REVIEW · TENERIFE
Los Gigantes: Sailing Excursion with Swimming, Drink & Tapas
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by Blue Dream Sailing · Bookable on GetYourGuide
Red cliffs and sea creatures in three hours. This Los Gigantes sailing trip pairs snorkeling in clear water with real wildlife searching along the coast, then wraps up with drinks and tapas. The trade-off: 3 hours can feel tight if you’re hoping for extra time in the best whale/dolphin spots.
I like that the boat stays small, so you’re not fighting for deck space when dolphins appear. And because the route is built around bays and coves, you get a proper chance to get in the water instead of just cruising past the coast.
One more thing: you’ll want to pack smart. Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen, and be ready for sea time that stays calm and quiet onboard since there’s no big party setup.
In This Review
- Key things to know before you go on Los Gigantes
- Los Gigantes by sail: why a 3-hour trip works so well
- Meeting point and getting settled on the Sangría
- The morning cruise along the red cliffs and coves
- Swimming and snorkel stops: how the water time is structured
- Whale and dolphin spotting: what to expect in the search
- Tapas and drinks under the cliffs: the easy, local finish
- Snorkeling gear, life vests, and what to bring
- Rules onboard that protect wildlife (and your experience)
- Who this tour fits best (and who might want a different option)
- Price and value: is $82 a fair deal?
- Timing, weather, and how to stay comfortable
- Should you book Blue Dream Sailing’s Los Gigantes sail and swim?
- FAQ
- How long is the Los Gigantes sailing excursion?
- Where do I meet for the tour?
- What’s included in the price?
- Is vegetarian or vegan food available?
- How many people are on the boat?
- What are the key restrictions onboard?
Key things to know before you go on Los Gigantes
- Small group (max 10): you’ll move and watch more comfortably when wildlife pops up.
- Sailing + swim/snorkel rhythm: the trip mixes cruising with real stops for the water.
- Marine-life snorkeling opportunity: the deep stop is set up for sightings like sea turtles, manta rays, and octopi (when conditions cooperate).
- Whale and dolphin search: expect a focused hunt, with pilot whales and dolphins commonly reported.
- Tapas and drinks on deck: the food and drinks land after the water time, under the red cliffs.
- Quiet onboard feel: no onboard music is reported, so you can hear the sea.
Los Gigantes by sail: why a 3-hour trip works so well
This is the kind of Tenerife outing that fits real vacation schedules. Three hours sounds short, but it’s long enough to get away from the dock, work the coast near Los Gigantes, and still set aside proper time to swim and snorkel.
The best part of the timing is how it matches the marine-viewing reality. You don’t control when dolphins or whales show up, but a well-run route keeps you moving to the right areas instead of idling forever.
If you’re the sort of traveler who wants both wildlife and water time, this length is a nice compromise. You get the action without committing to a full half-day tour.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Tenerife.
Meeting point and getting settled on the Sangría
You’ll meet at Muelle Deportivo La Marina Los Gigantes Dock 1. It’s a straightforward start point and keeps the logistics simple once you’re in the Los Gigantes harbor area.
The sail itself is on the Sangría. With a maximum of 10 participants, boarding feels less like a cattle call and more like a small crew day on the water. You’re also less likely to spend the entire trip craning your neck around other people.
The crew includes a skipper and guide, and the guide support runs in Spanish, English, and French. In practice, this means you should be able to follow instructions and learn what you’re looking at, even if your language lines up better than someone else’s.
The morning cruise along the red cliffs and coves
After setting sail from Puerto de Los Gigantes, the route follows the Dramatic red cliffs that Los Gigantes is famous for. From the water, the cliffs look more sculpted and intense than they do from shore, and the angle also helps you see why this area is so important for marine life.
You’ll cruise between bays and natural coves, which matters for two reasons. First, those sheltered pockets are where swimming and snorkeling make the most sense. Second, the coves help you break up the trip so you’re not just staring at the horizon for hours.
Also, the local waters can feel well-regulated. Some people note that boat activity is limited here, which usually means a quieter, less crowded experience when you’re trying to watch wildlife.
Swimming and snorkel stops: how the water time is structured
The trip isn’t just a sightseeing sail. It’s built around letting you actually get in the water.
You’ll have stops where you can bathe or snorkel. The focus is on seeing marine life close to the cliffs and in clearer areas where you can make out movement in the water.
Then comes the standout: a deep-sea snorkeling session where the boat pauses so you can look for animals like sea turtles, manta rays, and octopi (when present). This is why the snorkeling component feels more than optional. The operator isn’t treating snorkeling as a quick dip; they build in time for it.
You should also know that life on the water means conditions change. If the sea is rough, you might spend more energy holding position and less time scanning. If the water is calm and clear, the stop is exactly the kind of moment that makes this trip memorable.
Whale and dolphin spotting: what to expect in the search
The headline is dolphins and whales. The realistic takeaway is that sightings are never guaranteed, but the search is part of what you’re paying for.
Most people report decent odds of spotting marine animals. In reviews, sightings include pilot whales and multiple dolphin types, sometimes close to the boat. One key point: the crew actively works the area to find animals rather than treating whale watching as a slow drift.
The most exciting moments tend to come when the water is clear and the pod is moving predictably. When that happens, you can often see splashes, fins cutting the surface, and then the bigger bodies after. And because this is a small boat, you get a better view without dozens of people blocking your line.
One practical consideration: some people felt the itinerary can include a bit more sailing than they expected, so if you’re hoping for long stretches of only wildlife watching, this may feel like a “watching + swimming” balanced schedule rather than a dedicated whale-tour full focus.
