Dolphin Watching Mini Cruise and Snorkeling from Lanzarote

The best part of this Lanzarote outing is the chance to see dolphins in the wild from the fast Biosfera Jet. You leave Puerto del Carmen’s marina, skim along the island’s west coast, and get a short break for snorkeling before returning to the same dock.

I like the compact 90-minute length, which fits neatly into a busy holiday schedule, and I like the simple setup: meet at the marina, hear a safety briefing, and get on the water without a full-day commitment. The main catch is clear: dolphin sightings are not guaranteed, and the snorkeling may feel brief.

Quick points to know

• Wild dolphins, not a staged show: You may see dolphins in freedom, but no sighting can be promised.
• Fast boat from Puerto del Carmen: The Biosfera Jet is the main attraction, with views along Lanzarote’s west coast.
• About 90 minutes on the water: This is a short outing, not a full-day cruise.
• Snorkeling is included: Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes.
• Meeting point matters: You must make your own way to Lanzarote Sea Tours at Puerto del Carmen marina.
• Up to 48 people: The boat can carry a fairly large group, so this is not a private wildlife trip.

A fast start from Puerto del Carmen marina

The tour begins at Lanzarote Sea Tours on Av. del Varadero in Puerto del Carmen. The listed start time is noon, and the experience ends back at the same meeting point. There is no included hotel transfer, so allow time to reach the marina on your own.

Before departure, the crew gives you a short briefing about the trip and basic safety. That matters on a fast boat, especially if you have children in your group or are not used to open-water rides. Keep your belongings secure and wear shoes that will stay on your feet.

The Biosfera Jet is not a slow sightseeing vessel. The appeal is the speed, the open-air ride, and the feeling of moving quickly away from the marina. You should expect wind, spray, and a more active ride than you would get on a large catamaran.

This is one reason the 90-minute format works well. You spend little time waiting around, and the boat ride itself is the main event. If you want a quiet cruise with plenty of room to stretch out, this may feel too brisk. If you want a quick hit of ocean scenery, it is a sensible fit.

Following Lanzarote’s west coast

Once the boat leaves Puerto del Carmen, it travels along Lanzarote’s west coast. The views are a major part of the experience, even if the dolphins stay away. From the water, you get a different angle on the island than you do from a road or resort promenade.

The coast here is known for its stark volcanic character. On a boat, you are not stopping to inspect a village or monument. Instead, you watch the island pass from offshore while the crew keeps an eye out for marine life.

The speed of the Biosfera Jet gives the trip energy, but it also affects how you take in the scenery. You will have less time to study the shoreline than on a slow boat. I would treat this as an active coastal ride with wildlife potential, rather than a detailed coastal sightseeing tour.

The boat’s route is designed around the chance to spot dolphins in open water. That is a more natural encounter than a guaranteed animal show, but it also comes with uncertainty. You could get a memorable sighting, or you could spend the ride watching the sea and the coast without seeing a dolphin.

That uncertainty is not a minor detail. It is the central trade-off. The experience can be wonderful when dolphins appear, yet the operator cannot control wild animals. Book it because you like being on the water and want the possibility of a sighting, not because you need a guaranteed result.

Dolphin watching without a promise

The tour presents a genuine opportunity to see dolphins in freedom. The wording is important: a sighting is possible, but it is not guaranteed.

I appreciate the honesty of that arrangement. Wild dolphins do not follow a timetable, and a short cruise gives you only a limited period to find them. If your holiday plans depend on seeing dolphins, you may want to think carefully before paying specifically for that one result.

Keep your expectations broad. A dolphin-free trip can still give you a fast ride, sea air, and coastal views. On the other hand, a dolphin sighting would be the experience’s defining moment, and the excitement would be hard to match on a routine boat ride.

The overall rating of 3.8 from 72 published ratings reflects this mixed outcome. Some people had a memorable trip with friendly staff and beautiful views. Others felt disappointed after spending the ride on the water without seeing dolphins, which is understandable when wildlife is the main selling point.

Snorkeling: useful extra, limited time

Snorkeling is included, but this is not primarily a snorkeling excursion. The total activity lasts about an hour and a half, and that time includes leaving the marina, looking for dolphins, cruising the coast, and returning.

That leaves a limited window for getting into the water. Several comments describe the snorkeling as short, with one account suggesting that the swim lasted only briefly and took place close to the harbor. Another complaint was that the boat returned soon after snorkeling, leaving little time to dry off or change comfortably.

These details are worth taking seriously. You may enjoy the swim as a quick splash and a chance to cool off, but you should not book this expecting a long session over a large reef. The available information does not promise a particular snorkeling site, water depth, or underwater wildlife.

Bring a towel even if you are unsure about swimming. You should also pack sunscreen and a swimsuit, as well as comfortable shoes for boarding and moving around the boat. A small, secure bag is practical, though the tour information does not specify storage arrangements.

Water temperature can also affect your enjoyment. One account describes the water as cool. That will feel refreshing to some people and uncomfortable to others, particularly if the snorkeling stop is short and you remain wet during the return ride.

What the 90-minute schedule really means

A listed duration of approximately 1.5 hours makes this easy to fit around lunch, an afternoon at the beach, or another Puerto del Carmen plan. It is also useful if you are testing your sea legs and do not want to commit to a half-day cruise.

