Royal Delfin – 4’5H Dolphin & Whale Watching – Los Gigantes Masca – Lunch & Swim

The most memorable part of this Tenerife boat trip is the route itself: you cruise from Puerto Colón toward the towering cliffs of Los Gigantes while looking for whales and dolphins in open water. The underwater viewing windows add a second way to watch, though animals decide where they swim, not the boat.

I like the generous four-and-a-half-hour schedule and the stop in Masca Bay, where you can swim beneath the cliffs. I also like that lunch, snacks, water, soft drinks, beer, and sangria are included. The main catch is the size of the catamaran. It can carry up to 200 people, so the atmosphere may feel lively rather than peaceful.

Key points to know before you book

• Los Gigantes gives the trip its big visual payoff, with dramatic cliffs rising beside Masca Bay.
• Whale and dolphin sightings are possible, not guaranteed, and some outings see more animals than others.
• The underwater viewing windows are a real bonus, especially when cetaceans pass close to the boat.
• Lunch, drinks, and a small snack are included, with beer and sangria available alongside soft drinks, juice, and water.
• The swim stop adds a welcome change of pace, but sea conditions can make the ride bumpy.
• The catamaran may be crowded, particularly when the boat is near its 200-person limit.

From Puerto Colón to Tenerife’s whale-watching waters

The Royal Delfin leaves at 2:00 pm from the listed meeting point at Av. de Colón, 11, in Playa de las Américas. The boat operates from Puerto Colón, so check your confirmation carefully and allow time to reach the marina without rushing.

The route follows Tenerife’s southwest coast from Costa Adeje and Playa de las Américas toward Los Gigantes. This stretch of coast is one of the island’s best-known areas for spotting cetaceans, including pilot whales and dolphins. You may also see flying fish, and one outing recorded a turtle as well.

The boat is purpose-built for sightseeing. You can watch from the open decks, look toward the water from the sides, or use the underwater glass viewing areas. These windows are one of the trip’s more unusual features. They can give you a different view when animals pass beneath the vessel, but they are not a guarantee of close sightings.

That point matters. Wildlife is free to move away, remain distant, or appear only briefly. Some departures report repeated dolphin sightings and several pilot whales, while others see animals only twice or from a distance. Small private boats can also gather around the same wildlife, making close observation harder.

I would book this as a coastal cruise with wildlife watching, not as a guaranteed dolphin show. That mindset will help you enjoy the cliffs, sea air, and time on the water even if the animals keep their distance.

The Royal Delfin catamaran and the question of space

The catamaran has toilets on board, which is useful during a four-and-a-half-hour outing. The vessel is large enough to carry a maximum of 200 people, and that capacity shapes the experience.

A full boat can create a friendly holiday mood. Music plays during the ride, and the crew serves drinks throughout the trip. Several outings have been praised for their relaxed atmosphere, helpful staff, and good service. If you like meeting people and do not mind sharing the deck, the crowd may add energy.

If you want quiet wildlife watching, the size may frustrate you. Some areas can feel busy, especially around the best viewing positions, the food service, and the swim platform. Loud music has also been a drawback for some people.

Try to move around the boat instead of staying in one spot. The open deck, side rails, and underwater viewing rooms each offer a different angle. You may not see an animal from the glass windows, but another passenger might spot movement from the upper deck a moment later.

The ride can also be bumpy. Conditions vary, and the boat may encounter noticeable waves during the first part of the route. If you are prone to seasickness, bring whatever remedy you normally use and keep your expectations realistic. The operator cancels when conditions are very rough, but ordinary ocean movement is part of the trip.

Watching dolphins and pilot whales in the open sea

The wildlife portion has no fixed script. The crew searches for dolphins and whales, then slows the boat when animals appear. Sightings can include pilot whales, dolphins, and occasionally other marine life such as flying fish or turtles.

Pilot whales are a particular possibility in these waters. You might see several animals traveling together, or you might catch only a distant glimpse. Dolphins can be more active around boats, but their behavior still varies from day to day.

The underwater windows are most useful when an animal comes near the lower part of the catamaran. One outing produced striking views through the glass rooms, while another saw dolphins only at the surface and not below the boat. That is not a flaw in the viewing system. It is simply the unpredictable nature of wild animals.

The crew’s approach is to move slowly when dolphins come close. That is good for observation and gives you a better chance to watch natural behavior instead of a forced performance. You should also expect other boats in the area, particularly private yachts and smaller sailing boats.

Bring patience. The most rewarding moments may last only a few seconds, so keep watching rather than relying on a single viewing area. If you are taking photographs, a phone or camera with a fast response is more useful than trying to set up elaborate equipment while the boat is moving.

Los Gigantes and the Masca Bay stop

The route toward Los Gigantes is the visual heart of the outing. The cliffs are imposing from the sea, and seeing them from a catamaran gives you a sense of their scale that is hard to get from land.

The boat continues toward Masca Bay, where it stops for swimming. This is not just a quick photo pause. The schedule allows time to get into the water, relax, and enjoy the setting around the cliffs.

The bay can be a highlight even on a day with limited wildlife. The water may feel warm, and the stop breaks up the long sailing portion. If you prefer to stay dry, you can remain on board and enjoy the view, lunch, or a drink instead.

