Kayaking in Los Gigantes: cliffs & snorkeling

Sea kayaking beneath the Los Gigantes cliffs is one of the most exhilarating ocean adventures in the Canary Islands. These gargantuan dark basalt sea ramparts, christened by indigenous Guanches as the Wall of Hell, plunge vertically into the Atlantic Ocean from dizzying heights of up to 600 metres. Paddling right at water level magnifies their immense geological scale and imparts a profound sense of wilderness.

Tours set off from Los Gigantes marina in Santiago del Teide. Located on Tenerife's sheltered south-west coast, inshore waters are protected from prevailing trade winds by the high mountain bulk of the Teno massif, creating glassy seas ideal for sit-on-top sea kayaks.

The classic paddle: Los Gigantes to Barranco Seco

The standard kayaking route departs from the marina mouth and heads north hugging the cliff base. As modern harbour sounds fade, only the rhythmic splash of paddles and calls of nesting seabirds echo off basalt walls.

1. Departure from the Marina Km 0 · Lifejackets and briefing

   Fitted with buoyant life vests, asymmetric paddles and waterproof drybags. Initial paddle strokes reveal the vast cliff wall rising directly from the sea.

2. Tancón Cave and Sea Blowholes Km 1 · Volcanic marine caves

   Paddling past surge caverns hollowed out by ancient winter swells. Kayakers maintain a safe buffer from the rock face to avoid clapotis wave bounce.

3. Barranco Seco Cove Km 3 · Rest and snorkeling stop

   An untouched black pebble cove completely inaccessible by land except via technical rock climbing. Crystal-clear turquoise waters provide the ideal spot to anchor kayaks and snorkel.

Marine fauna and snorkeling reefs

Submarine reefs skirting the cliffs plummet into deep water just off the rocky shoreline. The blend of volcanic shelves and black sand pockets supports abundant marine life:

• Bottlenose dolphin encounters: Inquisitive coastal dolphins frequently patrol these rich waters, occasionally swimming close to kayaking groups.
• Canarian reef species: Snorkeling in Barranco Seco reveals parrotfish (viejas), wrasses, bream and long-spined sea urchins clinging to basalt shelves.
• Sea turtles: Sheltered bays provide feeding grounds for loggerhead and green sea turtles surfacing to breathe among volcanic reefs.

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Sea conditions and kayak safety

• Optimal departure timing: Always schedule morning tours between 09:30 and 11:00 AM. In the afternoon, thermal sea breezes pick up, increasing resistance on the return paddle.
• Safe cliff clearance: Maintain a margin of 15 to 20 metres from cliff faces to prevent hazards from small rockfall or shoreline backwash waves.
• Sit-on-top self-draining kayaks: Stable unsinkable models ensure complete peace of mind; in the rare event of a capsize, climbing back on board is effortless.
• Sun protection: Water reflections magnify UV radiation. Wear long-sleeved rash vests, a securely fastened hat and coral-safe biodegradable sunscreen.