Los Gigantes: Sailing Excursion with Swimming, Drink & Tapas

The best part of this Los Gigantes sailing trip is the mix of wildlife and scenery. You can watch pilot whales or dolphins offshore, then swim beneath the towering red cliffs in a quiet bay. I like the small boat, limited to 10 passengers, and the relaxed pace with tapas and drinks served on deck.

I also like that the crew, including guides such as Luis and Moises, gives useful information without filling every minute with chatter. The main thing to consider is time: three hours passes quickly, and the trip may include more sailing than watching wildlife or stopping in coves.

Key points to know before booking

• Pilot whales and dolphins: Wildlife sightings can include pilot whales, bottlenose dolphins, other dolphin species, flying fish, turtles, and tuna.
• Small boat setting: The Sangría carries no more than 10 passengers, with space for a calmer outing than a large excursion boat.
• Swimming under Los Gigantes: The snorkeling stop may take place near the dramatic cliffs, with clear water and provided equipment.
• Tapas and drinks included: You receive a selection of tapas and an alcoholic or soft drink, with plenty of drinks available during the trip.
• Three languages: Tours are offered in Spanish, English, and French, though translation may not be equal throughout the outing.
• Bring your own basics: Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and your passport or ID card.

Setting sail from Puerto de Los Gigantes

You meet the boat at Muelle Deportivo La Marina Los Gigantes, Dock 1. This is in the marina at Puerto de Los Gigantes, the natural starting point for seeing Tenerife’s west coast from the water.

The boat is called the Sangría, and the group limit is one of the biggest reasons to choose this trip. With no more than 10 passengers, the outing feels closer to a private sailing ride than a standard sightseeing cruise. Several departures have had fewer than 10 people, which gives you more room on deck and makes it easier to speak with the crew.

That smaller size also matters during wildlife watching. You are not trying to peer over rows of passengers or compete for one narrow rail. If a pod of dolphins appears beside the boat, you have a better chance of seeing the action clearly.

The boat has two crew members on many departures, including guides identified by passengers as Luis and Moises. They handle the sailing, wildlife spotting, safety instructions, and food service. Their approach is generally friendly and attentive, with enough quiet time for you to listen to the water and enjoy the views.

One unusual plus: there is no required onboard music. If you prefer the sound of the sea to background songs, this trip has the right mood.

Sailing below the red cliffs of Los Gigantes

The cliffs are the visual centerpiece. Los Gigantes rises sharply from Tenerife’s west coast, with red and dark volcanic rock dropping toward the ocean. From deck level, you see the scale in a way that is hard to grasp from land.

The boat follows the coast through bays and natural coves. These sheltered areas provide a change from the open water and may be used for swimming or the meal stop. You get a different view of the coastline with every turn: high rock walls, small inlets, and clear water close to shore.

I would not book this only as a cliff tour, since the boat also heads out to sea for wildlife watching. That is part of the appeal. The trip gives you both Tenerife’s dramatic rock coast and its marine life, rather than treating them as separate activities.

The timing of these sections can vary. On some trips, the boat spends more time looking for whales and dolphins. On others, passengers may feel they wanted longer in the coves or at the wildlife locations. If your priority is swimming, keep in mind that the total time is only three hours.

Whale and dolphin watching offshore

The boat heads out along a coast known for marine life. Sightings reported on different trips have included pilot whales, dolphins, flying fish, tuna, and other sea creatures. Several outings have had close views of pilot whales, including adults with young, while dolphins have sometimes swum right beside the boat.

No responsible wildlife trip can promise an animal appearance. The crew can search known areas, but wild animals choose the timing. That said, this coast offers a real chance to see marine life, and the crew’s role is more than simply pointing at the horizon. They provide information about what you are seeing and help locate animals from the boat.

A useful detail is that the boat has a license for whale watching. The area is also regulated for the number of boats present, which can reduce the sense of a crowded wildlife chase and is better for the animals.

The wildlife stop is not designed as a long stationary viewing session. You may see whales early, then continue sailing in search of dolphins or another pod. If you want a full-length whale-watching cruise with little else, this is not the ideal format. Here, wildlife is one part of a broader three-hour coastal outing.

