Los Gigantes: Sailing Excursion with Swimming, Drink & Tapas

Watch whales beneath Tenerife’s cliffs. This three-hour sailing trip from Los Gigantes combines coastal scenery, sea life, swimming, snorkeling, tapas, and drinks on the small sailing boat Sangría. I especially like the 10-person limit, which keeps the outing calm, and the chance to see pilot whales and dolphins before stopping near the cliffs for a swim. The main consideration is time: three hours can feel short if you want long whale-watching and snorkeling stops.

I also like the quiet feel of the trip. There is no required onboard music, and past outings have been praised for letting people hear the sea. The crew, including guides called Luis and Moises on some trips, is friendly and attentive, though one French-speaking participant found that not every piece of commentary was translated into English.

At a glance: what makes this sailing trip special

• Small boat setting: The Sangría carries no more than 10 participants, with up to four children allowed on a trip.
• Strong whale and dolphin potential: Pilot whales, bottlenose dolphins, other dolphins, flying fish, turtles, and tuna have been seen, though wildlife sightings can never be promised.
• Los Gigantes from sea level: The huge red cliffs look particularly striking from the water, especially during the swim and tapas stop.
• Snorkeling equipment included: Masks and other basic gear are provided, though you may prefer to bring your own equipment if you have it.
• Food and drinks included: You receive tapas plus an alcoholic or soft drink while relaxing on deck.
• Good cancellation flexibility: You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and reserve now without paying immediately.

Setting sail from Puerto de Los Gigantes

You meet the boat at Muelle Deportivo La Marina Los Gigantes, Dock 1. The trip leaves from Puerto de Los Gigantes, on Tenerife’s west coast, and lasts three hours from start to finish.

That departure point matters. Los Gigantes is not just a convenient marina. It puts you close to the tall red cliffs that give the area its name, so the scenery begins almost at once. Instead of spending much of the outing reaching the main attraction, you get coastal views from the early part of the trip.

The boat is the Sangría, and the small capacity is one of the strongest reasons to choose this excursion. With no more than 10 people, you have a better chance of finding a comfortable place on deck and hearing the skipper without fighting the noise of a large motorboat. Several outings had fewer than the maximum, which made the atmosphere feel more like a private sailing trip than a standard group cruise.

The trade-off is simple: a small boat has limited space. You will want to pack lightly and keep your towel, sunscreen, and swimwear easy to reach. Bring a passport or ID card as well, since those are listed among the required items.

Red cliffs, quiet coves, and the west coast

The first major pleasure is the coast itself. The boat follows the shoreline around bays and natural coves, with the red walls of Los Gigantes rising above the water. From sea level, the cliffs feel more imposing than they do from a road or viewpoint. Their scale becomes clearer as the boat moves along the base of the coast.

The route is not only about reaching a swim stop. Sailing through the coves gives you time to settle into the pace of the sea, take photographs, and watch the changing angle of the cliffs. If you prefer a quiet boat ride to a packed sightseeing vessel, this part may be the heart of the outing.

There is no promise that every bay or cave will be visited. One past trip did not enter any bays or caves, and the exact route can vary. That is worth knowing if you are booking mainly for a particular cove rather than for the wider combination of sailing, wildlife, cliffs, and swimming.

The crew provides information in Spanish, English, and French. This is useful on a small boat, where you can ask questions directly. Keep in mind that multilingual commentary may not always be translated word for word. One participant understood the safety instructions but missed some of the extra facts when the guide spoke mostly French.

Searching for whales and dolphins offshore

The boat also heads out to search for marine life. Pilot whales and dolphins are the main wildlife draw, and sightings have included pods of pilot whales with young, bottlenose dolphins, several dolphin species, flying fish, tuna, and dolphins swimming very close to the boat.

The west coast of Tenerife is known for regular marine activity, but no responsible boat trip can guarantee an animal sighting. You should treat the wildlife search as an important possibility rather than a fixed performance. The crew can look, adjust the route, and share information, but the animals decide where to appear.

That uncertainty is part of the appeal, though it also affects value. If you need a guaranteed attraction every minute, this may feel slow during periods of open-water sailing. One participant wanted more time watching whales and dolphins and less time moving between areas. On other outings, the wildlife appeared early and became the highlight of the day.

The boat’s small size helps here. You are not packed onto a large platform with a crowd blocking every view. It also allows the crew to keep the mood relaxed. People who prefer a calm search, with room to listen and watch, should appreciate this format.

The excursion is described as operating with a whale-watching license, and the skipper and guide provide information about the sea life around Tenerife. The best approach is to keep your eyes open, listen for the crew’s directions, and avoid expecting close contact on demand.

Snorkeling below the cliffs

At a suitable point, the boat stops for swimming and snorkeling. The advertised marine life includes sea turtles, manta rays, and octopuses. Past outings also recorded parrot fish and a turtle, along with clear water near the cliffs.

This is one of the most memorable parts of the trip because it changes your view of Los Gigantes. From the deck, you see the cliffs above you. In the water, you get a different sense of the coast, with the rock walls nearby and the sea extending around the boat.

Snorkeling equipment is included, and life jackets are available. Still, one person found the supplied snorkeling gear less than ideal and suggested bringing personal equipment if you own a mask and snorkel. That is practical advice, especially if fit and clear vision matter to you.

You need to bring your own swimwear and towel. Sunscreen is also essential, since the time on deck and in the water leaves you exposed to the sun. Apply it before departure, then follow the crew’s guidance about protecting yourself and the marine environment.

