Tenerife: Los Gigantes Whale Watching Cruise by Sail Boat

The ocean is the star here. This three-hour sailing trip from Los Gigantes combines close wildlife watching with a swim stop beneath Tenerife’s famous cliffs, all aboard a small boat limited to 10 people. I like the calm, personal feel, and I like that the crew focuses on respectful wildlife viewing rather than rushing from one sighting to the next.

The fresh fruit, homemade sandwiches, wine, cava, beer and soft drinks add real value to the $88 price. The main thing to keep in mind is that whales and dolphins are wild animals, so sightings can never be promised. You may see pilot whales, dolphins, turtles and flying fish, but the sea decides the schedule.

I also appreciate the short size of the group. Guides including David, Jaime and Eileen have been praised for clear explanations, warm service and strong care for the marine life. If you get seasick, take that possibility seriously, since some people have found the open-water ride uncomfortable.

Key points to know before you book

• Small boat, maximum 10 people: You get room to move around, find a good viewing spot and enjoy a quieter ride than on a large excursion vessel.
• Pilot whales are the main prize: Sightings have included family groups, calves and whales swimming close to the sailboat.
• Los Gigantes looks different from the water: The return journey gives you a fine view of the towering cliffs from below.
• A useful swim stop is built in: You have about 30 minutes to swim or snorkel at a small coastal cove.
• Food and drinks are included: Fresh fruit, sandwiches, cava, wine, beer and soft drinks make the fare feel more complete.
• Wildlife welfare matters here: The crew follows a patient approach and has even stopped to help marine animals and remove floating debris.

Setting out from Pier 1 in Los Gigantes

You meet at Third Element Luxury Charters Whale Watching & Sailing Charters at Pier 1, mooring number 156. The meeting point is in the port of Los Gigantes, and the supplied directions are available through Google Maps.

The boat is a sailing vessel, not a packed party catamaran. With only 10 participants, you should have a more open, relaxed ride and a better chance to move around when wildlife appears. That matters on a whale cruise. A sighting may happen on either side of the boat, and a small group means fewer people blocking your view.

The boat itself receives frequent praise for being clean, comfortable and well maintained. You can sit back, look toward the cliffs or keep watch over the open Atlantic. If wind conditions allow, the crew may invite you to help raise the sail, adding a hands-on touch to the trip.

Do not assume the entire outing will be powered by wind, though. One person specifically wished the crew had made more use of the sail, despite raising it. The boat is described as a sailing boat, but the practical priority is finding marine life and returning safely on schedule.

Two hours searching the Atlantic for whales and dolphins

The first major part of the trip lasts about two hours. The boat heads out from Los Gigantes to look for dolphins, pilot whales, turtles and other marine life.

Pilot whales are the most regular highlight in the available reports. Sightings have included large pods, young calves and whales gliding close to the boat. Some have passed underneath the sailboat or swum alongside it, sometimes at very close range. That kind of encounter can be memorable, but you should treat it as good fortune rather than a promise.

Dolphins also appear regularly in the reported sightings. People have seen playful groups near the boat, along with bottlenose dolphins, flying fish and turtles. You may also spot seabirds and other ocean life if you keep watching between the larger sightings.

The guides add much more than a pair of sharp eyes. David, Jaime and Eileen have been praised for explaining the animals, the sea around Tenerife and the wider Canary Islands. Their language skills include Spanish, English, French and German, which helps if your group includes several nationalities.

I like the reported attitude toward the animals. The crew has been described as patient and respectful, with no chasing. They have also stopped to help a protected seabird chick and to pull an old fishing net from the water. Those details suggest a crew that sees the wildlife as more than a photo opportunity.

Still, this is nature, not a theater show. Some trips may bring whales and dolphins close to the boat, while another may produce fewer sightings. One outing saw turtles and playful dolphins but no whales. If your top goal is a guaranteed whale encounter, no operator can honestly promise that.

Why the small group improves the experience

The 10-person limit is one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip over a cheaper, larger boat. A full-size excursion vessel can offer more seats, but it can also mean more bodies crowded around the railings when an animal surfaces.

Here, you can spread out and change position without feeling packed in. Solo visitors have also found the atmosphere welcoming, while families with children around 10 and 11 have enjoyed the ride. The smaller setting makes it easier to ask questions and hear the guide.

It also gives the crew room to pay attention to individual needs. One person who was not confident in the water felt well looked after. That does not mean the trip is suited to every physical ability, since it is listed as unsuitable for people with mobility impairments, but the crew appears attentive once you are aboard.

The boat is not a luxury yacht in the formal sense, yet the food, clean deck and limited group give it a polished feel. The experience is better described as comfortable and personal than flashy.

A swim and snorkel stop by the cliffs

After the wildlife search, the boat drops anchor at a small cove for about 30 minutes. You can swim from the boat or use the supplied snorkeling equipment to look at fish in the clear coastal water.

This stop changes the pace nicely. After sitting and scanning the sea, you get a chance to cool off and see Tenerife from the water. The cove has been described as especially attractive, with clear blue water and colorful fish.

The swim is optional, so you can stay aboard if you prefer not to enter the sea. Bring swimwear, comfortable breathable clothing, a change of clothes and a towel. Towels are not included, and the provided information specifically reminds you to bring your own.

