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

Whales and dolphins on a catamaran with glass. The Royal Delfin tour gives you a shot at cetaceans in the wild, plus real comfort on a purpose-built boat with underwater viewing windows. You also get a swim stop in Masca Bay, and lunch plus drinks are served on-board while you are still out at sea.

I like that it is built for a half-day rhythm, not a full-day slog, so you can enjoy the coastline and the ocean without feeling rushed. One thing to keep your expectations flexible: sightings are never guaranteed, and on some days the animals can be fewer or farther from the bottom-views section, and sea conditions can affect how smooth the ride feels.

Key things to know

• Underwater glass windows make whale and dolphin spotting more interesting than just scanning the surface
• Masca Bay swim stop gives you a warm-water break off the back of the boat
• Lunch and beer and sangria are included, served early enough that you are not eating in a rush
• It is a popular tour with up to 200 people, so it can feel busy on-board
• Weather matters because this is an ocean activity and the boat needs workable conditions

Royal Delfin Catamaran: Why This One Feels Different on Tenerife

Tenerife’s south coast is famous for big views, but this tour adds a practical twist: you are not only looking at the horizon. The catamaran has underwater glass viewing windows, so you can spot dolphins and whales from below when the action comes closer to the hull. That changes the vibe from sightseeing to actually feeling like you are part of the moment.

I also like that the trip is structured around Tenerife’s southwest coastline, with time allocated for cetacean searching before you reach the Masca Bay area. You are not just cruising for the scenery and hoping for the best. You are in the right waters for long enough to give wildlife a chance to show up.

One more comfort note that matters in real life: there are restrooms on board, and the tour includes basic snacks, soft drinks, juice, and water in addition to the alcoholic drinks. That means fewer interruptions when you are busy scanning for fins and tails.

The 2:00 pm Start, the Coastal Route, and What It Means for Your Day

The Royal Delfin experience runs about 4.5 hours total, starting at 2:00 pm and returning to the same meeting point. You meet at Av. de Colón, 11, in Playa de la Américas (near Puerto Colón). This timing is handy if you are doing other morning plans, or if you want a late-day ocean activity before dinner.

Your boat sails along the southwest coast from the Costa Adeje area toward the Los Gigantes cliffs, searching for whales and dolphins in their natural habitat. Then the route continues along the coast toward Masca Bay, where the swim and lunch moments happen.

This itinerary matters because it keeps the energy up. Many people start whale watching expecting long stretches of nothing, but this tour gives you multiple ways to stay engaged: surface scanning while you travel, underwater viewing when conditions line up, and then a proper break with swimming and food.

Cetacean Spotting With Underwater Windows: How You Get the Best Odds

You are paying for two things here: the chance to see whales and dolphins, and the chance to see them in a way that feels real. The underwater glass windows are the difference-maker. When dolphins cruise close, you can watch from below instead of constantly shifting your neck up and down.

From what you should expect, there is a lot of animal searching time built in along the coast. The crew is focused on cetacean observation, and the boat moves at a pace that gives people chances to get eyes on the action. When people are happy with this tour, the underwater views and repeated sightings are usually the reason.

There is also the human side of it. Several experiences describe a friendly, mission-focused crew who keep things upbeat and help passengers enjoy the day. That matters because whale watching is partly luck, and the crew can at least make the waiting feel like part of the experience rather than dead time.

Now, the reality check. Some days you will get fewer sightings, and sometimes the animals are not close enough to the underwater window zone for everyone to see them clearly. So if your main fantasy is dolphins right under the glass every minute, you should book with the understanding that wildlife decides the script.

Los Gigantes Views: The Scenery That Does the Heavy Lifting

Even if you came only for whales and dolphins, the Los Gigantes cliffs area is the kind of backdrop that makes the boat ride worth it. The tour sails the coast in the direction of these dramatic cliffs, so you get that classic Tenerife south-coast look while you are waiting for cetaceans.

This is where I think the value shows. When wildlife is cooperative, the cliffs are the stage that makes the sightings feel bigger. When wildlife is quieter, you still get impressive coastline views and a real ocean outing, not a small tour that feels like it never really left the harbor.

One small planning tip: you will probably spend time on both the upper deck and inside the boat where the underwater viewing is located. That is not just for comfort. It increases your chances of catching something, because sightings can shift quickly.

Masca Bay Swim Stop: Warm Water, Simple Fun

The tour includes a swim stop in the Masca Bay area at Los Gigantes. This is not a long snorkeling lesson or a complicated gear setup. It is a straight, accessible swim off the boat, and it is described as a highlight by many people.

What makes Masca Bay special for this kind of trip is the combination of warm water and the enclosed feeling of a bay. Reviews consistently mention that the swimming spot was chosen well. That means fewer problems with rough conditions compared to more open-water swim plans you sometimes see on other tours.

In plain terms: you get to turn from watching into doing. After hours of scanning, the swim gives your body a break, and it makes the tour feel like more than just sitting on a boat with a camera.

