Lanzarote Dolphins and Whales

You can see from their behavior that these animals are clearly most happy when they are free and live and in their natural habitat. The dolphins always seem to be in a good mood and often approach the boats, as they love swimming in the bow wave. Do you want to know which types of dolphins and whales can be spotted around the island? Are you curious about what to consider when choosing a whale watching tour? Then keep on reading, in this article, you’ll find the most important tips and information about whales and dolphins watching in Lanzarote.

Can you see Whales and Dolphins in Lanzarote?

Absolutely! So far, a total of 27 different species of whales and dolphins have been recorded in Canarian waters, some of which are even native to the region. This makes the Canary Islands one of the areas with the highest populations of these animals in Europe. The impressive biodiversity almost guarantees dolphin sightings during a boat trip. And with a bit of extra luck, you might even encounter a whale roaming the waters off Lanzarote.

What Types of Whales and Dolphins are there in Lanzarote?

The most common types:

• Common Dolphins,
• Bottlenose Dolphins,
• Common Pilot Whales,
• Sperm Whales and
• Furrow Whales

And if you’re lucky, you’ll also see:

• Borneo Dolphins,
• Blue and White Dolphins,
• Killer Whales and
• Blue Whales

Orcas (killer whales) and blue whales are not native to Lanzarote. But in recent years, these have also been spotted again and again when they pass the Canary Islands on their forays through the world’s oceans. Meeting these rather rare specimens is a particularly moving experience.

What Is the Best Season For Dolphins and Whales in Lanzarote?

The Atlantic Ocean around Lanzarote is home to several whale species and many types of dolphins. Therefore, there is no such thing as a “best season” for whale and dolphin watching. You can rely on a consistently high probability of spotting these marine mammals throughout the year. However, it’s important to remember that they are wild and free animals. Their behavior is neither predictable nor controllable, which is why no operator can ever guarantee a sighting.

The crews on the whale and dolphin boats have many years of experience with these animals and know their habits well. They are familiar with the areas where the animals are most often found and do everything possible to give you the chance of this extraordinary encounter. The probability of seeing dolphins in Lanzarote is much higher than spotting whales. Dolphins are sociable, curious, and seem to enjoy having fun. They often come very close to the boats to ride the bow wave, creating a spectacle that will surely amaze you. Whales, on the other hand, are much shyer and prefer to keep their distance, which is why they are usually only seen from afar.

Swimming With Dolphins, Is That Possible?

Human presence in the natural habitat of dolphins is, without a doubt, a form of interference. The government is therefore strongly committed to preventing any negative impact on the animals under all circumstances. For this reason, swimming with dolphins is strictly prohibited in Lanzarote. This regulation also serves your personal safety. Always keep in mind that these are wild animals with unpredictable behavior. It is impossible to know under which circumstances they might feel disturbed or threatened, or how they may react. In this context, we would also like to emphasize that whales and dolphins should never be touched.

Is It Allowed to Feed Dolphins and Whales?

Feeding the marine mammals is strictly prohibited, as dolphins should only consume what they naturally need. Food that is unsuitable for their species can endanger their health and even their lives. In addition, repeated feeding by humans causes dolphins to become accustomed to it and lose the urge to hunt, gradually forgetting how to provide for themselves. This is extremely dangerous, as it threatens their ability to survive in the wild.

Why Do Tour Operators Need a License?

In order to keep the disturbances of the natural habitat of whales and dolphins as low as possible, the Canary government strictly regulated these observation tours. The operators are only allowed to offer this type of tour if they receive the corresponding permit. This license is also subject to strict rules of conduct to guarantee the protection of whales and dolphins of Lanzarote at all times. After all, the encounter of the tourists and the animals should be a great experience for both.

The demand for whale and dolphin watching tours in Lanzarote is extremely high, especially throughout the summer months. Nevertheless, the licenses are only issued in very limited numbers. In this way, the Canarian government wants to control, but above all reduce the number of excursion boats that enter whales and dolphins territory every day. Too many of them would ultimately disturb or even drive the animals away. Just as any possible misconduct, such as tracking the animals, results in pure stress, which leads to a drastic reduction in the population.

Despite all the laws and controls, some operators still offer tours without having a license. With these operators you certainly must also assume that they do not comply with the standards for the protection of animals. Therefore, in order to protect the animals, please avoid such providers. When choosing your excursion boat, you should strictly make sure that it has the “Barco Azul” sign is visible as a flag or sticker attached to the boat. Only these operators actually have the license and are committed to comply with all the rules in dealing with the animals. CANCO Travel Services exclusively works with providers that have a license.

The rules for obtaining the “Barco Azul” license are:

• No persecution of the animals.
• The boat must keep a minimum distance of 60 meters from the animals. This distance can only be undercut if the animals decide approach.
• If there are whales or dolphins nearby, the boats must reduce their speed significantly.
• Concentration of too many boats must be avoided.
• Any interaction with dolphins and whales may only originate from them.
• The observation time of the animals is limited to a maximum of 30 minutes. This does not apply if the animals chose to accompany the boat.
• If it is determined that the animals are in a resting phase, the boats must leave the area immediately.

Are There Different Offers For Dolphin Tours?

Pure Observation Tours

There are boat tours in Lanzarote that are exclusively designed to watch dolphins and whales. These excursion boats leave the port, search for the animals and return when the tour time ends. These tours are offered in different lengths up to a maximum of 2.5 hours. In addition to the duration, these tours also differ in the type and size of the ship used. The cost of the tour can also vary widely. It can be assumed that the price will decrease the more participants can get on board. The larger ships will certainly also ensure that all passengers will have a great event. The prices for smaller boats or even rubber boats are accordingly higher. But with the smaller boats you also get the feeling to be much closer to the whales and dolphins.

Excursions That Combine Observation and Additional Activities

In addition to the exciting viewing experience, there are also other services during these whale and dolphin watching tours. Such tours are combined for example with a bathing stop. In some cases, guests can also enjoy food and drinks and can book additional water sports activities such as jet skiing. The total duration of these combined excursions is about 4 to 5 hours, with the observation part taking up a maximum of 2.5 hours.

What Should You Have With You?

• Sunscreen: Sunscreen with high SPF is an absolute must at sea. Even if it is cloudy.
• Tablets against seasickness: If you know that you are suffering from seasickness or if you have not yet tested it, you should take such a tablet a few hours before the tour. Keep in mind that the observation boats have to go very far out into the open sea to meet the sociable marine mammals and the waves are higher there.
• Jackets: You should not underestimate the cool breeze on the sea. Especially in the months from October to May, we strongly recommend that you take your jackets with you.
• Cameras: For afterwards. This way you can capture the beautiful moments and share them with others.
• Swimwear: If you want to go snorkeling, swimming or take part in a water-sports activity on a combined tour.