Lanzarote: Whale and Dolphin Watching Eco-Friendly Catamaran

The best thing about this Lanzarote boat trip is its fully electric catamaran. It moves quietly, without diesel fumes, so you can hear the sea and watch marine life without the usual engine racket. The crew also uses a hydrophone, letting you listen for underwater whale and dolphin calls.

I like the gentle approach to wildlife and the personal feel of a smaller boat. I also like the useful mix of education, open-water views, local snacks, and soft drinks. The catch is simple: whales and dolphins are wild animals, not scheduled performers, and February can bring cool, cloudy weather with no sightings.

Key points to know

• A genuinely quiet boat: The electric motor produces no exhaust and far less noise than a standard excursion boat.
• Wildlife is never guaranteed: You might see dolphins, whales, or a turtle, but some trips may find no animals.
• A hydrophone adds another layer: You can listen for underwater communication as well as watch the surface.
• Four hours gives the outing room to breathe: There is time for wildlife searching, commentary, snacks, and coastline views.
• Puerto Calero is the departure point: Find the boat at Marina Puerto Calero, Pontoon F22, with parking nearby.
• The price reflects the boat and approach: At $112 per person, this is not a bargain ride, but it offers a quieter and more thoughtful experience than a basic cruise.

Why the electric catamaran changes the experience

Many whale and dolphin trips are built around getting from the marina to the animals as fast as possible. Here, the boat itself is part of the reason to go. This is the Canary Islands’ first fully electric catamaran, and its quiet, emission-free operation matters once you are out on the Atlantic.

You will not have the usual diesel smell hanging over the seating area. You can also pay closer attention to small sounds: water against the hull, the crew’s explanation, and perhaps the underwater calls picked up by the hydrophone.

The electric motor does not turn this into a sailing trip. The catamaran is powered by its electric system, and one useful point from the February outings is that sailing is not part of the standard plan. If you want a classic sailboat cruise, this is not it. If you want a low-noise boat built around wildlife observation, it is a better match.

The catamaran also keeps you close to the water. That makes the ride feel more direct than sitting high above the sea on a large excursion vessel. It can also mean more exposure to wind and spray, so bring the suggested hat and sunscreen, even if the marina weather feels mild.

Leaving Puerto Calero for the Atlantic

Your meeting point is Dock F22 at Marina Puerto Calero. The boat is in the marina itself, not at a vague town meeting spot, so give yourself time to find Pontoon F22 before departure. Parking is available, and the marina can also be reached by bus or taxi.

The first part of the trip gives you a chance to settle in while Lanzarote’s coast opens out around you. The main attraction is not a series of formal stops. This is a search on open water, guided by sea conditions and animal movement. That means the route can feel less predictable than a sightseeing cruise, but it is also more honest.

The crew provides commentary in English, French, and Spanish. You can expect explanations about the animals and the marine ecosystem around Lanzarote rather than simple announcements about what happens next. That educational angle is especially useful when animals are not immediately visible, since you are still learning how the local sea supports marine life.

The boat’s size and the number of bookings can affect the feel of the trip. When the morning departure is lightly booked, the experience can become especially personal. A sunset departure may be offered instead if the morning session has too few people, so keep some flexibility in your schedule.

Searching for dolphins and whales without chasing them

The central part of the outing is the wildlife search. Dolphins may appear in groups, and whales can sometimes be seen farther from shore. You might also spot other sea life, such as a turtle. One particularly successful outing saw several schools of dolphins, whales, and a turtle, but that should be treated as good fortune rather than a promise.

The crew’s attitude toward the animals is important. The boat is intended to observe marine life without pressing too close or cutting across its path. That gives you a better chance of seeing natural behavior, not animals reacting to a boat that is trying to force a dramatic moment.

You may see playful movement at the surface, a fin, a blow, or a larger animal passing through the water. You may also spend stretches scanning an empty sea. Both parts belong to a responsible wildlife trip. The lack of a guaranteed sighting is the main risk in the $112 price.

The electric propulsion helps here because it reduces both engine noise and exhaust. It does not guarantee that animals will approach, but it supports a calmer viewing situation. You will still need patience, good weather, and luck.

If you are choosing this trip mainly to check off a whale sighting, think carefully before booking. If you value the way the animals are treated and can enjoy the sea even during a quiet spell, the experience makes more sense.

The hydrophone: hearing the sea below you

The hydrophone is one of the most interesting features. It lets you listen to sounds made by whales and dolphins under the surface. That changes the outing from a simple visual search into a more complete look at marine behavior.

You may not hear a constant stream of clicks or calls. Underwater sound depends on where the animals are and how conditions develop. Still, the equipment gives the crew a useful way to explain communication and the hidden activity below the boat.

I like this feature because it gives you something to focus on when the surface is quiet. It also fits the boat’s low-noise design. A loud diesel engine would work against the very thing the hydrophone is trying to reveal.

This is a good excursion for curious adults and older children who enjoy learning how animals live, not only taking photographs. The crew’s commentary helps put each sound or sight into context.

