Dolphin & Whale Watching Tenerife: Small Sailboat, 3 Hours

Los Gigantes cliffs, dolphins in the water, snorkel stops in quiet coves

You sail a small sailboat off Los Gigantes with a local skipper, snorkel in protected coves with gear provided, and watch for dolphins and whales in their natural habitat. The group stays under ten people, snacks and drinks are on board, and the whole outing takes three hours: long enough to disconnect, short enough to fit the rest of your day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sail and spot marine wildlife

• Board small group sailboat
• Sail along Los Gigantes coast
• Spot dolphins and tropical calderones
• Snorkel in quiet coves
• Enjoy snacks and drinks onboard
• Listen to skipper's marine info

The experience

You step off the dock in Los Gigantes and the sailboat is already waiting: small enough that you recognize the skipper's face before you board, big enough that the three-hour crossing feels stable and real. The coast rises in front of you, those volcanic cliffs that give the place its name, and the boat points toward Teno Rural Park, one of the archipelago's protected zones where marine life congregates. Maximum ten people on deck means you are not crammed with a hundred others. You can actually hear the water and the skipper when he points out a pod moving past.

The sightings are not guaranteed, but the odds are high: dolphins show up most days, sometimes calderones, sometimes whales if you time it right. You will spend time in quiet coves where the water is calm enough to snorkel. Equipment is on board, so you do not pack your own. The skipper is local, knows the routes and the animals, and talks through what you are seeing without turning it into a lecture. Between the stops, there are snacks and drinks, nothing fancy, just enough to keep you comfortable while you sit on deck and let the Canary Islands do their thing.

The whole rhythm of it (the sail, the stops, the snorkeling, the return) fits into three hours, which means you can book this and still have the rest of your day in Tenerife. It is built around relaxing and disconnecting, not rushing. The boat is a sailboat, not a speedboat, so the pace is slower, the engine is quieter, and the whole thing feels less like a tour and more like you borrowed a friend's boat for the morning.

What’s included

Your three hours include an experienced local skipper, snorkeling equipment and safety gear on board, snacks and drinks during the crossing, and time in quiet coves to swim or snorkel. The boat carries a maximum of ten people, keeping the group small and the atmosphere relaxed.

Before you book

Days and timesDaily · 10:00, 13:00 and 16:00

Ages12 to 85 years · 3 to 11 years · Under 3 — No ticket type: can't be added to a booking

Meeting point and pickupNo pickup · ends where it startsMeeting point, per the operator: “You will find us on our sailboat inside the marina. We recommend arriving 15 minutes before departure.”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by MPC Yacht Charter

Is this one for you?A good fit if you want to see marine life off Tenerife without the crowds of a big-group boat tour: the small size and protected route are what make close sightings possible. Plan for a morning or afternoon out. The three-hour window is short enough to pair with other plans, long enough to disconnect and snorkel.

Traveler reviews

4.77★★★★★★★★★★

292 verified traveler reviews

5 ★250

4 ★28

3 ★7

2 ★3

1 ★4

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

3 to 11 years. Under 3: no ticket type, they can't be added to a booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

What is the chance of seeing dolphins or whales?

High probability: the route runs through a Special Area of Conservation where cetaceans are regularly sighted. Sightings are not guaranteed, but dolphins appear most days.

How many people go on the sailboat?

Maximum 10 people per departure, keeping the group small and intimate.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling gear and safety equipment are provided on board. You do not need to bring your own.

How long is the tour?

Three hours total, including sailing, snorkeling stops in quiet coves, and time on deck.

Are snacks and drinks provided?

Yes. Snacks and drinks are served on board during the crossing.

What if we do not see any dolphins?

While sightings are highly probable in this protected zone, they are not guaranteed. The skipper will still share information about the marine fauna and geography of the area.

Do I need swimming or snorkeling experience?

No. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. Snorkeling happens in calm, shallow coves, and equipment instruction is provided.