One good reason to love Tenerife is the sea. This private 3-hour sail from Los Gigantes mixes whale and dolphin watching with those famous 600-meter cliffs and open-ocean photo moments. You’ll be on a comfortable 14-meter boat for up to 10, so the vibe stays calm instead of crowded.

Two things I really like: you’re not stuck watching from a distant crowd, and the itinerary builds in time for real moments, including a stop at a natural cove for a swim and snorkel. One thing to consider is that this experience needs good weather, so choppy or rough sea conditions can affect plans.

Key Things I’d Watch For on This Tour

• Private sailboat, up to 10 people: smaller group feel, easier to relax and take photos.
• Los Gigantes cliffs + photo time: views of the 600-meter vertical walls, with Teide and La Gomera in the background.
• Whales and dolphins in natural habitat: you’re out at sea looking for cetaceans, not doing a scripted show.
• 30-minute swim and snorkel stop: crystal-clear water at a cove only reachable by boat.
• Tapas snack on board: a simple food break that actually fits the pacing of the ride.
• Weather matters: the operator runs this with a good-weather expectation for comfort and safety.

Why Los Gigantes Is a Great Base for Whales in Tenerife

Los Gigantes sits on Tenerife’s west side, shaped by those dramatic cliffs that rise straight out of the ocean. From the water, it’s a different planet than from shore. The vertical walls feel close, and the coastline creates a natural stage for spotting marine life.

What makes this tour appealing is that it’s not just scenic cruising. You leave the harbor and head out in search of whales and dolphins. You’re looking in their natural environment, with plenty of time to scan the water while the boat moves through the area. Even if sightings aren’t constant every minute, the overall combo of scenery and wildlife watching keeps your attention on the right things: the horizon, the surface, and the areas where sea life tends to show up.

If you’re thinking about doing whale watching on Tenerife, this is the part of the island that gives you both: wildlife potential and those huge cliff views.

The Mojo Picon Boat: A Small, Comfortable Ride for Up to 10

You’ll be cruising on a very comfortable 14-meter sailboat with a maximum capacity for 10 people. That matters more than it sounds. With small groups, the boat feels less cramped, and you’re more likely to find a spot where you can actually enjoy the breeze and take steady photos.

The experience is designed around that relaxed on-water rhythm: you’ll spend the ride sailing, looking out for whales and dolphins, and enjoying the deck space rather than spending the whole time in a stuffy cabin. The tour also provides a mobile ticket, and it’s a private booking, meaning only your group goes on board.

One small reality check: sailboats feel the sea. When the wind picks up, you’ll still feel it. The upside is that you get the real maritime experience—sails, motion, and open views. The downside is that if you’re extremely sensitive to sea conditions, you’ll want to think about how your body handles movement.

Your 3-Hour Sailing Plan: Cliffs, Teide Views, and Open-Sea Scanning

This is a straightforward timing plan: about three hours total, with sailing time as the core of the tour. You leave from the port area of Los Gigantes and spend the morning/half-day moving through the waters where whales and dolphins may appear.

As you sail, you’re set up for photography and scenery. The route includes big-hitter viewpoints:

• Los Gigantes Cliffs (the famous near-vertical walls rising about 600 meters)
• Views connected to Teide volcano
• Isla de La Gomera in the distance
• The protected Teno reserve area from the sea

The best part is how the tour mixes “watching” with “looking.” Whale and dolphin spotting needs patience, but it also helps when the surroundings stay interesting. These are the kinds of views that make waiting feel worthwhile. While you’re scanning the water, you’re also soaking in the coastline and the layered island backdrop.

The Stop at the Natural Cove: Swim and Snorkel Under the Cliffs

Here’s the part that turns the cruise into a memory you can feel. The tour stops at a natural cove with crystal-clear water under the foot of the cliffs. Importantly, it’s described as being accessible only by boat, which is exactly what you want on a “from the water” day in Los Gigantes.

You get about 30 minutes in the cove. During that window, you can:

• take a swim
• cool off from the sun and salt air
• snorkel in the clear water

This is where you’ll notice the value of the private, smaller-boat format. With up to 10 people, it’s easier to manage your own time in the water instead of being shuffled in a long line. Also, because the stop is planned, you’re not stuck guessing when the best water moment might happen.

One consideration: the water is clear, but conditions still matter. If you’re not a confident swimmer, snorkel with caution. If you are comfortable in the water, this stop is one of the strongest reasons to pick this particular tour over a pure “sighting only” cruise.

Tapas Snack on Board: The Food Break That Fits the Sea

After time on deck and time in the water, you’ll have a snack accompanied by tapas. This is the kind of onboard meal that feels right for a short sailing tour: not a full lunch, not a heavy meal, just enough to keep energy steady while you’re still out enjoying the coastline.

A couple of practical tips for getting the most out of this part:

• Bring a little water with you if you know you get thirsty fast. The tour doesn’t list drink details beyond a general range of drinks in one note, so I’d treat hydration as on you.
• If you plan to snorkel, keep the snack timing in mind. Eat after you’re back from the water so you’re not mixing salt water + sandy gear with food right away.

