2hrs Dolphins Sunset Sailing Cruise With Drink

The best part of this Lanzarote cruise is the setting: you leave Puerto del Carmen by boat, watch the island fade into evening light, and keep an eye out for dolphins in open water. When luck is on your side, you may see a pod, and a few lucky sailings have also spotted whales.

I like the easy two-hour format and the welcome mojito served as you board. I also like the relaxed mix of sailing, sunset views, snacks, and drinks rather than a long sightseeing program. The main drawback is simple: dolphins and a perfect sunset are not guaranteed, and rough seas or cloudy weather can change the mood quickly.

Key points at a glance

• Puerto del Carmen departure: Boarding takes place at the Varadero harbour, with the cruise ending back at the same point.
• Dolphin sightings are possible, not promised: The crew may help you spot wildlife, but these are wild animals.
• Food and drinks are part of the fare: You receive a welcome mojito for adults, assorted canapés, and one complimentary drink. Some sailings have offered a larger self-service snack spread and additional drinks.
• Selected resort pickup: Transport can be arranged from Playa Blanca, Puerto del Carmen, Puerto Calero, and Costa Teguise, with important day restrictions.
• Bring warm clothing: The boat can feel comfortable in the sun, then noticeably cooler and windier after sunset.
• Expect a group outing: The maximum group size is 80 people, so this is social rather than private.

Setting sail from Puerto del Carmen’s Varadero harbour

The cruise begins at Avenida del Varadero in Puerto del Carmen, a harbour area tied to the town’s fishing roots. This is not a long land excursion with several stops. You are mainly here to board the catamaran, find a seat, and get out onto the water.

The boarding process is designed to be quick. A welcome mojito is offered to passengers aged 18 and over, giving the outing a holiday feel from the start. The crew then gets everyone settled before the boat heads away from the harbour.

Allow extra time to find the exact boarding point. One person had to walk around the harbour for about 10 minutes before locating the boat, even though directions had been supplied. If you are driving or arriving independently, use the confirmed map details and marked meeting information rather than assuming every boat at the harbour is yours.

The walk from the meeting area to the boat can also be longer than expected. This matters if you have limited mobility or are bringing a mobility scooter. The crew has helped passengers with mobility equipment, but another account found the walk difficult, so contact the operator ahead of time if this is important for you.

The two-hour route and what you actually see

Once clear of the harbour, the catamaran heads out along Lanzarote’s coast. The main attraction is not a narrated tour of landmarks. It is the changing view from the water, the movement of the boat, and the chance to see wildlife.

The cruise is timed around sunset, so departure varies during the year. You may leave earlier in one season and later in another. The boat aims to return at the advertised time, which can mean docking around the official sunset period rather than lingering until the last colour disappears from the sky.

That timing is worth understanding before you book. On one winter sailing, the boat returned just as the strongest colours were appearing after sunset. On another, the sunset was partly hidden by cloud. If your main goal is a dramatic sky, check the sunset time for your travel date and ask how the schedule lines up.

You can move around the boat to find a good view, although seating and sight lines depend on how full the sailing is. Some parts of the catamaran offer padded seating, while other areas have netted seating. There is generally enough room for people to spread out, but a full group of up to 80 passengers will not feel intimate.

Dolphins, whales, and the limits of wildlife watching

The cruise is promoted around the possibility of dolphin sightings, and that can be a thrilling bonus. Several sailings have produced close views of many dolphins, with some accounts describing more than 20 animals. A few lucky outings have also seen whales.

The crew may point out animals and help children get a better look. That personal attention can make a big difference, especially when dolphins surface for only a few seconds. Keep your eyes moving and have your camera ready, but avoid spending the whole trip staring through a screen.

Still, you need to book this as a sunset cruise with wildlife potential, not as a guaranteed dolphin safari. Some sailings see no dolphins at all. That is not a fault in itself, but it changes the value calculation if wildlife is your only reason for going.

The boat may alter its route because of weather or sea conditions. That can help with comfort and safety, but it also means the exact experience is not fixed. Dolphins remain wild, and no crew can control where they appear.

Mojitos, canapés, and the onboard food

The advertised food is assorted canapés, not a full meal. Expect light snacks such as small sandwiches, tortilla española, fruit, bread, and similar finger food. A welcome snack may be brought around early, with more food set out near the bar.

Descriptions of the quantity vary. Some sailings have felt generous, with a self-service spread and enough food for an evening snack. On another, passengers who arrived later found that much of the food had gone. I would not board hungry and expect dinner, especially if you are travelling with children.

The drinks add meaningful value to the fare. The welcome mojito is for adults, and other drinks can include beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water. Some passengers have described the drinks as plentiful, though the formal inclusion is one complimentary drink plus the welcome mojito for adults. Check the current arrangement when booking if unlimited service matters to you.

Food requirements need attention. A gluten-free option cannot be guaranteed. One sailing included a vegan sandwich option, but you should contact the provider in advance rather than assume every dietary request will be covered.

The relaxed bar service works well for adults who want a casual evening at sea. It is less appealing if you prefer a quiet, polished meal or if you are supervising young children on a moving boat while other passengers are drinking.

Sunset views, music, and the feel onboard

When conditions cooperate, sunset is the strongest reason to take this trip. The sea gives you a wide, uncluttered view, and Puerto del Carmen provides a good setting for watching the sun drop toward the horizon. You can take attractive photos, especially once the sky begins to change colour.

Do not expect every sunset to look like a postcard. Cloud can block the sun, and the boat’s return time may come before the final afterglow. The itinerary is adjusted around seasonal sunset times, but the cruise still has to work with port access, transport, and sea conditions.

