🐬 Are There Dolphins in Lanzarote?

Absolutely! The waters surrounding Lanzarote are home to various species of dolphins and other cetaceans. Some can be spotted all year round, while others appear during their migrations across the Atlantic.

That is why a dolphin-watching boat trip can be one of the most exciting adventures during a stay on the island. There is just one thing to keep in mind – the ocean is not an aquarium. Dolphins are wild animals, and they decide whether or not to come close to the boat on any given day.

🐋 What Species Can You See?

Several species of dolphins can be found in the waters around Lanzarote. These include the bottlenose dolphin, common dolphin and striped dolphin. Atlantic spotted dolphins can also be found in the waters of the Canary Islands.

But dolphins are not the only cetaceans you can look out for here. Short-finned pilot whales have also been recorded in the waters around Lanzarote, while larger cetaceans, including sperm whales, beaked whales and fin whales, can be seen in the waters of the archipelago.

💡 Did you know…?
Even orcas have been recorded in the waters around Lanzarote. However, such encounters are rare, so you definitely should not expect to see them during a tourist boat trip.

📅 When Is the Best Time to Go?

Dolphins and other cetaceans can be spotted in the waters around the Canary Islands throughout the year. This means there is no single short “dolphin season” that you need to plan your holiday around.

Ocean conditions, however, make a big difference. Calmer seas and good visibility make it easier to spot the animals and also make the boat trip itself much more enjoyable.

If you have a choice, it is worth considering a morning trip. The sea can be calmer then, before the wind picks up later in the day. However, this does not mean that dolphins themselves are easier to spot in the morning.

💡 Zwiedzo-Maniacy tip:

When choosing the day for your boat trip, pay attention primarily to the wind forecast and sea conditions rather than the month on the calendar.

🗺️ Where to Look for Dolphins?

There is no single bay or spot on the map of Lanzarote where you can simply go and be sure to see dolphins. These animals move through the ocean in search of food.

The best chance of encountering them is therefore to head out into the open sea on a whale- and dolphin-watching boat trip. The crews of these boats know what to look for and head towards areas where there is a good chance of finding the animals at that particular time.

Many trips depart from ports in the south of Lanzarote, including Puerto del Carmen and Puerto Calero.

👀 Can You See Dolphins from the Shore?

Yes – but you need quite a bit of luck.

The best chance of a lucky sighting is from places high above the ocean, where you can see a large expanse of water. When the sea is calm, you may occasionally spot dorsal fins or dolphins leaping out of the water.

If you enjoy watching wildlife, it is worth bringing binoculars to Lanzarote. They will come in handy not only for spotting dolphins, but also for watching birds, the islands of the Chinijo Archipelago and details of the volcanic landscape.

However, if seeing dolphins is your main goal, it is better not to rely solely on watching from the shore. Heading out onto the ocean gives you a much better chance of spotting them.

⛵ What Is a Dolphin-Watching Boat Trip Like?

It is not a typical boat trip with a fixed route from point A to point B. It is, above all, a search.

Once out at sea, the crew scans the ocean for fins, leaps and other signs of cetaceans. Sometimes the animals are found quickly, while at other times you need to be patient.

If dolphins appear, the boat should keep an appropriate distance. The animals themselves may decide to come closer – sometimes they swim alongside the boat or in front of its bow.

Trips vary in length. You can find both shorter excursions focused primarily on watching cetaceans and longer trips that combine searching for them with other attractions.

🌊 Be Prepared for a Bumpy Ride

Out on the open Atlantic, the boat can rock much more than during a calm cruise along the coast.

It is worth bringing a hat, high-SPF sunscreen and something to protect you from the wind. If you are prone to seasickness, it is also a good idea to take precautions before the trip.

🎯 Are You Guaranteed to See Dolphins?

No. And that is the best mindset to have when setting out on a dolphin-watching trip.

Dolphins are wild animals. One day, an entire pod may appear beside the boat; another day, you might see just a few individuals in the distance, and sometimes you may not encounter any at all.

If a tour operator advertises a “100% guarantee of seeing dolphins,” it is worth reading the terms carefully. In practice, such a guarantee may mean, for example, that you can join another trip if no dolphins are spotted on your first excursion.

And perhaps it is precisely this uncertainty that makes the moment when the first fin suddenly appears above the surface of the ocean so exciting.

💙 How to Choose a Dolphin-Friendly Boat Trip?

When choosing a trip, it is worth considering more than just the price, duration or type of boat. It is also important to look at how the operator approaches encounters with wild animals.

In the Canary Islands, tourist whale and dolphin watching is regulated. Authorised vessels can be identified by the “Barco Azul” – Blue Boat – designation.

During responsible wildlife watching, the boat should not chase dolphins, cut across the path of a moving pod or force close contact. The animals should not be fed or touched either.

It is the dolphins that decide whether they want to approach the boat.

💡 Zwiedzo-Maniacy tip:

Before booking, ask directly: “Does the boat have the Barco Azul designation?” This is a much better criterion for choosing a trip than a promise to get as close to the animals as possible.

👨‍👩‍👧 Dolphin Watching with Children – Is It Worth It?

Definitely. A dolphin-watching boat trip can be one of the most exciting adventures for a child in Lanzarote.

However, before setting off, do not promise: “We’re going to see dolphins today.” It is better to say: “We’re setting off to see what we can discover out on the ocean.”

And just like that, your child is no longer simply a passenger.

🔎 Become an Ocean Observer

Give your child a mission of their own. Encourage them to watch the water carefully and try to be the first to spot a dorsal fin.

If dolphins appear, you can try counting them or checking whether they all look the same. Perhaps you might even spot a calf.

And what if the dolphins do not appear? The search does not have to end. Out on the ocean, you can look for birds, fish, unusual wave patterns or other animals.

Because for a young explorer, the goal does not have to be simply to see a dolphin – it can be to discover the ocean.