Two hours, big wildlife energy. This Los Gigantes cruise puts you close to Los Gigantes cliffs and gives you a swim in Juan López or Masca, while you look for dolphins and whales in the Teno-Rasca sanctuary. It’s a simple format done well: cruise time, wildlife time, then a clean, refreshing water break.

What I like most is the mix of wildlife viewing with real sightseeing. You sail by towering rock walls, stop for a complimentary cold drink, then anchor in crystal-clear bays like Masca, Barranco Seco, or Juan López for a quick dip. The one drawback to plan around is that whale and dolphin sightings depend on sea conditions, so you’re never buying a guaranteed animal encounter.

Key things that make this cruise worth your time

• Teno-Rasca Whale Sanctuary access in a short 2-hour window, so you’re not spending the whole day “waiting for wildlife”
• Close-to-the-cliffs sailing that makes the Los Gigantes and Masca scenery feel real, not postcard-flat
• A real swim stop (Masca, Juan López, Barranco Seco) with clear water and a chance to cool off fast
• Crew spotting skill that comes up again and again, including guides like Alejandro in recent trips
• One included cold drink plus a relaxed pace, so the tour doesn’t feel like it’s rushing you through everything

First, know what you’re buying: 2 hours, sea life, and a swim

This is a compact cruise that fits neatly into a Tenerife day. You pay about $33 per person for a 2-hour experience that includes the boat ride, a wildlife search (when conditions allow), a stop by the Los Gigantes cliffs, and swimming time, plus one complimentary cold drink (cola, Fanta, water, or beer).

The value here comes from how much variety you get in a short slot. You’re not only “out on a boat.” You get scenery, a guided attempt to find whales and dolphins, and then you’re actually in the water.

The other side of the value coin is expectations. The operator can’t control animal movement or ocean conditions, so sightings aren’t promised. Still, the format is built to maximize your chances rather than letting time drag.

Getting to Los Gigantes Port and finding the right boat

Your meeting point is the Los Gigantes Port, and you’ll look for Masca Express. Plan to be 30 minutes at the harbor before the start time. If you arrive late, there’s no refund or rescheduling.

If you’re driving or using public transport, build in extra buffer. Traffic around the port can be heavy and parking can be tricky, so arriving at least one hour early is a smart move.

Language is Spanish, and you’ll meet a host/greeter. Most of the experience is visual and guided by what the crew spots, so you won’t be lost even if your Spanish is basic.

The opening cruise: where you look for dolphins and whales

Once you board, the crew takes you out in search of whales and dolphins. The big theme is “watch, don’t disturb.” On boats like this, the crew’s job is to find wildlife and then keep the approach responsible so animals keep behaving naturally.

In real-world trips, you’ll often hear about pilot whales and pods of dolphins circling or swimming nearby. Several recent accounts also mention the crew spotting other sea life at times, like turtles and flying fish. You should treat those as bonus possibilities, not part of a guaranteed checklist.

One practical point: this boat tour is short, which means your best wildlife time usually comes early while the crew still has room to search. If you’re prone to motion sickness, this is also worth considering—one review mentions brief dizziness on a small boat. If that’s you, pack your usual motion-sickness help.

Los Gigantes and Masca cliffs: the scenery break you’ll remember

After the wildlife search, the cruise shifts into sightseeing mode. You sail close enough to feel the scale of Los Gigantes, then you also get time connected to the Masca area.

This is where the tour earns points for being more than “wildlife + swim.” The cliffs are dramatic, and passing them from the water changes how you see the island’s geography. Many people focus on whales and dolphins, but the cliffs are the kind of scenery that makes you slow down, take photos, and just look.

You also get a complimentary cold drink during this stretch. It’s included, so you don’t have to think about stopping for a beverage later. It also makes the trip feel less like a squeeze and more like a relaxed afternoon outing.

The best part for most people: the swim stop in Juan López or Masca

The cruise drops anchor in a sheltered bay with clear water—options include Masca, Barranco Seco, or Juan López—and you go for a swim. This is the “cool off and reset” section of the tour, and it’s one of the most praised parts in the feedback.

A few smart, practical tips based on what people report:

• Bring a snorkel mask if you have one. One recent note says they saw lots of fish underwater during the swim.
• If you’re not confident in open-water swimming, you might find extra float help. One review mentions pool noodles being available.
• Keep an eye on your timing. The tour is only 2 hours, so the swim happens after the main viewing, not after a long break.

What I like about this swim setup is that you’re not just splashing. You’re anchored, in a calmer spot, surrounded by cliffs. It turns the “I went on a boat” day into a “water day” too.

