Puerto del Carmen: Dolphin-Watching Speedboat Tour with Swim

The best part of this 90-minute boat trip is the chance to see dolphins on their own terms, not in a marine park. The low fast boat lets you look close to the water, and lucky groups have spotted large dolphin pods, pilot whales, Bryde’s whales, and turtles.

I like two things here: the crew works hard to search rather than simply cruise offshore, and the swim stop gives the trip value even when wildlife stays out of sight. The main catch is simple: wild animals keep their own schedule, so a dolphin sighting is never guaranteed.

The Biosfera Jet also gives you a lively ride along Lanzarote’s southeast coast. Guides such as Teddy, Carlos, and Elsa have been praised for their humor, language skills, and care in helping children and less confident swimmers enjoy the outing.

Key points to know before booking

• Dolphins are never guaranteed: You may see dolphins, whales, turtles, or nothing beyond seabirds and open water.
• The boat is low to the sea: This can give you a close view when dolphins swim alongside, though spray and wind are part of the ride.
• A swim stop is included: You can jump from the boat into clear Atlantic water, but currents may be strong.
• The crew adds real value: Live commentary covers cetaceans, sea life, and some technical and historic details.
• It suits families: Children have been given binoculars, and guides have helped young passengers get a better view.
• Bring your own swim gear: Towels, swimwear, sunscreen, comfortable footwear, and warm clothing are not supplied.

Leaving Puerto del Carmen on the Biosfera Jet

You meet Lanzarote Sea Tours near the petrol station and roundabout by Puerto del Carmen’s marina. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so allow time to reach the office on your own and get oriented before departure.

At the marina, you board the Biosfera Jet, a fast boat built for a short search along the coast rather than a long cruise. The crew gives a quick safety briefing before setting off. That briefing matters, since the boat can move quickly and the ride may include spray, bouncing, and turns as the captain searches for wildlife.

I like the way this format gets you out to sea without taking half a day. At $41 per person, the price is reasonable for a 1.5-hour outing that combines a wildlife search, a coastal cruise, and swimming time. It is not the right choice if you want a guaranteed animal encounter, but it is good value if you would enjoy the boat ride even on a quiet day.

The boat’s low profile is useful for wildlife watching. You are closer to the water than you would be on a high sightseeing vessel, so a dolphin traveling beside the boat can feel surprisingly near. The trade-off is that people sitting behind others may need to shift position, and spray can reach the boat when the sea is lively.

The coastal ride and the wildlife search

Once the boat clears Puerto del Carmen, the trip becomes a moving lookout. You scan the water with help from the crew and binoculars, while the guide explains the species you might encounter and shares technical and historic information about the area and the boat.

The captain’s ability to spot small signs on the water can make a big difference. A few people have described the captain finding dolphins quickly, while others have been pleased by the crew’s patience after a slower start. One particularly lucky outing found a large group of pilot whales. Other sightings have included Atlantic spotted dolphins, Bryde’s whales, turtles, and a mother and young dolphin.

When dolphins appear, the mood changes fast. They may swim beside the boat, cross in front of it, or remain in the area for several minutes. Some groups have watched dolphins jump and race alongside the boat, while others have seen only a brief glimpse. The crew may move the boat so more people can see, and children may be offered binoculars or help getting a better position.

This is the authentic part of the experience. You are not visiting an enclosure, and the captain cannot call the animals over. The best approach is to treat the wildlife as a bonus and the sea trip itself as part of what you paid for.

Some trips find no dolphins or whales at all. That can be disappointing, especially if a child has been promised dolphins, but it is not a failure of the activity. Even on quiet outings, you still get open-water views, the Lanzarote coast, a fast ride, and time to swim.

What the Lanzarote coast looks like from the water

The cruise gives you a different view of Lanzarote. From the water, the southeast coast becomes the backdrop rather than the destination. You see the island’s shoreline from offshore while the boat moves between the marina and the wildlife search area.

The panoramic views are best treated as part of the rhythm of the trip. You are not stopping at coastal landmarks for a formal sightseeing talk, so this is not a replacement for a land tour. Instead, you get changing views while the crew searches the horizon.

The fast boat adds excitement, especially when the ride gets bouncy. Some families have enjoyed the return ride when the waves lifted and dropped the boat. If you prefer a calm cruise, this may feel energetic rather than relaxing.

Wear comfortable clothing and bring a light warm layer even on a sunny day. The boat is exposed, and the combination of speed, wind, and sea spray can feel cooler than the marina. Sunscreen is essential, and you should consider sitting under shade if you burn easily.

The Atlantic swim stop

After the wildlife search, the boat stops for swimming in clear Atlantic water. You can jump from the back of the boat and swim with fish below or around you. For many people, this is the part that saves the day when the animals do not appear.

The swim is also a strong reason to book this instead of a wildlife-only cruise. You do not simply return to port after searching. You get a short, refreshing break in the sea, with the unusual feeling of entering the water directly from a speedboat.

