Los Gigantes at a glance
Los Gigantes sits in the municipality of Santiago del Teide, next to Puerto de Santiago. The town is built on the slope above a small marina, and the cliffs rise directly behind it. The tourism board places them in the Teno Rural Park. Most visitors come for the cliffs, the harbor, boat trips and whale watching, and for a base from which Masca and Teide are within reach.
The main thing to know is that the harbor is the point where almost everything starts. The whale watching boats leave from the marina, and so do the sightseeing trips along the cliffs. Masca and Mount Teide are trips from here, but they are not part of the municipality: Masca belongs to Buenavista del Norte and the Teide summit to La Orotava.
Los Gigantes cliffs
The Acantilados de los Gigantes are the reason people come here. The official tourism page gives a height of up to 600 m above the sea in places. The seabed at the foot of the cliffs is about 30 m deep.
Archipenque is named by Turismo de Tenerife as a viewpoint over the cliff area. From the water you see the wall from below, which is what the boat trips are for. In the evening the low sun lights up the wall.
See the cliffs from the water on a boat trip, or look for dolphins and pilot whales on a whale watching tour.
Our picks: from Los Gigantes harbour
Whale watching under sail, a cliffs cruise and a kayak trip, all starting at the harbour.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Whale watching cruise by sailboat
Three hours under sail with swimming and snorkelling, fruit, sandwiches, drinks and snorkelling gear.
Check availability →
Kayak, snorkel and boat tour to Masca Bay
A support boat with a skipper, kayak, paddle, life jacket, mask, one drink, a briefing, shower, towel and a locker are included, plus insurance.
Check availability →
Los Gigantes cliffs cruise with whale and dolphin search
A two-hour boat trip along the cliffs with a swim stop and one drink. Whale and dolphin sightings depend on the weather.
Check availability →Boat trips and tours from Los Gigantes
Whale watching, boat trips along the cliffs and day tours to Masca and Mount Teide, with live prices and availability.
The marina
The marina is the departure point for whale watching boats, according to the municipal overview of the tourism board. It is small and easy to walk. Parking rates and harbor fees can change, so ask on site, and consider arriving on foot or by bus 477.
An example listing from 2 October 2026 shows a two-hour whale and dolphin trip from Los Gigantes starting at €28 per adult. That is one product, not a general tariff. Prices on other trips and days differ.
The beach: Playa de los Guíos
The beach below the cliffs is Playa de los Guíos, a black sand beach next to the marina. English-language sites also call it Los Gigantes Beach. It is the same beach. It is open to visitors.
Rockfall is a real issue under cliffs of this size. The national bathing-water report records that the beach was closed for rockfall from 11 September 2023 to the end of that season. Obey signs and flags, and do not sit right at the base of the rock face. Water quality is checked separately by the Canary health service, which links to the NÁYADE bathing-water system.
La Arena and Los Guíos were confirmed with the Q de Calidad quality mark in July 2025. That is not a Blue Flag. For a larger beach with toilets and showers, see Playa de la Arena, and for the other beaches nearby, the beaches page.
Getting around
Buses and roads between Los Gigantes and the rest of the coast.
By bus along the coast
TITSA line 477 runs via the TF-1 and TF-46, Playa San Juan, Alcalá and Puerto de Santiago to Los Gigantes, with separate timetables for weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Line 473 is a slower coastal alternative from Los Cristianos via Costa Adeje.
Getting there →From the airport
Take line 040 from Tenerife South Airport to Costa Adeje, then line 477. TITSA lists 40 and 50 minutes of ride time, so plan about 90 minutes plus the change.
Tourist passes
TITSA sells a €10 day pass, valid 24 hours from first use, and a €50 pass for 7 days (2026). A physical card costs €2 extra.
By car to the mountains
For Mount Teide the road leads through Chío on the TF-38 and then the TF-21, about 52 km. For Masca, the TF-436 is the access road, and checks are possible on it.
Masca →Plan the rest of your trip
What is nearby.
Los Gigantes: frequently asked questions
Is Los Gigantes the same as Puerto de Santiago?
No. They are neighboring places in the same municipality. Los Gigantes has the cliffs and the marina, and Puerto de Santiago has its own fishing harbor and a small town beach. Bus 477 links them.
How high are the Los Gigantes cliffs?
The tourism board gives up to 600 m above the sea in places.
Is Los Gigantes Beach the same as Playa de los Guíos?
Yes. Los Gigantes Beach and Playa de los Guíos are the same beach, a black sand beach below the cliffs next to the marina.
Where do the whale watching boats leave from?
From the marina of Los Gigantes. Check the meeting point on your booking. See the whale watching page for the rules and what to expect.
Is it better to stay in Los Gigantes or Puerto de Santiago?
It depends on what you want. Los Gigantes is next to the marina and the cliffs, and Puerto de Santiago has the promenade and fishing harbor. Both are served by bus 477. The where to stay page compares them.