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

Los Gigantes is at its most dramatic from the water. The red cliffs rise beside the boat, while pilot whales, dolphins, and other marine life may appear offshore. This private trip on the sailing boat Sangría gives you a quieter way to see the coast than a large group cruise.

I like the flexible length, since you can choose a three-hour outing or spend as long as eight hours at sea. I also like the mix of wildlife watching and a real swim stop, followed by tapas and a drink on deck. The main consideration is price: $765 per group is good value for 10 or 11 people, but costly for a small party.

Key points to know before booking

• Pilot whale sightings are a major draw: The route reaches waters where pilot whales have been spotted repeatedly.
• The cliffs look different from sea level: You sail beneath the red walls of Los Gigantes and along quiet bays and coves.
• Snorkeling is built into the trip: Gear is supplied, with chances to see fish, octopuses, sea turtles, and manta rays.
• The boat is private: Your group has the skipper, deck space, food, and swim time to itself.
• Tapas are served onboard: Drinks and food follow the swim stop, making this more than a simple sightseeing ride.
• The price works best for a large group: Up to 11 people can share the $765 rate.

Sailing beneath the red cliffs of Los Gigantes

The first part of the trip is a coastal cruise from Muelle Deportivo La Marina Los Gigantes, Dock 1. You meet the skipper there and board Sangría, then follow Tenerife’s western coast with the tall red cliffs beside you.

From the deck, you get a view that is impossible from the road. The cliffs rise directly from the sea, and the bays and coves appear in a long sequence as the boat moves along the coast. This is a good reason to choose a private sailing trip instead of treating Los Gigantes as a quick photo stop from land.

The pace is intentionally easy. You can sit in the sun, watch the water, and keep your camera ready for marine life. The private setting also means you are not simply following a fixed crowd around the boat. Your group shares the space, with the skipper and guide handling the sailing and pointing out what is around you.

The trip is offered in Spanish, English, and French. That matters on a wildlife cruise, where clear instructions are especially useful before entering the water and when the crew explains how to behave around animals.

Whale watching along Tenerife’s coast

Wildlife is one of the strongest reasons to book this outing. Pilot whales have been seen several times during the sailing, and dolphins and other marine species are also part of the experience. You are sailing through an area known for a wide range of sea life, not simply crossing from one harbor to another.

Sightings remain wildlife sightings, so no responsible skipper can promise a whale, dolphin, turtle, or ray on a particular departure. Still, the route gives you a genuine chance to watch for them from the boat. Keep your eyes on the open water, especially during the quieter stretches between the coves.

The best approach is to think of the wildlife as part of the trip rather than its only purpose. You still have the cliffs, the sailing, the swim, and the food if the animals stay out of sight. That balance makes the outing less risky than a whale-watching trip with no other activities.

One five-star departure in December included repeated pilot whale sightings and calm enjoyment with a family. Another birthday outing in August also saw pilot whales several times. These sightings help explain why the tour earns such strong praise, but you should still book with realistic expectations.

The snorkeling stop in clear water

At a calm bay or suitable offshore spot, the boat stops for swimming and snorkeling. The clear water gives you a chance to look for colorful fish, octopuses, sea turtles, and manta rays beneath the surface.

Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to pack your own mask or fins. You do need to bring swimwear and a towel. Sunscreen is also listed as essential, since the sun on the deck can feel strong even when the breeze makes the air comfortable.

The activity description presents this as a deep-sea snorkeling stop. That means the setting is offshore rather than a shallow beach entry, so you should be comfortable following the skipper’s instructions and entering the water from the boat. The supplied information does not give a minimum swimming level, so ask the provider before booking if anyone in your group is not a confident swimmer.

You are asked not to touch marine life or feed animals. That is good practice and worth taking seriously. Sea turtles, octopuses, manta rays, and fish are there to observe, not handle. The rules also prohibit fishing, which keeps the stop focused on swimming and viewing the sea life.

Conditions can change with weather and sea state. The advertised route includes swimming and snorkeling stops, but the skipper controls the final location and timing. You will get the most from this part if you treat it as a chance to explore when conditions are right, not as a guaranteed checklist of species.

Tapas and drinks on the Sangría

After the swim, you return to the boat and settle on deck with tapas and a drink. Alcoholic and soft drinks are included, giving you a simple choice between a relaxed drink and a nonalcoholic refreshment.

The food is more than a minor extra. A swim and several hours in the sun can leave you hungry, and having tapas onboard means you do not need to cut the sailing short for a meal on land. One birthday trip received especially high marks for the food, while the crew also arranged a small birthday cake at short notice.

Vegetarian and vegan food options are available, but you must tell the activity provider before the tour. Do not assume a special menu will appear without advance notice. If your group has other dietary needs, it is sensible to ask when you book, although only vegetarian and vegan choices are specifically confirmed.

The meal also gives the trip a pleasant rhythm. You sail along the cliffs, stop for the water, then relax with food while the boat returns toward port. It feels closer to a private day on the water than a basic transfer with a quick photo stop.

