Los Gigantes Anchorage Guide
Also known as: Acantilados de Los Gigantes, Los Gigantes cliffs
Los Gigantes (The Giants) anchorage is one of the most dramatic in Europe — you anchor in the shadow of 800m vertical volcanic cliffs, the tallest sea cliffs in Spain. The anchorage itself is straightforward in the dominant NE trades but the cliff creates strong turbulent gusts off its face. The small marina has a whale and dolphin watching fleet — the bay is one of the best places in Europe to see pilot whales year-round. The rocky-sand bottom is workable with a good anchor. Despite the drama of the surroundings, this is an exposed anchorage in W conditions.
Quick Reference
GPS Coordinates
28°14.8'N 016°50.3'W
Depth
6–15m
Bottom
sand, rock
Holding
Good HoldingProtected From
E, NE, SE, N
Exposed To
W, SW, NW
Best Months
March, April, May, September, October, November
Anchoring Fee
Free
Mooring Buoys
None
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
100m for the deeper outer anchorage at 8–15m. Sandy patches give good hold — rocky areas poor. Monitor W swell indicator carefully overnight.
Set this in Safety Anchor Alarm — FreeThe Anchorage
Anchor in 6–12m in the bay N of the marina breakwater. The bottom is a mix of sand and broken rock — the sandy areas are identifiable and give good holding. The sheer 800m cliffs of Los Gigantes to the N create a dramatic wind shadow but also cause turbulent gusts in NE trades — gusts off the cliff face can be double the true wind speed. Open to the W. The bay is deep quickly — water shoals gradually from 15m to 6m approaching the beach.
Setting Your Anchor
The bottom at Los Gigantes is primarily sand and rock with reliable holding when properly set.
- Approach slowly — at 6–15m, deploy minimum 7:1 scope (105m chain at 15m depth).
- Drop into the wind or current and pay out chain steadily.
- Set firmly in reverse — 30–60 seconds moderate throttle astern.
- Take a GPS bearing — note position once set and confirm adequate chain.
Recommended anchor types: SPADE, Rocna, Mantus.
Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm
Overnight stays at Los Gigantes are feasible but require monitoring — exposed to W and SW and NW winds and swell.
Set your GPS anchor alarm to 100m radius before going below. 100m for the deeper outer anchorage at 8–15m. Sandy patches give good hold — rocky areas poor. Monitor W swell indicator carefully overnight.
Year-round. NE trade winds consistent. Winter W swells (October–February) can make the anchorage untenable for days at a time.
Navigation Hazards
- Turbulent gusts off the 800m cliff face — can double in strength
- Mixed sand/rock bottom — poor holding in rocky areas
- Open to W swell — not suitable in W/SW conditions
- Rock fall zone directly under the cliff face
Rules & Regulations
- Anchoring fee: Free
- Key restrictions: Speed limit 3 kt near the cliffs. No anchoring within 200m of the cliff base (rock fall hazard). Whale watching exclusion zone — do not motor close to whale pods.
Facilities
- Fresh water: Available
- Fuel: Available
- Restaurant: Several restaurants on the marina front. Good seafood.
- Provisions: Available
Skipper's Tips
- Take the whale/dolphin watching trip from the marina — pilot whales resident year-round here.
- The cliff walk above Los Gigantes village offers the best aerial view of your anchorage.
- In W swell, motor 8nm S to Playa de la Américas area for shelter.
A note on this guide: Data researched from multiple sailing sources and provided in good faith. Always check current weather, AEMET forecasts, and VHF weather bulletins before visiting. Use a GPS anchor alarm and never rely solely on a guide for navigational decisions.
Sleep peacefully at Los Gigantes
Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously — essential in the Canaries where trade wind chop can make a comfortable anchorage suddenly uncomfortable.
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