Tenerife: Los Gigantes Whale Watching Cruise by Sail Boat

The best part of this cruise is the small group of no more than 10 people. You have room to move around the sailing boat, find a clear view of the sea, and hear the crew explain the wildlife without fighting for space on a large tour boat. David, Jamie, and Eileen are often part of the crew, and they speak Spanish, English, French, and German.

I like the respectful approach to marine life and the chance to help raise the sail when conditions allow. I also like the generous food and drinks, especially the fresh sandwiches with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices. The main catch is simple: whales and dolphins are wild animals, so sightings are never guaranteed, and some departures may be less sail-powered than you expect.

Key points to know before you book

• Pilot whales are the main wildlife sighting: You may also see dolphins, turtles, flying fish, seabirds, and other marine life.
• Los Gigantes looks different from the water: The towering cliffs form a dramatic backdrop on the return to port and during the swim stop.
• The boat feels personal: A maximum of 10 participants gives you plenty of room and keeps the pace relaxed.
• Food and drinks are included: Expect fresh fruit, homemade sandwiches, cava, wine, beer, soft drinks, and water.
• Swimming and snorkeling finish the outing: You get about 30 minutes at a small coastal cove, with snorkeling gear supplied.
• Plan for motion on the Atlantic: Bring swimwear, breathable clothes, a change of clothes, and a towel, and consider seasickness medicine if you are prone to it.

Why this Los Gigantes cruise feels different

Whale watching around Tenerife can mean boarding a large motorboat with a crowd pressed along the rails. This trip takes the quieter route. The sailing boat carries only a small group, which changes the whole mood. You can sit, move, ask questions, and watch the water without feeling packed in.

The boat leaves from Pier 1, mooring number 156, at Third Element Luxury Charters in Los Gigantes. This is not a quick harbor ride. You head out along Tenerife’s southwest coast for roughly two hours of sailing and wildlife watching, then stop for a swim and snorkel before returning to port.

I especially like the mix of activity. You are not asked to spend three straight hours staring at an empty horizon. The cruise gives you wildlife watching, coastal views, sailing, food, and time in the water. If the wind and conditions are right, the crew may invite you to help raise the sail. At other times, the boat may use its engine, so do not book this expecting a full day of silent sailing.

Setting out from Pier 1 in Los Gigantes

The meeting point is Third Element Luxury Charters Whale Watching and Sailing Charters, at Pier 1, mooring number 156. Check the exact departure time when booking, since the activity lasts three hours and the starting times can vary.

Los Gigantes is best known for its huge coastal cliffs, but the first views from the boat give you a useful sense of scale. From land, you look up at the rock walls. From the sea, you see how they rise behind the port and stretch along the coast.

The boat is described as clean, comfortable, and well maintained. With space for only 10 participants, you can spread out instead of squeezing onto a crowded deck. That matters during wildlife watching, when everyone wants a clear view at once.

The crew may include David, Jamie, and Eileen, although the exact team can vary. Their role goes beyond steering the boat. They explain the local sea life, answer questions, and point out details you could easily miss, including seabirds and smaller creatures near the surface. Their ability to speak several languages is useful if your group includes people from different countries.

Two hours looking for whales and dolphins

Once the boat reaches open water, the focus turns to marine life. Pilot whales are the sighting most often associated with this cruise, and you may see pods moving near the boat. Some outings have included adults and calves, with whales approaching close enough for a memorable look from the deck.

Dolphins are also possible. They may appear beside the boat or play in the wake, but the crew’s respectful method matters here. The boat does not promise a staged show, and the crew aims to follow wildlife rules rather than chase animals for a closer photograph.

Turtles, flying fish, seabirds, and other marine life are also possible. Keep scanning the water instead of watching only the spot where someone last saw a whale. A turtle may surface quietly, while flying fish can appear and disappear in seconds.

