About this tour
When Tom from our team took this catamaran out from Puerto Rico in Gran Canaria, we were after dolphins and whales in their own space. The 2.5-hour cruise motors along the coast hunting for cetaceans — common dolphins show up fairly often, and if you're lucky, blue whales. The boat carries a crew who know the local marine life and can talk you through what you're seeing. It's mixed company: families, couples, wildlife spotters. You get the option to swim in the Atlantic if the mood takes, and there's a bar for soft drinks and snacks aboard.
Highlights
- Spotted dolphins cruising just metres from the boat's bow
- Crew's genuine knowledge of whale migration and dolphin behaviour
- Second half of the tour opens the water for swimming
- Catamaran design keeps the ride smooth even in light swell
- Coast views shift entirely when seen from the water
- Bar area serves cold drinks and snacks without fuss
- Wheelchair access across all deck areas
What to expect
The boat leaves Puerto Rico and heads out fairly purposefully into the Atlantic. The crew scan the water constantly and brief you on what to look for — the difference between pilot whales and common dolphins, how to spot the telltale blow of a larger animal. There's a real rhythm to it: scanning, moving, stopping when something shows. We saw dolphins within the first 20 minutes, and the crew gave us solid context on their behaviour and the area's cetacean traffic.
The second half opens the option to jump in for a swim if the sea state looks stable. The whole experience is paced well — it never feels rushed, but it's active enough that you're engaged throughout. Weather and marine life sightings vary hugely; some days are thick with pods, others quieter. The crew are pragmatic about this rather than overselling guarantees.
What travellers say
- Dolphins sighted regularly; blue whales possible but not guaranteed
- Crew with genuine cetacean and local marine knowledge
- Swimming option mid-tour adds a second activity
- Wheelchair-accessible decks and facilities throughout
- Smooth catamaran hull suits most stomachs
- Sightings depend on weather and season; no guarantees
- No food included; bar snacks only, limited choice
- Larger crowds on peak days dilute the experience
- Seasickness possible; open Atlantic can be unpredictable
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
If you love seeing large marine animals in the wild without the stress of a full-day expedition, this is solid. Dolphin sightings are frequent enough that you'll very likely see something; blue whales are rarer but possible. The crew aren't just bored captains — they engage properly with the biology and ecology. It suits families (kids love spotting dolphins), keen naturalists, and anyone after a different angle on the coast. Wheelchair users can access all areas, and prams work fine if you've got tiny kids.
Sea conditions vary; if swells are up, the swimming option vanishes. There's no food included, just a bar with basics — bring cash or check what they accept. The boat can draw larger crowds on peak days, which waters down the intimacy a bit. If you're prone to seasickness, even a 2.5-hour stint in open water can get uncomfortable. Infants must sit on laps. Bring sun cream and a light layer — the breeze on the water is deceptive.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.