Los Gigantes: Dolphin & Whale Watching Tour on a Pirate Boat

Few trips feel as fun and outdoorsy at once. This Los Gigantes dolphin and whale watching tour turns a classic wildlife cruise into a pirate-boat ride with serious Atlantic marine life searching. I really like that the day mixes nature with hands-on fun, not just sightseeing from a seat.

My favorite parts are the swim stop in clear water (stairs or the trapeze swing) and the easy onboard meal plan. You get drinks while you cruise, then settle in for paella with chicken and vegetables, plus fruit on the longer option. One thing to keep in mind: you cannot count on dolphins or whales every time, since sightings depend on sea conditions.

Key Things I’d Watch for Before You Go

• Pirate-themed boat adds real energy to the ride, and the crew style can make the time fly.
• Wildlife sightings are hit-or-miss by nature, based on what the sea is like that day.
• Swim access is built in, with both entry stairs and a trapeze option.
• Masca and Los Gigantes cliffs are the big visual payoff, with sheer drops reaching close to 600 meters.
• Paella and drinks are part of the value, not an afterthought, and Canarian schnapps shows up too.
• Bring warm layers, because the wind off the Atlantic can feel chilly even when it looks warm on shore.

Pirate-Boat Setup in Los Gigantes Harbor

This tour starts in the Los Gigantes port area on a boat with a pirate theme. The vibe matters here. If you want a straightforward, quiet nature cruise, this is not that. If you want an upbeat day on the water with plenty happening, you’re in the right place.

The meeting point is simple to find once you’re there. Look for the Flipper Uno office at the entrance of Los Gigantes Harbor, on the right-hand side. Staff wear yellow uniforms, so it’s easy to spot who to ask for.

One practical detail that comes up for a reason: show up on time. You’re expected to be at the meeting point 30 minutes before the tour starts. If you arrive late, rescheduling is not offered. Also, plan for port traffic. Parking can be tricky, so I’d give yourself extra time to get to the harbor without stress.

Dolphin and Whale Spotting: What You Should Expect From the Search

The heart of this trip is a search for dolphins or whales. After you set sail from Los Gigantes, the crew and guide work to find marine life, with onboard commentary to help you understand what you’re seeing.

Here’s the honest expectation to set at the start: sightings are not guaranteed. Even when you do everything right, the tour depends on the conditions of the sea. On calm days, you’re more likely to see more action, and multiple reviews describe excellent luck, including clear whale sightings such as pilot whales.

When the animals do show up, the experience is exactly why you’re paying for this. You’re not peering at wildlife from miles away, you’re out in their environment as the boat searches. You can also get sudden moments where a pod appears close to the boat. That is the kind of scene that stays in your memory.

If you’re trying to decide between the 2-hour and 3-hour options, think about this: more time on the water usually means more opportunities for sightings, plus you also get additional time for the meal portion on the longer trip. Still, sea conditions control the real outcome, so treat wildlife like the main bonus, not the one thing you must get.

Masca and Los Gigantes Cliffs: The View You’ll Remember

Even when wildlife isn’t constant, the cliffs do a lot of the heavy lifting. After the marine search, the tour heads toward the area of Masca and Los Gigantes, including the cliffs that reach nearly 600 meters high.

This is where the cruise shifts from animal-spotting mode to scenery mode. You’ll get views that look dramatic because they are dramatic. The vertical rock walls make the ocean feel smaller and the sky feel bigger, which is a nice reset if you’ve been scanning the water.

A few guests also point out that the guide can help you connect what you’re seeing to what’s around you, so the scenery isn’t just pretty, it’s explained in a way that helps you notice more.

The Swim Stop: Crystal Water, Stairs, and the Trapeze

This is the part that turns a boat trip into an actual water adventure. At some point you’ll drop anchor in a bay with clear water and get free time to swim.

Entry is flexible:

• You can go in using the stairs.
• Or you can use the trapeze to jump in.

I like that the tour doesn’t force one type of experience. If you’re confident in the water, you can go big with the swing. If you’re not, the stairs keep it simple. Even reviews from less confident swimmers emphasize that the crew helps keep people safe and comfortable, which matters when you’re dealing with open Atlantic water.

One key note from the real-world experience: the ocean can feel cold due to breeze. Even if the sun is out, the wind can make the first minutes chilly. Plan for that. Bring warm layers for after you get out so you don’t end up feeling miserable at the very moment the boat ride is starting to cool down.

