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

Los Gigantes looks most dramatic from the water. On this private sailing trip, you cruise below Tenerife’s towering red cliffs, watch for pilot whales and dolphins, and stop in calm coves for a swim. The boat is the Sangría, and the outing is arranged for your own group of up to 11 people.

I like the mix of wild coastal scenery and time in the water, rather than a nonstop ride. I also like the relaxed food service: tapas and a drink are served onboard after you swim, so you can dry off on deck and enjoy the view without rushing back to shore.

The main consideration is price. At $765 per group, this makes the most sense when several people share the cost. The shorter three-hour option may feel brief if swimming and whale watching are your main goals, while the longer options require a larger time commitment.

Key points to know before booking

• Private use of the boat: Your group has the Sangría and skipper to itself, with space for up to 11 people.
• Los Gigantes from the sea: The cruise follows Tenerife’s red coastal cliffs and reaches quiet bays and natural coves.
• Wildlife is part of the outing: Pilot whales, dolphins, sea turtles, octopuses, manta rays, and colorful fish may be seen, but sightings are not guaranteed.
• Snorkeling gear is included: You can enter the clear water during a swimming stop without bringing your own mask and snorkel.
• Food comes after the swim: Tapas and an alcoholic or soft drink are included for a simple meal onboard.
• Flexible tour length: You can choose an outing from three to eight hours, depending on availability.

Setting out from Los Gigantes

The meeting point is Muelle Deportivo La Marina Los Gigantes, Dock 1. If you are staying in the Los Gigantes area, hotel pickup is included before the ride to the port. You then meet the skipper, board the Sangría, and begin the coastal cruise.

Bring your passport or ID card, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Swimwear and towels are not provided, and sunscreen matters here because much of the experience takes place on an open deck with little reason to stay below.

The available guides speak Spanish, English, and French. That gives you a practical choice of language for safety instructions, wildlife questions, and the general flow of the day. Since this is a private trip, you can also discuss your group’s pace with the skipper instead of adapting to a large mixed crowd.

The boat has received especially strong marks for being clean and well kept. That matters on a private sailing trip, where a neat boat and an orderly deck can make a long afternoon far more comfortable. The crew has also handled special occasions well, including arranging a small birthday cake on one outing.

Seeing Los Gigantes from below the cliffs

The first part of the cruise follows the coast beneath the red cliffs of Los Gigantes. From land, the cliffs are already impressive. From the water, you get a different sense of their height because the boat moves directly along their base and gives you open views back toward the coast.

The route passes tranquil bays and natural coves. These sheltered areas are useful stops because the water can feel calmer than the open sea, making them good places to pause, take photographs, or simply sit on deck with a drink.

You should not expect a sightseeing cruise with a fixed list of monuments. The appeal is the setting itself: red rock, clear water, coves, and the changing angle of Tenerife’s coast as the boat moves. I like this kind of route because it leaves room for a slower pace. You are not being moved from one crowded stop to another.

The exact route and stop length can vary. The experience is offered in several durations, from three to eight hours, and the available start time depends on the date you choose. A three-hour trip gives you a taste of the cliffs, one swimming stop, and time for food. A longer booking gives the skipper more time to look for marine life and spend unhurried time in the water.

Whale and dolphin watching along Tenerife’s coast

The water around Los Gigantes is home to a wide range of marine species, so keep your eyes on the sea while under sail. Pilot whales have been seen repeatedly on the trip, and dolphins are also part of the wildlife possibilities.

A pilot whale sighting can be the high point of the day, especially when the boat is moving quietly along the coast. One December outing included plenty of whale watching in good weather. Another summer trip included repeated sightings of pilot whales during the sail.

Still, wildlife remains wild. The crew cannot promise that you will see a particular species or how close animals will come to the boat. That is worth remembering when comparing this outing with a dedicated wildlife cruise. Here, whale watching is combined with sailing, swimming, food, and private use of the boat.

The rules are sensible and important. You may not feed or touch marine life, and fishing is not allowed. These limits protect the animals and keep the encounter low-impact. You should also avoid treating a wildlife sighting like a scheduled performance. The best approach is to enjoy the sailing even if the sea stays quiet for a while.

The open-water swimming and snorkeling stop

The swimming stop is the active part of the day. You can enter the clear blue water from the boat and use the included snorkeling equipment to look for colorful fish, octopuses, sea turtles, and manta rays.

The description of the outing presents these animals as possible sightings, not guaranteed encounters. Visibility and marine life can change with weather, water conditions, and location. You may see plenty of fish and an octopus, or you may find that the simple pleasure is floating in clear water below the boat.

This stop is best for people who are comfortable getting into the sea from a boat. The outing includes swimming and snorkeling stops, but it is not presented as a formal lesson. If you are a nervous swimmer, ask the skipper about the conditions before entering the water and stay within the area the crew indicates.

A towel is essential after swimming. You will want to dry off before settling in for the food and sailing portion. Sunscreen should be applied before boarding and refreshed as appropriate, but follow the crew’s instructions around the water and marine life.

The snorkeling gear is included, which saves you from packing a mask and snorkel. You still need to bring your own swimwear and towel. Vegetarian and vegan food can also be arranged, but you must tell the activity provider before the trip.