The guides speak Spanish, English, and French. English information is available, but the balance may depend on the group. On one departure, important instructions were translated into English while some general commentary was given mainly in French. If detailed narration in English is essential to you, ask about the language arrangement before booking.

Swimming and snorkeling in clear water

The boat stops for a swim and snorkeling session, often near the cliffs or in a quiet bay. The water is described as clear, and marine sightings can include sea turtles, octopuses, manta rays, and colorful fish such as parrot fish.

The word deep-sea snorkeling may sound more intense than the actual activity. You are stopping offshore to enter the sea, but the supplied information does not specify the exact depth or whether you must be an advanced swimmer. Life jackets are available, and snorkeling equipment is included.

I would still pack carefully. You need your own swimwear and towel, and sunscreen is essential because you will spend time on an exposed deck. If you care a lot about seeing underwater detail, consider bringing your own mask and snorkel. The equipment supplied has not always been considered top quality, although it is included and convenient.

The swimming stop is one of the strongest parts of the trip for many passengers because it changes the rhythm. After watching the sea from above, you get to experience the water directly, with the cliffs rising nearby. It is also a good reason to choose this tour over a wildlife cruise that never allows passengers to swim.

Conditions can affect the stop. The description promises a stop for bathing or snorkeling, but the exact location and water conditions can change. You should be comfortable with the possibility that the swim is shorter than expected.

Tapas, drinks, and the rhythm onboard

After the swimming session, tapas are served on deck. The food has been described as a tray or charcuterie-style spread with vegetables and other snacks. It is not a formal restaurant meal, but it works well after time in the salt water.

One alcoholic or soft drink is included, and several trips have had plenty of drinks available during the outing. You may find options such as sparkling wine or other alcoholic drinks, but the nonalcoholic selection may be more limited than some passengers expect. If you want a particular soft drink, ask before setting out.

Vegetarian and vegan food options are available if you notify the provider in advance. That small step matters, since tapas can otherwise be a mixed selection rather than a meal planned around your diet.

The food adds real value to the $82 price. You are paying for a small-group sailing trip, a guide, wildlife searching, cliff views, a swim, snorkeling equipment, tapas, and drinks. Compared with a basic boat ride, that is a full package. Compared with a private charter, the price is more moderate because you share the boat with up to nine other passengers.

The meal also makes the outing feel less rushed. You are not simply transferred from one stop to the next. You have time to sit on deck, talk, and watch the coastline pass. Still, I would not choose this tour primarily for lunch. The food is a pleasant part of the day, not a destination meal.

What three hours really gives you

Three hours is long enough to combine several activities without turning the day into a major commitment. You can fit this around other plans in the Los Gigantes or Costa Adeje area, though you should allow extra time to reach the marina if you are driving yourself.

The trip typically has a loose flow:

• Leave Puerto de Los Gigantes aboard the Sangría.
• Follow the coast below the red cliffs.
• Search offshore for whales and dolphins.
• Stop in a bay or natural cove for swimming and snorkeling.
• Eat tapas and have a drink on deck.
• Sail back toward the marina.

The exact order can vary. Wildlife sightings may happen early, while the swim and tapas may come later. Several departures have finished with snorkeling and food beneath the cliffs, but not every outing has included a cave or every type of cove named in the general description.

That last point is worth keeping clear. You may sail through bays and natural coves, but one trip did not enter bays or caves. The sea, wildlife, and operating conditions shape the route.

Three hours is also the main limitation. If you want more time to sunbathe, swim, and stop along the coast, a four-hour outing would feel more generous. The short format is best if you want a well-packed introduction to the coast rather than a full day at sea.

The crew and the small-group difference

A good skipper matters on this kind of trip. The crew must balance wildlife protection, safe boat handling, swimming instructions, food service, and the needs of passengers speaking different languages.

This trip’s crew has been praised for being friendly, discreet, and attentive. You get information about the sea life and coastline, but you are not expected to take part in nonstop commentary. That balance suits me. Los Gigantes is a place where you should be able to hear the water and enjoy a quiet stretch of coast.

