Los Gigantes Whale Watching Charter by Sail Boat

Wildlife meets quiet sailing here. This three-hour trip from Tenerife’s Los Gigantes marina combines pilot whale watching, a close look at the island’s enormous sea cliffs, and swimming or snorkeling from a 45-foot Bavaria Cruiser sailboat. The small group size is the real draw: with no more than 10 people aboard, you get space on deck and time to speak with the crew.

I especially like the personal attention and the generous food and drink service. Cava, wine, beer, soft drinks, fruit, snacks, and made-to-order sandwiches are included, with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices. The main consideration is that wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, and the boat can be affected by wind and sea conditions.

Key points to know before booking

• Up to 10 people: This is a far quieter outing than the large whale-watching boats that operate along the Tenerife coast.
• Pilot whales are a common highlight: Dolphins, sea turtles, tuna, sea birds, and Risso’s dolphins have also been seen, but nature sets the schedule.
• Los Gigantes from the water: The cliffs are the star even if the animals stay out of sight.
• Swimming and snorkeling are included: You stop at a less crowded spot below the cliffs, but bring your own towel.
• Food and drinks cost nothing extra: Sandwiches, fruit, snacks, bottled water, and alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks are served aboard.
• Plan extra time at the marina: Parking can take longer than expected, so arriving early is sensible.

Why the small sailboat makes such a difference

Los Gigantes is one of Tenerife’s most dramatic coastal areas. The cliffs rise sharply from the sea, and seeing them from a low, quiet sailboat gives you a much better sense of their scale than viewing them from shore. You can sit on the bow sunbeds, watch the coastline slide past, and keep an eye on the water for fins and splashes.

The boat is a 45-foot Bavaria Cruiser from 2012. It is described as clean, comfortable, and well equipped, with plenty of room for a maximum of 10 people. That number matters. You are not packed shoulder to shoulder, and the crew can speak with each family or small group instead of making every explanation to a distant crowd.

I like this setup for couples, families, and anyone who finds the usual party-style boat trip too noisy. It also suits mixed-age groups. One outing included children as young as nine alongside adults, and the crew made time to explain the marine life and answer questions.

The experience is offered in English. Some trips have included multilingual explanations, and the named crew members in the feedback include Jaime, Eileen, David, Mike, Margaret, and Aileen. Staff can vary by departure. The German guide is not available on Sundays or Mondays, so German-speaking visitors should check before booking if that matters to them.

Setting out from the Los Gigantes marina

The meeting point is Third Element Charters at Calle Poblado Marinero, Pantalán 1, Atraque 156, in Los Gigantes. The excursion returns to the same place, which makes the plan simple if you are exploring the marina before or after sailing.

This is one part of the day where I would not cut things close. Parking can take time, and missing the departure would be a costly mistake. The marina is near public transportation, but the supplied details do not specify routes or journey times, so check your own starting point before you leave.

Once aboard, the crew settles everyone in and explains the outing. The pace is relaxed rather than rushed. You are not simply taken straight to one viewing point, then sent back. The trip allows time for sailing along the cliffs, watching for wildlife, stopping to swim, and eating on board.

The listed duration is about three hours. Around two hours are associated with the Los Gigantes coastal sailing portion, with the remaining time used for the other parts of the outing. Exact timing can change with sea conditions, wildlife activity, and the pace of the group.

Sailing beneath the Cliffs of Los Gigantes

The first major part of the trip is the view. Los Gigantes is impressive from land, but the water gives you a different angle. The cliffs rise directly from the ocean, and the boat lets you look upward from their base rather than across at them from a lookout.

You will have time for photographs, but this is also a good place to put the phone down for a few minutes. The small boat makes it easier to move around, find a comfortable position, and enjoy the view without a tall deck or a large crowd blocking your sightline.

The crew also provides information about the cliffs, the local area, Spanish history, and the surrounding marine life. The quality of the commentary is one of the strongest parts of the experience. Jaime, David, Eileen, and Mike are repeatedly praised for explaining things clearly and answering questions instead of delivering a hurried speech and disappearing back to the wheel.

The sailing portion also gives you a chance to settle into the movement of the sea. If you are prone to motion sickness, sit where you feel most comfortable and tell the crew early. One person became seasick during a trip and was looked after by the staff, but prevention is still better than rescue.

Whale watching with realistic expectations

The waters around Los Gigantes are known for regular cetacean sightings, and pilot whales are the animal most often seen on this excursion. Past outings have also encountered bottlenose dolphins, several dolphin species, Risso’s dolphins, sea turtles, tuna, sea birds, and even an osprey.

One particularly memorable sighting involved a family of bottlenose dolphins with a baby and a pod of roughly 15 pilot whales. Other trips saw dolphins and whales together, while one beautiful day produced dolphins but no pilot whales. That difference is important: you are visiting a living sea, not an aquarium with a timetable.

The crew’s role is not just to point at animals. They explain marine life, answer questions, and help you understand what you are seeing. That makes a short glimpse more meaningful. You may see a fin, a back, or a pod moving through the water, then learn how to recognize the animal and why the crew respects its space.

The reports of turtles, tuna, and sea birds also show why you should not measure the trip only by the number of whales. The cliffs, open water, sailing, and smaller details of sea life remain worthwhile. If whales are your only reason for booking, keep your expectations sensible. If you want a pleasant coastal outing with a strong chance of seeing marine life, the balance is better.