Music is part of the atmosphere, although the volume has not been consistent. Some passengers have wanted louder music, while others have preferred a quieter setting. Commentary can also be difficult to hear if the onboard microphone is not working well. This is not a heavily guided sightseeing cruise, so do not choose it mainly for detailed narration.

The general mood is casual and social. You can sit with a drink, watch the coast recede, take photographs, and chat with the crew. Captain’s hats have even made an appearance in photographs, adding a playful touch for families.

Wind, waves, and what to wear

Lanzarote is known for wind, and the conditions matter more on a two-hour boat trip than they do on land. The water may be smooth, but a windy day can make the catamaran roll and leave some passengers feeling sick.

Flat, comfortable shoes are the safest choice. Avoid unstable footwear, since the deck can become awkward when the boat is moving. Bring a jacket, hoodie, or light sweatshirt even in summer. Once the sun drops, the temperature can fall quickly, and the return leg may feel much cooler than the outward journey.

If you are prone to seasickness, think carefully before booking. One particularly windy sailing left a passenger nauseated for most of the trip. The provider may cancel when conditions are poor, but not every breezy day will meet the cancellation threshold. You can monitor the forecast and contact the operator if the weather looks unsuitable.

Families can enjoy the boat, and children have been especially pleased when the crew helped them see dolphins. Very young children may find two hours a little long, especially if the sea is rough or the sunset is delayed.

Hotel pickup and the practical timing

Pickup is available from selected areas, including Playa Blanca, Puerto del Carmen, Puerto Calero, and Costa Teguise. You provide your resort or hotel details, then receive a confirmed pickup point and time.

There are restrictions. Puerto Calero pickup is available only on Thursdays. Playa Blanca pickup is not available on Sundays, Mondays, or Wednesdays. If you book within 24 hours of departure, pickup is not guaranteed, and you should plan to reach the harbour directly.

Transport has generally been prompt, though one pickup arrived about 20 minutes late. Keep some breathing room in your plans rather than scheduling a meal or another activity immediately afterward. The cruise itself ends back at the Puerto del Carmen meeting point, and any return transfer follows the operator’s transport plan.

If you need a German or Italian guide, ask in advance. The activity may otherwise be run by a multilingual guide, with English offered as the main language.

Is $61.27 good value?

At about $61.27 per person, this is not the cheapest way to watch a sunset in Lanzarote. You are paying for a boat trip, the setting, hotel transport in selected areas, a welcome mojito for adults, snacks, and drinks.

The fare makes more sense if you use the pickup service and enjoy the social side of the outing. A two-hour catamaran trip with drinks can be reasonable for a holiday evening, especially when dolphins appear. The value weakens if you expect a substantial dinner, a private sailing, guaranteed wildlife, or a detailed guided tour.

I would compare it with your own plans. If you were already going to buy dinner and drinks near the coast, this combines those elements with time on the water. If you mainly want a quiet sunset photograph, you may find a harbour or beach viewpoint less expensive and less weather-dependent.

The 3.9 rating reflects that split. Many passengers have found the crew warm, the cruise comfortable, the food and drinks generous, and the dolphins memorable. Others felt the snack spread was too modest, the music or commentary too quiet, or the boat too rough for comfort.

Who should book this sailing?

I would choose this cruise if you want an easy evening activity with a holiday atmosphere. It suits couples, families, and groups who enjoy a drink, light food, photographs, and the chance of seeing dolphins without treating the wildlife as a promise.

It is especially good for families when the sea is calm. The crew has made a real effort to point out dolphins to children, and the short duration keeps the outing manageable for most ages.

I would hesitate if you suffer badly from seasickness, need guaranteed accessibility from the meeting point to the boat, or want a substantial meal. I would also avoid booking it solely for the sunset unless you are comfortable with cloud, wind, and seasonal timing.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure. Weather cancellations can lead to a new date or a full refund, and the same applies if the minimum number is not reached. Last-minute changes are not accepted, so watch the forecast early.

Should you book the Puerto del Carmen sunset cruise?

Book it if you see the dolphin sighting as a bonus and the real plan is a relaxed two hours at sea. The friendly crew, easy format, drinks, and open sunset views give the trip a solid holiday appeal, and a pod of dolphins can turn it into a highlight.

Skip it if you need a guaranteed sunset, a full meal, or calm water. My practical advice is to choose a date with a promising forecast, bring a warm layer, wear flat shoes, arrive early at the Varadero harbour, and keep your expectations focused on the sailing itself. If dolphins appear, you have won the evening.

FAQ

How long is the sunset cruise?

The cruise lasts about two hours and returns to the starting point at Puerto del Carmen’s Varadero harbour.

Where does the boat leave from?

Boarding takes place at Avenida del Varadero, 35518 Puerto del Carmen, Las Palmas, Spain.

Are dolphins guaranteed?

No. Dolphins are wild animals, so sightings cannot be guaranteed. Some sailings see many dolphins, while others see none.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is available from selected areas of Playa Blanca, Puerto del Carmen, Puerto Calero, and Costa Teguise. Restrictions apply by day, and pickup is not guaranteed for bookings made within 24 hours of departure.

What food and drinks are included?

The experience includes assorted canapés, one complimentary drink, and a welcome mojito for passengers aged 18 and over. Drinks may include beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water. A gluten-free option cannot be guaranteed.

What should I wear?

Bring a jacket or sweatshirt and wear comfortable flat shoes. The boat may feel windy and cooler after sunset.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local departure time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.