Puerto del Carmen: Dolphin-Watching Speedboat Tour with Swim

Seeing a pod of dolphins race beside a low, fast boat can be one of Lanzarote’s finest wildlife moments. The Biosfera Jet leaves Puerto del Carmen marina, searches the open Atlantic for dolphins and whales, then stops for a swim in clear water before returning to port.

I like two things here: the trip keeps its focus on wild animals in their own environment, and the boat ride itself is fun even when the sea stays quiet. I also like the friendly, playful crew, with guides including Teddy, Carlos, and Elsa praised for clear explanations and a good sense of humor. The catch is simple: dolphins are not guaranteed, so you should book this as a sea outing with wildlife watching, not as a guaranteed animal encounter.

Key points at a glance

• Low boat for close views: The Biosfera Jet lets you look across the water from a lower position than many larger sightseeing boats.
• Wild dolphins and whales: The crew searches with binoculars and explains the cetaceans you may encounter.
• A proper Atlantic swim: You can jump from the back of the boat into clear ocean water.
• Strong family appeal: Children have been given binoculars, and the crew makes an effort to help young passengers see the action.
• Short and affordable: At $41 per person for 1.5 hours, this is an easy activity to fit into a Puerto del Carmen stay.
• Bring your own swim kit: Towels, sunscreen, suitable clothing, and comfortable footwear are not supplied.

Leaving Puerto del Carmen on the Biosfera Jet

You meet Lanzarote Sea Tours at its office beside the petrol station and roundabout near the marina. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your route to the meeting point before the departure time. The supplied directions are brief, and one person found the queue and boat arrangement unclear at the start, so arriving with a little extra time is sensible.

Once aboard, the crew gives a quick safety talk. This matters on a fast boat, particularly if you are traveling with children or have not spent much time on a small craft. The vessel heads out from Puerto del Carmen and follows Lanzarote’s southeast coast, giving you a fresh view of the island from the water.

The ride has real energy. The boat can bounce over waves, and the return to shore has been a family favorite for that very reason. Water may come over the side, which feels refreshing on a hot day but is worth remembering if you want to keep a camera, hat, or dry clothes protected.

The boat is part of the attraction, but it is not a gentle harbor cruise. If you prefer a slow, quiet outing, this may feel lively. If you enjoy speed, sea air, and a bit of spray, the journey gives the trip value even before the search begins.

Searching for dolphins and whales in open water

The main part of the outing is a search along the coast and farther out into the Atlantic. The crew uses binoculars and watches for signs of movement, then turns the boat toward possible sightings. You are not visiting a marine park, and there is no enclosure or scheduled animal performance. The appeal is seeing wildlife where it chooses to travel.

That freedom also brings uncertainty. Some trips have found large pods of dolphins, including Atlantic spotted dolphins, while others have seen pilot whales, Bryde’s whales, turtles, or a single whale. Several outings have returned without a dolphin sighting, yet passengers still enjoyed the boat ride, views, and swim.

I appreciate the honest nature of this kind of trip. A pod may appear suddenly after a quiet start, sometimes on the way back to port. On one outing, the crew first spotted a dolphin through binoculars, then found groups of dolphins around the boat. On another, a large pod stayed with the boat for about 20 minutes.

The low design helps when animals come close. You can often look across the water rather than down from a high deck, and the crew may move passengers around so more people get a view. Families with children have found this especially useful, with young passengers sometimes receiving binoculars to help with the search.

The crew’s role is important here. A good captain must search without turning the trip into a chase, and the strongest accounts describe careful boat handling, with dolphins approaching voluntarily. Your guide also provides live commentary in Spanish, English, or French, covering the species, basic cetacean information, and technical or historical details about the area.

Do not expect a full marine biology lecture in 90 minutes. The tone is lively and accessible, with humor and practical explanations. Carlos has been praised for speaking several languages, while Teddy and Elsa have been singled out for their warmth and helpful manner. Names and crew members can change, but the activity is designed around live commentary rather than a recorded soundtrack.

Lanzarote’s coast from the water

The coastline looks different from the sea. Instead of viewing Puerto del Carmen from streets and promenades, you see the southeast edge of Lanzarote spread along the horizon while the boat moves past it. The tour does not promise a long coastal sightseeing route, but the outward and return legs give you panoramic views and a useful change of pace from beach time.

This is also why the tour can work when dolphins stay hidden. You still spend time outside the marina, with the island as your backdrop and the Atlantic under the boat. Several people who saw no marine life still considered the views and ride worthwhile for the price.

The fast pace limits the chance to linger over every coastal detail. This is not the right choice if your main goal is a slow photography cruise. It is better suited to you if you want a short burst of speed, open sea, and the possibility of an unexpected whale or dolphin encounter.

The swim stop in clear Atlantic water

After the wildlife search, the boat stops so you can swim from the stern. This is not a beach visit. You climb or jump directly from the boat into the ocean, then swim near the vessel before getting back aboard.

For many people, this is the most dependable part of the experience. The water has been described as clear and refreshing, and children and adults alike have enjoyed the chance to cool off after sitting in the sun. If the wildlife search produces no sighting, the swim gives the outing a definite finish rather than sending you straight back to the marina.

You need to judge the sea conditions for yourself. One person warned that the current could be strong and advised staying close to the boat. Follow the crew’s instructions, especially if you are not a confident swimmer. The fact that the swim takes place in open water also means it may not suit anyone expecting a calm, shallow bathing spot.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, comfortable footwear, and a light layer for changing weather. Food and drinks are not included, and snorkeling equipment is not provided. The tour promises time to swim, not a guided snorkeling session, so pack accordingly and do not expect supplied masks or fins.