Conditions in the bay can affect the swim. The sea may be calm enough for an easy dip, but you should follow the crew’s instructions and use care when entering or leaving the water. The supplied information does not promise snorkeling equipment or organized snorkeling, so treat this as a swimming stop rather than a full snorkel excursion.

The contrast between the open-water ride and the sheltered bay works well. You begin with wildlife searching, then shift to scenery, food, and time in the sea. That variety is one reason the longer trip can feel worthwhile.

What you actually get for $72.29

At $72.29 per person, the price is fair if you value a long boat outing with food, drinks, wildlife watching, and a swim stop in one package. You are paying for more than a short coastal cruise, but the value depends heavily on your expectations about the animals.

Included drinks are a strong part of the deal. You receive water, juice, soft drinks, beer, and sangria. Drinks are served throughout the trip, and the all-in setup means you do not need to keep buying refreshments on board.

There is also a small sandwich or snack during the outing, followed by lunch. The listed lunch includes rice, meatballs, and salad. Food quality appears to be uneven in perception. Some people find it tasty and sufficient, while others consider it basic and not especially local.

I would describe the meal as practical boat-trip food, not a Tenerife dining experience. It gives you something filling during a long afternoon at sea, but you should not book this trip for regional cuisine. Coffee and tea are not included, and premium spirits such as whiskey, rum, and vodka are also excluded.

Parking fees are not included either. The activity ends back at the starting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate return transfer from Los Gigantes. That makes the trip simpler than a land excursion that combines several distant stops.

Lunch, drinks, and the pace of the afternoon

The timing allows the crew to serve food without rushing everyone through the meal. One account describes lunch arriving within the first hour, while other outings may organize the service around the sailing and wildlife search.

The complimentary meal is useful because the trip begins at 2:00 pm and ends around four and a half hours later. You may want a proper meal before boarding if you have dietary needs, since the supplied information confirms a standard menu but does not list vegetarian, vegan, or allergy-friendly alternatives.

The snack is described as a small sandwich. Salami has been used, and a vegetarian alternative is not confirmed. If that matters to you, bring something suitable rather than relying on the included snack.

The drinks make the experience feel casual. Beer and sangria are available, along with nonalcoholic choices. Alcohol can make a sunny boat ride feel more relaxing, but pace yourself. You are still on a moving vessel, and the sea may be rough.

Music is part of the atmosphere. Some people enjoy the playlist and say it adds to the good mood. Others find it too loud. If you want to listen to the sea and guide commentary, choose a position away from the speakers when possible.

How the trip suits families and different types of visitors

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The combination of scenery, food, swimming, and wildlife gives families several ways to enjoy the afternoon, even if one activity does not work for everyone.

Children may enjoy the dolphins, flying fish, and swim stop. Parents should note that the schedule is long and the boat can be busy. The supplied information does not describe a dedicated children’s program, so this is a general catamaran trip rather than a special family cruise.

The outing suits couples and groups who want a social day on the water. It also works for visitors who prefer a single organized experience that includes refreshments and a return to the same marina.

It is less suitable if your main goal is a guaranteed close-up encounter with dolphins. It may also disappoint you if you expect a quiet sailing trip, a small private boat, or a refined lunch.

The tour is offered in English. The crew has also been described as speaking several languages, but English is the confirmed language for the activity. Public transportation is nearby, which may be useful if you do not have a car.

Booking timing, cancellation, and practical details

The trip is often booked around 11 days ahead, so reserving in advance is sensible during busy periods. Confirmation normally arrives when you book, though reservations made within 12 hours of departure are confirmed as soon as possible and depend on availability.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 2:00 pm start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

Weather matters. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. If the minimum number of passengers is not reached, the same choice applies. The cancellation cut-off follows local Tenerife time.

Wear practical clothes and shoes for a boat, and bring protection from the sun. A light layer may help if the wind picks up. If you plan to swim, pack a towel and a dry change of clothes, as those items are not listed as included.

Should you book the Royal Delfin?

I would book this trip if you want a full afternoon on the sea with Los Gigantes, a swim in Masca Bay, included drinks, and a real chance of seeing dolphins or pilot whales. The cliffs and bay provide dependable scenery, while the animals add an exciting but uncertain element.

I would skip it if you want a small, quiet boat, a gourmet lunch, or a guaranteed close encounter. The maximum capacity of 200 people, occasional loud music, basic meal, and variable wildlife sightings are important trade-offs.

For most visitors, the best way to judge the $72.29 price is to count the whole package: four and a half hours, transport by catamaran, whale and dolphin watching, food, drinks, and a swim stop. It is good value when you treat it as a varied coastal outing rather than a single-purpose dolphin chase.

FAQ

Where does the Royal Delfin tour start?

The listed meeting point is Av. de Colón, 11, 38660 Playa de las Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain. The boat operates from Puerto Colón.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 2:00 pm.

How long does the boat trip last?

The trip lasts approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes and returns to the original meeting point.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. The trip includes lunch, a small sandwich snack, water, juice, soft drinks, beer, and sangria. Coffee, tea, and premium spirits such as whiskey, rum, and vodka are not included.

Is swimming included?

Yes. The catamaran stops in Masca Bay near Los Gigantes for swimming.

Will I definitely see dolphins or whales?

No. The trip searches for cetaceans in their natural environment, but sightings and viewing distance vary. Dolphins, pilot whales, flying fish, and occasional other marine life may be seen.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded. Poor weather or an insufficient number of passengers may result in another date or a full refund.