From Los Gigantes: Whale Watching Sailboat Cruise

The best part of this Los Gigantes outing is its small scale. You sail on a 46-foot boat with no more than nine passengers, rather than joining a crowded party boat. That makes it easier to move about, hear the guide, and watch pilot whales without a wall of people between you and the sea. The crew, including guides such as Sara, Felix, Jakob, Miguel, and Nettie, explains the animals and the island as you go.

I like two things especially: the crew’s clear effort to keep a respectful distance from whales, and the calm finish with snorkeling beneath the cliffs followed by homemade tapas. The $88 price is fair for three to four hours, a small group, wildlife viewing, food, and drinks. The one real caution is seasickness. This is a sailboat on open water, and at least one passenger found the motion tougher than expected.

Key points to know before you book

• Small boat, small group: Aemon or Ayla carries a maximum of nine passengers, giving the trip a more personal feel.
• Wildlife comes first: The company follows Tenerife’s responsible whale-watching rules and carries the Blue Boat Flag.
• Pilot whales are the main local sighting: Dolphins, turtles, and migratory species are also possible, but no sighting is guaranteed.
• Cliffside swimming is part of the appeal: You get about 15 minutes to snorkel near Los Gigantes after the wildlife search.
• Tapas are included: A homemade spread and drinks are served after swimming, with vegetarian food available.
• Plan for sun and motion: Bring a towel, hat, sunglasses, swimwear, and biodegradable SPF 50 or higher. Take care if you are prone to seasickness.

Why the small Picarus sailboat matters

Los Gigantes is a strong setting for a boat trip. The dark volcanic cliffs rise dramatically from the southwest coast of Tenerife, while Mount Teide may appear inland when conditions are clear. From the water, you get a different view of the island than you would from a road or cliff path.

Picarus Sailing Club uses Aemon or Ayla, both described as 46-foot, 14-meter sailboats. The maximum of nine passengers is the key detail here. You can usually find space to sit or move safely around the boat, and the guide’s explanations do not have to compete with loud music or a large crowd.

That quieter mood is part of the experience. The outing is not built around fast entertainment, loud announcements, or a packed deck. It is a slower morning or afternoon on the water, with time to watch, ask questions, and take in the cliffs.

The boat has safety equipment, including life vests, and snorkel masks are provided. You need to bring your own snorkel tube, towel, and sun protection. That small equipment gap is easy to miss, so pack accordingly.

Setting out from Los Gigantes

You meet at Picarus Sailing Club and look for Aemon or Ayla. The activity lasts three to four hours, with the exact start time depending on availability. Since departure times can vary, check the schedule before planning other activities around it.

The first part is about getting out along the coast and settling into the boat. The crew provides information about Tenerife, Los Gigantes, and the local sea. Guides speak Spanish, English, and French, which is useful for mixed-language groups.

The view is a major part of the trip even before any animal appears. The cliffs are best appreciated from offshore, where their height and shape become easier to judge. You may also see Teide from the water, adding a mountain backdrop to the volcanic coastline.

A practical tip: keep your phone and camera secure, especially while the boat is moving. Open-water conditions can change, and the best wildlife moment may come suddenly. It is better to watch the sea than spend the whole trip trying to frame a perfect photograph.

Searching for pilot whales and dolphins

About an hour and a half is set aside for wildlife viewing. The resident pilot whales are the main attraction in this part of Tenerife, while dolphins, turtles, and migratory marine species are also possible.

Pilot whales are not guaranteed to perform on schedule. That is important to understand before booking. Some outings have seen several pilot whales, dolphins, and even a turtle. Other days have produced dolphins but no whales. One of the better features of this trip is that the crew does not treat wildlife as a show with a promised result.

The company is part of Turismo de Tenerife’s Sustainability Charter for Whale Watching and the South Tenerife Cetaceans Association. It also carries the Blue Boat Flag, meaning it has government authorization to conduct whale-watching activity under responsible operating rules.

In practical terms, the crew explains the animals and approaches with care. When whales are spotted at a distance, the captain may cut the engines rather than chase them. That gives you a quieter chance to observe natural behavior and reduces pressure on the animals.

This approach is worth your attention. A whale-watching trip should not be judged only by how close the boat gets. Respectful viewing is more responsible, and it often creates a calmer experience for everyone on board. The crew’s strongest quality is its interest in helping you understand what you are seeing, not simply pointing and moving on.

Guides named in the feedback include Sara, Felix, Jakob, Miguel, and Nettie. Their roles may vary by departure, but the consistent pattern is clear: you can expect explanations about cetaceans, the sea, conservation, and the island. Ask questions. The crew specifically welcomes them, and this is one of the best ways to make the wildlife portion feel more meaningful.

Sailing below the cliffs

After the wildlife search, roughly an hour is devoted to sailing. This is not dead time. It gives you room to enjoy the coast without constantly scanning for fins.

The boat’s size helps here. With no more than nine passengers, you can look toward the cliffs, turn toward open water, and find a comfortable position without squeezing past a large crowd. The pace is relaxed, and the absence of loud music on some departures has been part of the appeal.

This section also gives you time to ask about Tenerife’s history and hiking routes around Los Gigantes. The trip is not a land tour, so do not expect a long historical lecture, but the guide connects the scenery with the island and its coast.

The main drawback is the sea itself. Even a comfortable sailboat can move enough to bother people who are sensitive to motion. If you know you get seasick, take your usual precautions before boarding and choose a spot where you feel steady. One passenger described seasickness as the only significant negative part of an otherwise enjoyable outing.