Three hours or eight hours at sea

The tour can last from three to eight hours. That is a wide range, and the difference matters.

A three-hour trip suits you if you want the main elements: a coastal sail, a chance to watch for whales and dolphins, a swim or snorkel stop, and food and drinks. It is also the safer choice for a first sailing outing if you are unsure how much time you want on the water.

A longer option gives you more time to enjoy the coast at an unhurried pace. You can spend longer watching for marine life, sitting on deck, and using the quiet coves and bays as part of the experience. The supplied details do not spell out a separate route for each duration, so check the available start times and exact plan before you select an eight-hour outing.

The length you choose should match your group. Children or anyone prone to seasickness may prefer the shorter option. A group celebrating a birthday or planning a full private day may find the longer cruise better suited to the occasion.

What the $765 group price really means

The listed price is $765 for a private group of up to 11 people. At the full group size, that works out to about $69 per person. That is a reasonable figure for a private boat, skipper, snorkeling equipment, food, drinks, and several hours along one of Tenerife’s most striking coastlines.

The calculation changes quickly with a smaller group. For six people, the same boat costs about $128 per person. For four, it is about $191 each. I would recommend this experience most strongly to a family group, a group of friends, or a birthday party that can fill much of the boat.

A private cruise also has value beyond the arithmetic. You are not sharing the outing with a large public crowd, and your group has a more personal setting for the swim stop and meal. That privacy is the main reason the price can make sense even when it is higher than a shared boat trip.

The cost includes the skipper and guide, so you are not paying separately for basic guiding. It also includes snorkeling gear, tapas, and one alcoholic or soft drink. Swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and your personal identification are not included.

Meeting point, pickup, and what to pack

The stated meeting point is Muelle Deportivo La Marina Los Gigantes, Dock 1. The trip information also describes pickup from hotels in the Los Gigantes area, followed by transport to the port and a return ride after sailing. Because both details are provided, confirm at booking whether your hotel qualifies for pickup or whether you should go directly to Dock 1.

Bring your passport or ID card, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. You will need swimwear for the boat’s water stop, and the towel is not supplied. Pack only what you need for the day, since space aboard a sailing boat is naturally more limited than in a hotel room or coach.

Smoking is not allowed in the vehicle. Fishing, feeding animals, touching marine life, fireworks, alcohol and drugs are prohibited under the activity rules. The included drink is part of the organized service, not permission to bring prohibited substances or treat the boat like a party vessel.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if you are arranging several parts of a Tenerife holiday at once. Departure times vary, so check availability for your chosen date.

Who will enjoy this private sailing trip

I would choose this for a group that wants several Tenerife experiences in one outing. You get coastal scenery, a private boat, wildlife watching, swimming, snorkeling, and food without arranging separate activities.

It suits families particularly well when everyone wants something different. One person can watch for whales, another can sit in the sun, and others can use the swim stop. The private format is useful for a birthday or special occasion, especially since the crew has shown flexibility with a small birthday cake.

Couples can enjoy it too, but the cost is harder to justify for only two people. If you are traveling as a small party, compare the private rate with a shared sailing trip. The private boat becomes much better value as your group approaches 11 people.

This is less suitable if you want a guaranteed wildlife encounter, a fishing trip, or a nonstop party atmosphere. Fishing is not allowed, and marine animals cannot be promised. It is also not the best choice for someone who strongly dislikes boat travel or is not comfortable with an offshore swim stop.

My final call on booking Sangría

Book this private sailing trip if you can share the cost with a large group and want a relaxed day that combines Los Gigantes scenery with the sea itself. The strongest features are the private setting, repeated opportunities for pilot whale sightings, the clear-water snorkel stop, and tapas served after the swim.

I would choose the three-hour version for a compact holiday schedule or a group unsure about spending a full day afloat. Choose a longer option if your priority is slow sailing, wildlife watching, and time on deck.

Before paying, confirm your hotel pickup, the departure time, the preferred duration, and any vegetarian or vegan food needs. Bring your towel and sunscreen. With those details settled, this is a well-rounded way to experience the Los Gigantes coast from the water, with enough variety to keep the outing interesting even when the whales remain out of view.

FAQ

Where does the sailing trip meet?

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

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is described for hotels in the Los Gigantes area, with transport to the port and a return ride afterward. Confirm the exact pickup arrangement when booking.

How long does the tour last?

You can choose an outing lasting between 3 and 8 hours. Available starting times depend on the date.

How many people can join the private boat?

The private group can include up to 11 people.

What languages are available?

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

Is snorkeling equipment included?

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

What marine life might I see?

The activity includes chances to see dolphins, pilot whales, colorful fish, sea turtles, manta rays, and octopuses. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

Are food and drinks included?

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

Can vegetarian or vegan food be arranged?

Yes. Vegetarian and vegan options are available, but you must notify the activity provider before the tour.

What should I bring?

Bring your passport or ID card, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Swimwear and towels are not included.