Dolphin Watching Tours in Gran Canaria

Among the best things to do in Gran Canaria are the options to see dolphins. These beloved and friendly animals have stolen the hearts of many people and if you are one of them, Gran Canaria is the ideal destination to see them. Besides that, all the options that include dolphin watching have some other interesting activity for you to enjoy your vacation.

You can swim and spend a nice day at the beach, snorkel or scuba dive. In case you are not a fan of these sports, you can always choose the more relaxed option that consists only of a ride in the sea and dolphin watching. These trips are usually done in yachts or very comfortable boats that may or may not include lunch or snacks. Do you like the idea? What are you waiting for to go to Gran Canaria?

The sea, a cruise and dolphin and humpback whale watching is the perfect combination for a morning or afternoon in Gran Canaria. From Puerto Rico beach it is possible to take a boat trip around the island for at least two hours to see the marine fauna. For an average cost of 40 € you will spend a pleasant afternoon under the sun and with the smell of the sea.

In this type of catamaran cruises you can be above or below deck. Choose a comfortable place for you and your companions. You can also buy a snack or a non-alcoholic beverage of your choice, but most often on these cruises you will receive a complimentary drink.

In addition to seeing the dolphins and whales, you will be able to see the fauna and flora of the sea thanks to the clarity of the water. For your convenience, these cruises often include pick-up and drop-off service to and from your hotel. However, this depends on the area where you are staying, so it is best to confirm this information before booking.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 40 €.
• Duration: about 2 hours.
• Means of transport: catamaran.
• Advantages of this option: this activity only includes the sighting of the cetaceans at sea, so you can make time to dedicate to other activities one by one.
• Disadvantages of this option: if you will be in Gran Canaria for a short time, this may not be the best option as you can get mixed excursions that include more activities and more fun. Choose the one that best suits you and your time.

If you like the idea of seeing cetacean animals like dolphins and whales from the sea, but you also like comfort, this is a perfect plan for you. Get on a very comfortable luxury yacht where you can stay for four hours enjoying the atmosphere and the view. The average cost of this experience is 75 €.

Normally in these trips only board a maximum of ten people, so it is an almost personal and private experience. Some people even prefer to charter the yacht to travel in a more exclusive way. These yachts also include a typical Canarian lunch and drinks for all travelers.

In addition to all these services, during the trip there will be stops at some beaches and cliffs of Gran Canaria. In this way the four hours of the trip will be more entertaining and you will get to know more places where you can relax in Playa del Inglés. Like other similar tours, the companies may or may not include the transportation service to and from the hotel.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 75 €.
• Duration: about 4 hours.
• Means of transportation: modern yacht.
• Advantages of this option: you will be able to enjoy a luxury yacht with all the comforts and a lunch included. This way you won't have to worry about anything else but enjoying your day at sea.
• Disadvantages of this option: the food served during lunch is usually fish or seafood. If you are allergic it is best to talk to the organizers before boarding to make sure they have other options or can prepare a lunch for you.

If you want to see the dolphins a little closer and also enjoy the sea, I recommend an adventure that includes a snorkeling stop. For this you will go on a boat with a small group in the southern part of the island. There your guide will take you to an ideal area for snorkeling and hopefully you will be able to see dolphins while you are in the water. This experience lasts on average three hours and has an average cost of 40 €.

This activity is usually done during the day, as sunlight is important for you to see the marine animals and enjoy the activity. I recommend that you book your experience for after breakfast or after lunch. Please note that the price of the activity does not include food, maybe just water and some snacks.

What is included is all the equipment for snorkeling. Your guide will provide you with a mask similar to those used by divers, along with a snorkel and will give you tips on how to snorkel. You should also wear special fins that will help you swim better. Make sure all the equipment fits you well, not too tight and not too loose. With all this you will be ready to enjoy the bottom of the sea.

When you are done exploring the sea, you can get on the boat, dry off and make yourself comfortable. At this time you will be able to sit and watch the dolphins that usually show up and jump in the water at various times of the day. If you have an underwater camera I recommend that you carry it with you at all times, so don't miss the opportunity to photograph these adorable animals!

Traveller Tip
For this adventure it is recommended that you bring your own towel, a change of clothes and sunscreen. All this will help you to be more comfortable and enjoy your trip to the fullest. On the other hand I recommend you to be very friendly with the marine life you encounter, try not to disturb their habitat and just appreciate their beauty.

Details of interest

• Price: around 40 €.
• Duration: approximately 3 hours.
• Means of transportation: modern yacht.
• Advantages of this option: with this option you will be able to snorkel and get to know many more species and marine flora, besides seeing the dolphins that are usually seen on the surface.
• Disadvantages of this option: if you do not know how to swim it is not recommended that you do this excursion.

In case you want to combine two attractions in one experience, you will surely like this plan. You can go on a boat to see the dolphins and whales and then see the weekly flea market in Puerto de Mogán. This experience has an average duration of six hours and costs approximately 40 €.

The first part of this excursion is the boat ride to see the marine animals. After about three hours, it will be time to return to the coast. You will pass through the fishing village of Mogán, the little Venice of Gran Canaria. There you can go to the weekly flea market and browse all the stalls in search of something you want to treasure.

The time in the market and in the streets of the village will take about three hours. After the tour it will be time to return to your hotel. This type of excursion usually includes a bus ride back to your hotel. If you want to continue getting to know Gran Canaria, I recommend taking a Hop on Hop off Bus Tour around the island, so you will see more sites and get the most out of your vacation.

