Los Gigantes Whale Watching Charter by Sail Boat

The best part of this trip is the contrast: one moment you are quietly watching pilot whales from a small sailboat, and the next you are floating below the huge Cliffs of Los Gigantes. This is a calm, personal outing rather than a loud boat ride with a crowd.

I like the maximum of 10 people, which leaves room on the deck and lets the crew speak with each group. I also like the food setup: fresh fruit, custom sandwiches, snacks, soft drinks, and cava, wine, or beer are included. The main consideration is that wildlife is wild. You may see pilot whales, dolphins, turtles, or seabirds, but no sighting is guaranteed, and rough weather can cancel the trip.

Key points to know before you book

• Small Bavaria Cruiser sailboat: You travel aboard a 45-foot Bavaria Cruiser 45 from 2012, with comfortable sunbeds at the bow.
• Wildlife and cliffs in one outing: The trip combines whale watching with views of Tenerife’s towering Los Gigantes coast.
• Maximum of 10 people: The small group makes it easier to find space, take photos, and ask the crew questions.
• Swimming and snorkeling stop: Bring swimwear if you want to get into the sea near the cliffs. Towels are not provided.
• Food and drinks included: Expect sandwiches, fruit, snacks, bottled water, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks.
• Approximate three-hour trip: The outing begins and ends at the Third Element Charters berth in Puerto Deportivo Los Gigantes.

Sailing beneath the Cliffs of Los Gigantes

Los Gigantes is the visual star of this excursion. The cliffs rise dramatically from the sea, and seeing them from the water gives you a far better sense of their scale than viewing them from shore. The boat moves along the coast at an easy pace, giving you time to look up, take photos, and settle into the rhythm of the sea.

The listed Los Gigantes portion lasts about two hours, while the full outing runs for roughly three hours. That extra time allows for sailing, wildlife watching, refreshments, and the swimming or snorkeling stop. The exact order can change with sea conditions and where the crew finds marine life.

I would choose a seat on the bow early if you want the open-water view. The forward sunbeds are made for relaxing, though you should still listen to the crew about safe seating when the boat is moving. If you prefer shade or a steadier position, the rest of the boat gives you options.

The cliffs are worth the trip even on a day when the animals stay out of sight. The water-level view changes the experience from a simple coastal sightseeing trip into something more peaceful and expansive. You are not rushing from one lookout to another. You are given time to watch the coast unfold.

Looking for pilot whales and dolphins

The waters off Tenerife are known on this excursion for sightings of pilot whales and dolphins. The species seen on different trips have included bottlenose dolphins, Risso’s dolphins, and several dolphin species, along with turtles, tuna, and sea birds. One outing even produced a glimpse of a baby hammerhead shark and an osprey, though such encounters are clearly a matter of luck.

Pilot whales are the main hope for many people booking this boat. They have been seen in pods, sometimes close enough to make the encounter feel personal without turning it into a chase. You may see them traveling together, surfacing, and disappearing again into the Atlantic.

The crew’s role matters here. Jaime, Eileen, David, Mike, Margaret, and other crew members have been praised for explaining the animals, the sea, and the cliffs in clear, friendly terms. Names and crew combinations can vary by departure, but the style is consistent: expect plenty of explanation and the chance to ask questions.

This is an important point for setting expectations. You are not buying a guaranteed whale sighting. One outing saw dolphins but no pilot whales, yet the cliffs, sailing, and open-water setting still made the trip worthwhile. I prefer this honest approach to operators that promise too much. The wildlife is free to follow its own schedule.

Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the whole trip looking through a screen. The boat’s small size helps you move your attention between the horizon, the water, and the people guiding you toward a sighting. You may have only a brief moment to see a whale or dolphin, so watch closely.

Why the 10-person limit matters

The small group is one of the strongest reasons to choose this boat. With no more than 10 people aboard, you are less likely to spend the outing pressed against strangers or waiting for a clear view. The deck has room for everyone, and families can usually stay together.

A larger vessel can offer more stability and higher capacity, but it also changes the mood. Here, the crew can speak with each family and answer individual questions. That personal attention is especially useful if you are curious about marine life or want help understanding what you are seeing.

The setup also suits mixed-age groups. Families with children, couples, and small groups have all found enough space to enjoy the sailing. The boat is not a private charter, so you will share it with other people, but the 10-person limit keeps the atmosphere quiet and sociable.

The tradeoff is simple: a smaller sailboat may feel more exposed to the movement of the sea than a large sightseeing vessel. If you are prone to seasickness, tell the crew early. One passenger became uncomfortable during a trip and was looked after by the staff, but it is still wise to prepare carefully and avoid assuming the ocean will be perfectly calm.

Swimming and snorkeling near the cliffs

The swim stop adds a welcome change of pace. After spending time watching whales and taking in the coast, you can get into the sea near a quieter spot along the cliffs. The setting is more appealing than a standard beach stop because you are surrounded by the rock walls and open water.

You can swim or snorkel, depending on your comfort and the conditions. Some people describe this as one of the best parts of the trip, particularly because the boat can reach a spot away from the busiest areas. The stop is also generous enough for you to enjoy the water rather than simply jump in and climb straight back out.

Bring your own towel. Towels are not included, and this is an easy detail to overlook when packing for a boat trip. You should also bring swimwear and any personal snorkeling gear you prefer, since the supplied information does not specify equipment rental or provision.

The sea can feel cool, and conditions may change. One family chose not to snorkel during a cooler season because they had not brought suitable gear. You do not need to enter the water to enjoy the excursion, but the stop is a real feature, not just a quick photo pause.