Snacks, drinks, and four hours on the water

The trip lasts four hours, which is long enough to feel like a proper ocean outing rather than a quick circuit of the marina. You will have time for the wildlife search, commentary, the hydrophone, and views back toward Lanzarote’s coast.

Complimentary refreshments include fresh fruit, snacks, and soft drinks. The food is not a full meal, so eat beforehand if you need something substantial. The local flavors add a pleasant Lanzarote touch, but the main value comes from the boat and the wildlife work, not the catering.

Four hours can feel generous when the sea is active and animals are nearby. It can feel long if conditions are cool, cloudy, or quiet. One February trip had no whale or dolphin sightings and less comfortable weather. That is a useful warning for anyone who dislikes sitting outside in a chill wind.

A hat and sunscreen are specifically recommended. Even with clouds, reflected light at sea can catch you out. You should also expect changing conditions on an open boat and dress for the possibility of a cooler ride than the marina suggests.

How the season and weather affect your day

The excursion runs in the Atlantic, so weather matters more than it would on a short harbor cruise. February can be overcast and relatively cool. That does not make the trip impossible, but it can reduce comfort and take some sparkle out of the coastline views.

The best choice is to book when you can accept a little weather uncertainty. You may have a bright, pleasant day with dolphins, or a gray morning with no sightings. The operator cannot control those conditions.

If your schedule allows, avoid placing the trip on the final day of your holiday. That gives you a little room to move it if the forecast turns poor, though you should check the cancellation terms. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible.

The sunset option can also change the mood. A later departure may offer softer light and a different view of the coast. It is not presented as a different wildlife product, but it can be a useful alternative if the morning sailing does not have enough bookings.

What the $112 price really buys

At $112 per person, this is a premium half-day excursion. You are paying for more than transport across the water. The cost covers a four-hour trip on a new electric catamaran, a crew-led wildlife search, marine-life interpretation, the hydrophone, and refreshments.

Compared with a basic boat ride, the price is easier to justify if the environmental design matters to you. The quiet motor means no diesel fumes, and the lower-noise approach supports more respectful wildlife viewing. Those are practical benefits, not just a label attached to the boat.

The value is strongest when you get a small group and good sightings. A less crowded departure feels more personal, and the crew has more room to explain what you are seeing. The price feels harder to justify if you get poor weather and no animals, though that risk comes with every responsible wildlife trip.

I would not book this solely because it is electric. I would book it if you want a thoughtful, low-noise ocean trip and are comfortable paying for the overall experience, even when nature does not cooperate.

Who will enjoy this outing most

This tour suits you if you care about animal welfare, prefer a quieter boat, and enjoy learning while you travel. The hydrophone and crew commentary give the outing more substance than a simple search for fins on the horizon.

It is also a good fit for couples, families with children who can manage four hours at sea, and anyone interested in Lanzarote beyond its beaches. The coastal views and open water provide a change of pace from inland sightseeing.

You may want to skip it if you need guaranteed wildlife, dislike uncertain weather, or want a short and highly structured boat ride. The trip involves patience. You might spend time looking, listening, and waiting.

The catamaran is not suitable for wheelchair users. Smoking, alcohol, drugs, littering, and feeding the animals are not allowed. Those rules protect both the marine setting and the other people on board.

Practical tips before you head to Dock F22

Arrive at Marina Puerto Calero with enough time to locate Pontoon F22. Parking is available, and bus or taxi access can be arranged easily.

Bring a hat and sunscreen. Comfortable clothing for a breezy boat ride is sensible, especially outside the warmer months. Keep your expectations realistic: even an excellent crew and a quiet boat cannot summon whales or dolphins.

You will receive snacks, fresh fruit, and soft drinks, but do not treat these as a replacement for breakfast or lunch. The trip lasts four hours, and the open sea can make you hungry.

Listen closely to the crew’s instructions around the animals. The most rewarding sighting is one where the boat gives wildlife space to behave naturally. Never expect the crew to race after a pod for a closer photograph.

Should you book the WeWhale Lanzarote catamaran?

I would book this trip if quiet operation and responsible wildlife viewing matter as much to you as the chance of seeing a dolphin or whale. The electric catamaran, hydrophone, small-group feel, and friendly crew create a more thoughtful outing than a standard sightseeing cruise.

I would hesitate if you need a guaranteed sighting or are visiting during a period of unsettled weather with no flexibility. At $112, the price deserves a clear-eyed decision.

For the right person, this is a strong Lanzarote choice: four hours on the Atlantic, useful marine-life information, fresh fruit and snacks, and the rare pleasure of watching the sea without a diesel engine shouting over it.

FAQ

Where does the whale and dolphin trip leave from?

The catamaran leaves from Marina Puerto Calero at Pontoon F22, Dock F22.

How long does the excursion last?

The experience lasts four hours. Starting times depend on availability.

What animals might I see?

You might see dolphins, whales, and turtles. Sightings are not guaranteed because the animals are wild.

Is the catamaran fully electric?

Yes. It is described as the Canary Islands’ first fully electric, emission-free catamaran.

What languages does the crew speak?

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

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. The trip includes snacks, fresh fruit, and soft drinks.

Is the boat suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users.