Dolphin watching in Los Gigantes: practical guide Tenerife

Planning your trip to Tenerife and dreaming of seeing dolphins at sea? Los Gigantes, on the west coast, is one of the best spots on the island for dolphin watching in Tenerife. The impressive cliffs and deep waters right alongside create an ideal environment for these animals.

Every year, thousands of visitors take boat trips from this area. With a high success rate thanks to resident populations, you have very good chances of spotting them.

Species you can see

At Los Gigantes, you mainly encounter three types of dolphin:

• The bottlenose dolphin: the most common. Recognisable by its grey back and playful behaviour. It often jumps out of the water and swims near boats.
• The spotted dolphin: rarer and migratory. It appears mainly in autumn or winter in large groups.
• Risso's dolphin: more discreet, with skin often marked with scars.

You also regularly see pilot whales (globicephalids), often confused with dolphins. They are larger (up to 6-7 metres), live in very stable pods and stay longer at the surface. Unlike dolphins, they are less acrobatic.

Tenerife's waters host up to twenty species of cetaceans depending on the season, but these four dominate departures from Los Gigantes.

The Los Gigantes marine reserve

The area off Los Gigantes is part of the protected marine strip Teno-Rasca (ZEC Teno-Rasca). This zone has conservation status that protects cetaceans and their habitat.

Why here? The continental shelf drops very quickly to great depth (the famous underwater barranco). Currents bring a large quantity of nutrients, which attract fish and squid — the dietary staple of dolphins and pilot whales.

This richness makes Los Gigantes a unique location for responsible wildlife watching. Local operators follow codes of conduct to avoid disturbing the animals (no chasing, distance respected).

How to organise the excursion

Departures are mainly from the port of Los Gigantes or Santiago del Teide. Excursions generally last 2 to 3 hours.

You will find options by motorboat or sailing boat. Sailing boats offer a calmer and quieter crossing, ideal for observing without stressing the animals.

Approximate price: expect between €15 and €35 per adult depending on the duration and type of boat. Children often benefit from reduced rates.

Book online or directly on site. Opt for small boats (fewer than 20-30 people) for a more intimate experience.

Best time and practical tips

You can do this activity all year round. Resident populations of bottlenose dolphins and pilot whales ensure good regularity.

• Spring and autumn: often the best combination (calmer sea + more chances of seeing migratory species like spotted dolphins).
• Summer: very calm sea, perfect for families.
• Winter: more swell possible, but sometimes more diversity.

Practical tips:

• Take the first morning departure: flatter sea, more active animals.
• Bring water, sunscreen, sunglasses and a windbreaker (even in summer).
• For children: perfectly suitable from 4-5 years old. Choose a stable boat.
• Seasickness: avoid large meals beforehand, stay in the centre of the boat and look at the horizon.
• Camera or phone: use burst mode to capture the jumps.

Always follow the guide's instructions: no flash, no shouting, no rubbish in the sea.

Difference with whale watching

Many people confuse the two activities. They often take place in the same area and sometimes on the same boats, but the experience differs:

• Dolphins: more dynamic and acrobatic, they willingly approach boats and play in the waves.
• Pilot whales: calmer observation. They regularly surface to breathe and stay in a compact group.

On the same trip, you often see both. "Dolphin and whale" excursions combine both without strict distinction. To find out everything about pilot whales, read our complete guide to whale watching at Los Gigantes.

Ready for the experience?

Watching dolphins move freely in the Atlantic Ocean is one of the highlights of any stay in Tenerife. Los Gigantes offers the perfect setting: towering cliffs on one side, cetaceans on the other.

Before you go, check the dolphin watching practical guide in the app for real-time information.

Download TenerifePulse, your essential island guide app. You will find all the viewpoints, hikes and practical info to organise your stay around this unforgettable outing.