Whale and Dolphin Watching Speedboat Trip from Los Gigantes Tenerife
- Duration2 hours
- Daily
- Group
Some images are AI-generated for illustration. While we confirm your booking, just ask and we will send you the original photos.
- Fair, honest prices
- Real people, not bots
- Confirm, then pay
- Secure payment
Overview
This Los Gigantes whale watching trip puts you on a fast rigid inflatable speedboat for two hours on the wild west coast of Tenerife. From the port of Los Gigantes you head out to the Teno-Rasca whale sanctuary, where pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins live all year, then run beneath the sheer Los Gigantes and Masca cliffs, which rise about 600 metres straight from the sea. The trip ends with a swim stop in a clear-water cove such as Masca, Barranco Seco or Juan López. It is a shared boat trip with a Spanish-speaking skipper, ideal for active couples, friends and families with children from 3. Departures run at 11:00, 13:00 and 15:00, and you meet us at the port.
Highlights
- Two hours on a fast rigid inflatable speedboat from Los Gigantes
- Whale and dolphin watching in the Teno-Rasca whale sanctuary
- Resident short-finned pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins
- Close-up views of the Los Gigantes and Masca cliffs from sea level
- Swim stop in a clear-water cove such as Masca, Barranco Seco or Juan López
- Three departures a day, at 11:00, 13:00 and 15:00
- Small, fast boat that reaches the open sea in minutes
Full Description
Los Gigantes Port and Town
Los Gigantes is a small resort on the west coast of Tenerife, in the municipality of Santiago del Teide, built on terraces above a compact marina. Its name, the giants, comes from the wall of cliffs that closes the bay to the north. The port is lively from morning, with fishing boats, excursion boats and a black-sand beach, Playa de los Guíos, tucked beneath the rock face.
If you are wondering how to get to Los Gigantes, it is about 40 minutes by car from Costa Adeje and Playa de las Américas, and local buses link it with Puerto de Santiago and the south. Parking near the harbour is tight, so arrive early. The town makes a pleasant stop before or after this Los Gigantes boat trip, with seafront terraces and views of La Gomera on the horizon.
Teno-Rasca Whale Sanctuary
The strip of ocean between the south-west coast of Tenerife and La Gomera is a protected marine area known as Teno-Rasca, often called the whale-watching capital of Europe. Deep water starts very close to shore here, and a resident population of short-finned pilot whales lives in these waters all year, alongside groups of bottlenose dolphins. With luck, other species such as Risso's dolphins, spotted dolphins or passing Bryde's whales appear in season.
The speedboat reaches the feeding grounds within minutes, and the skipper slows down and keeps a respectful distance so the animals can approach on their own terms. Pilot whales often rest at the surface in family groups, which gives you time for photos. Sightings are very frequent, but they always depend on the state of the sea, so no wildlife can be fully guaranteed.
The Cliffs of Los Gigantes and Masca
The Acantilados de Los Gigantes are among the highest coastal cliffs in Europe, rising from 300 to about 600 metres straight out of the Atlantic. They are the edge of the Teno massif, one of the oldest volcanic parts of Tenerife, formed millions of years before Mount Teide. Seen from a small boat at their foot, the layered basalt walls, caves and seabird ledges feel immense.
The Los Gigantes cliffs boat tour is the best way to appreciate their scale, because there is no road along this coast. On the way the speedboat passes the mouths of deep ravines that cut through the massif, including the famous gorge of Masca. The light is softest in the afternoon, when the sun turns the rock warm brown and gold.
Swim Stop at Masca, Barranco Seco or Juan López
Before returning, the boat anchors in one of the coves at the foot of the cliffs, chosen by the skipper on the day according to the sea. Masca Bay sits where the famous Masca gorge reaches the ocean, reachable only on foot or by boat. Barranco Seco and Juan López are quieter coves with deep, very clear water over dark volcanic sand and rock.
You have time to jump in and swim in the Atlantic, with the cliffs towering above you. Water temperature ranges from about 19 °C in late winter to 24 °C in late summer, so many guests swim year-round. If you prefer to stay dry, the anchored boat is a fine spot for photos of the ravine walls and of La Gomera across the channel.
