Tenerife: Los Gigantes Whale Watching Cruise by Sail Boat

The best part of this three-hour sailing trip is the small boat. With no more than 10 people aboard, you have room to move, listen to the crew, and watch pilot whales or dolphins without feeling packed into a floating bus. David, Jamie, and Eileen are known for explaining the wildlife clearly and treating the animals with care.

I like two things in particular: the chance to help raise the sail when conditions allow, and the easy mix of wildlife watching, swimming, snorkeling, food, and scenery. The return past the cliffs of Los Gigantes gives the trip a fine finish. The main consideration is simple: wild animals set the schedule, so whale sightings are never guaranteed, and the sea can bother anyone prone to motion sickness.

Key points

• Small boat, maximum 10 people: You get space to sit, move around, and see the water without a large crowd.
• Wildlife in its natural setting: The main search is for pilot whales and dolphins, with turtles, flying fish, seabirds, and other marine life possible.
• Two hours focused on the open sea: The wildlife portion is not a quick photo stop before lunch.
• Swimming below the Los Gigantes cliffs: The 30-minute cove stop adds clear water, snorkeling, and a change of pace.
• Food and drinks are part of the fare: Fresh fruit, homemade sandwiches, wine, cava, beer, soft drinks, and vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices are included.
• Multilingual crew: Spanish, English, French, and German are spoken.

Why this Los Gigantes cruise feels different

Tenerife has no shortage of boat trips, but this one is built around a smaller sailing boat rather than a large sightseeing vessel. That matters. A 10-person group gives you a better chance of hearing the guide, asking questions, and finding a comfortable spot on deck.

The setting helps, too. Los Gigantes is famous for its steep coastal cliffs, and seeing them from the water changes their scale. From the port, the rock walls rise beside the coast. On the way back, you get time to take in the cliffs without having to rush from one sight to the next.

The tone is relaxed rather than flashy. The crew may raise the sail if wind and conditions are suitable, letting you travel under wind power for part of the route. At other times, the boat may use its engine. One past passenger specifically wished the sailing element had been used more, so if sailing itself is your main reason for booking, keep expectations flexible.

The wildlife is the real focus. The crew looks for dolphins and pilot whales in the Atlantic, and turtles are also possible. Several outings have included close views of pilot whale pods, calves, dolphins, and turtles, while another trip saw flying fish and colorful fish during the snorkeling stop.

Setting out from Pier 1 in Los Gigantes

You meet at Third Element Luxury Charters Whale Watching & Sailing Charters, at Pier 1, mooring number 156. The meeting point is in the port of Los Gigantes, and the supplied Google Maps link can help you find the exact spot.

Once aboard, you can expect a short introduction before the boat heads out. The crew speaks Spanish, English, French, and German, which is useful in a mixed group. David, Jamie, and Eileen are among the guides associated with the boat, although the exact crew may vary on your departure.

The boat itself receives high marks for being clean, comfortable, and well maintained. That is not just a cosmetic detail. On a three-hour outing, you want a tidy place to sit, clear sightlines, and enough room to move when wildlife appears on one side of the boat.

Bring breathable clothing and comfortable clothes. You should also pack swimwear, a towel, and a change of clothes. Towels are not supplied, but snorkeling equipment is included.

Two hours searching for whales and dolphins

The wildlife portion lasts about two hours, giving the crew time to search rather than simply head to one fixed point. Pilot whales are the most frequently reported large animals on this route, and sightings have included entire pods with very young calves.

Dolphins can also appear close to the boat. Some outings have seen playful groups around the sailing boat, while others have spotted more than one dolphin, turtles, flying fish, and seabirds. You may also see marine life that is easy to miss if you only watch the horizon, so keep looking around the water and sky.

The crew’s approach is important. Their explanations cover local marine life, the surrounding ocean, and Tenerife and the Canary Islands more broadly. Their care for wildlife is also part of the appeal. The boat does not promise a staged animal encounter, and the crew follows a respectful approach rather than forcing close contact.

That means conditions vary. You might see pilot whales near the boat, or you might see dolphins and turtles instead. One outing produced excellent dolphin sightings but no whales. This is not a fault in the trip. It is the honest trade-off of seeing animals in the wild.

If you want a guaranteed whale performance, this is not the right kind of activity. If you prefer a calm search guided by people who explain what you are seeing, it is a better fit.

What the small group means on the water

The group limit of 10 is one of the strongest reasons to pay $88 for this trip. You are not paying only for a boat ride. You are paying for space, food, equipment, and a more personal outing.

On a small boat, you can spread out and change position when the wildlife appears. You can ask the crew about a whale’s behavior or the seabirds overhead without shouting across a crowd. Solo passengers can also feel more included, since the group is small enough for conversation to happen naturally.

The small size does not make the boat private. Other people will be aboard, and the experience depends partly on the mood of the group and the sea conditions. Still, the difference between 10 people and a much larger excursion is easy to understand, especially during wildlife watching.

Families with older children can enjoy it. Two children aged 10 and 11 were reported to have loved the combination of whales, snorkeling, and food. You should still consider how your children handle open water and boat movement.

The trip is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. The activity involves boarding a boat, moving around its deck, and getting in and out of the water at the snorkeling stop.

A swim and snorkel below the cliffs

After the open-water search, the boat stops for about 30 minutes at a small cove along the Tenerife coast. This is usually near the Los Gigantes cliffs, where the scenery gives the swim a memorable setting.

