Gran Canaria: Dolphin and Whale Watching Cruise

The best part of this cruise is the chance to watch dolphins behaving naturally in open water, not in a tank or enclosed bay. From Puerto Rico, you sail several miles offshore along the southwest coast, where dolphins, whales, flying fish, and sometimes turtles may appear. The 97% sighting rate is a strong reason to consider it, though no wildlife trip can promise an animal on cue.

I like the clean, modern catamaran and the free water and soft drinks, which keep the $42 price sensible. I also like the free return-trip offer sometimes given when no animals are found. The main drawback is the transfer: an 80-minute coach ride is listed, and some hotel pickups can take close to two hours before the boat even leaves.

• Puerto Rico departure: Sail from one of Gran Canaria’s main southwest harbors into the normal search area between Faro Maspalomas and Veneguera.
• Natural wildlife: Look for dolphins and whales, with possible sightings of turtles and flying fish.
• Bilingual guidance: A live guide speaks English and Spanish and explains the marine life you may encounter.
• Two-deck catamaran: The 52-foot, 20-foot-wide boat has an access ramp for pushchairs and room to move around.
• Free refreshments: Water and soft drinks are included. Snacks and alcoholic drinks cost extra.
• South-coast transfers: Pickup and return are available from 33 listed locations, but allow plenty of time for the road journey.

What the Puerto Rico cruise is really like

This is a wildlife search by boat, not a scripted show. You leave Puerto Rico and head along the southwest coast, usually traveling 5 to 7 miles offshore within a search zone stretching from Faro Maspalomas toward Veneguera.

That distance matters. The best sightings may happen far from shore, so you need to spend much of the trip watching the water rather than expecting constant action. A dolphin may surface once and vanish, or a pod may suddenly appear beside the boat. The uncertainty is part of the experience, but it also means you should be ready for quiet stretches.

The advertised sailing time is two hours. The detailed itinerary lists about 2.5 hours for the dolphin-watching portion, and some outings described by customers lasted closer to three hours. Check the exact departure time when you book, especially if you have dinner plans or a separate activity afterward.

The trip has a strong success record, listed at 97 percent for seeing dolphins or whales. That is encouraging, but it is not a guarantee. On one outing, you might see a large pod of dolphins and flying fish. On another, you may search for hours with little to show for it. Some departures have found whales even when dolphins did not appear.

Leaving from Puerto Rico and reaching open water

Puerto Rico is the working starting point for the cruise. After boarding, you get wide views of the southwest coast as the boat moves away from the harbor. The coast is attractive from the water, and the changing angle gives you a different look at the cliffs, beaches, and resort areas than you get from the road.

The boat is the Multiacuatic GC, a 52-foot catamaran built in 2005. It has two decks and is about 20 feet wide, giving you several places to watch from. An access ramp is available for pushchairs, which is useful for families, though you should still confirm any mobility needs before booking.

The catamaran provides a steadier platform than a small speedboat, but the open sea can still be rough. One customer reported becoming sick in high waves, and another specifically warned that the boat can feel windy. I would bring motion-sickness medication if you are prone to seasickness, plus a light jumper even on a warm beach day.

Once offshore, the crew begins the search. The boat may slow, change direction, or spend time scanning a particular patch of water. You will get the best chance of spotting animals by staying alert and looking for splashes, fins, birds, or unusual movement on the surface.

Dolphins, whales, turtles, and flying fish

Dolphins are the main attraction, and they are often the most active animals to watch. They may travel alongside the catamaran, cross in front of the bow, or gather in a pod a short distance away. Sightings have included around a dozen dolphins close to the boat, as well as much larger groups that appeared suddenly after one first sighting.

The dolphins seen here can include bottlenose dolphins and species sometimes called false killer whale dolphins. That name can sound alarming, but it refers to a dolphin species, not an encounter with killer whales. Your guide can help identify what you are seeing.

Whales are possible too, though they may be harder to spot. A brief glimpse of a whale can be less dramatic than a pod of dolphins racing beside the boat, but it is still a memorable sight in open water. Some trips have seen whales near the end of the search, after no dolphins had appeared earlier.

You might also see turtles, flying fish, or other sea life. Flying fish are especially fun because they can flash across the water before disappearing. Keep your eyes moving. The person looking toward the side or behind the boat may spot something that everyone at the front misses.

The crew’s listed sighting rate is impressive, but I would treat it as a guide rather than a promise. Wildlife follows food, weather, and its own timetable. If seeing animals is the only reason you are booking, ask about the company’s current policy for a no-sighting trip. Several customers were offered a free return outing after an unsuccessful search, and some had much better luck on the second attempt.

The marine guide and onboard atmosphere

A marine guide is onboard throughout the cruise, with English and Spanish offered. The stated plan is for the guide to explain cetaceans and other animals found in the area, including turtles and flying fish.

The quality of explanation can affect the trip. When the guide points out a distant fin or explains why the boat has changed direction, the waiting feels purposeful. One customer felt that little information was provided, so do not assume the commentary will be a full natural-history lesson on every departure.

The crew receives strong marks for friendliness and care. They have helped passengers who felt seasick and kept an eye on comfort and safety. The boat is described as clean and modern, and the crew works hard to find animals rather than giving up early.

You should not expect a luxury yacht service. Drinks are available, but staff may not walk around serving everyone while the boat is searching. If you want water or a snack, you may need to visit the bar and risk missing a sighting for a moment.

