Whales and dolphins, without the crowd noise.

This private 3-hour sail out of Los Gigantes feels like a reset button: a comfortable 14-meter boat, a spacious deck for photos, and time on the water where you’re not packed in. I especially like the way the captain and crew keep things relaxed while still scanning for marine life, and I love the contrast of dramatic cliffs with a calmer boat-only swim stop. One thing to consider: this experience needs good weather, and the sea can be changeable in Tenerife.

You’ll also get plenty of views that make the trip feel more than just animal-spotting. You’ll pass the vertical cliffs of Los Gigantes (around 600 meters high), you may catch views toward Teide, and you’ll be sailing in the protected area of Teno. A possible drawback: the trip is only about three hours total, so you’ll want to be ready to enjoy the moment rather than expecting a long day out.

Key Highlights I’d Plan Around

• Small private group (up to 10): More room to move, and the vibe stays calm.
• 14-meter sailboat comfort: You get that breezy deck time without the chaos of bigger boats.
• 3 hours searching for whales and dolphins: The focus stays on wildlife in their natural habitat.
• 30-minute cove swim + snorkel: Crystal-clear water right under the cliffs, accessible only by boat.
• Photo-friendly routes: Cliffs, Teide-area scenery, and La Gomera show up on the way.
• Tapas snack time: A simple food break that helps you enjoy the whole ride, not just the sightings.

Setting Sail from Los Gigantes: Your First Views and the Boat Vibe

The meeting point is at MPC Yacht Charter, at the Puerto deportivo area in Los Gigantes, specifically the Yate El Mojo Picon (C. Pob. Marinero). It’s also set up near public transportation, so you’re not stuck hailing a taxi just to get going.

What matters here is the pace you’ll feel as soon as you’re on board. This is a private outing with room for up to 10 people on a 14-meter sailboat. That size is big enough to feel stable and comfortable, but small enough that the deck doesn’t turn into a photo barricade. I like the “you can actually breathe” feeling on boats like this—less waiting for people to shuffle, more time watching the sea.

Also, this is a sailing cruise, not a motor-only hop. You’ll feel the sea breeze and movement more than on a typical speedboat. That’s a plus if you enjoy the motion and the open-air sailing experience. If you’re sensitive to choppy water, it’s worth thinking ahead about seasickness precautions, especially since the tour needs good weather to run.

3-Hour Whale and Dolphin Watching That Feels Focused

Your main mission is out on the water: 3 hours looking for whales and dolphins in their natural habitat. That time window is long enough to make searching feel like more than a quick pass. It’s also long enough to enjoy the changing light and scenery, instead of treating the trip like a checklist.

You’ll usually get the best wildlife viewing with patience and a crew that knows where to look. The captain and host team explain what you’re likely to see and how to watch for it—names you may hear in the experience are Toni / Tony / Antonio, depending on how it’s recorded. The overall approach is safety-first, calm, and educational, and you’ll feel that in how the boat is handled and how they talk you through the marine life at sea.

In terms of what sightings you might hope for: people have reported seeing dolphins and pilot whales. I can’t promise specific animals every time (wildlife is wildlife), but I can say the tour is built around making those sightings more likely by keeping the focus on the search for cetaceans rather than rushing you to other stops.

Reading the Coast: Cliffs of Los Gigantes, Teide, La Gomera, and Teno

Even if you’re a total first-timer at whale watching, the route is designed to keep you entertained. The cruise runs with views of the Los Gigantes Cliffs, including those dramatic vertical walls that rise about 600 meters. Standing offshore with that kind of scale is a different experience than looking from a road—your brain has to adjust, because the cliffs feel almost sheer.

You’ll also be sailing with scenery that stretches beyond just the coastline. The experience highlights views toward Teide volcano, and you may also catch Isla de La Gomera. There’s also a mention of the protected reserve of Teno, which is part of why this area has the right “keep it natural” energy for both wildlife and the overall feel of the trip.

The practical takeaway: if you care about photos and want your phone/camera time to feel effortless, this is where the trip delivers. You’re not just looking at the sea—you’re looking across a mix of volcanic, cliff, and island geography. Think of it as wildlife watching with a built-in scenic education.

The 30-Minute Cove Stop: Swim, Snorkel, and That Boat-Only Access

Here’s the part I’d plan around if you’re deciding whether to book: the cruise includes a stop at a natural cove with crystal clear waters beneath the cliffs. The best detail is that it’s accessible only by boat, meaning you’re not just stopping at some crowded swimming area. This kind of access often makes the water feel special and the photos look more dramatic.

You get about 30 minutes to swim and snorkel. Thirty minutes is enough to cool off, get in a couple of decent swims, and use snorkel gear if you have it. It’s not enough to treat this like a long beach day, so come prepared to make the most of that short window.

