief snorkeling moments at a beach or secluded cove, with advice to bring your own mask. That is not guaranteed as a formal part of every run, but if you own snorkeling gear, it is worth packing. It costs little weight and can turn a swim break into a little extra exploring when conditions allow.

Guides, Boat Style, and Why Small Matters

A major praise theme across reviews is the human factor: friendly, funny, and serious about spotting wildlife. Names like Luca, Alejandro, and guides described as captains like Allesandro show up repeatedly, and the vibe seems consistent.

You also feel the boat style. Reviews repeatedly highlight that the RIB speedboat is small, often with around 12 passengers, and that this makes it easier to get close without crowds. That closeness is why people report seeing pilot whales up close, sometimes repeatedly, while staying on the right side of respectful distance.

Another small detail that pops up in multiple reviews is how the crew manages people’s comfort and photos. Families get practical help, and guides use humor to smooth out awkward moments. That might sound minor, but it matters on a trip where everyone is watching one thing at once. When the crew keeps things organized, you spend more time looking and less time figuring out where to stand.

Price and Value: Why $33 Can Feel Like a Deal

At about $33 per person for a 2-hour experience, the value is mostly about efficiency and access.

You are paying for:

• A speedboat that gets you into the sanctuary area quickly
• A small-group setup that can help you see wildlife more closely
• A cliff sailing component that stays visually impressive even on tougher animal days
• A swim break that turns the trip from viewing into doing

Could you spend more and get a longer cruise on a big boat? Sure. But big boats often mean more people between you and the wildlife, plus less control over how the captain maneuvers. Here, the small RIB format is a real advantage for photography and the feeling of proximity.

Also, the fact that the trip is only 2 hours means less time stuck waiting in transit. If you’re touring Tenerife and want a “hit the highlights” day segment, this duration fits well.

Practical Tips for a Smoother Cruise

A few things you should do before you go, based on what is clearly stated and what shows up repeatedly in reviews.

• Bring swimwear and a towel if you want the bay swim stop. The description makes it a key part of the tour.
• Wear layers. Even when it is sunny, sea air can cool you fast. A jumper or light jacket helps.
• No glass objects. This is explicitly not allowed, so skip glass bottles and anything breakable.
• Plan parking and arrival time early. Traffic near the harbor can be rough, and you need to be at the meeting point 30 minutes early.
• Be honest with your sea tolerance. Some people reported mild sea sickness when animal viewing time felt long. If you get queasy easily, take precautions.
• If the sea is rough, expect wildlife variability. Sightings depend on conditions, and wind can affect what you see.

One other detail to note: pregnant women are welcome aboard at their own risk. If that applies to you, I’d talk with your clinician and consider how comfortable you are with boat motion.

Who Should Book This Los Gigantes RIB Cruise

I think this tour fits best if you:

• Want a small boat feel and a better chance at close viewing angles
• Care about seeing Tenerife’s dramatic cliffs, not just checking for whales
• Prefer a compact 2-hour format over half-day or full-day cruises
• Like a guide who talks directly about what you’re seeing, with a bit of humor thrown in

If you are traveling with young kids, note that children under 2 years are not suitable. For older kids, reviews mention a 7-year-old enjoying the experience, and the crew seems used to handling family seating and comfort.

If you want a long, lecture-style nature trip, this is not that. It is built around the sightings and the time on the water, with commentary tied to the moment.

Should You Book? My Take

Yes, I’d book this if your priorities are wildlife searching from a small speedboat, spectacular Los Gigantes cliff sailing, and a swim break that actually feels worthwhile. The $33 price point is hard to beat for the mix of coastline views plus time at sea, and the repeated praise for guides like Luca and Alejandro suggests you get more than just transportation.

Book with two expectations in mind. First, sightings are not guaranteed in all conditions, so keep an open mind. Second, since it is only 2 hours, the trip is efficient, which means your wildlife window might not be long if weather slows things down.

If you can handle that, you’re in for a genuinely fun Tenerife outing, the kind where you leave with photos, salty hair, and the memory of pilot whales cruising near you.