Puerto del Carmen: Dolphin-Watching Speedboat Tour with Swim

The best part of this Puerto del Carmen dolphin tour is the chance to see cetaceans where they belong, out in the Atlantic rather than in a show pool. The low, fast Biosfera Jet gives you a good view close to the water, and the crew uses binoculars to search the horizon for dolphins, whales, turtles, and other sea life.

I like two things right away: the mix of wildlife watching and swimming, and the fair $41 price for a 1.5-hour outing. Guides such as Teddy, Carlos, and Elsa have been praised for being funny, friendly, and good at explaining what you see. The trade-off is simple: wild animals do not keep appointments, so you may get a huge pod of dolphins, or only coast views and a swim.

Key points

• Low, fast Biosfera Jet: A speedy boat ride along Lanzarote’s southeast coast, with open views of the water and shoreline.
• Wildlife in the open Atlantic: The crew searches for dolphins, whales, turtles, and other marine life, but sightings are never guaranteed.
• A proper sea swim: You can jump from the back of the boat into clear Atlantic water during the swimming stop.
• Strong guide presence: Commentary is offered in Spanish, English, and French, with guides known for humor and useful wildlife information.
• Good family appeal: Children can use binoculars and enjoy the speed, waves, and swim, although the boat is not suitable for wheelchair users.

What the Puerto del Carmen boat trip is really about

This is a short, active sea outing rather than a long specialist wildlife expedition. You leave from the Lanzarote Sea Tours office beside the petrol station and roundabout, walk to the boat, listen to a safety briefing, and then head out from Puerto del Carmen marina.

The boat is the Biosfera Jet, a fast craft that travels along the southeast coast of Lanzarote. That gives you two experiences in one. You get a chance to search for marine life, but you also get a lively ride with broad views back toward the island.

I would choose this tour if you want something that fits neatly into a morning or afternoon. At 1.5 hours, it does not consume a whole day at the beach or take over your holiday schedule. It is also short enough for families who may not want to commit to a full-day boat trip.

The pace can be part of the fun. The ride may feel bouncy when the Atlantic is active, especially on the way back toward the marina. Some families particularly enjoy that roller-coaster feeling, but if you prefer a quiet, steady cruise, a fast boat may not be your ideal choice.

Leaving Puerto del Carmen on the Biosfera Jet

The starting point is practical, though you should pay attention when you arrive. The office is next to a petrol station and a roundabout, and the activity does not include hotel pickup or drop-off. You will need to make your own way to the meeting point.

Before departure, the crew gives a quick briefing covering the trip and basic safety points. This matters because you are riding in a fast, low boat and later entering open water. Bring comfortable footwear for getting aboard, plus a light extra layer if the air feels cool.

Once underway, the boat follows Lanzarote’s southeast coast. You get a different view of the island from the sea, with the coastline stretching behind and beside you. The trip is not just a straight run to a wildlife spot, so the ride itself provides a useful change from Puerto del Carmen’s beaches and promenade.

The low seating arrangement can help with wildlife watching. One particularly useful feature is the boat’s closeness to the water, which can make dolphins easier to see when they swim alongside. The crew may also move people around or help children get a better look, depending on the conditions and available space.

Searching the Atlantic for dolphins and whales

The central part of the outing is the search. Crew members scan the sea with binoculars and guide the captain toward signs of wildlife. You may see dolphins, whales, turtles, or other marine species, but there is no fixed viewing point and no promise that an animal will appear.

That uncertainty is not a flaw in the operation. It is the basic reality of watching wild creatures. One outing can produce a large pod of dolphins racing beside the boat, while another may bring only a brief glimpse or no marine life at all.

The recorded sightings have included Atlantic spotted dolphins, pilot whales, and Bryde’s whales. Some lucky trips have found dolphins close to the boat for a long stretch, with animals swimming alongside or leaping clear of the water. Other outings have produced turtles, or a single whale when dolphins failed to appear.

I like that the activity keeps its focus on animals in their natural setting. The best moments come when the wildlife chooses to approach the boat. A careful captain and attentive guide can help you see more without turning the experience into a chase.

Still, set your expectations correctly. You are paying for the search, the boat ride, the guide, and the swim, not for a guaranteed dolphin performance. If seeing dolphins is the only reason you want to go, the risk may bother you. If you see the wildlife as a bonus within a broader sea trip, the price makes more sense.

Why the guides make a difference

The live commentary is an important part of the experience. The guide explains the cetaceans you may encounter and adds technical and historical information connected with the trip. That turns a fast boat ride into something more useful than simply scanning the horizon.

Guide names can vary, but Teddy, Carlos, and Elsa have all been singled out for warm, lively service on different departures. Carlos has been described as speaking several languages, while Teddy has been praised for mixing useful information with humor. Elsa has also been remembered for being kind and helpful.

The listed languages are Spanish, English, and French. That makes the tour workable for a mixed international group, and a good guide can help everyone understand what the crew is looking for. The most useful guides do not just point and shout dolphin. They help you understand the animal, explain where to look, and keep the mood upbeat when the search takes time.

Small touches can matter here. Children have been given binoculars to help scan for wildlife, and crew members have helped younger passengers get a better view from the front. Music, including playful sea shanties on one trip, may add to the relaxed holiday mood.

Do not expect a formal lecture with quiet observation throughout. This is a friendly, energetic excursion. The humor and lively commentary suit families and groups who enjoy a social outing. If you want a silent wildlife watch with a specialist naturalist, you may find the tone more casual than expected.

