Los Gigantes: Private Sailing Tour with Swim, Drink, & Tapas

Los Gigantes is best seen from the water, where Tenerife’s tall red cliffs rise above quiet coves and open sea. On this private sailing trip, you can watch for pilot whales, stop for a swim, and enjoy tapas from the deck instead of squeezing into a large group boat.

I like the private setting and the choice of tour length. I also like the thoughtful touches: one birthday outing included a small cake arranged by the crew, while another group praised the clean yacht, relaxed pace, and repeated pilot whale sightings. The main consideration is price. At $765 for up to 11 people, it makes much more sense for a family or group than for one or two passengers.

Key Points

• Pilot whale sightings are possible: The boat cruises along a coast known for marine life, and one outing had repeated sightings of pilot whales.
• The yacht is called Sangría: You meet your skipper at Muelle Deportivo La Marina Los Gigantes, Dock 1.
• Private groups get breathing room: The price covers up to 11 people, with no unrelated passengers added to your boat.
• Snorkeling is part of the plan: You may see colorful fish, octopuses, sea turtles, and manta rays in clear water.
• Tapas and drinks are included: Alcoholic and soft drinks are available after your swim, along with food and vegetarian or vegan options if requested ahead of time.
• You can choose 3 to 8 hours: A shorter cruise suits a quick sea outing, while a longer trip gives you more time for swimming, wildlife watching, and relaxing.

Setting Sail Beneath the Los Gigantes Cliffs

The first reward comes before the swimming. From the port, the Sangría follows Tenerife’s coast toward the towering cliffs of Los Gigantes, a dramatic wall of red and brown rock that looks even more imposing from sea level.

I like this opening because it gives the trip a clear sense of place. You are not simply taking a boat ride in open water. You are seeing one of Tenerife’s signature coastal features from an angle that roads and viewpoints cannot provide.

The exact route depends on the chosen tour length and conditions, but the plan includes sailing through calm bays and natural coves. These quieter sections are useful for taking photographs, stretching out on deck, and letting the skipper set an easy pace.

A private boat also changes the mood. You can settle into the trip without a large crowd competing for the best view or asking the crew to hurry through the next stop. For couples, families, and small groups, that extra room is a major part of the value.

The boat is described as neat and clean, and the crew has earned praise for a relaxed approach. Do not expect a loud party cruise. This is better suited to people who want sea air, time in the water, and an unhurried afternoon with their own group.

Watching for Pilot Whales Along Tenerife’s Coast

Los Gigantes is a good base for looking for marine life, and the cruise gives you time on the water rather than only a quick photo stop. Pilot whales have been spotted repeatedly during the sailing, including one trip when the boat encountered them many times.

Wild animals follow their own schedule, so no sighting can be promised. That is worth keeping in mind when you compare this cruise with a formal wildlife guarantee. Still, the private format lets you pay attention to the sea without having to share the boat with a large crowd.

The crew can point out marine life and help you make sense of what you are seeing. Guides speak Spanish, English, and French, which is useful for mixed-language groups.

I would bring a camera, but keep it secure and easy to use. The boat’s most memorable moments may happen quickly, especially if whales appear at a distance. You will also want sunscreen close at hand, since the deck offers little reason to stay below for long.

A December trip received praise for its calm feel, good weather, clean boat, and enjoyable whale watching. That does not mean December always brings ideal conditions, but it does show that the experience can work outside the main summer months.

Swimming and Snorkeling in Clear Water

At a suitable bay or offshore location, the boat stops for swimming and snorkeling. You can step into the clear blue water, use the provided equipment, and look for local marine life below the surface.

The listed animals include sea turtles, manta rays, octopuses, and colorful fish. Sightings depend on the location, weather, and the animals themselves. You should treat these as possible encounters, not a fixed aquarium-style display.

The snorkeling stop is one of the trip’s main attractions, but it may not suit everyone. You need to be comfortable entering open water from a boat. The description does not specify a shallow beach entry, lifeguard service, or special flotation arrangements, so ask the provider if anyone in your group has limited swimming ability.

Do not touch marine life or feed animals. That rule protects the creatures and keeps the encounter respectful. Fishing is also not allowed, which keeps the focus on watching and enjoying the coast rather than taking anything from it.

Bring your own swimwear and towel. Snorkeling gear is supplied, but swim clothing and drying equipment are not. Sunscreen is essential, and it is sensible to apply it before boarding so you do not waste time during the stop.

The water is likely to feel different depending on the season and the day’s conditions. You can choose to swim, snorkel, or simply remain on board. A private cruise makes that choice easier because your group does not have to follow the pace of strangers.

Tapas, Drinks, and Time on Deck

After the swim, the trip shifts from active to leisurely. You can dry off, sit on deck, and enjoy tapas with an alcoholic or soft drink while the boat continues along the coast or pauses in a sheltered area.

The food is not an afterthought. One birthday outing received particular praise for the tapas, and the crew even arranged a small birthday cake on the day. If you are marking a special occasion, tell the provider in advance. The cake was a spontaneous gesture, so it should not be treated as a standard inclusion.