How whale watching feels in real life (and why the crew matters)

The tour is in the Teno-Rasca Whale Sanctuary, which is a big reason the boat can find whales at all. But sanctuary access doesn’t mean a whale will show up on command. The operator is clear that sightings can’t be guaranteed and depend on sea conditions.

Where the crew’s skill shows up is in effort and positioning. Many reviews point to guides helping spot animals quickly and staying patient when they need to move. Some also mention details like the crew managing the boat’s behavior near whales for better viewing and photo opportunities.

Names like Alejandro show up repeatedly in recent comments, praised for spotting wildlife and sharing facts. Even if you don’t get the same guide, the key lesson is consistent: you want a crew that searches actively, then gives you enough time to enjoy what they find.

What’s included vs. what you should plan to pay for

Included:

• Cruise
• Whale and dolphin watching (depending on sea conditions)
• Stop at Los Gigantes cliffs
• Swimming
• 1 cold drink (cola, Fanta, water, or beer)

Not included:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off

This keeps the tour simple financially. You’re basically paying for boat time, wildlife searching, scenery cruising, a swim, and a drink. For a short 2-hour outing, that package pricing can feel like good value—especially if your Tenerife plan includes a beachy break anyway.

The main thing to plan yourself is getting to the port on time. Once you’re there, most of the experience is handled.

Boat rules that affect your comfort (read these before you go)

The tour has clear behavior rules designed to keep things safe and respectful. Not allowed:

• Smoking or vaping
• Alcohol and drugs
• Glass objects
• Touching animals
• Nudity
• Speakers
• Riding the animals (yes, it’s listed)

These rules matter in small ways. Glass can be a safety issue on a boat, and no-touch animal rules are about stress and safety for wildlife. The “no speakers” rule helps keep the experience quieter and more focused on the sea.

Who this cruise fits best

This is a great fit if you want a short, high-effort outing. I’d steer you toward it if:

• You want a 2-hour wildlife-and-scenery plan (not an all-day commitment).
• You like the idea of watching animals in the wild but also want a swim stop as a solid backup.
• You enjoy straightforward, practical tours where the crew does the scanning and you do the watching.

It’s less ideal if:

• You need total predictability of whale sightings. There’s no guarantee.
• You get very motion sick on boats. The ride is only 2 hours, but it still moves.

If you’re traveling with kids, the format can work well because the experience is short and visual. Several reviews mention families enjoying it, including people who appreciated the crew’s effort to make it special. Still, bring swim basics and keep a close eye near the water.

Value check: is it worth about $33?

For roughly $33 you get a lot of “separate activities” bundled together: a wildlife search, a scenery-focused section near Los Gigantes, and an actual swim stop, plus a cold drink. That’s why the tour scores well on value for people who want variety without a long travel day.

The best way to judge it is to compare it to what you’d otherwise piece together: a boat trip, then a separate swim opportunity, then a meal or drink. Here, the swim and drink are already built in.

Just remember the only variable you can’t fully control is the ocean and animal movement. If you go expecting a wildlife bonus rather than a guaranteed sighting, the price feels fair.

Should you book Los Gigantes Dolphin & Whale Watching with Swim Stop?

I’d book it if your ideal Tenerife day looks like this: short boat time, real-looking cliffs, and a swim in clear water when you can. The format is efficient, the inclusions are solid, and the most repeated praise lands on two things—wildlife opportunities and the swim stop.

Skip or choose carefully if you’re the type who needs guaranteed whales and dolphins no matter what. This tour is honest about the fact that sea conditions affect sightings.

If you decide to go, do two things and you’ll stack the odds in your favor: arrive early at the port, and pack for the water (snorkel mask if you have one, plus whatever helps with comfort in open water). Then let the crew handle the search, and you’ll likely come away with photos, stories, and a refreshing swim.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point?

You board at Los Gigantes Port, looking for Masca Express.

How long is the cruise?

The duration is 2 hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What is the price per person?

The price is listed as $33 per person.

Is whale and dolphin viewing guaranteed?

No. Sightings depend on sea conditions, so the tour can’t guarantee dolphins and/or whales.

What’s included in the swim stop?

Swimming is included, and the swim happens after anchoring in a clear bay such as Masca, Barranco Seco, or Juan López.

What cold drink is included?

You get 1 cold drink, such as cola, Fanta, water, or beer.

Are there rules about what guests can bring or do?

Yes. Smoking, vaping, alcohol and drugs, glass objects, touching animals, nudity, and speakers are not allowed.

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