Los Gigantes: Sailing Excursion with Swimming, Drink & Tapas

Watch the cliffs turn red in the afternoon sun. This three-hour sailing trip from Puerto de Los Gigantes combines small-group sailing with whale watching, a swim stop, snorkeling, tapas, and drinks. I especially like the limited capacity of 10 people and the chance to see pilot whales or dolphins from a quieter boat rather than a packed excursion vessel. The dramatic cliffs are the visual star, but the calm time in the water adds the real holiday feeling.

I also like the crew’s friendly, attentive approach. Guests regularly praise guides such as Luis and Moises, and the boat can feel almost private when only five to seven people are aboard. The main drawback is time: three hours passes quickly, and one portion of the trip may feel like more sailing and less wildlife watching than you hoped for.

Key points at a glance

• Small boat, maximum 10 people: You get more room, easier access to the crew, and a calmer feel than on a large whale-watching vessel.
• Pilot whales and dolphins are possible: Sightings have included pilot whales with young, bottlenose dolphins, several dolphin species, flying fish, turtles, and tuna.
• Los Gigantes cliffs provide the setting: The red rock walls look especially impressive from the water and make the swim stop memorable.
• Snorkeling comes with equipment: You can swim near the cliffs and look for marine life, though one person found the provided gear only average.
• Tapas and drinks are included: Expect a snack spread and alcoholic or soft drinks after time in the water.
• Three hours is both useful and brief: It fits neatly into a day in western Tenerife, but some people may wish for a fourth hour.

Sailing out from Puerto de Los Gigantes

You meet the boat at Muelle Deportivo La Marina Los Gigantes, Dock 1. That detail matters because the marina has several docks and water activities in the area. Give yourself enough time to find Dock 1 instead of arriving at the last minute in swimwear and a panic.

The boat is called Sangría, and the group limit is 10 passengers. Two crew members may be aboard, giving the trip a favorable crew-to-passenger ratio when the boat is full. On quieter departures, the boat can feel wonderfully open and relaxed.

This is not a party cruise. One particularly appealing touch is the lack of loud music. You can hear the motor, wind, and water, which suits the cliffs and wildlife far better than a soundtrack would. If you want a floating bar with speakers, this is not that trip. Smoking, speakers, fishing, and feeding or touching marine life are not allowed.

The guides speak Spanish, English, and French. Most people should be able to follow the key instructions, but the language balance can vary. One English-speaking participant found that most important information was translated, while some of the extra commentary was not. If natural-history facts are central to your enjoyment, ask questions directly.

Los Gigantes cliffs from the water

The first great reward is the coastline itself. Los Gigantes is known for its towering red cliffs, and the water gives you a clean view of their scale. From shore, you see a wall. From the boat, you see how the rock drops into the sea and how small the harbor, coves, and people look beside it.

The route follows bays and natural coves along Tenerife’s western coast. The exact order can change with conditions and the captain’s judgment. Some departures have included a stop in a quiet bay near the cliffs, while another reported no visit to bays or caves. Think of the coves as part of the general experience, not a guaranteed checklist of named stops.

I like this flexible approach because a good skipper needs room to respond to sea conditions and wildlife. Still, if you have your heart set on a particular cave or bay, ask before departure. The outing is built around the coast, wildlife, and swimming rather than a fixed sightseeing circuit.

The red cliffs also change character during the trip. Bright sun brings out the warm rock tones, while the shaded faces look cooler and more severe. Bring sunscreen and a hat if you use one securely, since the deck can leave you exposed for much of the afternoon.

Whale and dolphin watching offshore

After following the cliffs, the boat heads farther out to search for marine life. The sightings have included pilot whales, bottlenose dolphins, more than one kind of dolphin, turtles, flying fish, tuna, and even a report of manta rays and octopi during the water stop.

Pilot whales are a particular strength of this outing. Several departures have found them close to the boat, sometimes with young. Dolphins have also swum near the vessel, which can give you a better view than a distant sighting from a larger craft. These are wild animals, so nobody can promise a particular species or a close approach. The crew searches, but nature keeps its own schedule.

The boat has a whale-watching license, an important point for anyone who cares about responsible wildlife outings. You are also told not to feed or touch animals. That protects the wildlife and helps keep the encounter respectful.

The tradeoff is viewing time. The boat must travel between the cliffs, offshore areas, and swimming location, and three hours is not long. One person felt the trip included slightly too much sailing and not enough time staying with whales and dolphins. I would set your expectations accordingly: this is a mixed sailing experience with wildlife watching, not a dedicated full-day whale safari.

The captain and crew seem to make the most of the time available. Their role is not just to steer. They help spot animals, explain what you are seeing, answer questions, and keep the mood comfortable without filling every minute with talk. That balance suits people who want information but also enjoy quiet time at sea.

Swimming and snorkeling beside the cliffs

The swim stop is often the emotional high point. After looking for wildlife, you get a chance to leave the deck and enter clear water near the coast. The setting is hard to beat: red cliffs above you, open sea around you, and the boat waiting nearby.

Snorkeling equipment is included, and life jackets are available. The water stop is described as deep-sea snorkeling, but the exact marine life you see will depend on conditions and luck. Sea turtles, octopi, manta rays, and parrot fish have been reported, though you should not treat any one sighting as guaranteed.

Bring your own mask and snorkel if you care about equipment quality. One person found the supplied gear less than ideal. That is a small issue for a casual swim, but a good-fitting mask makes a big difference when you are trying to look below the surface.

