From Los Gigantes: Whale Watching Sailboat Cruise

The best part of this Los Gigantes outing is its size. You sail on a 46-foot boat with no more than nine passengers, rather than joining a crowded whale-watching vessel. That makes it easier to move around, ask questions, and enjoy the sea without loud music or a packed rail.

I like the careful approach to wildlife and the time spent simply sailing beneath the cliffs. I also like the small touches: guides such as Sara, Felix, Jakob, Miguel, and Nettie explain both the animals and Tenerife, while homemade tapas and drinks follow the swim. The main consideration is seasickness. This is a small sailboat on open water, and one passenger found the motion tougher than expected.

Key points

• Pilot whales are the main local sighting: Dolphins, turtles, and other marine life are also possible, but sightings depend on nature.
• The boat holds only nine passengers: You get more room, quieter conditions, and easier access to the crew.
• Wildlife is approached responsibly: The company follows Tenerife’s whale-watching sustainability charter and carries the government’s Blue Boat Flag.
• Snorkeling takes place beneath Los Gigantes: The swim is short, around 15 minutes, but it adds a welcome change of pace.
• Tapas are served on board: The homemade food includes vegetarian-friendly choices, with drinks available during the trip.
• Plan for sun and sea motion: Bring a towel, swimwear, sunglasses, a hat, and high-protection biodegradable sunscreen.

Setting Sail From Los Gigantes

You meet the boat at Picarus Sailing Club and look for Aemon or Ayla. The trip lasts about three to four hours, with the exact departure time depending on availability.

The setting is the real opening act. Los Gigantes is known for its tall coastal cliffs, and viewing them from the water gives you a different sense of their scale. From the deck, you also get views toward Mount Teide, Tenerife’s great volcanic peak, when conditions allow.

The boat is a 46-foot, or 14-meter, sailing boat. The limited capacity of nine passengers matters here. You are not fighting for a place along the rail, and the crew can speak with you directly. It also creates a calmer mood, especially on trips with seven or eight passengers.

This is not a party cruise. One morning outing had no music, which suited the peaceful setting. If you want loud entertainment and a large bar, this is the wrong boat. If you prefer the sound of wind and water, the format makes good sense.

The crew speaks Spanish, English, and French. Named guides including Sara, Felix, Jakob, Miguel, and Nettie have been praised for their friendly manner and clear explanations. You can ask about the whales, dolphins, the island, or the cliffs as the boat moves along.

Searching for Pilot Whales and Dolphins

The wildlife portion takes about an hour and a half. The area off Los Gigantes is home to resident and migratory marine species, with pilot whales among the most likely highlights.

The important word is searching. No responsible whale-watching company can promise a sighting, and the crew does not treat the animals as a performance. Some outings have seen several pilot whales, dolphins, and even a turtle. Another trip saw dolphins but no whales. That is the honest nature of a wildlife trip.

When animals appear, the crew aims to give you time to watch without crowding them. One account describes the captain cutting the engines when whales were spotted, even at a distance, to avoid disturbing them. The company is part of Turismo de Tenerife’s Sustainability Charter for Whale Watching and the South Tenerife Cetaceans Association. It also carries the Blue Boat Flag, which means it is authorized to conduct whale watching under the government’s responsible boating standards.

Those details matter because the best encounter is not always the closest one. A whale surfacing near the boat can be thrilling, but a respectful distance lets the animals continue their routine. You may see only backs, fins, or brief movements. Bring patience and keep your eyes moving across the water.

The crew also explains the species you encounter, not just their names. You can ask about pilot whales, dolphins, and the reasons for keeping distance. That turns a sighting into a better understanding of the sea around Tenerife.

One Hour of Sailing Beneath the Cliffs

After the wildlife search, the boat spends about an hour sailing. This is where the trip feels less like a checklist and more like time on the water.

The cliffs of Los Gigantes are impressive from shore, but their height becomes clearer when you see them from below. The boat gives you changing views of the rock faces, the coastline, and the open water. The crew also shares information about Tenerife’s history and local walking routes, adding context without turning the outing into a formal lecture.

This sailing stretch is particularly useful if the animals are slow to appear. Even on a day with fewer sightings, you still have the cliffs, the sea, and the view toward Teide. One passenger specifically suggested adding another hour to make the trip a full four hours, so keep in mind that the total time can feel compact when the wildlife search, sailing, swimming, and meal are all included.

The boat’s small size helps here, but it also means the motion can be noticeable. If you are prone to seasickness, take that seriously. A passenger who felt unwell said the crew helped and remained attentive, but prevention is better than relying on the crew once the boat is moving. The provided information recommends bringing sun protection, but it does not list seasickness medication, so ask your own medical professional what is suitable before the trip.

A Short Swim Beside Los Gigantes

The snorkeling stop lasts about 15 minutes. The boat anchors near the cliffs, giving you time to swim and use the provided masks.

This is not a long reef excursion. Think of it as a refreshing pause after sitting and watching the water. The change from wildlife spotting to swimming makes the outing feel varied, and the cliff walls provide a dramatic setting.

Masks are included, but the tube is not. Bring your own snorkeling tube if you want a complete set, and pack a towel because neither towels nor sunscreen are supplied. The operator specifically recommends biodegradable sunscreen with protection of 50 or higher.

The swim is optional in practical terms, since not everyone wants to enter the water. The available information does not promise specific fish, underwater conditions, or water temperature, so do not book this solely for snorkeling. Book it for the combined experience of sailing, wildlife watching, cliffs, and a short swim.

Homemade Tapas After the Water

After the swim, the crew serves a homemade tapas menu on board. The meal takes about 15 minutes, though drinks and snacks are also available during the wider outing.

