Small boat, big wildlife moments. Off Tenerife’s Los Gigantes coast, this 3-hour sailing trip mixes whale watching with snorkeling in a calmer stretch of water, run with a max of 10 people on board. You’ll cruise on a 45-foot Bavaria Cruiser while the crew searches the waters and shares the island’s marine life in English.

I especially like how the boat setup keeps things personal, not packed. With comfortable sunbeds on the bow and small-group attention, you get more time to look, ask questions, and take photos. I also like the food plan: sandwiches plus fruit and snacks, with gluten-free and vegan options, alongside drinks like cava, wine, beer, and soft drinks.

One catch to plan for: towels aren’t included, so bring your own if you expect to dry off after the swim.

Key details that make this trip worth your time

• Small-group sailing (up to 10 travelers) so you can actually hear the guide and move around the deck without elbow wars
• Cliffside whale watching off Los Gigantes paired with a swimming and snorkeling stop in a less-crowded area
• Food and drinks are part of the deal, including sandwiches (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free), fruit, snacks, and bottled water
• English is the main language you’ll be guided in, with note that the German guide isn’t available on Sundays and Mondays
• Weather matters, so you’re operating on marine-time, not strict land-time

Entering the Los Gigantes waters on a 45-foot Bavaria Cruiser

This is the kind of Tenerife outing that feels made for people who want to see wildlife without fighting crowds. The boat is a Bavaria Cruiser (45 feet, 2012), and the size hits that sweet spot: big enough for a proper sailing feel, small enough that the crew can keep an eye on everyone at once.

What you’ll notice fast is how the deck space works. There are comfortable sunbeds on the bow, which is a big deal when you’re trying to spot whales and dolphins at the surface. When the captain slows down and keeps an eye on the water, you’re not stuck below deck or crowded shoulder-to-shoulder.

You’re also sailing off Los Gigantes, which is famous for its dramatic cliff wall plunging into the sea. That scenery isn’t just a backdrop. It shapes where the boat can go and where the team looks for marine activity close to shore.

The 3-hour plan: sailing, whales, then a swim near the cliffs

The whole experience runs about 3 hours, and the structure is simple: sail out, search for wildlife, then get in the water.

Stop at Los Gigantes (the main sailing-and-watching portion)

You’ll spend about 2 hours around Los Gigantes. This is the core of the trip: sailing past the cliffs while the crew watches for whales and dolphins. The viewing style tends to be closer and calmer than big-boat mass tourism, and that matters for your ability to notice behavior like surfacing, pod movement, and group size.

Admission fees aren’t a factor for the water viewing itself since you’re not doing a separate paid attraction stop. You’re paying for the boat time, the search, and the onboard experience.

The swim and snorkeling time

After the whale watching portion, you’ll head to a swimming and snorkeling spot along the coast. The standout here is that the spot is described as a little more off the usual path, which helps you get a more relaxed water break.

You should expect to change from deck time to water time. The trip includes lunch and snacks onboard, so this swim portion is built into the flow rather than tacked on as a quick dip.

Timing reality check

Even though the tour is about 3 hours, wildlife spotting and sea conditions can shift the exact pacing. If you want the best experience, go into it with flexibility and wear clothes you can transition in and out of easily.

Whale watching: what you might see and how to make spotting easier

Whale watching isn’t a guaranteed thing, but the odds here look strong based on what people report: pilot whales and dolphins show up often. You might also spot other marine life.

From the sightings shared in the provided feedback, you can reasonably expect possibilities like:

• Pilot whales
• Dolphins (including reports of bottle-nosed and Risso’s dolphins)
• Sea turtles
• Sometimes other wildlife, like tuna, sea birds, or even an osprey sighting

A small-group boat helps because the crew can adjust faster. When a pod is spotted, you’ll usually get a focused look rather than a noisy scramble. Also, the captain answers questions and keeps people informed, which helps you know what you’re seeing instead of just staring at water.

Practical tip: when you’re watching, stay ready. Keep an eye on the surface and move to a spot with the best view when the crew tells you to. Those seconds between surfacing and disappearing are where the real drama happens.

Snorkeling near the cliffs: bring your towel and expect a surprise

This trip pairs whale watching with a swim, and for many people that’s the moment they remember most. People describe the snorkeling/water stop as a pleasant surprise and a highlight, especially because it’s near the cliff coast where the scenery is dramatic even from the water.

Two things to plan carefully:

1. No towels provided. Bring one. If you don’t, you’ll be drying off with whatever you can find, and that’s not a fun way to end a great sail.
2. Bring the right water-ready mindset. You’re going in the sea during a short, scheduled window. If you tend to overthink gear, have your suit and basic water prep ready before you arrive.

