Los Gigantes to Teno: Boat trip with snorkeling & drinks

This trip is interesting because you trade a bus ride for time on the water, cruising past the Los Gigantes cliffs and along the Punta de Teno area in just 2.5 hours. You get a mix of classic photo moments, a real swim stop, and snorkeling in open sea conditions instead of a shallow, kiddie-style pool.

I love how the skipper, often Nico, keeps the route engaging and adapts to the day at sea. I also love that snorkeling gear (goggles) and a simple drink are included, so you spend less time hunting for extras and more time enjoying the coast.

One drawback to consider is that the snorkeling is a stop, not a full extended session, so it helps to have realistic expectations about how long you’ll be in the water.

Quick hits

• Small-group cruise limited to 12 people, which makes the experience feel calmer on a busy coast
• Los Gigantes cliffs with a built-in photo stop and sightseeing time
• Masca Beach break with time to swim and snorkel (about 50 minutes)
• Open-sea snorkeling stop with goggles, where marine life like turtles and octopus can show up
• Punta de Teno visit with another hour of sightseeing and photo time
• One simple drink included (water, soft drink, or beer), timed for when you are back on the move

Los Gigantes to Teno: the quick Tenerife coast hit

If you only have a half-day in Tenerife, this is one of the cleaner ways to see two of the island’s most dramatic coastal stretches without turning it into a full-day production. The cliffs around Los Gigantes are the star attraction on the opening leg, and then the route shifts toward the Teno coastline, with cliffs, coves, and viewpoints that feel a level more remote than the busier town centers.

The format is also very practical: you start at Puerto Deportivo Los Gigantes, you cruise between quiet bays and natural coves, then you get a beach break at Masca, followed by a Punta de Teno stop before returning to the port. With a 2.5-hour total duration, you still end the day with time for something else, like a late lunch or a slower sunset walk.

This trip is built around a simple promise: you’ll get the scenery from the boat and you’ll also get in the water. Snorkeling is part of the plan, not an optional extra you may never make time for.

From Puerto Deportivo Los Gigantes to the Cliffs: your first hour at sea

You meet at Puerto deportivo Los Gigantes, Pantalán 6, Puesto 2. The port is the right starting point for this route, because you’re basically boarding at the base of the cliff theater. Once you’re underway, you’ll cruise along the coast in a way that prioritizes views rather than long, repetitive travel time.

Expect the first stretch to focus on Los Gigantes itself. There’s a photo stop plus guided sightseeing for about an hour, which is long enough for you to:

• take photos without feeling rushed
• look for the best angle as the boat tracks along the cliffline
• understand what you are seeing from the skipper’s guidance

A big plus here is pacing. Many short cruises feel like a blur of “look left, look right, done.” This one gives you an actual chunk of time anchored to the scenery.

If the sea conditions cooperate, the skipper may push farther along the Teno side than you might expect on a basic schedule. One passenger noted that when wind was light, the route reached farther north than usual, even toward the Buenavista direction, which is the kind of small win that makes people feel like they got more than they paid for. That does not mean it’s guaranteed every time, but it is a good sign of how the skipper thinks on the water.

Masca Beach: swimming, snorkeling, and a drink break

Masca Beach is where the trip becomes physical. This is your main downtime and your time in the water, with about 50 minutes at Masca that includes photo time, swimming, snorkeling, and free time.

Here’s what makes this stop valuable: you are not just getting a view of the water, you get to experience it. The water off Tenerife can be clear enough that snorkeling feels more like exploration than just floating around. You also get a moment to reset, get out of the sun briefly, and regroup before the final sightseeing leg.

You’ll also have a beer and soft drink style drink included as part of the cruise rhythm. It’s not a full meal plan, but it is a welcome add-on in the middle of a coast day. In practice, it helps you avoid the awkward scramble to purchase a drink right when you are already focused on swimming and photos.

Bring your own swimwear and plan to use a towel. The tour does not include those. Sunscreen also matters because you spend real time exposed on deck. A hat is not included either, so if you tan easily, pack one.

One more note that affects expectations: because it is a short overall trip, your snorkel window is limited. I’d treat it like a quick “see what you can” session. If you want a long, slow reef-style snorkeling program, you may prefer a longer half-day tour. This one is designed for variety and timing.

Open-sea snorkeling: what you may see (and what you must not do)

This trip includes a snorkeling stop in open sea, and goggles are provided. That matters because it removes one of the annoying barriers that can turn a trip into a gear hunt.

The idea is to give you a chance to see Tenerife’s marine life where it lives, not just in a sheltered area. The route description highlights the kind of animals that can appear, from sea turtles to manta rays and octopus. You should treat that as “possible sightings,” not a promise of seeing all of them in one go. Marine life has a mind of its own.

What I like is that the activity comes with rules that keep it respectful and safe:

• you are not allowed to touch marine life
• fishing is not allowed
• smoking and speakers are prohibited, which keeps the boat atmosphere calm

So you’re not trying to play biologist with your hands. You are watching. If you like nature sightings that feel natural rather than staged, that format works.

Genuine advice for your time in the water: prioritize calm movements and slow scanning. When you rush, you miss the small stuff. And since time is limited, you want your attention ready the moment the snorkel stop begins.

Also, think about motion sickness. One passenger shared they got seasick, which is an honest reminder that a boat trip can affect you even when conditions are good. If you are sensitive, consider bringing your preferred remedy and planning for it.

Punta de Teno: the second sightseeing hour with more drama

After Masca, the cruise heads toward Punta de Teno for another hour of photo stop, visit, guided tour, and sightseeing. This is the “second act” viewpoint, and it feels different from the Los Gigantes side.