Vegetarian and vegan food options are available, but you need to notify the activity provider before the tour. That is especially important for a private booking, since the crew can plan more easily when dietary needs are known ahead of time.

I like this part of the experience because it makes the cruise more than a sequence of stops. The swimming gives you something active to do, while the meal gives you a reason to slow down and enjoy the view.

Alcohol is included, but you should keep it moderate. The boat still has a swim stop, and the operator does not allow drugs or inappropriate behavior. Smoking is not allowed in the vehicle, and feeding or touching animals is prohibited.

Choosing Between Three and Eight Hours

The wide duration range matters. A 3-hour trip can work well if you want a taste of sailing, a swim, some food, and a chance to search for whales without committing a full day.

A longer cruise gives the skipper more time to follow the coast, pause in bays, watch for marine life, and let you enjoy the boat without rushing. It is the better choice for a birthday, family gathering, or group that wants the cruise itself to be the main event.

You will need to check the available start times when booking. The tour does not publish one fixed departure time, and schedules can vary by the length selected.

Hotel pickup is available in the Los Gigantes area, with transport to the port and a return ride afterward. The meeting point listed for the sailing itself is Muelle Deportivo La Marina Los Gigantes, Dock 1. Confirm the pickup details when you book, especially if your accommodation is outside that area.

The experience provider is Blue Dream Sailing. The crew includes a skipper and guide, though specific guide names are not supplied. Expect instruction and assistance in Spanish, English, or French.

Is $765 Good Value for Your Group?

The price is $765 per group of up to 11 people. At full capacity, that works out to about $70 per person, before considering the private boat, skipper, drinks, tapas, snorkeling equipment, and transport from hotels in the Los Gigantes area.

That is a strong value for a full family or friend group. You get the boat for yourselves, and the cost does not rise with every additional person up to the 11-person limit.

For two people, the calculation looks different. Splitting $765 between a couple makes this a premium outing. You are paying for privacy, a yacht, flexible pacing, food, and direct access to the sea, not simply a seat on a standard sightseeing boat.

The shorter 3-hour option may help keep the experience focused, but the price details are presented as a group rate rather than separate rates by duration. Check the exact amount for your preferred time before confirming.

I would book this for a group that values privacy and wants several parts of Tenerife in one outing: cliffs, wildlife, swimming, food, and sailing. I would compare other options if your only goal is to snorkel cheaply or take a basic whale-watching ride.

Who Will Enjoy This Private Sailing Trip?

This tour fits families with older children, couples celebrating an occasion, groups of friends, and anyone who prefers a calm boat setting to a packed excursion. The private format is especially useful when people in your group want different levels of activity.

Some can snorkel. Others can stay on deck with a drink. Nobody has to spend the whole stop in the water.

It also suits food-conscious groups, provided you send vegetarian or vegan requests before departure. The included tapas make the trip feel more complete, particularly on the longer cruise choices.

You should think twice if you dislike open-water swimming, need a beach entry, or want a guaranteed wildlife encounter. The itinerary depends on sea conditions and natural sightings, and the activity information does not promise a specific number of whales, turtles, or rays.

This is also not a fishing trip, party boat, or smoking-friendly cruise. The rules are clear: no fishing, no feeding animals, no touching marine life, and no drugs or fireworks.

Practical Details Before You Board

Bring your passport or ID card, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Snorkeling equipment is included, but personal clothing and towels are not.

Wear something comfortable for sitting on deck and keep loose items secure. The information does not list storage details, so avoid bringing more than you need.

The meeting point is Dock 1 at Muelle Deportivo La Marina Los Gigantes. If you are staying in the Los Gigantes area, hotel pickup and return transport are available.

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

The tour is a private group activity, and the maximum group size is 11 people. This limit is worth checking when you count children and adults, since the price applies to the group rather than only paying adults.

Should You Book Blue Dream Sailing?

I would book this cruise if you have a group large enough to share the $765 cost and want a relaxed day built around the sea. The best reasons are the private yacht, the red cliffs, the chance to see pilot whales, and the easy combination of swimming, snorkeling, tapas, and drinks.

I would choose the longer option for a special occasion or a group that wants time to settle into the boat. I would choose the shorter trip if you mainly want the coastal views and one water stop.

The main caution is simple: marine life is wild, and the water may not suit every swimmer. If you accept that uncertainty and bring the required swimwear, towel, ID, and sunscreen, this is a polished and personal way to see Los Gigantes from the water.

FAQ

Where does the sailing tour meet?

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

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and return transport are available for hotels in the Los Gigantes area.

How many people can join the private tour?

The price covers a private group of up to 11 people.

How long does the sailing trip last?

You can choose a tour lasting from 3 to 8 hours. Available starting times depend on the selected option.

What languages does the guide speak?

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

Is snorkeling equipment included?

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

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. Tapas and an alcoholic or soft drink are included.

Are vegetarian and vegan food options available?

Yes. Vegetarian and vegan options are available if you notify the activity provider before the tour.

What should I bring?

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

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve now and pay later is also available.