Lanzarote: Whale and Dolphin Watching Eco-Friendly Catamaran

The most unusual part of this Lanzarote boat trip is the fully electric catamaran. It moves without engine fumes or the usual diesel rumble, so you can sit close to the water and listen for marine life instead of listening to a motor. The crew also uses a hydrophone, giving you a chance to hear whales and dolphins below the surface.

I like the quiet ride and the small-group feel, which makes the four-hour outing more personal than a large sightseeing boat. I also like the sensible approach to wildlife: the crew watches animals without chasing or feeding them. The main drawback is simple: wild animals keep their own schedule. One February outing found no whales or dolphins, and cool, cloudy weather made the trip less inviting.

Key points

• Silent electric catamaran: The Canary Islands’ first fully electric, emission-free catamaran cuts out diesel fumes and much of the engine noise.
• Wildlife sightings are never promised: Dolphins, whales, and turtles have been seen, but one recent trip found no cetaceans.
• Hydrophone on board: You can listen to underwater sounds while the crew explains what you are hearing.
• Four hours on the Atlantic: The cruise gives you time for wildlife watching, coastline views, snacks, and drinks without feeling like a quick harbor ride.
• Puerto Calero departure: Find the boat at Marina Puerto Calero, Pontoon F22, with parking and easy taxi or bus access.
• Good value for wildlife-minded visitors: At $112 per person, the price reflects the electric boat, small-group setting, crew commentary, and refreshments, but not a guaranteed animal encounter.

Setting out from Puerto Calero’s Pontoon F22

Your starting point is Marina Puerto Calero, at Dock F22. This matters because Puerto Calero is easy to reach by taxi or bus, and parking is available if you are driving. Allow a little extra time to find the marina and the correct pontoon. The boat is not simply somewhere near the harbor. You need to locate Pontoon F22.

The four-hour trip gives the outing a proper sense of time at sea. You are not rushed out for a short look around the harbor and then returned. After leaving Puerto Calero, the crew can focus on the open water, the coastline, and signs of marine life.

The boat itself is part of the attraction. This is the Canary Islands’ first fully electric catamaran, and the electric motor changes the mood right away. There is no diesel smell hanging in the air, and the quieter ride lets you pay closer attention to the sea.

One practical note: this trip is not a sailing excursion. The catamaran uses its electric motor rather than sailing during the tour. That may disappoint you if you want sails and wind power, but it is useful to know before booking.

Why the electric boat changes the experience

A quiet boat is not just a pleasant environmental extra. It can make wildlife watching easier. Dolphins and whales are sensitive to noise, and a boat that produces less sound and no exhaust offers a less intrusive way to look for them.

The crew still keeps a respectful distance. You will not be encouraged to feed animals, and feeding is specifically not allowed. The same applies to littering, smoking, alcohol, and drugs. These rules are basic, but they fit the point of the trip: watch wild animals behaving naturally instead of turning the sea into a petting zoo.

The electric catamaran also brings comfort benefits. You avoid the unpleasant diesel odor that can cling to a traditional motorboat, especially when the wind drops. One recent outing also praised the feeling of being close to the water. That low, open connection is useful when a pod of dolphins appears nearby, though it means you should bring a hat and sunscreen.

The boat is not wheelchair accessible, so this is not a suitable choice for wheelchair users. If mobility access is important for anyone in your group, check carefully before paying.

Four hours of searching the Atlantic

Wildlife watching has a different rhythm from a standard sightseeing cruise. You may spend part of the trip scanning the water, then suddenly see dolphins moving through the waves or a whale surfacing in the distance. The four-hour duration gives the crew time to search rather than treating the first empty stretch of water as the whole experience.

The exact route and sightings depend on conditions and animal movements. The information provided does not promise a particular species or viewing distance. That is a good thing to understand before you book. Recent trips have seen several schools of dolphins, two types of dolphins, whales, and a turtle. Another outing saw no dolphins or whales at all.

That mixed result is not a flaw in the boat or crew. It is the central risk of any wild-marine-life trip. February can also bring cloud and cooler air. One early-February trip had both, so the warmest and sunniest months may feel more comfortable if you are sensitive to cold. The tour operates in the Atlantic, not inside a controlled wildlife enclosure.

I would treat a sighting as a welcome bonus rather than the only reason to go. The electric boat, sea views, crew commentary, and sound system still give you a worthwhile outing when the animals stay out of sight. If seeing a whale is your one non-negotiable goal, no responsible operator can promise that.

Dolphins, whales, turtles, and natural behavior

When animals appear, the crew’s conduct matters. The catamaran is designed to observe marine life with minimal disturbance, and the crew takes care not to pressure dolphins. That can mean you do not race after every fin or move as close as possible. The tradeoff is a calmer and more responsible encounter.

Dolphins are likely to provide the most active sightings. They can travel in schools and may appear alongside the boat, though the supplied information does not promise that they will swim directly beside you. The trip has also produced sightings of two kinds of dolphins, along with whales and a turtle.

Whale watching tends to reward patience. A whale can appear briefly, surface at a distance, and disappear before everyone has a clear look. Keep your attention on the water rather than assuming the loudest reaction means the best view has arrived.