Take the safety advice seriously. One person specifically noted that the current can be strong and advised swimmers to stay close to the boat. Do not treat the stop as an open-water expedition. Follow the crew’s instructions, keep within the stated area, and be honest about your swimming ability.

The company does not provide snorkeling gear, so bring only what you are permitted to use and expect a simple swim rather than a full snorkeling session. A towel, swimwear, sunscreen, comfortable shoes, and weather-appropriate clothing are listed as essentials.

Guides, languages, and the family experience

The tour operates in Spanish, English, and French. Live commentary is included, which makes the wildlife search more useful than simply pointing at the horizon and hoping for a fin.

The guides are a major part of the experience. Teddy has been singled out for being welcoming, funny, and well informed. Carlos has been praised for speaking several languages and helping passengers feel comfortable. Elsa has also been remembered for being kind and helpful.

Do not expect a formal lecture from a research boat. The tone is more relaxed, with humor mixed into explanations about dolphins, whales, and other marine life. Some trips have included playful touches such as sea shanties, which may add to the fun or may simply be part of the boat’s personality.

Families are a good match for this activity. Children can enjoy the speed, the wildlife search, and the swim, and the crew has helped young passengers get a clearer view. A three-year-old was reported to have been safe and comfortable on board, but every family should still judge the ride against its own child’s comfort with speed, spray, and open water.

This activity is not suitable for wheelchair users. If you have mobility concerns, ask the operator before booking rather than assuming the marina and boat will work for you.

How the $41 price holds up

At $41 per person, this is fairly priced for a short ocean outing with three parts: wildlife watching, a coastal ride, and swimming. Comparable boat trips may cost more if they run longer or include transport, but this tour keeps its price down by excluding hotel pickup, food, drinks, and snorkeling equipment.

I would book it for the combination, not for the dolphin promise. A pod can turn the outing into a memorable highlight, with dolphins swimming close to the hull for a long stretch. But a quiet sea can still leave you with a pleasant boat ride and swim.

The 3.7 rating from more than 1,800 ratings suggests a mixed experience overall, which fits the nature of the trip. Wildlife sightings create very high satisfaction when they happen, while a day without marine life can feel less special despite good guiding and scenery. That is a fair warning to keep your expectations realistic.

The free cancellation policy allows you to cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and reserve-now-pay-later booking is available. Those options are useful if your plans are still shifting, though they do not change the central point: no booking system can guarantee dolphins.

Practical tips for a better ride

Arrive ready to spend time outside. Wear swimwear beneath comfortable clothes, use sunscreen before boarding, and pack a towel and warm layer. The sea can feel bright and exposed, and spray may reach you even when the weather looks settled at the marina.

Keep your eyes moving during the search. Dolphins can surface for only a moment, and the crew may spot them before you do. If children are with you, binoculars can help them feel involved, and the crew may provide some for wildlife watching.

If you want the clearest possible view, listen to the crew when they suggest changing position. The boat’s low design is helpful, but sight lines can still be blocked by other passengers or the boat’s sides.

Do not promise children that they will definitely see dolphins. Tell them the aim is to look for wild dolphins, whales, turtles, and other animals, then enjoy the ride and swim regardless. That small change in expectation can turn a no-sighting day into a good family outing.

Finally, stay close to the boat during the swim. Clear water can make the sea look harmless, but currents are a real consideration. The swim is short and fun when treated with care.

Who should book this Puerto del Carmen tour?

I recommend this for families, couples, and solo visitors who want a compact sea adventure without giving up an entire day. It suits you especially well if you like fast boats, open-water views, and the idea of swimming from the stern after a wildlife search.

It is also a good choice if seeing animals in their natural setting matters to you. The crew does not keep dolphins for display, and the animals decide if and when they come near the boat.

I would choose another activity if you need guaranteed wildlife, a calm boat, hotel pickup, a fully accessible vessel, or a long snorkeling session. You should also think twice if you dislike wind, spray, or bouncy rides.

For everyone else, the formula works: a lively boat, useful commentary, a chance at dolphins and whales, and a swim in the Atlantic. Book it with flexible expectations, bring the right gear, and let the wildlife decide how memorable the day becomes.

FAQ

How long is the dolphin-watching tour?

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

Where does the tour begin?

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

Where does the tour finish?

You return to Lanzarote Sea Tours in Puerto del Carmen.

Are dolphins guaranteed?

No. Dolphins and other sea life are wild, so sightings cannot be guaranteed.

What animals might I see?

Possible sightings include dolphins, whales, turtles, fish, and other marine species. Past outings have included pilot whales, Bryde’s whales, Atlantic spotted dolphins, and young dolphins.

Is swimming included?

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

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Snorkeling gear is not included, so bring your own if you want to use it and if the crew permits it.

What languages are available?

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