Also, don’t assume you’ll always get tons of swim time. Wind can reduce how long you spend in the water. If swimming is a top priority, pay attention to sea conditions on the day, since that affects both wildlife and time in the bay.

Onboard Food and Drinks: Paella, Fruit, and Canarian Flavors

You eat while you’re on the water, which is a huge part of the value. Depending on the option you choose, you’ll get paella with chicken and vegetables. On the longer option, you also get fruit for dessert.

What I like about this setup is that it prevents the usual vacation problem of boat trips turning into hunger management. You don’t need to find a restaurant mid-day or rush for lunch. Food is handled for you onboard, and you can keep the day moving.

Drinks are also part of the included package. Expect beer, red wine, cola, Fanta, and water. There’s also Canarian schnapps listed as included. A couple of reviews mention sangria, which suggests that at least some departures mix it into the drink plan. Either way, the takeaway is the same: you’re not stuck buying drinks, and the onboard mood tends to stay relaxed.

One balancing point: not every meal gets perfect marks. A few reviews call the paella less exciting than expected. If you’re very picky about food, you might still find the wildlife and swim worth it, but you could prefer the shorter option to keep expectations realistic.

Comfort Details: Seating, Toilets, and Motion

This tour is fun, but it’s still a boat. That means comfort depends on your tolerance for movement and on where you end up sitting.

A couple of guests note that seating can feel hard, so bringing a small towel is a smart move. It’s the kind of simple upgrade that can make the ride more enjoyable, especially if you’re on the boat for the full 3 hours.

Motion sensitivity also matters. Some guests warn that if you’re prone to sea sickness, you should take precautions. The tour is on open water, and even when conditions are manageable, a boat ride still involves rocking. I’d plan ahead with whatever you normally use for motion.

The boat has toilets onboard, which is a small thing until you really need it. It also keeps the day comfortable if you want to enjoy the swim stop without worrying about logistics.

Price and Value at About $39

At around $39 per person, this tour is priced like an activity that tries to bundle multiple things into one. You’re paying for the boat ride, the onboard guide, the wildlife search effort (which may or may not pay off with dolphins or whales), plus a swim stop and included refreshments.

When the trip hits well, it can feel like a great deal because you get:

• wildlife viewing time,
• scenery along the way,
• a real swimming break with trapeze access,
• paella and drinks.

When you don’t get whales or get fewer animals, you still have the cliffs and the swim, so you’re not completely left with only a scenic cruise. That balance is why this tour tends to work for a lot of different travel styles, including families who want a mix of nature and play.

Who This Tour Suits Best (And Who Might Want Another Option)

This is a strong match if you want a social, active outing in the Los Gigantes area. It’s especially good for:

• families with kids who will enjoy the pirate theme and trapeze,
• couples who want both scenery and a proper swim break,
• travelers who value included food and drinks rather than buying everything separately.

It’s less ideal if:

• you are only interested in guaranteed wildlife sightings (nothing here is promised, and sea conditions matter),
• you prefer quiet, minimal talking tours. This is led with live commentary and entertainment-style crew energy.

Practical Tips to Make Your 2-3 Hours Go Smoothly

Here’s how you get the best experience without overthinking it.

Dress for the Atlantic wind. Even in warm seasons, the breeze off the water can be noticeably cool, and you’ll probably feel it most right after swimming.

Bring a towel. It helps with seating comfort and makes the whole swim stop less annoying.

Pack your swim basics. You’ll want swimwear and sunscreen, plus sunglasses. A camera helps too, since pilot whales and dolphins can pop up unexpectedly.

Arrive early. Port traffic and parking challenges are real around Los Gigantes. Give yourself extra time so you’re not sprinting to check in.

And keep the rules in mind so the crew can keep things safe and smooth. Drones are not allowed, weapons or sharp objects are not allowed, and feeding or touching marine life is also not allowed.

Should You Book This Dolphin and Whale Tour on a Pirate Boat?

If your top goal is a fun day at sea with a strong chance of seeing dolphins or whales, plus an actual swim stop, I’d say book it. The pirate-boat atmosphere, the clear-water break, and the included paella and drinks make it feel like a complete outing, not just a wildlife gamble.

I’d hesitate only if you’re extremely wildlife-focused and need guaranteed dolphin or whale sightings. Since the sea conditions can limit what you see, you should go in knowing that the wildlife part is a bonus, even though the cliffs and swim time are still real value.

If you want an active, easygoing half- to three-hour experience from Los Gigantes, this one fits the bill.