The 6 Best Boat Tours and Cruises in Lanzarote

Lanzarote is an incredible place: it has been declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO and is surrounded by an amazing sea. A mini cruise is the ideal way to explore it
The 6 Best Boat Tours and Cruises in Lanzarote

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Sailing around Lanzarote is one of the best ways to discover the island. From the ocean, you will enjoy breathtaking landscapes, often with a glass of cava or a cold beer in your hand.

A boat trip is one of the best attractions Lanzarote has to offer, but you have to choose wisely. It is important to choose the activity that best suits your tastes and desires to make the experience unforgettable.

1. Catamaran trip along the coast of La Graciosa

Catamaran trip along the coast of La Graciosa| ©AngelD
Catamaran trip along the coast of La Graciosa| ©AngelD

Without a doubt, one of the best activities in Lanzarote. After a short ferry ride, you will arrive at La Graciosa, the smallest island in the archipelago. Around 600 people live in Caleta de Sebo, the only village on the island and the first destination on this excursion.

In the port, you will see the luxury catamaran that will take you to Playa Francesa, a stretch of unspoilt coastline with shallow, turquoise waters. It can sometimes be a little busy - by La Graciosa standards - but I assure you it is worth seeing. You will be left speechless.

On the excursions to La Graciosa from Lanzarote, you'll have time to snorkel, lie on the white sand or simply swim in the beautiful sea.

At around 2 pm, you'll usually board the catamaran again to enjoy a seafood paella, fresh fruit and alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks.

Practical information

  • Duration: approximately 5 hours
  • Price: approximately £60
  • Departure point: Port of Órzola

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2. Yellow submarine ride

Lanzarote submarine| ©Marc
Lanzarote submarine| ©Marc

A highly recommended option if you are travelling to Lanzarote with children. The submarine is designed to ensure maximum comfort for passengers: the seats are comfortable, the interior is painted white (making it feel more spacious) and there are 22 portholes and two viewing windows.

The submarine reaches a maximum depth of 25/30 metres and guarantees views of countless species. The departure point is Puerto Calero, a municipality in the south-east of Lanzarote. As the trip lasts approximately one hour, you won't stray far from this town.

Contrary to what you might think, this activity is also suitable for pregnant women and people with hearing impairments. You can book your tickets on the official website.

Practical information

  • Duration: approximately 1 hour
  • Price: around €60
  • Starting point: Puerto Calero

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3. Sunset cruise from Puerto del Carmen

View from the cruise| ©wytze
View from the cruise| ©wytze

The perfect activity for couples (and not only). The cruise takes place on a yacht that leaves Puerto del Carmen to explore a stretch of the island's southern coastline.

The price includes a glass of Champagne on arrival and drinks throughout the trip.

In addition to the spectacular sunset, you are likely to encounter some of the friendliest creatures in the sea: dolphins. If you are travelling to the island with your partner, I recommend another interesting experience: a visit to the Jameos del Agua in Lanzarote.

Practical information

  • Duration: around 2 hours
  • Price: between £35 and £45
  • Starting point: Puerto del Carmen

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4. Boat trip to Lobos Island

Lobos Island.| ©Alex Lopez
Lobos Island.| ©Alex Lopez

A short distance from Corralejo (Fuerteventura) lies a small island with no vegetation and surrounded by turquoise waters: Isla de los Lobos. No, there are no voracious canines here; the island owes its name to the monk seals that once inhabited it.

Unfortunately, fishermen hunted them to extinction, as each of these animals needs a large amount of fish for daily food. Attempts are currently being made to reintroduce some specimens, but I can't guarantee you'll see one.

Most excursions depart from the southern coast of Lanzarote and reach Corralejo, Fuerteventura. From there, you take a water taxi to the islet. You usually have two options: take a walk around Corralejo before or after visiting Isla de Lobos.

You can usually choose between two options for this activity: a cheaper, shorter one and a more complete one that also includes a kayak trip.

In any case, there are five things you mustn't forget to pack: a mask and snorkel, sun cream, water shoes, sun cream and cash. I highly recommend a guided tour, as with all other excursions to Fuerteventura from Lanzarote.

