Boat trips from Los Gigantes
Los Gigantes is the departure point for boat outings on the southwest coast. The tourism board names the marina as the starting place for whale watching boats. From the water you see the cliffs from below, and the same coast is home to bottlenose dolphins and short-finned pilot whales for much of the year.
There are three kinds of boat trip: a sightseeing cruise along the cliffs, a whale and dolphin trip and, for walkers, the boat ride that ends the Masca Gorge hike. The prices are examples. One listing from 2 October 2026 shows a two-hour whale and dolphin trip from Los Gigantes starting at €28 per adult. Other trips, other days and other operators differ.
Types of boat trip
What each one is for.
Cliff sightseeing
The Los Gigantes cliffs rise up to 600 m above the sea in places, and the seabed at their foot is about 30 m deep. A trip along the wall is the simplest way to see them in full. The length and route depend on the operator.
Los Gigantes →Whale and dolphin watching
Residents of the southwest coast include bottlenose dolphins and short-finned pilot whales, which can be watched almost all year. That means the chance exists, not a promise. Observation boats need an authorization from the Spanish environment ministry (MITECO).
Whale watching →Masca Bay by boat
Some trips and the end of the Masca Gorge hike lead along the coast to the bay below Masca. The next section explains what you can and cannot expect there.
Swimming and extras
Whether a trip includes a swim stop, a drink or other extras differs from product to product and is listed in each offer. Do not assume that every boat trip lets you swim.
Our picks: boat trips
A cruise, a sailing trip with tapas and a kayak tour to Masca Bay.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Sailing trip along the cliffs with tapas
Three hours past the cliffs with stops in coves, a drink, tapas, snorkelling gear and a skipper who guides. Bring your own swimwear and towel.
Check availability →Kayak, snorkel and boat tour to Masca Bay
A support boat with a skipper, kayak, paddle, life jacket, mask, one drink, a briefing, shower, towel and a locker are included, plus insurance.
Check availability →
Los Gigantes cliffs cruise with whale and dolphin search
A two-hour boat trip along the cliffs with a swim stop and one drink. Whale and dolphin sightings depend on the weather.
Check availability →Boat trips and whale watching from Los Gigantes
Cliff cruises, whale and dolphin trips and Masca combinations, with live prices and availability.
Masca Bay: what to expect
Do not count on landing or swimming at the Masca beach. The operator of the gorge path states on its safety page that the beach is fully closed to the public, based on a decision of 7 September 2010. That is an old decision, but it is the one the operator still lists. A boat that stops in the bay does not mean you can go ashore or swim.
The same operator shows the pier status day by day, so check it for your date. There is no fixed boat timetable that can be promised.
The village of Masca itself is a different trip. It is free to visit and lies up on the ridge, see Masca.
The boat back from the Masca Gorge
For hikers, the boat is part of the route, but it is a separate ticket.
Separate from the gorge ticket
The gorge currently on offer is a one-way descent with a compulsory exit by boat from the Masca pier. The boat ticket is its own item, and the boat goes to Los Gigantes. The gorge ticket for adults without Canary residency costs €40.66, and the bus to Masca is no longer included since December 2025.
If the boat stops
The pier can close at short notice because of the swell. In that case you may have to climb back up. Keep enough strength and time in reserve, and bring water, food and a charged phone.
Operators and prices
The operator publishes a list of cooperating transport companies. Times, prices and age limits for the boat differ by company, and there is no single boat price to quote. Check the company you book with.
Back to your car
If you left your car at the cemetery in Santiago del Teide, the operator names bus lines 325 and 462 for the ride from Los Gigantes back. Plan this ride in advance.
Masca Gorge →Rules for whale watching boats
These apply on every trip, whichever boat you pick.
The coast is part of the protected marine area Franja marina Teno-Rasca. The rules ask boats to keep at least 60 m from the animals, to stay no longer than 30 minutes with them, to move slowly, to avoid crowding and to leave the area if the animals are disturbed. Do not swim with the animals and do not feed or touch them. Report stranded or injured marine mammals to 112.
A marker such as a blue boat symbol or a sustainability charter does not by itself mean an authorization. Ask the company whether it holds the official authorization.
Plan the rest of your trip
More about the coast and the trips.
Boat trips from Los Gigantes: frequently asked questions
Where do boat trips leave from?
From the marina of Los Gigantes. The exact meeting point is in your booking, so check it before the day.
How long does a boat trip take?
An example whale and dolphin trip lasts 2 hours. Other trips are longer or shorter, and the offer shows the length.
Can I swim at Masca Bay?
Do not count on it. The gorge operator lists a complete ban on use of the beach, based on a decision of 7 September 2010. A swim stop at sea is something else and is listed per offer.
Will I see whales or dolphins?
Bottlenose dolphins and short-finned pilot whales live off the southwest coast and can be watched almost all year. That does not guarantee a sighting on your trip.
What happens in bad weather?
Boats can be cancelled or the pier at Masca can close because of the swell. If you are hiking the gorge, you must be able to climb back up. Check the weather and the current status before you go.