Los Gigantes: Dolphin and Whale Watching Tour with Drinks

Los Gigantes makes a dramatic starting point for a boat trip: its cliffs rise almost 600 meters above the Atlantic, and dolphins or pilot whales may appear along the way. The tour pairs wildlife watching with a swim stop, so you get more than a ride out and back.

I like two things in particular: the cliffs and open-water wildlife share the same outing, and the crew adds practical comforts, including drinks, toilets, and a way to enter the water by steps or trapeze. The 3-hour option also includes paella, making the longer trip a better-value choice if you want lunch.

The main consideration is that wildlife is never guaranteed, and the sea can affect both sightings and swimming time. Arrive 30 minutes early, and think twice about booking if you are prone to seasickness.

• Look for pilot whales and dolphins: Sightings depend on sea conditions, so treat them as a welcome possibility rather than a promise.
• See the cliffs from the water: Masca and Los Gigantes rise almost 600 meters above the Atlantic.
• Choose your trip length carefully: Paella is included only with the 3-hour option.
• Swim or watch from the boat: Use the stairs or trapeze to enter the water, or stay aboard.
• Expect a lively crew: The guides speak Spanish, English, French, and German, and the boat has a playful pirate touch.

Setting Out From Los Gigantes Harbor

The meeting point is the Flipper Uno office at the harbor entrance, on the right-hand side. Look for staff in yellow uniforms, and be there 30 minutes before departure. This is not a detail to leave to chance: late arrivals are not refunded or rescheduled.

The trip lasts two or three hours, depending on the option you book. Check the available departure times when you reserve, and make sure you know which duration you have chosen. The difference matters most at lunch: chicken and vegetable paella with fruit is part of the 3-hour option, not a standard feature of every departure.

There is no hotel pickup or drop-off. You need to make your own way to Los Gigantes Harbor, then return to the same meeting point at the end. The boat has toilets on board, a welcome feature on a trip that can last several hours.

Flipper Uno is not pitched as a quiet, small-boat outing. The crew brings humor and a lively atmosphere, and a pirate theme adds a family-friendly note. If you want a hushed nature cruise, this may feel more animated than you prefer. If you are traveling with children, that energy can help keep the outing fun between wildlife sightings.

Watching for Whales and Dolphins

Once underway, the first job is to scan the water. The tour looks for dolphins and whales in their natural surroundings, with pilot whales and dolphins among the animals sighted on outings. The crew provides commentary about marine life in several languages, which helps make the search more than a game of who spots a fin first.

Keep expectations sensible. The operator cannot guarantee sightings, and sea conditions affect what you may see. Even a successful trip can mean seeing dolphins but no whales, or fewer animals than you hoped. You are paying for a boat outing that includes wildlife watching, not a guaranteed encounter.

When animals do appear, the appeal is seeing them in open water rather than in a pool or show. The guide can explain what you are looking at, while the crew helps keep the group engaged. The languages offered are Spanish, English, French, and German. Commentary can be hard to hear at times, particularly if the boat is lively or the speakers are loud, so try to stay near the guide when you want to catch the explanation.

Bring a camera, but keep your attention on the water too. Wildlife can surface briefly, and a phone held up for the whole trip is a poor substitute for watching the sea. Sunglasses and a hat also help when you are out in the sun.

Sailing Beneath the Masca and Los Gigantes Cliffs

The cliffs are a major reason to take this trip even if wildlife is scarce. From the water, the rock walls rise dramatically above the boat, reaching almost 600 meters in places. Seeing them from below gives you a different sense of their scale than looking down from land.

The route takes you toward the cliffs of Masca and Los Gigantes, then to a bay for the swim stop. The setting is part of the outing, not simply the backdrop between animal sightings. If the dolphins keep their distance or the whales do not appear, the coastal views still give the ride a clear purpose.

The boat’s pace and the sea state shape how much time you spend near each feature. Wind can shorten the swimming stop, so do not count on a long spell in the water. If you value the cliffs and the boat ride as much as the swim, that variability is easier to accept.

The Swim Stop: Steps, Trapeze, or a Look From Deck

At the bay, the boat anchors in clear Atlantic water and gives you time to swim. You can enter using the stairs or make a splash from the trapeze. The trapeze is the playful option and a popular part of the trip, but there is no need to use it to take part. The stairs offer a more measured way into the sea.

If you are not a confident swimmer, you can stay aboard and enjoy the scenery. Foam floats may be available for non-swimmers to cool off in the water, as they have been on some trips, but do not assume a specific piece of equipment is guaranteed. Ask the crew before entering if you have any concerns.

Pack swimwear and a towel, and consider changing into beachwear before boarding if that is easier for you. The stop can be a refreshing break after time in the sun, though wind and sea conditions determine how long it lasts. One outing may allow a relaxed swim; another may give you only a brief dip.

