Whale and dolphin watching in Los Gigantes: what to see and how to do it well

From the terrace of a Los Gigantes apartment, you are looking out over some of the richest whale waters in Europe. A resident family of pilot whales lives in the strait just offshore, along with dolphins that have made these waters home. On a calm morning you can leave the marina and be among them within half an hour.

A resident family of pilot whales lives in the strait, all year round, just off the coast.

Whale and dolphin watching is the signature experience of this coast, and one of the easiest to fit into a holiday here. This is what you can see, when to go, and how to do it in a way that is kind to the animals.

Why Los Gigantes is one of the best places in the world to see whales

The stretch of water between Tenerife and La Gomera, right in front of Los Gigantes, is home to a stable, resident population of short-finned pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins that can be seen throughout the year. It is one of the few places in Europe where whales live this close to shore, and these waters were recognised as a Whale Heritage Site for exactly that reason. More than twenty species of whale and dolphin have been recorded passing through.

What you can actually expect to see

The residents are the near-certainties. Pods of pilot whales, often with calves, and bottlenose dolphins that ride the bow waves. Closer to the cliffs you will often see turtles and flying fish too.

Then there are the lucky days. Depending on the season, sperm whales, fin whales and even orcas pass through. These are wild animals in the open ocean, not a show, so no honest trip can promise a sighting. What the resident colony means is that your odds here are about as good as they get anywhere.

When is the best time to go?

There is no closed season. The resident pilot whales and dolphins are here all year, and Tenerife's mild climate means boats sail on most days. Spring and summer raise your chances of sperm whales and orcas, while winter can bring migrating species through.

For the best of it, go on a calm morning. Flatter seas mean easier sightings and far better photos, and the light early in the day is kinder for both.

Choosing the right boat

This is where a little local knowledge pays off. You can go out on a large catamaran with a hundred other people, or on a small boat with ten. The small boats sit closer to the water, feel calmer, and let the crew actually talk to you about what you are seeing.

It also matters for the animals. This is a protected area, and responsible operators keep a respectful distance and never chase or crowd a pod. Look for the smaller, licensed boats that follow the rules. A good trip leaves the whales exactly as it found them.

Make a morning of it

Most trips from the marina last two to three hours. You sail out under the cliffs, spend time with the whales and dolphins, and usually anchor near Masca Bay for a swim or a snorkel in clear water before heading back. Time it for the morning and you are home for a late lunch on your own terrace, with our in-home experiences waiting if you arranged them.

Where to stay for the easiest whale-watching mornings

The closer you are to the marina, the simpler all of this becomes. Staying in Los Gigantes, and in Crystal Los Gigantes in particular, puts the departure point a short walk from your door. It is one of the reasons whale watching sits near the top of our guide to things to do in Los Gigantes. Have a look at our luxury apartments with private pool and sea view for a base right above the water.

Want the marina on your doorstep? We will help you find an apartment in Los Gigantes that puts the whales a short walk away.

See our apartments

Frequently asked questions

Can you see whales and dolphins year round in Los Gigantes?

Yes. A resident population of pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins lives in the water between Tenerife and La Gomera throughout the year, with migratory species adding to it seasonally.

What whales and dolphins live near Los Gigantes?

The residents are short-finned pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins. With luck you may also see sperm whales, fin whales, orcas and turtles, as more than twenty cetacean species have been recorded in these waters.

Where do the whale watching boats leave from?

From Los Gigantes Marina, in the heart of the village. Most trips last two to three hours and sail out along the base of the cliffs.

Is whale watching in Los Gigantes responsible?

It can be, and it should be. These are protected waters recognised as a Whale Heritage Site, and responsible operators keep a respectful distance. Choosing a smaller, licensed boat that follows the rules is the kindest way to do it.

How close is Crystal Los Gigantes to the marina?

Crystal Los Gigantes sits on the cliffside above the village, a short walk from the marina where the whale watching boats depart, which makes an early morning trip easy to build into your stay.

A morning you will remember

Few things stay with people the way a pod of pilot whales does, surfacing quietly beside a small boat with the cliffs of Los Gigantes behind them. It is on your doorstep here, and it is worth doing at least once.

If you are planning a stay, we are happy to help you make the most of it.

Bart & Steffi

Hermosa Rentals