From Los Gigantes: Whale Watching Sailboat Cruise

Small-group sailing makes whale watching personal. Off Los Gigantes, you trade big-boat crowds for a 46 ft sailboat ride, then scan the waters for whales and dolphins in a way that feels calmer and more respectful. I also like that the crew mixes wildlife spotting with real island context, so the trip is more than just looking out a window.

What I really love is the limited passenger count, with most departures staying around nine people on board. That means you get room to move around, ask questions, and actually hear the guide while the captain maneuvers for sightings. The second big win for me is the combination of cruising plus time in the water, including snorkeling next to the cliffs.

One thing to consider: this is a sailboat, so if you’re sensitive to motion, you might want to plan for seasickness. Even with careful sailing, it’s still time on open water.

Key reasons this whale cruise works so well

• Small group on a 46 ft sailboat (max 9 passengers on board) for an intimate feel
• Responsible whale watching approach, tied to the Whale Watching Sustainability Charter and Blue Boat Flag authorization
• Real time on the water with wildlife viewing (about 1.5 hours) plus sailing (about 1 hour)
• Snorkel time under the cliffs (about 15 minutes) with provided masks and safety gear
• Homemade tapas onboard after swimming, with options noted for vegetarians

A 46 ft sailboat in Los Gigantes feels different from big tours

Los Gigantes is famous for a dramatic wall of cliffs dropping straight into the sea. What surprised me about this kind of coast is how fast the mood changes once you’re out on the water. On a sailboat, you’re not just watching the cliffs from a distance. You’re sliding past them, close enough to feel how sheer and close they look.

The boat size matters. A 46 ft sailboat gives you stability and comfort compared to smaller craft, but it still keeps the experience human. You’re not trying to find a spot to see the water through a crowd. With a small headcount, the crew can slow down attention where it counts: spotting, scanning, and positioning the boat while keeping distance.

Another smart part of the setup is how the tour breaks your time into clear chunks. You’re not doing one long, unfocused stretch where everyone stares at the horizon. Instead, you get dedicated periods for wildlife viewing, sailing, and then a short swim/snorkel window. That pacing keeps the trip from dragging, even if the ocean decides to be quiet that day.

I also like the way the operator frames the mission. They’re part of the South Tenerife Cetaceans Association network and claim active involvement in providing information and help. They also say conservation is the priority, and you can feel that in the wording and in the way sightings are handled. One rider noted the captain cut engines when whales were spotted, even at distance, which is exactly the kind of detail that signals a practical respect for animal behavior.

Meeting at Picarus Sailing Club, and what to look for on departure

Most trips start at Picarus Sailing Club in Los Gigantes. The boat name can be Aemon or Ayla, so it’s worth confirming you’re at the right dock before you load up.

This matters because a sailboat day goes fast. You’ll typically want to arrive ready to move. Bring swim stuff early, and keep your sunscreen and hat easy to grab. If you’re wearing contacts or glasses, plan how you’ll handle them around water. The tour provides snorkel masks and life vests, but you still need your own swim essentials and sun protection.

The tour runs in Spanish, English, and French, with a live guide on board. The practical benefit is you can follow along even if you’re not fluent, and you can ask questions without the whole boat going quiet. In real-life terms, that’s the difference between a sighting you catch while distracted and a sighting you truly understand because you know what you’re looking for.

Also, pay attention to the group size promise. The experience is designed for small groups, with tours described as max 9 passengers. In contrast to larger whale-watching boats, that small scale makes the whole day feel like a guided outing, not a transport system.

Wildlife viewing off Los Gigantes: spotting whales while keeping distance

This is the main event, and the timing is built around it. Your wildlife viewing stretch runs about 1.5 hours off Los Gigantes. That’s enough time to get more than one scanning moment without rushing you back to the dock.

What I like most here is the operator’s stated conservation posture. They say they’re members of the Whale Watching Sustainability Charter for Turismo de Tenerife and that they actively work with the South Tenerife Cetaceans Association. They also mention the Blue Boat Flag, which they describe as government authorization to practice whale watching responsibly.

