Cliffs, clear water, and fish. This Los Gigantes to Teno boat trip turns the coast between quiet coves and natural bays into a slow, scenic ride, with snorkeling built in. I love the open-water swim stop and the chance to see Tenerife’s marine life up close. The only real drawback is that snorkeling time can feel brief, especially if you’re hoping for a long, question-heavy session.

You’ll start from Puerto Deportivo Los Gigantes and spend the morning-to-late-morning on the water with a live guide in Spanish and English. The route is paced around viewpoints and a beach break at Masca, plus a drink included along the way. Depending on wind, the skipper may push farther along the coast for extra sightings, so calm conditions matter.

One more practical thought: if you’re prone to motion sickness, plan for it. A seasickness case popped up in the experience record, and a boat trip is still a boat trip.

Key things to know before you go

• Small-group feel (up to 12 people): You’re not stuck in a crowd, and it’s easier to hear the guide’s points.
• Snorkeling in open water: Goggles are provided, and you’ll have a timed window to swim and look for marine life.
• Los Gigantes + Masca + Punta de Teno in one run: You get multiple viewpoints without arranging separate day trips.
• Photo stops that actually help: You’ll pause at key cliff areas so you can capture the coastline before moving on.
• Drink included: Beer and soft drinks are part of the package, which makes the boat time feel more like a true excursion.
• Skipper decisions depend on conditions: On low-wind days, the route can run farther, bringing more variety.

Los Gigantes to Teno: what you’re really paying for

At about $53 per person for roughly 2.5 hours, you’re buying a lot more than a simple ride from one point to another. You’re getting a guided coastal cruise with a planned swim/snorkel stop, plus an included drink and snorkeling gear. If you’ve ever tried to DIY snorkeling on Tenerife, you know how quickly time and logistics pile up.

What makes this trip worth considering is the combo of three different “coast modes”: cliffs from the water (Los Gigantes), a beach break (Masca), and another major viewpoint area (Punta de Teno). That flow keeps it from feeling like a single-note sightseeing day.

The other value piece is insurance. The activity includes personal accident insurance and civil responsibility insurance, which takes some of the edge off when you’re on a boat and in the water.

Starting at Puerto Deportivo Los Gigantes (and why the meeting spot matters)

You’ll meet at Puerto deportivo Los Gigantes, Pantalán 6, Puesto 2. Go a bit early so you can check in calmly and get your bearings. This kind of tour works best when you’re not sprinting to find the right dock when boarding starts.

The departure point is convenient because it keeps your day focused. Instead of spending your time crossing the island or changing transport, you’re already at the port, with the guide and crew ready to run the route.

Group size is capped at 12 participants, and you’ll also want to consider that the boat can handle young children/babies for free if added during booking (so your space planning matters).

The Los Gigantes cruise: photo time and cliff views with the guide

Your itinerary begins with time built around the Los Gigantes section. There’s a photo stop and a guided sightseeing block of about 1 hour. This is where the cliffs earn their reputation. Even if you’ve seen Tenerife cliffs in photos, being at sea makes scale hit differently.

This early segment is also practical. It lets you settle in, get your sea legs, and figure out how you’ll handle snorkeling later. If you know you get motion sickness, consider sitting in a spot that feels stable for you once you’re onboard.

The guide’s job here is to point out what you’re looking at while the boat runs along the coast. It’s not just “look left, look right.” You’ll get context on the coastline and what to watch for later.

Masca Beach break: where swimming meets real convenience

Masca is the middle anchor of the trip, with about 50 minutes. You’ll get a photo stop, then a break with free time, plus the included drink and time to swim and snorkel. In other words, it’s not only a beach stop for photos; it’s part of the water activity plan.

Masca is a great match for a limited-time tour because it gives you a change of pace: water clarity from the boat, then hands-on time where you can choose your level of effort. Want a quick dip? You can do that. Want to spend time looking underwater? You’ll have a dedicated snorkeling moment tied to this segment.

What to bring matters here. The activity doesn’t include a swimsuit, towel, hat, or sunscreen, so plan to show up ready to get wet. At minimum, bring your swimwear and a towel so you’re not forced to scramble after the water time.

Also, remember you’re in the ocean. The rules say no touching marine life and no feeding animals—not just for safety, but because it protects the wildlife you came to see.

Snorkeling in open water: gear provided, time limited, conditions matter

Snorkeling is one of the biggest reasons people choose this trip. Goggles are included, and the boat will stop in the open sea for a snorkeling session so you can admire marine fauna.

From the information provided, Tenerife waters can include sea turtles, manta rays, and octopus. You might also see smaller flashes of life like schools of fish; one experience record mentioned flying fish, which tells you the surface action can be interesting too.

A couple of realistic notes:

• You won’t have endless time underwater. One recorded experience noted about 30 minutes for snorkeling, and that’s consistent with how the trip is timed.
• Your best results will come from calm conditions. Wind and chop affect visibility and comfort.

