From Los Gigantes: Whale Watching Sailboat Cruise

Off Los Gigantes, the high cliffs make a striking backdrop for a whale-watching trip, but the main draw here is the small sailboat: you share the water with no more than nine passengers, rather than watching from a crowded deck. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, yet the crew’s respectful approach gives you time to observe without treating the animals like a photo stop.

I like two things in particular: the intimate scale, which makes it easy to ask the crew about what you see, and the combination of wildlife viewing with a swim beneath the cliffs. The crew also explains its conservation practices, and the onboard tapas turn a few hours at sea into more than a simple boat ride.

One consideration: this is a small sailing boat, so you may feel the motion if you are prone to seasickness. The snorkel stop is short, around 15 minutes in the planned schedule, and wildlife sightings depend on nature, not the crew’s promises.

Key points before you book

• Nine passengers maximum: The 46-foot sailboat keeps the outing personal, with room to move around and talk with the crew.
• Wildlife viewing is the focus: The crew looks for resident and migratory marine life, including pilot whales and dolphins, while keeping a respectful distance.
• A swim stop adds variety: Expect roughly 15 minutes to swim or snorkel beneath the Los Gigantes cliffs.
• Tapas are served on board: The homemade snacks are a welcome finish after time in the water. Drinks have also been served on trips.
• Plan for sun and sea motion: Bring a hat, sunglasses, swimwear, a towel and high-protection biodegradable sunscreen.
• The price is $88 per person: For a three- to four-hour outing with a small group, wildlife interpretation, a swim stop and food, it offers more than a basic whale-watching ride.

A small sailboat changes the feel of the trip

The excursion leaves from Picarus Sailing Club aboard a 46-foot, 14-metre sailboat named Aemon or Ayla. Shared and private trips are available, and the shared group is capped at nine passengers. That limit matters: there is less crowding around the rail when an animal appears, and the atmosphere is more like a small sailing outing than a mass-market cruise.

The boat is also a good match for Los Gigantes. From the water, you can take in the cliffs and views toward Teide while the crew tells you about the island and the marine life in these waters. Those explanations give the scenery context, rather than leaving you to guess what you are looking at.

The trip is led in Spanish, English or French. Crew members named on past outings include Sara, Felix, Jakob, Miguel and Nettie, but the particular crew can vary. What matters most is that the format leaves room for questions. If you are curious about the animals, the sea or the island, ask; learning about what you are seeing is part of the point.

Searching for whales without treating them as a spectacle

The wildlife-viewing portion is scheduled for about an hour and a half. The crew looks for resident and migratory marine species, with pilot whales and dolphins among the animals seen on past trips. Turtles have also appeared. Sightings vary from day to day, and no responsible operator can guarantee a particular animal will show up.

This outing is a good choice if you want the crew to explain what you are seeing, not simply point toward a fin. The company says conservation is a priority and participates in Turismo de Tenerife’s Sustainability Charter for Whale Watching, as well as the South Tenerife Cetaceans Association. It also carries the government-authorized Blue Boat Flag for responsible whale watching.

Those commitments matter because close encounters are not the only measure of a good wildlife trip. The crew describes how it approaches marine life respectfully, and past excursions have included cutting the engines when whales were spotted, even at a distance. You should expect observation on the animals’ terms, not a chase or a promise that they will swim right beside the boat.

Some passengers have seen whales and dolphins close to the sailboat; others have watched from farther away or seen dolphins without whales. Treat any sighting as a bonus rather than a guarantee. If the animals stay out of view, you still have the cliffs, open water and sailing time, but wildlife is central enough that the uncertainty is worth considering before you book.

Sailing beneath the cliffs, then taking a short swim

After the wildlife search, the schedule includes about an hour of sailing along the Los Gigantes coast. This part gives you time to enjoy the views from the water and relax between the wildlife search and the swim stop. If you are comparing tours, notice that this is not just a short motorboat run straight to the animals and back.

The swim and snorkel stop takes place beneath the cliffs and is planned for about 15 minutes. Masks are included, but the snorkel tube is not, so bring your own if you want to use one. A towel and swimwear are not supplied either. The water stop is a brief change of pace, not a long snorkeling session, and the emphasis remains on the whole boat outing.

The cliffs make the stop a memorable part of the route, though the sea conditions and timing can affect how comfortable it feels. Bring a towel and be ready to get back on board when the crew calls time. If you would rather not snorkel, you can still enjoy the scenery from the boat.

Tapas on board, with the practical details

The crew serves homemade tapas on board, with about 15 minutes set aside for the meal in the schedule. Drinks have been available on past outings, and the food has included options suitable for vegetarians on at least one trip. Menus may vary, so if you have dietary needs, ask the operator before you go rather than assuming a particular dish will be served.

At $88 per person, the price is fair for a three- to four-hour trip on a small sailboat, especially if you value a low passenger count and an informative, conservation-minded approach. You are paying for more than time spent searching for whales: the outing includes sailing beneath the cliffs, a swim stop, masks and tapas. It is less compelling if you want a guaranteed close-up wildlife encounter or a lengthy snorkel.

The schedule gives you a useful sense of the day: about 1.5 hours of wildlife viewing, one hour of sailing, 15 minutes for swimming and 15 minutes for food. The total trip is listed as three to four hours, so allow for some variation rather than planning a tight connection immediately afterward.

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel and biodegradable sunscreen rated SPF 50 or higher. The operator supplies life vests and snorkel masks. Sunscreen is not included, and the open boat leaves you exposed to the sun for much of the outing. If you are prone to seasickness, take that seriously: one passenger found the motion difficult, even though the crew was accommodating. The boat’s smaller size creates a personal atmosphere, but it does not remove the movement of the sea.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would choose this outing if you want a calmer, smaller-group way to see Los Gigantes from the water, and you care about understanding the animals as well as spotting them. It suits couples, families with older children who are comfortable on a boat, and anyone who prefers conversation and scenery to music and crowds. One past passenger particularly liked the quiet atmosphere on a trip with seven people, though music and group dynamics can vary.

It may not suit you if seasickness is a serious concern, if you need a long swim, or if you are booking only to see a specific species. The planned swim is short, and the crew cannot control what wildlife appears. If those limits sound reasonable, the mix of sailing, interpretation, cliffs and tapas makes for a well-rounded few hours.

The booking terms add flexibility: you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. Check available departure times when choosing your date.

Should you book the Los Gigantes sailboat cruise?

Book it if you want a small boat, a thoughtful approach to whale watching and time to see the cliffs from the water. The combination of wildlife viewing, sailing, a short swim and tapas makes the $88 fare good value for a half-day outing, especially if the crew’s explanations matter as much to you as the sightings.

Skip it if you need a guaranteed whale encounter, dislike being on open water or want an extended snorkeling session. If you do book, bring sun protection, a towel and your own snorkel tube, and leave room in your expectations for nature to set the agenda.

FAQ

How long is the cruise?

The trip lasts three to four hours. The planned schedule includes about 1.5 hours of wildlife viewing, one hour of sailing, 15 minutes for swimming and 15 minutes for a meal.

How many passengers are on the shared trip?

The sailboat carries a maximum of nine passengers on small-group outings. Private trips are also available.

Which animals might I see?

The crew looks for resident and migratory marine life. Pilot whales and dolphins have been seen on past trips, and turtles have also appeared, but sightings are not guaranteed.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Snorkel masks are included. The snorkel tube is not, so bring your own if you want to snorkel. Life vests are also provided on board.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel and biodegradable sunscreen. The operator recommends high-protection SPF 50 or higher.

What languages are spoken on the tour?

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

Can I cancel for a refund?

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