Dolphin and Whales watching cruise from Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria

The main draw is the chance to see dolphins and whales in open water, not behind glass at an aquarium. From Puerto Rico, Spirit of the Sea heads along Gran Canaria’s southwest coast, with sightings often including dolphins, pilot whales, turtles, flying fish, and seabirds.

I like the glass-bottom viewing area, which gives you another way to watch the sea, and the free second cruise if no marine mammals appear. The crew also earns credit for helping seasick passengers and, on some trips, collecting plastic from the water.

The catch is simple: wildlife is wild, and the Atlantic can be rough. Some people have seen large pods close to the boat, while others have spent most of the trip searching or feeling sick, so take motion sickness tablets if you need them.

Key points before you book

• Two daily departures: Choose the 10:30 am or 1:30 pm sailing from Puerto Rico.
• A real open-water search: The trip may reach around 12 miles offshore while the crew looks for cetaceans.
• Glass-bottom viewing: You can watch from the deck or look below the surface through the boat’s glass panels.
• Free drinks included: Unlimited onboard sodas are included. Snacks and alcohol cost extra.
• Optional swim stop: An upgrade adds swimming time and return transfers from selected resorts.
• No sighting promise: If you see no dolphins or whales, you receive a pass for another cruise, subject to the stated validity period.

Setting out from Puerto Rico at 10:30 or 1:30

Your trip begins at the Spirit of the Sea meeting point, just in front of the vehicle barrier at C. Puerto Base in Puerto Rico. The cruise runs twice a day, with departures at 10:30 am and 1:30 pm, and lasts about two and a half hours.

That timing matters. The morning sailing gives you more of the day afterward, while the afternoon trip works well if you prefer a slower start. The boat returns to the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate ride back to your resort if you meet there.

Pickup is included from selected areas: Mogan, Taurito, Playa del Inglés, Maspalomas, San Agustin, and Bahia Feliz. The exact pickup time and meeting point are sent 24 to 48 hours before departure. If your accommodation is outside those zones, you need to reach Puerto Rico yourself.

I would check your pickup email closely. A few people have had trouble with collection points, even though coach transport itself has been described as comfortable and punctual. If the details do not arrive, contact the operator before the day of the cruise.

The boat can carry up to 97 people. That is not a tiny sailing, but the boat has enough room for you to move between the deck and the glass-bottom section. The best viewing spot can change quickly when a pod appears, so staying alert helps.

Searching the southwest coast for cetaceans

The Canary Islands are home to about 30 species of cetaceans, including dolphins, whales, orcas, and porpoises. That makes the waters around Gran Canaria a serious place to look for marine life, but it does not turn the trip into a guaranteed show.

The crew searches for animals in their natural setting. You might see Atlantic spotted dolphins, striped dolphins, pilot whales, larger whales, or porpoises. Turtles, flying fish, Cory’s shearwaters, and other seabirds can also make the trip worthwhile when the main animals stay out of sight.

Some outings have produced pods of hundreds of dolphins swimming close to Spirit of the Sea. Other trips have found only a few animals after a long search. On one poor-weather outing, no dolphins or whales appeared at all. That range is normal for a wildlife cruise, but you should book it for the search and the sea experience, not for a guaranteed photograph.

The crew’s work matters here. Captain Lorenzo has been singled out for finding and following dolphins and whales, while the multilingual team shares information in more than one language. Still, the quality of the commentary can depend on where you sit. The lower area may be the easiest place to hear safety instructions and explanations, while people on the upper deck have sometimes struggled to hear the wildlife commentary.

If learning about the animals is your main goal, stay close to the crew when possible. Do not assume that every announcement will carry across the whole boat, especially if the wind rises or the engines are running.

Watching from the deck and through the glass bottom

Spirit of the Sea gives you two ways to look for marine life. From the deck, you can scan the water, watch the horizon, and follow the crew’s direction when an animal appears. The glass-bottom panels offer a different view, especially when something swims beneath or near the boat.

The glass panels are a useful extra, but they are not a replacement for looking outside. In bright sun, glare and moving water can make underwater viewing less clear than expected. When dolphins surface beside the boat, the deck is usually where you will get the strongest sense of their speed and movement.

The best sightings described on this cruise include dolphins swimming close to the hull, pilot whales, a large Atlantic dolphin pod, and even a whale. That is the kind of moment that can make the trip memorable. The crew may slow down or adjust the boat so people on board have a fair chance to see the animals.

The wildlife is not trained and cannot be called over. The boat may travel a long way before finding anything. One sailing reached about 12 miles offshore, and another spent much of the trip searching before locating a few dolphins. If you have a short attention span for open water, bring your camera, watch for seabirds, and treat the ride itself as part of the outing.

Sea conditions and the seasickness question

This is the practical issue to take seriously. Several outings have had calm water and easy viewing. Others have been windy, rough, or full of large waves, and many passengers became seasick.

Even people who usually cope well on boats have felt unwell. Children may find the motion upsetting, especially if the sea turns rough and the boat is far from shore. I would take your usual motion sickness medicine before boarding if you are prone to nausea, and I would avoid treating this as a completely gentle family boat ride.