Swimming and snorkeling below the cliffs

At some point, the boat stops at a quieter swimming and snorkeling area along the coast. This is one of the most appealing features for people who want more than a viewing trip. You get a chance to enter the sea, look around below the surface, and enjoy the cliffs from the water.

The stop is described as a little-known spot, but no exact cove is named. Conditions can affect the location and whether swimming is comfortable. Towels are not supplied, so bring one. You should also bring any personal swim gear you need, since the supplied details do not promise rental equipment.

The water stop works especially well for families and couples who want a break from sitting on deck. It also gives the trip a natural pause after the wildlife viewing. Several accounts describe swimming near the cliffs as one of the best moments of the day.

If you are not a confident swimmer, ask the crew about the conditions before getting in. The supplied information says most people can participate, but it does not promise that every part of the activity suits every ability. You can still enjoy the boat, food, and scenery without treating the swim as an obligation.

Lunch, fruit, and drinks on board

The food service is more generous than the phrase snacks included might suggest. You receive freshly cut fruit, snacks, bottled water, and custom-made sandwiches. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available, which makes the meal practical for a mixed group.

Gluten-free food was prepared for one person on a sailing trip, and several people specifically liked the sandwiches. The meal is not a formal restaurant lunch, but it is exactly the sort of simple food that works well after swimming and fresh sea air.

Drinks include cava, wine, beer, soft drinks, and water. This adds real value to the price, especially if you compare the trip with a basic boat excursion where food and drinks become a series of extra charges. Alcohol should be enjoyed sensibly, of course, particularly if you plan to swim.

The meal also helps create the friendly tone that people appreciate on this boat. You are sitting close enough to chat, but there is still room to spread out. For a honeymoon, birthday, or family day, that balance is more personal than a large vessel with a buffet queue.

Is the $90.70 price good value?

At $90.70 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get onto the water in Tenerife. But price alone does not tell the whole story. You are paying for roughly three hours aboard a 45-foot sailboat, a maximum group size of 10, guided wildlife watching, time near the cliffs, a swimming and snorkeling stop, lunch, fruit, snacks, and drinks.

The small group is the main value argument. If you choose a much larger boat, you may pay less, but you are likely to have less personal space and fewer chances to ask the crew questions. Here, the staff can speak to individual families and help make the experience feel less like a standard excursion.

The included alcohol also matters for comparison. Cava, wine, and beer are part of the package, not add-ons. The vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free sandwich choices reduce the need to organize a separate meal after the trip.

I would consider this good value for someone who wants a calm, polished sailing experience rather than the lowest possible fare. It is less compelling if you only want a quick whale sighting and do not care about the boat, food, cliffs, or swimming stop.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend this trip to:

• Couples seeking a quieter day on the water
• Families who value a small group and friendly crew
• People who want wildlife, scenery, and swimming in one outing
• Visitors who prefer sailing to a large motorboat
• Anyone with vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free food needs
• Photographers who want open views of the cliffs and sea
• Visitors celebrating a honeymoon or special occasion

It may be less suitable if you dislike boat movement, need a fully dry activity, or want a guaranteed whale encounter. The sea can be unpredictable, and the weather can force a change or cancellation.

The trip is described as suitable for most people, and service animals are allowed. Still, check your own comfort with boarding, moving around a sailboat, and entering the sea before you book.

Practical details that can save you trouble

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The activity is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket, so keep your booking details easy to access.

Bring a towel. That is the one clearly stated omission, and you will want one after snorkeling. Bring swimwear as well if you plan to use the water stop, along with sun protection and any personal medication you need for motion sickness.

Arrive with time to spare at the marina. Parking is a specific concern, and the boat will not wait indefinitely for a late arrival. The return is to the original meeting point, with shops and restaurants nearby.

The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions lead to cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted.

Should you book the Los Gigantes sailing charter?

I would book it if you want the best mix of Tenerife scenery, wildlife, food, and personal service in one half-day outing. The 10-person limit, attentive crew, comfortable bow sunbeds, and included lunch make it feel more considered than a standard boat ride.

Choose another option if your priority is the lowest price, guaranteed whale sightings, or a large organized party atmosphere. For everyone else, this is a strong choice, especially if pilot whales, dolphins, and a swim beneath the Los Gigantes cliffs sound like a good use of three hours.

FAQ

How long is the Los Gigantes whale-watching charter?

The experience lasts approximately three hours. Around two hours are associated with sailing around the Los Gigantes cliffs, with time also allowed for wildlife viewing, swimming, snorkeling, and food.

Where does the boat leave from?

The meeting point is Third Element Charters Whale Watching and Sailing Charters at Calle Poblado Marinero, Pantalán 1, Atraque 156, Los Gigantes, Tenerife.

Where does the tour finish?

The boat returns to the same meeting point at the end of the activity.

How many people can join the boat trip?

The sailboat accepts a maximum of 10 travelers, making this a small-group outing with more space and personal attention than a large boat excursion.

What animals might I see?

Pilot whales and dolphins are commonly reported, while other possible sightings include Risso’s dolphins, sea turtles, tuna, sea birds, and an osprey. Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. The package includes cava, wine, beer, soft drinks, bottled water, freshly cut fruit, snacks, and custom-made sandwiches. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free sandwich options are available.

Do I need to bring a towel?

Yes. Towels are not included, so bring your own if you plan to swim or snorkel.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.