Puerto del Carmen: Dolphin-Watching Speedboat Tour with Swim

Wild dolphins can turn a short boat trip into a big memory. This 1.5-hour outing from Puerto del Carmen combines a fast ride along Lanzarote’s southeast coast with a search for dolphins, whales, turtles, and other sea life. I like the low, open boat, which can give you a close view of animals beside the hull, and I like the chance to jump straight into the Atlantic for a swim. The main catch is simple: wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.

The crew adds real value. Guides speak Spanish, English, and French, and past trips have included funny, friendly commentary, binoculars for children, and helpful efforts to give everyone a look when dolphins appear. If no animals show up, you still get a brisk ride, sea views, and a swimming stop, but anyone booking only for dolphins should keep expectations sensible.

Key things to know before booking

• Dolphins are the main event, but not guaranteed: Some outings find large pods quickly, while others see nothing, or perhaps a turtle or whale.
• The boat is low enough for close views: This helps you watch dolphins near the water rather than from a high passenger deck.
• The swim comes from the boat: You can cool off in clear Atlantic water, but bring your own towel and swimwear.
• The ride can be lively: Fast turns and waves make the trip fun, though the sea may feel rough for some passengers.
• The crew gets strong praise: Guides such as Teddy, Carlos, Elsa, and others have been described as warm, funny, and attentive.
• At $41 per person, it is good value: The price covers the boat ride, wildlife search, commentary, and swim, with no food or snorkeling equipment included.

Leaving from Puerto del Carmen Marina

You meet at the Lanzarote Sea Tours office, next to the petrol station and roundabout. The location is practical, but allow time to find the office and get clear about where to queue. One person who arrived for an earlier trip found the starting arrangements a little unclear, so it is worth asking staff which boat and boarding point you need.

Before departure, the crew gives a short safety briefing. This matters because the boat is fast and open, and the Atlantic can change from calm to bouncy quickly. Wear comfortable clothes and footwear, and bring a light warm layer even on a sunny day. Wind on the water can feel much cooler than the marina.

The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users. Families are welcome, and several outings have worked well for children, including one where the crew handed binoculars to kids so they could help search for dolphins. If you are bringing a very young child, keep in mind that this is a speedboat rather than a slow, steady sightseeing vessel.

A fast run along Lanzarote’s southeast coast

Once the boat leaves Puerto del Carmen, the trip becomes part wildlife search and part sea ride. You get broad views back toward Lanzarote’s coast while the crew scans the water. The speed adds energy, especially when waves make the boat bounce on the return to shore.

That speed is one of the tour’s pleasures, but it also shapes the experience. You are not sitting in a quiet cabin with a fixed view. You may feel spray, wind, and movement. Some passengers love the lively ride, while anyone prone to seasickness should think carefully before booking.

The boat’s low profile is a real advantage for animal watching. When dolphins appear, you are closer to the waterline, so you may see them swimming alongside the boat or surfacing near the bow. The crew has also moved children toward better viewing spots when possible, and one group was offered a makeshift rear seat after the original position blocked the view.

Do not expect every seat to offer the same sight line. If seeing wildlife is your top priority, listen to the crew and move when they invite you. Keep your eyes moving across the water, too. Dolphins can appear suddenly and vanish just as quickly.

Searching for dolphins, whales, and other sea life

The crew uses binoculars and experience to scan for marine life. The search can produce anything from a brief glimpse to a remarkable encounter with a large pod. Recorded outings have included Atlantic spotted dolphins, pilot whales, Bryde’s whales, turtles, and dolphins with young calves.

Some of the most memorable sightings have involved dolphins staying near the boat for around 20 minutes, swimming alongside it, or jumping repeatedly as they fed. Other trips found hundreds of dolphins on the way back to Puerto del Carmen. A large group of pilot whales has also been spotted, which shows that the search is not limited to one species.

Still, you might see no marine life at all. That is not a flaw unique to this outing. These are free-ranging animals, not performers waiting for a scheduled appearance. Several passengers who saw nothing still enjoyed the ride, the coastline, and the swim. That is why I would treat the dolphins as a wonderful bonus rather than the only reason to go.

The live commentary makes the search more worthwhile. The guide explains the species you encounter and adds technical and historical information about the area and cetaceans. The tone appears relaxed rather than formal, with guides often mixing useful facts and humor. Carlos has been praised for speaking several languages, while Teddy was described as welcoming, funny, and well informed. Elsa was remembered for being kind and helpful.

The crew’s attitude toward wildlife also matters. One account described the captain as careful and respectful, allowing dolphins to approach voluntarily rather than chasing them aggressively. That is the right way to see animals in the open sea.

The swimming stop in clear Atlantic water

After the wildlife search, the boat stops for swimming. You can jump into the sea from the back of the boat and enjoy a few minutes in the clear Atlantic water. For many passengers, this is the highlight even when no dolphins appear.

The swim gives the 1.5-hour trip a useful second purpose. You are not spending the whole time sitting and scanning the horizon. On a hot Lanzarote day, getting into the water feels like a proper refreshment stop, especially after the wind and sun on the boat.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a warm layer for afterward. There is no food, drink, or snorkeling equipment included, so pack what you need. The tour description does not promise snorkeling, and the swim is best understood as a chance to cool off rather than a guided underwater activity.