If you’re visiting in a cooler stretch of the year, the sea can feel brisk. The trip includes snacks and lunch onboard, so once you’re back on deck, you’ll have a comfortable payoff.

Lunch, snacks, and drinks: the onboard value is real

At $90.70 per person for about 3 hours, the pricing makes more sense when you look at what you actually receive onboard. This isn’t a bare-bones sightseeing cruise.

Included eats and drinks:

• Complimentary drinks: cava, wine, beer, and soft drinks
• Freshly cut fruit
• Snacks and bottled water
• Custom-made sandwiches with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options
• Alcoholic beverages are included as well

A big plus is how the food options are built in, not treated like a special request. If you follow a gluten-free or vegan diet, you don’t want to gamble on separate meals during a short outing. Here, the plan is clearly set up so you can eat normally on the boat.

Also, the lunches and snacks make the day feel less like a rushed tour and more like a sea day with a purpose: wildlife first, then your break in the water, then food while you sail back.

Small group, real attention: the crew makes the difference

This is one of those tours where the group size changes the whole vibe. With a maximum of 10 travelers, you get better chances for personal attention.

People specifically highlight:

• A friendly, welcoming crew
• Guides who tailor their explanations to the group
• Captains who answer questions during wildlife watching
• Enough space on deck so you’re not constantly stepping aside for others

You’ll also see a pattern in the names people mention. Depending on your departure, the crew can include people like Jaime (captain), and guides/hosts such as David and Eileen. Some reports mention communication in both English and French, which suggests the team is used to handling mixed-language groups. The one scheduling note you should keep in mind: a German guide isn’t available on Sundays and Mondays.

If you like tours where you can ask what you’re seeing and actually get a straight answer, this format tends to deliver.

Getting to the meeting point near Santa Cruz (and avoiding the parking hassle)

Your departure point is Third Element Charters Whale Watching & Sailing Charters at Calle Poblado Marinero, s/n, Pantalán 1 Atraque 156, Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Two practical notes from the experience setup:

• It’s near public transportation, so you may be able to skip the headache of driving entirely.
• If you are driving, give yourself extra time to park. People strongly suggest you don’t cut it close.

Since the tour ends back at the meeting point, your day stays clean. No awkward transfer logistics after you’re tired from sea air and snorkeling.

Price and value: why $90.70 can feel fair here

Sea trips can be overpriced when you pay for just a boat ride and some vague sightseeing. Here, the cost feels more justified because the price folds in the stuff that usually costs extra elsewhere: drinks, fruit, snacks, and sandwiches, including gluten-free and vegan options.

Add in the fact that:

• The boat is a 45-foot sailing vessel (not a tiny skiff)
• The group size is capped at 10, which reduces crowding
• You get a scheduled swim/snorkel time, not just whale-watching-from-a-distance

In other words, you’re paying for a full half-day experience, not a quick excursion.

Who this Los Gigantes sail fits best (and who should think twice)

This trip is a great fit if you:

• Want a more intimate boat experience rather than a big group cruise
• Care about wildlife viewing plus a swim break
• Need gluten-free and vegan food options included
• Like asking questions and getting explanations as you go

You might think twice if you:

• Forgot to pack a towel and really dislike improvising at sea
• Want snorkeling without any ocean-chill reality (the swim time is part of the flow, not optional on the fly)
• Have very strict timing and can’t handle wildlife-dependent pacing

It also seems to work across ages, with reports that include families and mixed-age groups. The small deck and attentive crew style can make that easier than you’d expect.

Should you book this Los Gigantes whale watching charter?

I’d book it if your priority is a small-group sailing trip off Los Gigantes that combines whale watching with a proper swim/snorkel stop and includes food you can actually eat comfortably. The value improves even more if you’re gluten-free or vegan, because that’s planned into the meal options.

If you’re only interested in viewing wildlife and you don’t want to get wet, you may want to consider a whales-only format instead. But if you like the idea of sailing, spotting whales and dolphins, and then ending with a sea swim while the boat staff keeps things relaxed, this is a strong choice.

FAQ

How long is the Los Gigantes whale watching sailing trip?

It runs about 3 hours in total.

What is included in the price?

You get complimentary drinks (cava, wine, beer, and soft drinks), freshly cut fruit, snacks, bottled water, and sandwiches (vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options).

Is snorkeling included, or is it just whale watching?

Snorkeling and swimming are part of the outing, with time scheduled at a swimming and snorkeling spot along the coast.

How many people are on the boat?

The tour has a maximum of 10 travelers.

What language is the tour offered in?

The experience is offered in English.

Are towels provided?

No, towels are not included.

How do I get my ticket and when will I receive confirmation?

You’ll get a mobile ticket, and confirmation is received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability.

What happens if the weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

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