Tapas, drinks, and an easygoing pace

After the swimming stop, you can relax on deck with tapas and a drink. The included beverage may be alcoholic or nonalcoholic, so the outing works for mixed groups and for people who prefer to stay completely clear-headed on the water.

The food is more than a minor extra. A swimming stop can leave you hungry, and having tapas ready onboard means you do not lose time returning to port for lunch. It also gives the trip a natural rhythm: sail, swim, dry off, eat, and watch the coast.

The food has been a strong part of the experience. One birthday outing was made even more special when the crew arranged a small cake at short notice. That suggests the team can be thoughtful with celebrations, though you should contact the provider in advance if you want a particular request considered.

Do not expect a full restaurant meal. Tapas are suited to a casual boat setting, and the amount and exact dishes are not specified. If you have dietary needs, contact the provider before booking rather than waiting until boarding.

Smoking is not allowed in the vehicle, and alcohol or drugs beyond the included drink are not permitted as part of the activity rules. Fireworks are also prohibited. These restrictions are straightforward and help keep the boat safe.

What the private format is worth

The price is $765 for a group of up to 11 people. That is a high total for a couple or a small family, but the calculation changes when you fill much of the boat. With 11 people, the price works out to about $69.55 per person before any optional extras, which is a reasonable way to think about the value.

You are paying for more than a seat on a shared boat. The group gets a private sailing trip, a skipper and guide, snorkeling gear, swimming stops, tapas, and a drink. You also avoid sharing the deck with a large number of unrelated people.

For a group celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or family occasion, the private format can be especially useful. You can spend the time together rather than splitting up across a busy tour boat. The private setup also gives your group a more personal feel, although the exact flexibility of the route depends on the skipper and sea conditions.

For two people, I would compare this price with a shared sailing trip before booking. The private experience is most compelling when you value privacy, want to choose among several durations, and can divide the cost among family or friends.

Choosing between three and eight hours

The duration range is unusually broad. The three-hour option suits you if you want a short coastal outing with a swim, food, and a look at the cliffs. It is also easier to fit into a packed Tenerife schedule.

A longer trip gives you more room for the parts that depend on nature. The boat can spend more time looking for whales and dolphins, pause longer in a calm bay, and allow a less hurried snorkeling stop. If you enjoy being on the water for its own sake, the six-to-eight-hour choices will likely feel more satisfying.

Longer is not automatically better for everyone. If someone in your group gets tired in the sun, dislikes open-water swimming, or prefers short activities, three hours may be enough. A full-day sailing trip also asks you to bring enough sun protection and to be comfortable spending much of the day around the sea.

Check the available start times and durations for your date. The options are not presented as fixed daily departures, so planning ahead is sensible.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would recommend this experience to families, groups of friends, and couples who can share the private price. It suits people who want several activities in one outing: coastal scenery, wildlife watching, snorkeling, a meal, and time to rest.

It is also a good match for a birthday or other small celebration. The clean boat, relaxed pace, and attentive service make the occasion feel more personal than a standard sightseeing run.

You should think carefully before booking if you do not swim, dislike boats, or want guaranteed whale sightings. The swimming stop is a central part of the experience, and wildlife encounters cannot be scheduled. You may still enjoy the coastal views, but you would not be using the trip’s full appeal.

This is also not a fishing trip. Fishing is prohibited, as are feeding or touching animals. The focus is on watching marine life and enjoying the coast without interfering with it.

Practical details that make the day easier

Hotel pickup is available in the Los Gigantes area, followed by transport to the port. If you are not staying in that area, confirm how you will reach Muelle Deportivo La Marina Los Gigantes, Dock 1, since the supplied details only specify pickup from hotels in Los Gigantes.

Bring identification, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Snorkeling equipment is included, as are tapas and one alcoholic or soft drink. Vegetarian and vegan food options are available if you notify the provider before departure.

The tour has free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Tenerife plans are still shifting.

The activity is provided by Blue Dream Sailing. The group rating is 5 out of 5 from five submitted ratings, with particular praise for the clean boat, relaxed atmosphere, excellent tapas, whale sightings, and helpful crew. Those points matter because they describe the parts of a sailing trip you cannot judge from a photograph alone.

Should you book the Los Gigantes sailing tour?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the $765 price and want a private day that combines red cliffs, open-water swimming, snorkeling, wildlife watching, tapas, and drinks. The private format, clean Sangría, and flexible three-to-eight-hour duration give you more control than a standard shared cruise.

I would choose a longer option if whales and dolphins are a priority, since wildlife watching takes patience. Choose three hours if you mainly want a scenic boat ride and one swim.

Skip it if you are seeking the cheapest way onto the water or need guaranteed animal sightings. For the right group, though, this is a well-rounded Los Gigantes outing with enough free time to feel like a holiday rather than a tightly packed excursion.

FAQ

Where does the sailing tour meet?

The meeting point is Muelle Deportivo La Marina Los Gigantes, Dock 1. Hotel pickup is available from the Los Gigantes area before you travel to the port.

How many people can join the private tour?

The private group can include up to 11 people.

How long does the sailing trip last?

You can choose a duration from three to eight hours. Starting times and available durations depend on the date selected.

Are snorkeling equipment and food included?

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

What languages does the guide speak?

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

What should I bring?

Bring a passport or ID card, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Swimwear and towels are not included.