Also, if you’re snorkeling, you’ll want to be ready for the sea environment—water clarity is a big draw here, but conditions can still change. If you’re not comfortable in open-water swimming, you can treat this as a quick dip and a photo-and-relax stop instead. The cliffs around you are the show even from the boat.

Tapas and Snacks at Sea: A Small Inclusion With Real Value

You’ll have time to snack, and the cruise includes tapas alongside refreshments. This matters more than it sounds. On a three-hour outing, food can be the difference between enjoying the whole ride and getting grumpy waiting for lunch back on land.

From the way the experience is described, the snack break is built into the flow rather than interrupting the day at a random time. It also pairs nicely with the calmer moments—after wildlife scanning, during scenic drifting, or right around the swim stop.

One practical tip: if you’re traveling with kids or you tend to get hungry on water, tapas and finger-food style snacks help keep everyone comfortable without needing to leave the boat.

Safety, Comfort, and the Wind Factor on a Sailboat

Because this is a sailboat, you’ll experience real sea movement and breeze. People have commented on how windy conditions can feel, and the general idea you should take from that is simple: sailing means weather matters.

The tour requires good weather, and if it can’t run due to conditions, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. That policy is especially relevant for this type of outing, because the whole point is comfort while you search for wildlife and enjoy time in the water.

Comfort-wise, the vibe is designed to avoid crowding. With up to 10 people on board, you’re less likely to feel boxed in. You’ll also have a spacious deck for relaxing and taking photos. That said, if you’re not used to being on open water, bring sensible layers. The deck can feel cooler once you’re moving away from shore, even when the sun is out.

Price and Value: Why This Private Tour Can Be Worth It

The price is listed as $687.84 per group, for up to 10 people. On paper, it looks like a high ticket. In practice, the math depends on how you travel.

If you’re a solo traveler, this can feel steep compared to bigger shared cruises. If you’re traveling as a family or small group, the value shifts fast: you’re paying for a private setting with more room, a focused wildlife search, and that boat-only cove swim stop. The experience also includes tapas and snacks, which helps offset the need to buy food during the tour window.

The biggest “value” factor here isn’t the price tag—it’s the experience style:

• fewer people onboard,
• more time on the water,
• and the combination of wildlife + cliff scenery + swimming in a boat-access cove.

If whale and dolphin watching is a priority for your Tenerife trip, and you care about comfort and not feeling packed, this format can make sense.

Who This Experience Fits Best

This tour is a strong match if:

• you want a private outing rather than a crowded group cruise,
• wildlife watching is high on your list (and you like learning while you watch),
• you want a scenic cruise with Los Gigantes cliffs and views toward Teide and La Gomera,
• and you’d actually use the water time for a swim/snorkel.

It’s also a decent option if you’re traveling with kids or mixed ages who can handle being on the water for about three hours—small boat size usually helps keep things calmer.

If you’re highly seasick-prone, or you’re only visiting in a period where weather can be unstable, you might want to double-check your flexibility. The experience does depend on good conditions.

Should You Book This 3-Hour Private Whale and Dolphin Sail?

My take: book it if you want a calmer, more intimate way to do whale and dolphin watching from Tenerife. The “why” is clear—private group size, time focused on wildlife, and a real payoff stop for swim and snorkel in a boat-only cove beneath the cliffs.

Skip it or reconsider only if you’re unlikely to enjoy wind and open-water sailing, or if your schedule doesn’t allow flexibility if the weather forces a change. This isn’t a guaranteed zoo tour. It’s a sea outing that’s designed to maximize your chances while keeping the vibe comfortable.

If Tenerife is on your must-do list and you’re chasing that mix of dramatic coastline and living marine life, this is a very solid use of a morning or an afternoon.

FAQ

How long is the whale and dolphin watching tour?

The tour lasts about 3 hours.

How many people are on the private tour?

The sailboat is described as comfortable for up to 10 people, and it’s a private tour for your group only.

Where do we meet for the tour?

The meeting point is MPC Yacht Charter at the Puerto deportivo in Los Gigantes, at Yate El Mojo Picon, C. Pob. Marinero, 38683 Acantilados de Los Gigantes, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

What happens during the 3 hours at sea?

You sail from Los Gigantes to look for whales and dolphins in their natural habitat, and you also enjoy photo opportunities with views of the cliffs and volcanic/island scenery.

Is there time to swim or snorkel?

Yes. The tour includes a stop in a natural cove with crystal clear waters for about 30 minutes to swim and snorkel.

Is food included during the tour?

There is time to have a snack accompanied by tapas.

What if weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

When can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid isn’t refunded.