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

Dolphins and whales, with cliffs on the side. This glass-bottomed catamaran cruise along Tenerife’s south coast gives you two ways to spot marine life: from the boat deck and via live underwater television.

What I really like is the way the Masca stop is built for comfort, not just sightseeing. You’ll get lunch in Masca Bay (with vegetarian and coeliac alternatives) plus drinks like beer, sangria, juices, and water throughout the trip. One big consideration: this specific Royal Dolphin setup is tied to serious sea-sickness reports, so if you’re even a little motion-sick on boats, plan for that before you go.

Key things to know before you sail

• Two marine-life viewing options: deck spotting plus live underwater TV
• Los Gigantes focus: cruising toward the cliffs of Los Gigantes while searching for whales and dolphins
• Masca Bay has real time: about 1 hour 30 minutes anchored, with a swim stop
• Food and drinks are part of the value: lunch plus beer, sangria, juices, and water
• Limited group size: maximum 95 travelers, which helps keep it feeling manageable

Royal Delfin catamaran: the experience vibe on the water

This excursion is designed like a classic coastal cruise with a wildlife goal. You’ll start in Puerto Colón and spend about 4 hours 30 minutes on the water (approx.), mixing sailing time with one longer break at Masca Bay.

The boat matters here. It’s roomy enough for a smooth day, and you can watch for marine life both from where you sit and from the viewing features like the glass-bottom design and the live underwater TV. That combo is especially helpful if you’re not sure you’ll be lucky with sightings, because you’re not limited to just scanning the surface.

There’s also a practical feel to the day: the plan includes lunch and drinks, so you’re not scrambling for food while everyone else is focused on the sea. Still, with that many hours at sea, your biggest make-or-break factor is how your body handles motion.

Puerto Colón boarding and the Los Gigantes whale-dolphin search

You board in Puerto Colón at the Royal Delfin Catamaran at Calle Colon, Pantalán 12, Puerto Colón. Boarding time is short—about 15 minutes—so it runs like a proper tour departure rather than a slow hangout.

From there, the route turns toward the Cliffs of Los Gigantes along Tenerife’s southwest coast. The goal is to search for whales and dolphins from the catamaran while you cruise past dramatic coastline views.

The value in this part isn’t only the animals. It’s that you’re seeing Tenerife from the water while the crew is actively looking. When wildlife tours work, it’s because the scanning and timing are built into the sailing—not because everyone randomly stares for hours and hopes.

One small note to keep expectations realistic: wildlife sightings can’t be guaranteed. What you can control is how ready you are to handle the motion and how prepared you are to be watching and listening for what the crew points out during the cruise.

Masca Bay time: lunch, a swim stop, and cliff views

Masca Bay is where the day becomes more than a wildlife chase. The plan includes an anchor stop near Playa de Masca, with about 1 hour 30 minutes to enjoy the views and cool down.

You’ll get a unique perspective of the cliffs from the water, and you’ll also have a chance to take a refreshing dip. That swim stop is one of the most appealing parts if you’re traveling in warmer months or you just want something active that isn’t another bus ride.

This is also where the meal lands. Lunch is included in Masca Bay, and the tour offers alternative menus for vegetarians and people with coeliac needs. That’s a big deal for value, because food on tours can quietly become a budget-killer elsewhere.

Drinks are included throughout the trip—beer, sangria, juices, and water—so the Masca portion feels like a true break. If you’re traveling with family or you want a day that doesn’t revolve only around spotting animals, this stop gives you a satisfying payoff even if the wildlife action is slower than you hoped.

Spotting marine life: deck views plus live underwater TV

The standout feature here is that you’re not limited to just what you can spot with your eyes. You can scan from the boat deck, and you can also watch the live underwater television feed.

That matters because sea conditions and lighting can change fast. Sometimes marine life is hard to see at the surface, even when it’s around. The underwater TV helps you keep your interest up because you can follow what’s happening below instead of only relying on top-of-water sightings.

For practical viewing, aim to spend time on the deck during the sailing segments. When the boat is moving toward the Los Gigantes area and searching, that’s when you’ll get the best chance to spot animals passing near the route.

Then, when you’re taking breaks—like while lunch is happening or when you’re less steady on your feet—use the underwater TV to stay engaged. It turns the trip from waiting into something you can actually track during the whole day.

What you’re really paying for at about $76.89

On price, I think this tour makes sense for people who want an all-in-one day. At $76.89 per person, you’re not just buying a boat ride and hoping for good luck with sightings.

