Best Dolphin Tours in Gran Canaria: How to Choose the Right Experience
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Time to read 8 min
Looking for the best dolphin tours in Gran Canaria? With so many options available, choosing the right experience can be confusing. From glass bottom boats to catamarans and private yachts, each tour offers something different.
In this guide, you’ll discover the best dolphin tours in Gran Canaria, what makes each experience unique, and how to choose the one that suits you best.
Table of Content
Types of Dolphin Tours in Gran Canaria Dolphin Watching Only (Short Tours) Dolphin Tours with Swimming and Activities (4-Hour Experiences) Special Experience: Dolphin Tour + Mogán Market A Note About Catamaran Dolphin Tours in Gran Canaria Where to See Dolphins in Gran Canaria What Is the Best Dolphin Tour for You? Are Dolphin Tours Worth It in Gran Canaria? Frequently Asked Questions
Types of Dolphin Tours in Gran Canaria
When it comes to choosing the best dolphin tours Gran Canaria has to offer, it’s important to understand the differences: not all dolphin tours in Gran Canaria offer the same experience.
The main difference comes down to what happens after the dolphin search. Some tours focus purely on spotting dolphins, while others combine the experience with time to relax at sea, including swimming or snorkeling stops.
Dolphin Watching Only (Short Tours)
These tours are ideal if your main goal is to see dolphins in a simple and efficient way, without spending too many hours at sea.
Options like the glass bottom boat, the 2-hour Supercat dolphin tour and the Multiacuatic dolphin safari all follow this format. They head straight to the dolphin area, focus on sightings, and then return to port.
The Multiacuatic also offers a slightly longer version on Tuesdays and Thursdays, where after the dolphin search the boat stops near the coast for a quick swim, extending the experience to around 3 hours.
Dolphin Tours with Swimming and Activities (4-Hour Experiences)
If you’re looking for a more complete experience, longer dolphin tours combine wildlife spotting with time to enjoy the ocean.
After the dolphin search, these tours usually continue along the coast, stopping in sheltered areas where you can swim, snorkel or simply relax on board.
This type of experience often includes additional services such as lunch and an open bar with soft drinks, beer and sangria, making it ideal for those who want to turn the excursion into a half-day experience at sea.
In this category, you’ll find options like the 4-hour Supercat dolphin tour and the shared yacht dolphin tour, both designed to offer a more relaxed and immersive experience.
👉It’s worth noting that the 2-hour and 4-hour Supercat tours actually share the same core experience.
During the first part of the trip, both options follow the same route and focus entirely on searching for dolphins. After around two hours, the boat returns to port, where passengers with the 2-hour ticket disembark.
Those who have booked the 4-hour experience remain on board to continue the tour, enjoying the second part of the excursion along the coast with time to relax, swim and make the most of the ocean.
Special Experience: Dolphin Tour + Mogán Market
On Fridays, some dolphin tours combine the experience with a visit to the popular Mogán market.
After or before the dolphin search, you’ll have time to explore the market before returning, making it a great option if you want to combine a marine experience with a local activity.
On tours like the glass bottom boat and the Multiacuatic dolphin safari, this extra stop is already included in the price at no additional cost.
A Note About Catamaran Dolphin Tours in Gran Canaria
It’s important to clarify a common misconception: not all boats in Gran Canaria are authorised to search for dolphins.
The main dolphin sighting area is located around 3 nautical miles off the south-west coast of the island. To operate in this area and actively search for cetaceans, boats must hold a specific licence, known locally as the “Barco Azul” certification.
For this reason, only a limited number of vessels are allowed to carry out dedicated dolphin watching tours.
Many catamarans operating along the coast do not have this licence, meaning they do not head to the dolphin area. While dolphin sightings are still possible during these trips, they happen purely by chance rather than as part of a targeted search.
This is why, in practice, there are no true catamaran dolphin watching tours in Gran Canaria in the same sense as licensed dolphin excursions.
Where to See Dolphins in Gran Canaria
Dolphins in Gran Canaria are typically found in a well-defined area located off the south-west coast of the island.
Most sightings occur around 2–3 nautical miles from the coast, particularly between Puerto Rico and Puerto de Mogán. This area is known for regular marine activity, which is why most dolphin tours depart from this part of the island.
If you’re also curious about whale sightings, you can read our guide about whale watching in Gran Canaria.
What Is the Best Dolphin Tour for You?
Choosing the right dolphin tour in Gran Canaria depends mainly on the type of experience you’re looking for.
If your priority is simply to see dolphins, shorter tours are usually the best option. They focus entirely on the search and are more time-efficient.
On the other hand, if you prefer a more relaxed experience, longer tours allow you to enjoy the ocean after the dolphin search, with time for swimming, snorkeling and onboard activities.