A 15-minute swim near Los Gigantes

The swim stop lasts about 15 minutes and takes place near the cliffs. It is a short but welcome change after time spent watching the water from the boat.

You can use the provided masks, but you need to bring your own snorkel tube. The information does not promise a major reef or a long snorkeling session, so think of this as a refreshing swim with a chance to look beneath the surface, not a dedicated snorkeling expedition.

The setting is the real draw. Swimming below Los Gigantes lets you appreciate the cliffs from another angle, with the rock walls rising above you. The water may feel cool, and the stop is brief, so have your swimwear on before departure and keep your towel close.

Biodegradable sunscreen is requested, with SPF 50 or higher recommended. Apply it before boarding, then reapply as needed while following the crew’s guidance. Bring sunglasses and a sun hat too, since the open deck offers little escape from strong Canarian sun.

Homemade tapas and drinks on board

After swimming, the crew serves a homemade menu of tapas, with drinks. This is a useful touch because it turns the trip into more than a wildlife search followed by a quick return to port.

The food has earned repeated praise, including fresh options for vegetarians. Specific dishes are not listed, so do not book expecting a particular menu, but you can expect a casual spread rather than a formal meal. It suits the relaxed nature of the boat.

Food after swimming also makes practical sense. You can dry off, eat, and chat while the boat returns toward Los Gigantes. If you have serious dietary needs, ask the crew before departure rather than relying on the general mention of vegetarian choices.

The meal is included in the overall price, along with drinks. That improves the value, especially when compared with a basic boat outing that charges extra for refreshments.

Is $88 a fair price?

At $88 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water around Tenerife. It is also not simply a short ferry ride. You are paying for three to four hours, a small group capped at nine, a sailing boat, wildlife interpretation, cliff views, a swim stop, tapas, and drinks.

The small group is the biggest value point. Large whale-watching boats can cost less per person, but you may spend more time waiting for a view or standing behind other passengers. Here, the crew can give more direct attention, and the atmosphere is less hectic.

The conservation work also adds value, though it should not be treated as a luxury extra. Responsible wildlife viewing matters. The Blue Boat Flag, the sustainability charter, and the company’s connection with the South Tenerife Cetaceans Association show that conservation is built into the way the activity operates.

Still, the price cannot guarantee whales. You are buying time on the sea and a responsible search for wildlife, not a guaranteed sighting. If you need certainty, no whale-watching trip can honestly provide it. If you value the whole outing, including scenery, sailing, swimming, food, and learning, the price is easier to justify.

The activity has a 4.9 rating from 215 reviews, which fits the strongest parts of the experience: small groups, friendly crew, good food, and careful wildlife viewing. Keep your expectations realistic about the ocean, and the value looks solid.

Who will enjoy this trip most?

I would choose this excursion if you want a quiet, personal boat trip rather than a high-capacity cruise. Couples, families with older children, and small groups of friends should find the format comfortable, especially if everyone enjoys nature and does not need a packed schedule.

It also suits people who care about how wildlife is approached. The crew explains why distance matters and may stop the engine when animals are nearby. You get more than a quick photograph. You get context about pilot whales, dolphins, and the sea around Tenerife.

This is less suitable if you want a long snorkeling session, a guaranteed whale sighting, or a fast, action-heavy ride. The swim lasts only about 15 minutes, and the wildlife portion depends on nature. It may also be a poor fit if you are highly prone to seasickness.

The trip works well for vegetarians, since vegetarian tapas have been served. If you have other food requirements, confirm them before setting out.

Useful booking and packing advice

You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. Those terms are helpful when weather, illness, or a changing Tenerife schedule may affect your plans.

Bring:

• Sunglasses
• A sun hat
• Swimwear
• A towel
• Biodegradable sunscreen, ideally SPF 50 or higher

Life vests and snorkel masks are supplied. The snorkel tube is not included, so bring one if you want to use the mask properly.

The boat is identified as Aemon or Ayla at the meeting point. Check that detail before departure so you can find the right vessel without confusion.

Should you book the Los Gigantes whale-watching sail?

I would book this if you want small-group whale watching with a responsible crew, a scenic sail, and a pleasant swim-and-tapas finish. The best features are not flashy. They are the limited passenger count, the careful approach to marine life, the multilingual guidance, and the chance to enjoy Los Gigantes from the water without feeling packed in.

Book with the understanding that whales are wild animals. You might see pilot whales, dolphins, or turtles, or you might spend more time enjoying the cliffs and open sea. If that sounds like a worthwhile half-day even without a perfect sighting, this is a strong choice at $88.

FAQ

How long is the whale-watching cruise?

The activity lasts three to four hours. About 1.5 hours is planned for wildlife viewing, about one hour for sailing, 15 minutes for snorkeling, and 15 minutes for the onboard meal.

How many passengers can join the boat?

The shared sailboat carries a maximum of nine passengers. Private and small-group options are available.

What marine animals might I see?

Possible sightings include resident and migratory marine species, pilot whales, dolphins, and turtles. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Safety gear and snorkel masks are included. You need to bring your own snorkel tube, towel, swimwear, and biodegradable sunscreen.

Which languages are spoken on the tour?

The live guides speak Spanish, English, and French.

What should I bring to the meeting point?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, and biodegradable sunscreen with high protection, preferably SPF 50 or higher. Look for the boat named Aemon or Ayla at Picarus Sailing Club.