A sail in Los Gigantes feels like a reset. This private trip mixes marine-life snorkeling with time gliding past Tenerife’s red cliffs from the sea. You get a calm, unrushed pace, plus onboard tapas and drinks while the water does most of the entertaining.

I especially like that the tour builds in a true swim-and-snorkel moment in clear water, with snorkeling gear included. I also like the private-group feel, where you’re not squeezed into a crowd while you watch for dolphins and whales.

One thing to consider: snorkeling is a core part of the experience, and you’ll be expected to jump in when the crew sets you up for the water stop. Bring what the tour calls for (especially a towel), and plan for a few hours outside in sun and sea air.

Key Highlights You’ll Care About

• Private-group sailing (up to 11) with a skipper/guide, so the day feels more personal than a big boat tour
• Deep-sea snorkeling stop with gear provided, plus a chance to see sea turtles, manta rays, and octopuses
• Dramatic Los Gigantes coast viewed from the water, including red cliffs and calm coves
• Tapas and drinks onboard after swimming, timed so you can relax instead of rush
• Flexible duration (3–8 hours) so you can match your energy level and schedule
• Vegetarian/vegan options available if you tell the provider ahead of time

Los Gigantes From the Water: Why This Private Sail Feels Different

Los Gigantes is famous for a reason, but land views only tell part of the story. From the water, those steep red cliffs rise right out of the sea, and you feel the scale more than you see it. On a private sailing tour, that “slow reveal” matters: you’re not constantly shifting seats, climbing over people, or stuck watching through gaps in a crowd.

What makes this one work well is the blend of moods. You’re on a boat for the scenery and the glide between bays, then you get a real snorkeling session in clear water, then you circle back to comfort with tapas and drinks onboard. It’s a full arc for a day on Tenerife—movement, water time, then downtime.

Also, your marine-life chances aren’t vague. The experience is built around seeing wildlife in the waters around Los Gigantes, and the snorkeling stop specifically calls out sea turtles, manta rays, and octopuses.

Boarding at Muelle Deportivo La Marina Los Gigantes Dock 1

The day starts with hotel pickup in the Los Gigantes area and a ride to the port. From there, you meet your skipper/guide at Muelle Deportivo La Marina Los Gigantes, Dock 1, and board the boat named Sangría.

That transition is practical. You don’t have to figure out parking or scramble for your own transportation at the last minute. Once onboard, you’re treated like a private group rather than a ticket number, with the crew guiding the sailing and the swim/snorkel stop.

A couple of small prep notes based on what the tour requires:

• Bring passport or ID card.
• Pack swimwear and sunscreen for sun and sea conditions.
• Bring a towel. It’s not provided, so plan for that before you leave the hotel.
• Also expect a simple onboard rule set: no touching marine life, no feeding animals, and no fishing.

The Coastline Cruise: Red Cliffs, Hidden Coves, and Whale-and-Dolphin Chances

Once you’re under way, the sailing portion focuses on variety. The route follows the dramatic red cliffs of Los Gigantes, then shifts to quieter water—hidden coves and calm bays where the boat can settle and you can actually enjoy the view instead of just watching coastline from a speeding vessel.

This is where private matters. On larger group tours, you can spend a chunk of time trying to find a good angle for photos. Here, you can settle on deck and let the coastline do the work—especially as the water changes from open sea to sheltered pockets.

The activity also includes wildlife watching. You’re specifically set up to look for dolphins and whales around Los Gigantes. The sightings aren’t guaranteed (the sea is the sea), but the whole sailing plan is built around being in the right area and spending enough time on the water to make it worthwhile.

If you’re the type who gets distracted by scenery, this is a bonus trip. You get the cliffs as your backdrop, plus the underwater viewing that comes next.

The Snorkel Stop in Clear Water: What You’ll See and How to Get Ready

The best part for many people is the water moment—when you head out to sea for a deep-sea snorkeling session. The tour is clear about the setup: you’ll enter the water from the boat in clear conditions, with snorkeling gear provided.

What you’re looking for is spelled out. The snorkeling stop is described as a chance to see:

• Sea turtles
• Octopuses
• Manta rays

That lineup is the reason this sail feels more than just a sightseeing cruise. Most boat trips give you a quick swim. This one is built around the underwater world and the chance to spot animals that actually earn your attention.

Practical “don’t make it harder on yourself” tips:

• Wear the swimwear you’re comfortable using in open water. There’s no mention of changing facilities onboard.
• Use sunscreen before you get on the water. You’ll be exposed during sailing and the snorkel stop.
• Plan on needing your own towel after you’re back onboard.
• The tour’s rules say you must not touch marine life. Keep your distance even if something looks close—watching is the goal.

Also, if you’re in a group with different comfort levels, remember this is private. You’re not trapped in a schedule that forces everyone to snorkel in the same way. The experience centers on the snorkeling stop, though, so if your party truly doesn’t want any water time, this may feel like too much.

Tapas and Drinks Between Water and Views

After swimming and snorkeling, you don’t have to “earn” comfort. The tour builds in a proper wind-down: you relax on deck with a drink (alcoholic or soft drink, depending on what you choose) and enjoy tapas onboard.

Why this matters: the snorkel stop changes your body temperature and your mood. Then you’re straight into a warm, social break instead of back to more hard activity. It also turns the cruise into something you can actually savor, since you’re not just passing time waiting for the next activity.

