Whale & Dolphin Watching in Los Gigantes

The stretch of water between Los Gigantes and La Gomera is home to a resident population of pilot whales, plus regular visits from several dolphin species — sighting rates on most licensed boats run well above 90% year-round, which is unusually high for whale watching anywhere in the world.

Choosing a responsible operator

Not all boats follow the same rules around the whales. Look for operators licensed under Tenerife’s marine wildlife protection regulations (boats should keep a set distance, limit time with any one pod, and never chase or surround animals). A reputable tour won’t guarantee sightings by pressuring the crew to break distance rules — the high natural sighting rate here means it’s rarely necessary anyway.

Boat trip options

Practical tips

• Book a morning slot if you’re prone to seasickness — the water is generally calmer earlier in the day.
• Bring sun protection. Most of the trip is on open water with little shade.
• Los Gigantes is a south-west drive from most resort areas (roughly 40–50 minutes from Costa Adeje) — factor that into your day if you’re not staying nearby.
• Combine it with the cliffs. The Los Gigantes cliffs themselves (up to 800m) are usually part of the same boat route, so you get the scenery alongside the wildlife.