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

The cliffs look best from the water. This private Los Gigantes sailing trip pairs Tenerife’s huge red sea cliffs with open-water snorkeling, tapas, drinks, and a chance to spot pilot whales and dolphins. I like the small-group format and the choice of 3 to 8 hours, which lets you match the trip to your budget and attention span.

I also like that the boat, called Sangría, offers a proper break between swimming and sailing. You can dry off on deck with a drink and food instead of rushing from one activity to the next. The main consideration is the price: $765 per group is a serious outlay for a short cruise, though it becomes much better value when shared by a larger family or group of friends.

• Red cliffs from the sea: Sail along the coast below the dramatic cliffs of Los Gigantes, a view you cannot get from the road.
• Private boat for up to 11: Your group gets the boat and skipper rather than sharing the experience with a large crowd.
• Wildlife and snorkeling: Look for pilot whales, dolphins, sea turtles, octopuses, manta rays, and colorful fish.
• Tapas after the swim: The food and drink turn the trip into a relaxed meal on the water, not just a boat transfer.
• Flexible length: Choose a 3, 5, or longer outing, up to 8 hours, depending on availability.
• Strong service record: The five-star rating includes praise for the clean yacht, friendly crew, excellent tapas, and thoughtful birthday service.

Sailing Beneath the Los Gigantes Cliffs

Los Gigantes is known for its giant reddish cliffs, and the first real pleasure of this trip is seeing them from below. From the water, the rock walls rise directly from the coast, giving you a fresh angle on one of Tenerife’s most memorable sights.

You meet at Muelle Deportivo La Marina Los Gigantes, Dock 1. If you arrange pickup, the provider collects you from a hotel in the Los Gigantes area and takes you to the port. Otherwise, plan to arrive at the marina with enough time to find the dock and meet the skipper.

The boat used for the trip is Sangría. It was praised as neat and clean, which matters on a private sailing day. You will spend several hours around salt water, food, and wet swim gear, so a well-kept boat makes a real difference.

The pace is intentionally gentle. You cruise along the coast, pass quiet bays, and look into small coves before heading farther out for the swimming stop. This is not a high-speed sightseeing ride. The value comes from time on the water, open views, and having room to settle into the day.

Wildlife Watching Around Tenerife

The waters near Los Gigantes are home to a wide range of marine species. The trip is designed to give you a chance to see dolphins and whales while sailing, with pilot whales being a particular highlight.

Pilot whales were spotted several times during one August outing, and another family trip in December included enjoyable whale watching. Those sightings are encouraging, but wild animals set the schedule. You should treat them as a possible bonus, not a promise built into the ticket.

Keep your eyes on the water during the coastal sailing sections. The skipper can help point out activity, but your best approach is to stay patient and avoid expecting constant action. A private boat gives your group more freedom to pause and watch than a crowded excursion boat might offer.

The rules around wildlife are sensible and important. Do not feed or touch marine life. Fishing is also not allowed. These restrictions help keep the encounter respectful and protect the animals you came to see.

The Open-Water Snorkeling Stop

The swimming stop is the most active part of the trip. You leave the boat and snorkel in clear blue water, looking for colorful fish and other marine life around the coast.

The advertised possibilities include sea turtles, octopuses, manta rays, and fish. You may find that the actual marine life varies with conditions and luck, but the setting is meant for looking below the surface rather than simply taking a quick swim.

Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to bring your own mask or fins. You do need to bring swimwear and a towel. Sunscreen is also essential, since you will spend time exposed on the deck and in the water.

The information describes this as a deep-sea snorkeling session, but you should think of it as an open-water activity rather than a confined beach swim. If you are not comfortable entering the sea from a boat, ask the provider about the swimming arrangements before booking. The supplied details confirm swimming and snorkeling stops, but do not specify a shallow-water entry or a beach alternative.

Do not touch turtles, octopuses, manta rays, or any other creatures. The best encounter is the one that lets the animal continue on its way without interference.

Tapas, Drinks, and Time on Deck

After the swim, the trip shifts from activity to relaxation. You return to the boat, dry off, and settle on deck with tapas and a drink while the coast passes by.

Food is included, as is an alcoholic or soft drink. Vegetarian and vegan options are available, but you need to tell the provider before the tour. That small step matters on a private trip because the meal is part of the experience, not an afterthought.

The tapas received especially strong praise. One birthday outing described the food as excellent, while another family occasion received an unexpected birthday cake arranged by the crew. A cake is not listed as a standard inclusion, so do not book expecting one, but the story suggests that the team can be thoughtful when you are celebrating.

This meal also gives the day a useful rhythm. You sail, stop for the water, then have a calm period to eat and enjoy the views. If you choose the longer option, the food break helps prevent the day from feeling like one long stretch in the sun.

Bring a towel and use sunscreen regularly. The boat provides food and snorkeling gear, but not swimwear or towels. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed beyond the included drink, and smoking is not allowed in the vehicle used for transfers.

Choosing Between Three and Eight Hours

The 3-hour option suits you if your main goals are the cliffs, a swim, and a little wildlife watching. It gives you a taste of the experience without taking most of the day.

