A catamaran gives you ocean time fast. This 4.5-hour Royal Delfin tour pairs whale watching Tenerife with underwater glass viewing windows, plus a swim stop off Masca Bay. You’ll also sail past some of the island’s most dramatic coastline, with Los Gigantes cliffs as a constant backdrop.

I especially love the underwater viewing windows. Even when the action is a little distant, you can still watch marine life from below, and several people called the views breath-taking.

One thing to consider is that wildlife is wild. Some days you get nonstop sightings, and other days can feel slower—plus the boat can be fairly full, and a couple of reviews flagged rougher ride conditions without much warning.

Key things to know before you go

• Underwater glass viewing makes sightings easier to spot, even when dolphins aren’t right at the surface
• Masca Bay swim stop gives you a warm-water break off Los Gigantes area cliffs
• Lunch plus drinks on board keeps the pace easy during the ~4.5-hour cruise
• Open-water waves can mean motion; if seas are rough, the operator may cancel
• Some days are more active for cetaceans than others, since animals choose where to travel
• Photo/video support: there’s a camera operator and you may be able to purchase the footage after

The Royal Delfin catamaran route: Costa Adeje to Los Gigantes

This is a southwest-coast cruise designed for cetacean spotting. From Puerto Colón, the catamaran heads along the coastline from the Costa Adeje area toward the Los Gigantes cliffs. The idea is simple: be where whales and dolphins tend to show up, then slow down enough to actually look.

You’re not on some long, sleepy ferry route. It’s a focused half-day sailing plan, roughly 4 hours 30 minutes total, starting at 2:00 pm from Av. de Colón 11 in Playa de la Américas. That afternoon timing works well if you want a later start without giving up your whole day to the ocean.

What makes the route smart for first-time visitors is that the scenery does real work even if wildlife doesn’t go wild. Los Gigantes is visually dramatic, and you get long stretches of coastline framing the trip. A few reviews also mentioned extra wildlife surprises like turtles and flying fish, which are the kind of ocean moments that make the time feel richer.

Underwater glass windows: the best way to spot marine life

The Royal Delfin catamaran is purpose-built for viewing from multiple angles, with underwater glass viewing windows. This matters because dolphins and whales don’t always pop up right next to the boat. When they’re farther down, surface watching alone can feel a bit hit-or-miss.

With the glass windows, you can keep your eyes on the water column instead of just the horizon. Many reviewers specifically praised the glass/bottom-window viewing for making the sightings feel more real—people described that moment as getting their breath taken away.

Practical tip: bring your attention to the windows when you hear the crew talking about wildlife. Those announcements usually mean there’s something to track, not just random scanning.

Motion note: one review mentioned an extremely bumpy stretch on the outbound part of the trip. Ocean waves are common almost all the time on open water, and the operator response suggests they don’t cancel unless it’s really rough. If you’re sensitive to motion, this is a good argument for taking it seriously and packing accordingly (think: your usual motion-sickness plan).

What your onboard “included” package actually means

This tour is built around keeping you comfortable while you wait for wildlife to show. Your ticket includes a courtesy lunch plus a set of drinks and snacks on board.

Here’s what’s included:

• Lunch (small sandwich as a snack is also listed)
• Beer and sangria, plus soda/pop, juice, and water
• Restroom on board
• Snacks (small sandwich)
• Alcohol is limited to beer and sangria; liquor/whiskey/rum/vodka are not included
• Coffee or tea is not included

The lunch setup seems to be one of the most variable parts of the experience. Many reviews said lunch was tasty and served within the first hour. Other reviews were tougher—one person described canned meatballs with rice and salad and rated it poorly. My takeaway: go into it hungry, but don’t assume this is a gourmet meal. The real value is the time on the water plus the all-day drink access, not fine dining.

Another onboard plus: drinks. Several reviews called the drinks bottomless or readily available from entry to exit. That makes a difference on a longer cruise because you don’t feel stuck buying refreshments mid-sailing.

Also, listen to the music, but keep your expectations realistic. One review said the playlist was brilliant. Another said the music could be loud and might overwhelm. If you’re noise-sensitive, bring your own solution.

Masca Bay swim stop: the warm-water payoff

If you’re booking this tour for “sea day” energy, the Masca Bay swim stop is the payoff. After sailing along the coast, the cruise reaches the Masca Bay area where you stop for swimming in the warm water.

This is one of those rare parts where the tour gives you something active rather than just watching. Reviews consistently praised the swim location—people called it spectacular and said the swimming off the back of the boat was great.

A couple of points to keep in mind:

• You’re swimming in open sea conditions, so you’ll still need to respect water basics.
• You’re on a schedule. You’ll want to dress with a quick-change mindset and be ready when the boat stops.

One reviewer even mentioned snorkeling being “perfect” in the Los Gigantes area. Snorkeling gear isn’t listed as included, so treat that as optional, not guaranteed.

