Puerto del Carmen: Dolphin-Watching Speedboat Tour with Swim

Wild dolphins can turn a short boat ride into a lifelong memory. This 1.5-hour trip from Puerto del Carmen pairs a lively speedboat ride with open-sea wildlife watching, coastal views, and a swim from the boat. I especially like the low-sided Biosfera Jet, which can give you a close view of animals beside the boat, and the friendly multilingual crew, including guides such as Carlos, Teddy, and Elsa.

I also like the honest format: you get a proper search for dolphins, whales, turtles, and other sea life, but the trip still has value when nature refuses to cooperate. The main drawback is simple: wildlife is never guaranteed, and some departures return without seeing a dolphin. The swim and boat ride help soften that risk, but you should not book this as a guaranteed animal encounter.

Key points at a glance

• Low fast boat: The Biosfera Jet lets you feel the speed and can offer a good water-level view of dolphins.
• Natural wildlife watching: The crew searches for dolphins, whales, turtles, and other marine life in the Atlantic.
• Swim from the stern: You get time to jump or step into the clear sea, though currents can be strong.
• Strong crew performance: Guides provide live commentary in Spanish, English, and French, with humor and useful facts.
• Good family appeal: Children can use binoculars and may be helped toward better viewing spots.
• Fair short-trip price: At $41 per person, this is a reasonably priced way to spend 90 minutes on the water.

Leaving Puerto del Carmen Marina on the Biosfera Jet

You meet the operator, Lanzarote Sea Tours, near the petrol station and roundabout by the marina. The meeting point is not a hotel pickup service, so you need to make your own way there and allow enough time to find the office.

Before departure, the crew gives a quick safety briefing. This matters on a fast boat, especially if you are bringing children or have little experience with boat trips. Pay attention to where you should sit, how to hold yourself during faster stretches, and what to do when the boat stops for swimming.

The Biosfera Jet is not a slow sightseeing boat. The ride forms a major part of the experience, with speed, wind, waves, and wide views along Lanzarote’s southeast coast. Some families especially enjoy the bouncing motion when the boat heads back toward shore, while anyone prone to seasickness may prefer a more sheltered position.

You should expect a lively ride rather than a quiet cruise. The boat’s speed helps cover more water during the short 90-minute outing, giving the crew a better chance to search for marine life. It also means you need comfortable clothing, secure footwear, and a sensible attitude toward spray.

Searching for dolphins, whales, and turtles

The wildlife search is the heart of the outing. The captain and guide scan the water with binoculars, looking for signs of dolphins, whales, turtles, and other sea life. You can also help watch the horizon, but the crew does the hard work of reading the water and deciding where to steer.

The low boat design is useful here. If dolphins appear alongside the hull, you are closer to the water than you would be on a large, high-sided vessel. Several particularly successful trips have included dolphins swimming beside the boat, large groups traveling together, and young dolphins with adults.

Sightings can be spectacular. Some departures have found large pods of dolphins, including Atlantic spotted dolphins. Others have encountered pilot whales or Bryde’s whales. One trip produced a sighting of a mother and baby dolphin, while turtles have also appeared unexpectedly. These moments are not staged, and that gives them a special quality.

The crew’s response can make a big difference. Guides have been praised for spotting animals quickly, turning the boat so more people can see, and helping children reach a better viewing position. On one occasion, children were given binoculars to scan for dolphins. Guides have also moved people toward the front when the original seats offered a poor view.

Still, you need to accept the basic rule of wildlife watching: the sea sets the schedule. Some trips find dolphins within minutes. Some spend much of the outing searching and see nothing at all. A whale sighting can replace the hoped-for dolphin encounter, but there is no promise of any particular species.

The most responsible way to view the trip is as a search in the animals’ own environment. Dolphins may approach the boat, but the captain should not force an encounter. One particularly positive account described the boat keeping a careful distance while the dolphins chose to swim near it. That is the right balance for an activity built around wild animals.

The guide adds more than jokes

The live commentary gives the ride structure. The guide explains the species you might see and adds technical and historical information about the sea, the boat, and the area. The tone is friendly and informal, with humor playing a large part in the experience.

Several guides have made a strong impression. Carlos has been praised for his energy and for making passengers from different countries feel comfortable. Teddy has been described as welcoming, funny, and well informed. Elsa has been remembered for her kindness and helpful manner.

The language coverage is practical. Tours are offered in Spanish, English, and French, so you should be able to follow the safety advice and wildlife explanations in one of those languages. The multilingual approach also helps a mixed international group feel included.

The commentary is not a formal marine biology lecture, and you should not expect an academic presentation. Its value is that it helps you understand what you are looking at and keeps the search entertaining when the sea is empty. A good guide can turn a quiet stretch of water into part of the story instead of dead time.

Swimming in the Atlantic from the boat

After the wildlife search, the boat usually stops for a swim. You can enter the clear Atlantic water directly from the boat, an appealing finish on a warm Lanzarote day. The stop gives the trip a second purpose, so the outing does not rely entirely on seeing dolphins.

The swim has been a highlight for families, couples, and anyone who has never entered the open sea from a boat. Children have enjoyed the novelty of jumping in, while adults often describe the water as refreshing after the speedboat ride.

You should bring your own swimwear and towel. Snorkeling equipment is not included, so pack your own gear if you want to look below the surface. The activity does not promise a snorkeling session, and the provided information does not specify what fish you will see during the stop.

