Tenerife: Los Gigantes Whale Watching Cruise by Sail Boat

The big draw here is the chance to watch pilot whales in open water from a small sailing boat rather than a crowded sightseeing vessel. You may also see dolphins, turtles, flying fish, and seabirds, with the huge cliffs of Los Gigantes rising behind you.

I like the relaxed group size, limited to 10 people, and the crew’s clear respect for marine life. I also like the simple pleasures: fresh fruit, homemade sandwiches, cava, and a swim from the boat. The main consideration is that wildlife is wild, and sightings can never be promised. Some people may also feel queasy on the open Atlantic.

Key points at a glance

• Small boat, maximum 10 people: You have room to move around, find a good viewing spot, and avoid the packed feel of larger cruises.
• Pilot whales are the main hope: Dolphins, turtles, flying fish, and seabirds are also possible, but sightings depend on the day.
• The crew treats the wildlife with care: Guides describe the marine life and avoid turning the trip into a frantic chase.
• A proper swim stop is included: You get about 30 minutes to swim or snorkel near the cliffs of Los Gigantes.
• Food and drinks are part of the fare: Expect fresh fruit, homemade sandwiches, cava, wine, beer, soft drinks, and water.
• Plan for sun, spray, and motion: Bring swimwear, a towel, dry clothes, breathable clothing, and seasickness medicine if you need it.

Setting sail beneath the cliffs of Los Gigantes

This is a three-hour outing from the port at Los Gigantes on Tenerife’s southwest coast. You meet at Third Element Luxury Charters, at Pier 1, mooring 156. From there, you board a sailing boat and head away from the harbor toward the whale-watching grounds.

The setting does much of the work. Los Gigantes is famous for its tall coastal cliffs, and viewing them from the water gives you a different angle than a road lookout or town promenade. On the return trip, the boat moves slowly along the coast, giving you time to take in the rock walls and the shape of the shoreline.

The boat is built for a small party, not a busload. That matters more than it may sound. With only 10 participants, you can move around the deck, sit quietly when you want, and get a clearer view when something surfaces. You are not fighting for a place beside a railing or trying to hear a guide over a large crowd.

The crew often includes David, Jamie, and Eileen, though the exact team can vary. They speak Spanish, English, French, and German. Their role is not only to find animals. They also explain the local sea life, the surrounding coast, and what you are seeing as the boat moves across the water.

Two hours searching for whales and dolphins

The first major part of the trip lasts about two hours. The boat heads into the Atlantic in search of dolphins and pilot whales, with the crew watching the water and listening for reports of marine activity.

Pilot whales are the most regular sighting described for this cruise. You might see a pod traveling together, sometimes with calves. Several people have had whales approach the boat closely, swim beside it, or pass underneath. That kind of encounter is special because it feels calm and unforced. The boat is not simply racing from one sighting to another.

Dolphins are another strong possibility. They may appear in groups, sometimes close to the boat, and can be more active at the surface than whales. Turtles have also been seen, along with flying fish and other sea life. Keep scanning the water rather than watching only the spot where the guide is pointing. One of the pleasures of a small boat is being able to notice the less obvious details for yourself.

You should keep expectations sensible. The boat can give you a good chance of seeing marine life, but there is no guaranteed parade of whales. On some outings, people have seen several types of animals. On another, they may see dolphins and turtles but no whales. The crew’s priority is respectful viewing, so the boat may not chase an animal just to produce a closer photograph.

That approach is worth understanding before you book. If your only goal is a guaranteed close-up whale photograph, no wild-animal cruise can promise that. If you value watching animals behave naturally and learning about the sea around Tenerife, the slower approach is a better fit.

What the sailing part is really like

When conditions allow, you can help raise the sail and travel partly under wind power. This adds a hands-on touch that you do not get on a standard motorboat excursion. You also get the quiet pleasure of moving over the water with the engines reduced or off.

The sailing depends on the weather and wind. One past participant noted that the sail was raised but not always used for propulsion. That is not a fault so much as a reminder that this is a whale-watching cruise on a sailing boat, not a dedicated sailing lesson. The crew has to balance wind, time, animal sightings, and the route back to port.

The boat is described as clean, comfortable, and well maintained. With a small group, you have space to sit or stand in different places. The open deck is useful for viewing, but bring a light layer because the breeze can feel cooler away from shore, even on a warm Tenerife day.

The sea can also be unsettled. At least one outing included people who felt seasick, so I would take motion sickness medicine before boarding if you are prone to it. Do not wait until you already feel ill. A three-hour trip is manageable for most people, but the open Atlantic is not as steady as a sheltered harbor.

Fruit, sandwiches, and a glass of cava

The food is more generous than the usual packet of biscuits found on short boat trips. The crew serves fresh fruit and homemade sandwiches, with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices available. If you have a dietary need, make sure it is clear when you book or before departure.

Drinks include cava, red and white wine, beer, and soft drinks. The combination gives the trip a relaxed, almost picnic-on-the-water feel. You can enjoy a drink after the wildlife search or with your sandwich while the boat heads back toward Los Gigantes.

The food is not the reason to book this experience, but it improves the day and helps justify the price. You are paying for a small-group boat trip, guiding, wildlife watching, snorkeling equipment, food, and drinks in one package. At $88 per person, that is not the cheapest way to see the coast, but it compares well with a larger cruise if you value space and personal attention.

The fare also saves you from adding the usual extras. Fresh food, drinks, and snorkeling gear are included. Photos are not included, so bring your own camera or phone if you want pictures. A waterproof case is sensible around the boat, but do not let photography take over the experience.

