Lanzarote: Whale and Dolphin Watching Eco-Friendly Catamaran

Lanzarote’s first fully electric catamaran is the star here. It moves with remarkably little noise and no diesel fumes, giving you a calm way to search the Atlantic for dolphins, whales, and other marine life. The boat sits low over the water, so you feel close to the sea rather than sealed away from it.

I like the quiet electric motor, which lets you listen to the ocean instead of a rattling engine. I also like the crew’s care around animals, using the boat to watch rather than chase. A hydrophone adds another fine touch: you may hear whales and dolphins communicating below the surface.

The main catch is simple: wildlife is wild. You may see several dolphin groups, whales, and even a turtle, but you may also see nothing. February can bring cloudy skies and cool air, so bring warm layers as well as sunscreen.

What makes this catamaran worth your time

• Silent electric sailing: The boat uses a fully electric, emission-free motor, with no unpleasant diesel smell.
• A hydrophone on board: You can listen for underwater whale and dolphin sounds while the crew explains what you hear.
• Four hours on the Atlantic: The length gives the crew time to search for marine life without turning the trip into a rushed photo stop.
• A small-group feel: The experience can feel more personal than a large sightseeing boat, with room to stay close to the water.
• Simple local refreshments: Fresh fruit, snacks, and soft drinks are included during the outing.
• A careful approach to animals: The crew aims to observe dolphins and whales without crowding or feeding them.

Setting out from Puerto Calero

Your meeting point is Marina Puerto Calero, at Pontoon F22. This is the detail to get right. Puerto Calero is not the same as every marina or beach departure point in Lanzarote, so allow enough time to find the correct pontoon.

Parking is available at the marina, and you can also reach it by bus or taxi. The boat’s location is clearly given as Dock F22, which is useful once you arrive, but you should still check the marina signs before you walk down the pontoons.

The trip lasts four hours. That matters because the crew cannot promise wildlife at one fixed spot. Time is needed to leave the marina, search open water, pause for sightings, and return. You are paying for a proper sea outing rather than a quick ride around the harbor.

I would wear shoes with a good grip, a hat, and sunscreen. The supplied information specifically asks you to bring a hat and sunscreen, and the February experience also shows why a light jacket is sensible. The Atlantic can feel cool when the sun slips behind clouds, even in Lanzarote.

The electric catamaran changes the mood

The catamaran is fully electric and emission-free. That is more than a label for this trip. A quiet motor means you can hold a conversation without shouting, and you avoid the strong diesel odor that can spoil a boat ride for anyone sensitive to fumes.

The low noise also helps set the right tone for wildlife watching. The boat is not making a constant roar as it searches. When the motor quiets near animals, you can focus on movement, splashes, and the sound of the sea.

One important detail: this is not a sailing trip. The electric catamaran is motor-powered, and the boat does not sail during the outing. That may disappoint you if you expect a traditional sailing experience, but the electric drive is the reason the trip can move quietly and without direct emissions.

The design also keeps you close to the water. One passenger described the feeling as being very near the sea, and that is useful to know if you prefer an intimate view over a high deck on a large excursion vessel. At the same time, the open-water setting means you should be comfortable with wind and changing conditions.

Searching for dolphins and whales

Once you leave Puerto Calero, the main part of the trip is the search. There is no guaranteed parade of animals. The crew looks for signs of life across the Atlantic, then adjusts the boat’s course when something appears.

That uncertainty is part of the bargain. On one outing, the group saw several schools of dolphins, two types of dolphins, whales, and a turtle. On another, no dolphins or whales appeared. Both outcomes are possible, and neither the electric boat nor the crew can control where wild animals choose to swim.

This is why I would book the trip for the quality of the sea experience, not only for a checklist. If you see dolphins, the quiet boat and careful approach can make the moment feel special. If you do not, you still have four hours on the Atlantic with coastline views, marine commentary, and a clean-running vessel.

The crew does not feed the animals, and feeding is not allowed. Smoking, alcohol, drugs, and littering are also prohibited. These rules are sensible on a wildlife trip, and they help keep the outing focused on observation rather than entertainment at the animals’ expense.

Watching without chasing

The best feature here is the crew’s attitude toward wildlife. The boat aims to get close enough for observation while avoiding pressure on the animals. That means you may need patience, and the catamaran may not rush straight into the middle of a dolphin group.

For some people, this is exactly the point. You can watch natural behavior instead of encouraging animals to approach for food. The crew’s approach also gives parents a useful lesson to share with children: a good wildlife encounter respects distance and choice.

You should not expect the boat to guarantee a close-up photograph. Dolphins can surface briefly, whales can remain hidden, and even a promising sighting may last only moments. Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the entire trip looking at a screen.

The crew speaks English, Spanish, and French. Commentary covers the animals and Lanzarote’s marine ecosystem, so the trip has an educational side rather than being only a scenic ride. No individual guide names are provided, but the crew is presented as active and enthusiastic about the work.

Listening through the hydrophone

The onboard hydrophone is one of the more unusual features. Instead of only looking for animals at the surface, you can listen to sounds beneath the boat.

Whales and dolphins communicate underwater, and the hydrophone gives you a way to connect those sounds with the animals’ behavior. It can make a quiet stretch of ocean feel meaningful, even when no animal is breaking the surface.