You’re also getting:

• Lunch in Masca Bay
• Drinks during the cruise (beer, sangria, juices, water)
• A swim stop
• Port fees, plus liability and accident insurance

When those items are priced separately on other excursions, the total can jump quickly. Here, the meal and drinks remove the stress of figuring out food on the fly, which is worth something if you’re on vacation and don’t want extra planning.

Also consider the time commitment. At about 4.5 hours, it’s long enough to feel like you did something special, but not so long that you’re stuck on the water all day with no land-based recovery time.

Just remember the boat time includes real ocean motion. If you’re likely to feel sick at sea, the value drops fast—because discomfort turns a “sail and swim” plan into a miserable one.

Sea sickness risk: plan like you want the trip to work

This is the part I’d treat as non-negotiable. The most negative feedback centers on extreme sea sickness on the Royal Delfin catamaran. One account described it as a four-hour stretch of nausea and vomiting, despite having done catamaran tours before elsewhere.

That doesn’t mean everyone will feel terrible. But it does mean you should take sea sickness seriously on this particular boat and route duration.

Here’s how I’d handle it:

• Bring motion-sickness medication and use it as directed before you board.
• If you’re prone to seasickness, consider asking at booking or on site what seating area tends to feel steadier.
• Go in with a light stomach. Heavy meals right before sailing can worsen nausea for some people.

If you know you’re sensitive to waves, this is the moment to decide honestly. A wildlife cruise is only fun when you can actually enjoy the scenery and spotting.

Staff, guides, and the feel of the day

What’s consistently good here is the human side. The crew and staff are described as friendly, and that matters on a boat where people feel exposed and a bit stuck together.

Guide language is also a strong point. One review specifically highlighted that there were five language guides, including Dutch. Since English is offered for the tour, you can expect the main experience to be accessible, but it’s still nice when multiple languages are handled well.

With a maximum of 95 travelers, you’re not in a huge cattle-car situation. The group size helps keep the day from feeling chaotic, especially during boarding and the lunch window at Masca Bay.

Logistics that affect your day: meeting point and pickup reality

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

The tricky part is pickup. The highlights say there’s convenient hotel pickup and drop-off, but the details also mark pickup service as not included. So I’d treat this like a two-part check: confirm whether pickup is actually available for your specific booking, and if not, plan to get yourself to Puerto Colón.

Good news: the meeting area is near public transportation, so you’re not totally dependent on a hotel shuttle.

Also plan around the timing. With about 15 minutes for boarding, being late can mean missing your slot and losing that smooth start the tour is built on.

Who should book this Tenerife cruise (and who should reconsider)

This tour fits best if you want a classic Tenerife sea day with real included extras:

• You enjoy wildlife watching and you like having multiple ways to spot marine life (deck plus underwater TV).
• You want a swim stop and an included meal rather than a snack-only outing.
• You’re comfortable spending around 4.5 hours on the water.

I’d reconsider if:

• You’ve had major sea sickness on catamarans in the past.
• You’re traveling with someone who has a hard time with nausea in moving boats.

For most people who tolerate boats well, this has the ingredients of a solid half-day excursion: scenery, wildlife searching, a timed break at Masca Bay, and food/drinks included so you’re not constantly spending time managing your stomach.

Should you book the Royal Dolphin and Whale Watching Excursion?

If you’re a fairly steady sailor and you want a value-focused half-day that includes lunch, drinks, and a swim stop, I think it’s a strong option. The Los Gigantes sailing plus the live underwater TV make the day feel more engaging than a simple hope-and-stare wildlife cruise.

But if sea sickness hits you hard, treat this as a serious risk. Prepare like it’s going to matter, because the negative experiences aren’t minor grumbles—they’re extreme discomfort reports. If that sounds like your situation, choose a different day trip or a calmer alternative.

FAQ

How long is the Royal Dolphin and Whale Watching excursion?

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

Where is the meeting point in Tenerife?

You meet at Royal Delfin Catamaran, Calle Colon, Pantalán 12, Puerto Colón, 38660 Playa de las Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included in Masca Bay, with alternative menus for vegetarians and people with coeliac needs.

What drinks are included on the tour?

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

Is a swim stop included?

Yes. There is a swim stop during the Masca Bay portion.

Is hotel pickup included?

The information is mixed: the highlights mention hotel pickup and drop-off, but pickup service is also marked as not included. You should confirm pickup availability at booking, and plan to reach the Puerto Colón meeting point if needed.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.