If you want to get the most out of the snorkeling window, do the simple stuff: breathe steadily, keep your eyes scanning forward and slightly down, and treat it like a short wildlife watch rather than a long swim.

Motion sickness check

A recorded participant had seasickness, which is a reminder that even a well-run coastal route can still feel bouncy. If you’ve been seasick before, pack your usual remedy and consider sitting somewhere that feels least affected once you board.

Punta de Teno: viewpoints, guided sightseeing, and extra variety when the skipper can

After Masca, you move to Punta de Teno with another guided sightseeing block and photo stop of about 1 hour. This area is where the trip balances “time in the water” with “time looking from above and around” as the boat shapes its route along the cliffs.

Why this stop is worth it: it keeps the day from being only about snorkeling. Even if you’re a strong swimmer, you’ll want time for viewpoints and for a break from gear and sun.

The most exciting upside is route flexibility. On calmer days, one experience noted the guide and skipper managed to go farther north than expected, even reaching near Buenavista, and they also spotted a lighthouse and a cave. That’s not something you should assume every time, but it shows you how much wind can change what you see.

In practice, that’s a good reason to check the weather and think about timing if you have options. This isn’t a “guarantee everything” tour—nature decides some of the details.

Drinks and onboard experience: small group pacing with a real guide

Drinks are part of the structure here. The tour includes a complimentary drink during the ride, described as beer and soft drink (and water is listed as part of the included drink options). It’s a small cost-saver that makes the boat time feel like a true planned experience.

The boat also runs with staff who help you appreciate the coastal enclave. Language coverage is Spanish and English, and the guide can answer questions—though one record mentioned that English comfort can vary depending on the departure group.

The crew style is a clear strength. One guide name you may hear is Nico, and multiple records describe the trip as more enjoyable when the skipper/guide brings energy and ocean passion.

Who this tour suits best

• You want crystal-clear water time without planning a whole separate snorkeling day.
• You like boat trips but prefer small-group attention rather than a big ship.
• You’re comfortable with a short schedule that packs multiple highlights into 2.5 hours.

If you’re the kind of person who wants a long, slow, classroom-style marine lecture, you might find the snorkeling window and time for questions a bit tight. But if you like action + scenery, this format works.

What’s included (and what you must bring)

Included:

• A 2.5-hour boat ride
• Beer and soft drink (and water is included in the drink options)
• A stop for a dip in one of the cliff bays
• A snorkeling stop with goggles provided
• Personal Accident Insurance and Civil Responsibility Insurance

Not included (and worth bringing):

• Swimsuit
• Towel
• Hat
• Sunscreen

Bring:

• Passport or ID card
• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sunscreen

You’ll also want to plan for what to do with wet gear at the end. The rules don’t mention a place to store items, so bring what you can comfortably keep with you during boarding and after swimming.

Rules onboard: keep it simple and safe

The tour has clear limitations:

• No smoking
• No fishing
• No alcohol and drugs
• No feeding animals
• No touching marine life
• No speakers
• No weapons or sharp objects
• Also no firework/explosives, and no nudity

This matters because it keeps snorkeling and wildlife viewing respectful and safe. It also helps you enjoy the trip without wondering what’s happening around you.

Price and value: is $53 a good deal?

For many Tenerife visitors, snorkeling costs can jump quickly once you add gear rental, a guided water activity, and the transport to the right coastal sections. Here, you’re getting the boat ride, snorkeling goggles, a planned swim stop, and a drink built into the price.

So $53 for about 2.5 hours can feel fair if you value convenience and the guided route. It’s especially good if you’re going as a couple or with a small group where you’d otherwise have to pay more for a private boat or separate transportation planning.

It’s less of a bargain if:

• you’re only interested in one tiny piece of the itinerary (like just Punta de Teno and nothing else),
• you’re a confident swimmer who doesn’t care about snorkeling stops,
• or you’re hoping for a long snorkeling session beyond the planned window.

Quick booking mindset: weather, sea state, and your priorities

This tour is heavily shaped by ocean conditions. When wind is low, the skipper may push farther along the coast for extra viewpoints and sightings. When sea state is rougher, the safest and most comfortable route may be more conservative.

If your top priority is underwater wildlife, pick a day when the weather looks calm and warm. If your priority is sweeping cliff viewpoints and a beach break, you’ll still enjoy it even if snorkeling time feels shorter than you wanted.

Should you book Los Gigantes to Teno with snorkeling?

Book it if you want a tight, scenic Tenerife coast cruise with a real water component, not just sitting on a boat for sightseeing. The small-group size, the included snorkeling goggles, and the drink are practical wins. If you like the idea of Los Gigantes cliffs plus Masca Beach plus Punta de Teno in one outing, this fits your day.

Skip it (or reconsider) if you know you get seasick easily and you don’t have a plan. Also, if you need lots of time in the water for snorkeling or you rely heavily on detailed English explanations, keep expectations realistic: the snorkeling window is timed, and language strength can vary by departure.

If you’re aiming for a memorable Tenerife experience without turning your day into logistics, this one is a solid choice.