You don’t need to love paperwork to care about what it means. Responsible whale watching usually comes down to three things you’ll feel on board:

• the crew doesn’t chase animals
• they keep a respectful distance
• they manage boat noise and movement around sightings

One rider described the captain cutting engines any time whales were spotted, even if they were still at a distance. That kind of decision takes discipline, and it’s one of those details that improves your odds of actually seeing behavior, not just a fleeting blow.

In terms of what you might see, the trip information and notes point to pilot whales and dolphins, with some sightings close to the boat described as curious and playful. A few people also reported seeing a turtle. Of course, wildlife is wildlife. If you see less, it’s not because the crew stopped looking. But with a focused time window and a small boat, you typically get more attentive effort than you would on a large vessel.

One more practical point: if whales are further out, the experience relies on spotting skills. That’s why the guide and crew matter. Names you’ll see in the experience notes include guides like Sara, and crew members like Felix, Jakob, and Miguel, plus another guide referenced as Nettie. The common thread is that people found the crew friendly, attentive, and genuinely invested in explaining what you’re seeing and why the approach is respectful.

Sailing past the cliffs and Teide views for real perspective

After wildlife time, you shift into the cruising portion, about 1 hour of sailing. This is where you appreciate why Los Gigantes is such a draw in the first place.

From the water, the coastline reads differently. Those cliffs stop being a postcard background and start becoming part of the story of the coast. You’re moving alongside them, with the sense of scale that’s hard to get from shore.

This is also the part of the tour where you can relax your brain. If you spent the first stretch mentally scanning the water, the sailing phase lets you reset. You still stay alert for wildlife, but you can enjoy the view and the boat rhythm. Several people highlighted the experience as both calm and special because of the small boat size and the lack of crowd noise.

You’ll also hear island history and explanations about marine species the guide knows the crew encounters. That’s not just trivia. It helps you look for patterns, like how different animals behave and what kinds of water zones they prefer. When you know what might be coming, you notice more during the scanning moments.

If you’re the kind of traveler who likes good “how it works” context, this portion delivers. A guide named Sara was specifically praised for knowledge and for speaking multiple languages on board. Guides named Jakob and Miguel were also praised for attention and for explaining the respectful way the boat approaches wildlife.

Snorkeling under the cliffs: short, doable, and focused on safety

Then you get water time next to the cliffs. The snorkeling portion is listed as about 15 minutes. That’s brief on purpose. It keeps the experience safe and keeps it from turning into a long, exhausting scramble in open water.

The included gear makes a difference. You’ll have snorkel masks and safety gear, including life vests. What’s not included is a tuba (the snorkel tube). So bring your own if you prefer a specific fit, or expect to snorkel with what’s provided.

What I think is smart here: the tour doesn’t pretend everyone wants a 45-minute snorkeling session. For most people, 15 minutes is enough to enjoy the experience and then get back aboard before you get cold or tired. In notes from the experience, people described swimming near the cliffs as amazing, and several said they anchored in a beautiful bay for this part.

A towel isn’t listed as included, so plan to bring one. One practical tip from real day-to-day travel: even in a sunny Canary day, you can cool off fast after swimming. A towel makes that transition easier.

Sun protection is also a real need here. The tour suggests high-protection sunscreen, and specifically mentions biodegradable sunscreen. I’m glad they call this out. You’ll be in and around water, so using a product meant for this environment is better for you and the ocean.

If you hate crowds but love nature, this is the sweet spot. You get a taste of underwater life without committing to a full-day dive plan.

Homemade tapas onboard after swimming: a small meal done right

The onboard meal segment is short, about 15 minutes, but it’s part of what makes the trip feel complete. After you’ve been in the water, you’re hungry, and a snack transition matters.

The food is described as homemade, served as tapas, and people praised it as unexpected and excellent. Multiple notes also mention the presence of vegetarian options, which is great if you usually have to hunt for something simple when tours feed a mixed group.