The small group also helps families and couples. Families can keep track of children more easily than on a large boat, while couples get a more peaceful setting. Young children and babies who are joining for free still need to be added during booking so the crew can reserve their places. The boat allows up to four children per tour.

There are limits to the multilingual setup. Spanish, English, and French are offered, but not every comment may be translated fully into all three languages. Safety directions should be clear, but general facts may be given in more than one language depending on the group.

Practical details that affect your day

Bring a passport or ID card, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. The activity specifically lists identification among the items to carry, so do not leave it behind at your accommodation.

The meeting point is Dock 1 at Muelle Deportivo La Marina Los Gigantes. Pickup is not generally offered from the northern part of Tenerife, so you may need to drive to Los Gigantes yourself. One past trip included a special transfer arrangement to Costa Adeje, but you should not count on that unless the provider confirms it.

The boat does not permit smoking in the vehicle or onboard setting. Fishing, feeding animals, touching marine life, speakers, weapons, sharp objects, fireworks, explosives, drugs, alcohol brought from outside, and making fires are not allowed. Nudity is also prohibited.

These rules are sensible for a small boat and for wildlife watching. Keep your hands off marine animals even if a turtle or ray comes close, and do not bring a speaker expecting to create a party atmosphere. The appeal here is the sea, not loud entertainment.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times vary, so check availability for your date. The overall rating is 4.8 from 471 ratings, with especially strong praise for the crew, the uncrowded boat, the wildlife sightings, and the tapas and drinks.

Who should book this sailing excursion?

I would recommend it to you if you want several Tenerife highlights in one compact outing. You get the cliffs, open-water sailing, whale and dolphin watching, a swim, snorkeling, and food without committing a full day.

It is particularly well suited to:

• Couples wanting a quieter boat trip
• Families comfortable around open water
• Anyone who dislikes crowded excursion boats
• Visitors staying near Los Gigantes or Costa Adeje
• People who enjoy wildlife but also want time to swim
• Diners who like a light tapas spread rather than a formal meal

You may want another type of trip if your priority is a long snorkeling session, a guaranteed whale sighting, extensive English commentary, or several hours in coves. You should also think twice if you dislike boat movement, cannot swim comfortably, or want a large vessel with more facilities.

Is the $82 price fair?

At $82 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water in Tenerife. But the value is strong if you use the full package: three hours, a maximum of 10 passengers, a skipper and guide, Los Gigantes cliffs, wildlife searching, snorkeling gear, a swim stop, tapas, and drinks.

The small capacity is the key difference. You are paying partly for space and attention, not just transport along the coast. A larger boat might cost less per person, but it will not give you the same relaxed feel or clear view from the rail.

The price makes less sense if you mainly want a quick photo of the cliffs or a long beach-style swim. For a fuller coastal experience with wildlife and food, it is a reasonable midrange choice.

Should you book the Los Gigantes sailing trip?

Book this trip if you want an intimate, easygoing morning or afternoon on Tenerife’s west coast. The strongest reasons are the 10-person limit, the skilled crew, the chance to see pilot whales and dolphins, and the memorable swim beneath Los Gigantes.

Go in with realistic expectations. Wildlife is never guaranteed, the snorkeling gear may be basic, the language mix can affect the commentary, and three hours may feel short. If those limits suit you, the Sangría offers a well-balanced way to experience Los Gigantes from the water, with enough food and drink to make the outing feel like more than a sightseeing ride.

FAQ

How long is the Los Gigantes sailing excursion?

The excursion lasts three hours.

Where does the boat leave from?

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

How many passengers can join the boat trip?

The boat can carry a maximum of 10 passengers.

Are whale and dolphin sightings guaranteed?

No. The boat searches for whales and dolphins, but these are wild animals and sightings cannot be guaranteed.

What marine life might I see?

Possible sightings include pilot whales, dolphins, sea turtles, manta rays, octopuses, flying fish, tuna, and parrot fish.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included, and the trip includes a stop for swimming or snorkeling.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. Tapas and an alcoholic or soft drink are included. Vegetarian and vegan food options are available if you notify the provider in advance.

Which languages are available?

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

What should I bring?

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