Los Gigantes: Sailing Excursion with Swimming, Drink & Tapas

The best part of this Los Gigantes sailing trip is the mix of open-water wildlife watching and a quiet swim beneath Tenerife’s towering red cliffs. You may see pilot whales, dolphins, flying fish, turtles, or other sea life, then settle onto the deck with tapas and a drink.

I like the small 10-person limit, which keeps the boat from feeling like a floating bus. I also like the calm mood: there is no required music, and several trips have included plenty of time to hear the sea and talk with the crew. The main consideration is time. Three hours passes quickly, and some of that is spent sailing between the wildlife area, the cliffs, and the swimming stop.

Key points at a glance

• Pilot whales and dolphins: Sightings can include pilot whales, bottlenose dolphins, different dolphin species, and pods with young.
• Only 10 people aboard: The small boat gives you more room and a less crowded feel than a large whale-watching vessel.
• Swimming by Los Gigantes: The snorkeling stop lets you get close to the cliffs and see marine life in clear water.
• Tapas and drinks included: Expect a snack spread with alcoholic and soft drinks after time in the water.
• Guides who speak several languages: Tours are offered in Spanish, English, and French, with Luis and Moises among the crew members named by past participants.
• A three-hour outing: It is long enough for several activities, but you will need to accept a brisk schedule.

Setting Out from Puerto de Los Gigantes

You meet the crew at Muelle Deportivo La Marina Los Gigantes, Dock 1, in Puerto de Los Gigantes. The boat used for the trip is called Sangría, and the outing stays focused on the coast and nearby open water rather than turning into a full-day cruise.

Los Gigantes is one of Tenerife’s most dramatic coastal areas. The red cliffs rise sharply beside the sea, and viewing them from a low boat gives you a much better sense of their scale than looking from shore. As you leave the harbor, you cruise past bays and natural coves, with the cliffs forming the main backdrop.

The small group size matters right away. With a maximum of 10 people, you have a better chance of finding a comfortable place on deck and getting a clear view when the crew points out wildlife. Families should add babies and young children when booking, even if they join free, since the boat has limited places and allows up to four children per trip.

The boat also has two crew members on some departures. Luis and Moises are names that come up in connection with the sailing experience, and the crew’s role is more than simply steering. They explain what you are seeing, give safety instructions, and help organize swimming, snorkeling, food, and drinks.

Watching Whales and Dolphins off Tenerife

The boat heads out along a stretch of coast that is home to many marine species. The crew searches for dolphins and whales, with pilot whales appearing often in the recorded sightings. Bottlenose dolphins, other dolphin species, flying fish, tuna, and groups that include young whales have also been seen.

Of course, no wildlife trip can promise an animal on cue. That is part of the bargain. You are spending time on the sea in search of wild creatures, not visiting an aquarium. Still, the area has produced some memorable encounters, including dolphins swimming close to the boat and pilot whales appearing near the yacht.

The crew’s wildlife knowledge adds value here. They can help you tell the difference between species and explain what is happening in the water. One practical point is worth noting: the tour is offered in Spanish, English, and French, but the amount of translation may vary. If several languages are being used, some longer explanations may be given in one language and only the key instructions repeated in another.

That may matter to you if the natural history side of the trip is a major reason for booking. If you mainly want the sea views, the wildlife search, and time on the water, it should be less of an issue.

There is also a conservation benefit to the regulated whale-watching area. One participant noted that the number of boats in the zone is controlled, which can make the experience feel calmer and reduces the sense of a crowd chasing animals. You should still follow the crew’s rules: do not feed, touch, or approach marine life, and do not expect the boat to stay beside a pod indefinitely.

One point of balance is the amount of watching time. Some departures have found whales early, while others have spent more time sailing between locations. If you want a long, dedicated wildlife session, a specialist whale-watching trip of greater duration may suit you better. Here, wildlife is one part of a broader coastal outing.

