Tenerife: Discover Los Gigantes While Navigating a Boat

Los Gigantes is better from the captain seat. This private boat experience in Tenerife lets you steer close to the Acantilados de los Gigantes and look for dolphins and whales, with a briefing that keeps you safe and confident. The main drawback is simple: it is not a great fit if you get seasick easily.

I really like that the crew gives you a thorough, calm run-through of the boat and the rules, so you are not just sitting there. You meet in the Marina of Los Gigantes, and the day is built around independent navigation within limits, plus breaks for photos, swimming, and chilling in places most people cannot reach.

One more thing to consider: the plan includes water time and you should be ready for sun and spray. Bring sunscreen, plan for a bit of walking on board, and skip this if you have mobility constraints or low fitness.

Key highlights you should care about

• Captain-style steering without a license (you learn fast, with safety rules and emergency protocols)
• Boat-only access to unreachable spots around the cliffs, including Masca area and more
• Swim and snorkel time during the day, with a sundeck and ladder to get in and out
• Dolphins and whale watching on the route when conditions allow
• Pedro and the crew focus on clear, friendly guidance, so the experience feels smooth from check-in

Why Los Gigantes by boat feels like a different Tenerife day

Los Gigantes is all about cliffs and angles, and the best way to see it is from the waterline looking up. From the Marina of Los Gigantes, you work your way into the Acantilados de los Gigantes area, where volcanic rock forms long, dramatic walls and smaller coves sit out of reach from shore.

What I like most is that this is not a checklist tour. It is more of a guided day at sea where you learn the basics, get hands-on time, and still have crew support when you need it.

You also get a real sense of scale. The cliffs and coast look impressive from land, but on a boat you feel how far the shoreline bends, how far “over there” really is, and how much open water shapes the views.

Getting ready in the marina: briefing, steering, and rules that make it relaxing

Your day starts and finishes at the Marina of Los Gigantes, with check-in near the payment parking at Pier number 7, following the restaurants and shop line. The starting address is Calle los Guíos, 27, but the practical meet-up is inside the marina at that pier.

After you’re settled on board, you get an exhaustive briefing. They explain how the boat works, the navigation rules, and the emergency protocols, so you are not improvising. This matters because you are not just watching from the sidelines, you are learning to navigate safely within set limits.

The “captain without license” part is the hook, and it works best if you treat the briefing seriously. Pay attention to what is allowed and what is not, because your fun comes from combining confidence with good seamanship.

Practical tip: wear what you can move in. There are rules about shoes indoors, and there is storage for shoes and bags on board, so plan for a comfortable on-boat setup.

The route that covers about 15 km, with boat-only stops

The covered area is about 15 km, and the key point is how it is paced. You spend time in the popular zone, but you also go for the less reachable corners that you would never manage from shore.

The plan highlights Masca beach and the Teno lighthouse among the places you can reach by boat. Even if you have seen photos before, the real value here is getting close enough to understand the coastline and then getting time to actually use the space for photos and relaxing.

The day also includes sailing and scenic viewing while you move between points. That travel time is not filler. It is when you see how the cliffs change, where small stretches of water open up, and why the best angles are the ones you can only reach by water.

One more smart detail: the experience is framed as happening in a weather-friendly part of Tenerife. It does not mean every moment is perfect, but it helps you expect stable conditions for outdoor time.

Secret stop time: photos, snacks, and looking for marine life

One stop is built as a secret break with multiple activities happening in a single block. You get a photo stop and time for an aperitif and, in the plan, beer, wine, and a picnic. Swimming and snorkeling are part of the schedule too.

Important reality check: the experience lists food and drinks as not included, yet the plan mentions beer, wine, and picnic time. So I’d treat this as a “what exactly is provided” question. If you want certainty, ask the provider what is actually included for your booking.

Even with that caveat, this stop is what turns a boat ride into a half-day memory. You are not only moving, you are pausing in a spot that feels like you found it yourself.

Marine life watching is another highlight here. The schedule includes dolphin watching and marine life viewing, plus whale watching when conditions allow. You should not expect guaranteed sightings, but the setup puts you in the right place to look and enjoy the ride either way.

If you want the best photos, aim for the moments right before and after swimming time. People are usually more relaxed, water reflections change, and it is easier to capture the cliffs with less crowd noise.

Masca beach and Teno lighthouse: why boat access changes the viewpoint

Masca beach is one of those names that sounds like a shore stop, until you realize how hard it is to reach well. By boat, the experience becomes less about the hike and more about the moment: arriving at water access, getting a break, and using the calm time for swimming and chilling.