Food is one of the most frequently praised parts of this cruise. Passengers have described the tapas as delicious, fresh, and a pleasant surprise. Vegetarian choices are available, which is useful if you do not eat meat or fish. The menu is not specified in detail, so contact the provider before departure if you have allergies or strict dietary needs.

Eating after the swim is a smart part of the timing. You can dry off, settle back into the boat, and enjoy food while the cliffs and sea remain around you. It also gives you a relaxed chance to continue talking with the crew.

Do not expect a full restaurant meal. This is a tapas service on a sailboat, not a formal lunch. Still, at $88 per person, the inclusion of food and drinks adds real value, especially when combined with a small group and several hours on the water.

Why the Small Group Changes the Experience

Nine passengers is the stated maximum, and some trips have carried only seven or eight. That difference is worth noticing when you compare boats in Los Gigantes.

On a large vessel, you may need to stand behind other people to see a whale or hear the guide. Here, the crew can usually address questions more easily, and you have a better chance of finding a comfortable place on deck. The atmosphere also stays more personal, which suits the quiet nature of wildlife watching.

The small group does not remove every drawback. Space is still limited, and the sea can make the boat move. You will be sharing the deck, swim stop, and meal area with the other passengers, so this is not a private yacht charter unless you book the private option.

Private and shared trips are available. The shared format offers the best price for solo travelers, couples, and small families who want a more personal boat without paying for the whole vessel. A private trip makes more sense if you want control over the group or are marking a special occasion, though the supplied information does not give a private charter price.

Responsible Whale Watching, Not a Wildlife Show

The conservation policy is one of the strongest reasons to consider this outing. Picarus Sailing Club says conservation is its priority and supports the South Tenerife Cetaceans Association by sharing information and assistance.

That approach affects what you see and how you see it. The crew keeps a respectful distance, explains marine life, and may stop the engine near animals. You should not expect the boat to chase whales for a dramatic photograph.

This can feel less exciting for a moment because the boat may wait rather than rush. In return, you get a more responsible encounter. The company’s sustainability charter membership and Blue Boat Flag provide useful reassurance for anyone who wants wildlife viewing to have a lighter effect on the animals.

The educational side also makes the trip worthwhile if sightings are brief. Guides explain the marine species and the island, and they welcome questions. The best way to prepare is to treat the wildlife as a bonus within a broader morning or afternoon at sea.

Is $88 a Fair Price?

At $88 per person, the price is not the cheapest possible way to get on the water. It is a fair value if you care about the small group, the sailboat, the guide-led wildlife search, the swim stop, and the tapas.

You are paying for more than a short boat ride. The outing includes life vests, snorkeling masks, the crew’s explanations, around 90 minutes of wildlife viewing, about an hour of sailing, a swim near the cliffs, and food afterward. The price also supports a format that limits the number of people on board.

The value is weaker if your only goal is to guarantee a whale sighting. No wildlife trip can promise that, and one excursion saw dolphins without whales. It is also less suitable if you dislike boat motion or want a long, dedicated snorkeling session.

For most people, I would compare the price with the number of passengers rather than with the advertised duration alone. A three-hour trip with nine people can feel more personal than a longer trip on a crowded vessel. The shorter end of the three-to-four-hour range may feel a little brisk, especially once all activities are included.

Who Should Book This Cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want a quiet, small-scale day on the water and care about how marine wildlife is approached. It suits couples, families with older children who can manage a boat trip, solo passengers, and small groups looking for a private or shared outing.

It is also a strong choice for anyone who wants more than whale watching. You get cliffs, Teide views, sailing, marine education, snorkeling, tapas, and time to ask questions. Vegetarians should find the food workable, though anyone with allergies should confirm the menu in advance.

Think twice if you are highly prone to seasickness, need guaranteed animal sightings, or want extensive time in the water. The swim is only about 15 minutes, and the sea may be lively. Bring a high-SPF biodegradable sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, swimwear, and a towel. Life vests and masks are supplied, but the snorkeling tube is not.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the available start times because the schedule is not fixed in the supplied details.

Should You Book the Picarus Sailing Club Trip?

I would book this cruise if your priority is a small boat, respectful wildlife watching, and a relaxed coastal outing rather than a guaranteed close-up encounter.

The strongest reasons are the nine-passenger limit, the conservation rules, the friendly multilingual crew, and the combination of pilot whales or dolphins with Los Gigantes, swimming, and tapas. The main cautions are sea motion, the short snorkeling stop, and the fact that nature controls the sightings.

Bring your towel and sunscreen, accept that whales may not appear, and give yourself time to enjoy the boat even when the animals stay out of view. With that mindset, this is a well-rounded way to experience the coast from Los Gigantes.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching cruise depart from?

The cruise departs from Picarus Sailing Club in Los Gigantes. Look for the boat named Aemon or Ayla.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately three to four hours. Check availability for the exact starting time and duration.

How many passengers can join the shared cruise?

The sailboat accepts a maximum of nine passengers on shared excursions.

Is a private trip available?

Yes. Private and shared excursions are available.

What marine life might I see?

The area has resident and migratory marine species. Sightings can include pilot whales, dolphins, and turtles, but wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. The boat stops near the cliffs for approximately 15 minutes of swimming and snorkeling.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Snorkel masks and safety gear, including life vests, are provided. A snorkeling tube is not included.

Is food served on board?

Yes. The crew serves a homemade tapas menu, and drinks are available during the trip. Vegetarian food is available.

Which languages do the guides speak?

The guides speak Spanish, English, and French.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, and biodegradable sunscreen with protection of 50 or higher.