The swim stop in clear Atlantic water

After the wildlife search, the boat stops so you can swim. You enter from the boat, usually by jumping from the back, so this is a real open-sea swim rather than a quick paddle at a beach.

The water is described as clear, and the stop can be especially welcome after sitting in the sun or bouncing across the water. You may see fish in the Atlantic, but the main appeal is the freedom of jumping straight from the boat and swimming away from the shore.

Bring your own swimwear and towel. Snorkeling equipment is not included, so pack your own gear if you want to look below the surface. Food and drinks are also not included, and there is no hotel transfer.

The current can be strong. Stay close to the boat and follow the crew’s instructions. This is the most important practical point in the whole trip, especially for children or anyone who is not a confident swimmer.

Not everyone has to swim. If you prefer to remain aboard, you can enjoy the water views and watch the swimmers. The boat stop is also a useful balance to the wildlife search. Even when dolphins stay out of sight, you still have a clear activity at sea rather than simply returning to port empty-handed.

How the tour works for families

This activity is a good fit for families who want something more exciting than a standard sightseeing cruise. Children can enjoy the speed, the waves, the chance to use binoculars, and the possibility of seeing dolphins close to the boat.

The crew has been praised for helping children see the wildlife and for making families feel safe aboard. One family with a three-year-old found the boat manageable, with the child seated and able to move around. That is encouraging, but you should still consider your own child’s comfort with boat motion and open water.

The ride may be lively. Waves can come over the side and cool you down, which sounds fun on a hot day but may surprise anyone expecting a dry, gentle cruise. Secure loose belongings and bring weather-appropriate clothing.

There is no stated wheelchair suitability, and the activity is not suitable for wheelchair users. You should also think carefully about swimming ability, sun exposure, and how comfortable your group is with a fast boat before booking.

Is $41 good value for 90 minutes?

At $41 per person, this is a reasonably priced short excursion for Lanzarote. You are paying for a boat trip, a live guide, wildlife searching, coastal views, and time to swim. Comparable sea activities can cost more when they run longer or include food, transfers, or snorkeling equipment.

The value depends on how you measure success. If you see a large pod of dolphins, the price feels excellent. Some outings have found dozens or even hundreds of dolphins, along with whale sightings and close views beside the hull.

But a dolphin sighting is not part of the guarantee. On a quiet departure, you may spend the full trip enjoying the speedboat, coastline, commentary, and swim. Several departures have still felt worthwhile without dolphins, but you should be comfortable with that possibility before paying.

The 1.5-hour length helps keep the cost and time commitment under control. You can pair it with a beach afternoon, a meal in Puerto del Carmen, or another Lanzarote activity. Reserve now and pay later is available, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, which gives you some flexibility when planning around weather and family schedules.

Practical tips for a better outing

Arrive at the stated meeting point beside the petrol station and roundabout, and allow enough time to identify the office and boat. The supplied information does not include hotel pickup, so do not assume transport is arranged from your accommodation.

Pack lightly, but bring the items that matter:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen
• Comfortable footwear
• Comfortable clothes
• A warm layer or other weather-appropriate clothing
• Your own snorkeling gear if you want it

Use sunscreen before boarding. The sea breeze can make the sun feel less intense than it is, and the boat offers wide exposure to the sky. If you burn easily, ask about sitting in shade and keep reapplying sunscreen during the stop.

Keep your camera and phone secure. The boat can bounce, and spray may come over the side. The exact conditions vary, so listen to the crew before standing, moving toward the front, or entering the water.

If dolphins appear, watch the crew rather than only watching the animal. The guides may direct you to one side of the boat or help children move for a clearer view. Sharing the best sight lines makes the experience better for the whole group.

Who should book this Puerto del Carmen tour?

I would recommend it most strongly to families, couples, and first-time visitors who want a compact taste of Lanzarote from the water. It suits people who like a bit of speed, do not mind a social group setting, and see a dolphin sighting as a possibility rather than a promise.

It is also a good choice if you care about seeing marine life in the open sea instead of at a captive-animal attraction. The boat’s low position can give you a close view when animals approach, and the crew’s explanations add meaning to the encounter.

I would hesitate if you need guaranteed wildlife, cannot swim comfortably in open water, or dislike fast boats and wave movement. It is not suitable for wheelchair users, and snorkeling gear, food, drinks, and hotel transfers are not included.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a lively 90-minute sea adventure with three possible rewards: dolphins or whales, views of Lanzarote’s coast, and a swim from the boat. The strongest departures can be unforgettable, with large dolphin pods, pilot whales, or Bryde’s whales appearing close to the boat.

Go in with the right promise. The crew can search hard and guide you well, but nature makes the final decision. At $41, the combination of speedboat ride, commentary, and open-sea swimming gives you a fair chance at a memorable outing even when the wildlife stays hidden.

FAQ

How long does the Puerto del Carmen dolphin tour last?

The tour lasts 1.5 hours, including the boat ride, wildlife search, live commentary, and swimming stop.

Where does the boat tour start?

You meet at the Lanzarote Sea Tours office beside the petrol station and the roundabout. The boat departs from Puerto del Carmen marina.

Are dolphins and whales guaranteed?

No. Dolphins, whales, turtles, and other marine species live in the wild, so sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Can I swim during the tour?

Yes. The trip includes time to swim in the Atlantic, with access to the water from the boat.

What languages are available?

Live guides are available in Spanish, English, and French.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, comfortable clothes, comfortable footwear, and clothing suited to the weather. Snorkeling gear is not provided, so bring your own if you want to use it.