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 holiday.

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 which consists only of a ride in the sea and dolphin watching. These trips usually take place on yachts or very comfortable boats which 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 the sighting of dolphins and humpback whales 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 wildlife. For an average cost of 40 € you will spend a pleasant afternoon in the sun and the smell of the sea.

On this type of catamaran cruise you can stay above or below deck. Choose a comfortable place for you and your companions. You can also buy a snack or a non-alcoholic drink 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 a 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 do 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 such as dolphins and whales from the sea, but you also like comfort, this is the perfect plan for you. Step aboard a very comfortable luxury yacht where you can spend four hours enjoying the atmosphere and the view. The average cost of this experience is €75.

Usually on these trips only a maximum of ten people board, 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 passengers.

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

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 75 €.
• Duration: about 4 hours.
• Means of transport: 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 organisers 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 snorkelling stop. For this you will go on a boat with a small group to the south of the island. There your guide will take you to an ideal area for snorkelling and hopefully you will 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 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 snorkelling equipment. 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 to help you swim better. Make sure all the equipment fits snugly, not too tight and not too loose. With all this you will be ready to enjoy the bottom of the sea.

When you have finished exploring the sea, you can get on the boat, dry off and make yourself comfortable. At this point you can sit back and watch the dolphins that often come out and jump in the water at various times of the day. If you have an underwater camera I recommend you take it with you at all times, 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. 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 transport: 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, as well as see the dolphins that are usually seen on the surface.
• Disadvantages of this option: if you can't 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 visit the weekly street market in Puerto de Mogán. This experience lasts an average 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's time to head back 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 through all the stalls looking for something 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 exploring Gran Canaria, I recommend taking a Hop on Hop off Bus Tour around the island, so you can see more places and get the most out of your holiday.

Interesting details

• Price: around 40 €.
• Duration: approximately 6 hours.
• Means of transport: boat.
• Advantages of this option: in addition to observing the dolphins in their natural habitat, you can go to a peculiar street market and take home some souvenirs from this place. You can even buy a swimming costume in case you haven't been able to bring your own. This will set you up for a day at the beach.
• Disadvantages of this option: If you are not interested in the flea 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 lasts on average four hours and costs approximately €50.

When you board 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 travellers 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 swimming costume and all the other things you think you need for a day at the beach.

While on the beach you can enjoy a small snack included in the price you paid for the whole experience. When the time is up, it's time to return to your hotel or continue your holiday in Gran Canaria.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 50 €.
• Duration: around 3 hours.
• Means of transport: catamaran.
• Advantages of this option: as well as seeing the dolphins while you are on the catamaran, you can go to an exclusive beach and enjoy the sun and sea.
• Disadvantages of this option: it does not usually include transfer to the hotel, as 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. Add to that a dolphin sighting and it's 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 costs an average of 90 €.

After boarding a boat in Puerto de Mogán or another point in the south of the island, you will head 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 this part of the activity is over, you can come back up, take off the wetsuit provided and dry off. You will then be comfortable enough to watch the dolphins from the boat for a while longer. Some people get to see them while diving and it's an unforgettable experience, would you like to experience it?

When all the activities are finished it's time to return to the starting point. Ask your guides if they include a transfer service to your hotel. In any case you can always ask for a taxi to return. If you want to continue exploring and enjoying your holiday, 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, as well as see the dolphins.
• Disadvantages of this option: if you are afraid of the bottom of the sea or don't 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 your trip is always towards the south of the island, as this is the area where you are most likely to see them. If you look closely, all the excursions I mentioned start from Puerto de Mogán, Puerto Rico beach and the surrounding area.

Although dolphins can be seen every day of the year, it is best to go during the winter or spring, so if you are travelling to Gran Canaria in December, this is one of the activities 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 travelling on. Some companies make it clear that if you don't manage 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 easily get wet. 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 harbours are prepared to take tourists out to sea. The professional guides know the areas where these animals are most likely to be seen.

The flora and fauna that can be found on this island is very pleasant to see and is another attraction of the boat trips and dolphin watching. With activities that include snorkelling and scuba 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, strolling 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 around 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 specialised guide, but you may have to go further east, in the direction of Lanzarote. This way when you do get to see them, the guide will tell you what species they are and perhaps explain a little more about their nature. If you are travelling with children it will be an entertaining and educational experience for them and the whole family.