People also described drinks being available, and the overall vibe at this stage as relaxed. I like that you don’t have to race to find lunch afterward. You’ve already spent your morning and early afternoon on the water, so eating on board turns the day into one smooth loop: sail, scan, swim, snack, return.

One comfort detail that shows up in the notes: people liked having the time and space to move around safely on the boat, supported by the small group size. You’re not climbing over strangers or squeezing past someone who wants to stand right where you’re trying to rinse off.

Price and value: is $88 fair for a half-day in the Canaries?

At about $88 per person, this trip sits in a midrange area for whale watching. The key question isn’t just price, it’s what you get that you cannot easily replicate on your own.

Here’s the value math that I see:

• You’re getting a small boat experience (max 9 passengers), which usually costs more than a large-ship option.
• You get guided marine education during the time you are actively searching.
• You get a structured itinerary: about 1.5 hours wildlife viewing, 1 hour sailing, 15 minutes snorkeling, plus food.
• You get included gear: life vests and snorkel masks.

Also, the operator emphasizes responsibility and training through recognized frameworks like the Whale Watching Sustainability Charter and the cetacean association network. Even if you’re not checking credentials, that kind of approach tends to improve the viewing experience because the crew manages proximity and boat behavior.

In plain terms, you’re paying for a package that combines three experiences in one: whale watching, sailing along cliffs, and swimming. If you were trying to copy that yourself, you’d have to arrange boat time, figure out snorkeling logistics, and then still land on reliable wildlife spotting. Most people prefer paying for the coordination.

If the seas are rough, you may decide you’d rather not spend time on a sailboat, which is the main “hidden cost” to consider emotionally and physically. One rider noted seasickness as a factor. If that’s you, bring what you need before you go, and don’t assume you can power through.

Who should book this Los Gigantes sailing whale cruise

This tour is ideal if you want a calm, guided whale watching outing with enough structure to feel like a real experience, not just a ride. You’ll likely enjoy it if you like nature explanations, short water activities, and you prefer small groups.

It also fits well for:

• couples who want a romantic, uncrowded morning
• families who can handle short snorkeling time (but note swim readiness is required)
• solo travelers who want a guide and a tight group so it’s easy to ask questions

Language support is a plus, with live guiding in Spanish, English, and French. That makes the education portion accessible.

If you’re considering it but worried, here’s who should pause:

• people who are highly prone to seasickness and haven’t handled boat motion well before
• people who expect long snorkeling time, because the snorkeling window is only about 15 minutes
• people who don’t want to handle sun exposure, since you’ll be on deck and in the water, so you’ll want proper sunscreen and gear

If you like the idea of responsible animal viewing, this is the kind of tour that takes that seriously. You can tell because they highlight authorized responsible practice and active involvement with cetacean conservation groups, plus you’ll hear details about distance and engine handling around whales.

Should you book it, or skip it?

I’d book this if you want small-group whale watching from Los Gigantes and you’re excited about sailing right along the cliffs, then getting a short snorkel session right after. For the money, the included safety gear, snorkel masks, tapas, and the structured half-day timing make it feel like a fair deal, not a barebones excursion.

I’d think twice if you know you get seasick or you dislike moving boat conditions. The trip is designed to be respectful and focused, but it’s still time on open water. And if your priority is deep underwater time, you might want a different water-focused activity since snorkeling here is brief.

One more nudge: if you’re flexible, the operator notes a reserve now, pay later option and free cancellation up to 24 hours. That gives you room to check weather and decide based on how you feel about sailing that day.

FAQ

How long is the Los Gigantes whale watching sailboat cruise?

The experience runs about 3 to 4 hours total.

Where do I meet the boat?

Meet at Picarus Sailing Club. The boat name can be Aemon or Ayla.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. Snorkeling time is included (about 15 minutes). Snorkel masks and life vests are provided.

What snorkel gear is not included?

A tuba (the snorkel tube piece) is not listed as included.

What should I bring for the trip?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, and biodegradable sunscreen with high protection (50+ is recommended).

Is this a private or small-group tour?

It can run as a private or small-group excursion, with the boat described as max 9 passengers. The tour offers live guidance in Spanish, English, and French.