If you get seasick easily, do not panic, but do pay attention to conditions on the day. A few reports mention the ride can get bumpy at times, and that is tied to normal ocean movement. Bring motion-sickness help if you know you need it.

Lunch and Drinks on Board: Real Value for a 4.5-hour Tour

For this tour price, what you get on-board is a big part of the appeal. Included items are lunch, beer and sangria, soft drinks, juice, and water, plus a small snack (like a sandwich). Coffee and tea are not included.

Timing is also part of the value. People describe lunch as being served within the first hour of the trip, which is exactly what you want on a sea day. You do not want to wait until the end when you are tired, or when the wildlife might finally show up.

Quality is where opinions split. Some people say the food was tasty and a satisfying meal at sea. Others describe the lunch as more basic, including mentions like meatballs and rice, and even criticism that it felt canned or not very authentic. The safe expectation is that this is practical boat food, not a gourmet Tenerife restaurant.

Still, even with that caveat, the included drinks and the fact that you can eat while continuing to enjoy the ocean make it good value. This is not you hauling lunch yourself, and it is not you buying a drink every time you want one. It is simply built into the experience.

One more practical detail: some reviews mention a small sandwich as a snack during the route, and drinks available throughout. That helps if you are the type who likes to graze while sightseeing.

On-Board Experience: Crowd Levels, Music, and Comfort Tradeoffs

This tour has a maximum of 200 travelers, and it can feel busy when lots of people are on the catamaran at once. Some people say the vibe was fun and social, while others mention the boat was full and sometimes felt overbooked or crowded.

That has consequences. In a crowded boat, you might need to move around to find the best view at different times. If you are aiming for the underwater windows, you will want to get there when you hear people notice something, not later when the best sightlines are taken.

Music is another surprise variable. Multiple reviews mention the playlist as brilliant and fun, but at least one person warns it can be loud and might feel like too much for some passengers. If you are sensitive to noise, bring earplugs.

On the comfort side, reviews often highlight friendly staffing and a well-organized experience. So even when it is busy, the crew seems ready to keep things moving and help people enjoy their day.

Price and Value: Is $72.29 Worth It?

At about $72.29 per person, the deal is mostly about bundling. You are paying for: the catamaran ride, the cetacean search time, the underwater viewing option, a Masca Bay swim stop, and an included lunch with drinks. If you would otherwise pay separately for a boat trip plus food plus drinks, the math tends to work out.

Also, this price point is a “mid-range fun day” category. It is not a private charter. So you should expect a shared experience and the occasional tradeoff, like crowding or food that leans practical rather than local and fancy.

What makes it good value to me is that the tour gives you multiple ways to enjoy the trip even when wildlife sightings vary: scenery around Los Gigantes, underwater viewing windows, swimming, and the included meal. That reduces the risk of spending your afternoon mostly bored.

Who This Tour Suits Best (And Who Might Prefer Another Option)

This is a great match if you:

• Want a Tenerife dolphin and whale watching tour without skipping the fun parts like swimming and lunch
• Like the idea of underwater viewing windows and not just watching from the deck
• Travel with friends or family and enjoy a shared, social boat experience

It might not be the best fit if you:

• Only care about guaranteed, close-up whale or dolphin encounters every time
• Get bothered by crowds and prefer quieter tours
• Are very sensitive to noise and do not want loud music on a boat

For people who mainly want an animal-focused experience with the fewest extras, shorter or different-duration options might fit better. But for a balanced half-day with activity, food, and scenery, this one hits a lot of boxes.

Should You Book Royal Delfin for Tenerife Whale Watching?

I would book this if you want an all-in sea day that gives you more than one chance to enjoy the ocean. The underwater windows plus a real swim stop make it feel like a full experience, not just a slow boat ride.

I would think twice if your plan depends on perfect wildlife timing. This is nature. Some days are amazing, with repeated sightings, and other days can be quieter or animals can stay farther out. If you can handle that uncertainty, you will likely appreciate the sightseeing and the included lunch and drinks.

If you do go, bring the right mindset. Be ready to scan from multiple angles, go inside when you can, and catch the crew’s attention if they point out activity. And if you are prone to motion sickness, take precautions before you board.

FAQ

How long is the Royal Delfin dolphin and whale watching tour?

It lasts about 4 hours 30 minutes.

What time does the tour start, and where do I meet?

The start time is 2:00 pm. You meet at Av. de Colón, 11, 38660 Playa de la Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

What is included with the ticket?

The ticket includes whale and dolphin watching, a swimming stop in Masca Bay at Los Gigantes, lunch, beer and sangria, soft drinks like soda, juice, and water, and a small snack. Restrooms are on board.

What drinks are included and what is not?

Included drinks are beer and sangria, plus soda/pop soft drinks, juice, and water. Coffee and/or tea are not included. Liquor, whiskey, rum, and vodka are not included.

Is there a swim stop?

Yes. The tour includes a swim stop in the warm waters of Masca Bay.

Does the tour run in all weather?

This activity requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.