Gran Canaria Excursions Made Simple
Find the best tours, boat trips and experiences without wasting time comparing endless options.
Gran Canaria Excursions: Tours, Boat Trips & Activities
Choosing what to do in Gran Canaria is not always easy. There are many options, from island tours and boat trips to dolphin watching and adventure experiences, and understanding which ones are actually worth it can take time.
This page is designed to help you choose the right excursion without wasting time comparing dozens of similar options. Whether you are looking for a relaxing day at sea, a full island experience or something more active, the tours below will help you find what fits your trip.
Discover the Best Excursions in Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria is one of the most diverse islands you can visit, with dramatic mountain landscapes, coastal views, small villages, and completely different environments within short distances.
Because of this variety, not all excursions offer the same kind of experience. Some are designed to show you as much as possible in one day, while others focus on a specific part of the island or a particular type of activity. The goal is not just to choose any tour, but to choose the one that actually matches what you want to experience.
We focus on selecting experiences that are reliable, well organized, and consistent over time, so you can avoid the common mistake of booking something that looks good online but does not deliver the same quality in reality.
Types of Excursions in Gran Canaria
Boat Trips and Dolphin Watching
If you want to experience Gran Canaria from the ocean, boat trips and dolphin tours are one of the best options.
From relaxed catamaran cruises to dolphin watching tours, these experiences combine scenic coastal views, swimming stops and time at sea.
Island Tours and Sightseeing
If you want to understand the island beyond the beaches, this is usually the best place to start. Island tours take you through mountain roads, panoramic viewpoints and traditional villages that are difficult to reach on your own.
They are designed to give you a complete overview of Gran Canaria in one day, without having to plan routes or drive long distances.
Adventure and Outdoor Experiences
If you are looking for something more active, there are several options that take you off the typical tourist path. These experiences include buggy tours, off road routes and outdoor activities in more remote areas of the island.
They are ideal if you want something more dynamic and different from a classic tour.
Water Activities and Fun Experiences
For those who want to add energy and fun to their holiday, water based activities are a great option. From jet ski safari to parasailing, these experiences are focused on short but intense moments on the ocean.
Which Gran Canaria Excursion Should You Choose?
First Time Visitors
If this is your first time in Gran Canaria, a full day island tour is usually the most complete option. It allows you to see different parts of the island in one experience without having to organize anything yourself.
Couples
If you are traveling as a couple, boat trips and smaller group experiences tend to offer a more relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. They allow you to enjoy the scenery at a slower pace and create a more memorable experience.
Families
For families, comfort and simplicity are usually the priority. Bus tours and easy access activities are often the best choice, especially when you want everything organized and stress free.
Travelers Without a Car
If you do not have a car, guided excursions are one of the easiest ways to explore the island. Transport is included, and you can reach places that would otherwise be difficult to visit on your own.
Compare Gran Canaria Excursions
Bus Tours vs Minivan Tours
Bus tours are usually the most affordable option and follow a fixed itinerary with larger groups. They are a good choice if you want a complete overview of the island in a structured and organized way.
Minivan tours, on the other hand, offer a smaller group experience and tend to feel more flexible and personal. They often allow more interaction and a slightly different pace during the day.
Group Tours vs Private Tours
Group tours are ideal if you are looking for a cost effective and social experience. Everything is organized for you, and you share the experience with other travelers.
Private tours are more suitable if you prefer flexibility, privacy, and the possibility to adapt the experience to your own preferences.
Buggy vs Cabrio Tours: What’s the Difference?
Buggy tours focus on off-road driving, combining dirt tracks and scenic routes for a more adventurous and hands-on experience.
Cabrio tours, on the other hand, take place entirely on paved roads. You still drive yourself, but the focus is on scenery, viewpoints and the overall journey rather than adrenaline. Routes typically include a morning mountain tour or a more relaxed sunset drive along the coast.
Half Day vs Full Day Tours
Half day excursions are a good option if you have limited time or want to combine multiple activities during your stay.
Full day tours allow you to explore more areas of the island and usually provide a more complete and relaxed experience without rushing.
Top Rated Excursions in Gran Canaria
Top Rated Excursions in Gran Canaria
These are some of the most popular and reliable experiences, selected based on real customer feedback and overall quality.
2,5H • DOLPHIN GUARANTEE
Excursion à la recherche de dauphins - Bateau à fond de verre (2,5h)
Shorter and more accessible dolphin tour with morning and afternoon departures, and an extra late afternoon option in summer.
A shorter and more accessible dolphin watching trip, with two daily departures, three in summer. On Fridays, you can also visit the Mogan market at no extra cost, making it a great option if you want to combine the experience.
4H • COMBINED EXPERIENCE
SuperCat – Observation des Dauphins & Tour Côtier (4h)
Complete dolphin watching experience with time to swim, relax (lunch and drinks included) and enjoy the coast.
A complete dolphin watching experience that combines active searching with time to relax, swim and enjoy the coast after the sighting. The boat has access to the official dolphin area, increasing the chances of sightings compared to standard coastal trips.
4H • LUXURY YACHT • MAX 12 PEOPLE
Yacht Partagé pour l'Observation des Baleines et des Dauphins
Small group experience with a maximum of 12 people on board, including lunch and drinks.
A more exclusive way to enjoy dolphin watching, with a small group of maximum 12 people on board. This experience combines active dolphin searching with time to relax, swim and enjoy the coast in a quieter atmosphere. Lunch and drinks are included, making it a complete half day experience at sea.