Itinerary
- Check-in at Los Gigantes portMeet the boat team at the office inside the port entrance 30 minutes before departure.
- Boarding and safety briefingBoard the rigid inflatable speedboat and hear a short safety talk from the skipper, about 10 minutes.
- Run out to the Teno-Rasca sanctuaryA fast ride into the open sea off the west coast, a few minutes from the harbour.
- Whale and dolphin watchingAround 45 minutes searching for and watching pilot whales and dolphins at a respectful distance.
- Cruise beneath the cliffsFollow the Los Gigantes and Masca cliffs at close range, about 20 minutes with photo pauses.
- Swim stop in a coveAnchor in a cove such as Masca, Barranco Seco or Juan López for a swim, about 20 to 30 minutes.
- Return to Los Gigantes portRide back to the harbour, where the trip ends about two hours after departure.
What's included
- Speedboat trip on a rigid inflatable boat
- Skipper
- Whale and dolphin watching in the Teno-Rasca Whale Sanctuary
- Close views of the Los Gigantes and Masca cliffs
- Swim stop in a clear-water bay
Not included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Food and drinks
Is this right for you?
Great for
- Families with children — a child price for ages 3–12
- Nature and wildlife lovers
- A short visit — about 2 hours
- Travellers who want a proven choice — rated 4.7/5 by past travellers
Think twice if
- You want a private tour — this one is shared with other travellers
Not suitable for
- Children under 2 years
- People with back or neck problems, as the speedboat can bounce on waves
- People prone to seasickness
Meeting point
Meet at the office just inside the entrance to Los Gigantes port, on the right-hand side; the staff wear yellow T-shirts. Please be there 30 minutes before your departure at 11:00, 13:00 or 15:00, because latecomers cannot be rescheduled. Hotel pickup is not included. Traffic and parking around the harbour can be difficult, so allow at least an hour if you come by car or bus.
Important information
- Arrive 30 minutes before departure; late arrivals cannot be refunded or moved
- Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses
- Wear clothes that can get wet, as spray is common on a speedboat
- Food and drinks are not included; bring water
- Pregnant women may join at their own risk
- Sightings depend on sea conditions and cannot be fully guaranteed
- The skipper speaks Spanish; safety instructions are kept simple and clear
- Hotel pickup is not included; parking near the port is limited
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
Is this a shared or a private experience?
It is a shared speedboat trip with other travellers, led by a professional skipper.
How long does it take?
About two hours at sea, plus 30 minutes for check-in at the port before departure.
Is hotel pickup included?
No. You meet us at Los Gigantes port. Taxis and local buses run from Puerto de Santiago, Playa de la Arena and the southern resorts.
What is included?
The speedboat trip on a rigid inflatable boat, the skipper, whale and dolphin watching in the Teno-Rasca sanctuary, close views of the Los Gigantes and Masca cliffs and a swim stop in a clear-water cove.
Is the price per person or per group?
The price is per person, and children pay the same rate. The booking panel on this page shows the current price.
Is it suitable for children or travellers with reduced mobility?
Children from 3 years can join with an adult; the trip is not for children under 2. A speedboat can bounce over waves and boarding needs a step down, so it does not suit people with reduced mobility or back problems.
What should I bring?
Swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, a light jacket for the spray and a bottle of water.
What whales can I see from Los Gigantes?
Short-finned pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins live here all year. Other dolphins and occasional larger whales pass through in some seasons.
When is the best time of day or year for whale watching in Tenerife?
Whale watching works year-round. Morning trips often meet the calmest water, while afternoon trips have warmer sun and softer light on the cliffs.
What happens in bad weather?
If the harbour authority or the skipper decides the sea is unsafe, the trip does not sail and our team contacts you on WhatsApp to arrange another time or date.
Can I swim at Masca Bay on this trip?
Yes, when sea conditions allow, Masca Bay is one of the coves used for the swim stop, along with Barranco Seco and Juan López.
How do I book and confirm?
Pick your date and departure time in the booking panel and send your request. Our team confirms your booking on WhatsApp within minutes.
More in Tenerife
Getting to & around Tenerife
Popular across Spain
-
-
-
-
-
-