Jandía Catamaran Cruise with Dolphin Watching, Swim and Lunch

Morro Jable harbour and the start of the cruise

The harbour of Morro Jable sits at the foot of the Jandía mountains, at the end of the long string of beaches that runs down the south-east coast of Fuerteventura. Fishing boats unload their catch beside the ferries to the other islands, and the small lighthouse on the seafront marks the edge of the town's wide sandy beach.

Your catamaran trip from Morro Jable starts with a safety briefing on board, while the crew shows you the decks, the seating areas and the open bow, the favourite spot for watching the water rush past. With two hulls, a catamaran is far more stable than a monohull, which makes this a comfortable choice for anyone worried about seasickness.

Dolphin and whale watching off the volcanic south coast

For around an hour and a half the captain follows the coast and heads into deeper water where cetaceans feed. The Canary Islands are famous for their whale and dolphin populations, and off southern Fuerteventura you may meet bottlenose and Atlantic spotted dolphins, or larger pilot whales and Bryde's whales in certain seasons.

The crew watches from the upper deck and listens to reports from local fishing boats to find the animals, then slows down and lets them approach. Dolphin watching in Jandía is never guaranteed, but the resident pods are seen on many trips, often bow-riding beside the hulls. Meanwhile the cliffs of the island, layered red, ochre and black, show how volcanic eruptions built Fuerteventura over millions of years.

Swimming stop off the coast of Jandía

After the wildlife search the catamaran changes course and anchors in a sheltered spot off the coast of Jandía, where the water turns a clear turquoise over pale sand. You have about 30 minutes to swim from the boat, cool off and float in the Atlantic, using the ladders at the stern to climb back on board.

The southern coast lies in the lee of the trade winds, so the sea here is usually calmer than in the north. The water temperature ranges from about 18 °C in winter to 23 °C in late summer and autumn, the warmest months for swimming. If you prefer to stay dry, the deck is a perfect place to sunbathe and enjoy the view of the beaches.

Lunch on board

Once everyone is back on deck, the crew serves a hot meal of Mozarabic-style chicken with rice and vegetables, a dish whose name recalls the mixed Christian and Andalusi cooking of medieval Spain, with warm spices and a gentle, rounded flavour. The meal takes about an hour, eaten at the tables in the shade while the boat lies at anchor or cruises slowly.

Water and soft drinks are available throughout the trip, so there is no need to bring anything to drink. If you have a food allergy or a dietary requirement, tell us when you book and we pass the request to the crew; options depend on availability on the day.

The Jandía coastline and the cruise back

The final hour is a relaxed cruise along the Jandía coastline, the southern peninsula of the island protected as a natural park. From the water you see the high ridge of the mountains, crowned by Pico de la Zarza at 807 metres, the ravines that cut down to the shore and the long golden beaches of Jandía and Esquinzo.

This part of the trip is ideal for photos and for simply resting on deck. The best time for a catamaran trip in Fuerteventura is from April to October, when the sea is warm and the days are long, though the mild winter makes it pleasant all year. Back in Morro Jable, our transfer takes you to your pickup point.