Wildlife watching reality: dolphins, whales, and the “some days” factor

This tour searches for cetaceans in their natural habitat. That’s the whole point—and also the biggest reason experiences can differ so much.

In the brighter scenarios, people reported many dolphin sightings, and some also reported pilot whales, plus a turtle and flying fish. A few reviews described multiple sightings, with dolphins approaching enough that the day felt unforgettable.

But wildlife isn’t cooperative. At least a couple of reviews reflected slower days—one said dolphins were limited and another said there were few animals and the sightings were far away. There’s also a complaint about other boats staying with animals, which can affect how close other vessels get.

So how do you get the best day out of it? Pick the right mindset:

• Expect the coastline and cliffs to be part of the fun even if cetaceans take a while.
• Be ready to shift your attention between surface and underwater windows.
• If dolphins show up, stay engaged. The crew usually adjusts the pace when action appears.

The good news: the glass windows help on the slow days. You can still see movement below the surface, which makes the “search” feel less like staring into nothing.

Price and value: is $72.29 fair for 4.5 hours?

At $72.29 per person, you’re paying for four things at once:

1. A purpose-built catamaran ride
2. Whale/dolphin searching in a targeted area (southwest Tenerife)
3. Underwater viewing access
4. Lunch and an alcohol-and-soft-drink setup

If the tour hits with lots of sightings, it feels like a strong deal because you get multiple experiences bundled: scenery, wildlife, and a proper onboard break. Reviews that loved the tour often said the drinks were readily available and sightings came repeatedly, which turns the cruise into a full experience rather than a “maybe we’ll see something” gamble.

If you land on a quieter wildlife day or end up with a crowded boat feel, the value can feel weaker. One review specifically called it commercial and criticized the food quality and how little ocean view there was in their case.

My honest take: this is good value if you want a relaxed half-day at sea with food and drinks included, and you can accept that wildlife sightings aren’t guaranteed. If you’re fixated on guaranteed whales/dolphins at close range, no whale-watching tour can truly promise that—so be sure this matches your tolerance for chance.

Who should book Royal Delfin (and who should think twice)

This tour makes sense for:

• People who want a half-day sailing plan without spending the whole day traveling
• First-time Tenerife visitors who want Los Gigantes scenery plus marine-life searching
• Couples and families comfortable with a boat ride and a swim stop
• Travelers who like structured comfort: restroom on board, lunch, and drinks included

It’s also nice for people who enjoy “look from multiple angles” experiences, since the underwater windows add a different way of seeing wildlife.

Think twice if:

• You’re very motion-sensitive and you tend to hate boat rides when seas are choppy (one review flagged a rough stretch)
• You’re the type who needs a consistently high wildlife count to enjoy the day (some days are quieter)
• You’re picky about food quality and want something more authentic than a standard onboard meal (reviews split here)

Practical tips to get the most from your afternoon cruise

Start time is 2:00 pm, so plan an easy late lunch or early snack before you meet. You’ll have lunch on board, but it’s still smart to avoid arriving starving.

Dress for a sea breeze. Even warm-weather days around Tenerife can feel cooler on a moving boat. Also, your swim stop means you’ll want a quick way to manage swimsuit-to-dry clothes.

If you care about views, don’t assume every seat is equal. Even without “best seat” instructions in the tour info, the core idea is to use the underwater windows when you’re not seeing action from the deck.

One more money-saving note: there’s mention of a camera operator and a montage/video you can purchase after the trip. If you like that kind of souvenir, consider it. If you don’t, know that you may see someone filming—so you can decide in advance if you’ll want the final product.

Should you book Royal Delfin?

Yes, I’d book it if you want a relaxed whale watching Tenerife half-day that includes more than just staring at water. The mix of targeted coastline cruising, underwater glass viewing, lunch, and a Masca Bay swim stop is a good package for most people.

I would skip it if you can’t handle variability—because wildlife sightings and how close they get can change day to day. It’s also worth going in with realistic expectations about lunch, since reviews range from tasty to not great.

If you’re flexible, a calmer mindset pays off here. When dolphins show up, the underwater windows make it feel like a real encounter, and the Masca Bay swim gives you a second highlight so your day isn’t dependent on perfect animal luck.

FAQ

Where does the Royal Delfin tour start?

It starts 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.

How long is the tour?

The duration is about 4 hours 30 minutes.

What’s included with the ticket?

Whale and dolphin watching, a swim stop in Masca Bay, lunch, beer and sangria, soft drinks (soda/pop, juice, water), and a small sandwich snack. There’s also a restroom on board.

Is coffee or tea included?

No. Coffee and/or tea are not included.

Do you get to swim in Masca Bay?

Yes. The itinerary includes a stop to swim in the warm waters of Masca Bay near Los Gigantes.

What if the weather is poor?

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

Can you cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

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