Lanzarote: Sea Safari Experience

Lanzarote’s best show may be just offshore: pods of dolphins, a distant whale, and a stark volcanic coast sliding past from a small, fast boat. I like the ten-person group and the chance to learn from a skipper and marine expert rather than simply ride around looking at the sea.

I also like the hydrophone, which can let you listen for cetaceans beneath the boat. The tradeoff is real, though: this 8.6-metre trimaran has limited room, no toilet, and can feel every wave, so anyone prone to seasickness should think carefully before booking.

Key points

• Dolphins can come very close: Recent departures have seen groups of dolphins swim beneath and alongside the boat.
• A small boat changes the ride: The motor trimaran carries up to 15 people but this experience is limited to 10.
• Maria and Jorge may be on board: They have been praised for their energy, spotting skill, and effort to find marine life.
• The coast is part of the show: Expect volcanic cliffs, dormant volcano formations, and views that are hard to get from land.
• Wildlife is never guaranteed: One outing saw only distant turtles and open sea, while another found dozens of dolphins and a distant whale.
• Bring sensible clothing: Comfortable shoes and clothes are required, while high heels, smoking, and vaping are not allowed.

Setting out from Pontoon H

You meet the boat at the top of pontoon H, where a sea safaris sign marks the meeting point. Arrive 15 minutes before departure. That small cushion matters because a compact boat tour has little room for late arrivals, and you do not want to begin the outing in a rush.

The operator is Sea Safaris Lanzarote S.L., a family-owned local company with more than 20 years of sailing experience around Lanzarote. The boat is an OLBAP TR8 motor trimaran, 8.6 metres long, with a 250-horsepower Mercury Verado four-stroke outboard engine.

That specification tells you something useful. This is not a slow, spacious catamaran with a wide deck and room to wander. It is a smaller motorboat designed to cover water and search for wildlife. The boat is licensed for 15 people, but this experience limits the group to 10, giving you a better chance of seeing out and hearing the guide.

The boat also carries an autopilot, electronic chartplotter, two VHF DSC radios, and a hydrophone. The safety equipment is practical rather than showy, with life jackets included. The skipper and marine expert handle the navigation and wildlife search, while you focus on the sea around you.

Three hours between volcanic cliffs and open water

The trip lasts about three hours, though the activity description also describes the sailing time as two to three hours. Plan your day around a three-hour outing so you are not caught short. Food and drinks are not included, so eat beforehand and bring only what the operator permits and what you can manage comfortably on a moving boat.

The route is built around the waters off Lanzarote rather than a fixed list of shore stops. You cruise along the coast, scan the open Atlantic, and move toward areas where dolphins, whales, turtles, and other marine life may appear. The exact route changes with sea conditions and animal movements.

That uncertainty is part of the deal. Marine wildlife does not perform on a timetable. On one morning, the sea was calm, the sun was bright, and dolphins appeared in several groups. Some came beneath the boat and very close to the hull. On another outing, the only sightings were two small turtles at a distance, with no other marine animals.

You should book this for the search itself, not for a guaranteed whale encounter. The strong day can bring dozens of dolphins and even a distant whale. The quiet day can mean a lot of open sea and individual boats in the distance. A fair-minded approach is to treat the animals as wild creatures, not scheduled attractions.

Reading Lanzarote from the sea

The coast gives the trip a second focus. Lanzarote is shaped by volcanic activity, and from the water you can see sheer cliffs and unusual formations connected to dormant volcanoes. The view is less about one famous monument and more about the island’s stark, dark edge meeting the Atlantic.

I like this perspective because you are not simply looking back at a resort or marina. The boat places you low on the water, with the cliffs rising beyond it and the open ocean stretching away in another direction. The setting helps explain Lanzarote’s character without requiring a long land excursion.

The coast also gives you something to watch between wildlife sightings. If the sea is quiet for a while, you can study the volcanic shapes, follow the shoreline, and listen to the guide explain what you are seeing. That makes the trip more satisfying than a wildlife search with nothing else to hold your attention.

Still, do not expect a sightseeing cruise with a detailed shore-by-shore commentary. The main purpose is to search for marine life. The coastline is a major bonus and a strong visual part of the outing, but the guide’s attention will shift quickly when there is a possible animal sighting.

What the marine guide adds

A skipper with a good eye can make a difference on this kind of trip. The captain has been praised for spotting dolphins from far away and steering toward them. That skill matters because a pod can appear as little more than a brief splash or a dark shape on the horizon.

The marine expert and cetacean expert also give the outing more substance. You are not left to guess whether a fin belongs to a dolphin, whale, or something else. The listed guide languages are Spanish, English, and German, so you can choose the language that suits you when booking or joining the tour.

On departures with Maria and Jorge, Maria has been praised for her humor and energy, while Jorge has been credited with working hard to find a good dolphin area. Their names are worth noting if they are listed for your sailing, though crew assignments can vary.