You should bring patience. A high sighting rate is encouraging, but no responsible operator can guarantee whales, dolphins, or turtles on a particular departure. One outing may produce several pilot whales and dolphins. Another may bring dolphins, a turtle, and a good swim but no whales. That uncertainty is part of seeing wild animals, not a flaw in the itinerary.

The small boat helps the experience feel calm. You are not simply pointed toward an animal and rushed away. The crew can explain what you are seeing and give you time to take it in. You may also help raise the sail if the wind is suitable, adding a hands-on touch that large motorboat trips usually cannot provide.

One practical warning: the Atlantic can be moving even on a bright day. A few people have experienced seasickness, so if you know you are sensitive, take suitable medicine before departure. Wear breathable clothing and bring an extra layer or change of clothes for the return.

Fresh fruit, sandwiches, and a proper drink service

Food is one of the pleasant surprises here. The crew serves fresh fruit and freshly made sandwiches, rather than leaving you to buy snacks at the marina. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available, but tell the operator about your needs when booking or before setting out.

The drink selection includes cava, red and white wine, beer, and soft drinks. The combination feels generous for a three-hour outing, especially at the listed price of $88 per person. You are paying more than you would for a basic large-boat wildlife cruise, but the smaller group, food, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and personal service make the price easier to justify.

I would think of this as a half-day coastal experience rather than a simple boat transfer. You are paying for space, time, and a more relaxed pace, not only for the chance to see a whale.

The drinks are best enjoyed after the main wildlife watching, when the boat is stopped or traveling slowly. If you are prone to motion sickness, alcohol may not be your friend during rough conditions. Keep that in mind and choose soft drinks until you know how the sea feels.

Swimming and snorkeling near the Los Gigantes cliffs

After the wildlife search, the boat drops anchor at a small cove along the Tenerife coast. You get about 30 minutes for swimming and snorkeling, with equipment provided.

This stop gives the outing a welcome change of pace. After watching the horizon, you can get into the water, cool off, and look for fish in the clear coastal water. The cliffs and rock formations add a strong setting, even if you are not a confident swimmer.

Bring your own towel. Towels are not included, and the boat does not provide them. You should also pack a change of clothes, since the return trip is more comfortable when you are not sitting in damp swimwear.

The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Boarding a sailing boat, moving around the deck, and getting into the sea require a reasonable level of mobility. If swimming makes you uneasy, you can still enjoy the boat, views, and wildlife, but ask the crew about the practical arrangements before booking.

The return ride and the best cliff views

The trip back to Los Gigantes is deliberately slow. This is when the cliffs come into full view from the sea, and you can appreciate how different they look from the usual road and harbor viewpoints.

The return also gives you time to finish your sandwich, have a drink, and talk with the crew. The atmosphere is less hurried than on a standard sightseeing boat. You can sit back and watch the coast rather than ticking off one more stop.

Keep your camera ready, but do not let photography take over. The most striking moments may happen when a pilot whale passes near the hull or a dolphin surfaces unexpectedly. Photos are not included, and the activity specifically lists them as an extra consideration, so bring your own camera if you want pictures.

The crew and their approach to wildlife

The people running the boat are a major part of the experience. David, Jamie, and Eileen are frequently named as crew members, and the exact team may change. They are praised for being warm, attentive, and well informed about Tenerife, the Canary Islands, and local marine life.

That personal contact matters on a small boat. You can ask why pilot whales gather in the area, what kind of turtle you might see, or which seabirds are passing overhead. The crew can also explain what is happening instead of leaving you to guess.

Their care for the environment comes through in practical actions. On one outing, the crew stopped to remove an old net from the water. On another, they helped a protected seabird chick in trouble. These moments do not form part of a guaranteed program, but they show the kind of attention you can expect from a team that treats the ocean as more than a backdrop.

The crew also aims to keep a respectful distance from the animals. That can mean you do not always get the closest possible approach, but it is the right trade-off. You are watching wild marine life, not attending a performance.