You can swim from the boat or use the provided snorkeling equipment. Past outings have found clear blue water and colorful fish at this stop. The cove gives you a chance to slow down after two hours of scanning the sea for animals.

Do not treat this as a full snorkeling excursion. Thirty minutes passes quickly, and the main purpose of the day is whale watching and sailing. Still, the stop adds real value. You get an active break, a chance to cool off, and another way to see the coast.

You should be comfortable in the water before booking. The crew has looked after people who were not confident swimmers, but the activity still includes a swim from the boat. Bring your own towel and a dry change of clothes for the return trip.

Fresh food, fruit, and drinks on board

The included food is better than a token snack. The crew serves fresh fruit and homemade sandwiches, with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options available. The sandwiches are prepared for the group, and you can expect the food after the swim or during the journey back.

Drinks include water-based soft drinks, beer, red and white wine, and cava. The chilled white wine and cava have been especially popular, but you can choose a soft drink if you prefer. The food and drink service turns the trip into a relaxed half-day outing rather than a simple wildlife transfer.

If you have dietary needs, make use of the stated options when booking or before departure. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free food is available, but it is sensible to make your preference clear in advance.

The menu is not a restaurant meal, and you should not expect a large buffet. It is a fresh, practical boat lunch that fits the setting. After swimming and time in the sun, a sandwich and fruit are exactly what most people need.

The return trip past Los Gigantes

The boat makes its way back slowly toward the port, with views of Los Gigantes from the sea. This final stretch is less active than the wildlife search, but it gives you time to enjoy the cliffs and recover from the swim.

Take photos here if you like, but remember that photography is not included as a service. Photos are not part of the fare, so bring your own phone or camera if you want pictures.

The return also gives the crew room to continue talking about the island, local nature, and the sea. Several outings have been praised for their multilingual explanations and warm, attentive hosting. David, Jamie, and Eileen are often singled out for their easy manner and clear information, though the team can change depending on the departure.

Is $88 a fair price?

At $88 per person, this is not the cheapest boat trip you may see in Los Gigantes. The price makes more sense when you count what is included: three hours on the water, a maximum group of 10, a sailing boat, wildlife watching, a swim and snorkel stop, equipment, fruit, sandwiches, and a broad selection of drinks.

The strongest value comes from the small group. If you only want a quick look at the cliffs, you can find cheaper ways to spend time on the coast. If you want wildlife watching in a less crowded setting, with food and a swim included, the cost is easier to justify.

I would also factor in the crew’s role. The trip depends on spotting animals, reading sea conditions, and explaining what you see. Good guidance adds value when a whale appears briefly or a turtle surfaces far from the boat.

The price is less attractive if you do not care about wildlife, do not want to swim, or prefer a large party boat with louder entertainment. For the right kind of day, though, the package is well balanced.

Practical advice before you book

The sea is not always calm. One outing specifically noted that some people suffered from seasickness, so if you are prone to it, take suitable medication beforehand. That is a practical step, especially because the wildlife search spends substantial time in open water.

Wear light, breathable clothing and bring a layer if you feel cold on the water. Pack swimwear, a towel, and spare clothes. Sunscreen and a hat are sensible additions, although they are not listed as required items.

The trip lasts three hours, but allow extra time around the port for finding the mooring and boarding. Check the available start times for your chosen date. The activity offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option, which can help if your Tenerife schedule is still shifting.

Because the boat is small, it can fill up. If this is a priority for your holiday, booking ahead is sensible, especially if you want a particular day or time.

Who should choose this sailing trip?

I would recommend it to you if you want a quieter wildlife outing, prefer small groups, and like the idea of combining sea life with a swim and a simple lunch. It works particularly well for couples, solo passengers, families with older children, and anyone who values personal attention from the crew.

It is also a good pick if wildlife ethics matter to you. The crew’s careful approach, their interest in local marine life, and their willingness to remove rubbish or help an animal in difficulty have added meaning to the day.

I would think twice if you need guaranteed whale sightings, dislike boat movement, cannot comfortably board a sailing boat, or have limited mobility. The snorkeling stop is brief, and the sailing depends on the wind, so neither part should be treated as guaranteed in exactly the same form on every departure.

Should you book it?

Yes, if you want a small-scale Tenerife boat trip with a real wildlife focus and more than a quick ride along the coast. The combination of pilot whales, dolphins, possible turtles, Los Gigantes cliffs, a swim, food, and drinks gives you a full three hours for the money.

Book it with realistic expectations. Animals may stay distant, the sail may not always be raised, and the sea may be choppy. But if you can accept nature on its own terms, this is a thoughtful and comfortable way to see the Atlantic from Tenerife.

FAQ

Where does the whale watching cruise leave from?

Meet at Third Element Luxury Charters Whale Watching & Sailing Charters in Los Gigantes, at Pier 1, mooring number 156.

How long is the activity?

The cruise lasts three hours in total. About two hours are spent sailing and looking for marine life, followed by around 30 minutes for swimming and snorkeling.

How many people can join the boat?

The group is limited to 10 participants.

Which animals might I see?

The main animals are dolphins and pilot whales. Turtles, flying fish, seabirds, and other marine life may also appear.

Is swimming included?

Yes. The boat stops at a small coastal cove where you can swim and snorkel.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

What food is included?

Fresh fruit and homemade sandwiches are included. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available.

Which drinks are included?

Drinks include cava, red and white wine, beer, and soft drinks.

Are towels provided?

No. You should bring your own towel, along with swimwear and a change of clothes.

Is the activity suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.