Small Group Dolphin Sunset Tour on Electric Catamaran Lanzarote

The best part of this Lanzarote boat trip is the quiet ride. La Santa Maria is an electric catamaran, so you can watch the coast and listen for dolphins without the usual engine roar. The small group, capped at 12, gives you room on the 108-square-meter deck, while the crew searches the waters off Playa Quemada and the Femés mountains for wildlife.

I like two things in particular: the careful approach to animals and the relaxed sunset setting. The crew has declined to crowd frightened whales and dolphins when other boats gathered around, and the included OceanBeer, local wine, soft drinks, snacks, and blankets make the evening feel well planned. The main drawback is simple: wildlife is never guaranteed, and choppy water can make the search less comfortable.

Key points at a glance

• Electric catamaran: La Santa Maria offers a quieter ride than a standard motorboat.
• Maximum 12 people: You get a more personal outing and plenty of deck space.
• Wildlife is possible, not promised: Dolphins, whales, and turtles have been seen, but some trips spot no animals.
• Sunset route: Views include Playa Quemada and the mountains around Femés.
• Drinks and snacks included: Expect beer, local wine, soft drinks, and a light snack.
• Price and timing: The tour costs $90.70 per person, lasts about 2.5 hours, and runs year-round.

A quiet start from Puerto Calero

Your meeting point is WeWhale Lanzarote at Dock F22 in Puerto Calero. The marina is in the south of Lanzarote, and the tour returns to the same place after the cruise, which keeps the logistics simple.

The boat carries a maximum of 12 people. That limit matters. You are not packed onto a large excursion vessel, and the crew can answer questions, point out wildlife, and help with practical things such as blankets when the temperature drops.

The catamaran has a spacious 108-square-meter deck. That gives you several ways to enjoy the trip. Sit back with a drink, move around to look for animals, or find a clear view as the sun lowers behind the island’s volcanic slopes.

The tour lasts about two and a half hours. One description lists two hours for the cruise portion, but you should plan on roughly 2.5 hours from start to finish. It is long enough to get well offshore and spend real time scanning the water, without taking up an entire day.

The electric catamaran makes the search calmer

The boat, La Santa Maria, is one of the experience’s most unusual features. Its electric motor keeps the ride quiet, which helps in two ways. You hear more of the sea and the people around you, and the boat creates less engine noise while you look for marine life.

That quieter setting also fits the company’s conservation-minded approach. The crew does not treat dolphins and whales as a moving photo opportunity. One particularly strong account describes the crew refusing to join other boats that had gathered around animals that appeared frightened. Once the commercial boats left, the smaller catamaran could watch from a respectful distance.

That does not mean you will get a close encounter. In fact, a responsible wildlife trip may feel less dramatic than a boat that chases animals. I see that as a positive, but you should know what you are paying for. This is a nature outing, not a guaranteed dolphin show.

The crew may include Gonzalo, Sylvia, Patricia, or other members of the WeWhale team. Gonzalo has been praised for clear communication before departure and for sharing information about marine mammals. Sylvia has also been singled out for her enthusiasm for wildlife protection. A German-speaking crew member named Sarah has provided explanations for children, and Gonzalo has offered information in French on some departures. The advertised tour language is English.

Along Lanzarote’s southern coast

Once underway, the catamaran cruises along the coast near Puerto Calero. The route gives you views of Playa Quemada and the mountains around Femés, with the island’s dark volcanic forms changing color as the evening light fades.

Seeing Lanzarote from the water gives you a different sense of the island. From shore, the volcanic terrain can feel stark and dry. From the catamaran, you see how the coastline, cliffs, beaches, and mountain ridges fit together. The sunset adds color without requiring the crew to make the trip feel rushed.

The main activity is scanning the water. The crew explains the cetaceans found around the Canary Islands and watches for signs of dolphins or whales. You may hear about different species and the sounds animals use, including echolocation. If dolphins approach the boat, you might see them beside or beneath the catamaran, but the exact encounter depends on the animals.

Some outings have produced sightings of several dolphin species, whales, or both. Other trips have seen sea turtles. On some evenings, the boat has found no wildlife at all, especially when rough seas made searching difficult. That range is important. The scenery and sunset are reliable reasons to go. Animals are an added possibility.

What the sunset adds to the experience

The timing gives this tour a clear advantage over a standard daytime wildlife cruise. You are not only looking for dolphins. You are also watching the sun drop behind Lanzarote’s mountains and volcanic ridges.

The sunset may be vivid, partly cloudy, or less complete than expected. The boat cannot change the weather or move the mountains, so the exact show is out of anyone’s control. Still, the late light is one of the strongest reasons to choose this departure.

The evening can feel cool once the wind picks up. Bring an extra layer, even if the afternoon is warm. The crew has handed out blankets and jackets when people became cold, but your own warm top is the safer plan.

This is a good setting for photographs. You can frame dolphins against the island, capture the catamaran’s clean lines, or take sunset pictures from the deck. Some departures have included a Polaroid keepsake, though you should not treat that as a guaranteed part of every trip.