Who will get the most from this tour

I would recommend this cruise to anyone who values a quieter boat, personal attention, and a mix of wildlife and swimming. It works well for couples, solo visitors, families with older children, and small groups who would rather have room to move than save a little money on a crowded trip.

Children around 10 and 11 have enjoyed the experience, according to the supplied trip details, but every family should consider the boat movement and sea conditions. The crew can help people feel safe, but this is still an ocean outing.

Solo visitors should find the small group comfortable. You are not left on your own, and the crew has room to include individual questions and conversation. The multilingual service also helps international groups feel at ease.

This is less suitable if you need a fully accessible boat, dislike any chance of sea motion, or want guaranteed whale sightings. It may also disappoint you if your main goal is fast, constant sailing under canvas. The boat can raise the sail when conditions are right, but the trip is built around wildlife watching, not a sailing lesson.

Is $88 good value?

At $88 per person, this is not Tenerife’s cheapest marine excursion. The price makes more sense when you add up what is included: three hours on a well-kept sailing boat, a maximum group of 10, a wildlife search, a swim and snorkel stop, snorkeling equipment, fruit, homemade sandwiches, and several drinks.

The small capacity is the key value. You are not paying only for a seat. You are buying more space, easier access to the rail, and more direct contact with the crew. If you have already taken a large whale-watching trip and disliked the crowd, this is a better fit.

The price also includes food that can accommodate vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets. That saves you from planning a separate meal around the excursion, though you should still communicate any dietary needs in advance.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms make it easier to fit the cruise around changing Tenerife plans.

Practical packing advice for the three hours

Bring swimwear, a towel, breathable clothes, comfortable clothing, and a change of clothes. The towel is particularly easy to forget because snorkeling equipment is supplied but towels are not.

Wear clothing that lets you move around the deck. The boat can feel warm in the sun and cooler once it is moving, so layers are useful. Keep valuables secure and bring sun protection, though the supplied information specifically emphasizes comfortable, breathable clothing rather than a formal dress code.

If you are sensitive to motion, prepare before boarding. One past outing included several people with seasickness, so do not assume a calm-looking morning guarantees a perfectly smooth ride.

The tour is guided in Spanish, English, French, and German. Confirm your preferred language when you book, especially if clear wildlife explanations are important to you.

Should you book the Los Gigantes sailing cruise?

I would book it if you want a small, personal wildlife trip with good food, a swim stop, and a crew that treats the ocean with care. The chance to see pilot whales, dolphins, turtles, and other marine life is strong, but the real strength is the calm format and the people running it.

Choose another option if you want the lowest possible price, a fully accessible boat, or a guaranteed animal encounter. Also keep your expectations realistic about sailing. The boat may use the wind, but wildlife conditions and safety decide how the trip runs.

For most visitors with three free hours in southwest Tenerife, the mix of open water, Los Gigantes cliffs, snorkeling, and a small group makes the $88 fare reasonable. Bring a towel, prepare for possible sea motion, and keep your eyes on the water. The best moment may be a whale, dolphin, or turtle appearing when nobody is quite ready for it.

FAQ

Where does the cruise meet?

Meet at Third Element Luxury Charters Whale Watching and Sailing Charters at Pier 1, mooring number 156, in Los Gigantes.

How long does the activity last?

The cruise lasts three hours. The wildlife and sailing portion takes about two hours, followed by around 30 minutes for swimming and snorkeling.

How many people are on the boat?

The group is limited to 10 participants. Some departures may have fewer people.

Which animals might I see?

You may see dolphins, pilot whales, turtles, flying fish, seabirds, and other marine life. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

Is swimming and snorkeling included?

Yes. The cruise includes time to swim and snorkel at a small cove, and snorkeling equipment is provided.

Is food included?

Yes. Fresh fruit and homemade sandwiches are included. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available.

What drinks are included?

The drink selection includes cava, red and white wine, beer, and soft drinks.

What should I bring?

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