Puerto del Carmen: Dolphin-Watching Speedboat Tour with Swim

The Atlantic can surprise you in minutes. From Puerto del Carmen, the Biosfera Jet races along Lanzarote’s southeast coast while the crew searches for dolphins, whales, turtles, and other sea life. I like the low boat, which gives you a good view close to the water, and I like that the animals remain wild rather than being kept for entertainment. The main catch is simple: wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.

The swim stop is another strong point, especially for families and anyone who wants more than a quick boat ride. I also like the friendly, multilingual guides, with past guests singling out Teddy, Carlos, and Elsa for their humor and helpfulness. Still, this is a fast, open-sea outing, so sun, wind, spray, and choppy water are part of the bargain.

Key points to know before booking

• Dolphins are possible, not promised: The crew may find large pods, pilot whales, Bryde’s whales, turtles, or nothing at all.
• A low speedboat improves viewing: You can often see animals beside the boat rather than from a high deck.
• The swim comes straight from the boat: Bring swimwear and a towel, but snorkeling equipment is not included.
• The trip lasts 1.5 hours: That makes it easy to fit into a busy Lanzarote day.
• The guides add real personality: Commentary is offered in Spanish, English, and French, with humor and species information.
• The price is reasonable: At $41 per person, it offers a short wildlife trip and swim without taking half a day.

Leaving Puerto del Carmen on the Biosfera Jet

The meeting point is at the Lanzarote Sea Tours office, next to a petrol station and roundabout. You do not get hotel pickup or drop-off, so you need to make your own way to Puerto del Carmen marina and allow time to find the office.

Before departure, the crew gives a short safety briefing. This matters on a fast boat, particularly if you are traveling with children or have not spent much time on an open powerboat. You then board the Biosfera Jet and head out along the southeast coast.

The boat ride itself is part of the attraction. It is not just transport to a viewing area. You get broad views back toward Lanzarote, with the island’s dry volcanic coast providing a striking backdrop from the water. On a clear day, the change in perspective is worthwhile even if the animals stay hidden.

The boat is described in several accounts as low to the water. That is helpful for spotting dolphins at close range, since you are not peering down from a tall upper deck. It also means spray can reach you, especially when the boat gathers speed or the sea becomes lively.

If you prefer a calm sightseeing cruise, this may feel too energetic. If you like speed, sea air, and a little bouncing over the waves, the ride should be one of the highlights. A few families especially enjoyed the return journey, when the waves made the boat bounce.

Searching for dolphins and whales in open water

Once away from the marina, the crew begins scanning for marine life. Binoculars are available, and the guide explains the species you might encounter, along with technical and historical information connected to the sea and the boat trip.

This is not a guaranteed dolphin show. The animals are free-ranging, and the captain cannot summon them on schedule. On some outings, the crew has found large pods quickly. On others, the search has produced no dolphins at all, although people still enjoyed the boat ride, the coastal views, and the swim.

The range of sightings can be impressive. Dolphins have included Atlantic spotted dolphins, and some outings have produced large groups swimming alongside the boat. Pilot whales and Bryde’s whales have also been seen. Turtles have appeared on some trips, and one outing included a mother and baby dolphin.

When the conditions line up, the experience can be remarkable. Dolphins may travel beside the boat, surface repeatedly, or leap while the captain holds a careful position. One especially memorable account described a pod staying with the boat for around 20 minutes. Another recorded hundreds of dolphins appearing on the return journey.

Just as valuable is the way the crew handles a sighting. The best moments come when the animals choose to approach, rather than being chased aggressively. The boat’s low profile helps you see them at water level, and the crew has made an effort to give children and passengers at the rear a chance to view the animals.

Still, expectations matter. You may spend much of the 1.5 hours scanning the sea with no major sighting. That is disappointing if dolphins are the only reason you booked. It is less of a problem if you see this as a short sea outing with a chance of wildlife.

What the coastal views add to the trip

The southeast coast of Lanzarote looks different from the marina. From the water, you get a wide view of the shoreline and a better sense of the island’s volcanic character. The panoramic outlook is especially useful if you have already spent most of your holiday inland or around the resort streets.

The boat does not stop for a long coastal visit, so this is not a sightseeing cruise with detailed stops along the shore. You are moving quickly, watching the water, and listening to commentary. That fast pace makes the trip lively, but it gives you less time for quiet photography.

Bring a phone or camera only if you can protect it from spray. The boat may bounce, and the most exciting wildlife moments can happen without warning. You will want to keep your eyes up rather than spend the whole ride trying to frame a perfect picture.

The guides help keep the atmosphere relaxed. Their humor has been a repeated strength, and one outing even included sea shanties. Carlos has been praised for speaking several languages, while Teddy has been described as welcoming, funny, and well informed. Elsa has also been remembered for being kind and helpful. Guide availability can change, but the multilingual service is listed in Spanish, English, and French.

The Atlantic swim from the back of the boat

After the wildlife search, the boat stops for a swim in the open Atlantic. You enter directly from the boat, and the clear water makes this a refreshing finish, particularly on a hot Lanzarote day.

