Cruising out of Los Gigantes turns whale spotting into a real water-day. You get the chance to see resident and migratory marine species from a small sailboat, then you have time to swim and snorkel near the cliffs. It is run with a sustainability focus, and the vibe stays calm and respectful.

What I like most is the small group size on a 46 ft (14 m) boat, which makes the whole trip feel personal without feeling cramped. I also love that the crew talks you through what you are seeing and how they approach wildlife, including responsible viewing behavior.

One thing to consider is timing and expectations. The snorkeling window is short, and while you may see pilot whales and dolphins, whale sightings are never guaranteed.

Key things that make this whale cruise worth your time

• Small boat, up to 9 people, so you get breathing room on deck and an easier time hearing the guide
• Responsible whale watching process, including practices designed to avoid disrupting animals
• Real view time from the water, with sailing focused on the coastline and the big scenery around Los Gigantes
• Snorkel time right near the cliffs, with gear provided (you bring your sunscreen and a towel)
• Homemade tapas onboard, served as a simple food break after swimming

Why whale watching from Los Gigantes feels special

Los Gigantes is one of those places where the coast looks like it means business. From the water, those dramatic cliff walls set the scene fast, and they also shape the trip. You are not just waiting on a spot, you are sailing along a coastline that is visually intense even before any whales show up.

I like that this cruise is built around a rhythm: watch first, sail, then get in the water. That matters because whale watching can turn into a long, passive scan from bigger boats, where you get tired of looking but never actually move anywhere interesting. Here, the boat keeps you connected to the views and the marine area, not just to the idea of seeing whales.

The small-group sailboat setup (46 ft, max 9)

This is a 46 ft (14 m) sailing boat with limited capacity, which is a big deal for your comfort. On smaller groups, people spread out more, the crew can answer questions without shouting, and the guide can give a meaningful explanation without the whole deck feeling like a line at a ticket window.

If you want the trip to feel intimate, this setup is the reason why. In multiple experiences, guides such as Jakob and Miguel are highlighted for being friendly and attentive, and names like Sara and Felix come up as well. That is a good sign, because on a small boat, the guide’s personality and pacing become part of the product.

Whale watching that aims for respect, not chaos

Whale watching is not just about spotting animals. It is also about how close you try to get, how you behave, and what you do when the animals appear.

The operator positions the experience within formal sustainability efforts, including being members of the Sustainability Charter for Whale Watching from Turismo de Tenerife and active involvement with the South Tenerife Cetaceans Association. On the water, you feel the effect of that approach through practical behaviors the crew uses to protect wildlife, such as slowing down or cutting engines when whales are spotted from a distance.

That last point is worth caring about. Engine noise and disruption can change how animals act, and a responsible captain can make sightings less stressful for the animals while still giving you solid viewing time. The goal here is clear: watch, learn, and keep space.

Your cruise plan: from Picarus Sailing Club out to the cliffs

The day starts at Picarus Sailing Club, with the boat name listed as Aemon or Ayla. From there, you head out toward Los Gigantes, and the trip usually follows a structured order so you get both wildlife and water time.

Stop 1: Depart and wildlife viewing for about 1.5 hours

This is your prime scanning window. You spend roughly 1.5 hours looking for resident species and migratory animals in the area off Los Gigantes. In past trips, people have reported pilot whales, dolphins, and even a turtle, along with whales sometimes coming close enough to feel exciting without the trip turning into a pushy crowd scene.

Here is the practical take: your best chance is when you stay patient and quiet during spotting, not when you try to rush for photos. Keep your attention on what the guide is pointing out, and you will also catch the smaller clues like surfacing patterns and group movement.

Stop 2: Sailing for about 1 hour, focused on scenery and movement

After wildlife viewing, you shift into a sailing segment of about 1 hour. This is not wasted time. You get a different feel on the water, and you get more of the coastline context around Los Gigantes, including how the cliffs frame the sea. It also helps people reset mentally, especially if you are waiting for whales and then need a break from constant scanning.

