Puerto del Carmen: Dolphin-Watching Speedboat Tour with Swim

A pod of dolphins can turn this short Puerto del Carmen boat ride into a holiday highlight. The low Biosfera Jet gives you a good view close to the water, and the crew may take you toward dolphins, pilot whales, Bryde’s whales, turtles, or other sea life moving along Lanzarote’s southeast coast.

I like two things here: the boat ride itself is lively, with open-sea views and bursts of speed, and the swim stop adds real value even when the animals stay out of sight. Guides including Carlos, Teddy, and Elsa bring humor and useful explanations in several languages. The catch is simple: wild dolphins do not keep appointments, so you must be happy with a sea trip even if the search comes up empty.

Key points before you book

• Low boat, close water views: The Biosfera Jet sits low enough for a clear look beside the boat when dolphins come near.
• A fast 1.5-hour outing: You get a brisk search along the coast without giving up half a day.
• Wild sightings are never promised: Dolphins, whales, turtles, and other animals may appear, or may not.
• Swimming comes after the search: You can jump from the boat into clear Atlantic water, though the current can be strong.
• Good for families: Children have been given binoculars, and the crew helps young passengers get a better view.
• Bring your own swim gear: Towels, swimwear, sunscreen, comfortable footwear, and warm clothing are not supplied.

Leaving Puerto del Carmen on the Biosfera Jet

You meet Lanzarote Sea Tours beside the petrol station and roundabout near the Puerto del Carmen marina. The boat is the Biosfera Jet, a fast craft built for a lively ride rather than a slow, polished cruise.

Before leaving, the crew gives a short safety briefing. That matters on this type of boat because you may feel the speed, spray, and movement more than you would on a large excursion vessel. Sit securely, listen to the crew, and keep your belongings protected from sea water.

The boat heads out along Lanzarote’s southeast coast. You get broad views back toward the island, with the coast offering a useful change from the usual beach-and-resort view. I would treat this opening stretch as part sightseeing and part search: you are not simply being carried to a fixed dolphin enclosure or display area.

The ride can be particularly fun for families. Some children enjoy the motion as much as the wildlife search, and the waves can send spray over the side. That is refreshing on a hot day, but sunscreen and a light extra layer are both sensible. A few people may find the speed or bouncing uncomfortable, especially when the boat turns or returns through larger waves.

How the dolphin search really works

Once you are offshore, the captain and guide scan the water for signs of life. Binoculars help the crew search, and children may get a chance to use them too. The guide explains the cetaceans you might encounter, along with technical and historical information about the sea and the animals.

This is not a guaranteed dolphin performance. The boat searches for animals in their own habitat, and the overall rating of 3.7 from 1,807 ratings reflects that the experience can vary sharply depending on sightings and sea conditions. Some outings find a large pod quickly, while others return without seeing a dolphin at all.

When the search works, it can be remarkable. The boat may find Atlantic spotted dolphins traveling in a group, with some swimming alongside the hull or surfacing close to the passengers. There have also been sightings of pilot whales and Bryde’s whales, including a few moments when a whale appeared even though no dolphins did.

Turtles have appeared too. They are easy to miss from a moving boat, so the captain’s ability to spot one and turn the boat toward it can make a big difference. Still, you should not book this expecting a set list of animals. The right mindset is to enjoy the search, the sea, and the coast, with dolphins as a welcome possibility.

The low design of the boat helps when animals approach. You are closer to the water than you would be on a tall sightseeing vessel, and that can make a nearby dolphin feel surprisingly close. The crew also works to give passengers a fair chance to see, sometimes moving children toward a better position or letting people use the front of the boat.

What the guides add to the outing

The guide is important here because the tour is short. A good explanation helps turn a quick animal sighting into something meaningful instead of a few blurred photographs.

The available languages are Spanish, English, and French. Carlos has been praised for making passengers comfortable across languages, while Teddy is described as welcoming, funny, and well informed. Elsa has also been singled out for being kind and helpful. Since guide assignments can change, you should not assume one particular person will lead your departure.

The tone is relaxed rather than formal. You might hear jokes, music, or even sea shanties while the boat is under way. That suits families and groups looking for a cheerful hour and a half, though anyone wanting a quiet, serious nature trip may find the atmosphere a little lively.

I also like the way the crew appears to treat the animals as wild animals, not performers. Dolphins may approach the boat voluntarily, but the tour does not promise feeding, touching, or trained behavior. That gives the experience a more respectful feel and lets you watch the animals on their own terms.

The swim stop in clear Atlantic water

After the wildlife search, the boat stops for swimming. You can jump in from the back of the boat and cool off in the clear Atlantic water. For many people, this is the part that keeps the trip worthwhile even when the animal search is unsuccessful.