Snorkeling here is a pleasant extra, not a full-length reef excursion. You have around half an hour, and conditions can affect what you see. Still, it gives the trip a second focus beyond whale watching and makes the $88 fare easier to justify.

Fresh sandwiches, fruit and drinks on board

Food is included, and it is more substantial than the usual packet of crisps on a short boat ride. The crew serves fresh fruit and homemade sandwiches after the swim stop, along with drinks during the outing.

The drinks include cava, red and white wine, beer and soft drinks. Freshly made sandwiches are available with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. That is important if you have dietary needs, though it is sensible to make those needs clear when booking or before departure.

Several people have singled out the food and drinks as a strong part of the outing. The combination of a sandwich, fruit and a glass of chilled wine or cava helps turn the return ride into a relaxed afternoon rather than simply a trip back to the harbor.

Photos are not included. You should not count on receiving a professional photo package, though one past group received photos and videos by email. Bring your own camera or phone only if you can keep it secure around salt water.

The return view of Los Gigantes

The boat slowly makes its way back toward port, with the cliffs of Los Gigantes rising along the coast. Seeing these cliffs from sea level is one of the best visual reasons to take this particular trip.

From the water, the cliffs feel more dramatic than they do from a road or viewpoint. The slow return gives you time to look up, take photographs and enjoy the contrast between the dark rock walls and the open Atlantic.

This part is not just filler after the wildlife search. It provides a quieter finish, especially after the excitement of spotting whales or dolphins. If the morning has been calm, the ride back can feel almost meditative. If the sea is rough, it may feel less gentle, so keep your expectations tied to the weather.

Is $88 good value?

At $88 per person, this is not the cheapest whale-watching option around Los Gigantes. Some people initially felt they had paid more than necessary after seeing lower-priced trips at the harbor.

The difference is the experience. You are paying for a small group of no more than 10, a comfortable sailing boat, a multilingual crew, a swim and snorkel stop, food, drinks and a more personal style of wildlife watching. A cheaper large boat may make sense if your only aim is to get out on the water at the lowest price.

I think the price is fair for you if you value space, calm service and a less crowded setting. The sandwiches and drinks reduce the need to buy lunch afterward, while the included snorkeling gear saves you from renting equipment separately.

The value is weaker if you dislike boats, do not care about the swim stop or want a guaranteed whale sighting. Nature trips always carry some uncertainty. Here, the crew’s care and the small group help justify the cost, but they cannot control the animals.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

This outing suits you if you want several experiences in one short trip: sailing, wildlife watching, coastal views, snorkeling and lunch. It works well for couples, solo visitors, families with older children and anyone who prefers a quiet boat over a crowded excursion.

It is also a good fit if you care about how wildlife is treated. The crew’s reported approach is patient and respectful, and the guides explain what you are seeing rather than simply pointing and shouting.

Families should remember that the sea can change quickly and that children need to be comfortable aboard a moving boat. The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Anyone prone to seasickness should consider taking suitable medication before departure, since this has been an issue for some participants.

You should also pack light. Bring swimwear, a towel, breathable clothing and a dry change of clothes. Photos are not included, and towels are not provided.

Booking details worth knowing

The activity lasts three hours, with about two hours set aside for searching for marine life and about 30 minutes for swimming and snorkeling. The remaining time covers boarding, sailing between locations and the return to port.

The trip is available with a live guide in Spanish, English, French and German. You can reserve now and pay later, which helps if you are still arranging your Tenerife plans. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund.

Starting times vary, so check the available departure when booking. Since the boat holds only 10 people, the smaller capacity can matter during busy periods.

Should you book the Los Gigantes whale cruise?

I would choose this cruise if you want a small, friendly boat experience rather than the lowest possible price. The combination of pilot whale sightings, respectful wildlife viewing, good food, a swim stop and the Los Gigantes cliffs gives the three hours a satisfying shape.

Book it if you can accept that wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. Skip it if you need firm plans around a guaranteed animal encounter, dislike open-water travel or have mobility needs that make boarding difficult.

For most visitors who want a relaxed day on the Atlantic, $88 is a reasonable price for the space, service and included extras. The strongest reason to go is not just the chance of seeing a whale. It is the chance to spend time on the water with a small group and a crew that appears to care about making the encounter respectful.

FAQ

Where does the whale watching cruise depart from?

Meet at Third Element Luxury Charters Whale Watching & Sailing Charters in Los Gigantes, at Pier 1, mooring number 156.

How long does the activity last?

The cruise lasts three hours. About two hours are used for whale and dolphin watching, followed by around 30 minutes for swimming and snorkeling.

What animals might I see?

Possible sightings include pilot whales, dolphins, turtles, flying fish, seabirds and other marine life. Sightings are not guaranteed because the animals are wild.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with time to swim and snorkel at a small cove.

What food and drinks are included?

The trip includes fresh fruit, homemade sandwiches and drinks. Drinks include cava, red and white wine, beer and soft drinks. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free sandwich options are available.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, a change of clothes, comfortable clothes and breathable clothing. Towels are not provided.

Is the cruise suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The activity is listed as unsuitable for people with mobility impairments.