Pay attention to the crew before entering the water. One passenger specifically warned that the current can be strong and advised staying close to the boat. You should be a confident swimmer and follow instructions. The swim may not suit everyone in your group, and nobody needs to enter the water to enjoy the boat ride.

The stop can also be affected by the wildlife search. One outing skipped swimming because the boat had found so many dolphins. That is a fair trade for a memorable encounter, but it means you should not assume the swim will happen at exactly the same point on every departure.

What the crew does well

The strongest part of this experience is the human side. The crew is repeatedly described as friendly, funny, energetic, and accommodating. That makes a difference on a short tour, where a quiet or distracted guide could leave you feeling that the trip passed without much purpose.

The guides also work hard to include families. Children have received binoculars, and staff have helped younger passengers reach better viewing positions. One family with a three-year-old felt safe throughout the trip, with the child seated and able to move around the boat.

Language support is another practical strength. The tour is offered in Spanish, English, and French. The exact guide varies, but the named crew members in past outings include Carlos, Elsa, and Teddy. The mix of commentary, jokes, species information, and occasional sea shanties keeps the atmosphere informal.

This is not a private charter. You share the boat with other passengers, and viewing space may become competitive when animals appear. The crew’s effort to rotate people or move children helps, but you should still be ready to pay attention and take your chance when the captain finds something.

Is $41 good value for 90 minutes?

At $41 per person, the price is competitive for a short marine wildlife trip. You receive a 1.5-hour dolphin and whale search, live commentary, a fast coastal cruise, and time to swim. That is a decent package, especially if you find dolphins or whales.

The value is less certain if you book with a narrow goal. If your only acceptable outcome is a close dolphin sighting, the price carries more risk because wildlife cannot be scheduled. On a no-sighting trip, the boat ride and swim need to be enough for you.

Compared with a longer cruise, this outing is easy to fit into a holiday schedule. You do not lose half a day, and you can combine it with other time in Puerto del Carmen. The short format also works well for families who may not want a long stretch at sea.

There are extra costs and omissions to remember. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, and neither are food, drinks, or snorkeling gear. You will need to reach the meeting point yourself and carry your own water, towel, sunscreen, and suitable clothing.

The cancellation terms are useful if your plans are uncertain. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. One person who missed a departure because of a delayed public bus was rebooked by the operator, although you should not treat that as a guaranteed policy for every situation.

Weather, comfort, and practical packing

Lanzarote’s sun can be strong, and the water reflects it. Use sunscreen before boarding and bring more for later. A hat may help, though secure it well because the boat is fast and windy.

Comfortable clothing is more useful than holiday finery. Wear footwear that feels secure, since the deck may move and could become wet from spray. Bring a towel and an extra warm layer for the return journey.

The ride may be smooth, or it may bounce over waves. Some families particularly enjoyed the boat lifting and dropping on the way back to shore. Others may find the motion uncomfortable. If you are sensitive to movement, sit where the crew recommends and avoid booking this as a quiet sightseeing cruise.

There is no promise of food or drink on board. Eat and drink beforehand, or carry what is permitted and practical. The supplied details do not specify onboard catering, so plan as if you will need to manage your own refreshments.

The tour is family-friendly, but it is not accessible to wheelchair users. Children can enjoy the excitement, binocular search, and swim, provided they follow instructions and are comfortable on a moving boat.

Who should book this Puerto del Carmen trip?

I would recommend it to you if you want a short, active outing with several possible rewards. The best match is someone who enjoys being on the sea, likes a fast ride, and sees wildlife watching as an unpredictable experience rather than a guaranteed show.

It suits families particularly well. The crew has shown patience with children, and the swim gives younger passengers something to look forward to even if the animals stay away. It can also work for couples and solo visitors who want a quick coastal trip without committing to a full-day cruise.

You should think twice if you dislike speed, wind, spray, or uncertain results. You may also prefer another activity if swimming in open water is not appealing. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, and snorkeling equipment is not supplied.

For wildlife-minded visitors, the natural setting is a strong reason to choose this over an animal show. You may see dolphins swimming freely, with no enclosure and no scheduled tricks. But the same freedom means nature decides what happens.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a good-value combination of speedboat ride, coastal views, wildlife search, and swimming. The crew appears to be the biggest constant: warm, humorous, multilingual, and willing to help people get a better view.

Go in with flexible expectations. You might see a huge pod of dolphins, pilot whales, a Bryde’s whale, turtles, or nothing at all. At $41, the trip makes sense when the boat ride and Atlantic swim already sound worthwhile. If you need a guaranteed dolphin encounter, no wildlife boat tour can honestly promise that.

FAQ

How long is the Puerto del Carmen dolphin-watching tour?

The experience lasts 1.5 hours, including the boat cruise, wildlife search, live commentary, and swimming time.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at the Lanzarote Sea Tours office in Puerto del Carmen, next to the petrol station and roundabout.

What languages are available?

The live guide service is available in Spanish, English, and French.

Are dolphins guaranteed?

No. Dolphins, whales, and other sea life live in the wild, so sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Can I see whales or turtles?

You might see whales, turtles, or other marine species. Past outings have included pilot whales, Bryde’s whales, turtles, and Atlantic spotted dolphins, but no sighting is promised.

Is swimming included?

Yes. The tour includes time to swim from the boat in the Atlantic Ocean.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, comfortable clothing, comfortable footwear, and clothing suitable for the weather. A warm layer is also recommended.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Snorkeling gear is not included.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.