Los Gigantes: Sailing Excursion with Swimming, Drink & Tapas

The best part of this three-hour trip is the mix of wildlife watching and swimming beneath Los Gigantes. One moment you are scanning the open sea for pilot whales or dolphins, and the next you are floating near Tenerife’s towering red cliffs with tapas waiting on deck.

I like the small 10-person boat, which leaves room to enjoy the sea without feeling packed in. I also like the quiet mood. There is no onboard music, so you hear the water, the wind, and the crew pointing out marine life. The main consideration is time: three hours can feel short if you want a long whale-watching stop, a generous swim, and a leisurely meal.

Key points to know before booking

• Pilot whales and dolphins are regular highlights: Sightings have included pilot whales, bottlenose dolphins, several dolphin species, flying fish, turtles, and tuna.
• The boat holds only 10 passengers: This feels more personal than a large sightseeing catamaran.
• Snorkeling comes with the trip: Equipment is supplied, though bringing your own mask and snorkel may give you a better fit.
• Tapas and drinks are served onboard: Alcoholic and soft drinks are included, with vegetarian and vegan food available if requested ahead of time.
• You sail from Puerto de Los Gigantes: Meet at Muelle Deportivo La Marina Los Gigantes, Dock 1.
• The experience is bilingual or multilingual: Tours are offered in Spanish, English, and French, but translations may vary during informal commentary.

Setting out from Puerto de Los Gigantes

Your starting point is Muelle Deportivo La Marina Los Gigantes, Dock 1. This is the marina at the foot of one of Tenerife’s most striking coastal areas, so the setting begins well before the boat leaves the harbor.

The vessel is called the Sangría. It is used for a small-group sailing trip rather than a high-capacity party cruise. The maximum is 10 passengers, with crew numbers varying by departure. A group of seven passengers and two crew members, for example, left plenty of space to sit, move around, and enjoy the view.

That size matters. You can ask questions without shouting across a crowded deck, and the crew can keep an eye on swimmers more easily. It also gives the trip a quieter feel. One of the nicest details is the absence of music, which lets you hear the ocean instead of a speaker system.

The crew has included Luis and Moises, names that come up often in connection with warm, attentive service. They explain the coast and marine life, help with snorkeling, and keep drinks moving without turning the trip into a nonstop sales pitch. English, Spanish, and French are available, though the amount of commentary in each language can depend on the group.

Sailing beneath the red cliffs

The first scenic section follows the coast around Los Gigantes. The cliffs rise sharply from the water, with red and brown rock faces dropping toward bays and small natural coves. Seeing them from the sea gives you a better sense of their scale than viewing them from land.

The route is not simply a straight ride to one swimming spot. You sail between sheltered bays and along open stretches of coastline, with time to take photographs and settle into the rhythm of the boat. The water is often clear enough to make the coastal stops appealing even before you put on a mask.

This part suits anyone who wants scenery without a packed sightseeing schedule. You can sit on deck, watch the cliffs change angle, and enjoy a drink. The trip is active enough to include snorkeling but relaxed enough for someone who would rather stay dry.

The exact order can change. The crew may go out toward the marine areas first and return to the cliffs for swimming, or stop near the coast before heading farther out. One departure went to whales and tuna first, then finished with snorkeling near Los Gigantes. Another focused on whale watching before stopping in a quiet bay.

Searching for whales and dolphins

The boat heads out to sea to look for marine life. Pilot whales and dolphins have been seen close to the boat, including pods with young animals. Sightings have also included bottlenose dolphins, more than one type of dolphin, flying fish, turtles, and tuna hunting near the surface.

The best encounters are not guaranteed, and the crew cannot control where animals appear. That is part of the nature of a wildlife trip. Still, the area is regulated in terms of how many boats can be present, which can help keep the experience calmer for both people and animals.

You may spend some time moving between locations rather than watching whales continuously. This is the main point to understand before paying the $82 price. One person felt the boat spent a little too much time sailing and not enough time stationary near the animals. If your only goal is extended whale watching, a dedicated wildlife trip may suit you better.

For most people, though, the mixed format is the appeal. You are not sitting in one place waiting for a fin to appear. You get cliffs, coves, open water, swimming, food, and wildlife in one short outing. The crew also helps by explaining what you are seeing, though the level of detail may depend on the language mix onboard.

Snorkeling in clear water near Los Gigantes

The swimming stop is usually in a bay or near the cliffs. You can enter the water for a swim or use the supplied snorkeling gear to look for marine life below the surface.

The description highlights sea turtles, manta rays, and octopi. Other sightings have included parrot fish, and one group spotted a turtle during its time in the water. These are possibilities rather than promises, but the clear sea and dramatic cliff setting make the stop worthwhile even if marine life stays out of sight.

The phrase deep-sea snorkeling can sound more intense than the activity may be. You are stopping offshore in open water, so you should be comfortable in the sea. Life vests are available, and you can choose to swim without snorkeling if that suits you better.

The supplied equipment may not fit everyone perfectly. If you care about getting a clear view below the surface, bring your own mask and snorkel if you have them. Otherwise, the included gear removes the need to pack extra equipment.

Bring your own swimwear and towel. Sunscreen is also essential, since the deck offers little relief from the strong Canary Islands sun. You should also bring a passport or ID card, as these are listed among the required items.

