4’5-hour Royal Dolphin and Whale Watching Excursion in Tenerife

Sea air can make or break this trip. Still, the Tenerife marine life setup is a smart, efficient half-day outing. You’ll cruise the southwest coast on a glass-bottomed catamaran, then scan for whales and dolphins from the deck (with live underwater TV if you want another way to look).

I like that the schedule feels tightly packed for 4 hours 30 minutes, and you get real time at Masca Bay for views and a swim stop, not just a quick pass. The drawback: if you’re prone to motion sickness, this one can be rough, with some people reporting extreme sea sickness on the Royal Delfin.

Key takeaways before you go

• Glass-bottomed viewing plus live underwater TV gives you two ways to spot marine life
• Los Gigantes area search keeps the cruise focused on whales and dolphins
• Masca Bay swim stop and lunch included makes the time feel worth the price
• Drinks are included (beer, sangria, juices, water) during the trip
• Max 95 travelers keeps the boat from feeling like a total stampede
• Sea sickness risk is real if you’re sensitive to catamaran motion

A tight, whale-and-dolphin-focused half day in Tenerife

This is a “get out there, look for marine life, and be back before your evening plans” kind of tour. The duration is about 4 hours 30 minutes, which matters in Tenerife because you can stack it with beach time, dinner plans, or another activity without losing half a day to commuting.

The price of $76.89 per person also has some useful built-in value: you’re not just paying for the cruise. You get the Masca Bay lunch, drinks, a swim stop, and the usual port fees and insurance included. For many people, that’s what turns a sightseeing outing into an actual day plan.

Puerto Colón boarding at the Royal Delfin Catamaran

The start point is right where most people want to be for a boat trip: Royal Delfin Catamaran, Calle Colon, Pantalán 12, Puerto Colón. The end is back at the same meeting point, so you’re not scrambling to figure out transport later.

One detail to watch: the activity description mentions hotel pickup and drop-off as a convenience feature, but the provided information also lists pick-up service as not included. So plan to get yourself to Puerto Colón. If you’re staying nearby in the Playa de las Américas area, it can still be an easy hop.

Also, the boarding time at Stop 1 is listed as 15 minutes, with the admission ticket included. That’s short. Aim to arrive early, get checked in, and you’ll avoid the common boat-trips stress spiral.

Sailing toward Los Gigantes: the whale and dolphin search

Once you’re aboard, the focus becomes the southwest coast. Your sailing leg heads toward the Cliffs of Los Gigantes, while the crew looks for whales and dolphins from the catamaran.

This is where the boat style helps. The cruise is glass-bottomed, so you can look down while you’re moving. If you prefer not to crane your neck or you want a second angle, there’s also live underwater television. That combo is practical because marine sightings can be unpredictable. You still have something to do besides stare at the horizon hoping for a miracle.

Expect the experience to feel like a moving lookout. You’ll spend time on the deck scanning for dolphins and whales, and if visibility or conditions aren’t ideal, the underwater TV gives you a fallback way to stay engaged.

Masca Bay stop: anchor time, views, and a real swim

Then comes the part you’ll probably remember most: Playa de Masca. You drop anchor in Masca Bay, with about 1 hour 30 minutes there.

What’s nice is that Masca Bay isn’t treated like a quick photo break. You get time for the cliff views from the water and a chance to cool off. The tour includes a swim stop, which is the easiest way to turn a catamaran ride into a “yes, I actually did something” day.

There’s also lunch here, and it’s included. The tour notes that they offer alternative menus for vegetarians or coeliacs, which is a big deal if you have food needs and don’t want to rely on finding something on shore.

The included lunch and drinks plan (and what to do with it)

In Masca Bay, lunch is included, and the trip includes drinks throughout: beer, sangria, juices, and water. That means you’re not hunting for cash-only drinks while you’re already thinking about sightings and swim time.

Here’s the balanced bit. One review rated the food as average, even while praising the friendly staff. That lines up with what you might expect from a included-meal setup on a short marine tour: it’s designed to keep you fueled, not to win a food award.

My practical advice: treat lunch like fuel. If you want the best experience overall, eat what’s provided, but don’t plan your whole day around it. And if you’re at all motion-sensitive, be cautious with alcohol. Drinks are included, but you can still choose water or juice most of the time.

How to use the glass-bottom and underwater TV for better sightings

You’ll get the most out of this tour if you think like a marine spotter, not just a passenger. Here’s how I’d play it.

