Watching whales from a glass-bottom catamaran.

Royal Delfin is a 4.5-hour catamaran cruise that puts you right on the southwest Tenerife route—Costa Adeje toward Los Gigantes—for the chance to spot whales and dolphins in the wild. I like that it’s built for viewing, with underwater glass windows, so you can watch from the boat even when the action stays just below the surface. I also like the flow of the trip: wildlife searching plus an actual swimming stop in Masca Bay.

One thing to keep in mind: animal sightings are nature-run, not guaranteed. On busier days (or if the cetaceans hang farther out), you might feel like the trip is more sightseeing than a full-on animal show, even if the scenery is stunning.

Key highlights

• Underwater glass viewing windows that make wildlife spotting easier, especially when animals stay near the surface or just under it
• Masca Bay swim stop in the Los Gigantes area, with time to get in the water
• Lunch and snacks onboard plus beer and sangria included with your ticket
• Catamaran cruise route along the southwest coast (Costa Adeje to Los Gigantes) in search of cetaceans
• Large-group reality: up to 200 travelers, so expect it to feel busy on the water

Why This Cruise Route Hits: Los Gigantes to Masca Bay

This tour is designed around one big idea: cruise where the marine life tends to show up along Tenerife’s southwest coast. You sail from Puerto Colón and head along the coast, searching for whales and dolphins in their natural habitat. The scenery here does real work for your trip. Los Gigantes’ cliffs are the backdrop for a lot of the experience, and that alone makes the time feel worth it.

Then you get a change of pace near Masca Bay. The tour doesn’t end at “look and watch.” You shift from observation to a break in the water, which turns the cruise into more of a half-day adventure rather than only a wildlife drive.

Boarding and Getting Comfortable on Royal Delfin

You meet at Av. de Colón, 11, 38660 Playa de la Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, and the tour starts at 2:00 pm, running about 4 hours 30 minutes and ending back near the same meeting point. Being a mid-afternoon departure matters. The light tends to be good for spotting, and you don’t have to plan an early-morning start.

Royal Delfin runs as a purpose-built catamaran. That design helps you feel stable and gives you multiple viewing angles. One of the strongest features for your eyes is the underwater glass. If you’ve ever watched the ocean and thought, I wish I could see what’s going on underneath, this is the fix.

There’s also onboard restroom access, which sounds basic, but it matters on any longer outing—especially when you’re enjoying food and drinks on schedule.

Underwater Glass Windows: Your Edge for Spotting Cetaceans

The underwater viewing windows are the standout technology on this trip. They let you scan for movement below without constantly leaning over railings or waiting for perfect conditions. Dolphins and whales aren’t predictable, so anything that increases your chances is a win.

Here’s how to use this feature in a practical way:

• Spend time rotating your position: don’t park yourself in one spot for the whole trip.
• Watch for quick changes: sudden direction changes are often your clue that an animal is closer than you think.
• If the crew slows down near signs of wildlife, move toward the underwater sections. That’s usually when the “show” is easiest to catch.

A few reviews also mention how inspiring the view can be when you’re watching from the glass areas. Even on days when sightings aren’t nonstop, the windows help you feel connected to what’s happening in the water.

Whale and Dolphin Watching: What You Can Expect (and How to Manage It)

You’re going out searching for whales and dolphins, not on a guarantee-based program. That means the experience can swing from “wow, multiple sightings” to “some moments, then a lot of ocean.” Most of the time, you’ll still have a good trip because the route and the cliffs are dramatic, and the boat time is part of the fun.

One detail that’s worth your attention: the ocean isn’t a controlled aquarium. The animals choose where they want to be. Some people report fewer or more distant sightings on certain days. When that happens, it can feel like the boat is mostly hugging the shoreline instead of offering a big open-ocean chase. It’s not something you can fully control, but you can plan your expectations:

• Think of this as a wildlife cruise with a good viewing setup, not a guaranteed whale-and-dolphin performance.
• If you’re traveling on a day with strong competition from other boats, sightings can be affected. That’s part of real-world wildlife viewing.

Also, if you’re sensitive to motion, keep it in mind. A review described part of the ride as especially bumpy, and seas can shift quickly. The tour does require good weather, but you might still want to bring a motion-sickness remedy if you’re prone to it.

The Masca Bay Swim Stop: Warm Water Break in a Famous Area

Masca Bay is the physical highlight for many people—because it’s not just “look at the ocean,” it’s “get in the ocean.” The tour includes a swimming stop in Masca Bay near Los Gigantes. This is where you switch from watching wildlife (from the boat) to experiencing Tenerife as water-time.

What makes this stop feel special is the setting. You’re in one of the most photogenic cliff-and-bay areas on the island, so even if you’re not thinking about whales for a few minutes, the view still grabs you.