This is a good point to be honest about your priorities. If your ideal boat trip means a long, quiet swim, the schedule may not suit you. If you are happy with a short swim and a chance to jump from the boat, the trapeze adds a memorable bit of fun.

Paella and Drinks on the Three-Hour Trip

The 3-hour option includes chicken and vegetable paella, with a piece of fruit for dessert. It is a useful meal rather than a reason on its own to book the tour, and it makes the longer outing feel more complete. The paella has been described as including chicken, tomato, and peas. If you do not eat rice, there is no stated alternative, so plan accordingly.

The 2-hour option does not include the paella. Compare the price difference at booking and decide whether the extra hour, meal, and time on the water are worth it to you. At the stated price of $38 per person, the trip offers a lot in one outing: the boat ride, guide, wildlife search, cliff views, swim time, drinks, and, on the longer option, lunch. The price can make good sense if you would otherwise pay separately for a boat tour and a meal.

Drinks include water, cola, Fanta, beer, red wine, and Canarian schnapps. They are served during the excursion, and the selection means you can choose a soft drink or an alcoholic one. Some drinks may be poured into small cups rather than served in cans, so adjust expectations if you are picturing a full-size can of soda.

Bring cash if you want it on hand, but the tour’s included drinks and food mean you do not need to buy those separately on the 3-hour option. The activity details list cash among the recommended items without specifying a particular extra charge.

Who Will Enjoy This Boat Trip Most

This works well for families and mixed-age groups who want several activities in one outing. Children may enjoy the pirate touches and the trapeze, while adults get the cliffs, wildlife search, and a swim. One family took a 4-year-old, and another brought a 12-year-old, but the trip’s suitability still depends on your child’s comfort on a boat and around open water.

It also suits first-time whale-watchers who want a relaxed introduction rather than a specialist wildlife expedition. The guide adds context, and the boat combines animal watching with scenery and swimming. If your only goal is to spend as long as possible watching marine life, a tour focused solely on wildlife may fit you better.

Consider seasickness before you book. The boat is out on the Atlantic, and some people can feel unwell in choppy conditions. The trip is not a good bet if you know boat motion affects you badly. Wind can also change the swim stop, and animals may not show.

The crew’s welcoming, humorous approach is a strong part of the experience. The atmosphere can be lively, and the speaker volume may feel high to some people. If you prefer quiet, bring that preference into your decision rather than expecting a serene ride.

What to Bring and What to Leave Behind

Take sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, swimwear, a towel, and a camera. The sun can feel strong on the water, and the swim stop is a better experience if you are ready to get in rather than wishing you had packed a towel.

Leave oversized luggage behind. Smoking and vaping are not allowed, and neither are drones, fishing, glass objects, speakers, or feeding or touching marine life. The rules also prohibit littering, weapons or sharp objects, and unaccompanied minors. Follow the crew’s instructions around the animals and the water.

For the meeting point, locate the Flipper Uno office at the entrance to Los Gigantes Harbor, on the right. The staff wear yellow uniforms. Build in enough time to arrive 30 minutes ahead; the no-refund rule for late arrivals makes this the simplest way to avoid a needless problem.

Should You Book the Los Gigantes Tour?

I would choose this trip if you want a mix of wildlife watching, cliff scenery, and a swim, with a friendly crew and drinks included. The 3-hour option is the stronger value if you want the paella and a fuller outing. The 2-hour trip may suit you better if you want a shorter time at sea and do not need lunch.

Book with realistic expectations: dolphins or pilot whales may appear, but no sighting is assured, and weather can shorten the swim. If you are comfortable with that uncertainty and enjoy an upbeat boat atmosphere, Flipper Uno offers a practical way to experience the coast from the water. If guaranteed wildlife, a quiet boat, or a long swim is essential, look for a more specific alternative.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

You can choose a 2-hour or 3-hour option. Check the available departure times when booking.

Where does the boat depart from?

The meeting point is the Flipper Uno office at the entrance to Los Gigantes Harbor, on the right-hand side. Staff wear yellow uniforms.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive 30 minutes before the tour starts. Late arrivals are not refunded or rescheduled.

Are dolphins and whales guaranteed?

No. The chance of seeing them depends on sea conditions, and sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Is paella included?

Chicken and vegetable paella, plus a piece of fruit, is included with the 3-hour option. It is not included with every option.

What drinks are provided?

The included drinks are cola, Fanta, water, beer, and red wine. Canarian schnapps is also included.

Can I swim during the tour?

Yes. The boat stops in a bay for free time to swim. You can use the stairs or trapeze to enter the water.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide is available in Spanish, English, French, and German.