Tenerife: Los Gigantes Whale Watching Cruise by Sail Boat

Off Tenerife’s southwest coast, pilot whales often come surprisingly close to the sailboat, while dolphins, turtles, flying fish, and seabirds may appear between sightings. The setting is special: you’ll see the towering Los Gigantes cliffs from the water, not from a road or lookout.

I like the small group of up to 10 people, which gives you room to move around and makes the trip feel calm rather than crowded. I also like the crew’s clear care for marine life, plus the fresh sandwiches, fruit, cava, wine, beer, and soft drinks included in the price. The main catch is simple: wild animals set the schedule, so you may not see every species, or even whales.

Key points to know before booking

• Pilot whales are the main prize: Pods, calves, dolphins, and turtles have all been spotted, sometimes very close to the boat.
• Only 10 people can join: You get more space and a quieter way to watch wildlife than on a large sightseeing boat.
• Swimming comes after the search: The boat anchors for about 30 minutes at a small cove near Los Gigantes.
• Food and drinks are included: Expect fresh fruit, homemade sandwiches, and a useful range of alcoholic and soft drinks.
• The sailing depends on conditions: You may help raise the sail, but the boat may also use its motor when needed.
• Bring a towel: Towels are not supplied, and you’ll want dry clothes after the swim.

A small sailboat and a big Atlantic view

You meet at Third Element Luxury Charters Whale Watching & Sailing Charters, at Pier 1, mooring number 156, in Los Gigantes. The boat takes no more than 10 participants, a detail that matters from the moment you leave the marina. You can spread out, find a comfortable place to sit, and move around without squeezing past a crowd.

The boat itself is clean, well maintained, and comfortable. Several people have singled out the sense of space, while solo visitors have found it easy to feel included. Families with children around 10 and 11 have also enjoyed the pace, though this is still a boat trip on open water, not a theme-park ride.

The crew can speak Spanish, English, French, and German. David, Jamie, and Eileen are names that come up often in connection with the boat, though the exact crew may vary with the departure. You can expect explanations about marine life, the surrounding sea, and the Canary Islands, along with practical help if you are not confident in the water.

If the wind cooperates, the crew may ask you to help raise the sail. That adds a pleasant hands-on touch and lets you feel the boat moving under wind power. Keep your expectations flexible, though. Sailing is part of the experience, but the boat may use its motor for timing, safety, or suitable viewing conditions. One passenger specifically wished the sail had been used more.

Two hours searching the water off Los Gigantes

The main wildlife portion lasts about two hours. The crew takes you out from Los Gigantes and scans the Atlantic for dolphins, pilot whales, turtles, and other marine life.

Pilot whales are the most consistent highlight in the available experience. They live in the waters around Tenerife, and sightings can include full pods, young calves, and animals swimming beside or beneath the boat. You might see them gliding quietly rather than performing dramatic jumps. That is part of the appeal. You are watching normal behavior in the wild, not a trained show.

Dolphins can be more playful. Sightings have included large groups, close passes, and dolphins moving around the boat. Turtles and flying fish have also appeared. Keep your eyes open between the larger sightings, since seabirds and smaller marine life can provide much of the interest during quiet stretches.

The guides’ attitude toward the animals is one of the best reasons to choose this particular trip. The crew follows a respectful approach and does not rush after wildlife simply to create a closer photograph. On one outing, the crew stopped to remove an old net from the water. On another, they helped a struggling protected seabird chick. Those details show that the wildlife is treated as more than a backdrop for a boat ride.

Still, you should book this with the right mindset. This is a search for wild animals, not a guaranteed whale show. One outing produced dolphins and a turtle but no whales. Another found several pilot whales, while other trips included whales, dolphins, turtles, and flying fish together. The odds appear good, but nature keeps the final say.

Why the 10-person limit changes the mood

A small boat does not guarantee better sightings, but it improves the way you experience them. You are less likely to have a wall of people blocking your view, and you can move from one side of the boat to the other when the crew spots something.

The atmosphere is relaxed rather than hurried. You can ask questions in normal conversation, and the crew has time to explain what you are seeing. That is useful when a pilot whale surfaces only briefly or when a distant shape may be a dolphin, seabird, or floating debris.

There is also less pressure to treat the trip like a race. The boat may pause and watch rather than charging from one sighting to the next. If you care about animal welfare, that slower approach will matter.

The trade-off is price. At $88 per person, this costs more than some of the larger boat trips you may see around Tenerife. You are paying for the small capacity, the sailing boat, personal attention, food, drinks, snorkeling gear, and a calmer setting. If your only goal is to find the cheapest way onto the water, this may not be the right choice. If you value space, a quieter boat, and respectful wildlife watching, the price is reasonable.

Fruit, sandwiches, and a glass of cava

Food is not an afterthought here. The crew serves fresh fruit during the cruise, followed by freshly made sandwiches. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices are available, which makes the meal more useful than the standard bread-and-cheese snack found on many boat trips.

