Odyssee 3: The Glass Bottom Boat Tour in Fuerteventura

The best part of the Odyssee 3 is the mix of wildlife watching and old-fashioned boat-day fun. You cruise the coast from Morro Jable, look through the underwater viewing area, and keep watch for dolphins, turtles, whales, and fish in Jandía Natural Park. When the sea is calm, a pod of dolphins beside the boat can be the holiday moment you remember longest.

I like the friendly crew, who keep children and adults involved, and I like the generous choice of water activities: snorkel, kayak, paddle surf, swim, or shoot down the boat slide. Lunch, soft drinks, water, beer, and sangria are included, which makes the $90.51 price easier to justify.

The main caution is that this is a busy, entertainment-led boat trip, not a quiet wildlife expedition. The sea can be choppy, the music may feel loud, and sightings are never guaranteed. Some passengers have found the harbour swimming stop and the final seagull routine less special than the dolphin search.

Key points to know before you book

• Dolphins are the headline attraction: Sightings can be spectacular, but wild animals set the schedule.
• The boat is built for fun: A slide, kayak, paddle surf board, snorkelling gear, and swimming stop keep the trip active.
• Food and drinks are part of the fare: Lunch, water, soft drinks, beer, and sangria are included; cocktails and coffee cost extra.
• Pickup covers southern hotels: The tour starts and ends at Puerto de Morro Jable, with hotel collection offered in the south.
• It suits families well: Children under three go free, and the crew is especially attentive with younger passengers.
• Expect a large boat outing: The maximum group size is 50, so this is social rather than intimate.

Setting out from Morro Jable for Jandía Natural Park

The Odyssee 3 leaves from Puerto de Morro Jable, at the southern end of Fuerteventura. If you are staying elsewhere in the south, hotel pickup is offered, but check your pickup time carefully. One passenger had a booking-time mix-up because a phone number was entered without the international prefix, so it is wise to include your full number and watch for updates.

The boat heads along some of Fuerteventura’s finest coastal views with music playing and the crew giving instructions in several languages. This opening part is not simply transport. It gets you out along the coast, gives you a look at the beaches from the water, and sets the cheerful tone of the trip.

The boat can carry up to 50 people. That is large enough to create a lively atmosphere, but it also means you should not expect a private charter or a silent wildlife watch. If you prefer sitting quietly with binoculars, this may feel too animated. If you like a sociable day with plenty happening, the size works in its favor.

Crew members are a major part of the experience. Captain Carlos, Captain Cesar, and a crew member called Mowi are among the names praised for humour, care, and keeping the group involved. The captain may speak several languages, explain the activities, help with photos, and keep the mood moving when the sea life is temporarily absent.

Wildlife watching from the glass-bottom viewing area

The boat’s purpose is not limited to looking through glass. You can watch the sea from the open deck, then go below to the underwater viewing area when the crew spots something worth seeing. This gives you two different perspectives, although the underwater viewing time may be limited during a busy departure.

Jandía Natural Park is the setting for the search. Possible sightings include fish, turtles, dolphins, and whales. Dolphins are the most commonly praised highlight, with pods sometimes swimming and jumping near the boat for a long stretch. A lucky group may see a whale as well, but no responsible wildlife trip can promise that.

The crew may keep searching if the first stretch produces nothing. That patience matters, since wildlife rarely appears on a neat timetable. Still, you should book this for the overall day at sea, not only for a guaranteed dolphin photograph. One departure saw no dolphins or whales, and another found little to see while snorkelling.

The boat is described as authorized to make cetacean sightings and as one of the island’s boats with Blue Flag status. The crew’s approach, as described by passengers, is to stop when dolphins are nearby rather than chase them around. That is the right way to view wild animals, and it can produce a calmer, more natural encounter.

Bring your camera, but do not spend the whole trip staring at a screen. The crew takes photographs during the outing, including wildlife pictures and group shots. A full set can be purchased afterward for about €20 and sent by email. That may be worth considering if you want photos of children in the water or dolphins close to the boat.

The five-minute underwater look

The glass-bottom feature gives the Odyssee 3 its name and offers a change from a normal coastal cruise. You may see fish below the hull and get a closer look at the water without getting wet. For children, the chance to visit the cockpit can also be a memorable part of the boat ride.

Keep your expectations sensible. The waters around the swimming stop may be clear, but this is not a dedicated coral-reef trip. Some passengers saw many fish through the boat, while others found the snorkelling thin and the masks worn. The underwater viewing area has also been described as a short turn, around five minutes, rather than an extended viewing session.

That makes the glass section a good extra feature, not the sole reason to pay the fare. The strongest wildlife viewing is likely to happen from the deck when dolphins or whales come alongside. If you want a long snorkelling session with abundant marine life, choose a specialist snorkelling trip instead.

Swimming, the slide, and water sports

After the wildlife search, the boat stops so you can use the water equipment. You can swim, snorkel, kayak, paddle surf, or use the slide. There is also a board for jumping into the water, according to one detailed account. Life jackets and snorkelling equipment are provided.

This is where the tour works especially well for families and mixed-age groups. One person can relax in the sun while another paddles, swims, or takes the slide. Children get an activity with a clear sense of fun, while adults can choose a quieter break on deck.

