The 15 Gran Canaria Dolphin Watching Tours That Are Worth the Early Start

1.Catamaran Dolphin Watch Cruise with Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 4,761 reviews · 3.5 hours · from $44Our pick

Set sail from Puerto Base near Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria for a 3.5-hour catamaran trip in search of dolphins, pilot whales, and minke whales. After the wildlife search, stop near the coast for swimming and snorkeling, with masks, water, and soft drinks provided. Hotel pickup is optional.

“Brilliant day start to finish , seeing the dolphins in natural surroundings swimming jumping was magical”

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2.Dolphin and Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 2,537 reviews · 2h 30m · from $41Best value

Set out from Gran Canaria’s southern coast for a 150-minute dolphin and whale cruise with guides speaking English, Spanish, and German. Guides such as Mario help spot pods in the open sea, where you might see striped or Risso’s dolphins, whales, turtles, or flying fish. A cash bar and toilets are available onboard.

“Great activity with informative guides. Although we didn’t see the dolphins this time we did see a whale, flying fish and turtles. Well organised and a modern boat, we will use these guys again. As usual easy booking with GYG.”

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3.From Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria: Dolphin Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 2,520 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $47

Sail 2.5 hours from Puerto Rico along Gran Canaria’s southwest coast aboard Spirit of the Sea, a 97-passenger catamaran with a glass-bottom viewing area. A multilingual crew searches for dolphins, whales, turtles, and other marine life, explains what you see, and offers a free return trip if no cetaceans appear.

“We went on the Spirit of the Sea boat trip yesterday from Puerto Rico, and it was one of the best boat trips we’ve ever taken. The crew were outstanding — incredibly kind, professional, and very helpful throughout the entire journey. You immediately feel welcome and well looked after. The trip itself was fantastic. We were lucky enough to see 50+ dolphins, which was absolutely magical. Watching them swim and play so close to the boat was a truly special experience. On the way back, we cruised along the coastline, which is simply stunning — a beautiful and relaxing end to a perfect trip. The boat is very well equipped,…”

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4.Maspalomas: Palmitos Park Ticket with Dolphin and Bird Shows

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,507 reviews · 1 day · from $44Top rated

Spend a full day at Palmitos Park, 10 kilometers from Maspalomas Lighthouse, with dolphin, parrot, exotic bird, and birds of prey shows. You can also visit the aquarium, butterfly house, orchid house, reptile area, primate island, and caiman lake. Entry costs $44, with parking and all shows included.

“Amazing day for my family, especially for my daughters 4 and 7 years old. All day full of fun. 4 great shows. Don't forget about the gift for next to the exit 😉”

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5.Dolphin and Whales watching cruise from Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 508 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $50

Set out from Puerto Rico aboard Spirit of the Sea for a 2.5-hour search for dolphins, whales, pilot whales, turtles, and seabirds. The multilingual crew shares safety and wildlife information, with Captain Lorenzo sometimes at the helm. Choose the optional swim-stop upgrade, and if no marine mammals appear, you receive a return pass.

“Unbelievable trip. Wonderful value for money. We've done this trip a couple of times now, and it hasn't disappointed! Last time we saw hoardes of dolphins this time we saw dolphins, pilot whales and a turtle. The staff on board are brilliant. Really good fun, really friendly. Brilliant trip, cannot recommend it highly enough!”

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6.Dolphin and Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 498 reviews · 2 hours · from $42

Sail from Puerto Rico along Gran Canaria’s southwest coast aboard the two-deck Multiacuatic catamaran. A bilingual English and Spanish marine guide explains the cetaceans and other wildlife you may spot, while the crew searches offshore for dolphins and whales. Water and soft drinks are included, with hotel-area pickup available.

“it was very well organised and an amazing experience.”

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7.Dolphin and Whale Cruise in Puerto Rico, Gran Canaria

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 477 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $50

Sail from Puerto Rico aboard Spirit of the Sea for 2.5 hours along Gran Canaria’s southwest coast. A multilingual crew helps you spot dolphins, whales, turtles, flying fish, and other marine life. The boat has a glass-bottom viewing area, free soft drinks, a possible swim stop, hotel transfers by reservation, and a free return trip if no cetaceans appear.

“Amazing experience with Slovenian diving trainer! It was our first diving lesson but he was able to make us feel confortabile and safe! The actual experience lasted around 20/30 mins which was good but we wished it could have lasted longer! The whole service including pick up and drop off was impeccable.”