Swimming and Snorkeling Near the Red Cliffs

After the wildlife search, the boat stops in a bay or natural cove when conditions and the route allow. This is the point where the trip shifts from looking outward to getting into the water.

The clear sea near Los Gigantes is the setting for a swim and snorkeling session. The advertised marine life includes sea turtles, manta rays, and octopi, while past outings have also produced sightings of parrot fish and other creatures. You might see nothing more than smaller fish and clear water, but the chance to snorkel directly beside the cliffs is a strong reason to choose this excursion over a simple sightseeing cruise.

The cliffs are especially impressive from the water. Looking up from the sea gives you a fresh angle on the red rock walls, and the quiet of the cove can feel far removed from the harbor. For many people, this swim is the emotional high point of the trip, not just an extra activity added to the schedule.

Snorkeling gear is included, and life vests are available. One useful tip is to bring your own mask and snorkel if you care about fit and clarity. The supplied equipment has been described as serviceable but not top quality, so regular snorkelers may be happier with familiar gear.

You need to bring your own swimwear and towel, along with sunscreen. A passport or identity card is also listed among the items to bring. The rules prohibit touching marine life, feeding animals, fishing, smoking, speakers, and alcohol or drugs brought from outside. These restrictions are sensible on a small boat and help keep the water and wildlife undisturbed.

Do not assume every departure will visit a cave or every named cove. The route depends on conditions and the crew’s plan. One outing stayed near Los Gigantes for snorkeling without visiting bays or caves, while others included stops in quiet coves. Think of the swimming location as flexible rather than a guaranteed checklist of specific places.

Tapas, Cava, and Time on Deck

Once you are back aboard, the crew serves tapas and drinks. The food has been described as a snack or charcuterie-style spread with vegetables and other small bites, rather than a formal restaurant lunch. It is a welcome touch after swimming in salt water and gives the trip a relaxed social finish.

Alcoholic drinks and soft drinks are included. Cava has been served on some outings, and the crew has been generous with refills. If you prefer non-alcoholic drinks, the choice may be more limited than the alcoholic selection, so you may want to ask the provider about current options before booking.

Vegetarian and vegan food can be arranged if you notify Blue Dream Sailing in advance. That is important because the food is prepared for a small group, not selected from a broad buffet where you can simply choose around an ingredient.

I like that the meal is served on deck rather than treated as a separate restaurant stop. You remain beside the cliffs or on the open sea, with the sound of the water and the movement of the boat shaping the experience. There is no speaker system or required onboard entertainment, which suits you if you prefer a peaceful setting.

The food is a bonus, not the main reason to pay for the trip. If you are comparing this with a cheaper boat ride, the tapas, drinks, snorkeling gear, and small group help explain the price. You are paying for a compact half-day experience with several parts, not just a ride from one harbor to another.

What the $82 Price Really Buys

At $82 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the Los Gigantes coast. It is a fair value if you want whale and dolphin searching, a swim, snorkeling equipment, food, drinks, and a small group in one outing.

The 10-person maximum is the biggest value point. Large boats can offer more space overall, but they also mean more people competing for the best view and more noise around the swimming stop. Here, the limited capacity gives the trip a more private feel without requiring you to charter the entire boat.

The included drinks also make a difference. A soft drink or glass of Cava, plus tapas after snorkeling, saves you from arranging food during a short three-hour schedule. The crew and guide service are part of the price as well, and the multilingual support is useful for mixed-language groups.

You should not choose this solely because the description names turtles, manta rays, or octopi. Wild sightings vary, and the trip cannot control what appears in the water. Choose it because the overall package appeals to you: cliffs, sailing, possible wildlife, a swim, and a light meal.

The value is strongest for couples, families with older children, and small groups who want an easy coastal outing without committing to a full day. It is also a good fit if you dislike packed tour boats. If your top priority is an extended snorkel or a long session watching whales, you may find three hours too short.