Tapas and drinks under the cliffs: the easy, local finish
After the water time, the trip settles into the best kind of payoff: tapas and drinks on deck. This is included, and it’s timed so you’re usually hungry after being in the sea.
The food is served in a friendly, shareable format. People describe it like a snack plate or tapas spread, often with vegetables and other bite-size items, and some mention cava specifically. It’s not trying to be a gourmet restaurant. It’s more like: you swam, you watched wildlife, now you eat and cool down with a drink while the cliffs move past again.
A small detail that adds up: there’s no loud onboard entertainment. One reviewer highlighted that there was no music, which keeps the mood natural and lets you enjoy the sound of the ocean while you eat.
If you’re traveling as a couple or a family, this ending tends to be the moment where everyone relaxes and compares what they saw.
Snorkeling gear, life vests, and what to bring
Snorkeling gear is included. Some people also mention that life vests are provided, which is a big plus if you want to feel safer getting in the water.
Here’s the practical gear note: one review says the provided snorkelling equipment may not be the highest quality. If you care a lot about fit and comfort, bring your own mask and snorkel. At this price point, it still makes sense to try the included gear first, but packing your own is a low-effort upgrade.
For your kit, stick to what the operator asks for:
- Swimwear
- Towel
- Sunscreen
- Passport or ID card
And yes, towel really matters. You’ll feel the difference between drying quickly and spending the rest of the ride damp.
Rules onboard that protect wildlife (and your experience)
This is one of those tours where the rules aren’t just for show. The activity setup includes clear boundaries like no feeding animals and no touching marine life.
That matters because it keeps wildlife behavior more natural. It also makes watching smoother: you’re not stopping to watch someone bump into a turtle or harass an animal, and the crew can focus on helping everyone stay safe and ready to swim.
There are also strict no-go items like weapons and explosive materials, plus no smoking and no speakers. In plain terms, this keeps the boat calm and helps the marine-viewing parts of the trip work better.
Who this tour fits best (and who might want a different option)
This is an especially good match if you:
- Want a small-group sailing day rather than a big-boat production.
- Care about both snorkeling and wildlife viewing.
- Like the idea of food and drinks onboard without the need to hunt down lunch.
- Prefer a calmer mood with less noise.
It can be a slightly less perfect match if you’re chasing one thing only. If you want hours of uninterrupted whale watching from one position, you may wish for more time dedicated solely to wildlife. This trip mixes in swimming, snorkeling, and navigation around the cliffs, so it’s more balanced than single-purpose.
Families often like it too, especially because the boat holds up to 10 passengers. There’s also mention that babies or young children can join for free (up to a limit per tour), which can help families manage costs.
Price and value: is $82 a fair deal?
At $82 per person for a 3-hour sailing outing, the value comes from the package. You’re not just paying for a ride. You get:
- Los Gigantes cliffs as the core scenery
- Stops in bays and natural coves
- A drink (alcohol or soft drink)
- Tapas
- Snorkeling gear
- A skipper and guide in multiple languages
In other words, you’re paying for time on the water plus the add-ons that normally cost extra: snorkeling equipment access and onboard food/drink.
Where the value feels strongest is if snorkeling is a priority and you also want the wildlife search. If you only want wildlife and you skip the water time, you might still enjoy it, but you won’t be using the full value of the trip.
Given how many people describe it as relaxed and not overcrowded, the small-group setup is a big part of what makes the price feel reasonable.
Timing, weather, and how to stay comfortable
This is a sailing experience, so you’ll be exposed to sea and sun. Tenerife can be bright fast, and even if you’re in the water, you still need sunscreen.
Also, the route depends on conditions. Calm seas improve the snorkeling experience. Choppier water can change how long and how comfortably you can swim and snorkel.
If you’re sensitive to motion, consider preparing like you would for any boat outing. Keep your plans flexible for the sea state and don’t schedule a demanding activity right before or right after.
Should you book Blue Dream Sailing’s Los Gigantes sail and swim?
I’d book this if your ideal Tenerife day includes Los Gigantes from the sea, a small-group feel, and at least one solid shot at snorkeling plus wildlife searching. The combination of cliffs, water stops, and onboard tapas/drinks makes it feel complete for a 3-hour outing.
Book it with a realistic mindset on whales and dolphins. The crew runs the search, but animals move on their own schedule. Also, if you want maximum whale watching time and minimal sailing, you may find the pacing a bit mixed.
My practical final check: bring your own swim towel, pack sunscreen, and consider your own snorkel gear if you’re picky about fit. If you do that, you’ll be set up for the kind of Los Gigantes experience that feels personal, not crowded, with a very satisfying end under the cliffs.
FAQ
How long is the Los Gigantes sailing excursion?
The tour duration is 3 hours.
Where do I meet for the tour?
The meeting point is Muelle Deportivo La Marina Los Gigantes Dock 1.
What’s included in the price?
The tour includes the Los Gigantes cliffs visit, stops in bays and natural coves, alcohol or soft drink, tapas, snorkeling gear, and a skipper and guide.
Is vegetarian or vegan food available?
Yes. Vegetarian and vegan options are available if you notify the activity provider in advance.
How many people are on the boat?
It’s a small group limited to 10 participants.
What are the key restrictions onboard?
You should not smoke, fish, feed animals, touch marine life, or bring speakers. The tour also lists rules against weapons/sharp objects, drugs, fireworks/explosives, and nudity.
