Los Gigantes: Sailing Excursion with Swimming, Drink & Tapas

Los Gigantes has two stars: the towering red cliffs and the wildlife-rich water below them. This three-hour sailing trip brings you close to both, with time to look for pilot whales and dolphins, swim near the cliffs, and snack on tapas aboard the Sangría. I especially like the 10-person limit and the calm, no-music atmosphere that lets you hear the sea. The crew, including guides such as Luis and Moises, also gets strong marks for friendly explanations and careful service.

I like that this is more than a quick photo cruise. You get a proper stop for swimming and snorkeling, plus drinks and food afterward. The trade-off is time: three hours can feel short if you want extended whale watching, a long swim, and a relaxed sail all in one outing. Sightings are wildlife, not a guarantee, and one language note matters: English explanations may be shorter when the guide is also speaking French or Spanish.

Key points at a glance

• Small boat, maximum 10 passengers: You get more room and a quieter feel than on a large excursion vessel.
• Pilot whales and dolphins are regular possibilities: Sightings have included pilot whales with young, bottlenose dolphins, other dolphin species, flying fish, turtles, and tuna.
• Swimming beneath the cliffs: The water stop combines snorkeling with a close view of Los Gigantes from sea level.
• Tapas and drinks included: Expect a snack spread and a choice of an alcoholic or soft drink after time in the water.
• Three hours from Puerto de Los Gigantes: The meeting point is Muelle Deportivo La Marina Los Gigantes, Dock 1.
• Bring your own towel and swimsuit: Snorkeling equipment is supplied, though some visitors found the gear basic.

Why this Los Gigantes boat trip is different

Many boat trips around Tenerife are built around one main promise, usually whales, dolphins, or a swim. This outing divides its time between all three, then adds food and a drink. That mix makes it a good choice if you want a compact afternoon on the water instead of a single-purpose wildlife trip.

The boat carries no more than 10 passengers. That limit matters. You can move around the deck without fighting for a rail spot, and the crew has a fair chance to answer questions and keep an eye on everyone during the swim. Several outings have had fewer than 10 people, which can make the boat feel almost private.

The mood is part of the appeal. One particularly useful detail is that the boat does not rely on loud music. You hear the engine, wind, and water instead. If you want a party cruise, this may feel quiet. If you want to watch the coast without a soundtrack, it is a real plus.

Leaving Puerto de Los Gigantes

You meet at Muelle Deportivo La Marina Los Gigantes, Dock 1. Plan your route to the marina carefully, since the standard meeting arrangement is at the port rather than a regular pickup from northern Tenerife. A few individual arrangements have included hotel transport, but you should not count on that unless it is confirmed directly.

Once aboard the Sangría, the trip follows the coast near Los Gigantes. The cliffs are the first major sight, rising in bold red and brown walls above the water. From a boat, you get a different view than from a road or lookout. The lower rock faces, small coves, and waterline become the focus, and the scale is easier to appreciate when you are moving beneath them.

The guide also gives information about the coast and its marine life. The tour is offered in Spanish, English, and French. If your group is multilingual, explanations may be shared across languages, so English commentary can sometimes be limited to the key instructions rather than every piece of trivia.

Searching for whales and dolphins offshore

The boat heads out toward open water to look for marine life. Pilot whales and dolphins are the sightings most often associated with this trip, and past outings have also seen young whales, bottlenose dolphins, flying fish, turtles, tuna, and other sea life.

Pilot whales are a particularly fitting sight around Tenerife. They often travel in family groups, and seeing them near a small boat can be the most memorable part of the outing. Dolphins may also approach close to the boat, sometimes moving alongside it. Still, you should keep expectations sensible. No responsible wildlife trip can promise animals at a precise place or time.

The coast is regulated in terms of how many boats can be present in the area, which helps prevent the scene from becoming a noisy traffic jam. That is good for your experience and better for the animals. The crew’s job is to find wildlife without turning the encounter into a chase.

The three-hour schedule requires some compromise. The captain must allow time to reach likely viewing areas, find animals, return toward the cliffs, and make the swimming stop. If whale watching is your only goal, you might wish for longer observation time. One outing felt like there was too much sailing and not enough time beside the whales and dolphins. For most people, though, the variety is the point.

Swimming and snorkeling near the cliffs

The water stop usually takes place in a bay or quiet cove near Los Gigantes, though the exact location depends on conditions and the day’s route. You can swim, use the provided snorkeling gear, and look for marine life such as sea turtles, manta rays, and octopi.

Even without seeing an unusual animal, the setting makes this stop worthwhile. You are floating beneath the huge cliffs rather than looking at them from land. The water is described as clear, and several outings have included relaxed swims close to the rock walls.

You need to be comfortable in open sea conditions. Life vests are available, and the crew gives instructions, but this is not a shallow, controlled pool experience. Bring your swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and a passport or ID card. A towel is not supplied, and wet clothes on the ride back can make the final stretch less comfortable.