Is $41 a fair price?

At $41 per person, this is a reasonably priced half-day alternative that takes only 1.5 hours. You get the boat ride, live guide, wildlife search, coastal views, and swim without committing most of a day. That makes it easy to combine with a beach afternoon, a meal in Puerto del Carmen, or another Lanzarote activity.

The value depends on what you expect. If you want a guaranteed dolphin encounter, no price can fix the basic uncertainty of wild animals. If you judge the tour as a fast coastal outing with a chance to see dolphins, whales, or turtles and a swim included, the cost makes better sense.

The large overall score of 3.7 from 1,807 ratings suggests a mixed experience rather than a perfect hit for everyone. The most common dividing line is not usually the crew or the boat. It is whether wildlife appears on the day. People who see a large pod often describe a memorable, excellent-value experience. People who see nothing can still enjoy the ride, but some will naturally feel disappointed.

The free cancellation policy gives you some protection if your plans change, provided you cancel at least 24 hours ahead for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if you are arranging several activities around uncertain holiday plans.

Who will enjoy this trip most?

I would recommend it to families, couples, and solo visitors who like the idea of a short, active sea outing. It is especially good for you if a wildlife sighting would be a bonus rather than the sole reason for booking. The swim gives non-wildlife value, and the boat ride keeps the pace lively.

Children can enjoy the speed and the excitement of searching with binoculars. The crew has made a clear effort to help children see dolphins from a good position, and one family with a three-year-old felt safe during the trip. Even so, you should consider how your child handles waves, spray, and a moving boat.

This is less suitable for anyone using a wheelchair, as the activity is not suitable for wheelchair users. It may also be a poor fit if you dislike open-water swimming, want a quiet sailing trip, or need a guaranteed schedule of animal encounters.

Practical ways to improve your chances of enjoying it

Keep your expectations flexible from the start. The crew can search, interpret what they see, and steer toward marine life, but it cannot control where wild animals travel. A quiet trip is not automatically a badly run trip.

Protect yourself from the sun. One person specifically advised sitting in the shade if you do not want to burn, and the Atlantic breeze can make the sun feel less intense than it is. Sunscreen, a towel, and weather-appropriate clothing belong in your day bag.

Wear comfortable footwear that you do not mind getting wet. Bring a warm layer too, since the boat can feel cool at speed even after a hot start in Puerto del Carmen.

If you hope to take photos, keep your device secure. The boat can bounce, spray may come over the side, and the most exciting sightings may last only moments. Watch first, photograph second. Dolphins moving beside the hull are easier to enjoy when you are not staring at a screen.

Listen when the crew explains the swim stop. Strong currents were noted on one outing, so stay near the boat and follow directions. This is a refreshing open-sea swim, not an invitation to swim far from the vessel.

How this tour compares with a typical dolphin excursion

The 1.5-hour format is shorter than a full day at sea, which is useful if you have limited time or young children. You get a concentrated outing rather than hours of cruising. The tradeoff is that the crew has less time to search if conditions are difficult.

The Biosfera Jet also feels more active than a large, slow sightseeing boat. You get speed, spray, and a lower view of the water. That can bring dolphins closer to eye level, but it also means a bumpier ride and less room to spread out.

The swim makes this more than a pure wildlife trip. If you see dolphins, the swim feels like a bonus. If you do not, it may become the part your family remembers most. Several children and adults especially enjoyed jumping into the sea from the back of the boat.

The crew’s humor is another part of the experience. Sea shanties have even formed part of one outing, and guides have been praised for making the atmosphere relaxed and inclusive. The style is informal, not a formal scientific expedition, but the live explanations add useful context to what you are seeing.

Should you book the Puerto del Carmen dolphin tour?

Book it if you want a short, affordable, active boat trip with a genuine chance of seeing dolphins, whales, or turtles. The strongest reason to choose it is the combination of a fast low boat, live multilingual commentary, wild animal watching, and a swim from the stern.

Do not book it expecting a guaranteed dolphin show. Choose it only if you can accept that the sea may offer dolphins, a whale, turtles, or simply a pleasant ride and a swim. For families and first-time visitors to Lanzarote, that flexible attitude usually gives the best result.

I would consider $41 fair for the full package, especially when the boat ride and swim matter as much as the wildlife. Bring sun protection, a towel, warm clothing, and sensible footwear, then let the sea decide what appears.

FAQ

How long is the Puerto del Carmen dolphin tour?

The tour lasts 1.5 hours, including the boat cruise, wildlife search, live commentary, and swimming time.

Where does the boat tour start?

You meet at Lanzarote Sea Tours in Puerto del Carmen. The office is located next to the petrol station and the roundabout.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to the meeting point.

Are dolphins guaranteed to appear?

No. Dolphins, whales, and other marine life live in the wild, so sightings cannot be guaranteed.

What animals might I see?

The crew searches for dolphins and whales. Sightings have also included pilot whales, Bryde’s whales, Atlantic spotted dolphins, and turtles.

Is swimming included?

Yes. The tour includes time to swim from the boat in the Atlantic Ocean.

Do I need to bring snorkeling equipment?

Yes, if you want snorkeling equipment, you need to bring your own. Snorkeling gear is not included.

Which languages are available?

Live guiding is available in Spanish, English, and French.

Can wheelchair users join the tour?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.