As with other tours, such as excursions to La Graciosa from Lanzarote, places are limited in order to preserve the unspoilt nature.

Practical information

  • Duration: 6 hours or 10 hours (approximately)
  • Price: approximately £45 or £90
  • Starting point: Playa Blanca

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5. Whale and dolphin watching cruise

Dolphin watching in Lanzarote| ©Jan Knoop
Dolphin watching in Lanzarote| ©Jan Knoop

The Atlantic Ocean is home to a large population of cetaceans. To see them, many agencies organise dolphin watching trips from Lanzarote, both on catamarans and boats equipped with semi-rigid roofs/canopies.

The boats usually leave at sunset and include a glass of champagne accompanied by pastries. In Lanzarote, you can rely on the local company Dolphins Tour (Avenida del Varadero, Puerto del Carmen).

The guide will explain the habits of these animals. Dolphins are friendly and often approach boats. As for whales, for safety reasons, a safe distance must be maintained.

Practical information

  • Duration: between 2 and 3 hours
  • Price: around £45
  • Starting point: Puerto del Carmen

6. Cruise with fishing experience in the Atlantic Ocean

Fishing| ©Maurice Morwood
Fishing| ©Maurice Morwood

Are you an experienced fisherman or would you like to try your hand at this sport? No problem, these excursions are designed for both. I just recommend that you specify your level when booking. This way, the organisers can put together groups of similar ability. In any case, you will never set sail with more than 6/7 people.

The routes are organised by true professionals - as is the case with the Escualo Fishing agency (Puerto Calero) - and the price includes all fishing equipment. As for the fish, the waters around Lanzarote are teeming with:

  • Wahoo or sawfish,
  • Bonito listado, a regular in open waters
  • Seriola, also known as Lecha or Lemon Fish. They are huge and hunting them is a real challenge. They are capable of breaking the line
  • White or bluemarlin. They usually reach the waters of Lanzarote between summer and the first half of autumn
  • Tuna, more common between February and April
  • Barracuda, mainly found around reefs and mangroves
  • Grouper, recognisable by its large mouth. It prefers rocky coasts and feeds on crustaceans, octopus and small fish

If you don't feel like casting your line into the sea, you can also hop on board and enjoy the sailing. Some specimens of inedible species (or those that are not usually eaten) will be returned to the sea after the classic photo that commemorates the feat. There are usually two types of excursions.

Day

A perfect option for combining the fishing experience with a beautiful ocean cruise. You will enjoy splendid landscapes. The boat usually sets sail between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. and the price includes water and snacks.

  • Duration: over 6 hours
  • Price: approximately £80 (approximately £65 for spectators)
  • Departure point: Puerto Calero

Night

The professionals set sail after sunset. At night, the fish come out of their hiding places to find food or hunt their prey. It is a more epic, intense and original experience.

The price includes dinner and pick-up from your hotel or a nearby location. You will normally be picked up between 4pm and 5pm.

  • Duration: around 7 hours
  • Price: over £70 (around £10 for spectators)
  • Starting point: Puerto Calero

Can you take a boat trip with children?

Afternoon in Lanzarote| ©Antonio Vaccarini
Afternoon in Lanzarote| ©Antonio Vaccarini

Of course you can! With the exception of a few special excursions, such as the night fishing experience, it's definitely worth taking your little ones out on a boat.

If they're drawn to the water, these trips will allow them to discover the island's abundant marine life, which they're sure to love.

For more ideas, I recommend reading the post dedicated to 10 things to do in Lanzarote with children.

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When is the best time to go on a whale watching cruise?