Drinks include cava, red and white wine, beer, and soft drinks. You can enjoy a chilled glass while looking back toward the cliffs, though moderation is wise if you plan to swim afterward.

The food also helps the three-hour schedule feel balanced. Two hours of scanning the sea can feel long if you are waiting for wildlife, so the fruit and sandwiches give the trip a natural pause. You are not expected to spend the full time standing at the rail with binocular-style concentration.

If you have dietary needs, mention them when booking or before departure, even though vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are offered. Bring water if you prefer a particular drink, but the supplied selection is generous.

Swimming and snorkeling by the cliffs

After the wildlife search, the boat stops at a small cove for about 30 minutes. You can swim from the boat and use the supplied snorkeling equipment.

This is a good second act. The whale search gives you open sea and moving wildlife; the cove gives you clear water, colorful fish, and a chance to cool off. The setting near Los Gigantes adds drama without requiring a separate sightseeing stop. From the water, the cliffs feel even more imposing than they do from land.

The snorkeling is not the main reason to book the trip, but it adds real value. Conditions vary, and you should not expect a full reef expedition. You get a short swim and snorkel in a scenic spot, with equipment provided.

Bring your own towel because none are supplied. Pack swimwear, breathable and comfortable clothes, and a change of clothes for the ride back. A light layer is sensible too, since the breeze can feel cooler after swimming.

The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. You need to board a boat, move around its deck, and enter or leave the water if you choose to swim. If you are nervous in the water, tell the crew. They have helped less confident swimmers feel looked after, but you should still judge your own comfort and ability honestly.

The slow return along Los Gigantes

After the swim and meal, the boat makes its way back to port. This return is not dead time. You get a different view of the cliffs, with the boat moving closer to shore and the dramatic rock walls filling more of your view.

Los Gigantes is best understood from the sea. The cliffs rise sharply from the coast, and the boat gives you room to look up without the road traffic, buildings, or lookout railings that shape the land-based view. Have your camera ready, but remember that photos are not included as part of the experience. Bring your own device if you want pictures.

The return leg is also a good time to ask the crew about what you have seen. Their talks cover local marine life and the natural setting around Tenerife and the Canary Islands. The multilingual service helps mixed-language groups follow along.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would choose this trip if you want wildlife watching without a packed vessel. It suits couples, solo visitors, families with older children, and anyone who prefers a personal conversation with the crew over a loud group announcement.

It is especially appealing if you care how a wildlife tour operates. The crew’s respect for animals, willingness to remove rubbish from the sea, and refusal to treat the ocean like a stage are meaningful advantages.

You should think twice if you need guaranteed sightings, dislike open-water motion, or want a long snorkeling session. Some people have experienced seasickness, so taking suitable medication beforehand may be sensible if you already know you are prone to it. The tour lasts three hours, and much of that time is spent at sea.

It also works best as a dedicated half-day activity. Los Gigantes is the starting point, and you need to make your own way to Pier 1, mooring number 156. The booking information provides a Google Maps location for Third Element Luxury Charters, which is useful when finding the marina.

Cancellation and booking flexibility

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately, which is useful when your Tenerife plans are still shifting.

The small capacity means departures can fill faster than larger boat tours. Check the available starting times before you build the rest of your day around the cruise.

Should you book the Los Gigantes sailing cruise?

Yes, if you want a calm, small-group wildlife trip with good food and a genuine sailing feel. The strongest reasons are the 10-person limit, the friendly multilingual crew, the chance to see pilot whales close to the boat, and the care shown toward the local environment.

At $88, it is not Tenerife’s budget boat outing. But you receive three hours on a clean sailboat, wildlife watching, a swim and snorkel stop, equipment, fruit, sandwiches, and drinks. That makes the cost easier to justify, especially if you would rather pay for space and personal service than save money on a crowded vessel.

Just remember that whales and dolphins are wild. You may see a remarkable pod with calves, or you may come away with dolphins, turtles, birds, and a beautiful swim instead. If that uncertainty sounds like part of the adventure rather than a problem, this is a strong choice from Los Gigantes.

FAQ

Where does the whale watching cruise depart from?

The meeting point is Third Element Luxury Charters Whale Watching & Sailing Charters at Pier 1, mooring number 156, in Los Gigantes. Directions are available through the supplied Google Maps location.

How long does the activity last?

The cruise lasts three hours. About two hours are used for sailing and wildlife watching, followed by about 30 minutes for swimming and snorkeling.

How many people are in the group?

The boat is limited to 10 participants, creating a smaller and less crowded setting than a large sightseeing vessel.

What animals might I see?

You may see dolphins, pilot whales, turtles, flying fish, seabirds, and other marine life. Sightings are not guaranteed because the animals are in their natural environment.

Is food and drink included?

Yes. The trip includes fresh fruit, homemade sandwiches, and drinks such as cava, red and white wine, beer, and soft drinks. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free sandwich options are available.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, comfortable breathable clothing, and a change of clothes. Towels and photos are not included.