You need to bring your own swimwear and towel. Sunscreen is also essential. The provided list asks you to bring a passport or identity card, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. A dry layer is sensible after swimming, though it is not specifically listed as required.

There is no pressure to snorkel. You can stop for a swim, remain on deck, or simply enjoy the setting. That flexibility makes the trip suitable for mixed groups where one person wants to explore the water and another would rather stay dry.

Tapas, drinks, and the value of the $82 price

At $82 per person, the trip is not the cheapest way to see Los Gigantes. But the price includes three hours aboard a small boat, the cliffs, the wildlife search, a swimming and snorkeling stop, equipment, tapas, and an alcoholic or soft drink. On a full boat, the small-group setting adds real value.

The food is best understood as a generous snack or light lunch, not a restaurant meal. The spread has been described as tapas, vegetables, and a charcuterie-style selection. It arrives at a useful moment, after swimming and salt water have worked up your appetite.

Drinks are another popular part of the outing. Alcoholic and soft drinks are included, and several departures have had plenty available. The nonalcoholic selection may be less varied than you expect. One person specifically wished for regular sparkling water and apple juice, so if you want a particular drink, ask ahead.

Vegetarian and vegan food can be arranged if you tell the operator in advance. That is worth doing before you arrive, since the standard spread may not meet every dietary need.

I consider the price fair for couples, families, and small groups who want several activities in one outing. If you mainly want a long swim or serious wildlife photography, the three-hour limit may make the value less convincing. If you want views, food, wildlife, and water time without spending a whole day aboard, it makes more sense.

What the crew adds to the experience

The crew receives some of the strongest praise. Luis and Moises are named as friendly and attentive guides, and other departures also describe the captain as calm, helpful, and good at explaining local sea life.

That matters on a small boat. You are close enough to ask for help with a mask, clarification about an animal, or advice about entering the water. On a large vessel, you may have to search for a staff member. Here, the crew is part of the experience rather than background labor.

The language mix deserves a practical note. Spanish, English, and French are offered, but a guide may speak more in one language during a particular departure. The key safety instructions should be clear, but detailed commentary may not be fully translated every time.

The crew also seems to understand when to leave people alone. The best boat trips do not require constant entertainment. You can listen to the ocean, watch for fins, or sit beneath the cliffs without a microphone in your face.

Who should book this Los Gigantes cruise?

I would choose this trip if you want a relaxed day on the water and like variety. It works particularly well for:

• Couples looking for scenery and quiet time together
• Families who want swimming, wildlife, and food in one short outing
• Small groups who dislike crowded excursion boats
• First-time visitors to Los Gigantes
• People who enjoy wildlife watching but do not want a full-day commitment
• Anyone who values a calm boat without loud music

Families should note that children and babies who join free still need to be included when booking so their place is counted. The boat can take up to four children per tour.

I would be more cautious if you need a guaranteed whale sighting, a long snorkeling session, or a detailed commentary in one specific language. The trip searches for whales and dolphins, but wildlife is never certain. Also, three hours leaves limited room for delays, longer animal encounters, or an extended swim.

The tour departs from Los Gigantes, not from northern Tenerife. Most people arrange their own way to the marina. A few past departures involved hotel pickup, but that is not presented as a standard feature, so you should not count on it.

Practical details before you reserve

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now-pay-later option gives you some flexibility. Starting times vary, so check the available departure when you book.

Tell the operator about vegetarian or vegan food in advance. Add every child or baby to the reservation, even if the child’s fare is free. That ensures the limited 10-person capacity is accurate.

The following items are specifically useful:

• Passport or identity card
• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sunscreen

Weapons, sharp objects, fireworks, explosives, drugs, alcohol brought from outside, and anything involving fire are prohibited. Smoking in the vehicle is also not allowed. Do not bring speakers, and do not feed or touch marine animals.

The overall rating is 4.8 from 471 reviews, with especially strong praise for the crew, uncluttered boat, whale and dolphin sightings, food, and relaxed pace. The few cautions are consistent too: the tour can feel short, wildlife watching time may be limited, and the snorkeling gear may not suit serious swimmers.

Should you book the Sangría sailing trip?

I would book it if your ideal Tenerife outing includes Los Gigantes cliffs, a small boat, possible whales and dolphins, a swim, and tapas. The limited group size is the main advantage. You get a more personal setting, plenty of space, and crew members who can keep an eye on the details.

Book with realistic expectations. You may see pilot whales or dolphins close to the boat, but you may also spend a fair share of the three hours sailing between locations. You may find turtles or other marine life while snorkeling, but the sea decides what appears.

For $82, this is a strong choice for a compact, well-rounded boat trip. It is less suitable for anyone seeking a dedicated wildlife expedition or a long day at sea. If the combination of scenery, quiet sailing, swimming, and a simple tapas spread sounds right, this is one of the better ways to experience Los Gigantes from the water.

FAQ

Where does the sailing excursion depart from?

You meet at Muelle Deportivo La Marina Los Gigantes, Dock 1, in Puerto de Los Gigantes.

How long is the boat trip?

The excursion lasts three hours. Available starting times depend on the date you choose.

How many people can join the boat?

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

Are whales and dolphins guaranteed?

No. The crew searches for whales and dolphins, and sightings have included pilot whales and several dolphin species, but wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included, and life jackets are available. You should bring your own swimwear and towel.

What food and drinks are included?

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

Which languages are spoken on the tour?

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

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.