The water stop may be near a harbour rather than at a remote beach or cave. That is an important difference. You still get a pleasant swim in clear water, but you should not picture an empty cove reached only by boat. The setting is practical and safe for the activities, not necessarily the most dramatic stop of the day.

Wear a swimsuit under comfortable clothing and bring a towel. Sunscreen is essential, even when the wind makes the temperature feel mild. The sea can be rough on the outward trip, so take care with the water activities if you are already feeling unsteady.

Canarian lunch, beer, sangria, and extra costs

Lunch is included, generally a simple Canarian-style meal such as paella with bread. Water, soft drinks, beer, and sangria are also included. That is useful value on a four-hour outing, especially for families who would otherwise spend more on drinks and a restaurant meal near the port.

The food is basic rather than a full three-course lunch. Some passengers found the rice tasty, while others wanted a better meal or more generous portions. If you are very hungry, eat something before pickup and treat the onboard lunch as part of the day rather than a destination meal.

Cocktails and coffee are not included, despite the tour’s emphasis on beachside drinks. You can buy cocktails separately, and some onboard snacks are priced at a premium. A €5 bag of crisps was considered expensive, so bring a little extra money if you want something beyond the included food and drinks.

Vegetarian, gluten-free, and Halal meals are available when requested in advance. Put the requirement in the special requests section when booking. Do not wait until boarding, since the crew needs notice to prepare the right food.

The seagull show and farewell routine

Near the end, the crew feeds seagulls close to the boat and performs a farewell dance. For children, this can be a funny, easygoing finish. The crew’s humour and energy are a large part of why the final hour works for many people.

It will not appeal to everyone. If you want every minute devoted to wildlife or coastal scenery, the seagull display may feel like filler. One passenger found the final run along the headland and the bird routine too long, especially after the main activities were finished.

I would treat this as a family show rather than a natural-history presentation. The crew is trying to send you home smiling, not teach a formal lesson about seabirds. If you enjoy light entertainment, it adds character. If you prefer a quiet return to port, you may find it overdone.

Rough seas, access, and practical comfort

The boat is not always steady. Some trips encounter choppy water, and seasickness has affected passengers who otherwise wanted to enjoy the day. If you are prone to motion sickness, eat lightly before departure, stay where you can see the horizon, and ask the crew for help early.

The boat has toilets, a designated smoking area, and wheelchair access. A boarding ramp and accessible areas are available, but you should still contact the operator in advance if you need assistance. Crew members have helped passengers with limited mobility board, find seats, and manage steps between areas.

Basic first-aid support is available, but one serious cut during a swimming stop exposed limits in the onboard supplies. The crew helped, yet the available dressing materials and protective equipment were not ideal. Take care around rocks, use footwear if appropriate, and do not rush into the water activities.

The cancellation terms are practical: you can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Bad weather or failure to meet the minimum number can lead to a new date, another experience, or a full refund. Since this is a sea trip, keep a little flexibility in your schedule.

Who gets the best value at $90.51

At $90.51 per person, the tour is not a cheap harbour cruise. But the price covers about four hours, hotel pickup in the south, lunch, water, soft drinks, beer, sangria, snorkelling gear, kayak use, paddle surf, and the slide. If you make use of several activities and have a dolphin sighting, the package can be good value.

The price is harder to defend if you want a quiet, small-group wildlife trip or if the sea is too rough for swimming. A missed sighting does not erase the other inclusions, but it changes the day from a wildlife excursion into a general boat-and-water-activities outing.

I would choose this for families, couples who like active days, and anyone wanting several experiences in one booking. It is also a useful choice when members of your group want different things. One can snorkel, another can sit with a drink, and children can use the slide.

I would look elsewhere if your main goal is serious whale research, long snorkelling time, a secluded beach, or a refined lunch. The Odyssee 3 is built around fun, crew personality, and variety.

Should you book the Odyssee 3?

Book it if you want a lively half-day at sea with a real chance of seeing dolphins, plus swimming, food, drinks, and activities for different ages. The crew’s warmth is a major strength, and the best wildlife encounters can be genuinely moving.

Before paying, accept three facts: sightings are uncertain, the sea may be rough, and some parts of the program are more entertaining than scenic. Pack swimwear and a towel, enter your full phone number, request dietary needs in advance, and leave room in your plans for weather changes.

For a family-friendly Fuerteventura boat day, I would book it. For a quiet marine-wildlife trip, I would choose a smaller and more focused outing.

FAQ

Where does the Odyssee 3 boat tour start and finish?

The tour starts at Puerto de Morro Jable in Fuerteventura and returns to the same meeting point.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and return are offered from most hotels in southern Fuerteventura. Select your hotel when confirming the reservation.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately four hours.

What wildlife might I see?

The crew looks for fish, turtles, dolphins, and whales in Jandía Natural Park. Sightings are not guaranteed.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, along with water, soft drinks, beer, and sangria.

Are cocktails and coffee included?

No. Cocktails and coffee are not included in the tour price.

What water activities are available?

You can use snorkelling equipment, kayaks, paddle surf equipment, and the boat slide. You can also swim or relax in the sun.

Is the boat wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The boat has a boarding ramp for wheelchairs and wheelchair-accessible areas onboard.

Can I bring an infant?

Yes. Children under three are free. Note that you are bringing an infant in the special requirements section when booking.