The supplied masks and snorkels allow you to join without packing your own kit. One practical caveat is that the equipment has been described as basic. If snorkeling is a major reason for booking, bringing your own mask may improve the experience, if that is convenient and permitted by the operator.

The rules are sensible and worth taking seriously. Do not touch or feed marine life, fish, smoke aboard, or bring weapons, sharp objects, fireworks, explosives, or drugs. Speakers, nudity, and making fires are also not allowed. This is a wildlife and sailing trip, not a floating beach party.

Tapas, drinks, and the ride back

After the water stop, you can dry off on deck and enjoy tapas with an alcoholic or soft drink. The food is closer to a generous snack board than a full restaurant meal, with vegetables and other small bites mentioned by past participants. It is a welcome touch after swimming in salt water.

Drinks are available during the outing, and the selection includes both alcoholic and non-alcoholic choices. If you do not drink alcohol, the non-alcoholic range may be fairly simple. One useful step is to tell the provider in advance about dietary needs. Vegetarian and vegan options are available when requested ahead of time.

The meal is not the main reason to book, but it improves the rhythm of the trip. You begin with sailing and wildlife watching, cool off in the sea, then have a relaxed snack while looking back at the cliffs. That order feels natural, especially on a sunny afternoon.

The crew is another important part of the experience. Luis and Moises are named in several accounts, and both are described as warm, attentive, and good at making people feel at ease. The crew also has experience explaining Tenerife’s marine life and managing passengers in several languages.

What $82 buys you

At $82 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the coast. You are paying for a small group, a three-hour sailing trip, a skipper and guide, snorkeling equipment, wildlife searching, the Los Gigantes cliffs, tapas, and a drink.

The group size is where much of the value lies. A larger boat may offer a similar route for less, but you could spend the trip surrounded by many more people and have less personal space. Here, the limit of 10 gives the trip a quieter, more personal feel without requiring the cost of hiring a private boat.

The value is strongest for couples, families, and small groups who want several activities in one booking. You get scenery, wildlife, swimming, food, and time on the sea. It is less compelling if you want a serious, specialist whale-watching session with a long period devoted only to finding and observing animals.

The 4.8 rating from 471 reviews points to a consistently well-liked experience, but the small number of lower scores and mixed comments still help set expectations. The main concerns are limited viewing time, occasional missed coves, simple snorkeling equipment, and language differences. Those are manageable issues, but they are worth knowing before you pay.

Who should book this sailing excursion?

I would choose this trip if you want:

• A small-group boat rather than a crowded excursion vessel
• A mix of whale and dolphin watching, swimming, snorkeling, and food
• A quiet atmosphere without onboard music
• Close views of the Los Gigantes cliffs from the water
• A family-friendly outing with a maximum of four children per tour
• A relaxed half-day plan near Puerto de Los Gigantes

It also suits couples who want a scenic outing with a drink and a simple meal included. Families can join, but parents should remember that swimming takes place in the sea, not at a sheltered resort pool. Children and babies who are joining free still need to be added to the booking so their places are reserved.

I would think twice if your priority is a long wildlife-watching session, a large choice of soft drinks, or high-quality snorkeling gear. The schedule is fixed at three hours, and some of that time must be spent sailing between the marina, viewing areas, and the swimming stop.

Practical details before you book

The tour lasts three hours, with starting times shown according to availability. A morning or afternoon departure changes the light and feel of the coast, but the most important factor is choosing a time that fits your plans and leaves room for the drive to Los Gigantes.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Tenerife plans are still shifting.

Wear swimwear under easy-to-change clothing. Bring a towel, sunscreen, and an ID card or passport. The sun can feel strong on open water, and there may be little shade on deck.

The boat accommodates no more than 10 passengers. Up to four children can join each tour, and children or babies who travel free still count toward the available places. Tell the provider ahead of time if you need vegetarian or vegan food.

Final decision: is it worth booking?

I would book this Los Gigantes sailing excursion if you want the best balance of coastal scenery, wildlife, and swimming in a short outing. The small boat, quiet mood, attentive crew, included tapas, and chance to see pilot whales or dolphins give it more character than a basic coastal cruise.

Go in with realistic expectations. Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed, three hours passes quickly, and the snorkel gear may be ordinary. But if you are happy with a flexible wildlife search followed by a swim and tapas beneath the cliffs, the $82 price is fair for a well-rounded Tenerife experience.

FAQ

Where does the Los Gigantes sailing excursion start?

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

How long does the boat trip last?

The excursion lasts three hours.

How many people can join the boat?

The boat can carry a maximum of 10 passengers.

Which languages are available?

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

Are whales and dolphins guaranteed?

No. The trip searches for whales and dolphins, and sightings have included pilot whales and several types of dolphins, but wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included, along with stops for swimming and snorkeling.

What should I bring?

Bring a passport or ID card, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. The tour does not provide swimwear or towels.