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

The big draw here is the chance to watch pilot whales from a private yacht while sailing beneath Los Gigantes’ red cliffs. You’ll also have time for snorkeling in clear water, then settle on deck with tapas and a drink as the coast slides by.

I like the private format, especially for families or friends who want control over the pace. I also like the easy mix of wildlife, swimming, food, and scenery. The main consideration is price: $765 per group up to 11 is strong value for a full group, but costly for only two or three people. Sightings and swimming conditions depend on the sea and weather.

Key points at a glance

• Pilot whale watching: Los Gigantes is a fine setting for spotting whales and dolphins from the water.
• The Sangría yacht: You sail on a clean, neat boat with a skipper and guide.
• Open-water snorkeling: Look for colorful fish, octopuses, sea turtles, and possibly manta rays.
• Tapas on deck: Food and an alcoholic or soft drink are included after your swim.
• Flexible timing: Choose an outing from 3 to 8 hours, depending on availability.
• Private value: The $765 rate covers a group of up to 11, making a full boat far better value than a small party.

Sailing beneath Los Gigantes’ red cliffs

Los Gigantes is best appreciated from the sea. From the port, the boat follows the coast below Tenerife’s tall red cliffs, giving you a view that is hard to get from land. The rock walls rise above quiet bays and natural coves, while the boat provides a calm front-row seat.

You board the Sangría at Muelle Deportivo La Marina Los Gigantes, Dock 1. If you are staying in the Los Gigantes area, hotel pickup and return are included, which removes one small transport chore from the day.

This is not a crowded sightseeing boat. The group is private, with space for up to 11 people, so you can spend more time talking with your own skipper and companions. That matters when you are traveling with children, celebrating a birthday, or simply want a quiet day on the water.

The sailing itself is part of the appeal. You are not rushed from one photo stop to the next. The route passes tranquil bays and coves before heading farther offshore for snorkeling. The exact order and timing can change with the chosen tour length and sea conditions.

A clean yacht and a relaxed pace

The boat has received especially strong praise for being neat and clean. That may sound like a small detail, but it makes a difference on a half-day or longer trip. You will spend time barefoot, wet, and sitting around with food, so a well-kept boat helps the whole outing feel comfortable.

The pace is relaxed rather than packed. After sailing and wildlife watching, you can stretch out in the sun, take in the cliffs, or enjoy a drink without being pushed into the next activity. A calm day on deck is a big part of the experience, not dead time between stops.

The crew has also been praised for friendly service. The available information does not provide the guides’ names, but the tour is led by a skipper and guide who speak Spanish, English, or French. On one birthday outing, the crew even arranged a small cake at short notice. That is a useful clue about the service style: personal and willing to help with a special occasion when possible.

Still, keep your expectations sensible. This is a private sailing trip, not a guaranteed wildlife performance. Whales and dolphins are wild animals, and the number of sightings can vary. One outing produced repeated pilot whale sightings, while another family simply enjoyed the relaxed boat day and whale watching. The sea decides how much you see.

Searching for pilot whales and dolphins

Wildlife watching is one of the strongest reasons to book this trip. The coast around Los Gigantes is home to a wide range of marine species, and the boat heads along the coast and out to sea in search of them.

Pilot whales are the standout possibility. They have been spotted repeatedly during this trip, which makes the sailing more than a scenic cruise. You might also see dolphins, though no encounter can be promised.

Your skipper is in the best position to judge where to look and how long to remain in an area. A private boat can make the experience feel less mechanical than a large group excursion, since the day is built around your own party. Even so, the boat must follow responsible wildlife rules.

You are not allowed to feed animals or touch marine life. That is important. Keep your distance, listen to the guide, and let the animals set the terms of the encounter. The point is to watch them in their own setting, not turn the sea into a petting zoo.

Bring a passport or ID card, as requested for the activity. Pack sunscreen as well, since the deck gives you plenty of sun exposure even when the air feels cool.

Snorkeling in clear coastal water

The swimming stop changes the day from a sightseeing cruise into an active outing. You will stop in a calm bay or offshore area, receive snorkeling equipment, and enter the clear blue water from the boat.

The marine life listed for the area includes colorful fish, octopuses, sea turtles, manta rays, and other species. Treat that list as a range of possible sightings, not a promise. You may see some of them, or simply enjoy the clear water and underwater setting.

The snorkeling is described as open-water snorkeling, so you should be comfortable entering the sea from the boat. The activity includes snorkeling gear, but you need to bring your own swimwear and towel. There is no mention of flotation support, so ask the provider before booking if anyone in your group is not confident in open water.

Do not touch marine life, feed animals, fish, or bring fishing gear. Those rules protect the animals and keep the stop focused on quiet observation. If you prefer to stay on board, you can relax on deck while the rest of your group swims.

Sea conditions matter here. A calm cove can make the stop easy and pleasant, while wind or waves may affect how long you spend in the water. The tour offers swimming stops, but the precise location and duration are not fixed in the information provided.

Tapas, drinks, and time on deck

After the swim, the boat turns toward the slower part of the afternoon. You can dry off, sit in the sun, and eat tapas while taking in the cliffs and coves from offshore.

