Dolphin Watching Speedboat Tour with Swim Puerto del Carmen Lanzarote

Puerto del Carmen and its marina

Puerto del Carmen is the largest resort on Lanzarote, stretching for several kilometres along the southeast coast between the airport and Puerto Calero. It began as a small fishing harbour, La Tiñosa, and the Old Town around the port still keeps a few whitewashed fishermen's houses, small fish restaurants and a lively waterfront. Behind the long promenade lie the golden beaches of Playa Grande and Playa de los Pocillos, sheltered from the trade winds.

Your dolphin tour from Puerto del Carmen leaves from the marina after a short briefing on safety and on what the crew hope to see. Starting here means no long transfer: most hotels in town are within walking distance or a short taxi ride. Among the things to do in Puerto del Carmen, a morning on the beach followed by this midday trip makes an easy, varied day.

The southeast coast of Lanzarote from the sea

Once the boat clears the harbour it follows the southeast coast, where the island's volcanic past shows clearly from the water: dark lava headlands, ochre cliffs, small coves and, inland, the soft red and black cones of old volcanoes. On clear days the low outline of Fuerteventura and the small island of Lobos appears on the southern horizon, across the strait that separates the two islands.

Lanzarote has been a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 1993, and strict building rules keep much of the coastline low and white. Seen at speed from a fast boat, the contrast between the black rock, the white foam and the deep blue water is one of the best parts of the trip, and a good chance for photos while the crew search for fins.

Dolphins and whales of the Canary Islands

The waters around the Canary Islands are among the richest in Europe for cetaceans, because deep ocean lies close to the coast. Off Lanzarote the species most often seen are the bottlenose dolphin and the common dolphin, and at times Atlantic spotted dolphins, short-finned pilot whales and, more rarely, larger whales passing through. Dolphins often approach fast boats to ride the bow wave.

During the search the crew use binoculars and their experience of the area, and explain the behaviour, feeding and family life of each species you meet. Because these are wild animals in their natural habitat, sightings can never be fully guaranteed, but the crew follow the local rules for approaching cetaceans calmly and at a safe distance. The best time for dolphin watching in Lanzarote is a calm-sea day, and sightings happen all year.

Swim stop in the Atlantic

After the search, the boat stops in a sheltered spot so you can jump into the clear Atlantic. The water around Lanzarote is famously transparent, with visibility of many metres on calm days, and you can often see small fish below you. The sea is cooler than the Mediterranean, around 18 °C in late winter and up to about 23 °C at the end of summer, so the swim is short and refreshing.

Snorkelling gear is not included, so bring your own mask if you want a better look under the surface, plus a towel and a warm layer for the ride back. This Lanzarote boat trip with swimming is a good choice for families with confident young swimmers, and you are back at the marina in Puerto del Carmen about 1.5 hours after leaving.