Los Gigantes: Sailing Excursion with Swimming, Drink & Tapas

The best part of this Los Gigantes sailing trip is the mix of wildlife watching and swimming. You may spot pilot whales or dolphins offshore, then trade the open sea for clear water beneath Tenerife’s huge red cliffs. It feels more personal than a packed excursion boat, with room for only 10 people.

I like the quiet, no-music atmosphere and the practical extras: snorkeling gear, a drink, and a generous tapas spread are included. The crew, including guides such as Luis and Moises, keeps the mood friendly without filling every moment with talk. The main catch is time. Three hours passes quickly, and some departures spend more time sailing than watching animals.

Key points to know before booking

• Only 10 people fit on board: This small group keeps the boat from feeling crowded and gives you more room to sit, swim, and watch the coast.
• Whales and dolphins are a real possibility: Pilot whales, bottlenose dolphins, other dolphins, flying fish, turtles, and tuna have all been spotted on past trips, but wildlife is never guaranteed.
• Snorkeling takes place near Los Gigantes: The stop may bring sea turtles, manta rays, octopuses, or smaller fish, though sightings vary.
• Tapas and drinks are included: You receive an alcoholic or soft drink plus a snack spread after time in the water.
• The cliffs are the visual star: Los Gigantes rises sharply from the sea, giving you a close coastal view that is hard to get from land.
• Plan your own way to the harbor: The meeting point is Muelle Deportivo La Marina Los Gigantes, Dock 1, and regular pickup is not offered from northern Tenerife.

Setting sail from Puerto de Los Gigantes

You meet the crew at Muelle Deportivo La Marina Los Gigantes, Dock 1. The departure point puts you right beside the water, with the cliffs already forming the backdrop. Check the exact starting time when booking, since several departure times may be available.

The boat is called the Sangría, and it carries no more than 10 participants. That number matters. You are not fighting for a place along the rail or squeezing past a crowd to reach the swim ladder. A small boat also makes it easier to hear the skipper and ask questions.

The crew speaks Spanish, English, and French. Luis and Moises are names that appear often in connection with the boat, and both are described as warm, attentive, and good at explaining the marine life around Tenerife. One caution: if several languages are needed at once, not every piece of commentary may be translated in full. Instructions are covered, but informal facts may be given mainly in one language.

The boat ride itself is part of the experience. You follow the coast at an easy pace, passing rocky bays and small coves. The cliffs change color and shape as the angle shifts, and the water gives you a broad view of the coast rather than the narrow view from a road or lookout.

The red cliffs of Los Gigantes

Los Gigantes is famous for its steep coastal cliffs, and this trip gives you the view that makes their scale clear. From the boat, the rock walls rise directly from the sea, with very little between you and the cliffs. Their red and dark volcanic tones look especially striking from the water.

The route includes bays and natural coves, though the exact order can change. One past departure did not enter bays or caves, so do not book this expecting a fixed cave tour. The coast is the main attraction, and the skipper chooses the route based on sea conditions and the wildlife search.

I like this part because the trip does not rush straight to one stop. You get time to watch the cliffs recede, see the coves from the water, and settle into the rhythm of a sailing outing. If you want constant activity, the slower stretches may feel uneventful. If you enjoy open water and quiet scenery, they are useful breathing space.

The boat has no onboard speakers or music, according to one particularly appreciated feature of the experience. You hear the water, the engine, and the people around you. That makes the setting feel less staged.

Looking for pilot whales and dolphins

After following the cliffs, the boat heads farther out in search of marine life. The waters around Tenerife support pilot whales and several dolphin species, and past outings have also encountered flying fish and tuna. Pilot whales with young have been seen close to the boat, while dolphins have sometimes swum beside it.

The strongest wildlife encounters can be thrilling. Seeing a pod surface near the boat gives the outing a real sense of place, not just a scenic ride. The crew also shares facts about local sea life and points out what you are seeing, which is helpful when a dark fin appears for only a few seconds.

Still, keep your expectations sensible. Animals move freely, and the boat cannot promise a particular species or a certain amount of viewing time. One person felt the trip spent too much time sailing and not enough time staying near the whales and dolphins. That is a fair concern for anyone booking mainly for wildlife.

The search is also shaped by responsible boating rules. The coast has limits on how many boats may be present in some whale-watching areas. That can mean less crowding around the animals and a calmer viewing experience, though it may also require more time to reach the right place.

Bring patience and keep your eyes moving. You may see wildlife early, or the boat may need to cover more water before the crew finds a pod. The guides help, but this is nature, not a show with scheduled appearances.

Swimming and snorkeling near the cliffs

The water stop is one of the clearest reasons to choose this trip instead of a simple sightseeing cruise. The boat stops so you can swim or use the supplied snorkeling gear. The setting near Los Gigantes puts you in clear water with the cliffs rising close by.

Descriptions of possible sea life include turtles, manta rays, and octopuses. Other outings have seen parrot fish and smaller marine life. These sightings are possible, not promised, but even a quiet swim gives you a different view of the coast. Looking back at the red cliffs from the water is the point.

The crew provides snorkeling equipment and life jackets. One person found the supplied mask and snorkel less than ideal and suggested bringing personal equipment if you have it. That is sensible advice for confident snorkelers who care about fit. If you do not own gear, the included equipment means you do not need to arrange anything before boarding.