The hydrophone is another useful touch. It is designed to let you listen for cetaceans underwater, giving you a sense of the animals beyond what your eyes can catch. You may not hear something every time, but the equipment shows that the trip is meant to teach you about marine life, not merely chase photographs.

The small-boat tradeoff

A group capped at 10 is one of the experience’s best features. You avoid the crowding of a large sightseeing boat, and the guide can speak to the group without shouting across a packed deck. You also get a better chance of finding a clear place to watch the water.

The same small size creates the main drawback. The trimaran has limited space, and one particularly unhappy passenger found it uncomfortable over a three-hour outing. The boat can move sharply with the waves, making seasickness a serious possibility when conditions are rough.

There is also no toilet on board. For a three-hour sea trip, that is not a minor detail. Use facilities before you reach pontoon H, keep food and drink simple, and consider your own comfort honestly. If you need lots of space, a stable ride, or easy access to a bathroom, a larger catamaran may suit you better.

Conditions can change the feel of the trip. A calm morning with little wind may be wonderfully smooth, while a choppy sea can turn the same boat into a tiring ride. The experience information does not promise calm water, so I would choose a morning departure if that fits your schedule and check the sea conditions as your outing approaches.

What you might see, and what you might not

Dolphins are the clearest possibility. They may travel in groups, pass alongside the boat, or swim beneath it. When that happens, the small boat becomes an advantage because you are close to the water and can follow their movement without a crowd blocking the view.

Whales are possible but less predictable. A distant whale has been seen, which is a wonderful bonus, but you should not book this expecting a close approach. The guide may spend much of the trip searching before finding anything, and the animals may remain far away even when spotted.

Turtles and other marine life are also possible. A quiet trip produced sightings of two small turtles in the distance. That may feel disappointing if you expected constant action, but it is a good reminder that the Atlantic sets the schedule.

The rating of 4.3 from 222 reviews suggests a generally positive experience with some firm reservations. I read that as a sign that the wildlife encounters can be excellent, but that comfort and sea conditions will shape your opinion just as much as the animals do.

Is $71 a fair price?

At $71 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend three hours in Lanzarote. The value comes from the small group, specialist crew, wildlife-search equipment, and the chance to see the coast from a working motor trimaran rather than a crowded sightseeing vessel.

I think the price is fair when dolphins are high on your Lanzarote wish list and you appreciate a more personal outing. A pod close to the boat, a distant whale, and an informed guide can make the cost feel justified. The small group also matters if you dislike packed boats and want a clear view.

The value is weaker if your priority is a smooth, comfortable ride. You are paying for access to the sea and a serious wildlife search, not for a broad deck, onboard facilities, or guaranteed sightings. If the weather turns rough and the animals stay away, three hours can feel long.

The flexible booking terms help reduce the risk. You can reserve and pay later, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Those terms do not remove the weather or wildlife uncertainty, but they give you some room to adjust your plans.

Who should book this sea safari?

I would recommend it to adults, couples, and older children who are excited by marine life and can handle a moving boat. It also suits anyone who wants a small group and prefers a local guide-led outing over a large cruise.

The activity is not suitable for children under two or for pregnant women. Comfortable shoes and clothes are the right choice. High-heeled shoes are not allowed, and smoking and vaping are prohibited.

You should also consider your history with seasickness. The operator does not provide a toilet on the boat, and the hull may move noticeably with the waves. If you know that motion bothers you, this is the point to choose a larger vessel or skip a sea safari altogether.

Should you book the Lanzarote Sea Safari?

Book it if you want a focused wildlife search, dramatic volcanic coast views, and a group small enough for real contact with the guide. The best departures can be superb, with dolphins close to the boat and a whale in the distance. Maria and Jorge, when assigned, add warmth and energy, while the skipper’s spotting ability can save valuable time.

Skip it if you need guaranteed wildlife, a toilet, lots of room, or a steady ride. The honest choice is to accept both sides: this can bring a magical dolphin encounter, but it can also mean several hours of rolling water and distant turtles.

For me, the deciding question is simple: are you prepared to enjoy the search even if nature gives you a quiet day? If yes, $71 buys a personal view of Lanzarote that you cannot get from shore. If no, spend the money on a more stable boat experience.

FAQ

How long is the Lanzarote Sea Safari?

The activity is listed as three hours. The description also refers to a two to three-hour sailing time, so you should allow three hours in your schedule.

How much does the sea safari cost?

The price is $71 per person.

Where do I meet the boat?

Meet at the top of pontoon H. Look for the sea safaris board at the meeting point.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive 15 minutes before the departure time.

What languages are available?

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

How many people are in the group?

The activity is limited to 10 participants. The boat itself is licensed to carry up to 15 people.

What animals might I see?

The trip searches for whales, dolphins, turtles, and other marine life. Sightings are not guaranteed.

Does the boat have a hydrophone?

Yes. The boat is equipped with a hydrophone for listening to cetaceans underwater.

Is food or drink included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

Can I cancel the booking?

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