The crew has supplied sickness bags, moved unwell passengers toward the stern, and checked on people during rough trips. That is good care, but it cannot flatten the sea. You should also expect that rough conditions may make dolphin spotting harder and can shorten the useful swimming time.

Weather affects the decision to sail. The experience requires good weather, and if the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you are offered another date or a full refund. That is different from a trip that runs in choppy water but produces no sightings, so check the conditions and decide how comfortable you are before departure.

What the optional swim stop adds

The basic outing is a sightseeing cruise. An upgrade adds a swim stop and return transfers from selected resorts. The supplied details do not state the exact length of the swim stop as a fixed feature, and one outing had only about 10 minutes available after a long search, despite a usual 30-minute plan.

That makes the upgrade more appealing on a calm day than on a rough one. If the boat spends extra time searching far offshore, the swimming portion may become short or less attractive. Some people may not want to enter the water after a rough ride anyway.

I would choose the swim upgrade only if swimming is a bonus rather than the main reason for booking. The dolphin search comes first, and the timing can change with sea conditions and animal sightings.

Alcohol is not included, though you can buy it onboard. Snacks are also available for purchase. Unlimited sodas are included, which is handy on a two-and-a-half-hour trip, but you may want to bring any other food or drink you need if the boat’s paid selection does not suit you.

The value of a $50.46 marine-life outing

At $50.46 per person, this is a reasonable price for a 2.5-hour cruise, especially when hotel pickup is included from the listed resort areas. Unlimited sodas and the second-cruise policy also add value.

The price feels strongest when you see dolphins, pilot whales, or a whale close to the boat. A large pod can make the outing feel like an excellent use of half a day. It feels less satisfying when the sea is rough, the search runs long, and no marine mammals appear.

The no-sighting return pass protects you to a point. You can come back for another cruise if no dolphins or whales are seen, but check how long the pass remains valid. One condition has been described as a 12-month pass, while another was valid for only one month. That may depend on the booking terms or current operator policy, so confirm the exact validity before you rely on it.

The return pass is most useful if you are staying in Gran Canaria long enough to try again. It has little value if you are leaving within a day or two. If you have only one free morning, treat the pass as a small safeguard, not a solution.

Who will enjoy Spirit of the Sea most

I would recommend this cruise to you if you enjoy wildlife watching, open-water scenery, and the chance of a close encounter more than a fixed schedule of guaranteed sights. It suits families with older children who can handle a moving boat, couples seeking a different half-day activity, and anyone keen to see dolphins in the wild.

It is also a good choice for birdwatchers. Cory’s shearwaters and other seabirds have appeared during the cruise, and flying fish and turtles can add interest when cetaceans are scarce.

I would be more cautious if you are very prone to seasickness, dislike spending long periods scanning empty water, or need guaranteed commentary from every seat. The boat may carry up to 97 people, and sound on deck is not always easy to hear.

The cruise is accessible to most people, with public transportation nearby, but the available information does not give detailed access guidance for every mobility need. If you require specific assistance, ask before booking.

Booking details and cancellation rules

You receive confirmation when you book. Pickup information should arrive 24 to 48 hours before the trip, including your collection time and meeting point.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. If bad weather causes the operator to cancel, you receive a different date or a full refund.

The activity is offered in English, and the crew is multilingual. That helps, but commentary may still be easier to hear inside the lower part of the boat than on the open deck.

Should you book this Gran Canaria dolphin cruise?

Book it if you want a fair-priced chance to see wild dolphins and whales from Puerto Rico, with a friendly crew, free sodas, hotel pickup in selected areas, and a second attempt if the sea produces no marine mammals.

Think twice if rough water would ruin your day or if you have only a narrow window for sightseeing. The strongest reason to go is the possibility of seeing a pod swim beside the boat. The strongest reason to skip it is that nature may offer only seabirds, turtles, or a long search.

For the best odds of enjoying yourself, take motion sickness precautions, check your pickup details, stay near the crew for commentary, and bring a flexible attitude. If you can accept that the animals set the schedule, Spirit of the Sea offers a solid way to meet Gran Canaria’s offshore wildlife.

FAQ

Where does the dolphin and whale cruise depart?

The cruise departs from Spirit of the Sea, just in front of the vehicle barrier at C. Puerto Base, 35130 Puerto Rico, Las Palmas, Spain.

What time does the cruise depart?

There are two departure times: 10:30 am and 1:30 pm.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise 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.

What if my accommodation is outside the pickup zones?

You need to make your own way to the Puerto Rico meeting point because transfers from other areas are not included.

What marine animals might I see?

Possible sightings include dolphins, whales, pilot whales, orcas, porpoises, turtles, and flying fish. Cory’s shearwaters and other seabirds may also appear.

Is there a glass-bottom viewing area?

Yes. Spirit of the Sea has glass panels that let you look beneath the boat.

Are food and drinks included?

Unlimited onboard sodas are included. Alcoholic drinks and snacks are available to buy separately.

Is swimming included?

Swimming is available with an optional upgrade. The upgrade also includes return transfers from selected resorts.

What happens if I see no dolphins or whales?

You receive a pass for another cruise if no marine mammals are seen. Check the current validity period, since the stated period may vary.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded.