Dolphin and Whales watching cruise from Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria’s southwest coast is home to around 30 species of cetaceans, and this 2.5-hour cruise gives you a real chance to see dolphins or whales in the wild. The boat, Spirit of the Sea, combines open-air viewing with glass panels below deck, so you can watch the water from above and look for life beneath it.

I like the free return trip if no marine mammals appear, and I like that the crew also looks after the sea, including collecting plastic when possible. The crew has earned strong praise for its friendly attitude, with Captain Lorenzo singled out for locating dolphins and whales and keeping people informed.

The main drawback is the sea. It can turn rough, and several people became sick even on days when they normally handle boats well. A calm forecast matters, and motion-sickness tablets are a sensible part of your packing list.

Key points to know before you sail

• Dolphins are the main prize: Sightings are common, but never guaranteed. You might see Atlantic spotted dolphins, striped dolphins, pilot whales, turtles, flying fish, or seabirds.
• Spirit of the Sea has a glass bottom: Use the lower viewing area for a look beneath the boat, then move upstairs for wider views and fresh air.
• The crew can make the trip: Captain Lorenzo and the multilingual team have been praised for patient service, safety attention, and helping everyone see the animals.
• The water can be rough: Seasickness is the biggest risk, especially on windy days or when the boat travels far offshore.
• A no-sighting policy offers some protection: If no dolphins are seen, you receive a return pass, though the stated validity period should be checked carefully when issued.
• Transfers cover selected resorts only: Pickup is available in Mogan, Taurito, Playa del Inglés, Maspalomas, San Agustin, and Bahia Feliz.

Setting out from Puerto Rico on Spirit of the Sea

The cruise starts at Spirit of the Sea, directly opposite the access barrier at C. Puerto Base in Puerto Rico. There are two departures, at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., giving you a useful choice if you are fitting the cruise around a beach day or another south-coast activity.

The boat follows Gran Canaria’s southwest coast before heading farther out in search of marine life. Some outings have gone as far as roughly 12 miles offshore. That extra distance can improve your chances of finding a pod, but it also means more time on open water and a greater chance of feeling the boat move.

The maximum group size is 97 people. That is not a small private outing, but the boat has enough room for people to spread out between the viewing areas. On calmer days, the space feels manageable. On rough days, you may find that everyone naturally gathers near the safer, more comfortable spots.

The staff usually gives safety instructions at the start. This is useful, though the quality and volume of the commentary can depend on where you are sitting. Some people have found that general information is easier to hear downstairs than upstairs, so move closer to the crew if the natural-history talk matters to you.

What you may see beyond dolphins

Dolphins are the most likely sighting, but the waters around the Canary Islands support many kinds of cetaceans. The cruise is not a zoo visit with a scheduled performance. The animals choose where they go, and the crew must search for them without controlling the outcome.

Successful trips have included pods of Atlantic spotted dolphins, striped dolphins, pilot whales, and other whales. One particularly memorable sighting involved a group estimated at about 500 Atlantic dolphins close to the boat. Other outings have produced only a single turtle, flying fish, Cory’s shearwaters, or a few other seabirds.

That variety is part of the appeal. If your only goal is a photograph of a dolphin beside the rail, an empty sea can feel disappointing. If you enjoy watching open-water wildlife, the search itself has more value. Keep your eyes moving and expect the crew to change direction when an animal is spotted.

You may see dolphins traveling in a tight group, surfacing in sequence, or passing quickly below the boat. Whales can be harder to spot because their surfacing pattern is slower and less predictable. The glass-bottom section gives you another angle, but it does not guarantee a clear underwater view. Sun, waves, glare, and the animals’ position all affect what you can see.

The glass-bottom viewing area

Spirit of the Sea’s glass panels are a useful extra rather than the whole point of the trip. From below deck, you can look into the water and search for fish or other marine life. This is also where commentary may be easier to hear, according to the experience of people who found the upper-deck announcements hard to follow.

For the best overall view, use both levels. The upper deck gives you a wider sweep of the sea and a better chance of spotting a fin or blow in the distance. The lower viewing area lets you look directly beneath the hull, though the picture can become less clear when the sea is rough.

If you are prone to motion sickness, do not assume the glass-bottom section will be the most comfortable place. A moving boat, changing your gaze between the windows and the horizon, and a choppy sea can all make nausea worse. Sit where the crew recommends, keep your eyes on the horizon when needed, and use the sickness bags provided onboard if necessary.

The crew, commentary, and wildlife care

The strongest part of this cruise is often the crew. Staff members have been praised for being friendly, attentive, and quick to help people who feel unwell. On difficult days, they have offered sickness bags and suggested seats toward the stern, while keeping an eye on people who needed extra care.

Captain Lorenzo has received particular praise for finding dolphins and whales and encouraging everyone to take photographs. A bilingual or multilingual crew is helpful here, especially when the boat is moving and an animal may appear for only a few seconds.

The information can be uneven depending on your position onboard. Some commentary covers safety and the local area, while detailed explanations about the species may not always carry clearly to every seat. If you want to hear more, stay near the downstairs commentary area or ask a crew member about what you have seen.

The trip also has a welcome conservation element. The crew has collected plastic bottles from the ocean during the outing. That does not turn the cruise into a formal conservation tour, but it shows useful care for the same waters you are visiting. The animals are observed in their natural habitat rather than brought close for a staged display.

The optional swim stop and return journey

The main experience is the wildlife cruise. Some booking options also add a swim stop and return transfers from selected resorts. Check the exact option you choose, since the basic package and upgraded package do not offer the same extras.

The swim stop is not always the highlight. On one outing, a long search for dolphins left only about 10 minutes for swimming instead of the expected 30. In that situation, nobody wanted to get into the water with so little time left. If swimming is important to you, confirm how much time is normally allocated and understand that wildlife sightings can affect the schedule.

The boat returns to the Puerto Rico meeting point. If you use a hotel transfer, pickup and drop-off are available only from Mogan, Taurito, Playa del Inglés, Maspalomas, San Agustin, and Bahia Feliz. Your exact pickup time is normally sent 24 to 48 hours before departure.

Give the transfer details a careful check. There have been problems with collection points, and the operator asks you to contact them if the email with the exact time does not arrive. If your accommodation is outside the listed areas, you must make your own way to Puerto Rico.

Seasickness is the serious consideration

The cruise can be gentle and sunny, or it can feel like a roller coaster. Wind and swell have made some outings uncomfortable, with several people becoming sick. In the worst conditions, people have felt too ill to watch for dolphins at all.

Take a travel-sickness tablet before boarding if you know you are sensitive, and consider doing so even if you usually manage well on boats. Avoid treating the trip as a relaxed harbor ride. The boat may travel well offshore, where the motion is stronger.

A poor-weather cancellation is possible. If the operator cancels, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the scheduled start. A cancellation within 24 hours is not refundable, and late changes are not accepted.

The crew cannot control the sea, but it can control how it handles an uncomfortable trip. That is where this outing has done well. Staff have helped sick passengers and kept safety in focus. Still, no friendly crew can make a rough sea feel calm, so check the forecast and be realistic.

Is $50.46 good value?

At about $50.46 per person, the cruise is fairly priced for a 2.5-hour marine-wildlife outing, especially if your fare includes a resort transfer and unlimited soft drinks. You are paying for time on the water, the boat, the crew, and the chance to see wild animals, not for a guaranteed dolphin show.

The return pass improves the value if the boat sees no dolphins, but read the conditions on the pass before relying on it. One account described a pass valid for only a month, while the tour information says a free return trip is offered. That difference matters if you are visiting near the end of your holiday or will not be back in Gran Canaria soon.

Soft drinks are included, while snacks and alcoholic drinks cost extra. Bring your own expectations down to earth: an empty sea is possible, and a whale sighting is less certain than a dolphin sighting. The best value comes when you enjoy the full outing, including seabirds, turtles, the coastline, and the search itself.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to families, couples, and wildlife-minded people who want to see marine animals without committing to a full-day boat trip. The duration is long enough to reach open water but short enough to fit into a wider holiday plan.

It suits you best if:

• You are happy to watch wild animals without a guarantee.
• You can manage a potentially choppy sea.
• You value a friendly crew and safety help.
• You are staying in one of the listed pickup zones.
• You want the chance to return if no dolphins appear.
• You enjoy seabirds, turtles, and the open sea as well as whales.

I would think twice if you get severe motion sickness, need a guaranteed activity, or have only one day left in Gran Canaria and cannot use the return pass. On very windy days, the experience can become more about enduring the ride than watching wildlife.

My call on the Puerto Rico dolphin cruise

I would book this cruise if seeing dolphins in the wild is high on your Gran Canaria list and you can accept a little uncertainty. The strongest reasons are the regular dolphin sightings, the glass-bottom viewing area, the helpful crew, and the no-dolphin return offer.

Book for a calmer forecast, take motion-sickness precautions, and arrive ready for more than dolphins. If the sea is kind, you may see a large pod, pilot whales, turtles, or flying fish. If it is not, you may still get a well-run boat trip, but the open water can be rough and the wildlife may stay out of sight.

FAQ

How long is the dolphin and whale cruise?

The cruise lasts approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Where does the cruise depart?

It departs from Spirit of the Sea, directly opposite the access barrier at C. Puerto Base, Puerto Rico, Gran Canaria.

What departure times are available?

Departures are scheduled twice daily, at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included from selected areas: Mogan, Taurito, Playa del Inglés, Maspalomas, San Agustin, and Bahia Feliz. Pickup from other areas is not included.

What happens if no dolphins or whales are seen?

If no dolphins are seen, you are offered a free return pass to try again. Check the pass validity when it is issued.

Are drinks and food included?

Unlimited onboard soft drinks are included. Snacks and alcoholic drinks are available to buy but are not included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered another date or a full refund.