Food notes:

• Tapas are included.
• If you need vegetarian or vegan options, you can request them by notifying the activity provider ahead of time.

One more practical point: the tour also has rules about alcohol and drugs not being allowed, so keep it to what the crew offers. It keeps the vibe safer and more relaxed.

And yes, birthdays can fit here. One guest shared that the team spontaneously organized a small birthday cake. You can’t count on that for everyone, but it’s a strong signal that the crew is willing to make special moments happen—so if you’re celebrating, tell them in advance.

How Long Is Enough: Choosing Between 3 and 8 Hours

This tour can run 3 to 8 hours, depending on the option available. That flexibility is useful because Los Gigantes days can go either way: some people want a short, refreshing escape; others want a full afternoon that feels like a real event.

Here’s a simple way I’d choose:

• Pick the shorter end if you want the cliffs, one main snorkeling session, and then back to land life without feeling like you lost your whole day.
• Pick the longer end if you want more time sailing between coves and more chances to be out on the water where marine life may appear.

The structure doesn’t change dramatically—hotel pickup and port departure, sailing along the coast, snorkeling stop, then tapas and drinks before returning to your hotel—but time lets the experience feel either “compact” or more “unhurried.”

Also, when you’re booking around sun and sea conditions, longer doesn’t always mean better. It means more hours in the elements. If you tend to get tired in heat, I’d lean shorter rather than assume more time equals more fun.

Price and Value: $765 per Group Up to 11

The price is $765 per group, with capacity up to 11 people. That sounds high if you’re thinking per-person, but private sailing pricing usually works differently than small-group tours.

Here’s the math that helps you decide:

• At full group (11 people), that’s about $69.50 per person.
• At 6 people, it’s about $127.50 per person.
• At 4 people, it’s about $191.25 per person.

The reason this can still be good value is what’s bundled:

• Skipper/guide for the day
• Snorkeling stops and snorkeling gear
• Tapas and drinks
• Private group time on the water, including sailing through coves and bays

So if you’re traveling with friends or family and can fill a portion of the boat, you’re not paying extra for each added person in the way you might on some tours. If you’re a small group, you’re paying more per person for privacy and inclusions. Either way, you’re getting a day designed around both wildlife viewing and comfort onboard.

My practical take: if your group includes people who want snorkeling plus a relaxed food-and-drink break, this is more likely to feel like a good deal than a pure sightseeing-only boat day.

The Small Rules That Keep the Sea Safe (and the Swim Better)

You’re sailing in a marine environment, so the rules are there for a reason. The tour states:

• No fishing
• No fireworks
• No feeding animals
• No touching marine life
• Alcohol and drugs are not allowed

That last one probably isn’t just about manners. It supports a safer, more controlled boat environment. And the marine-life rules matter for your experience too. If everyone is focused on watching rather than chasing animals, you’re more likely to see them behaving naturally.

Also, if you’re someone who hates strict rules while on vacation: think of these as a short checklist you can follow easily. They don’t kill the fun. They protect the moment.

Who This Tour Suits Best in Los Gigantes

This is a strong fit if you want:

• A private day on the water instead of a crowded cruise
• Snorkeling with provided gear and the chance to see sea turtles, octopuses, and manta rays
• A comfortable plan that includes tap as and drinks after water time
• Scenic sailing alongside the Los Gigantes red cliffs

It’s also a good option for families when schedules matter and you want a guided day with a calmer pace. One guest highlighted it as a family-friendly activity with dolphins and whales watching and great weather.

And if you’re celebrating something, it’s the kind of experience that naturally turns into a memory. The deck time plus the food-and-drink break makes it easier to enjoy the day without constantly coordinating plans.

If you’re not into snorkeling at all, though, this may feel too water-focused. The tour includes a snorkeling session as a central feature, and the day’s rhythm is built around it.

Final Call: Should You Book This Los Gigantes Private Sail?

I’d book this if your ideal Tenerife day looks like one part scenery, one part water adventure, and one part relaxed social time. The value gets much better when your group fills out more of the capacity, and the inclusions are genuinely useful—snorkeling gear, tapas, and drinks are all included, not tossed in as extras.

Skip it if you’re hoping for mostly dry-land sightseeing or you’re not comfortable being in the water during the snorkeling stop.

If you’re on the fence, my decision rule is simple: if snorkeling in clear water to look for turtles, octopuses, and manta rays sounds exciting, this private sail is the kind of day you’ll remember.

FAQ

Where do we meet for the tour?

You meet at Muelle Deportivo La Marina Los Gigantes, Dock 1.

Is this tour private?

Yes. It’s a private group sailing tour, priced per group up to 11 people.

What’s included with the ticket price?

The tour includes the private sailing tour, a skipper/guide, swimming and snorkeling stops, snorkeling gear, tap as, and alcoholic or soft drinks.

What should I bring?

Bring passport or ID, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen.

Are vegetarian or vegan meals available?

Yes. Vegetarian and vegan options are available if you notify the activity provider ahead of time.

How long is the tour?

The experience can be 3 to 8 hours, depending on availability.

What animals or sea-life rules should I follow?

The tour notes that you should not feed animals or touch marine life, and fishing is not allowed.