Dolphin and Whales watching cruise from Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria

Dolphins do not follow a timetable. That is the charm and the risk of this 2.5-hour cruise from Puerto Rico, where you search the southwest coast of Gran Canaria for dolphins, whales, porpoises, and other sea life. I like the glass-bottom viewing area and the friendly crew, and the $50.46 price includes hotel pickup in selected resorts plus unlimited soft drinks.

I also like the free return-cruise promise if no marine mammals appear, though you should confirm how long that pass remains valid. The main drawback is the sea itself: rough water can make the trip unpleasant, and some people have felt sick before they had much chance to watch for wildlife.

Key Points Before You Book

• Around 2.5 hours at sea: Departures leave Puerto Rico at 10:30 am and 1:30 pm, giving you a morning or afternoon choice.
• The glass-bottom Spirit of the Sea: You can watch from the open deck or look below the surface through the boat’s glass panels.
• Dolphin sightings are common, not guaranteed: The Canary Islands are home to around 30 cetacean species, but wild animals choose the schedule.
• A free second chance: If no dolphins or whales are seen, you are offered another cruise, subject to the pass conditions.
• Selected resort pickup: Transfers cover Mogan, Taurito, Playa del Inglés, Maspalomas, San Agustin, and Bahia Feliz.
• Plan for motion: Wind and chop have caused seasickness on some departures, so this is not a calm-water sightseeing boat by design.

Why Gran Canaria Is a Strong Place for Cetacean Watching

The waters around the Canary Islands support roughly 30 cetacean species. That includes several kinds of dolphins, whales, orcas, and porpoises. The range of species gives this cruise a better natural setting than a simple coastal boat ride, but it does not turn wildlife watching into a sure thing.

You are looking for animals in their own habitat. A pod may appear beside the boat, remain visible for several minutes, and vanish just as quickly. On another day, the crew may spend much of the outing searching without finding anything at all.

That uncertainty is worth accepting before you board. The strongest trips have included Atlantic spotted dolphins, striped dolphins, pilot whales, flying fish, turtles, Cory’s shearwaters, and large pods said to number hundreds of dolphins. Some outings have produced only a few turtles, seabirds, or floating rubbish.

I like that the crew has also been seen collecting plastic bottles from the water. That is a small action, but it adds a useful reminder that the sea is not just a stage for photographs. The welfare of the animals also matters, and the crew’s approach is to observe rather than promise a forced encounter.

Leaving Puerto Rico on Spirit of the Sea

The boat departs from the Spirit of the Sea meeting point, just in front of the access barrier at C. Puerto Base in Puerto Rico. The vessel has room for up to 97 people, so this is a proper group excursion rather than a private wildlife charter.

That size can work well. You have more than one place to watch from, and the crew can help direct attention when animals appear. At the same time, a full boat can make prime viewing spots harder to secure, especially when everyone moves to one side after the first dolphin is spotted.

The boat’s main special feature is its glass-bottom viewing area. You can look beneath the surface for marine life, while the outdoor deck gives you a wider view of the sea and horizon. The glass panels are a useful extra, but they should not be treated as an underwater aquarium. Visibility depends on the water, light, movement of the boat, and where the animals happen to be.

The multilingual crew gives safety information and comments on the local area and sea life. On some departures, the commentary has been praised as clear and helpful. On others, passengers could hear the information only downstairs, and much of what carried across the boat concerned safety rather than the dolphins themselves.

My practical advice is simple: stay close enough to the crew to hear instructions, but move around when it is safe. You will want the open-deck view for distant fins and the lower glass panels for anything passing beneath the boat.

What the 2.5-Hour Search Feels Like

The cruise follows the southwest coast and may travel well offshore while the captain searches for signs of marine life. One morning outing went about 12 miles out in search of dolphins. That distance gives the crew a broader area to work with, but it also means more exposure to wind and rolling waves.

On a calm day, the journey can be gentle and highly rewarding. Dolphins may swim close to the boat, and a large pod can turn the trip into a memorable wildlife moment. Several outings have included close views of dolphins moving alongside the vessel, while some passengers saw pilot whales and turtles as well.

On a rough day, the same route feels very different. Sea conditions have made some people sick, including people who normally manage boat trips well. Families with young children should think carefully about this point. A child who is feeling ill may not enjoy the animals even if the crew eventually finds them.

The crew has handled sickness practically by offering bags and suggesting seats toward the stern, where the motion may feel easier. That kind of care matters, but it cannot remove the basic fact that you are spending two and a half hours at sea.

If the search takes a long time, the return journey can feel repetitive. One particularly disappointing outing lasted close to three hours from the passenger’s point of view and produced no dolphins or whales. The crew tried to keep people occupied, but no commentary can replace a sighting when wildlife is the main reason you paid.

The Best Possible Wildlife Moments

The high point is not the boat or the soft drinks. It is the instant when a fin breaks the water and the crew turns the boat so everyone has a chance to see it.

Several departures have produced groups of dolphins close to the vessel. One outing saw a very large pod of Atlantic dolphins, while another included striped dolphins. These encounters can be brief, so keep your phone or camera ready, but do not spend the whole trip looking through a screen.