Practical tips:

• Bring swim gear you can access quickly. You don’t want to waste your best water time rummaging.
• If you burn easily, consider reef-safe sun protection and a rash guard. You’re out on the water long enough to get hit harder than you expect.
• Don’t assume you’ll be able to swim far from the boat. You’ll likely be focused on the safe swim area at the stop.

This is also where the cruise “earns” its longer feel. The animal-spotting portion may vary day to day, but the Masca swim is an included constant.

Lunch, Snacks, and Drinks: Included Value You’ll Actually Use

Royal Delfin includes lunch and drinks on board. That’s huge for value on a tour at this price point, because you’re not paying for food every time the boat stops.

What’s included:

• Alcoholic beverages: beer and sangria
• Lunch (courtesy lunch)
• Snacks: small sandwich
• Soda/pop soft drinks, juice, and water

What’s not included:

• Coffee and/or tea
• Liquor, whiskey, rum, vodka

Now for the honest part: onboard food reviews are mixed. Some people loved the lunch and described it as tasty. Others felt the food wasn’t the most authentic or complained it was on the basic side. The takeaway for you is simple: don’t assume a gourmet meal. Do assume you’ll be fed, and you won’t be thirsty.

Also note a review mentioning drinks were available from entry to exit from the boat. When you’re comparing tours, that “how long drinks last” detail matters more than you’d think.

Crew, Vibe, and the Reality of a Boat Full of People

Royal Delfin has a maximum capacity of 200 travelers, so yes, it can feel busy. Some reviews describe a really good vibe and friendly staff that helped the group feel like an adventure rather than a cattle lineup. Others mention it being crowded or the music sometimes being loud enough to feel like it’s competing with the experience.

Here’s how to make the most of a full boat:

• If you want quieter wildlife viewing, spend time moving between decks instead of staying locked in one spot.
• For the best underwater-window time, show up early when wildlife slows the boat down. You’ll have less jostling.
• If music is a factor for you, you can usually position yourself where you hear less of it (some people will naturally drift toward the quieter zones).

One more plus: there’s a mention that a camera person records the trip and you can purchase the montage/video afterward. If you’re the type who likes a souvenir without thinking too hard, it’s a nice optional add-on.

Price and Value: Is $72.29 a Good Deal?

At around $72.29 per person, this sits in the “mid-priced fun” range for Tenerife. Whether it feels like a win comes down to what you want most.

You’re paying for four things:

1. A catamaran day on the water (not just a quick ferry ride)
2. Underwater viewing windows (a feature many cruises don’t include)
3. Included lunch + snacks + drinks (beer and sangria included)
4. A Masca Bay swim stop

If you value meals and drinks included, and you like a longer half-day with both wildlife and water time, it’s easier to call this good value. If you’re only focused on guaranteed, close wildlife viewing, you might feel frustrated on days when cetaceans are less active or farther away.

In other words: this is a solid “experience package,” not a wildlife guarantee.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Might Want a Different Option)

This tour is a good match if you:

• Want a longer half-day on the water instead of a short sightseeing hop
• Like the idea of underwater viewing and want more than just surface scanning
• Enjoy a swim stop as part of your vacation rhythm
• Don’t want to spend extra money on food and drinks during the outing

You might think twice if you:

• Need quiet and space. With up to 200 people, it’s not a small group.
• Are extremely sensitive to any motion. Some days can feel rougher, even if the operator aims for safe conditions.
• Are only satisfied when animals are close and frequent. Nature doesn’t promise that.

Should You Book Royal Delfin?

I’d book Royal Delfín if you want a Tenerife half-day that blends cetacean spotting plus a real swim, and you like the practical bonus of included lunch and drinks. The underwater glass windows are the big reason to choose this style of tour, and Masca Bay is the reason you’ll remember the afternoon even if wildlife is slower than you hoped.

Skip it (or compare alternatives) if your main goal is nonstop dolphin or whale action from very near the boat. This cruise offers a strong setup, but it still depends on what the ocean gives that day.

If you do book, go in with flexible expectations, plan for a full boat vibe, and put your time toward the underwater windows and the Masca swim. That’s where the experience is most reliably rewarding.

FAQ

What is the duration of the Royal Delfin whale and dolphin watching tour?

It runs for about 4 hours 30 minutes.

Where does the tour start, and what is the meeting point?

You start at Av. de Colón, 11, 38660 Playa de la Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

What time does the tour depart?

The start time is 2:00 pm.

Is swimming in Masca Bay included?

Yes. The tour includes a swimming stop in Masca Bay at Los Gigantes.

What food and drinks are included?

You get lunch, snacks (small sandwich), soda/soft drinks, juice, water, and alcoholic beverages including beer and sangria.

Is coffee or tea included?

No, coffee and/or tea are not included.

Are there restrooms on board?

Yes, there are restrooms on board.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

What happens if the weather is poor?

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

How does cancellation work?

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.

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