How excursions from Los Gigantes differ
There are three main kinds of trip from the west coast: a boat trip from the harbor, a Masca Gorge descent and a day to Mount Teide. They have little in common apart from the starting area. A boat trip is a two-hour outing from the marina. The gorge is a half-day walk with a bus ride before and a boat ride after. Teide is a long day with a cable car and, if you want the summit, a separate permit.
Masca and the gorge lie in Buenavista del Norte, and the summit of Teide is in La Orotava, so these are trips from Santiago del Teide, not within it. Prices below are single examples as listed in 2026. A published price is not the checkout price for every date, and it does not show free seats on your day.
Trip types compared
What each trip is, where it starts and what is billed separately.
| Trip | Starts | Length | What to budget for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whale and dolphin boat trip | Harbor of Los Gigantes | 2 hours (example) | From €28 per adult in the example listing; sightings are not guaranteed |
| Masca Gorge descent | Santiago del Teide, then bus to Masca | About 4 hours downhill, 5 km | Gorge ticket €40.66, compulsory bus, boat and the way back to Santiago del Teide |
| Masca village visit | Masca | – | Free, no reservation; parking limited to 2 hours |
| Teide cable car | Station at kilometer 43 of the TF-21 | Ride about 8 minutes | From €43 return, another operator page lists €42; timed online slots |
| Teide summit trail (PNT 10) | Top station | – | Permit €15 for visitors from outside the Canary Islands, booked through Tenerife ON |
The cable car and the permit are two separate things. The permit is for the walk from the top station to the summit crater, from 09:00 to 17:00 on trail PNT 10, and children under 14 and residents of Tenerife do not pay. A cable car ticket is not a hiking permit.
Our picks: tours compared
A sailing trip, a Teide, Masca and cliffs day and an evening on Teide.
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.
Teide at sunset and stargazing with dinner
An astronomer, pick-up by bus, photo stops, a three-course dinner with drinks and telescopes are included. A cable car ticket is not listed.
Check availability →
Sailing trip along the cliffs with tapas
Three hours past the cliffs with stops in coves, a drink, tapas, snorkelling gear and a skipper who guides. Bring your own swimwear and towel.
Check availability →
Teide, Masca and Los Gigantes cliffs in one day
Stops in Teide National Park, in Masca and at the Los Gigantes cliffs, with drinks, snacks and an optional swim in a natural pool. A cable car ticket is not listed, and there is no gorge hike.
Check availability →Tours and day trips from Los Gigantes
Boat trips, whale watching and day tours to Masca and Mount Teide, with live prices and availability.
What to check before you book
The wording differs more than the prices do.
What the price covers
Pickup, harbor fees, bus, entry, cable car, summit permit, food and the boat service are listed differently for each product. Read the list of inclusions and exclusions for your trip. Do not assume that a Teide tour includes the cable car.
Masca Gorge costs add up
The gorge ticket, the compulsory bus and the boat to Los Gigantes are separate. Since December 2025 the TITSA bus 355 to Masca is no longer part of the gorge ticket. The operator names buses 325 and 462 for the ride from Los Gigantes back to Santiago del Teide. Plan to be at the bus point at least 1 hour before your booked start.
Masca Gorge →The boat can stop
If the boat service at Masca stops at short notice because of the swell, a descent can end with a climb back up on foot. Only book the gorge if you could do that.
Boat trips →Whale watching rules
Observation boats need an authorization from the Spanish environment ministry (MITECO). The rules ask for at least 60 m distance and at most 30 minutes with the animals. A pilot whale or dolphin sighting can never be promised.
Whale watching →Weather on Teide
The cable car can stop in bad weather, and the operator says it informs guests at about 08:30. The mountain is cold even in summer, so bring layers. Children under 3, pregnant women and people with heart or circulation conditions cannot ride.
Mount Teide →Plan the rest of your trip
Where the tours fit.
Boat trips
Cliffs, Masca Bay and what to expect on board.
Whale watching
Species, rules and why there is no guarantee.
Masca Gorge
Opening, booking, fees and equipment.
Mount Teide
Cable car, permit and the road from Chío.
Getting there
Buses and transfers to Los Gigantes.
Excursions from Los Gigantes: frequently asked questions
Which excursion from Los Gigantes is the best?
That depends on your time and fitness. A boat trip takes about two hours, the Masca Gorge takes a half day and needs good fitness, and Mount Teide is a long day by road. The table above compares types, not individual operators.
How much does a boat trip from Los Gigantes cost?
An example listing from 2 October 2026 shows a 2-hour whale and dolphin trip from €28 per adult. That is one product, not a general tariff.
Do I need to book the Masca Gorge in advance?
Yes. The ticket is personal, online and tied to a date and start time. Bring ID for every person, including children, and your gorge, boat and bus tickets.
Is the cable car ticket enough for the Teide summit?
No. The summit trail PNT 10 needs its own permit. In 2026 it costs €15 for visitors from outside the Canary Islands in the paid time slots. Bookings can be made up to 56 days ahead.
Can I do these trips without a car?
Boat trips start at the harbor, and Masca has bus lines 355 and 365. For Teide, a guided day tour with pickup is the simplest way. Check the pickup point in each listing.