Dolphin Watching Tours in Lanzarote

The Canary Islands are synonymous with the sea. Specifically, there are many things to see and do in Lanzarote, an island of the archipelago of utterly enviable beauty. But, although the island is really beautiful, there is too much you can do directly in the sea... like seeing dolphins. Many of them live around Lanzarote so you can see them on a tour.

That is why I recommend that when you are on the island, do not miss the opportunity to meet the dolphins swimming in their habitat. The Canary Islands is a leader in whale watching tourism and when you see the dolphins, you will understand that it is not a surprise. There are many ways to do it and they will vary according to the type of boat or also according to the excursion you have planned. Read on to find out how and where to see the most beautiful dolphins in Lanzarote.

Let's go dolphin watching! But the best thing is that you do it with the maximum comfort in a reasonable time that allows you to be able to do other things in the day as well. Besides, if you want to see dolphins then you will want to take pictures and for that, it is best to be on a stable boat like a mini-cruise. I guarantee that this is one of the best boat tours you can do in Lanzarote, because it is safe, short and very profitable.

This mini-cruise can leave from Puerto del Carmen, from Playa Blanca which is one of the best beaches in Lanzarote or from different locations in the southeast of the island. As it is a quite small boat, it does not require a big dock and you can stop almost anywhere along the coast. During the one and a half hour trip you will have the opportunity to see the dolphins come out the further you go out to sea and receive the commentary of a guide specialized in cetaceans who will explain the characteristics of the animals you see.

Additionally this is the best trip to take pictures. On this trip, the captains of the mini-cruises usually stop or slow down at the time of the dolphin sighting and being a boat where you can stand or sit without much movement, you will have the perfect opportunity to get the best framing for the dolphin photos.

Practical information

• Location: it usually departs from Puerto del Carmen or Playa Blanca and does not go too far from the coast. You arrive at the same point of departure.
• Price: approximately 30 €.
• Timetable and duration: it is usually taken mid-morning or mid-afternoon and only lasts an hour and a half.

In all the Canary Islands, sunsets are really beautiful, because of the way the sea blends with the sun. Imagine watching a breathtaking sunset while the dolphins swim and you eat a delicious snack. All this can be provided by this sunset dinner cruise option, while you sail around the entire island of Lanzarote next to the dolphins.

This trip usually starts in the town of Puerto del Carmen, from where you board the cruise at about 4 pm if it is winter or 6 pm if it is summer. The idea is to get on during the day and while you are seated enjoying a delicious dinner, the sun goes down. Generally, the tables are arranged very close to the edge of the boat so you can see the dolphins passing around you.

It is a very contemplative trip, because everything is designed for you to see the sunset and the dolphins, plus you can identify different points of the coast of Lanzarote, because it usually goes around the island. After about three hours, the cruise will dock again in Puerto del Carmen, where you can return to your hotel.

Practical information

• Location: departs from Puerto del Carmen and goes around the island of Lanzarote.
• Price: about 50 €.
• Timetable and duration: from 4 pm or 6 pm depending on the season. It usually lasts about three hours

Have you ever thought if it is possible to see dolphins while snorkeling? The island of Lanzarote is here to prove you that yes, because here you can enjoy snorkeling, diving and kayaking activities. This is a mixed plan where you can get on a small boat where you will be taken somewhere to snorkel and hopefully, you will see some dolphins while you are in the water. Afterwards, you can be on the boat and watch the dolphins jumping through the waters of Lanzarote.

It is common for this tour to start after lunch and continue until the lights run out. It is important that there is light because it will be necessary for you to be able to do your snorkeling activities and enjoy the marine fauna to the fullest. If you are patient, you may even get to see some dolphins swimming in the area. You may also have a guide to explain the possible movements of the dolphins, either in the sea or in the boat.

Once you finish snorkeling, you will dry off in the boat and wait to see the most beautiful dolphins of the whole island. The tour is not long at all and in less than two hours you will be back on shore to continue with your activities. It is important that you consult the route, because it is possible that these tours start and end in different places, but always concentrated on the northeast and southeast coast of the island.

Practical information

• Location: they often start from southern beaches, such as Playa Blanca, but can also start and end near Arrecife.
• Price: about 20 €.
• Timetable and duration: no more than two hours. They usually take place in the afternoon, starting at 1 p.m.

Do you want to see the dolphins while moving at almost the same speed as them? Then this is your chance. Many marine excursions are taken from Puerto del Carmen, but you will love this one if you want to see how fast the dolphins go. It is a fast boat with blades like the aliscafo in which you will shake during the whole trip, while you watch the dolphins jump.

If you wonder why this trip will be to your liking, I would tell you that it is because it is the most dynamic of all. In the other excursions the routine is more of contemplation and taking pictures, while here it is standing and having a great time, while with all that movement you can get to see some dolphins. Besides, these boats are fashionable and are the same style as the seaplanes that are becoming popular again in the Canary archipelago.

Keep in mind that it is not the best plan to take pictures and that you will get very, very wet. But I guarantee you will be fascinated and you will laugh like never before, while watching the dolphins in the middle distance. As the boat is going at high speed, it leaves a wake that can scare the dolphins away, so you won't have them so close. In any case, it is a fantastic experience and you can have a great time in a short time, as these tours do not usually last more than an hour.

Practical information

• Location: leaves from Puerto del Carmen and returns there as well.
• Price: about 30 €.
• Timetable and duration: the tour usually lasts about an hour because of the speed it takes, although it may take longer if there are no dolphin sightings.

Not everything has to be done at sea and on a boat: you can also meet dolphins and other animals like sea lions up close and even touch them. For that, in Lanzarote there is a large water park called Rancho Texas Lanzarote Park, located in the southeast of the island. It is a contact park, where you can touch the parades and other species while you learn what their habitat is like and what their different needs are.

