Los Gigantes: Sailing Excursion with Swimming, Drink & Tapas

The best part of this Los Gigantes sailing trip is the mix of close-up whale and dolphin watching with time to swim beneath Tenerife’s towering red cliffs. You are not stuck on a packed excursion boat. The Sangría carries no more than 10 passengers, so the ride feels calm and personal.

I like two things right away: the chance to see pilot whales and several dolphin species, and the simple pleasure of finishing with tapas and a drink on deck. The main consideration is time. Three hours can feel short if you want a long swim, a slow meal, and plenty of time watching animals at sea.

Key points to know before booking

• Small boat, maximum 10 passengers: You get more deck space and a quieter ride than on a large group cruise.
• Wildlife is part of the outing: Pilot whales, dolphins, flying fish, turtles, manta rays, octopi, and other sea life may appear, but sightings are never guaranteed.
• The cliffs are the visual star: Los Gigantes rises dramatically beside the water, giving you a fine coastal view from sea level.
• Swimming and snorkeling are included: Gear is supplied, though bringing your own mask and snorkel may give you a better fit.
• Tapas and drinks are served onboard: Vegetarian and vegan food can be arranged if you tell the provider ahead of time.
• The boat runs in several languages: Spanish, English, and French are available, though translation can vary by departure.

Sailing out from Puerto de Los Gigantes

You meet the boat at Muelle Deportivo La Marina Los Gigantes, Dock 1. The marina is the starting point for a short coastal outing, not a full-day cruise, so you should arrive ready to get on the water without expecting a long formal introduction.

The boat is called the Sangría, and the small passenger limit changes the feel of the trip. With up to 10 people onboard, you have a better chance of finding a comfortable place to sit, moving around for views, and hearing the skipper without a loudspeaker. Several departures have had fewer than 10 passengers, which makes the experience even more relaxed.

Some trips are led by Luis and Moises, names that come up often in connection with friendly, attentive service. The crew handles the sailing, explains the coast and marine life, and gives instructions for swimming and snorkeling. Language ability is useful here because the boat serves an international crowd, but keep in mind that explanations may not be translated equally into every language on every departure.

The coast near Los Gigantes is a strong setting for a boat trip. From the water, the cliffs feel far larger than they do from shore. You get a changing view as the boat moves past red rock faces, bays, and natural coves. The outing is not only about checking off a whale sighting. The coastal scenery gives the three hours a steady sense of place.

Watching for pilot whales and dolphins offshore

The boat heads out along Tenerife’s coast to look for marine life. Pilot whales and dolphins are the most frequently reported sightings on this excursion, with some trips also seeing flying fish, tuna, sea turtles, and other species. Dolphins have sometimes swum very close to the boat, while pilot whales have appeared with young animals nearby.

That said, wildlife remains wild. The itinerary promises a search for dolphins and whales, not a guaranteed show. Sea conditions, animal movement, and the time of day all affect what you see. A good skipper can help you spot activity and explain what is happening, but cannot order an animal to surface beside the boat.

This is where the small group helps. You can ask questions and move your eyes across the water without fighting for a view. The crew has also been praised for balancing useful information with quiet time, which matters if you prefer listening to the waves instead of constant commentary.

One practical point: you may spend a fair amount of the trip sailing between the coast and animal sightings. If your only goal is to watch whales for as long as possible, three hours may feel too brief. One passenger specifically wished the boat had remained longer in the viewing areas. For most people, though, the sailing, cliffs, wildlife, and swimming work better as a single outing than as a dedicated wildlife research trip.

The coast has regulated whale-watching activity, which can help keep the number of boats under control in the viewing area. That is good for the feel of the trip and better than being surrounded by a noisy crowd of vessels. You should still follow the crew’s instructions: do not feed animals or touch marine life.

The red cliffs and natural coves

Los Gigantes is at its best from the sea. The red cliffs rise above the coves in a way that is difficult to appreciate from a road or town viewpoint. The boat gives you a low, open view of the rock walls, with the water leading your eye toward each bay.

The route includes sailing along the coast and stopping in bays or natural coves when conditions and timing allow. These stops are not all identical. Some trips have included time near the cliffs for swimming and snorkeling, while another departure did not enter bays or caves. You should think of the coves as part of the general plan, not as a fixed list of named stops.

This flexible approach makes sense on a small sailing boat. The skipper can work around the sea, wildlife, and the needs of the group. It also means you should not book this excursion expecting a rigid sightseeing schedule with a precise number of caves, coves, or viewing minutes.

One of my favorite details is the quiet feel of the boat. At least one passenger particularly liked having no music onboard, allowing the sound of the ocean to take over. If you want loud entertainment, this may feel too subdued. If you like a peaceful ride with room to look and listen, it is a real advantage.

Swimming and snorkeling near the cliffs

The swimming stop gives the trip a welcome change of pace. After sailing and wildlife watching, you can get into the clear water, swim, or use the supplied snorkeling gear. The chance to look for turtles, manta rays, octopi, and fish adds a hands-on side to the day.

The exact marine life is not guaranteed. You may see a turtle or fish, or you may mainly enjoy the water, cliffs, and quiet cove. The trip description highlights sea turtles, manta rays, and octopi, while past outings have also produced parrot fish and other sightings.

The water can look especially clear near the cliffs, and swimming there is often the most memorable part for people who want more than a boat ride. Life jackets are available, which helps families and anyone who is not a confident swimmer. You should still bring a swimsuit and towel, since neither is included.

Snorkeling equipment is supplied, but if you own a mask and snorkel that fit well, bringing them is worth considering. The provided gear has not always been described as the best quality. This is a small point, but a poor-fitting mask can turn an otherwise good swim into a struggle.

