Los Gigantes: Private Sailing Tour with Swim, Drink, & Tapas

Los Gigantes is best seen from the water, where its red cliffs rise straight from the sea and small coves appear between the headlands. On the private Sangría sailing boat, you cruise at an easy pace, watch for pilot whales and dolphins, then stop for snorkeling, tapas, and a drink.

I like the private format, since your group gets the boat rather than sharing it with a crowd. I also like the flexible length, from a short three-hour outing to a full eight-hour sail. The main thing to consider is the price: $765 is a serious spend for a couple, but it becomes much better value when split among a group of up to 11.

Key points

• Pilot whale sightings are a real possibility: Several trips have included repeated sightings of these resident-looking ocean visitors, though wildlife can never be promised.
• The red cliffs look different from sea level: Los Gigantes’ famous rock walls feel taller and more dramatic from the deck than from shore.
• Snorkeling is part of the plan: You can swim in clear water and look for fish, sea turtles, octopuses, and manta rays.
• Tapas and drinks are served onboard: Choose an alcoholic drink or a soft drink, with vegetarian and vegan food available if arranged ahead.
• You control the pace: Select a three to eight-hour tour, making this suitable for a quick swim or a full day on the coast.
• It is genuinely private: The boat takes your group, with a skipper-guide and room for up to 11 people.

Sailing beneath the red cliffs of Los Gigantes

The first pleasure of this trip is simply getting away from the shore. From Muelle Deportivo La Marina Los Gigantes, Dock 1, you board the Sangría and head along Tenerife’s western coast.

Los Gigantes is named for its huge cliff walls. Seen from land, they are impressive. Seen from a low boat, they become the main event. The red-brown rock rises above the water, with bays and natural coves breaking up the coast. You get a view that is hard to match from a road or beach.

The pace matters here. This is not a high-speed ride that rushes from one photo stop to the next. It is a private sailing trip built around time on the water. You can sit on deck, watch the coastline slide past, and keep your eyes open for marine life.

The private setup also changes the mood. You are not working around a large group’s schedule or competing for the best place to sit. If your family wants a quiet sail, you can keep the outing relaxed. If your group wants more time in the water, the longer options give you more room to linger.

The skipper is also your guide, and tours are available in Spanish, English, and French. The supplied details do not name individual crew members, so do not book this expecting a particular guide. You can expect a multilingual crew and practical help with the boat, swimming stops, and snorkeling equipment.

Watching for pilot whales and dolphins offshore

The waters around Los Gigantes are known on this trip for marine-life watching. You may spot dolphins or whales as the boat moves along the coast, and pilot whales have been seen repeatedly during past outings.

One especially useful detail is that a December trip included whale watching, while an August sailing recorded several pilot whale sightings. That gives you a sense of the experience: wildlife watching is not just a line in the description, but it is still wildlife watching. The animals choose the timing, not the schedule.

Keep your expectations sensible. You might see pilot whales, dolphins, or other marine life, but no boat tour can guarantee a sighting. Bring patience, and do not spend the whole trip staring at one patch of water. The cliffs, coves, and changing view are worthwhile even when the animals stay out of sight.

The rules are important here. You may not feed or touch marine life, and fishing is not allowed. Those limits protect the animals and help keep the encounter natural. You should also leave fireworks, alcohol purchased elsewhere, and drugs out of the plan. Smoking is not allowed in the vehicle used for transfers.

A private boat is particularly useful for families or small groups interested in wildlife. You can gather everyone on deck when something appears, rather than trying to hear a guide across a crowded vessel. Just remember that a private boat improves comfort and attention, not the odds of nature cooperating.

Snorkeling in clear water and sheltered coves

At some point, the boat stops in a calm bay or natural cove for swimming and snorkeling. You receive snorkeling gear, and the clear water gives you a chance to look for colorful fish, octopuses, sea turtles, and manta rays.

The phrase deep-sea snorkeling describes the setting, not a technical underwater activity. You are not signing up for scuba training or a guided underwater expedition. You swim from the boat and use the mask and snorkel to look below the surface.

That distinction matters if you are comparing this with a dedicated snorkeling tour. The water stop is one part of a broader sailing day, along with coastal views, food, drinks, and possible whale watching. If your main goal is to spend hours in the water, choose the longer tour and confirm the timing when you book.

The coves offer a calmer place to swim than open water, although conditions can change. You should be comfortable getting into the sea from the boat and climbing back aboard. Swimwear is essential, and you need to bring your own towel. Sunscreen is also on the must-pack list.

Do not expect a zoo-like encounter with turtles or rays. You may see marine life, but you should keep your distance and never touch or feed it. Octopuses can be especially easy to miss unless you move slowly and watch the rocks.

For children, the private setting helps because your own group can take the swimming stop at its own pace. Still, the provided information does not specify child ages, flotation equipment, or accessibility features. If those details matter to you, ask the operator before booking.

Tapas, drinks, and a slower hour on deck

After the swim, the day shifts from active to easy. You dry off, settle on deck, and eat tapas while the boat continues along the coast or rests in a quiet bay.

This is one of the strongest parts of the value. The food is not an extra purchase at the marina, and a drink is included. You can choose an alcoholic drink or a soft drink, so the outing works for mixed groups. Vegetarian and vegan choices are available, but you need to tell the activity provider before the tour.

The food is described as tapas rather than a full restaurant meal. Think of it as a pleasant onboard spread that breaks up the sailing, not a formal lunch with a large menu. If you have a big appetite, plan accordingly, especially on the shorter three-hour option.

A birthday detail makes the service feel personal. On one sailing, the crew arranged a small birthday cake at short notice. That does not mean a cake is included or guaranteed, but it is worth notifying the operator if you are celebrating. A private boat is a good setting for birthdays, anniversaries, or a family occasion because the day feels more personal than a standard group excursion.

The boat is described as neat and clean, and the crew has been praised for relaxed service. Those details matter on a sailing trip. You spend several hours in a compact space, so a well-kept boat and calm crew make a real difference.

You should bring your own towel, since it is not included. Wear swimwear under light clothing, apply sunscreen before boarding, and bring identification or a passport. The requirements are simple, but forgetting a towel after a swim is an avoidable nuisance.

Choosing between three and eight hours

The available duration runs from three to eight hours, with starting times depending on availability. That range lets you shape the outing around your Tenerife plans.

The three-hour version suits you if you want a taste of sailing, a coastal view, one swim stop, and some time for food. It is also the sensible choice if someone in your group gets restless on boats or if you have a dinner reservation later.

A longer option gives the day more breathing room. You can spend more time watching for whales, stop in coves without feeling rushed, and enjoy the deck between activities. If your group is paying for the whole boat, an extended trip may offer better value than squeezing everything into a short outing.

The eight-hour option is a major time commitment. It works best for a group that truly wants a full day at sea, not for people who only want a quick photo of the cliffs. Ask about the exact schedule and swimming time when you select the duration, since the supplied information does not provide a fixed minute-by-minute itinerary.

Hotel pickup is available from the Los Gigantes area, followed by travel to the port. The meeting point itself is Muelle Deportivo La Marina Los Gigantes, Dock 1. If you are staying outside the Los Gigantes area, do not assume hotel transfer is included. Confirm where you need to meet before setting out.

Is $765 a fair price for a private boat?

The listed price is $765 per group of up to 11 people. For one or two people, that is expensive. For a full family or friend group, the calculation changes.

With 11 people, the cost works out to about $70 per person before any currency or booking differences. At six people, it is about $128 each. At four, it is roughly $191 each. Those figures help show why this is best viewed as a private charter rather than an ordinary excursion ticket.

The price includes the boat, skipper-guide, swimming and snorkeling stops, equipment, tapas, and an alcoholic or soft drink. It also includes a private group rather than a shared sailing. That package has practical value if you want privacy, flexible pacing, and a special occasion setting.

It is less attractive if you are mainly looking for the cheapest way to see Los Gigantes. A shared boat would likely be the better comparison, though no shared option is described here. This tour earns its price through exclusivity and the number of inclusions, not through luxury claims or a long list of add-ons.

The cancellation policy gives you some room: you can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if you are arranging a group holiday before everyone has settled plans.

Who will enjoy the Sangría most?

I would recommend this sailing to families, couples celebrating something, and groups of friends who want one shared experience rather than separate activities. The boat, food, swimming stop, and wildlife watching give the day enough variety for people with different interests.

It also suits you if you prefer a calm outing over a packed sightseeing schedule. You get the cliffs, coves, sea air, and a chance to sit quietly with a drink. The reviews of the boat describe a relaxed trip, which matches the design of the experience.

It may not suit you if you dislike swimming from a boat, need a tightly timed itinerary, or want guaranteed whale sightings. The tour depends on weather, sea conditions, and wildlife. The information provided does not state accessibility details, so ask ahead if you need step-free boarding or other assistance.

The private format is valuable for families with different energy levels. Some people can snorkel while others stay on deck. A birthday group can make the outing its own. A couple can choose the shorter length and keep the day simple.

What to pack for a comfortable sail

Bring a passport or ID card, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. The operator supplies snorkeling equipment, so you do not need to pack a mask and snorkel unless you prefer your own.

I would also bring a light cover-up and secure sunglasses, though only the official essentials are confirmed here. Keep your belongings compact. A boat deck is not the place for a large suitcase.

Tell the provider about vegetarian or vegan food needs before the tour. Do not wait until you are onboard, since the food is arranged in advance.

Remember the limits: no fishing, feeding or touching marine life, smoking in the vehicle, fireworks, or drugs and outside alcohol. These rules are straightforward and protect the calm character of the trip.

Should you book this private Los Gigantes sailing?

Book it if you can fill several places on the boat and want a relaxed day that combines cliff scenery, wildlife watching, snorkeling, tapas, and privacy. The strongest case is a group of six to 11 people, when the price per person becomes easier to justify.

I would choose a longer duration for a birthday or full-day outing, and three hours for a first taste of the coast. Go in expecting a beautiful sail and possible whale sightings, not a guaranteed animal show. If that balance suits you, the Sangría offers a comfortable, personal way to experience Los Gigantes from the sea.

FAQ

Where does the sailing tour meet?

The meeting point is Muelle Deportivo La Marina Los Gigantes, Dock 1. Hotel pickup is available from the Los Gigantes area.

How long does the private sailing tour last?

You can choose a tour lasting between three and eight hours. Starting times depend on availability.

How many people can join the private boat tour?

The private group can include up to 11 people.

Are snorkeling equipment and drinks included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, swimming stops, tapas, and an alcoholic or soft drink are included.

What should I bring?

Bring a passport or ID card, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Swimwear and towels are not provided.

Are vegetarian and vegan food options available?

Yes. Vegetarian and vegan options are available, but you must notify the activity provider before the tour.