The crew’s role is not only to point out animals. You receive explanations about marine life and Lanzarote’s ocean ecosystem in English, French, or Spanish. The live commentary gives the sightings context, which is especially useful if you are not familiar with cetaceans or local waters.

Listening below the surface with the hydrophone

The hydrophone is one of the trip’s best details. It lets you hear sounds from below the water, including communication from whales and dolphins when conditions allow. That changes the outing from a simple search for fins into a more complete look at life in the sea.

You may find the hydrophone especially useful during quiet periods when no animal is visible. The sea can feel empty from above, while the underwater audio reminds you that the surface tells only part of the story.

The crew explains what you are hearing and how it relates to the animals and the surrounding ecosystem. No technical background is needed. You can enjoy the sounds as a striking part of the trip, or pay closer attention to the educational side if marine biology interests you.

Because this is real wildlife, the hydrophone cannot guarantee a dramatic soundtrack. Still, it is a thoughtful feature, and it fits the quiet electric boat better than a noisy engine would.

Snacks, fruit, and views from the catamaran

Complimentary refreshments are included. Expect snacks, fresh fruit, and soft drinks, with local flavors included in the selection. This is not a meal replacement, so eat normally before the cruise if you need a substantial lunch or breakfast.

The food matters mainly because four hours at sea is long enough to want something small. A piece of fruit or a snack also helps if you are more comfortable with light food while on a boat. Alcohol is not allowed, so do not plan to bring wine or beer for the ride.

While you eat, you can take in views of Lanzarote’s coast. The exact sights along the route are not specified, so I would not book this as a particular coastal landmark tour. Think of the coastline as part of the setting for the wildlife search, not the main scheduled stop.

The open-air nature of a catamaran means sun protection is important even on a cloudy day. Bring a hat and sunscreen. February conditions can be cool and overcast, so a light extra layer is also a sensible personal choice, though only the hat and sunscreen are specifically required.

Is $112 a fair price?

At $112 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water. You are paying for a four-hour outing, a specialized electric catamaran, a live multilingual crew, wildlife interpretation, the hydrophone, and included refreshments.

The value improves if you care about the boat’s environmental design. A conventional excursion may offer a similar search for marine life at a lower cost, but this experience removes diesel fumes and reduces noise around the animals. You are also supporting a trip built around observation rather than feeding or pressing close to wildlife.

The price makes less sense if you only want a quick boat ride or guaranteed dolphin photographs. The tour cannot control the weather or the animals, and the four hours may feel long if you are uninterested in the sea between sightings.

For a small group, the cost buys more than a seat on a large excursion vessel. One recent outing was praised for feeling personal, with an attentive and friendly skipper and crew. The group size is not specified, so do not assume it will always be tiny, but the catamaran format can feel more intimate than the larger boats used for similar trips.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it to you if you care about animal welfare, prefer a quieter boat, and enjoy learning while you look for wildlife. Families with older children may appreciate the hydrophone and the chance to see dolphins in the wild, though the data provided does not specify a minimum age.

It is also a good match for people who want an eco-focused activity that does not feel like a lecture. The electric motor is a real part of the experience, not just a label. You notice the quiet and lack of fumes while watching the water.

You may want to skip it if you dislike uncertain outcomes. No whale or dolphin sighting is guaranteed, and the trip can be cool or cloudy in winter. It is also unsuitable for wheelchair users, and anyone hoping to sail should know that the catamaran is motor-powered during this outing.

Languages should not be a major barrier if your group speaks English, French, or Spanish. The tour has a live guide in all three languages.

Booking details that matter

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available, which helps if your Lanzarote plans are still shifting.

Check the available start times when you book. A morning departure may be changed to a sunset outing if very few people are booked for the original session. One such change still produced a successful dolphin sighting, but you should be ready for the timing to move.

Bring a hat and sunscreen. Do not bring alcohol or drugs, and smoking is not allowed. Feeding animals and littering are also prohibited.

The meeting point is Marina Puerto Calero, Pontoon F22. Parking is available, and you can arrive by bus or taxi. Confirm the pontoon before setting out, since a marina can have several docks and entrances.

Should you book the WeWhale Lanzarote catamaran?

Book this trip if the quiet electric boat and respectful wildlife watching appeal to you as much as the chance of seeing dolphins or whales. The hydrophone, multilingual commentary, four hours at sea, and small-group feel give it more substance than a basic harbor cruise.

Do not book it expecting a guaranteed animal encounter or a warm, sunny day in every season. The strongest reason to choose it is the combination of low-impact travel and real ocean conditions. You get a better chance of enjoying the outing if you can appreciate the boat, the coastline, and the search itself, even when the animals stay hidden.

FAQ

Where does the whale and dolphin tour depart from?

The catamaran departs from Marina Puerto Calero at Pontoon F22, also called Dock F22. Parking is available, and the marina can be reached by bus or taxi.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts four hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

Is the catamaran fully electric?

Yes. It is described as the Canary Islands’ first fully electric, emission-free catamaran. The tour uses the electric motor rather than sailing.

What languages are available?

The live guide is available in English, French, and Spanish.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. The trip includes snacks, fresh fruit, and soft drinks. Alcohol is not allowed.

Are whale and dolphin sightings guaranteed?

No. The animals are wild, so sightings cannot be guaranteed. Recent outings have seen dolphins, whales, and a turtle, while another trip saw no dolphins or whales.