If you are prone to motion discomfort, this sailing phase can be a blessing, because it tends to feel like a more natural pace. Still, sailing can be bouncy. Bring a plan for seasickness if you need one.

Stop 3: Snorkeling near the cliffs for about 15 minutes

You get a short snorkel window, around 15 minutes, and it is specifically timed near the cliffs area. Snorkeling gear is provided, including snorkel masks and safety gear like life vests on board. You are also told what to bring, including swimwear and a towel.

Do not treat the snorkel portion as a long underwater session. It is more like a chance to experience the water in a focused burst, so you should go in knowing it is about quality of location rather than total minutes.

Food break: meal onboard for about 15 minutes

After swimming, you get a homemade menu served onboard, typically as tapas, along with drinks. This is the kind of break that makes sense after cold water time, because it gives you something warm, salty, and easy while the boat is anchored.

Vegetarian options have been mentioned in reviews, which I appreciate because it is not always guaranteed on small boats. If you have dietary needs, it is smart to confirm beforehand with the operator, since the details can vary by what they prepare that day.

Snorkeling under the cliffs: what 15 minutes means for you

I love snorkels that are tied to place. Here, the point is that you are snorkeling near Los Gigantes cliff walls, not just floating somewhere generic. Even with a short window, that setting can make the water feel like part of the scenery, not a separate activity you rushed into.

You will want to be ready fast. The key items you should bring are swimwear, a towel, and high-protection biodegradable sunscreen (listed as recommended, and also important because some sunscreens are not friendly to marine environments). Sunglasses and a sun hat help too, because you can be outside a lot while waiting, sailing, and then drying off.

Also, if you are nervous about water time, you will likely feel better because the trip is a small-group charter. In that kind of setting, the crew can watch you more closely and answer questions without making you feel rushed.

Tapas onboard: simple food that actually fits the day

The meal onboard is not positioned as a full dinner. It is a homemade tapas-style serving, around 15 minutes. That makes it more practical than long meal service, since it matches the flow of wildlife viewing, sailing, and then swimming.

What I think makes it good value is that it removes one of the hassles of cruise days: finding food and timing. You do not need to plan a separate lunch stop, and you can eat while the experience continues, instead of leaving the water and coming back hungry.

In past trips, people also describe the tapas as unexpected in a good way, with drinks included. Vegetarian plates have been mentioned, so it can work for more than one eating style, as long as you communicate your needs.

Guides and crew: names you may hear, and what they do well

On a tour like this, the crew sets the tone. Multiple trips highlight guide performance with specific names like Jakob and Miguel, plus Sara and Felix, and even Nettie. The consistent theme is that the guides explain what is happening and why, and they make sure everyone is comfortable.

That translates into real benefits for you. When someone can answer your question about what a whale is doing, or how the crew positions the boat respectfully, you stop treating whale watching like a checklist and start understanding behavior patterns. That makes each spotting feel more meaningful, even on days when sightings are just dolphins rather than full whale encounters.

How long it really takes, and when to go

The duration is listed as 3 to 4 hours. That range matters because it affects your morning or afternoon planning, and it also shapes how you mentally pace the day.

Wildlife viewing is about 1.5 hours, then sailing about 1 hour, then snorkeling and the meal, each around 15 minutes. Add deck time, walking, getting in and out of water, and drying off, and you get a true half-day rhythm that still leaves you time afterward to explore Los Gigantes on land.

If your goal is maximum wildlife time, go in with patience during the viewing phase. The best sightings tend to happen when you are calm and paying attention rather than trying to outguess where animals will surface.

Boat comfort and space: why it feels calmer than big tours

I care about two things on small boats: space and noise. With a limited group size, you get both. People have noted the boat feels clean and safe, and that there is enough room to move around without constantly bumping into strangers.