Take the current seriously. One passenger specifically advised swimmers to stay close to the boat because the water movement can be strong. You should only enter if you are comfortable in open water, and you should follow the crew’s instructions about where and when to swim.

The swim may also be shortened or skipped if the wildlife encounter runs long. That is not necessarily a bad trade. One successful trip abandoned the swim stop because the boat had found so many dolphins. If seeing animals is your main goal, you will probably consider that a good reason to lose a few minutes in the water.

Lanzarote’s southeast coast from the water

The coastline looks different from a speedboat than it does from land. You get a broad view of Lanzarote while moving along the southeast shore, with the sea opening around you and the island forming the backdrop.

This part of the trip gives you something to enjoy even when the wildlife search comes up empty. Several departures have returned without dolphin sightings but still delivered an enjoyable ride, good coastal views, and time out on the Atlantic.

The speed adds a playful edge. Waves can splash over the side, which is welcome on a hot day but less welcome if you want to stay completely dry. Wear clothing that can handle spray, and protect cameras and phones carefully. The boat is built for movement, not for a polished, sheltered cruise.

The return run can be especially fun for children and anyone who likes a bit of motion. The ride may bounce as the boat approaches shore. If you prefer a calm experience, this is worth considering before booking.

Is $41 good value for 90 minutes?

At $41 per person, the price is reasonable for a fast boat trip that includes a wildlife search, live commentary, and a swim. You are paying for a focused 1.5-hour outing rather than a full-day cruise, which makes it easier to fit around other Lanzarote plans.

The value depends on your expectations. If you require a guaranteed dolphin sighting, no wildlife boat can fairly promise that. You might spend most of the trip searching and return with only coastal views and a swim. In that case, the price can feel less impressive, although the boat ride itself still gives the outing some worth.

If you see dolphins, whales, or turtles, the calculation changes quickly. Large pods have stayed near the boat for extended periods, and some trips have produced several species. A close encounter with dolphins in open water can easily become one of the strongest memories of a Lanzarote holiday.

There are no food or drinks included, but the trip is short enough that this should not be a serious concern. Hotel transfers are also not included, so factor in your transport to Puerto del Carmen marina. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option and free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure offer useful flexibility when your plans are still moving.

Who will enjoy this Lanzarote boat trip?

I would recommend this tour most strongly to you if you want three things in one short outing: a fast ride, a chance to see wild marine life, and a swim in the Atlantic. It works well for families because the trip is compact, children can use binoculars, and the crew appears willing to help younger passengers see the action.

It also suits first-time whale and dolphin watchers. You do not need to plan a whole day around it, and the guides explain what is happening as the boat searches. The short length is useful if you are fitting the activity between beach time, meals, or other island plans.

You should think twice if you dislike bouncy boat rides, sun exposure, or uncertain results. This is not a guaranteed show, and the sea may be quiet. It is also not suitable for wheelchair users.

For the best chance of enjoying yourself, bring:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen, applied before boarding
• Comfortable footwear
• Warm clothing for the ride back
• Weather-appropriate layers
• Your own snorkeling gear, if you want it

Sunscreen deserves special attention. The boat offers little escape from the sun during a 90-minute outing, and the wind can make strong sunlight feel less intense than it is. You can also ask about sitting in a shaded area if you want protection during the search.

Small details that can improve your outing

Arrive ready to listen during the briefing. The boat moves quickly, and knowing where to sit or how to hold on makes the ride more comfortable.

If the crew offers a chance to move for a better view, take it when safe. Seats near a side wall may limit your sightline, while a position toward the rear or front can offer a clearer look at animals alongside the hull. Do not crowd other passengers, but let the staff help spread viewing opportunities around the boat.

Keep your expectations flexible. A trip without dolphins can still include a whale, turtle, swim, or good views. One departure found a Bryde’s whale after failing to locate dolphins, while other trips saw turtles instead.

The boat’s music and humor also add personality. One outing included sea shanties, an amusing touch that captures the informal spirit of the experience. This is a friendly, energetic excursion, not a silent nature survey.

The activity has an overall rating of 3.7 from 1,807 ratings, which fits the nature of the product. Many departures produce outstanding wildlife encounters, while others cannot overcome the unpredictability of the sea. Read that score as a reminder to judge the tour by its full package, not by dolphins alone.

Should you book the Puerto del Carmen dolphin tour?

I would book it if you are happy to pay for a good chance, not a guarantee. The strongest reasons are the low speedboat, the crew’s effort to give everyone a view, the swim stop, and the possibility of seeing dolphins, whales, or turtles close to the boat.

I would skip it if you need a calm, dry, fully predictable excursion or if open-water swimming is not for you. For everyone else, $41 is a fair price for a spirited 90-minute ride with real wildlife potential and a refreshing finish. Bring sunscreen, a towel, and patience. The dolphins make the headlines, but the boat ride and Atlantic swim are what protect the trip from being a disappointment when nature keeps its distance.

FAQ

How long is the Puerto del Carmen dolphin-watching tour?

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

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Lanzarote Sea Tours in Puerto del Carmen. The office is located next to the petrol station and the roundabout.

Are dolphins guaranteed on this tour?

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

Can I swim during the tour?

Yes. The tour includes time to swim in the Atlantic, usually from the boat.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling gear is not included, so you need to bring your own if you want to use it.

Which languages are available?

The live tour guide service is available in Spanish, English, and French.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, comfortable footwear, comfortable clothing, and warm or weather-appropriate layers.