The rules are strict in sensible ways. Do not touch marine life, feed animals, fish, smoke, or use speakers. Weapons, sharp objects, fireworks, explosives, fire, drugs, and alcohol brought from outside are not allowed. Nudity is also prohibited. These limits protect the animals and help keep a small shared boat comfortable.

Tapas and a drink on the water

After swimming or snorkeling, the boat serves tapas and a drink. The food has been described as a snack board with vegetables and other small items, rather than a full restaurant meal. That is the right way to picture it: a welcome bite after time in the water, not a long lunch.

The meal has earned strong praise for taste and quantity, and the crew keeps drinks available during the outing. Your included choice is an alcoholic drink or a soft drink. Past trips have featured drinks such as cava, though the exact offering may vary.

If you do not drink alcohol, check the non-alcoholic choices before you set high expectations. One past participant wanted a broader selection, including regular sparkling water and apple juice. Vegetarian and vegan food can be arranged, but you must tell the activity provider in advance.

The timing is especially pleasant when tapas are served beneath the red cliffs. You can dry off, take in the view, and enjoy food without rushing back to shore. Some outings have also included personal celebrations, such as a birthday cake, but that should not be treated as a standard part of the booking.

The crew and the feel onboard

The crew is one of the excursion’s most praised features. Guides are described as warm, professional, attentive, and willing to explain sea life and the coast without filling every quiet moment with talk.

That balance matters. You may want facts about whales and Tenerife, but you also want to hear the water and have a peaceful hour on deck. One person specifically appreciated the lack of music, and that detail helps explain the character of this trip. It is not built around loud entertainment.

Some past outings were led by Luis and Moises, and both names appear in particularly warm accounts of the service. Luis was praised for being attentive and helpful, while the two guides were described as friendly and informative. Crew assignments can change, so do not assume those two will be on every departure.

The language mix can also shape your experience. Spanish, English, and French are offered, but the amount of translation may vary depending on the group. If you want a long stream of detailed commentary in one language, ask about that when booking.

Is $82 a fair price for three hours?

At $82 per person, the value rests on the combination rather than on any single feature. You receive the boat trip, Los Gigantes cliffs, coastal coves, a wildlife search, a swimming and snorkeling stop, equipment, a drink, tapas, and a skipper or guide.

That is a fair package for someone who would otherwise book separate whale watching and coastal sightseeing activities. The small group is also important. You are paying for more space and a quieter setting, not simply for transport across the water.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a long snorkeling session or extended whale watching. Three hours has to cover sailing, searching, swimming, eating, and returning to the marina. One person wished the trip lasted four hours, while another felt there was slightly too much sailing compared with time watching whales.

I would see the price as strongest for couples, families, and small groups who want variety. You get a taste of several sea experiences in one outing, without the crowded feel of a large tour boat.

Who should book this Los Gigantes excursion?

I would choose this trip if you want:

• A small-group boat ride with no more than 10 participants
• A good chance to see dolphins or pilot whales
• A swim and snorkel stop in clear water
• Close views of the Los Gigantes cliffs
• A relaxed atmosphere without required music
• Tapas and drinks included in the price
• Guides who can speak Spanish, English, or French

Families can book, and young children or babies who join free still need to be added to the reservation so their places are counted. The trip allows up to four children per departure.

You may want a different activity if you dislike open-water sailing, need a guaranteed wildlife sighting, or want a full meal and a long snorkeling session. The boat is intimate, but that also means less room to spread out than on a large vessel.

The meeting point is in Los Gigantes, and the supplied information does not promise regular pickup from other parts of Tenerife. Some past participants arranged their own drive, while one account describes an exceptional hotel transfer. Do not count on transport unless the provider confirms it directly.

Booking details worth knowing

The activity lasts three hours, with departure times based on availability. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option gives you some flexibility while you finalize your plans.

Bring your passport or ID card, swimwear, towel, and sunscreen. Leave behind outside alcohol, speakers, fishing gear, sharp objects, and anything that could disturb the animals or other people on board.

The experience has a 4.8 rating from 471 reviews, with especially strong praise for the crew, small group size, scenery, wildlife sightings, and food. The less common concerns are useful too: some people wanted longer animal-watching stops, one person found the language translation incomplete, and the provided snorkeling gear may not suit everyone.

Should you book it?

Yes, if you want a quiet, small-boat day on the water that combines Los Gigantes scenery, wildlife searching, a swim, snorkeling, tapas, and drinks. The strongest reason to book is the balance of experiences and the 10-person limit, not any guarantee of seeing a specific animal.

I would book it for a first visit to Los Gigantes, especially if you value friendly guides and dislike crowded excursion boats. If whales are your only goal, choose with realistic expectations and remember that three hours must cover the whole coastal outing. For most people, the cliffs, calm atmosphere, and chance of seeing pilot whales or dolphins make the $82 price worthwhile.

FAQ

Where does the Los Gigantes sailing trip meet?

The meeting point is Muelle Deportivo La Marina Los Gigantes, Dock 1.

How long does the sailing excursion last?

The excursion lasts three hours.

How many people can join the boat?

The boat can accommodate a maximum of 10 participants.

Which languages are available?

The live guide service is available in Spanish, English, and French.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. Tapas and one alcoholic or soft drink are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included, and life jackets are also available.

What should I bring?

Bring a passport or ID card, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen.

Are vegetarian and vegan food options available?

Yes. Vegetarian and vegan options are available if you notify the activity provider in advance.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.