6 Best Dolphin Watching Tours in Gran Canaria

Among the best things to do in Gran Canaria, dolphin watching is definitely one of the highlights. 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. In addition, all the options that include dolphin watching have some other interesting activity for you to enjoy during your holiday.

You can swim and spend a pleasant day at the beach, go snorkelling or diving. If you're not a fan of these sports, you can always choose the more relaxed option, which consists of just a boat trip and dolphin watching. These tours are usually done on very comfortable yachts or boats and may or may not include lunch or snacks. Like the idea?

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, you can take a boat trip around the island lasting at least two hours to see the marine wildlife. For an average cost of £35, you will spend a pleasant afternoon in the sun and surrounded by the smell of the sea.

On this type of catamaran cruise, you can stay above or below deck. Choose a comfortable spot for you and your companions. You can also buy snacks or non-alcoholic drinks of your choice, but these cruises usually include a complimentary drink.

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

Details of interest

• Price: approximately £35.
• Duration: around 2 hours.
• Means of transport: catamaran.

If you want to see dolphins a little closer and also enjoy the sea, I recommend an adventure that includes a snorkelling stop. You will go on a boat with a small group to the southern part of the island. There, your guide will take you to an ideal spot for snorkelling and , with a bit of luck, you will be able to see dolphins while you are in the water. This experience lasts an average of three hours and costs around £35.

This activity is usually done during the day, as sunlight is important for seeing the marine animals and enjoying the activity. I recommend booking your experience for after breakfast or after lunch. Please note that the price of the activity does not include food, only water and a snack.

All snorkelling equipment is included. 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 will also need to wear special fins to help you swim better. Make sure all the equipment fits you properly, neither too tight nor too loose. With all this , you will be ready to enjoy the seabed.

When you have finished exploring the sea, you can get back on the boat, dry off and make yourself comfortable. At this point, you can sit back and watch the dolphins that often come up and jump in the water at various times of the day. If you have a waterproof camera, I recommend taking it with you at all times. Don't miss the opportunity to photograph these adorable animals!

Details of interest

• Price: around £35.
• Duration: approximately 3 hours.
• Transport: modern yacht.

If you want to combine two attractions in one experience, you're sure to love this plan. You can go on a boat to see dolphins and whales and then visit the weekly market in Puerto de Mogán. This experience lasts an average of six hours and costs approximately £35.

The first part of this excursion is a boat trip to see 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 visit the weekly market and browse all the stalls in search of something you would like to take home with you.

The time spent at the market and in the streets of the village will take around three hours. After the tour, it will be time to return to your hotel. This type of excursion usually includes a bus trip 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 make the most of your holiday.

Useful information

• Price: around £35.
• Duration: approximately 6 hours.
• Means of transport: boat.

A day at sea isn't 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 everything nature has to offer. This catamaran excursion lasts an average of four hours and costs approximately £45.

When you board the catamaran, 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 commonly seen, they can sometimes take a while to appear. It is best 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 on a daily basis), your swimsuit and anything else you think you might need for a day at the beach.

While at the beach, you can enjoy a small snack included in the price you paid for the entire experience. When the time is up, it will be time to return to your hotel or continue your holiday in Gran Canaria.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately £45.
• Duration: around 3 hours.
• Transport: catamaran.

Diving is an exciting activity for many tourists, especially in Gran Canaria, one of the best places to dive in Spain. Add dolphin watching to that and it gets even better. On this combined activity, you will travel by boat to a special diving spot 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 southern part of the island, you will head to a special diving spot. I recommend that you talk to the guides and explain your level of experience, as there are activities for beginners and experts. In any case, you will have the opportunity to dive into the sea off 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 back up, take off the suit you were provided and dry off. This way, you'll be comfortable enough to enjoy watching the dolphins from the boat for a little longer. Some people manage to see them while diving, and it's an unforgettable experience. Would you like to try it?

When all the activities are over, 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 request a taxi to return. If you want to continue exploring and enjoying your holiday, I recommend taking a tour or expedition from Gran Canaria so you can continue exploring this island.

Details of interest

• Price: around £80.
• Duration: approximately 3 hours.
• Means of transport: small boat.

If you like the idea of seeing cetaceans such as dolphins and whales from the sea, but also like comfort, this is the perfect plan for you. Hop 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.

Normally, these trips only take a maximum of ten people, so it's an almost personal and private experience. Some people even prefer to hire the yacht for a more exclusive trip. These yachts also include a typical Canarian lunch and drinks for all passengers.

In addition to all these services, the tour includes stops at some of Gran Canaria's beaches and cliffs. This will make the four-hour trip more entertaining and allow you to discover more places to enjoy yourself in Playa del Inglés. As with other similar tours, companies may or may not include transport to and from your hotel.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately £75.
• Duration: around 4 hours.
• Means of transport: modern yacht.

One of the most important tips for seeing dolphins in Gran Canaria is to bear in mind the location. Make sure your trip is always to the south of the island, as this is where you are most likely to see them. If you look closely, all the excursions I mentioned depart 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 are the cetaceans' migration period, so you'll have a better chance of seeing them in the sea.

In any case, bear in mind that sometimes you just don't get lucky and you may not see them. This doesn't depend on the guide or the boat or catamaran you're travelling on. Some companies make it clear that if you don't get to see the dolphins, they'll refund your money or repeat the trip. Before purchasing a trip, be sure to ask if this option is available.

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

Gran Canaria is a privileged place to observe not only dolphins, but also a wide variety of cetaceans. Being an island, its beaches and ports are equipped to take tourists out to sea. Professional guides know the areas where you are most likely to see these animals.

The flora and fauna found on this island are very pleasant to see and are another attraction of boat trips and dolphin watching. With activities such as snorkelling and diving, it is easier to see them.

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

Several species of dolphins are often seen in the waters surrounding Gran Canaria. These include the tropical rorqual, 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 dolphins.

If you want to learn about all the species, I recommend taking a tour with a specialised guide, but you may have to go further east, towards Lanzarote. That way, when you 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 for the whole family.