The best plan is to go and interact in the morning with the sea lions, really beautiful animals that are worth getting to know closely, and in the afternoon, do the same with the dolphins. In both cases you need to make a reservation in advance, because it is a place where only a few people can interact with the animals, so you can be sure that it will not be a massive event.

In this case, it is one of the ideal activities to do with children in Lanzarote, because children from eight years of age accompanied by their representative can participate and interact with the animals. Rancho Texas Lanzarote will provide you with free transportation to and from the site and will also provide you with a wetsuit so you can be comfortable in the water while you meet the animals. Remember to always be attentive to the caretakers' instructions about the animals' behavior and how to treat them.

Practical information

• Location: in the vicinity of Puerto del Carmen, southeast of the island. There is free transport to and from Puerto del Carmen, Costa Teguise and Playa Blanca.
• Price: about 50 € each swim with the animals, so both lions and dolphins would cost about 100 €.
• Schedule and duration: about half an hour each contact with the animals. It is usually done in two separate shifts. The park opens between 9:30 am and 5:30 pm.

Traveller Tip
If you go with children, it is important that they know how to swim. Although children as young as 8 years old are accepted in the company of their representative, remember that you are with animals and you need to have some dexterity while swimming with them.

Although there are seven main islands in the Canary Islands, there are a few islets in the surroundings that are worth visiting and even more if the excuse is to see dolphins. The islet of Lobos stands as a protected natural area that extends throughout its six square kilometers, quite deserted. If you are looking for an excursionfrom Lanzarote to Fuerteventura then maybe this one will suit you because the islet of Lobos is right next to Fuerteventura and that is where you will be able to see the dolphins at their maximum extent.

On the route that goes between Lanzarote and the natural park of the islet of Lobos, you will see a kind of route where the dolphins constantly come out to breathe and you will love to take pictures when they do. But it is also a beautiful tour because you will get to know the Canary Sea, plus you will have a guide specialized in cetaceans and marine wildlife in general who will be able to clarify your doubts throughout the tour.

Taking into account round trip, this is a long excursion that exceeds five hours. If you are lucky, apart from the dolphins, you will be able to see some whales wandering around the area. Once you are at Lobos islet, you can take a half hour tour and have a snack that is included in the excursion package. This islet is magnificent for you to identify the best marine fauna with your binoculars or camera.

Practical information

• Location: departure from Puerto del Carmen in Lanzarote to the islet of Lobos.
• Price: about 50 € per person
• Time and duration: in total, the tour lasts about five hours. On the islet of Lobos you will spend between half an hour and 45 minutes. It is preferred to start this tour mid-morning or just after lunch, to do it entirely during the day.

What types of dolphins and cetaceans can be seen in Lanzarote?

Cetaceans are really phenomenal and in the coasts of Lanzarote you can see an important variety of them. Specifically in dolphins, the ones that circulate the most in these waters are the common dolphin and the common dolphin. The one that stands out the most is the bottlenose dolphin, which is considered a resident species, because it circulates in the same area during its life. It is a large dolphin, gray in color and whose beak is quite separate from the rest of the body.

The other dolphin is the common dolphin, smaller in size, but usually seen closer to the coasts of the island. To them we must add the occasional presence of other dolphins such as rough-toothed dolphins or striped dolphins, who appear occasionally and according to the season.

But in the world of cetaceans there is a lot of variety, because in the coasts of Lanzarote the sperm whale and the pilot whale are frequently seen. The sperm whale is truly impressive, because it is a protected species that can measure up to 20 meters long and is an important fish predator.

The pilot whale is a small whale, also known as pilot whale, which is threatened by illegal fishing. Because of their black color you will surely see them on your whale watching excursions.

What do you need to see dolphins in Lanzarote?

Actually, the first thing you need is to like dolphins. If you really love this animal, then get ready to enjoy one of the best experiences of your life. But keep in mind that you need to protect yourself from the sun with a good sunscreen. Also, you should know how to swim a little bit and it is always advisable to be with a guide specialized in cetaceans. In all these cases, it is necessary to hire an excursion that will take you step by step and that can be one of the best day tours from Lanzarote.

If you are going to swim with dolphins, you must know how to swim well and be complying with every order that the dolphin keeper will give you. For snorkeling, I always advise you to go in a group with an expert, especially if you are not used to breathing. If you want to see the dolphins, you also need to have some patience, because they are not always the first to arrive. Also note that most dolphin tours depart from Puerto del Carmen, so you can look there if you want an excursion.

Also, sometimes and depending on the season you will need a wetsuit to protect you from the cold and other animals that can hurt you once you are in the sea. Its use may be optional, but I advise you to use it if temperatures are low. Finally, don't forget your camera, but make sure it is waterproof or has a waterproof protector.

What do you need to know if this is the first time you see dolphins in Lanzarote?

You have never swam with dolphins? No problem, because there are many like you every day in Lanzarote. To see dolphins you don't need any previous preparation and to swim with them you don't have to be a specialist. To begin with, the first thing you should know is that dolphins are cetacean animals that swim and come to the surface constantly, so you can see them while they do that process, but it will be difficult to see them from another perspective.

In Lanzarote is in Rancho Texas park where you can swim and interact with dolphins and other species of marine wildlife, so if you want a closer experience in your first time seeing dolphins, I recommend you to go for that one. But keep in mind that if you see them in the sea, the dolphins go very fast, so you must be very attentive, especially if you want to take good pictures.

Also, it is important to know that in the whole area surrounding the islands of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura there is a significant presence of dolphins. If you are in this area for the first time seeing dolphins, you will notice how several of the excursions take into account the entire coastline of the island, bordering it, so you can identify the sites for the best hiking trails in Lanzarote and even going a little deeper to make more effective sightings.