Whales are possible too, although they appear less consistently in the reported experiences. Pilot whales have been seen, and some outings have included whales alongside dolphins. Orcas are part of the wider species list for the Canary Islands, but you should not book this trip expecting to see them.

You may also spot smaller details between the headline animals. Flying fish, turtles, and seabirds have added interest when dolphins were scarce. For anyone who enjoys bird watching, Cory’s shearwaters and other sea birds can make the outing worthwhile even without a cetacean sighting.

The crew’s role becomes especially important when animals appear. Captain Lorenzo has been praised for locating whales and dolphins and following them in a way that helped people around the boat get a view. A bilingual crew member has also helped make the information accessible to a mixed international group.

The Swim Stop Is an Optional Extra

The basic experience is a sightseeing cruise. You can upgrade to include a swimming stop and return transfers from selected resorts, but swimming is not part of the standard inclusions listed for every booking.

This distinction matters because the time available for a swim may depend on how long the boat spends searching. One outing reached its swimming area with only about 10 minutes left rather than the expected 30. At that point, nobody wanted to get in, which is understandable after a long search at sea.

I would choose the swim upgrade only if swimming is a meaningful part of your plan, not as a minor bonus. If dolphins and whales are your priority, the wildlife search takes precedence. If you mainly want time in the water, you may prefer an activity built around swimming rather than one built around finding wild animals.

Pickup, Timing, and What Is Included

The cruise runs twice daily, at 10:30 am and 1:30 pm. The earlier departure may leave more of the day free, while the afternoon boat can suit you if you have a slow morning or prefer a later start.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only in Mogan, Taurito, Playa del Inglés, Maspalomas, San Agustin, and Bahia Feliz. You provide your accommodation name during booking, and the exact collection time and meeting point are sent 24 to 48 hours before departure.

Check that message carefully. Collection-point confusion has caused trouble for some passengers, even though the actual coach was comfortable and arrived on time once the details were sorted. If your accommodation is outside the named areas, you must make your own way to Puerto Rico.

The price includes the cruise and unlimited onboard sodas. Snacks and alcoholic drinks cost extra. At $50.46 per person, the fare is reasonable if you use the included transfer and see dolphins or whales. It feels less attractive if you pay for transport separately, spend much of the trip feeling sick, or see no marine mammals.

The free second-cruise policy improves the value, but ask about the exact validity period before relying on it. One account describes a pass valid for 12 months, while another says one month. The supplied details promise a free return if no marine mammals are seen, but the time limit may depend on the booking terms.

Who Will Enjoy This Cruise Most

I would recommend it to families with older children, couples, wildlife fans, and anyone who accepts that nature sets the timetable. It also suits you if you want a simple half-day outing from a resort and appreciate having transfers arranged.

It is less suitable if you dislike boat motion, need guaranteed entertainment, or want a quiet glassy-water cruise. The boat can be windy, and the trip may involve a long search. Anyone prone to seasickness should consider taking suitable travel tablets before departure and should tell the crew early if feeling unwell.

Bring sun protection, a light layer, and a camera, but keep your hands free enough to hold a rail when the boat moves. The open deck offers the best general view, while the glass panels give you another way to watch the water. Unlimited soft drinks are included, but snacks are not, so buy food beforehand if you need something substantial.

The maximum group size of 97 makes this a shared outing, not a quiet private trip. That is a fair trade for the price, but you should expect other people to gather around every sighting.

Cancellation and Weather Notes

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.

The cruise depends on suitable weather. If poor conditions cause cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. That policy is helpful, especially because rough water affects both safety and enjoyment, but it does not mean every windy day will automatically cancel.

Should You Book the Puerto Rico Dolphin Cruise?

Book it if you can treat the outing as a wildlife search rather than a guaranteed dolphin show. The best departures offer close dolphins, possible whales, friendly staff, free drinks, and a memorable look at animals in the wild. The free return option also softens the risk of an empty search, provided you can use the pass within its validity period.

I would be cautious if you suffer from seasickness or are visiting at the end of your holiday, when a short-validity return pass may be useless. For most people who enjoy the sea and accept a little uncertainty, this is a fairly priced way to spend a morning or afternoon off Puerto Rico.

FAQ

Where does the dolphin cruise depart from?

It departs from the Spirit of the Sea meeting point at C. Puerto Base, 35130 Puerto Rico, Las Palmas, Spain. The cruise returns to the same meeting point.

What time are the departures?

Departures are scheduled at 10:30 am and 1:30 pm. The journey lasts approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included from selected areas: Mogan, Taurito, Playa del Inglés, Maspalomas, San Agustin, and Bahia Feliz. Exact pickup details are sent 24 to 48 hours before the tour.

What happens if no dolphins or whales are seen?

You are offered a free pass to return for another cruise if no marine mammals are seen. Confirm the pass validity when booking, since the stated validity can vary.

Are food and drinks included?

Unlimited onboard sodas are included. Snacks and alcoholic drinks are available to buy separately.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. If poor weather cancels the cruise, you are offered another date or a full refund.