Tapas and drinks on the deck

After time in the water, tapas are served onboard. The food has been described as a generous snack spread with vegetables and small bites, closer to a casual charcuterie-style board than a full restaurant meal. It is a welcome finish after swimming in salt water.

Alcoholic and soft drinks are included. Cava has been served on some trips, and the choice may include beer, wine, or other drinks. Non-alcoholic options are available, though the selection may be more limited than some people expect. If you want a particular soft drink, do not assume it will be onboard.

Vegetarian and vegan options can be arranged, but you need to tell the activity provider in advance. This is worth doing when booking rather than hoping the standard tapas selection will suit you.

The food is not the reason to book this trip, but it adds real value to the package. At $82 per person, you are paying for a small boat, crew, sailing time, wildlife spotting, snorkeling equipment, drinks, and food. Compared with a basic coastal cruise, those extras make the price reasonable, especially if you value the smaller group.

How the three hours feel

Three hours is enough for a taste of the coast without taking over your day. You can reach the marine area, spend time watching for whales and dolphins, stop to swim, and eat before returning to the marina.

It is also a firm limit. Some people wished the outing lasted four hours, with more time for sunlight, swimming, and relaxed sailing. If you tend to linger over meals or want a long snorkeling session, the schedule may feel brisk.

The short format works well for a family day, a couple’s outing, or anyone fitting several activities into a Tenerife holiday. It is also useful if you are staying near Los Gigantes and want a half-day on the water rather than a full-day cruise.

The boat can take up to four children per tour. Babies and young children who are joining free still need to be added to the booking so the crew can reserve space. Families should remember that the outing includes open water, boat movement, and snorkeling, so children need to follow the crew’s safety instructions.

Language, comfort, and the small-boat feel

The crew speaks Spanish, English, and French. This is helpful for basic instructions and questions, but the amount of commentary in each language can vary. On one multilingual departure, the guide translated the important instructions into English but not every piece of trivia.

That is a minor issue if you mainly want scenery, swimming, and wildlife. It matters more if you are booking specifically for a detailed naturalist talk. Ask questions directly, and tell the crew which language you prefer.

The small group is the strongest comfort feature. With no more than 10 passengers, you are not fighting for a place at the rail or squeezing into a shared swimming area. The boat feels more like a private outing, especially when fewer than 10 people are booked.

You should still expect some sailing time. This is not a private charter where the whole route is built around your wishes. The skipper chooses the route and wildlife stops based on sea conditions and where animals are found.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most

I would choose this excursion if you want several Tenerife highlights in one manageable outing:

• Couples who want a quiet boat ride, sea views, and a drink without a party atmosphere.
• Families looking for swimming, marine life, and a shorter activity with a small group.
• Wildlife fans who are happy to search for animals rather than expect a guaranteed sighting.
• Photographers who want Los Gigantes cliffs from the water.
• Food-and-scenery travelers who like having tapas included but do not need a full meal.
• Visitors staying in southern Tenerife who can reach Puerto de Los Gigantes for the departure.

I would think twice if you dislike open-water swimming, need a long and highly structured wildlife talk, or want four or more hours at sea. The trip is also not designed for loud music, fishing, nudity, or bringing your own alcohol. Smoking, sharp objects, feeding animals, and touching marine life are not allowed.

Practical value at $82 per person

At $82, this is not the cheapest way to see the cliffs. The value comes from combining several paid elements in one small-group trip: a coastal cruise, wildlife search, a swim stop, snorkeling equipment, tapas, drinks, and a guide.

The boat size makes the price easier to justify. A large vessel may offer more room overall, but this trip gives you a quieter deck and a better chance to speak with the crew. You also avoid paying separately for food and drinks after the boat returns.

The strongest value is for someone who would otherwise book separate whale watching and coastal sightseeing trips. In three hours, you get a compact version of both, plus time in the water. It is less convincing if you are only interested in the cliffs, since you could enjoy those from land at no tour cost.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead and the option to reserve now and pay later add useful flexibility. Starting times vary, so check the schedule before building the rest of your day around it.

Should you book the Los Gigantes sailing excursion?

I would book this if you want a calm, small-group day on the water with a good chance of seeing pilot whales or dolphins, plus a swim beneath the Los Gigantes cliffs. The crew’s friendly service, the quiet boat, and the included tapas make it feel more personal than a standard large cruise.

Go in with the right expectations. Wildlife sightings depend on nature, the three-hour schedule leaves limited time at each stop, and the supplied snorkeling gear may be basic. If those points are acceptable, the $82 price is fair for a well-rounded coastal outing that combines scenery, sea life, swimming, food, and drinks without overcrowding.

FAQ

Where does the Los Gigantes sailing trip meet?

Meet at Muelle Deportivo La Marina Los Gigantes, Dock 1, in Puerto de Los Gigantes.

How long is the sailing excursion?

The activity lasts three hours. Starting times depend on availability.

How many people can join the boat trip?

The boat can carry a maximum of 10 passengers. Up to four children can join each tour.

What languages are available?

The live tour is available in Spanish, English, and French.

Are snorkeling equipment and drinks included?

Yes. Snorkeling gear, tapas, and an alcoholic or soft drink are included.

What should I bring?

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

Can vegetarian or vegan food be provided?

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