Comfort also comes from the way the crew runs the day. When your guides are attentive, you spend less time struggling with gear or asking repeatedly what to do next. On this trip, snorkel masks are included and life vests are provided, which cuts down on what you have to pack and carry.

One more practical detail: if you are sensitive to motion, choose your seat and plan for it. One review specifically mentioned seasickness and that the crew helped with the situation, which is a reminder to bring whatever you use for nausea, especially if the sea looks active.

Price and value: is $88 fair for what you get?

At about $88 per person, the value depends on what you compare it to. If you compare it to ticket-only whale watching tours, you might wonder if that price is high. But when you look at the full package, it starts making sense.

You are paying for:

• A small-group charter on a 46 ft sailboat (not a crowded catamaran style experience)
• Provided snorkel masks and safety gear
• Time on the water with both wildlife viewing and sailing
• A short snorkel session near the cliffs
• Homemade tapas onboard after swimming

In other words, you are not just buying whale watching. You are buying a half-day water experience with a meal included, plus equipment that would otherwise cost you money or time.

My advice: treat it as a splurge that is also practical. The boat time, the guided context, and the included food can replace other expenses like lunch, and the small group helps make the experience feel less like mass tourism.

Who this tour is best for, and who should think twice

This is a great match if you want:

• Small-group whale watching with a calmer atmosphere
• A mix of wildlife viewing and short snorkeling near the cliffs
• Guides who explain marine species and respectful viewing practices
• A meal included so you do not plan food during your sea time

It might be less ideal if you need long snorkeling time. Since the snorkel portion is about 15 minutes, it is not for people who want a long, gear-heavy underwater session.

If seasickness is a big issue for you, it is not necessarily a deal breaker, but it does mean you should prepare. Bring your medication and dress for quick changes, since you will get wet and then dry off on deck.

Practical packing list (so your day goes smoothly)

Based on what is recommended and what is included, bring:

• Sunglasses
• Sun hat
• Swimwear
• Towel (not included)
• Biodegradable sunscreen with high protection (50+ recommended)
• A plan for seasickness if you need one

Included items that lower your burden:

• Life vests
• Snorkel masks

If you forget a towel or sunscreen, you will feel it. A towel helps after snorkel time, and proper sunscreen matters because you will be out in the sun between wildlife spotting and sailing.

Should you book this Los Gigantes whale watching cruise?

I would book it if you want a half-day on the water that combines responsible whale watching, a calm small-group feel, and a real chance to experience the sea up close. The best part is that the trip is not only about spotting animals. You also get context, respectful viewing behavior, and a practical onboard meal that fits the schedule.

I would hold off only if snorkeling time is a top priority for you. This is more like a taste of snorkeling near the cliffs than an all-out underwater tour. Also, if you are extremely seasensitive, bring your own safety net for motion sickness so you can enjoy the time instead of bracing for it.

If your idea of a great Tenerife day is simple, guided, and on the water with room to breathe, this one fits.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start?

The meeting point is Picarus Sailing Club in Los Gigantes. The boat names you may see are Aemon or Ayla.

How long is the experience?

It lasts about 3 to 4 hours.

Is it a small group tour?

Yes. The cruise is offered as private or shared excursions, with a maximum of 9 passengers.

What whale and sea life might I see?

The trip focuses on resident and migratory marine fauna off Los Gigantes. Past sightings mentioned include pilot whales, dolphins, and a turtle, but sightings are nature-dependent.

Is snorkeling included, and what do I need to bring?

Snorkeling time is included, and snorkel masks are provided. You should bring swimwear and a towel, and you are recommended to use high-protection biodegradable sunscreen.

What food is included onboard?

A homemade tapas-style menu is served onboard after the swimming time.

What safety items are provided?

Life vests are provided, along with safety gear on board. Snorkel masks are also included.

What languages are the guide service?

The tour includes live guidance in Spanish, English, and French.