4H • LUXURY YACHT • COASTAL CRUISE
Luxury Yacht Boat Trip - Shared Formula
Small group experience with a maximum of 12 people on board, including lunch and drinks. Morning or afternoon cruise.
A more exclusive way to enjoy the coast of Gran Canaria on a shared yacht with limited capacity. This experience offers a relaxed atmosphere, combining time at sea, swimming stops and a more private feeling compared to larger boats. Food and drinks are included, making it a complete and comfortable half day at sea.
4H • SMALL GROUP CATAMARAN
Paradise Catamaran Gran Canaria – Tour depuis Pasito Blanco
Enjoy the coastline on this limited spaces catamaran cruise at a slower pace, with more space, comfort and time to relax.
A premium catamaran experience with a smaller group on board, designed for a more relaxed and comfortable day at sea. The tour includes swimming stops, food and drinks, and a smooth route along the southwest coast. Ideal if you want to avoid crowded boats and enjoy a higher quality atmosphere.
FULL DAY • SMALL GROUP TOUR
Day Trips Gran Canaria | The Sparkle Tour
Premium microbus (14 seats) island tour with small groups, scenic routes and authentic local stops.
A full day island tour designed to show the most authentic side of Gran Canaria, travelling in a premium minivan with a maximum of 14 participants. The route includes volcanic landscapes, pine forests and traditional villages such as Guayadeque, Arucas, Tejeda and Fataga, with multiple stops along the way. A well balanced experience between nature, culture and panoramic views, ideal if you want to see the real island in one day without rushing.
FULL DAY • FROM LAS PALMAS
Presas Canarias – Scenic Gran Canaria Day Tour (Departures from Las Palmas & South)
Full day bus tour with departure from Las Palmas, covering the island’s most scenic highlights.
A complete and well structured island tour departing from Las Palmas, ideal if you want to explore Gran Canaria. The route takes you through some of the island’s most scenic areas, including mountains, viewpoints and traditional villages, with several stops along the way. A practical and comfortable option if you are staying in the north or prefer a more organized experience.
HALF DAY • 4X4 OFF ROAD
Jeep Safari in Gran Canaria | Take the Tour
Explore Gran Canaria off road with a 4x4 safari through remote and less visited areas.
A more adventurous way to discover Gran Canaria, travelling in a 4x4 jeep through mountain roads and off road sections that are not accessible with standard tours. The route includes scenic viewpoints, traditional villages and less explored areas of the island, offering a more dynamic and immersive experience. Ideal if you want to go beyond the usual routes and see a different side of Gran Canaria.
DRIVE • 2–4 PEOPLE
2 Seater Buggy Tour Gran Canaria
Drive your own buggy through scenic routes with a mix of road and off road sections, available for 2, 3 or 4 people per buggy.
A dynamic way to explore the island, driving your own buggy along scenic roads and off road sections, always following a guide. The route takes you inland through hills and viewpoints that are difficult to reach on your own, with several stops along the way. Available for 2, 3 or 4 people per buggy, making it a flexible option for couples, friends or families.
SCENIC DRIVE
Cabrio Tour Gran Canaria: Mountain & Coastal Road Trip
Drive a classic cabrio along scenic roads, following a guide through mountain routes and coastal viewpoints. Choose between a morning mountain tour or a relaxed sunset drive.
ou’ll follow a local guide in a small convoy, driving through some of the most scenic parts of the island. The route includes panoramic viewpoints, quiet mountain roads and coastal sections, with time to stop and enjoy each location.
It’s designed for those who want to drive and explore at a relaxed pace, without the dust and off-road sections of more adventurous tours.
SAFARI • ADRENALINE & EXPLORATION
Jet Ski Safari - Taurito ou Puerto de Mogán
Guided jet ski safari with more freedom than classic rentals or restricted circuits.
A guided jet ski safari that takes you along one of the most untouched areas of Gran Canaria, between Mogán and Tasarte. You will ride past volcanic cliffs, sea caves and remote beaches that are only accessible from the ocean, making it a much more authentic and adventurous experience compared to standard jet ski circuits.
MAX 8 • HIKE & PICNIC
Hiking - Roque Nublo Route
Panoramic views from one of the most iconic natural landmarks in Gran Canaria.
A scenic hiking experience to Roque Nublo, one of the most iconic natural monuments of the island, located in the central mountains. The route takes you through volcanic landscapes and panoramic viewpoints, with a relatively short but rewarding hike to the base of the rock, surrounded by one of the most impressive views in Gran Canaria.
40 MIN • SUBMARINE EXPERIENCE
Yellow Submarine Adventure | Gran Canaria
Explore the underwater world without getting wet, aboard a real submarine.
A unique experience in Gran Canaria that takes you more than 20 metres below the surface to explore the seabed of Puerto de Mogán. Sit comfortably inside a real submarine and observe marine life, shipwrecks and underwater formations through large panoramic windows and external cameras. A relaxing and fascinating way to discover the ocean from a completely different perspective.
4H • LIVE DJ & ANIMATION
Boat Party in Gran Canaria | Join the Experience
A lively boat party with music, drinks and a social atmosphere on board.
A fun and energetic boat party experience along the coast of Gran Canaria, combining music, drinks and time at sea. Enjoy a mix of dancing, swimming stops and time to unwind on board, surrounded by an international crowd. A great option if you are looking for something different from classic boat trips.
Make the Most of Your Time in Gran Canaria
If you only have a few days on the island, choosing the right excursion can make a big difference. With so many options available, from boat trips and dolphin tours to island adventures and outdoor experiences, finding the one that fits your plans is key.
Take your time to explore the options above and choose the experience that matches how you want to discover Gran Canaria.