Lanzarote: Sea Safari Experience

Lanzarote’s volcanic cliffs and open Atlantic make a fine backdrop for a small-boat wildlife trip. The aim is to find dolphins, whales, and other sea life in the animals’ own habitat, while a skipper and marine expert explain what you are seeing.

I like the small group of up to 10 people, which gives you a better view than a crowded sightseeing boat. I also like the hydrophone, a useful bit of kit that lets you listen for cetaceans beneath the surface. The main caution is the boat itself: this compact trimaran can move sharply in rough water, and there is no toilet on board.

Key points before you book

• Small 8.6-metre trimaran: The boat carries up to 15 people legally, but this experience limits the group to 10.
• Wildlife is never guaranteed: You may see dolphins, whales, turtles, or only open sea and passing boats.
• Experienced local crew: The operator has more than 20 years of sailing experience around Lanzarote. Some departures are led by Maria and Jorge.
• Hydrophone on board: You can listen for cetaceans as well as search for them at the surface.
• Three hours at sea: Bring comfortable clothing and shoes, but no food or drinks are included.
• Motion matters: The small boat gives a close-to-the-water ride, but it can feel rougher than a large catamaran.

Setting out from Pontoon H

You meet the boat at the top of pontoon H, where you should look for the Sea Safaris sign. Arrive 15 minutes before departure. That extra time matters because this is a small operation, and the crew needs to get everyone aboard without a rushed start.

The trip takes place on an 8.6-metre OLBAP TR8 motor trimaran. It is powered by a 250-horsepower Mercury Verado four-stroke outboard and fitted with an autopilot, electronic chartplotter, and two VHF DSC radios. Those details will not change the scenery, but they tell you this is a purpose-equipped small craft rather than a basic pleasure boat.

The company is licensed to carry 15 people, while this experience limits the group to 10 participants. I consider that a sensible arrangement. A smaller group means less crowding around the sides and a better chance of finding a clear place to watch the water.

The boat is not built like a large catamaran with broad decks, indoor seating, and a restroom. You get a more direct feel for the sea, which is part of the attraction, but also the main comfort tradeoff. If you are prone to seasickness, think carefully before booking.

Reading Lanzarote from the water

The first part of the trip is as much about Lanzarote as it is about wildlife. From the water, the island’s volcanic character comes into focus through sheer cliffs, dark rock, and the unusual shapes left by dormant volcanoes.

I like this view because it gives you a different sense of the island. From land, you see the road, beaches, and lookout points. From the boat, you see the coastline as a long wall of volcanic rock meeting the Atlantic. The setting feels open and quiet, with the island behind you and the search area stretching ahead.

The route is not presented as a series of fixed stops. This is a wildlife outing, so the skipper needs to respond to what appears on the water. The boat may slow, change direction, or spend time watching an area where signs of animals have been spotted.

That flexible approach is important. You are not buying a guaranteed parade of dolphins. You are buying time on the ocean with a crew looking carefully for signs of life. On one outing, the water may be calm and full of dolphins. On another, you may see little more than the sea and an occasional boat. Nature decides the result.

Searching for dolphins and whales

The main purpose of the three-hour trip is to find cetaceans, the group that includes dolphins and whales. The skipper watches the water while the marine and cetacean experts help identify what appears and explain its behavior.

A good skipper’s ability to spot animals matters here. Dolphins can surface briefly and then disappear into a wide stretch of sea. Whales are even easier to miss if you are not looking in the right place. The crew’s local experience helps turn a simple boat ride into an active search.

Some recent departures have produced especially strong sightings. On one February morning, passengers saw many dolphins in several groups, with some swimming directly beneath the boat and coming very close. The same outing also produced a distant whale sighting. Those conditions were helped by calm water, little wind, and bright sunshine.

That account also points to a useful tip: morning departures may offer calmer conditions, at least on some days. It is not a promise, since Atlantic weather can change, but an early time may suit you if you want the best chance of a smooth ride.

The crew can also use the boat’s hydrophone to listen to cetaceans. This adds something that larger sightseeing trips often lack. You are not relying only on your eyes, scanning for a fin or a blow. You may also hear signs of animals beneath the surface while the guide explains what the sounds mean.

The guide’s role is important during quiet stretches. Maria has been described as energetic and funny on some departures, while Jorge has been praised for his sharp eye from the helm. Names and crew can vary, but the experience includes a skipper, marine expert, and cetacean expert on board.

When the ocean gives you less

You need to accept the possibility of a thin wildlife day. One outing produced no major animal sighting beyond two small turtles seen at a distance. Another had only the sea and individual boats to show for the time on the water.

That is not a fault in the natural setting, but it is a real value question. If your only goal is a close dolphin encounter, you may leave disappointed. The crew can search, listen, and adjust the route, but it cannot make wild animals appear.

I would book this with the right mindset: the coastline, boat ride, and marine explanation are part of the experience, while dolphin and whale sightings are a possible reward. That distinction is especially important for families or children who expect a guaranteed animal show.

The compact boat also deserves an honest warning. A passenger described the ride as very uncomfortable, with strong movement in the waves and no toilet for a three-hour outing. That is the clearest drawback of choosing a small trimaran. It gives you a closer view of the sea, but you will feel the sea more directly too.

If you have a sensitive stomach, avoid a heavy meal before departure and consider choosing a calm-weather time if the schedule allows. The supplied information does not state that medication is provided, so bring anything you normally use for motion sickness. You should also be comfortable remaining on a small boat for the full trip.

Why the small group changes the ride

A maximum of 10 participants makes this feel more personal than a large boat excursion. You are less likely to lose sight of the water behind a crowd, and the guide can speak to the group without needing to compete with dozens of passengers.