The short schedule has limits. There is not much spare time if the sea is rough, if boarding takes longer than expected, or if the dolphin search requires extra movement along the coast. You should think of the duration as a compact boat outing, not an extensive marine safari.

Some available comments describe lunch, Los Lobos, stops at several islands, and longer time ashore. Those details do not match the stated Biosfera Jet itinerary, which describes a 90-minute boat trip from Puerto del Carmen along Lanzarote’s west coast. Check your booking details carefully if you see those other features attached to a similar product.

This point is especially important because boat excursions in the Canary Islands can have similar names and overlapping photographs. The experience described here includes a fast boat ride, dolphin watching, and snorkeling. It does not list lunch, a glass-bottom boat, or a stop on Los Lobos among its included features.

Is $48.19 a fair price?

At $48.19 per person, the value depends on what you want from the outing. For a short, organized boat ride with a chance to see wild dolphins and a snorkeling stop, the price is reasonable if you already plan to be in Puerto del Carmen and can reach the marina easily.

The value drops if you are paying mainly for a guaranteed dolphin encounter. No operator can promise that here, and a dolphin-free ride remains possible. It also may feel expensive if you want a long swim, food on board, or several island stops, since those features are not part of the stated package.

There is no included transfer, so add the cost and time of reaching the marina yourself. That is easy enough if you are staying nearby, but less convenient if you are based elsewhere on Lanzarote.

The group limit is 48 people. That is not a tiny boat party, and you should expect less personal space than on a private charter. In exchange, a shared trip keeps the price below what a private wildlife outing would normally cost.

How the crew affects the trip

The available comments are strongest on the crew. The staff are described as friendly, pleasant, welcoming, and willing to make the outing special. That matters on a short tour because the crew sets the tone almost immediately.

A good crew can make a no-dolphin trip feel worthwhile by keeping the ride organized, explaining what is happening, and handling safety clearly. A rushed or unhelpful crew would make the same 90 minutes feel much longer.

The listed language is English, so English-speaking customers should be able to follow the main instructions. The supplied information does not provide individual guide or captain names, so I would not expect a named private guide service.

The safety briefing is brief, according to the itinerary, but it is not something to skip. Pay attention to how the crew wants you to board, where to sit, and what to do before entering the water. Fast boats and wet decks are a poor place for casual footwear.

Rough seas and comfort

Sea conditions can change the character of this trip. One account describes rough seas but still rates the overall outing highly, while another focuses on the disappointment of the dolphin search. If you are prone to motion sickness, a fast boat on open water may be uncomfortable.

The tour requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. That policy gives you some protection, though it does not help if bad weather disrupts a tightly planned final day.

Comfortable shoes are specifically recommended. Add sunscreen, swimwear, and a towel. Since the tour ends at the original meeting point, plan your clothing with the return ride in mind, particularly if you swim and have no convenient place to change.

There is no promise of snacks or drinks. One complaint specifically wished for food on board, so eat before departure if you think you will be hungry. The listed experience is short, but wind and sun can make an hour and a half feel more demanding than the clock suggests.

Who should book this boat ride?

I would recommend it to someone who wants a short sea trip from Puerto del Carmen, likes fast boat rides, and accepts that wildlife sightings are uncertain. It also suits a holiday schedule that cannot spare a full morning or afternoon.

Families and mixed-age groups may like the short format, provided everyone is comfortable with the boat’s speed, the sea conditions, and a brief swim. Most people can participate, according to the tour information, but the experience still involves boarding a boat and being on open water.

I would be more cautious if you want a long snorkeling session, a quiet cruise, a meal, or an island visit. Those features are either not included or are not part of the stated route.

For photography, the ocean and coast provide worthwhile subjects, but dolphin photography is a matter of luck. Keep your camera secure and do not let the hope of a perfect shot distract you from the safety briefing.

Booking and cancellation advice

You receive confirmation when you book, and the tour is commonly reserved about eight days ahead. If your dates are fixed, booking early is sensible, particularly since the boat can take up to 48 people.

Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. Since weather can affect the trip, keep an eye on the forecast and avoid leaving your decision until the last minute.

My call: book it for the ride, not the dolphin

I would book this tour if I wanted a lively, compact outing from Puerto del Carmen and saw dolphins as a welcome bonus. The friendly crew, fast Biosfera Jet, west-coast views, and chance to swim give the trip enough substance even when nature refuses to cooperate.

I would skip it if a dolphin sighting is essential, or if snorkeling time and comfort matter more than speed. At $48.19, it is fair value for a short shared boat ride, but the experience makes the most sense when you are happy to enjoy the sea either way.

FAQ

Where does the dolphin-watching cruise begin?

It begins at Lanzarote Sea Tours, Av. del Varadero, S/N, 35510 Puerto del Carmen, Las Palmas, Spain.

What time does the experience start?

The listed start time is 12:00 pm.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the original meeting point at Puerto del Carmen.

How long does the boat trip last?

The boat ride lasts approximately 1.5 hours.

Are dolphins guaranteed?

No. The tour offers a good opportunity to see dolphins in freedom, but sightings are not guaranteed.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. Snorkeling is included as part of the boat trip.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes.

Is transportation included?

No. Hotel or other transfers are not included. You must make your own way to the meeting point.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 48 people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s local start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded.