The coast of Los Gigantes draws people for its volcanic seabeds, deep water and marine landscapes. To enjoy it properly, it helps to separate simple snorkelling, a try dive and outings for people with experience.
Snorkelling
The most accessible plan, always subject to the sea, visibility and the authorised area.
Try dive
Ask about the real duration, the briefing, the instructor, insurance, equipment included and health requirements.
Certified diving
Confirm the level required, the depth, the entry point and the centre’s logistics.
Safety
Do not improvise on your own if you do not know the area. The Atlantic changes fast.
See the listing See activities
Choosing the right underwater experience
Snorkelling and diving are not the same plan
Snorkelling happens at the surface, but it still depends on swell, current, how you get into the water and supervision. Diving adds equipment, training, depth and health requirements. Decide on your experience and how comfortable you are in the sea, not on the promotional photograph.
Anyone who does not know the area should choose a guided activity and be honest about how well they swim.
Try dive or certified dive
For a try dive, ask about the briefing, the instructor-to-participant ratio, the planned depth and the actual time in the water. If you are already certified, confirm the level required, the paperwork, your last dive and the characteristics of the site.
Do not book an advanced dive to keep someone company if you do not meet the experience or fitness requirements. The centre should be able to offer an alternative.
Centre, insurance and equipment
Check the operator’s credentials, insurance, the professionals in charge, maintenance and what equipment is included. Give your size in advance and try mask, wetsuit and fins before setting out. A poor fit affects both comfort and safety.
Ask about transfer, changing rooms, storage and the policy if a piece of kit does not suit you. Compare the price alongside these services.
Sea conditions and visibility
Visibility varies and should never be promised as a fixed value. The guide weighs wind, swell, current and boat traffic to keep or change the site. Respect any cancellation and do not go into a discarded area on your own.
For snorkelling from the shore, look at the flag and the access points. Never go far out alone or rely solely on a flotation device.
Health and preparation
Read the medical questionnaire carefully and consult a professional where appropriate. Do not hide conditions, medication or feeling unwell just to avoid losing a booking. Rest, hydrate and avoid alcohol before the activity.
Follow the instructions about flights, altitude and activities after diving. Those decisions have to be based on training and professional advice, not on a travel guide.
Looking after the seabed and wildlife
Control your buoyancy, do not touch marine life and do not feed animals. Keep your distance, avoid resting equipment on the bottom and collect any rubbish the guide indicates is safe to pick up. Good observation does not require chasing wildlife.
When snorkelling, use reef-compatible sun protection where possible and avoid standing on rocky entries covered in life. Follow the routes the operator sets.
Logistics in Los Gigantes
Confirm whether you go in from the shore or from a boat, the meeting point and the check-in time. Add a margin for parking and carrying equipment. Ask whether the centre provides transfer from its premises.
After diving, leave time to rest and eat without rushing. Do not follow it with a demanding road or a physical route without considering how the group is feeling.
Questions for comparing centres
Ask about staff certifications, insurance, maximum group size, equipment included, the dive site, the expected time and the cancellation protocol. Certified divers should ask about depth, current and the minimum experience required.
A clear answer tailored to your level is a more useful signal than a generic description. Do not pay until you understand how much of the time is preparation, transfer and actual time in the water.
A fallback if you do not get in the water
Book early in your stay so you can move to another day. If the sea forces a cancellation, visit the viewpoints, the marina and Playa de Los Guíos without swimming, or use the day to get to know Puerto de Santiago.
Do not replace a cancelled dive with unsupervised snorkelling somewhere else. The same conditions can affect the whole coast.
Decide on experience, not on price
Compare supervision, equipment, insurance, logistics and how well the activity fits your level. Fewer participants or a fuller briefing can justify a difference in price. Be wary of explanations that play down health requirements or the state of the sea.
If you do not feel ready, choose a guided surface experience or an activity on land. There is no obligation to get in the water to enjoy the landscape.