Lanzarote: Dolphin Watching by speedboat

Fast boats make wildlife watching exciting. This Lanzarote dolphin tour uses a small RIB boat for up to 12 people, so you get a lively ride rather than a crowded cruise. I like the intimate group size and the chance to watch dolphins, turtles, seabirds, and other marine life from close to the water.

I also like the skilled crew, who search along the shoreline and farther out at sea while answering questions in English, French, or Spanish. The main drawback is simple: wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. Some outings see dolphins and even two species, while others return with seabirds and fine ocean views but no dolphins at all.

Key details before you book

• Small Waverider boat: The RIB carries up to 12 people, giving the trip a more personal feel than a large sightseeing vessel.
• Fast, lively ride: The captain varies the speed, and the open-water sections can be exhilarating, especially when the sea is choppy.
• Wildlife search: You may see dolphins, turtles, seabirds, and other sea creatures, but sightings cannot be promised.
• Departure point: The boat leaves from the Old Port of Puerto del Carmen.
• Short time commitment: The outing lasts about 2 to 2.5 hours, making it easy to fit into a Lanzarote holiday.
• Price and transport: The tour costs $77 per person. Pickup may cost an extra €5 or €10 per person, depending on your location.

Setting out from Puerto del Carmen’s Old Port

The tour leaves from the Old Port of Puerto del Carmen, a practical base for a short trip onto the Atlantic. If you are staying in Puerto del Carmen, reaching the departure point should be straightforward, while pickup is available for some other areas.

If you use the pickup service, wait 15 minutes before departure in front of your hotel lobby. The extra transport fee is worth checking carefully before you pay. A pickup from Costa Teguise cost one person €5 each way, according to the information available, while another note gives a possible fee of €5 or €10 per person depending on the location.

That is still often cheaper than arranging a taxi, especially when the ride becomes close to a private transfer. But the charge is not part of the $77 tour price, so include it when working out your budget.

At the port, the practical routine is fairly simple. You receive a life jacket, board the RIB, and place bags in a covered box on the boat. Footwear may be stored in a box on the jetty, so wear shoes you can remove without fuss.

The Waverider is part safari, part thrill ride

The Waverider is not a slow, quiet boat. It is a RIB, or rigid inflatable boat, built for speed and movement. That changes the feel of the experience from a standard wildlife cruise into a mix of marine safari and short adventure ride.

The captain may travel at different speeds, giving you stretches of calmer viewing and faster runs over the waves. One outing was described as quite choppy, while another included plenty of fast, exciting movement. If you enjoy being on the water, this variety is a major part of the appeal.

The speed also creates a few small hazards. A hat can fly away. Glasses can slip off. One passenger nearly lost a pair of spectacles and was glad to have a tighter strap. You should secure glasses, hats, phones, and loose clothing before the boat gets moving.

The crew has also shown care with lost items. When a hat went overboard, the captain stopped, turned back accurately, and retrieved it. That is reassuring, but it is still better to leave anything loose at the port.

Searching for dolphins, turtles, and seabirds

The main goal is to find dolphins, but the crew is also watching for turtles, birds, and other marine life. The captain and guide search the water in several directions, using the boat’s mobility to cover the shoreline and open sea.

A typical outing may include a run farther from land, a return toward the coast, and several changes of direction while the crew scans the water. The exact route depends on conditions and where animals may be found. This is a wildlife search, not a fixed sightseeing circuit with guaranteed stops.

That distinction matters. The boat can take you to likely areas, but it cannot make dolphins appear. Some people have seen beautiful dolphins and even two species on an evening trip. Others have found only seabirds. One family was especially disappointed when no dolphins appeared, despite the captain’s careful searching.

I would treat the dolphins as a welcome bonus rather than the sole reason to book. If seeing dolphins is the only outcome that will make you happy, this tour carries a real risk of disappointment. If you enjoy the ocean, speed, birds, and the chance of a surprise encounter, the experience makes more sense.

Why the small group matters

The boat holds up to 12 people, which gives the outing a more intimate feel. You are not looking over rows of heads on a large vessel, and the guide can respond to questions without addressing a huge crowd.

A smaller boat also makes the ride feel more active. When the captain turns or changes direction, you feel the movement directly. That can help you spot wildlife, but it also means the trip may feel bumpy when the water is unsettled.

The tradeoff is comfort. This is not the best choice if you want a gentle, stable ride or a quiet place to sit for two hours. The small RIB brings you close to the sea, but it does not offer the space or shelter of a larger cruise boat.

The crew speaks English, French, and Spanish. That is useful when you want to ask about marine life or understand instructions before the boat moves. The guide’s role is especially important because a good spotter can find animals that are easy for passengers to miss.

What the ride feels like in changing conditions

The ocean can be calm one moment and bouncy the next. The captain adjusts the speed, but you should still expect movement. One person praised the different speeds during a choppy outing, while another loved the fast ride even without seeing wildlife.

Bring water, sunglasses, and sunscreen. The sun can feel intense on the water, and the open boat gives you little protection from direct sunlight. A passenger reported sunburn that lasted for days, so apply sunscreen before boarding and consider bringing more if you can keep it secure.

A hat can help with the sun, but it needs to be firmly secured. A loose hat may become an Atlantic souvenir. Glasses should have a tight strap or be stored safely when the boat is moving quickly.