Interesting details

• Price: around 40 €.
• Duration: approximately 6 hours.
• Means of transport: boat.
• Advantages of this option: besides watching the dolphins in their natural habitat, you can go to a peculiar flea market and take some souvenirs from this place. You can even buy a bathing suit in case you have not been able to bring your own. This will prepare you for a day at the beach.
• Disadvantages of this option: if you are not interested in the market tour, you can choose an option that only includes dolphin watching.

A day at sea is not complete without a swim at a dream beach in Gran Canaria. There are dolphin watching excursions that include a swim at the beach so you can enjoy all that nature has to offer. This catamaran excursion has an average duration of four hours and an approximate cost of 50 €.

When boarding the catamaran you should make yourself comfortable and wait for the dolphins and whales to appear in the sea. Although Gran Canaria is an area where these marine animals are usually seen, sometimes it can take a while for them to appear. The best thing to do is to be patient and wait for them to appear.

After a while the captain will take you and the rest of the passengers to the coast to enjoy the beach. Once there you can enjoy the sun, sand and sea. Remember to bring your sunscreen (which you should use even in your day to day life), your swimsuit and the rest of the things you think you need for a day at the beach.

While on the beach you will enjoy a small snack included in the price you paid for the whole experience. When the time is over, it will be time to return to your hotel or continue with your vacation in Gran Canaria.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 50 €.
• Duration: about 3 hours.
• Means of transport: catamaran.
• Advantages of this option: besides seeing the dolphins while you are on the catamaran, you can go to an exclusive beach and enjoy the sun and the sea.
• Disadvantages of this option: it does not usually include transfer to the hotel, since the tour starts and ends on the coast.

Diving is an exciting activity for many tourists, especially in Gran Canaria, one of the best places to dive in Spain. If you add to that a dolphin sighting it will be even better. In this mixed activity you can go by boat to a special spot to dive and then see these marine mammals. The experience usually lasts about four hours and has an average cost of 90 €.

After boarding a boat in Puerto de Mogán or at another point in the south of the island, you will go to a special spot to dive. I recommend that you talk to the guides and explain your level of experience, as there are activities for beginners and for experts. In any case, you will have the opportunity to dive in the sea of Gran Canaria.

Explore as much as you can with the help of your guide. After that part of the activity is over, you can come up, take off the wetsuit provided and dry off. Then you will be comfortable enough to watch the dolphins from the boat for a while longer. Some people get to see them while diving and it is an unforgettable experience, would you like to live it?

When all the activities are finished it will be time to return to the starting point. Ask your guides if they include the transfer service to your hotel. In any case you can always ask for a cab to return. If you want to continue exploring and enjoying your vacation, I recommend you to take a tour or expedition from Gran Canaria and continue exploring this island.

Interesting details

• Price: around 90 €.
• Duration: approximately 3 hours.
• Means of transport: small boat.
• Advantages of this option: you will be able to practice a different sport and get to know the bottom of the sea, besides seeing the dolphins.
• Disadvantages of this option: if you are afraid of the bottom of the sea or do not know how to swim, this is not the most recommendable activity for you.

One of the most important tips to see the dolphins in Gran Canaria is to take into account the location. Make sure that your trip is always towards the south of the island, as there are more chances to see them in that area. If you look closely, all the excursions that I mentioned start from Puerto de Mogán, Puerto Rico beach and its surroundings.

Although dolphins can be seen every day of the year, it is best to go during the winter or spring, so if you travel to Gran Canaria in December, this is one of the activities that you can include in your itinerary. These seasons represent the migratory period of cetaceans, so you will have more chances to see them at sea.

However, keep in mind that sometimes you just don't have good luck and you may not see them. This does not depend on the guide, the boat or catamaran you are traveling on. Some companies make it clear that if you don't get to see the dolphins, they will refund your money or repeat the trip. Before buying a trip, be sure to ask if this option is valid.

On the other hand, on these excursions it is important that you prepare yourself as if you were going to the beach. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes that you can get wet without any problem. Also remember to bring your sunscreen, sunglasses and if possible a hat. All precautions to protect your skin are important.

Gran Canaria is a privileged place to see not only dolphins, but any variety of cetaceans. Being an island, its beaches and harbors are prepared to take tourists out to sea. The professional guides know which are the areas where you are most likely to see these animals.

The flora and fauna that can be found on this island is very nice to see and is another attraction of the boat trips and dolphin watching. With activities that include snorkeling and diving it is easier to see them.

On the other hand, Gran Canaria has many recreational areas that allow you to do other activities such as going to the beach, walking through the villages, among others. As it is a popular tourist destination, it is easy to get packages that include a full day, drinks, snacks and even lunch.

In the waters surrounding Gran Canaria several species of dolphins can be seen. These include the Bryde's whale, sperm whales, common dolphins, pilot whales, spotted dolphins and bottlenose dolphins, among others. These species can be found in this area, as they find numerous small fish, the ideal food for the dolphins.

If you want to see all the species, I recommend that you take an excursion with a specialized guide, but you may have to go further east, in the direction of Lanzarote. This way when you can see them, the guide will tell you what species they are and maybe explain a little more about their nature. If you travel with children it will be an entertaining and at the same time educational experience for them and for the whole family.