Swimming and snorkeling by the cliffs

After the whale-watching section, the boat stops at a small cove for around 30 minutes. You can swim from the boat or use the provided snorkeling equipment. The water has been described as clear, with colorful fish visible near the coast.

This stop gives the day a useful change of pace. Watching the water for whales requires patience and concentration. Swimming lets you relax, cool off, and see Tenerife from below the surface. You are not visiting a formal beach, so the experience feels more like a short sea stop than a full beach afternoon.

You need to be comfortable getting into the water from the boat. The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and the information provided does not describe a lift or easy-access boarding system. If you are not a confident swimmer, tell the crew. One participant who felt unsure in the water said the crew looked after them well, but you should still judge your own comfort honestly.

Bring a towel. Towels are not supplied. You should also pack dry clothes for the ride back, along with swimwear and comfortable, breathable clothing. Even if you plan only to watch the snorkeling, spray and wet hands can leave your clothes damp.

A crew that adds real value

The strongest part of this trip is the people running it. David, Jamie, and Eileen are frequently named as warm, attentive, and well informed about the sea around the Canary Islands. They explain what you are seeing without making the trip feel like a formal lecture.

Their language skills help mixed groups settle in quickly. Spanish, English, French, and German are available, and the guides are described as willing to answer questions. That is useful when the boat is carrying people with different levels of interest. You can ask about whales, local birds, Tenerife’s coast, or the wider marine environment.

The crew also appears to take practical conservation seriously. They have stopped to remove old fishing material from the water and have helped a protected seabird in trouble. Those details matter because they show that the wildlife is not treated simply as a product for photographs.

The best guide on a wildlife cruise knows when not to interfere. Here, the aim is to watch rather than chase. That may mean your animal is not always right beside the boat, but it makes the encounter feel more responsible.

Who will get the most from this trip

I would choose this cruise for couples, solo visitors, families with older children, and anyone who prefers a quiet boat to a party atmosphere. Children aged around 10 and 11 have enjoyed the trip, but parents should remember that the boat is on the open sea and includes a swim stop.

Solo visitors should feel at ease in the small group. The limited capacity makes it easier to speak with the crew and other people without feeling lost in a crowd.

This is also a good pick if you care about how wildlife is approached. The crew’s patience, conservation-minded behavior, and explanations make the outing more than a quick animal-spotting ride.

I would be more cautious if you need easy-access facilities, dislike boat motion, or want a guaranteed list of species. You may see pilot whales, dolphins, turtles, and other animals, but nature does not follow a timetable.

Timing, booking, and practical details

The cruise lasts three hours, with availability depending on the chosen departure time. Arrive at Third Element Luxury Charters at Pier 1, mooring 156, in Los Gigantes. Check the Google Maps directions before you leave, since ports can be confusing once you are among the piers.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. These policies are useful if your Tenerife schedule depends on weather or changing plans.

Wear clothes that can handle spray, and bring a towel, swimwear, and a change of clothes. Breathable clothing works well. Sun protection is sensible, though it is not listed as an included item, and you should keep valuables secure around the water.

The trip is offered with a live guide in four languages. Group size is capped at 10 people. Those two details are central to the experience, not minor booking notes. You are choosing a personal, small-boat outing rather than a large coastal cruise.

Is the $88 price fair?

At $88, this cruise costs more than some basic Tenerife whale-watching trips. The comparison is not quite like for like, though. You get a small group, a sailing boat, a two-hour wildlife search, a swim and snorkel stop, equipment, fruit, sandwiches, and a range of drinks.

The small capacity is the biggest value point. If you have ever boarded a boat where every seat and railing is taken, you will understand why room to move can matter. It also gives the crew more time to answer questions and help people in the water.

The food and drinks add practical value, especially because the outing covers three hours. You are not left to buy lunch immediately after returning to port. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free sandwiches also make the price easier to accept for people with dietary needs.

I would not choose it purely because it is the lowest-cost option. I would choose it because the format is calmer, the boat is comfortable, and the wildlife is approached with care.

Should you book the Los Gigantes sailing cruise?

Yes, if you want a small, friendly boat trip with a real chance of seeing pilot whales and dolphins, followed by a swim near the cliffs. The crew, the limited group size, and the included food make this a well-rounded half-day activity rather than a quick ride offshore.

Book it with realistic expectations. You may see several kinds of marine life, or you may have a quieter day at sea. You may sail under wind power, but the boat may also use its engine when conditions require it.

For me, the strongest reason to choose this trip is its balance: wildlife, coastal views, swimming, food, and personal guiding without a crowded deck. If that sounds like your kind of Tenerife day, $88 is a fair price.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching cruise depart?

You meet at Third Element Luxury Charters Whale Watching and Sailing Charters at Pier 1, mooring number 156, in Los Gigantes.

How long does the experience last?

The complete experience lasts three hours. About two hours are used for sailing and searching for marine life, followed by about 30 minutes for swimming and snorkeling.

What animals might I see?

The main targets are dolphins and pilot whales. Turtles, flying fish, seabirds, and other marine life may also appear, but sightings are not guaranteed.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included. Towels are not included, so bring your own.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. The boat provides fresh fruit, homemade sandwiches, and drinks including cava, red and white wine, beer, and soft drinks. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free sandwich options are available.

How many people are on the boat, and what languages are offered?

The group is limited to 10 participants. Live guiding is available in Spanish, English, French, and German.