How the Three Hours Usually Flows

The exact order can change, but you can expect a pattern like this:

• The boat leaves Puerto de Los Gigantes and follows the coast beneath the red cliffs.
• The crew searches open water for dolphins and whales, while explaining the marine life and local coast.
• The boat moves toward a bay or cove for swimming and snorkeling.
• You return to the deck for tapas and alcoholic or soft drinks.
• The boat continues along the coast before returning to the harbor.

The sequence is not rigid. Some trips find wildlife early and finish with snorkeling under the cliffs. Others spend more time sailing before reaching the swim stop. That flexibility is useful for the crew, but it means you should not expect every minute to match a fixed timetable.

Three hours is enough to give you variety without taking over your day. You can schedule another activity afterward, but leave room for the possibility that you will want a slower afternoon after being in the sun and sea. The 1 p.m. departure has worked well for some people who wanted an afternoon on the water, while you should check the current start times when choosing a booking.

Who Will Enjoy This Sailing Trip Most

I would choose this excursion if you want a small, quiet boat rather than a large group cruise. The lack of music is a real plus if you want to listen to the waves, watch the coast, and have space to yourself between activities.

It suits couples looking for an easy scenic outing and families who want a manageable introduction to snorkeling. Children can join, with up to four children allowed on a tour, but you should consider how comfortable they are around open water and follow the crew’s instructions closely.

It also works well for a mixed group. One person can focus on wildlife, another can swim, and someone else can stay on deck with a drink and the cliffs. You do not have to treat snorkeling as a test of athletic ability.

I would be more cautious if you dislike uncertainty. Wildlife may not appear, a particular cove may not be visited, and the boat may spend more time sailing than you hoped. I would also think twice if you want a long, serious snorkeling session or a full meal instead of tapas.

The multilingual format is another small consideration. Spanish, English, and French are available, but explanations may not always be equally detailed in every language. Ask questions directly if you want more information about the animals or the route.

Booking Details You Should Know

Blue Dream Sailing operates the experience from Dock 1 at Muelle Deportivo La Marina Los Gigantes. The boat holds a maximum of 10 passengers, so booking early is sensible during busy periods, especially if you are traveling with children.

The tour lasts three hours, with start times depending on availability. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible.

Bring a passport or ID card, swimwear, towel, and sunscreen. Snorkeling equipment is provided, but I would bring personal equipment if you already own a good mask and snorkel. Tell the provider ahead of time about vegetarian or vegan food.

There is no pickup information included for northern Tenerife. If you are staying there, plan your own way to Los Gigantes. A past outing included a hotel transfer for someone staying in Costa Adeje, but you should confirm any pickup request directly rather than count on it as a standard part of the tour.

Should You Book It?

Book this Los Gigantes sailing excursion if you want several Tenerife highlights in a compact, personal outing: dramatic cliffs, possible whales and dolphins, clear water, snorkeling, tapas, and drinks. The small boat, peaceful atmosphere, and friendly crew give it more character than a standard crowded cruise.

Skip it if you need guaranteed animal sightings, a fixed visit to named caves, or more than three hours in the water. For everyone else, the combination of wildlife search and cliffside swim makes the $82 price reasonable, particularly when you value a group capped at 10 people. Bring your towel, keep your expectations flexible, and let the sea set part of the schedule.

FAQ

Where does the Los Gigantes sailing excursion meet?

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

How long does the boat trip last?

The excursion lasts three hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

How many people can join the boat?

The boat can accommodate a maximum of 10 passengers. Up to four children can join each tour, and children or babies who join free should still be added to the booking to reserve their places.

Are drinks and food included?

Yes. The trip includes tapas and either an alcoholic or soft drink. Vegetarian and vegan food options are available if you notify the activity provider ahead of time.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included, and life vests are available. You still need to bring your own swimwear and towel.

What languages are available on the tour?

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