You need to bring your own swimwear and towel. Sunscreen is also essential, even on a cooler day. The activity provider asks you not to touch marine life or feed animals, so treat the stop as observation rather than an attempt to handle what you see.

Swimming is optional. You can stay on deck with a drink if the water is not appealing or conditions do not suit you. The boat’s small size helps here, since you can relax without feeling lost in a large crowd.

Tapas, drinks, and the final hour

After time in the water, the crew serves tapas on deck. The food is described as a snack spread with vegetables and other small bites, and some outings include enough food to feel like a light lunch. It is a welcome finish after swimming in salt water.

Your booking includes an alcoholic or soft drink. Cava has been served on some trips, and the crew is generally generous with drinks. If you do not drink alcohol, tell the provider about dietary or drink needs before departure. The nonalcoholic selection may be more limited than the alcoholic options, so this is worth clarifying.

Vegetarian and vegan food can be arranged if you notify Blue Dream Sailing in advance. The supplied information does not give a full menu, so do not expect a restaurant-style meal. Think of tapas as a pleasant snack and a useful part of the price, not the main reason to book.

The meal is served beneath or near the cliffs on some routes. That setting makes a simple plate of tapas feel special. You are eating outside, with the sea around you and the rock walls close by.

The timing can feel tight. Three hours includes sailing, wildlife watching, the water stop, and food. If you want a long swim, a slow lunch, and extended whale watching, this may leave you wishing for another hour. Several people felt that four hours would have been ideal.

What the $82 price really buys

At $82 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water. You are paying for a small group, a skipper and guide, snorkeling gear, the Los Gigantes coast, wildlife searching, tapas, and a drink. Add the limited capacity, and the price becomes easier to understand.

A large boat may offer lower fares, but it will not give you the same amount of space or the same quiet feel. Here, 10 is the maximum, and some departures have carried only five to nine people. That can make the boat feel almost private without the cost of chartering one yourself.

The value depends on what you want from the outing. If you mainly want a guaranteed whale sighting, no boat can provide that. If you want a balanced half-day on the sea with cliffs, wildlife, swimming, food, and a small group, the package is strong.

The trip also includes a live guide in three languages. That is useful for families and mixed-language groups, though commentary may not be equally detailed in every language. The crew’s friendly, attentive approach is a major part of the experience, and it helps the trip feel relaxed rather than scripted.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most

I would choose this for couples, families, and anyone who prefers a calm boat with fewer people. It works especially well if you want several experiences in one outing: coastal scenery, marine life, snorkeling, and a light meal.

Families should note that children and babies who join for free still need to be included when booking so their places are reserved. The boat allows up to four children per trip. Swimming is optional, and life jackets are available.

This is also a good choice for people who dislike loud entertainment. There is no need to expect music or a party atmosphere. The quiet deck, natural sounds, and small group suit anyone who wants to pay attention to the sea.

I would hesitate if you dislike uncertain wildlife searches or want a full day on the water. The tour lasts three hours, and one stop may feel brief. It is also not ideal if you need regular transport from northern Tenerife, since the meeting point is in Los Gigantes and pickup options are limited.

Practical details that make the day easier

Bring a passport or ID card, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Wear something comfortable for a boat, and keep personal items secure around the swimming area.

Do not bring weapons, sharp objects, fireworks, explosives, or anything for making a fire. Smoking in the vehicle, fishing, feeding animals, touching marine life, nudity, speakers, alcohol not supplied by the crew, and drugs are not allowed.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before departure. The reserve-now, pay-later option also helps if you are still arranging your Tenerife schedule.

The boat departs from Los Gigantes, not from the northern side of the island. Arrange your own route to Dock 1 and leave enough time to find Muelle Deportivo La Marina Los Gigantes. The supplied information does not include a standard hotel transfer service.

Should you book the Los Gigantes sailing excursion?

Book it if you want a small, quiet boat trip with a real chance of seeing pilot whales or dolphins, followed by a swim beneath the red cliffs. The crew, limited capacity, tapas, and included drink give the $82 price solid value for a three-hour outing.

Skip it if your priority is a long snorkeling session, a guaranteed wildlife encounter, or a four-hour cruise. The route can spend a fair amount of time sailing, and not every trip includes caves or extended stops.

For most people, the best reason to book is the combination. You get Los Gigantes from the water, a chance to see Tenerife’s marine life, a clear-water swim, and food on deck without being packed into a large excursion boat. Just bring a towel, keep your wildlife expectations flexible, and enjoy the quiet stretches as part of the trip.

FAQ

Where does the Los Gigantes sailing trip start?

It starts at Muelle Deportivo La Marina Los Gigantes, Dock 1.

How long does the excursion last?

The sailing excursion lasts three hours.

How many people can join the boat trip?

The boat has a maximum capacity of 10 participants.

What languages does the guide speak?

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

Are drinks included?

Yes. One alcoholic or soft drink is included, and additional drinks may be available on board.

Is food included?

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

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included. You should bring your own equipment if you prefer a particular mask or snorkel.

Can children join the excursion?

Yes. Children and babies who qualify for free participation can join, but you must include them when booking to reserve their places. The tour allows up to four children.

What should I bring?

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

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.