A longer trip makes more sense if you want unhurried sailing, extra time in coves, a better chance to watch for whales, and a relaxed meal on board. The exact duration options and starting times depend on availability, so check before paying.

The longer version is also easier to justify for a private group. You are not simply buying individual seats. You are reserving the boat for up to 11 people. At the full listed price of $765, the cost works out to about $69.55 per person if all 11 places are used.

For six people, it is about $127.50 each. For four, it is about $191.25 each. That makes the group size the key value question. A large family or group of friends can get a private day on the water at a reasonable per-person rate. A couple paying the full group price would find it much harder to justify.

The flexibility is useful for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can spend more time in the water, while others can remain on deck with a drink and tapas. Still, everyone should be comfortable with a boat-based outing, sea conditions, and a swimming stop.

What the Private Format Adds

A private group changes the mood. You are not trying to find space beside strangers or follow a fixed crowd from one activity to the next. Your group can enjoy the deck, food, and views together.

The skipper and guide speak Spanish, English, and French. That makes the tour practical for mixed-language groups, and it should make basic instructions around snorkeling easier to follow.

The private setup is particularly useful for families and celebrations. A birthday outing received special attention, including a small cake arranged by the team. That does not guarantee a surprise for every occasion, but you can tell the provider about a celebration in advance.

The boat is also a good fit for people who want a social day without a party-boat atmosphere. The activity rules prohibit smoking in the vehicle, fishing, feeding animals, touching marine life, fireworks, alcohol and drugs. The included drink is part of a meal service, not a license for an onboard drinking session.

Hotel Pickup and Port Practicalities

Hotel pickup is offered for hotels in the Los Gigantes area, followed by transport to the port. At the end, you can return to your hotel with a comfortable ride back.

The official meeting point is Muelle Deportivo La Marina Los Gigantes, Dock 1. If you are making your own way there, use that exact dock rather than relying only on the general name of the marina.

Starting times vary, so check availability for your date. The experience lasts from 3 to 8 hours, and the selected length will affect how much time you have for sailing, wildlife watching, swimming, and food.

Bring:

• Passport or ID card
• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sunscreen

The passport or ID requirement is easy to overlook on a local boat trip, so keep it with you. Snorkeling equipment, tapas, drinks, and the skipper are included.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which is useful when you are still arranging a Tenerife itinerary.

Who Will Enjoy This Sailing Day?

I would recommend this trip most strongly to families, birthday groups, and friends who can share the private price. The combination of wildlife, swimming, scenery, and food gives everyone something to do.

It also suits you if you prefer a slower day. You are not being pushed from one port stop to another. The main activities are simple: sail, watch the water, swim, eat, and rest on deck.

Wildlife fans should like the chance to see pilot whales and dolphins, but you need to accept that sightings are not controlled. Snorkelers who enjoy looking for turtles and octopuses will have more to focus on than someone seeking only a scenic cruise.

This may be less suitable if you dislike open water, do not want to swim from a boat, or are traveling alone and cannot share the group cost. The tour includes an alcoholic or soft drink, but it is not intended as a party cruise. It is also not a fishing trip, and you cannot touch or feed the animals.

Service, Cleanliness, and Special Occasions

The clearest pattern in the feedback is the quality of the onboard service. The boat was described as clean, the trip as relaxed, and the crew as excellent. That combination is important because a private cruise can feel expensive if the boat is tired or the service is careless.

The food received direct praise, too. Tapas can be a weak point on some boat excursions, but here it is one of the reasons to consider the experience as a complete half-day or full-day outing rather than simply a transport trip with snacks.

The birthday cake arranged for one group is a nice personal touch. I would not count on that as a formal feature, but if your date is special, tell Blue Dream Sailing when you book. The provider is Blue Dream Sailing, and the listed guide languages are Spanish, English, and French.

The overall rating is five out of five from five ratings. That is a positive signal, especially alongside the specific comments about the yacht, food, wildlife sightings, and service. It is still a small sample, so I would use it as reassurance rather than proof that every departure will be identical.

Should You Book Blue Dream Sailing?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the $765 price, want a private boat, and like the idea of combining Los Gigantes scenery with swimming, wildlife watching, tapas, and drinks.

Choose the shorter option if you want the main highlights without committing the whole day. Choose a longer sailing if your group values unhurried time on deck and has the budget for it.

I would skip it if you are looking for the cheapest way to see the cliffs, if you need guaranteed whale sightings, or if you do not want to enter the sea from a boat. For the right group, though, this is a polished and relaxed way to experience Tenerife’s west coast, with excellent food and friendly service adding real value to the private format.

FAQ

Where does the sailing tour meet?

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

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is available from hotels in the Los Gigantes area, with transport to the port and a return ride to the hotel.

How long does the tour last?

You can choose a tour lasting from 3 to 8 hours. Starting times depend on availability.

How many people can join the private group?

The price covers a private group of up to 11 people.

What languages does the guide speak?

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

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included with the private sailing tour.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. Tapas and one alcoholic or soft drink are included.

Are vegetarian and vegan food options available?

Yes. Vegetarian and vegan options are available if you notify the activity provider before the tour.

What should I bring?

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

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.