Refreshments, swimming, and what is not guaranteed

Water and soft drinks are included. Snacks can be bought at the bar, and alcoholic drinks are not part of the price. The basic arrangement is simple and useful, especially in the sun.

Some departures have included a swimming stop, with one mentioned at Anfi del Mar. Other outings did not include a swim, and the published details do not promise one. Pack a swimsuit only if you have room, but do not book this trip mainly for swimming. The core activity is wildlife watching.

The same applies to food. The included drinks are a nice touch, but food is extra. A small snack before boarding may be sensible, particularly if you are using the long coach transfer from a resort farther along the coast.

Bring sunscreen, a hat, and a jumper. The sun can feel strong on the upper deck, while wind can make the return trip chilly. Comfortable shoes will help you move safely around the boat, though no special clothing is listed as required.

Hotel pickup, coach time, and the real length of your day

Pickup and drop-off are available from 33 locations in the south of Gran Canaria. These include points around Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés, San Agustín, Puerto Rico, Taurito, Puerto de Mogán, Patalavaca, and nearby resorts.

The pickup system is useful if you do not have a car, but it adds time. You must request pickup at least 24 hours in advance. The listed coach journey takes about 80 minutes, and one customer reported nearly 1 hour 50 minutes from accommodation to the boat because of multiple stops.

That is the biggest value question for this excursion. The cruise itself costs $42 per person, which is fair for a catamaran outing with a guide, free soft drinks, and a strong chance of seeing marine life. But a long transfer can turn a two-hour cruise into most of a morning or afternoon.

If you are staying close to Puerto Rico, the experience is easier and more efficient. If you are staying in Maspalomas or farther east, compare the transfer time with the price of a taxi or rental car. The free return transfer after the cruise is convenient, but you still need to plan around pickup windows.

Is $42 a fair price?

For $42, I think this is good value if you want a straightforward wildlife cruise and are staying in the south of the island. The boat is larger than a basic fishing vessel, the crew provides guidance, and water and soft drinks are included. You are also paying for the chance to see animals in their own environment, not for a guaranteed performance.

The price feels even better if you see dolphins close to the catamaran, whales, or several kinds of sea life on one outing. It is less satisfying if the boat spends most of the time searching and the commentary is limited. That is the unavoidable trade-off with wildlife trips.

The free repeat option can make the risk easier to accept, but it is not listed as an automatic guarantee in every situation. Ask the crew about the policy if no dolphins or whales are found. If you have several days in Gran Canaria, booking early in your stay gives you more flexibility to try again.

Who will enjoy this most

Families will find plenty to like here. Children can watch for fins and flying fish, and the catamaran gives them more room than a tiny boat. The access ramp is helpful for pushchairs, though the open sea and possible wind may not suit very young children who need a calm ride.

This also suits couples, solo visitors, and anyone who wants a break from hotel pools and organized resort activities. The views are attractive even during quiet periods, and the chance of a close dolphin sighting is real.

I would be more cautious if you suffer badly from motion sickness, dislike wind, or have only a short window in your schedule. The coach transfer can be long, and there may be periods when nothing happens on the water. You need some patience for the best moments to arrive.

My practical booking advice

Choose a morning or afternoon departure based on the time that gives you the easiest pickup. Make sure your hotel or meeting point is one of the listed locations, and request transport at least 24 hours ahead.

Wear sunscreen and a hat, then add a light jumper to your day bag. Keep your phone or camera ready, but do not spend the whole cruise looking through a screen. Dolphins can surface for only a few seconds.

If you are sensitive to waves, take suitable precautions before boarding and sit where the crew recommends. The catamaran is stable for its type, but no open-water boat is perfectly smooth.

Bring a swimsuit only as an optional extra because some departures may stop for swimming, but this is not guaranteed. Plan to buy snacks if you need more than the included drinks.

Should you book the Multiacuatic GC cruise?

I would book this tour if you are based in southern Gran Canaria, want a reasonably priced boat trip, and understand that wildlife sightings require patience. The strongest reasons are the high reported sighting rate, friendly crew, clean two-deck catamaran, and the possibility of seeing dolphins close to the boat.

I would skip it if a long hotel transfer would take up too much of your day or if you need a guaranteed schedule with nonstop activity. For everyone else, $42 buys a solid chance to see dolphins and whales in open water, with beautiful coastal views as a useful bonus.

FAQ

Where does the dolphin and whale cruise depart from?

The cruise departs from Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria and sails along the island’s southwest coast.

How long does the cruise last?

The activity is advertised as two hours. The detailed schedule lists about 2.5 hours for dolphin watching, and some departures have lasted closer to three hours.

What animals might I see?

You may see dolphins and whales, as well as turtles, flying fish, and other marine life.

Is a wildlife sighting guaranteed?

No. The experience lists a 97 percent success rate for seeing dolphins or whales, but sightings cannot be guaranteed on every departure.

Are hotel transfers included?

Pickup and return services are available from the south of Gran Canaria, using 33 listed pickup and drop-off locations. Pickup must be requested at least 24 hours in advance.

Are drinks included?

Water and soft drinks are included. Snacks can be purchased onboard, while alcoholic drinks are not included.

Is swimming part of the cruise?

Some departures have included a swimming stop, including a stop at Anfi del Mar, but swimming is not guaranteed as part of every trip.