Dolphin and Whale Watching Cruise with Swim Stop Morro Jable

Morro Jable harbour

Morro Jable began as a small fishing village at the foot of the Jandía mountains and is now the main town of the south of Fuerteventura. Its harbour is busy with fishing boats, excursion boats and the ferries that connect the island with Gran Canaria and Tenerife. A sea turtle recovery centre by the quay cares for injured loggerhead turtles before returning them to the ocean, and a white lighthouse stands on the beach just east of town.

Your boat trip starts here, so the harbour is the first place you see on the cruise. If you are staying further north and wondering how to get to Morro Jable, the pickup option collects you from set points in Costa Calma, Esquinzo and Jandía, avoiding parking and timing worries. Things to do in Morro Jable rarely get better than seeing the coast from the water.

The Jandía peninsula and its coastline

The Jandía peninsula is the wild southern arm of Fuerteventura, protected as a natural park. A chain of volcanic mountains runs along it, crowned by Pico de la Zarza at 807 metres, the highest point of the island. On the southern side, long beaches of pale sand stretch for kilometres, from the lagoons of Sotavento near Costa Calma to the beach of Jandía in front of Morro Jable.

From the sea you see how the bare, ochre mountains drop to these beaches and how clear the water is over the sandy seabed. The guide points out landmarks along the coast and explains how trade winds shaped the island. This view of Jandía from the boat is one of the reasons travellers call this the most scenic Fuerteventura boat trip.

Dolphins and whales of the Canary Islands

The waters between Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria are deep close to shore, which brings ocean wildlife within easy reach of the boat. Bottlenose dolphins live around the islands all year, Atlantic spotted dolphins are frequent in the warmer months, and short-finned pilot whales, with their dark rounded heads, are seen regularly. Loggerhead turtles, flying fish and seabirds such as shearwaters and gannets often join the show.

Whale watching in Fuerteventura is about patience and luck: these are wild animals, so sightings are never guaranteed, but the guide knows where to look and how to approach respectfully without disturbing them. Many travellers see dolphins riding the bow wave, the moment children remember most. The best time to visit for calm seas is spring to autumn, though dolphins can be seen all year.

Swim stop in a sheltered spot

After the wildlife search, the captain heads to a calm, sheltered spot along the coast and stops so you can swim. The water here is clear and turquoise over sand, and its temperature ranges from about 19 degrees in winter to 23 degrees in late summer, refreshing on a hot Canary day. You can jump in from the boat or simply relax on deck in the sun.

Bring your swimsuit and towel, and keep a dry layer for the return, as the breeze on the open water can feel cool. Drinks are served on board during the trip, and there is a toilet, which makes this cruise comfortable for families with small children. After the swim the boat returns along the coast to Morro Jable harbour.