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8.Mogan: Dolphin Watching Boat Trip with Swim Stop

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 217 reviews · 4 hours · from $100

Set out from Puerto de Mogán aboard Keeper Uno for a four-hour search for wild dolphins along Gran Canaria’s southwest coast. Daiana and the crew speak English and Spanish, serve drinks and a simple Spanish lunch, then anchor at a sheltered beach for snorkeling and a swim. The group is limited to 10 people.

“Really good day out saw the dolphins I couldnt do the swim as the on & off the boat wasnt easy even for the fittest of people but others enjoyed it”

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9.2-Hour Dolphin and Whale Watching in Gran Canaria

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 166 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $42

Set out from Puerto Rico aboard Lineas Salmón, a large boat carrying up to 150 people, for about two hours on the Atlantic. A guide helps locate dolphins and whales, explains their behavior, and points out sightings. You can sit on deck, watch the Gran Canarian coast, and buy drinks from the onboard bar. Motion sickness medicine is wise.

“I really had a great time and we could see a lot of dolphins far away from the coast From what I understood the whales watching is not part of the trip, only if we're lucky”

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10.Puerto Rico : 2 hour Dolphin Catamaran Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 129 reviews · 2 hours · from $41

Join Captain Miguel and an English- or Spanish-speaking crew for a two-hour catamaran trip from Puerto Rico, with pickup available across Gran Canaria’s south coast. Watch for dolphins, whales, turtles, and flying fish, enjoy one complimentary soft drink, and receive another ticket if no dolphin or whale appears.

“The first time we didn’t see any dolphins so we’ve got the ticket for one more try, it’s really nice of you! I do really appreciate! The second time we saw a family of dolphins at the end. It would be perfect to get some more information which species was it, a little more commentary. I would do it one more time!”

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11.Half-Day Cruise Tour-Dolphin and Whale Watching

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 124 reviews · 3 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $44

Sail from Puerto Rico Marina for 150 to 180 minutes in search of wild dolphins and whales, then stop for swimming and snorkeling. The catamaran has indoor and outdoor seating, toilets, multilingual crew, and optional shuttle pickup from southern Gran Canaria resorts. Captain Roberto is among the crew named in guest feedback.

“L’Avvistamento dei delfini ed il bagno al largo è stata un’esperienza unica, che consiglio di fare per l’emozione che regala.”

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12.Dolphin Searching Tour in Puerto de Mogán (“KEEPER UNO” Boat)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 91 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $102

Spend about four hours aboard the Keeper Uno from Puerto de Mogán, searching for dolphins and whales along Gran Canaria’s southwest coast. You’ll have lunch, soft drinks, room to sit on deck, and time for swimming or snorkeling at a sheltered bay. The yacht takes up to 10 people, with English offered.

“Clean boat and bathroom, nice crew. We saw and followed a pod of striped dolphins within 30min of boarding, then saw nothing else the rest of the trip. Beautiful weather but a bit chilly to swim.”

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13.Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria: Premium Dolphin Catamaran Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 40 reviews · 4 hours · from $75

Spend four hours aboard a large, comfortable catamaran from Puerto Rico, watching for dolphins, whales, turtles, and flying fish. You’ll cruise past sea caves, cliffs, and quiet beaches, then stop to swim, snorkel, and ride a banana boat. Lunch, open-bar drinks, hotel-area pickup, and optional water sports are included or available depending on the activity.

“Alles war toll, super Guide(sehr lustig), mehrere Aktivitäten(zubuchbar), schwimmen im Atlantik, freie Getränke, Raucher Bereich, Mittagessen(nicht das Highlight aber o.k.); Leider keine Delphine gesichtet, was auch nicht unser alleiniger Anspruch war. Alles in allem Top.”

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14.Dolphin Observation In A Small Group On A Silent Hybrid Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 21 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $102

From Pasito Blanco, skipper Víctor and marine biologist Paula take up to eight people aboard a quiet electric-powered Rodman 1100. Over about three hours, you may see bottlenose, spotted, common, Risso’s, or striped dolphins, plus pilot whales, while learning about marine life in English, Spanish, or French.

“A wonderful experience!!! We managed to see the dolphins and some turtles They explained us about nature and they attended us wonderfully. The guides were amazing and my professionals. 100% RECOMMENDED ❤️Auto-translated”

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15.Sunset Dolphin Watching Tour on Hybrid Boat in Small Group

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 20 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $88

Join skipper Víctor and biologist Paula aboard the hybrid vessel Senda del Azul for 2.5 hours off Gran Canaria’s southern coast. The electric engines keep the boat quiet as you watch for dolphins, pilot whales, and flying fish. Drinks, snacks, and marine-life interpretation are included, with departures timed to sunset.

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