The tapas element also makes the overall experience feel more complete. You get the sea, then you get a simple on-board pause that doesn’t slow the day down.

Captain Toni (Antonio) and the Safety-First Feel

The tour is run by MPC Yacht Charter, with the captain named Antonio (often referred to as Toni in the feedback). That name shows up again and again in the way people describe the experience: friendly, attentive, and clear about what’s happening on the water.

In the notes I reviewed, people repeatedly connect the good time to feeling safe and understood. One person specifically said the captain explained the tour and the cetaceans at sea in a way that made the morning feel predictable and comfortable. Another described the experience as very attentive and friendly while still keeping an eye on safety.

There’s also a moment from the feedback that’s worth taking seriously: wind can be strong around the cliffs, and strong wind is not something you should ignore. In one response, the provider pushed back on an idea about wind levels, but the bigger takeaway is simple—you’re sailing. So pay attention to how your body handles motion, and follow the captain’s guidance if conditions change.

The good news is that the captain’s approach seems focused on keeping you calm and confident, not just trying to hit sightings at any cost.

Group Size and Private Tour Value: What You’re Really Paying For

Price is $687.84 per group for up to 10 people. That sounds like a lot until you translate it into what you get:

• A private outing (your group only)
• A sailboat experience with deck space
• A swim/snorkel cove stop
• Tapas snack included
• Time spent scanning the sea for whales and dolphins

If you fill the boat close to capacity, the effective cost per person drops a lot. If you only have a couple of people, the price per person stays high, but you still get privacy and a tour rhythm that doesn’t revolve around strangers.

This is the kind of tour that can feel like a smart spend for:

• families who want a manageable group size
• couples who want a more relaxed vibe than larger catamaran-style tours
• small groups of friends who are splitting the cost

It’s also fine if you’re willing to pay for comfort and atmosphere, not just for the possibility of a sighting.

Practical Details: Where to Meet and What the Ride Feels Like

You meet at MPC Yacht Charter at Puerto Deportivo, Yate El Mojo Picon, C. Pob. Marinero, 38683 Acantilados de Los Gigantes, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

A few practical points that matter day-of:

• It’s near public transportation, so you’re not trapped by a car-only start.
• Confirmation is received at the time of booking, which helps you plan without stress.
• Service animals are allowed, which is important if you travel with one.

The ride itself is short enough that you’re not committing to a full day, but long enough (about three hours) to do real searching, enjoy the scenery, and actually get into the water.

Who This Tour Suits Best in Tenerife

I’d aim you toward this tour if you want an active coast-and-sea experience with a small group. It’s especially good for you if:

• you care about getting out on the water from Los Gigantes, not just taking photos from land
• you want whale and dolphin watching paired with a swim/snorkel stop
• you prefer private-group pacing over crowd management

It may be less ideal if:

• you get very motion-sick and aren’t used to sailing conditions
• you’re only in it for a guaranteed wildlife sighting (nothing like this can be guaranteed, because it’s about animals in the wild)

For kids, I took a positive signal from the feedback: a family with a 10-year-old reported feeling safe and comfortable, and another note described a 3-year-old being thrilled by small whales. That doesn’t mean every child will love it, but it suggests the experience is designed to feel manageable for families.

Should You Book This Private Whale and Dolphin Sail?

If your goal is a Tenerife day that combines wildlife watching with real time in the water and those iconic cliffs, I think this is a strong choice. The private setup (up to 10) plus the cove stop plus tapas snack makes it feel like more than a generic whale cruise.

I would book it if you:

• want a calmer, smaller-boat feel
• plan to snorkel or at least swim in clear water
• care about the scenic package around Los Gigantes, Teide, La Gomera, and the Teno area

I would reconsider if:

• you’re arriving with zero flexibility for weather, since the tour requires good conditions
• you’re very sensitive to wind and sea movement

Overall, it’s a well-balanced mix: search for whales and dolphins, then enjoy the coastline, then cool off in a boat-only cove. That pacing is exactly what makes these tours worth the effort.

FAQ

How long is the whale and dolphin watching tour from Los Gigantes?

The tour lasts about 3 hours.

How many people are on the private tour?

It’s a private tour/activity for your group only, and the sailboat has a capacity for up to 10 people.

Is there time to swim or snorkel?

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

Where do we meet for the tour?

You meet at MPC Yacht Charter at the Puerto deportivo, Yate El Mojo Picon, C. Pob. Marinero, 38683 Acantilados de Los Gigantes, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

What’s included besides whale and dolphin watching?

You’ll have photo opportunities of the cliffs and nearby scenery, plus a snack with tapas during the tour, and time in the cove for swimming/snorkeling.

What if the weather is bad?

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

Can I bring a service animal?

Yes, service animals are allowed.

If you want, tell me your travel month and how many people are in your group. I can help you sanity-check whether the timing and weather risk will fit your plans.

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