Teno lighthouse adds a different feeling. Lighthouses are not just landmarks, they give you a reference point for the coast and the direction of the sea. From the water, you can better understand the coastline edges and how the volcanic terrain drops toward the ocean.

What I love about including these kinds of spots is that the day becomes varied. One moment is cliffs and coves, the next is a more open, ocean-facing view, and that shift keeps the experience from feeling repetitive.

Possible drawback: if you are expecting a long, shore-style visit at every point, this is not that. This is a navigation and sea-time experience, so you enjoy each stop as a short, high-impact segment rather than a full walking excursion.

What you get on the boat, and how it affects your comfort

The boat includes a Bimini top, a cooler box (not electric), a sundeck, and a ladder for water access. There is also a HiFi Bluetooth speaker with integrated setup and a USB socket.

That matters more than it sounds. Shade keeps you comfortable during the hottest parts of the day, and the ladder makes it easier to get in and out for swimming. The cooler box is useful if you bring things you want to keep chilled, but because it is not electric, do not rely on it to do miracles.

The Bluetooth speaker is great for setting a relaxed mood, and the USB socket is handy if you plan to use your phone for photos. Just remember: electronics are for convenience, not for letting time disappear. The best photos still come from looking up while you’re moving and listening to the guide when you’re at a good viewing angle.

There is also storage on board for shoes and bags. That helps keep the deck usable and reduces the chaos that can happen on boats when everyone is balancing gear.

Price and value for a private group up to 5

The price is $235 per group up to 5, with a duration that can run from 1 to 4 hours based on starting times and availability. For a private group, the value is really about what you can do with the crew ratio.

You are not paying per person the way you would on a big group catamaran. Instead, you pay for a custom-feeling outing where you get briefing time, navigation instruction, and the chance to steer the boat within limits.

You should also include the small extra cost of harbor fees, listed as 1 euro per person. That is normal, and it is worth factoring into your total budget.

Where the price makes sense: if you have a small group, you want privacy, and you care about boat-only access. If you are traveling solo, the per-person cost might feel higher, but a private ride still gives you a more flexible rhythm for swimming breaks and photo stops.

Who this boat experience fits best (and who should choose something else)

This is a private group experience with an instructor who speaks English and Spanish. That helps a lot, because a confident day at sea depends on clear communication during the briefing.

It also leans toward people with at least basic comfort on boats. The experience is not suitable for people with low fitness, people with mobility impairments, people prone to seasickness, or drivers under 18 years old.

If you are seasick-prone, you can still enjoy Tenerife, just pick a different format. This kind of captain-style navigation adds movement because you are actively involved, not sitting still with your eyes on one spot.

On the upside, if you enjoy steering, photos, and short swim breaks, this fits perfectly. It is also a strong choice for couples or small families who want an easy, guided way to reach Masca-area water and Teno views without dealing with the full day logistics of getting there by land.

One of the reviews even highlighted how the guide helped shape a special moment, including a proposal. If you are planning something personal, tell the crew what you want, and ask when the best calm photo moments are.

FAQ

FAQ

Where do I meet for the Los Gigantes boat experience?

You meet at the Marina of Los Gigantes, inside the payment parking at Pier number 7, following the restaurants or shop line.

What’s the duration of the activity?

The duration is listed as 1 to 4 hours, depending on the starting time you choose.

How far do you travel during the experience?

The covered area is approximately 15 km.

Is food and drink included?

Food and drinks are listed as not included. The day’s plan mentions an aperitif and picnic time, so you should confirm what is provided for your specific booking.

What’s included on the boat?

Included items are a Bimini top, cooler box (not electric), anchor, HiFi Bluetooth speaker, sundeck, ladder, and a USB socket.

What should I bring?

Bring sunscreen and an ID. If you are traveling with children, bring the child’s passport or ID card.

What is not allowed on board?

Smoking, alcohol and drugs, glass objects, electric wheelchairs, fireworks, explosive substances, weapons or sharp objects, and shoes indoors are not allowed.

Is there storage for my bags and shoes?

Yes, you have storage for shoes and bags on board.

What languages will the instructor speak?

The instructor is listed as speaking English and Spanish.

Should you book this captain-style Los Gigantes boat day?

Book it if you want a private outing, you like being hands-on instead of passive, and you want access to Masca beach and Teno lighthouse type views that are best from the water. The combination of a detailed briefing, calm guidance from the crew, and built-in swim time makes it a high-value half-day.

Skip it if you know you get seasick, you need high mobility support, or you expect long shore walks. If your ideal Tenerife day is scenic sea time with real captain-style participation, this is a strong choice out of Los Gigantes.