For many people, this is more than an extra feature. If the dolphins do not appear, the swim gives the trip a second purpose. Several families enjoyed jumping in from the back of the boat, and children often treated the swim as the day’s main adventure.

The water is not a controlled swimming pool. One person specifically warned that the current can be strong and advised staying close to the boat. Follow the crew’s instructions, and do not wander far from the boarding point. Comfortable footwear is recommended, and you should bring a towel, sunscreen, and warm clothing for the ride afterward.

Snorkeling equipment is not included. You can swim with the fish, but you should not book this expecting a fully equipped snorkeling session. The stop is best understood as a short open-water swim rather than a long underwater tour.

The weather also matters. Even in warm sunshine, wind can make the return ride feel cool when you are wet. Pack a light layer and do not assume swimwear alone will be comfortable for the whole journey.

Is $41 good value for 1.5 hours?

At $41 per person, this sits in a reasonable range for a short boat activity in Lanzarote. You are paying for a fast boat, a wildlife search, live commentary, coastal views, and a swim stop. Food, drinks, snorkeling gear, and transport from your hotel are not included.

The value depends on what you want. If you see a large dolphin pod, a whale, or turtles, the price can feel excellent. Some outings have produced close dolphin encounters, pilot whales, or a Bryde’s whale, which gives the trip a memorable wildlife focus without committing an entire day.

If no animals appear, the value is more mixed. You still receive the boat ride, views, commentary, and swimming time, but the central promise becomes a possibility rather than a result. The positive side is that the trip is short, so an unsuccessful search does not consume your whole afternoon.

I think the price works best for families, couples, and first-time visitors who want a compact sea excursion. It is also a good choice if you are comparing it with longer cruises and do not want food service or a full-day program. Dedicated wildlife photographers may want a longer outing with more time at sea, but that is not what this activity offers.

Who will enjoy this Lanzarote boat trip?

Families are a good match. The activity is specifically described as family friendly, and several outings included young children who enjoyed the speed, the guides, and the swim. The crew has also helped children use binoculars and moved young passengers toward better viewing positions.

You should be comfortable with a fast boat and open water. The trip is not suitable for wheelchair users, and no alternative accessibility details are provided. If you have concerns about balance, swimming, motion sickness, or getting in and out of the boat, ask the operator before booking.

This is also a good fit for people who care about seeing animals in their natural setting. The crew searches for free-ranging dolphins and whales rather than taking you to a captive attraction. That makes sightings less certain, but it also makes them more meaningful when they happen.

It may not suit you if you need guaranteed wildlife, a quiet cruise, a long swim, or extensive snorkeling. You should also think twice if you dislike spray, sun, or a boat that can bounce over waves.

Practical advice for a smoother outing

Wear swimwear under comfortable clothes and take a towel. Sunscreen is essential, and a warm layer is useful after the swim or during a breezy return to Puerto del Carmen.

Bring comfortable footwear and clothing suited to the day’s weather. You should also keep valuables protected from water and avoid carrying anything you would be upset to lose overboard.

Arrive with enough time to locate the office beside the petrol station and roundabout. The meeting area can be less obvious than the marina itself, and at least one past account found the initial queue and boat arrangements unclear.

The crew speaks Spanish, English, and French. If you need a particular language, check availability when you book. The tour lasts 1.5 hours, with several possible starting times depending on the date.

The activity allows free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, and you can reserve now and pay later. That is useful when Lanzarote weather or family plans are uncertain, but it does not change the fact that wildlife sightings depend on nature.

Should you book the Puerto del Carmen dolphin tour?

Book it if you want a short, lively sea trip with a genuine chance of seeing dolphins and a refreshing swim afterward. The strongest reasons are the low boat, the friendly multilingual crew, and the possibility of seeing dolphins, whales, or turtles in the wild.

Do not book it solely on the assumption that dolphins will appear. Instead, decide if you would still enjoy a fast ride along Lanzarote’s coast, a swim from the boat, and an hour and a half on the Atlantic. If the answer is yes, $41 is a fair price and the experience has plenty of upside.

FAQ

Where does the dolphin tour start?

It starts at the Lanzarote Sea Tours office near Puerto del Carmen. The office is next to a petrol station and a roundabout.

How long does the activity last?

The boat trip lasts 1.5 hours, including the wildlife search, coastal cruise, commentary, and swim stop.

What boat is used?

The tour uses the Biosfera Jet fast boat.

Are dolphins guaranteed?

No. Dolphins, whales, turtles, and other sea life live in their natural habitat, so sightings cannot be guaranteed.

What other animals might I see?

Possible sightings include whales, pilot whales, Bryde’s whales, Atlantic spotted dolphins, turtles, and other marine species.

Is there time to swim?

Yes. The boat stops to give you time to swim in the Atlantic before returning to Puerto del Carmen.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

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

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, comfortable clothes, comfortable footwear, and weather-appropriate or warm clothing.

What languages are available?

Live commentary and guiding are available in Spanish, English, and French.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.