Whales in Lanzarote| ©bernarditamarante
Whales in Lanzarote| ©bernarditamarante

Thanks to the warm water temperature, they can be spotted all year round. However, cetaceans are even more common during migration periods: winter and spring. As for wildlife, these are the species that live in Lanzarote:

  • Sperm whale, the whale from Moby Dick. It lives for an average of 70 years and its favourite prey is the giant squid. You will recognise it by its elongated head and dark grey skin.
  • Bottlenose dolphin, also known as the bottlenose dolphin. It lives in groups, sometimes very large ones, and is characterised by being a very social animal. It feeds on octopus, prawns, crabs and other fish.
  • Tropical pilot whale. Its distinctive features are its short fins and "tiny" size (5 metres at most).
  • Spotted dolphin, with a light-coloured belly and white spots. It inhabits the temperate zones of the Atlantic Ocean and is often seen approaching boats.
  • Fin whale, a very common cetacean both in the archipelago and in the Mediterranean. To eat, it swallows up to 70 cubic metres of water and then pushes it out forcefully through its baleen plates.

What are the best fish restaurants in Lanzarote?

Eating at Amêndoa| ©hrziller
Eating at Amêndoa| ©hrziller

Has sailing whetted your appetite? No problem! Lanzarote has some spectacular fish restaurants. Here are the best rated ones:

  • Amura, an authentic gastronomic experience. Here you can enjoy fillet of wreckfish, blue lobster, grilled crayfish and other dishes in an unbeatable setting. The service is first class. Amura is located in the famous Puerto Calero (Paseo Marítimo).
  • Amêndoa, for lovers of fusion cuisine. In this establishment, the Canary Islands meet Asia and Italy (Tinajo, Avenida El Marinero 20).
  • Villa Toledo, an iconic restaurant with sea views. I recommend ordering the caramelised tuna sirloin or a plate of black fideuá with octopus (Avenida de los Cocederos, s/n 35508 Costa Teguise).
  • Lilium, where Canarian tradition is reinvented. The octopus ropa vieja with mojo sauce and the sancocho de cherne (wreckfish stew) are two very good examples. You'll find it inside the Marina de Arrecife Shopping Centre (Avenida Olof Palme s/n)
  • Casa Torano, to sample simple dishes made with very fresh ingredients. It is located a short distance from the Janubio Salt Flats (El Golfo, Avenida Marítima 31).

Tips for a boat trip in Lanzarote

Puerto del Carmen| ©Roberto Villar
Puerto del Carmen| ©Roberto Villar

Before booking your boat trip, here are a few final tips:

  • During the summer, the waters of the archipelago have some unwanted guests: jellyfish. The most dangerous species are the compass jellyfish (Chrysaora hysoscella), the luminous jellyfish (Pelagia noctiluca), the Portuguese man-of-war (Physalia physalis), Rhizostoma luteum and Aguamala (Rhizostoma pulmo). Do not approach any of them.
  • If you are interested in whale watching, I recommend booking your holiday in winter or spring. These two seasons coincide with the migration period and the number of cetaceans is even higher than usual.
  • Do you tend to get seasick? In that case, I don't think a boat trip is the best option. You can visit the best beaches in Lanzarote or go hiking.
  • Put on sunscreen or you'll risk getting sunburned. Don't forget your sunglasses at the hotel either.

Book your boat trip from Lanzar ote

Why is a boat trip in Lanzarote recommended?

Lanzarote boat| ©Sunstryker3
Lanzarote boat| ©Sunstryker3

The Canary Islands enjoy good weather most of the year. Cetaceans and whales are a constant presence and you can go snorkelling in all seasons.

For all these reasons, a mini cruise in Lanzarote is always a good idea. What's more, there are options to suit all tastes and budgets.

Book your boat trip from Lanzar ote

Reviews from other travellers

4.6
· 4122 Reviews
  • P
    P. G.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    Impressive, one of the best things I did on the whole trip. Even if it's a bit expensive it's worth it because you never forget it.
  • D
    D. J.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    An unforgettable experience between the sky and the sea, perfect for lovers of adrenaline and spectacular views.
  • M
    M. D.
    4
    (0 Reviews)
    I loved flying over the sea, it was a unique experience. My brother and I laughed a lot on the jet ski.
  • A
    A. P.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    I loved it, it was the best to fly and run in the water. Very fun, I fully recommend it.
  • W
    W. E.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    The jet ski experience was exciting, but it would be ideal to have more time to enjoy the tour.