Drinks, snacks, and the real value of $90.70

The tour costs $90.70 per person. That is not the cheapest way to get on the water in Lanzarote, but the price needs to be judged against the full package.

You receive a small-group outing on a spacious electric catamaran, roughly 2.5 hours on the water, wildlife guidance, sunset views, drinks, and snacks. The included choices can include OceanBeer, local white wine, beer, soda, and other non-alcoholic drinks. Snacks have included items such as peanuts or corn.

The food is light, not a meal. One person found the snack portion too modest, while another appreciated the simple drink and snack service. I would eat beforehand if you need dinner, especially if you are traveling with children or tend to get hungry on boats.

The price makes more sense if you value a quiet vessel, a small group, and an animal-friendly approach. It is less compelling if your only goal is a guaranteed dolphin sighting. Nature does not offer that guarantee, and several enjoyable trips have seen no dolphins or whales.

Wildlife ethics matter here

A dolphin tour can be judged by more than its sighting count. The way a boat behaves around animals matters, especially in areas where several operators may chase the same pod.

This experience puts visible weight on restraint. The crew has explained when animals seemed uneasy and chosen not to crowd them. That can mean you spend more time waiting, watching, and accepting distance. For me, that is a better trade than a rushed approach that puts the animals first only after the cameras are out.

The crew also talks about cetaceans and conservation. Most accounts describe friendly, engaged explanations, with questions answered during the outing. One less positive experience found the educational part too brief and wished for more commentary about the coast and the animals.

That criticism is worth keeping in mind. The quality of an outing can depend on the crew working that day and on how much wildlife activity is available. If you want a nonstop naturalist talk, ask questions early and take advantage of the small group. The setting gives you a good chance to speak directly with the crew.

Families, couples, and first-time boat riders

Families can do well on this cruise, especially if children are curious about animals. The smaller boat avoids the feel of a large party vessel, and crew members have taken care to help children understand what they are seeing. The quiet electric motor also makes conversation easier.

Couples may prefer the sunset atmosphere and open deck. The trip has a calm, scenic quality, but it is not a private cruise. You share the boat with up to 11 other people.

It also suits anyone who cares about lower-noise boating and wildlife protection. You do not need to be an expert in marine life. The crew supplies the basic context, and the search itself becomes part of the fun.

The less suitable audience is someone who needs a fixed result. If you would consider the trip a failure without dolphins, the $90.70 price may feel risky. If you can enjoy the sea, the views, and the possibility of an encounter, the outing offers better value.

Weather, comfort, and practical planning

The tour requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel it, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not refunded.

The catamaran is accessible to most people, service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. The supplied information does not describe specific steps, boarding assistance, or onboard facilities, so contact WeWhale if you need details beyond that.

Wear something warm for the return ride. The temperature often feels lower once the sun disappears, and wind on open water can make a mild evening feel chilly. Comfortable clothing and a phone or camera are sensible choices.

Arrive with enough time to find Dock F22 at Puerto Calero. Your booking confirmation is issued at the time of booking, and the tour ends back at the same dock.

Should you book the WeWhale sunset cruise?

I would book this tour if you want a small, quiet boat, a strong sunset setting, and a respectful approach to wildlife. The electric catamaran, limited group size, open deck, and crew members such as Gonzalo and Sylvia give it more character than a basic sightseeing cruise.

I would not book it solely for a promised dolphin photograph. Sightings have ranged from several dolphin species and whales to turtles, or no wildlife at all. That uncertainty is part of any real wildlife trip.

For the best chance of enjoying the price, think of the experience as a sunset cruise with a wildlife search, not a guaranteed safari. Bring a warm layer, eat before boarding, ask questions, and let the evening’s result be what it is. If dolphins appear, they can turn a beautiful outing into a memorable one. If they do not, the quiet boat, volcanic coast, and sinking sun still give you a worthwhile two and a half hours on Lanzarote’s water.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at WeWhale Lanzarote, Dock F22, C. Pantalanes, Puerto Calero, Las Palmas, Spain.

Where does the tour finish?

The catamaran returns to the same meeting point at Puerto Calero.

How long does the sunset tour last?

Plan on approximately 2.5 hours. The cruise route itself is also described as lasting about two hours.

How many people can join the tour?

The boat carries a maximum of 12 people.

What kind of boat is used?

The tour uses La Santa Maria, an electric catamaran with a 108-square-meter deck.

Are dolphins guaranteed?

No. Dolphins, whales, and turtles have been seen, but wildlife sightings depend on nature and sea conditions.

What drinks are included?

Included options can include OceanBeer, local white wine, beer, soda, and other non-alcoholic drinks.

Are snacks included?

Yes. A light snack is included, although the exact items and portion can vary.

Is the tour offered all year?

Yes. The sunset tour is available year-round, subject to suitable weather.

What happens if the weather cancels the tour?

You can choose a different date or receive a full refund if poor weather causes the cancellation. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.