This also helps children stay interested during the search. Wildlife trips often include pauses when nothing obvious is happening. Listening for underwater sounds gives the crew another way to explain what is happening below you.

The hydrophone cannot promise a dramatic soundtrack. Sound quality and animal activity will vary. Still, it is a useful tool, and it fits the trip’s larger purpose: showing you the marine world without relying on loud engines or artificial animal encounters.

Snacks, drinks, and the Lanzarote coastline

Fresh fruit, snacks, and soft drinks are included. The food offering is modest, but it is welcome during a four-hour outing. You can expect simple refreshments with some local flavor rather than a full meal.

The drinks are nonalcoholic, and alcohol is not allowed on board. If you need a substantial lunch, eat before departure and do not treat the included snacks as a replacement for one.

As the catamaran moves along the coast, you will have broad views of Lanzarote from the water. This changes your sense of the island. Instead of looking across a road or from a viewpoint, you see the coastline from a moving Atlantic platform.

The boat’s low position makes the water feel close, which is a pleasure when the sea is calm. It can also mean more spray or wind than you would get on a high, enclosed deck. A hat with a secure fit and sunscreen are practical, not optional extras.

How the $112 price measures up

At $112 per person, this is not the cheapest boat trip in Lanzarote. The price makes more sense if you value the electric boat, a four-hour duration, a small-group atmosphere, crew commentary, the hydrophone, and included refreshments.

You are also paying for a wildlife search where success is never certain. That can feel expensive if you expect guaranteed dolphins. It feels fairer if you see the cost as payment for time at sea, an environmentally careful vessel, and a crew that does not turn the animals into a staged show.

The electric drive is a real benefit for comfort as well as environmental reasons. No diesel fumes and less engine noise can make four hours easier to enjoy, especially if you have disliked noisy boat excursions in the past.

A larger boat may offer a lower price, but it may not provide the same close-to-the-water feeling. This trip suits you best if the quiet boat and animal-friendly approach are central to your decision.

Weather, comfort, and the chance of no sightings

The season matters. An early February trip brought cloudy weather and cool conditions, and the passengers saw no dolphins or whales. That is a useful warning, not a fault in the operation.

Lanzarote often brings pleasant weather, but the Atlantic has its own rules. Bring the requested hat and sunscreen, then add a light jacket or warm top. You should also be prepared for wind, even on a sunny day.

The trip is not suitable for wheelchair users. The supplied information does not give further mobility details, so anyone with other access needs should ask the provider before booking.

Do not feed animals, leave rubbish, smoke, or bring alcohol and drugs. These restrictions are firm and fit the nature of the trip. The cleanest experience comes when everyone keeps the deck quiet and lets the crew manage the approach.

Who will enjoy this four-hour outing

I would recommend this catamaran to you if you care about marine life and want an outing with a clear environmental purpose. Families can appreciate the hydrophone and the educational commentary, while couples and small groups may like the calm pace and open-water setting.

It is also a good fit if engine fumes bother you or if you dislike the noise of conventional boats. The lack of diesel smell was a specific pleasure for one passenger, and it can make a real difference during several hours at sea.

You should think twice if you need guaranteed animal sightings, dislike uncertain weather, or want a fast sightseeing cruise with constant action. The trip includes quiet stretches and depends on nature.

You should also avoid booking it if you want a sailing trip. The catamaran is electric, but it does not sail during this tour. That distinction is small in the advertising and important in your expectations.

Booking details that matter

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately, which is useful when your Lanzarote schedule is still moving around.

Starting times vary, so check availability for your chosen date. The activity is offered in English, Spanish, and French.

I would arrive at Puerto Calero with time to locate Pontoon F22 rather than cutting it close. Bring sunscreen, a hat, a warm layer, and a willingness to spend part of the trip simply looking at open water. That mindset will make the experience better than arriving with a promise of guaranteed photographs.

Should you book the WeWhale Lanzarote catamaran?

Book it if you want a quieter, cleaner way to search for whales and dolphins, and if you respect the fact that nature decides what appears. The electric catamaran, hydrophone, thoughtful animal handling, and four-hour format give this outing more substance than a basic harbor cruise.

I would be especially keen to book in settled, bright weather, while remembering that sightings are never assured. At $112, the trip is good value for a small-group wildlife experience if the environmental approach matters to you. If your only goal is a guaranteed dolphin encounter, keep your money and your expectations in check.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran depart from?

The meeting point is Marina Puerto Calero, at Pontoon F22, also described as Dock F22. Parking is available, and you can reach the marina by bus or taxi.

How long is the whale and dolphin trip?

The outing lasts four hours. Check the available starting times when you choose your date.

What languages does the crew speak?

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

Are whales and dolphins guaranteed?

No. The animals are wild, so sightings cannot be guaranteed. The crew searches for marine life, but conditions and animal movements determine what you see.

What is included in the price?

Fresh fruit, snacks, and soft drinks are included. Alcohol is not allowed on the boat.

What should I bring, and who cannot take this tour?

Bring a hat and sunscreen. The catamaran is not suitable for wheelchair users. Smoking, alcohol, drugs, littering, and feeding animals are not allowed.