Food is not included. Water is provided, but you should eat beforehand if you need more than that. The total duration is about 2 to 2.5 hours, so this is not a full-day outing and does not require packing a meal.

The activity is not suitable for children under two or for pregnant women. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. These rules fit the fast, open-water nature of the ride.

The value of $77 per person

At $77 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend two hours in Lanzarote. The value depends on what you want from the outing.

You are paying for a small-group boat, a captain, a marine-life guide, life jacket, water, and transportation connected with the activity. The boat’s speed and limited capacity also make it feel more personal than a basic harbor cruise.

The price looks stronger when dolphins appear. Several outings produced close wildlife encounters, and some people saw more than one dolphin species. In those moments, the combination of speedboat excitement and marine viewing can feel like a fair use of your holiday budget.

The calculation is harder when no dolphins appear. You still receive the boat ride, ocean views, seabird sightings in some cases, and the crew’s effort to search. But if your only target is dolphins, $77 can feel high when nature does not cooperate.

I would compare this with the cost of a taxi to the port, but remember that pickup may add €5 or €10 per person. One pickup from Costa Teguise was described as good value because it functioned almost like a private transfer. Ask about the transport fee before booking so the final price does not surprise you.

Choosing morning or evening

The tour offers different starting times, subject to availability. One particularly enjoyable outing took place in the evening, when the light and timing helped create a memorable atmosphere.

An evening departure may suit you if you want to combine the boat ride with a later meal in Puerto del Carmen. It can also feel less harsh than the strongest midday sun, though you should still use sunscreen and protect your eyes.

A morning trip may suit you better if you want to keep the rest of the day open. Since the ride lasts only two to 2.5 hours, it can fit neatly before lunch or another activity.

There is no stated time that guarantees dolphins. Pick the departure that works best with your plans rather than assuming one slot will produce better wildlife sightings.

What happens if you do not see dolphins

The operator is clear that sightings are not guaranteed. This is important, and you should accept it before paying.

The crew may circle back, travel farther offshore, follow the shoreline, and keep scanning the water. That effort improves your chances, but it cannot control wild animals. On dolphin-free trips, seabirds may become the main wildlife sighting, and the fast ride itself can still be enjoyable.

Your expectations will shape the result. A child who has been promised dolphins may find the trip disappointing if none appear. For a family, I would explain beforehand that the boat is going to look for wildlife, not deliver a guaranteed dolphin show.

I also prefer this uncertainty to a staged encounter. The animals are wild, and the experience depends on real conditions. You may see dolphins racing beside the boat, or you may spend the time watching birds and waves while the captain searches.

Who will enjoy this Lanzarote boat trip

This tour suits you if you like active excursions, small groups, open water, and a bit of speed. It is a good choice for friends, couples, and families with older children who can handle a moving RIB.

It also suits anyone who wants a short activity rather than a full-day cruise. Two to 2.5 hours is enough time to feel that you have gone out to sea without taking over the whole day.

You may want a different option if you get seasick, dislike bumpy rides, need a highly sheltered boat, or want a guaranteed wildlife encounter. Pregnant women and children under two cannot take part.

The experience also works well for people who value the ride itself. Several people found the ocean views and fast boat worthwhile even without dolphins. That is the right mindset to bring.

Practical packing advice for the Waverider

Keep your kit simple. Wear secure clothing and bring water, sunglasses, and sunscreen. A hat is useful only if you can fasten it firmly.

Use a strap for glasses if you need them to see clearly. Keep phones and small valuables in a secure place rather than loose in a pocket. Bags go into a covered box on the boat, and footwear may be stored on the jetty.

Do not bring alcohol or drugs. Food is not included, so eat before the trip if necessary. The activity includes life jackets and water, but the information does not promise meals or extra refreshments.

You should also arrive ready for sun and spray. Even without heavy waves, the open boat puts you close to the water. The crew manages the ride, but you are responsible for protecting your skin and securing your belongings.

Booking flexibility and languages

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. A reserve-now-and-pay-later option is also available, which helps if you are still arranging the rest of your Lanzarote plans.

The live guide service is offered in English, French, and Spanish. Some booking content may appear in its original language, so check the details carefully before confirming.

The tour includes the boat, captain, life jacket, water, and transportation connected with the activity. Food is excluded, and pickup fees may apply. Confirm your meeting or pickup details, especially if you are staying outside Puerto del Carmen.

Should you book the dolphin speedboat?

Book it if you want a small, fast boat ride with a genuine chance of seeing dolphins, turtles, and seabirds. The strongest parts are the 12-person group, the energetic captain, the changing speeds, and the chance to see wild animals without spending a full day at sea.

Do not book it on the promise of guaranteed dolphins. You may see two species, or you may see seabirds and open water while the crew searches hard. At $77, the tour offers fair value when you enjoy the ride as much as the wildlife.

For most active visitors, I would book it, pack sunscreen, strap down your glasses, and treat dolphins as a lucky reward rather than a scheduled event.

FAQ

Where does the dolphin boat tour depart from?

The boat departs from the Old Port of Puerto del Carmen in Lanzarote.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts about 2 to 2.5 hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $77 per person.

Are dolphins guaranteed?

No. Sightings of dolphins and other sea creatures are not guaranteed.

What animals might I see?

You might see dolphins, turtles, seabirds, and other marine life.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is included for some locations. An additional fee of €5 or €10 per person may apply, and you should wait in front of your hotel lobby 15 minutes before the scheduled time.

What languages are offered?

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