First, rotate your attention. Spend some time on deck scanning outward for dolphin movement and whale spouts. Then shift down to the glass-bottomed viewing when the crew is repositioning the boat. That way you’re using the glass for what it’s best at, and you’re not missing the bigger picture above the water.

Second, use the live underwater television when surface sightings are slow. Even if you’re not seeing something immediately, it keeps you engaged and helps you understand what marine activity might look like underwater. It’s also useful if wind or sea spray makes deck viewing less comfortable.

Finally, give the crew your patience. When you’re searching the Los Gigantes area, conditions matter. People who do well on these trips tend to stay flexible, keep looking, and enjoy the cruise atmosphere even when the whales and dolphins are being shy.

Sea sickness caution: the Royal Delfin can be intense

This is the big one. At least one review described extreme sea sickness on the Royal Delfin, with severe nausea and vomiting that turned the tour into a hard experience. Another review also noted food was average, but the standout issue there was clearly motion sickness.

So here’s the honest takeaway for your planning: if you’ve had trouble on catamarans before, don’t ignore it.

Practical steps that help on any boat situation:

• Choose the spot on the boat where the motion feels least intense. (People often do better toward the middle of a vessel.)
• Look at the horizon instead of your phone or the floor.
• Keep sipping water, especially if you tend to get nauseous when the air feels thick.
• Consider bringing motion sickness medication in advance, and use it exactly as directed on the label.

And if you’re the type who gets queasy easily, you might want to think twice before booking. This tour is short, but it can still feel long if your body disagrees with the sea.

Staff, languages, and the vibe onboard

The overall tone from the reviews is friendly and professional. One positive note called out multilingual guidance, including Dutch, and the boat itself was described as roomy with good seats.

Even though the tour is offered in English, this kind of multilingual support can make a difference when you’re trying to understand what you’re seeing. If marine life spotters are explaining positioning, that extra clarity helps you enjoy the time instead of guessing.

With a maximum of 95 travelers, the group size is large enough that you’ll have company, but small enough that it shouldn’t feel like a cattle car. The key is to manage your expectations: it’s a nature search on open water, not a guarantee of whales.

Lunch timing and the value of the included swim stop

A lot of boat trips feel like they’re built around transit, with the “best part” happening for 15 minutes. This one gives you a longer Masca Bay window, plus lunch and a swim stop.

That combination changes the math of the outing. You’re not just paying to be transported while scanning for whales. You get:

• cruise time toward Los Gigantes
• anchor time in Masca Bay
• about 1.5 hours there
• lunch plus drinks
• an included water break

It’s a more complete half-day. If you want marine life plus a physical “relief moment” from the sun and heat, the swim stop is a real part of the value.

Who this tour suits best (and who should skip it)

This excursion fits you if:

• you want a focused marine-life cruise on Tenerife’s southwest coast
• you like the idea of glass-bottom viewing and the underwater TV option
• you value included meals and drinks so you can stay in “tour mode” for the day
• you can handle boat motion without fear

You should think twice before booking if:

• you’re prone to sea sickness or you’ve had severe reactions on catamarans
• you expect a gourmet meal, because at least one review described the food as only average

It’s also a solid choice if you’re tight on time. At around 4.5 hours, it works as a plan for the day you want to see marine life without losing your whole afternoon.

Should you book the Royal Dolphin and Whale Watching excursion?

I’d book this if your top priority is whales and dolphins plus a practical half-day structure, with included lunch and drinks, and you’re comfortable with the idea of scanning the water for marine life rather than getting a guaranteed sighting.

I would not book it if you know you get severely motion sick. One bad experience is enough to ruin a trip, and the Royal Delfin reviews include a strong caution on that point. If you’re on the edge, consider taking motion sickness precautions seriously or choosing a calmer alternative.

If you do book, go in with the right mindset: enjoy the cruise toward Los Gigantes, use the glass-bottom and underwater TV when needed, then take advantage of the Masca Bay time for lunch and the swim stop.

FAQ

How long is the Royal Dolphin and Whale Watching excursion?

It runs for about 4 hours 30 minutes (approximately).

How much does it cost?

The price listed is $76.89 per person.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included in Masca Bay, with alternative menus for vegetarians or coeliacs.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Drinks included throughout the trip are beer, sangria, juices, and water.

Where do I meet the tour?

The meeting point is Royal Delfin Catamaran, Calle Colon, Pantalán 12, Puerto Colón, 38660 Playa de las Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

Is pick-up service included?

No. Pick-up service is listed as not included.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it is offered in English.

What is the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation is available. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Cancellation within 24 hours is not refunded.