Day trips2 hoursFree cancellation up to 24h before

Los Gigantes: whale watching by speedboat and Masca swim

Two hours by speedboat from Los Gigantes harbour to look for pilot whales and dolphins, cruise below the cliffs and swim in Masca bay. Rated 4.7/5.

4.73,984 reviews

2 hours
Free cancellation up to 24h before
English, Spanish
Mobile ticket and instant confirmation

Photo credits

Unsplash, Gustavo A. Perez (Licencia Unsplash) · source
Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0, vía Wikimedia Commons · source
Gustavo A. Pérez, CC BY-SA 4.0, vía Wikimedia Commons · source
sailingstellar, Pixabay License · source
Pixabay, Su-Enna (Licencia Pixabay) · source
Tuxyso, CC BY-SA 4.0, vía Wikimedia Commons · source
Tony Hisgett, CC BY 2.0, vía Wikimedia Commons · source
Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0, vía Wikimedia Commons · source

Secure payment

Practical details

Duration: 2 hours
Guide languages: English · Spanish
Mobile ticket: No need to print
Instant confirmation: Right after booking
Wheelchair accessible: Yes · flag it when booking
Pets: Not allowed
Cancellation: Free up to 24h before

Highlights

Pilot whales or dolphins in their habitat
Cruise right along the Los Gigantes cliffs
Swim stop in Masca bay
A cold drink during the swim
Fast boat: you reach the watching area sooner

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Our take

If you're staying in Los Gigantes, Puerto de Santiago or Playa de la Arena, this is the most direct way to see cetaceans and, along the way, the cliffs from below, which is where they really impress. The speedboat is fast and bumpy: it isn't for anyone prone to seasickness or anyone after the slow-paced watching of a big boat.

What's included

Whale or dolphin watching
Swim and snorkel stop
One drink (water, soft drink or beer)
Guide
Insurance

Not included

Towel (bring your own)
Drinks beyond the one included

Good to know

What to bring

Swimwear and towel
Sunscreen
Mask and snorkel if you have them

Not suitable for

Anyone who can't handle the motion of a fast boat

Things to keep in mind

The GYG listing contradicts itself on snorkelling gear and pickup: check with the operator
No smoking (including vaping), alcohol, drugs or speakers
The route can change depending on the sea

Meeting point

Marítima Acantilados / Nashira Uno office, C. Pob. Marinero 1, unit 21, 38683 Los Gigantes (Santiago del Teide).

Check in at the Marítima Acantilados or Nashira Uno office at Los Gigantes harbour. The trip returns to the same place.

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The experience

What you will see

Off Los Gigantes the seabed drops away steeply, which makes it one of the best places in Tenerife to see short-finned pilot whales and dolphins close to shore. This two-hour speedboat trip combines wildlife watching with the most dramatic stretch of the west coast.

Pilot whales or dolphins, depending on what's around that day.
The Los Gigantes cliffs, lava walls more than 500 metres high, seen from their base.
Masca bay, at the mouth of the gorge, where you stop to swim.

How it works

You check in at the Marítima Acantilados office (or Nashira Uno) at Los Gigantes harbour, in Santiago del Teide. From there the boat runs for about 30 minutes to the cetacean area and stays around a quarter of an hour watching.

It then heads for Masca bay, another 30 minutes along the cliffs, and stops for about 15 minutes for swimming, photos or snorkelling. During the stop you get a cold drink (water, soft drink or beer). The return to harbour hugs the Los Gigantes wall, with time for photos.

A practical note: the GetYourGuide listing says snorkelling gear and pickup are included, but the description asks you to bring your own gear and gives no pickup points. Bring a mask and snorkel and plan to get to the harbour yourself.

On board there's no smoking or vaping, no alcohol of your own and no music from speakers.

Who I recommend it for

Anyone staying in Los Gigantes, Puerto de Santiago or Playa de la Arena: you can walk there.
Anyone who wants whales and a swim on one trip without giving up half a day.
Anyone after the classic cliff photo from the sea.

Who I don't recommend it for

Anyone who gets seasick: a speedboat moves far more than a catamaran.
Anyone wanting lots of time with the animals: it's about 15 minutes.
Anyone staying in the tourist south without a car: there are trips from Los Cristianos and Puerto Colón.

Accessibility

GetYourGuide lists it as wheelchair accessible; as it's a speedboat, check with the operator before booking.

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before, with a full refund.

Frequently asked questions

How long do you spend with the whales?

GYG's itinerary shows about 15 minutes of watching after a 30-minute ride; the rest is cruising the cliffs and the Masca stop.

Can I swim?

Yes, there's a stop of about 15 minutes in Masca bay to swim or snorkel, with one drink included.

Should I bring snorkelling gear?

The description asks you to bring your own, although the included list mentions it. Bring it if you can.

Is pickup included?

GYG lists it as included but gives no pickup points or times. Plan to make your own way to Los Gigantes harbour.

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From €28 4.7 (3,984 reviews) · 2 hours