The swim is brief rather than a long snorkeling session. Snorkeling equipment is not included, and the tour does not promise a guided look beneath the surface. Bring your own gear if you want it, but the essential experience is simply getting into the sea.

Pay attention to the water conditions. One account specifically warns that the current can be strong, so stay close to the boat and follow the crew’s instructions. This is not a good place to swim far away or treat the stop like a beach break.

You should also remember that there is no food or drink included. The short duration means this is not a major problem, but eat and drink before you arrive if you need more than a quick outing. A towel is essential for the ride back.

Why the 1.5-hour length works

The 90-minute format is one of the tour’s strongest practical points. You get a real boat ride, a wildlife search, commentary, coastal views, and a swim without committing a full morning or afternoon.

That makes it easy to fit between beach time, a meal, or another Puerto del Carmen activity. It also suits families with younger children who may enjoy a focused trip more than a long cruise. The short schedule limits the time available for finding wildlife, though, so a slow search or an empty result can feel disappointing.

The boat does not simply rush offshore and return. The journey includes time along the southeast coast, a search with binoculars, and a swim stop. Reviews describe people enjoying the ride even when no dolphins appeared, and that is the key test for deciding if this suits you: would you still enjoy a fast ride and an Atlantic swim?

Is $41 a fair price?

At $41 per person, this sits in the reasonable range for a short marine wildlife outing, especially because swimming is included. You are paying for the boat, crew, live commentary, search time, and a chance to see free-ranging animals, not for a guaranteed dolphin encounter.

The value is strongest when you enjoy several parts of the trip. A large dolphin pod, pilot whales, or a Bryde’s whale can make the price feel excellent. But even without animals, you still receive a fast coastal cruise and a swim, which helps soften the risk.

I would compare it with your own priorities. If your only goal is to see dolphins, the price is a gamble because no responsible operator can control the animals. If you want a compact sea adventure with a wildlife search built in, $41 is easier to justify.

There is also a practical benefit to the cancellation terms. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option leaves your plans flexible. That is useful when your weather or holiday schedule is uncertain, though it does not change the wildlife risk.

Who will enjoy this most

This tour suits families, couples, and anyone who wants a taste of the Atlantic without spending a whole day at sea. Children can enjoy the speed, the spray, binoculars, and the excitement of scanning the horizon. The crew has also been praised for helping young passengers find a better viewing position.

It is a good pick if you care about seeing wildlife in a natural setting rather than at a marine park. The boat may get close when dolphins choose to approach, but the animals are not fed or trained for the audience.

You should think twice if you dislike bouncing boats, strong sun, or uncertain results. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, and the information provided does not suggest wheelchair access at the meeting point or on the boat.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, comfortable clothes, comfortable footwear, and weather-appropriate clothing. A warm layer is worth packing even on a hot day because the boat is exposed once it leaves the marina.

Small details that can make a big difference

Try to arrive ready for a boat, not a resort transfer. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to the Lanzarote Sea Tours office by the petrol station and roundabout.

Protect your phone and camera from spray. The views and animal sightings can be close to the water, but the same low position that improves visibility also leaves you more exposed to waves.

If you want the best possible view, listen when the crew asks passengers to move or share positions. The boat may change direction when wildlife appears, and it is easy for one person to block another on a small craft. The crew has made an effort to bring children forward and give passengers a fair look.

Do not skip sunscreen because the trip is short. You are exposed during the outward ride, the search, and the swim, and the sea breeze can hide how much sun you are getting.

Should you book this Puerto del Carmen boat trip?

Book it if you want a short, active sea outing with a genuine chance of dolphins, whales, or turtles and a swim included. The guides bring humor and useful information, the low boat can give you close views, and the price is fair when you value the whole experience rather than only the wildlife result.

Skip it if a dolphin sighting is essential to your holiday or if you need a calm, fully predictable cruise. Wildlife may not appear, and the fast boat can be bouncy. For most families and casual sea lovers, though, the combination of coastal views, lively crew, open-water swimming, and a chance to see animals in the wild makes this a sensible Puerto del Carmen choice.

FAQ

How long is the Puerto del Carmen dolphin tour?

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

Where does the tour start?

You meet at Lanzarote Sea Tours, located next to the petrol station and the roundabout near the Puerto del Carmen marina.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must make your own way to the meeting point.

What languages are available?

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

Are dolphins guaranteed?

No. Dolphins and other marine animals live in the wild, so sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Can you see whales or turtles?

You may see whales, turtles, and other sea life as well as dolphins, but no particular species is guaranteed.

Is swimming included?

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

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Snorkeling gear is not included, so bring your own if you want to use it.

What should you bring?

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

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.