There’s no single “best” tour for everyone, it really comes down to how you want to spend your time at sea.
Are Dolphin Tours Worth It in Gran Canaria?
Dolphin watching in Gran Canaria is widely considered one of the most reliable marine experiences in Europe.
Thanks to the presence of a stable dolphin population in the area, sightings are extremely frequent, often reaching very high success rates throughout the year.
Because dolphins are territorial animals, they tend to approach boats that enter their habitat, which is one of the main reasons why sightings are so consistent.
While no wildlife experience can ever be guaranteed, dolphin tours in Gran Canaria offer a very high probability of success compared to many other destinations.
Tips to Avoid Seasickness During a Dolphin Tour
To see dolphins in Gran Canaria, boats usually need to travel a couple of nautical miles offshore, as sightings rarely happen close to the coast.
For this reason, if you’re unsure how you might react at sea, it’s always a good idea to take a few simple precautions.
One of the most important things to check is the weather forecast on the day of your tour. The best conditions are usually when winds come from the north-east, followed by north-west, as they tend to keep the sea calmer along the south west coast.
On the other hand, winds coming from the south or west can create rougher conditions, as they directly affect the exposed coastline where most tours operate.
As an extra precaution, if you are prone to seasickness, consider taking motion sickness tablets or natural remedies before departure, especially if it’s your first time on a boat: in this case, it’s always advisable to consult a pharmacist or healthcare professional beforehand, especially if you have any medical conditions or are unsure what to take.
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FAQs About Dolphin Tours in Gran Canaria
Why are dolphin sightings so frequent in Gran Canaria?
Dolphins in Gran Canaria are known to inhabit a specific area located a few nautical miles off the south-west coast of the island.
Because they are territorial animals, they often approach boats entering their habitat to observe what is happening, which significantly increases the chances of sightings during a tour.
Are dolphin tours suitable for families and children?
Yes, most dolphin tours in Gran Canaria are suitable for families and children.
Shorter tours are often the best option for younger passengers, as they focus on the dolphin search and have a shorter duration, making the experience more comfortable and accessible.
Can I bring a stroller on a dolphin tour in Gran Canaria?
Yes, strollers are allowed on all dolphin tours offered by Discover Gran Canaria.
You can also bring them on the free transport service, as they can be stored safely during the journey. Once at the harbour, they can be left in a designated area or handled by the crew depending on the tour.
Where do dolphin tours depart from in Gran Canaria?
Most dedicated dolphin tours depart from the south of the island, especially from Puerto Rico. Some tours also operate from Puerto de Mogán.
What is the difference between short and long dolphin tours?
Short tours focus mainly on the dolphin search and usually last around 2 hours. Longer tours often include extra time at sea, with swimming stops, snorkeling, coastal cruising, lunch and drinks depending on the experience.
Is it better to choose a 2-hour or a 4-hour dolphin tour?
It depends on the type of experience you’re looking for. The dolphin search itself usually takes place during the first part of the trip, which is shared by both shorter and longer tours.
Short tours are ideal if your main goal is simply to see dolphins in a quick and efficient way. Longer tours, on the other hand, include additional time at sea after the dolphin search, allowing you to relax, swim and enjoy the coastline.
Are there real catamaran dolphin tours in Gran Canaria?
Some boats used for dolphin watching, such as the Supercat and the Multiacuatic, are technically catamarans and are authorised to search for dolphins.
However, when people refer to “catamaran tours”, they usually mean larger leisure catamarans with front nets designed for relaxation and coastal cruising. These types of boats typically do not have the required licence to reach the dolphin sighting area.
For this reason, true dolphin watching tours on standard leisure catamarans are not available in Gran Canaria, and any sightings during those trips would happen purely by chance rather than as part of a targeted search.
What is the best dolphin tour in Gran Canaria?
There is no single best option for everyone. The right choice depends on the kind of experience you want: a short dolphin-focused trip, a longer all-inclusive excursion, or a tour combined with extra activities such as swimming or a visit to Mogán market.
Do all boats go to the same dolphin area?
No, only authorised boats are allowed to reach the main dolphin sighting area.
To operate there, vessels need a specific licence, which is why dedicated dolphin tours follow a targeted route, while other boats may remain closer to the coast.
The Author: Cristiano Cianfa - Founder of Discover Gran Canaria
Hi, I'm Cristiano, for my friends Cris 😜
I live in Gran Canaria with my wife Ilaria and our hairy daughter Emma, and I share information, advice and tips to explore it to the fullest!
I founded DiscoverGranCanaria with one goal: to make every visitor's experience truly memorable: Explore. Discover. Experience.
With DiscoverGranCanaria , your next adventure starts here!