Tapas are included, along with one alcoholic or soft drink option. The food is a useful part of the value, especially on a longer outing. You do not need to plan a separate lunch stop while the boat is out.

Vegetarian and vegan food options are available, but you must notify the provider before the trip. That is worth arranging early. The available information does not list the exact dishes, so do not book this expecting a particular menu.

The drink provision is modest rather than an open bar. Alcohol and drugs are not permitted as prohibited items, despite the included alcoholic drink. Smoking is also not allowed in the vehicle, and fireworks are forbidden. Follow the crew’s instructions on board and keep the atmosphere safe for everyone.

If you are planning a birthday, tell the provider before departure. The crew has arranged a small birthday cake spontaneously in the past, but it should not be treated as a guaranteed inclusion.

Choosing between three and eight hours

The tour runs from 3 to 8 hours, with start times and exact availability shown when you check dates. That broad range means you should compare the duration carefully before paying.

A 3-hour trip suits you if you want the main ingredients without giving up most of the day. You can sail along the cliffs, look for whales or dolphins, stop to swim, and have tapas before returning to port.

A longer trip gives you more time for the unhurried side of the experience. You can spend longer cruising between coves, allow more time for wildlife watching, and enjoy the deck without feeling that every minute is scheduled. It may suit a birthday, family gathering, or group that wants the boat itself to be the day’s main event.

Do not assume that every duration includes the same exact route or stop length. Weather, sea conditions, and the selected option can affect the schedule. Check the available start time and duration before booking, especially if you have dinner plans or another excursion later.

Hotel pickup is offered in the Los Gigantes area, followed by transport to the port. The stated meeting point is Muelle Deportivo La Marina Los Gigantes, Dock 1, so confirm the pickup arrangement if you are not staying nearby.

Is $765 good value for your group?

At $765 per group of up to 11, the pricing makes the most sense when you fill the boat. Eleven people works out to about $70 per person before any currency changes or booking fees. That is a reasonable private-group rate for a skipper, sailing, snorkeling gear, swimming stops, tapas, a drink, and hotel transport in the Los Gigantes area.

For six people, the cost is about $128 each. For four, it is about $191 each. For two, the private setting may still be appealing, but the price becomes a major part of the decision.

The value improves for people who would otherwise need to arrange separate whale watching, swimming, food, and transport. You are paying for privacy and a complete day on the water, not simply a seat on a boat.

The length also affects the value. A 3-hour outing and an 8-hour outing cost the same stated group price, but availability and the booking option determine what you can select. Check the exact duration attached to your chosen date.

Who will enjoy this private sailing trip?

I would recommend this outing most strongly to:

• Families who want a private boat and a flexible pace
• Friends splitting the cost among a larger group
• Couples celebrating a birthday or special occasion
• People who want whale watching combined with swimming and food
• Visitors staying in Los Gigantes who value hotel pickup
• Swimmers who are comfortable entering the sea from a boat

It is less suitable if you want a guaranteed close wildlife encounter, a fixed menu, or a cheap short cruise for two people. It may also not be the best fit if nobody in your group wants to snorkel, since the swimming stop is a central part of the plan.

The boat format is more personal than a large shared cruise, but you still need to share the vessel with your own group. If your party includes people with very different ideas of a good day, agree in advance on the balance between snorkeling, wildlife watching, sailing, and lounging.

What to pack and what to arrange

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a passport or ID card. Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to bring your own mask and fins unless you prefer your personal gear.

Tell the activity provider ahead of time about vegetarian or vegan food needs. Also mention a birthday or other celebration before the tour rather than hoping the crew can arrange something on the day.

Avoid bringing anything that conflicts with the rules. Fishing, feeding animals, touching marine life, fireworks, alcohol and drugs, and smoking in the vehicle are not allowed. The included alcoholic or soft drink does not change those restrictions.

The tour is guided in Spanish, English, or French. Blue Dream Sailing operates the experience, and the skipper serves as your main point of contact once you board.

Should you book the Los Gigantes sailing trip?

Book it if you can fill most of the 11-person boat and want a private day that combines pilot whale watching, snorkeling, tapas, and dramatic coastal views. The clean yacht, relaxed service, and thoughtful birthday touch add to its appeal, while the range of durations lets you choose between a short outing and a full day afloat.

Think twice if you are traveling as only two people and price matters, or if you need guaranteed sightings and a tightly fixed schedule. The sea controls the wildlife and swimming conditions.

For a family group, birthday party, or group of friends, this is a well-rounded choice. I would choose the longer option for a special occasion and the shorter one if you mainly want a taste of Los Gigantes from the water.

FAQ

Where does the sailing tour meet?

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

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and return are included for hotels in the Los Gigantes area.

How long does the tour last?

You can choose a duration from 3 to 8 hours. Starting times and available durations depend on the date you select.

How many people can join the private boat?

The private group rate covers up to 11 people.

What marine life might I see?

The area is home to pilot whales, dolphins, sea turtles, manta rays, octopuses, and colorful fish. Sightings are not guaranteed because these are wild animals.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included, along with swimming and snorkeling stops.

Are food and drinks included?

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

Can I request vegetarian or vegan food?

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.