The small format also makes the wildlife search feel more focused. Everyone has a reason to keep watching. When dolphins appear, you can move your attention quickly instead of waiting for a large group to clear the rail.

There is a tradeoff. The same compact layout that gives you a closer view leaves less room to spread out. You will not have the broad deck space of a big catamaran, and there is no onboard toilet. For some people, that intimacy is the point. For others, especially those who want a relaxed cruise, it may feel cramped.

The boat has life jackets, and the operator provides the safari itself. Food and drinks are not included, so plan ahead. The supplied information does not state that snacks or beverages can be purchased on board, so do not count on an onboard café.

Wear comfortable shoes and comfortable clothes. High heels are not allowed, and smoking and vaping are prohibited. Those rules fit the boat: you need stable footwear and clear deck space, not dress shoes or loose smoke around other passengers.

Languages, crew, and the feel of the outing

The live guide service is offered in Spanish, English, and German. That gives you a fair chance of following the safety briefing and the marine explanations in a language you understand.

The company is family-owned and has more than two decades of sailing experience in Lanzarote’s coastal waters. That local background is useful because wildlife trips depend on more than a boat and an engine. The crew needs to read the coast, watch the water, and make practical choices as conditions change.

The strongest praise has focused on the human side of the trip. Maria and Jorge have been singled out for their energy, effort, and ability to make the outing enjoyable. Jorge’s eye for spotting dolphins has received particular attention, while Maria has been described as lively and good-humored.

Those strengths matter most when sightings are good, but they matter during quiet periods too. A guide who can explain the search and keep the group engaged gives the trip more purpose than simply driving offshore and waiting.

Still, the quality of any wildlife outing depends partly on the day’s sea conditions and the crew assigned. The operator lists a skipper and marine experts, but the specific personnel are not guaranteed for every departure.

Is $71 a fair price?

At $71 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water in Lanzarote. The value comes from the combination of a small group, a specialist crew, a three-hour trip, and equipment such as the hydrophone.

You are paying for a focused wildlife search rather than a short coastal ride. If you see dolphins close to the boat and hear useful information about marine life, the price can feel well justified. The distant volcanic coast also gives you a second reason to go, even if the animals remain out of sight.

The calculation changes if you mainly want a comfortable cruise. A larger boat may offer more room and a smoother-feeling ride, though this experience’s supplied information does not compare prices or facilities with other operators. You should choose this trip for its small scale and direct contact with the sea, not for luxury.

The booking terms help reduce some risk. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. That flexibility is useful for a weather-sensitive activity, though the information does not state how the operator handles a cancellation caused by sea conditions.

The experience has a 4.3 out of 5 rating from 222 ratings. I read that as a solid but not flawless result, which fits the trip’s basic character: excellent wildlife moments are possible, while comfort and sightings can vary sharply.

Who should book the Sea Safari

I would recommend this to adults and older children who enjoy being outside, watching for wildlife, and accepting a little uncertainty. It suits you if the journey matters as much as the final sighting, and if you like the idea of learning from a marine expert rather than simply taking photographs.

It is also a good match for anyone who wants Lanzarote’s coast from a fresh angle. The volcanic cliffs and dormant volcano shapes give you something to look at during the search, even when the sea is quiet.

I would be cautious if you get seasick, need a restroom during a three-hour outing, or expect guaranteed dolphins and whales. The boat’s movement can be strong, and the lack of a toilet is not a minor detail on a long trip.

Children under 2 are not accepted, and pregnant women should not book this activity. The tour is not suitable for either group.

What to bring and how to prepare

Keep your clothing practical. Comfortable shoes and comfortable clothes are required, while high heels are not allowed. Smoking and vaping are also prohibited.

Food and drinks are not included. Since the trip lasts three hours, eat and drink sensibly before you arrive, but avoid anything that could make motion sickness worse if you are sensitive to boat movement.

Arrive at the top of pontoon H 15 minutes before departure and look for the Sea Safaris board. The meeting point is specific, so do not wait elsewhere around the marina.

Finally, keep your expectations flexible. A calm morning with little wind may bring a remarkable dolphin encounter. A rougher day may turn the trip into a demanding ride with limited wildlife. That uncertainty is part of any genuine search for wild animals, but you should be comfortable with it before paying.

Should you book this Lanzarote sea safari?

Book it if you want a small, active wildlife trip with a local crew, a hydrophone, and a clear chance of seeing dolphins close to the boat. The volcanic coast gives the outing value even when sightings are limited, and the compact group makes the experience more personal.

Skip it if comfort is your main concern. The boat is small, there is no toilet, and the ride can be rough. At $71, the trip makes the most sense for people who value expert searching and authentic time at sea more than guaranteed wildlife or a spacious catamaran.

FAQ

How long does the Sea Safari last?

The activity lasts about three hours. The supplied description also refers to a 2 to 3 hour outing, so check the selected departure details when booking.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at the top of pontoon H and look for the Sea Safaris board. You should arrive 15 minutes before departure.

What animals might I see?

The crew searches for whales, dolphins, turtles, and other marine life. Sightings are not guaranteed, and some outings may produce few or no major animal sightings.

Is the boat large?

No. The boat is an 8.6-metre OLBAP TR8 motor trimaran. It is licensed for 15 people, while this activity limits the group to 10 participants.

Is there a toilet on board?

No toilet is provided on the boat.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the activity.

What languages are available?

The live guide service is offered in Spanish, English, and German.

What should I wear?

Bring comfortable shoes and comfortable clothing. High-heeled shoes are not allowed.

Can I smoke or vape on the boat?

No. Smoking and vaping are not allowed.

Can children under 2 join?

No. The activity is not suitable for children under 2 years old.

Can pregnant women take part?

No. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.