Tenerife: Los Gigantes Whale Watching Sailboat & Snorkel

Dolphins & Cliffs: A Morning Under Sail at Los Gigantes

You sail past the towering Los Gigantes cliffs hunting for dolphins, pilot whales and turtles in the Atlantic, with a stop to snorkel at a quiet cove. The 45-foot sailboat carries a small group with a professional captain and crew, fresh food and drinks included throughout the morning. You're not guaranteed wildlife sightings, but the boat goes where they've been spotted, and the pace is set by the water, not a schedule.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sail and explore Los Gigantes cliffs

• Sail around Los Gigantes cliffs
• Look for dolphins, whales, turtles
• Stop to swim and snorkel
• Enjoy drinks and fresh fruit

The experience

You meet the captain and crew at the marina, and within minutes you're hearing about the water conditions from someone who knows it, not a script, just a quick rundown of where the whales have been spotted that week. The boat is a 45-foot Bavaria, which means you're not crammed in with fifty other people. There's actual room to move, to sit on the sunbeds up front, to breathe. You push off and the cliffs start rising up in front of you, and yeah, they're massive: Los Gigantes doesn't mess around with the name. The sails go up and the engine cuts, and suddenly it's quiet except for the water and the wind.

The crew keeps watch while you're sailing, pointing out when something moves in the water. Pilot whales show up most days, dolphins too if you're lucky, and sometimes turtles. You're not guaranteed anything, that's the honest part, but the boat goes where the sightings have been, and the captain knows the Atlantic around Tenerife well enough that you're not just drifting. When they spot something, there's a real moment of it: the crew cuts the engine, everyone goes quiet, and you watch. It's not a zoo. It's not controlled. It just happens or it doesn't, and that's what makes it feel real.

Around midday you drop anchor at a small cove and the crew sets out snacks: fresh-cut fruit, sandwiches made that morning (they do vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free without making it weird), and then the drinks come out. Cava, wine, beer, soft drinks, whatever you want. You can jump in and snorkel if the water's calm enough, or just float and eat and watch the cliffs from sea level, which is a completely different angle than from the shore. The crew stays on board, keeping an eye on things, and there's no rush. You're not being herded to the next stop.

One thing to know: the German guide isn't available Sundays and Mondays, so if you're planning around a specific day, check that first. The boat holds a manageable group, and the whole thing runs on the water's schedule, not a clock, so if conditions are rough or the swell picks up, that shapes the day. But if you're looking for a whale-watching trip that doesn't feel like a factory tour, where you're actually on a sailboat with a working crew and not just passengers on a ferry, this is it. Book through the marina directly if you can. They'll tell you exactly what's been seen that week.

What’s included

Professional captain and crew on a 45-foot Bavaria sailboat, freshly cut fruit, custom-made sandwiches (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free options available), bottled water, complimentary drinks including cava, wine, beer and soft drinks, snorkel stop at a coastal cove, and comfortable sunbeds on the bow.

Before you book

Lasts 3h, runs every day at 09:45, 13:00 and 15:45, from € 75 per person, with a live guide in English, Spanish, French and German, in groups of up to 10 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery day except Friday: 09:45 and 13:00Friday: 09:45, 13:00 and 15:45

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French and German

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Third Element S.L.

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to sail rather than sit on a crowded ferry, and you're comfortable with the fact that whale sightings depend on the ocean that day, not a guarantee: that unpredictability is exactly what keeps it from feeling like a tour.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and German.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the best time of year to see whales off Tenerife?

Pilot whales are year-round residents. Dolphins and other species are more common in warmer months (May to October), though sightings vary week to week.

Is seasickness a problem on this sailboat?

The 45-foot Bavaria is stable, but the Atlantic can be choppy. If you're prone to motion sickness, take precautions before boarding. The crew can advise on conditions that morning.

What if we don't see any whales?

Sightings are not guaranteed. The crew knows where animals have been spotted recently and sails accordingly, but wildlife is unpredictable. You're still sailing the cliffs and snorkeling either way.

Is the snorkel stop mandatory?

No. You can stay on board if you prefer. The crew will brief you on water conditions and depth before anyone enters.

Are dietary restrictions handled?

Yes. Sandwiches come in vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. Soft drinks and water are available alongside the alcoholic beverages.

When is the German guide not available?

The guide is not available Sundays and Mondays. Check availability when booking if you need a specific language or guide.