Lunch, fruit, and drinks on board

Food is included, which adds real value to a three-hour outing. The crew serves custom-made sandwiches, fresh-cut fruit, and snacks, along with bottled water and soft drinks. Cava, wine, and beer are also available for those who want an alcoholic drink.

The sandwich options include vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices. If you have a dietary need, make sure it is clearly stated when you book or communicate with the operator. The presence of an option is useful, but it is always better to confirm your requirement in advance.

The food is practical rather than elaborate. You are eating on a moving boat, not at a restaurant, so sandwiches and fruit make sense. They are easy to handle, filling without being heavy, and well suited to a day when you may swim afterward.

The drinks also help create a relaxed sailing atmosphere. A glass of cava or local wine can be pleasant after the wildlife search, but remember that alcohol and an active sea can be an awkward combination. Drink lightly if you plan to swim or if you are sensitive to motion.

Meeting point and timing at Puerto Deportivo Los Gigantes

You meet at Third Element Charters Whale Watching and Sailing Charters, at Calle Poblado Marinero, Pantalán 1, Atraque 156, 38683, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain. The trip returns to the same meeting point.

Allow time to find the berth and park. This is one of the most useful practical tips for the outing because missing the departure would be a costly mistake. The marina area also has shops and restaurants, so you can plan a meal or a little wandering before or after the boat ride if your schedule allows.

The booking confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability. The experience is offered in English, and a German guide is not available on Sundays or Mondays. If German-language guidance matters to you, check the operating day before confirming.

The tour is booked, on average, about 20 days ahead. That does not mean you must reserve exactly three weeks out, but it does suggest that popular dates can fill. I would book earlier if you have limited time in Tenerife or need a particular day.

The activity is mobile-ticket friendly and operates near public transportation. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. The meeting point details are specific, so save them on your phone and allow extra time for the marina.

Is $90.70 a fair price?

At $90.70 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water. It is also not simply a short whale-watching ride. The price covers about three hours aboard a well-kept 45-foot sailboat, a group capped at 10 people, crew guidance, refreshments, lunch, and a swim or snorkeling stop.

The value is strongest if you care about comfort and space. A much larger boat may offer a lower price per person, but you are paying here for a quieter setting and more direct contact with the crew. You also avoid having to buy lunch and drinks separately during the outing.

I would call it good value for couples, families, and small groups who want several experiences in one: sailing, coastal views, marine wildlife, swimming, and food. If your only goal is to see a whale as cheaply as possible, you may find a larger shared boat more suitable.

The price does not include towels, and the information provided does not list hotel transportation as a standard inclusion. Some past bookings involved hotel pickup, but you should not assume that transfer is included. Confirm your own transport plan and arrive at the marina in good time.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most?

I would recommend it to you if you prefer a relaxed outing with a small number of people. The boat suits couples, families, and anyone who likes asking questions rather than simply listening to a fixed speech from a distant guide.

It is also a good choice for people who want a flexible day on the water. The wildlife search brings excitement, the cliffs provide scenery even without sightings, and the swim stop gives you something active to do. The included lunch makes it easy to treat the excursion as a complete half-day plan.

Families should note that most people can participate, but children and weaker swimmers will need normal supervision around the water. The crew is attentive, yet this remains an ocean activity, not a controlled pool visit.

You may want to choose another type of excursion if you dislike boats, cannot tolerate motion, or want a guaranteed schedule with no changes. Wildlife locations and sea conditions affect the day, and the boat’s charm comes partly from being on the open Atlantic.

Booking, cancellation, and weather details

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted for a refund, so watch the local Tenerife cut-off time.

The trip requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. That policy is reassuring, but it also means you should avoid making the boat the only fixed plan of a very short Tenerife visit.

The experience ends where it begins, at the Los Gigantes marina. Bring a mobile ticket, swimwear, sun protection, and a towel. I would also pack a light layer, since a comfortable day in port can feel cooler once the sailboat is moving.

My recommendation: book it if the small boat matters

I would book this trip if you want a personal day beneath the Los Gigantes cliffs, with a real chance of seeing pilot whales and dolphins. The combination of a 10-person limit, a proper sailboat, generous crew attention, swimming, and included food gives the outing more substance than a basic coastal cruise.

Book with realistic expectations. You might see pilot whales, dolphins, turtles, or several kinds of sea birds, but you might also have a wildlife-light day. Even then, the cliffs and the time on the water carry the experience.

Choose your date carefully if you want a German-speaking guide, allow time to park, and bring your own towel. For anyone who values space, friendly guidance, and a quieter boat, $90.70 is a reasonable price for one of Tenerife’s more complete sea excursions.

FAQ

How long does the Los Gigantes whale-watching trip last?

The experience lasts approximately three hours. The Los Gigantes sailing portion is listed as about two hours, with the wider outing also allowing time for wildlife watching, swimming or snorkeling, and refreshments.

Where does the boat depart and return?

The boat departs from Third Element Charters Whale Watching and Sailing Charters at Calle Poblado Marinero, Pantalán 1, Atraque 156, in Puerto Deportivo Los Gigantes. The activity returns to the same meeting point.

How many people can join the sailboat trip?

The sailboat carries a maximum of 10 travelers. This keeps the group small and leaves more room on deck than a large sightseeing vessel.

What food and drinks are included?

The trip includes bottled water, soft drinks, alcoholic drinks such as cava, wine, and beer, fresh-cut fruit, snacks, and custom-made sandwiches. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free sandwich options are available.

Are towels provided?

No. Towels are not included, so bring your own if you plan to swim or snorkel.

Is the excursion offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English. A German guide is not available on Sundays or Mondays.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time.