The rules around the water are sensible. Do not touch marine life, feed animals, or bring fishing gear. The trip is designed for observation, not collection or close handling. Children can join, with up to four children per tour, but they must be included when booking so the provider can reserve their places.

Tapas, drinks, and the final hour onboard

Tapas are served onboard, usually around the swimming portion or afterward. The food has been described as a snack-style spread with vegetables and other small bites, rather than a formal restaurant meal. It is enough to take the edge off after swimming and gives you something pleasant to enjoy while the boat returns.

You receive an alcoholic or soft drink, and several departures have had plenty available. Cava has been served on some trips. The non-alcoholic selection may be less varied, so if you want a particular soft drink, do not assume it will be available.

Vegetarian and vegan options can be arranged if you notify Blue Dream Sailing in advance. That is important because the standard tapas selection may not meet every dietary need without notice.

The food and drink matter because they make the excursion feel like a small social sail rather than a simple transfer to a swimming point. You can sit on deck, watch the cliffs recede, and let the crew handle the return. The boat has room for conversation, but the quiet atmosphere also lets you keep to yourself.

Do not expect a full lunch. The word tapas is the key. If you need a substantial meal, eat before departure or plan food afterward in Los Gigantes.

What the $82 price gets you

At $82 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water, but the price covers more than a basic sightseeing cruise. You receive a three-hour sailing trip, the Los Gigantes cliff route, wildlife searching, a swimming and snorkeling stop, equipment, a skipper and guide, tapas, and a drink.

The maximum of 10 passengers is the strongest value point. Large boats can offer lower prices, but you may spend the ride surrounded by many more people, with less room and less direct contact with the crew. Here, the limited group can make the outing feel almost private when the boat is not full.

The value depends on what you want. If you want guaranteed whale sightings, a long snorkeling session, or a full meal, you may find the trip less satisfying. If you want several experiences packed into one half-day, the price is easier to justify.

You also need to get yourself to Puerto de Los Gigantes. Pickup is not generally offered from northern Tenerife, and the standard meeting point is Dock 1. One past departure included an exceptional hotel transfer, but you should not count on that. Plan around the marina meeting point.

The flexible booking terms help if your schedule may change. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve without paying immediately. Starting times vary, so check availability for your chosen date.

Who will enjoy this sailing trip most

This outing suits couples, families, and small groups who want a little of everything. You get cliffs, wildlife, swimming, food, and open water without committing to a full day at sea. Families can benefit from the small group and available life jackets, though children should be comfortable around boats and water.

It is also a good fit if you prefer a quiet boat. There is no promise of onboard music, and the atmosphere has often been calm rather than party-focused. You can talk with the crew, watch the water, or simply sit back.

Wildlife fans should come with realistic expectations. You may see pilot whales and dolphins close to the boat, but animal sightings cannot be controlled. If you would be disappointed by a trip without whales, choose this only if the cliffs, sailing, and swim would still make the day worthwhile.

The outing is less suitable if you want extensive cave exploration, a long beach stop, or a large range of food. Three hours passes quickly, especially when sailing time, wildlife watching, snorkeling, and tapas all share the schedule.

Practical advice for a smoother outing

Bring your passport or ID card, swimsuit, towel, and sunscreen. Sunscreen is especially important on open water, where the breeze can hide how much sun you are getting.

Wear something practical for a wet boat ride. You will need to move between sitting, swimming, and drying off, so keep valuables to a minimum and secure anything that could blow away.

Tell the provider about vegetarian or vegan food needs before the trip. Also include babies and young children in the reservation, even when they join free, because the boat has a strict maximum of 10 passengers and space must be held for them.

The boat does not allow smoking, fishing, weapons, sharp objects, fireworks, explosives, fire-making, drugs, or outside behavior that risks people or wildlife. Speakers are not allowed, which supports the quieter mood. Nudity is also prohibited.

Guides speak Spanish, English, and French. If you need detailed information in a specific language, listen carefully at the start and ask questions directly. One departure involved mostly French commentary, with only key instructions translated into English, so language coverage may not be identical every time.

Should you book the Los Gigantes sailing excursion?

Book it if you want a small-group boat day with strong scenery, a real chance of seeing pilot whales or dolphins, and a relaxed swim beneath the cliffs. The crew, limited passenger count, tapas, and quiet atmosphere give it more character than a standard crowded cruise.

Think twice if you want to spend most of the trip watching wildlife in one place or snorkeling for a long time. The three-hour schedule has several jobs to do, and sailing between the coast, animal sightings, and swimming stop takes time.

For most visitors staying near Los Gigantes or willing to make the trip to the marina, this is a well-balanced choice. Bring your own snorkeling gear if you have it, notify the crew about food needs, and treat whale sightings as a happy possibility rather than a promise. That is the right mindset for enjoying the cliffs, sea, and wildlife in one compact outing.

FAQ

How long is the Los Gigantes sailing excursion?

The excursion lasts three hours. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability for your chosen date.

Where does the boat leave from?

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

How many people can join the boat trip?

The boat can carry a maximum of 10 passengers. Up to four children can join each tour.

Are dolphins and whales guaranteed?

No. The trip searches for dolphins and whales, but sightings depend on wildlife and sea conditions. Pilot whales and several types of dolphins have been seen on past departures.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included, along with stops for swimming and snorkeling. You may bring your own equipment if you prefer a particular fit.

What food and drinks are included?

Tapas and one alcoholic or soft drink are included. Vegetarian and vegan options are available if you notify the provider in advance.

What should I bring?

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

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.