Why it works: you get a sense that Tenerife’s coast is not one uniform look. You see how the cliffs, coves, and angles change as you move along the peninsula. Even if you are not a hardcore geology person, the coastline reads like a series of scenes.

Some people also noted that the route included a cave sighting during the cruise. That is not something you should assume will happen every time, but it does fit the overall vibe of the Teno coast, where the rock shapes and coves can create surprise moments as the boat passes.

This is also where your camera strategy matters. You’ll want to look for:

• the best cliffline angle from where the boat slows or turns
• bright contrast between the rocks and the water
• any standout points that you can frame quickly without overthinking it

Drinks and included gear: small things that help you feel set

This is one of those tours where the “included” items are actually useful. You get a refreshing drink that can be water, soft drink, or beer, plus snorkeling goggles.

The drink is simple, but it supports the rhythm of the trip. You are not just spending time in the sun and water, you are also back on deck cruising again. A drink included for your mid-trip break helps you keep energy up without leaving the day to chance.

Goggles are one of the biggest practical wins. You do not want to arrive hoping your own gear fits right or works well. Having them provided means you can focus on the water.

What is not included is also important for comfort:

• no towel
• no swimming suit
• no hat
• no sunscreen

Pack these and you’ll feel relaxed rather than stressed.

Price and value: what you’re really paying for at $53

At $53 per person for about 2.5 hours, you are paying for a small-group boat format plus the key add-ons that make snorkeling actually happen. The value is not just the boat ride. It is the whole package: scenery time, Masca beach time, open-sea snorkeling, goggles, and at least one drink.

It also helps that the group is limited to 12 participants. Crowded boats can turn even a great route into constant waiting. A small group keeps the experience moving and gives you room to maneuver for photos, deck time, and switching from sightseeing to swim mode.

There are also insurance elements included: personal accident insurance and civil responsibility insurance. You are not thinking about insurance during the fun part, but it is part of what makes the tour feel professionally run rather than “we’ll figure it out.”

When you compare this kind of experience, watch for tours that sell snorkeling but don’t include goggles, don’t include any drink, or give you too little time at the water. This one checks the boxes that matter for a short day.

The skipper matters: why Nico’s style changes the whole feel

The name Nico comes up for a reason. People describe him as passionate about the ocean and the way he makes the trip feel enjoyable and easy to follow. That matters, because on a short cruise, you do not have time for awkward silence.

It also affects how well the guidance lands while you’re looking at cliffs, coves, and the sea. If you speak English, you should be okay because the tour offers a live guide in Spanish and English. Still, there is a real-world dynamic to consider: if the group is heavily Spanish speaking, question-and-answer moments may happen more often in Spanish. You can still watch, take direction, and enjoy the route, but if you want constant back-and-forth explanations in English, manage expectations.

Bottom line: when the skipper is the right type of guide, the cruise stops feeling like just transportation. It becomes an interpretive walk through ocean scenery.

Who this tour fits best, and who should rethink it

This trip suits you if you want:

• a short, efficient way to see Los Gigantes and the Teno area
• a real swim and snorkeling stop, not just a view from the deck
• a small-group vibe with time for photos and a beach break

It may be less ideal if you:

• get seasick easily, since even a short boat ride can affect you
• expect a long snorkeling session with lots of instruction and extended time in the water
• want a fully private experience, since the boat is maxed at 12 participants

If you are traveling with young children or babies, the tour notes that they can join for free if added when booking to secure a spot. That can help families find a schedule that does not cost a fortune.

Practical planning: what to pack and how to make the most of 2.5 hours

Because the tour includes goggles and some drinks, you can travel light. But you still need the basics.

Pack:

• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Hat
• Passport or ID card

Also, take note of what’s not allowed so you do not show up with items that get you turned away. No smoking, no weapons or sharp objects, no fishing, no feeding animals, no touching marine life, and no speakers. You’re there to enjoy the coast and keep the environment safe.

On the water, keep your plan simple:

• treat snorkeling as a quick window
• be ready to slip in and out efficiently
• keep an eye on your skin if the sun is strong
• bring your camera, but accept that water time comes first

And if you are prone to motion sickness, decide ahead of time what you will do about it. One person reported getting sick, so it is not just a theoretical issue.

Should you book the Los Gigantes to Teno boat trip?

Book it if you want a value-minded Tenerife experience with real variety: cliff sightseeing, a Masca Beach break, and an open-sea snorkeling stop, all in a small-group format. The inclusion of snorkeling goggles and a drink makes it feel more complete than many short cruises.

Skip it or choose something else if snorkeling time is your top priority and you want a long session, or if boats reliably make you feel unwell. In that case, you might prefer a longer tour with more time in the water and more room for pacing.

If you do book, you’re making a smart bet on your limited time: you’ll see the coast from the boat, you’ll spend time where you can actually swim, and you’ll finish back at Puerto Deportivo Los Gigantes ready to keep enjoying Tenerife.

FAQ

How long is the Los Gigantes to Teno boat trip?

It lasts about 2.5 hours total.

Where do we meet for the tour?

You meet at Puerto deportivo Los Gigantes, Pantalán 6, Puesto 2.

Is snorkeling included, and do I get gear?

Yes. The tour includes a stop for a dip and snorkeling, and it provides goggles for snorkeling.

What drinks are included?

A complimentary drink is included, with options like water, soft drink, or beer.

What should I bring?

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

What is the group size?

The boat accommodates a maximum of 12 passengers.

What is the cancellation policy and can I pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you may be able to reserve and pay later depending on availability.