Watching dolphins play around your boat is an unforgettable experience.
You don’t want to miss this opportunity?
Here’s all our advice to help you have the best possible experience:
- The best time to watch whales and dolphins in Fuerteventura,
- The best boats and tour companies for you,
- What you need to know to make the most of it,
- …
We wish you unforgettable moments!
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Best dolphin and whale watching tours in Fuertenventura – short answer + video
If you don’t want to read the whole article, here are a few quick answers:
What’s the best way to see dolphins?
The main departure points are Morro Jable and Corralejo.
We recommend Morro Jable as many boats do dolphin tours at the same time, dispersing and calling each other when they find a group of dolphins. This increases the chances of seeing them.
Our favorite tour:
We like the type of boat and the duration of this 2-hour excursion from Morro Jable: see details and availability.
In Morro Jable, in the south, the other options are:
- 1h30 speedboat excursion – see details and availability
- Longer catamaran excursion – see details and availability
- Excursion in a glass-bottom boat (less focused on dolphins) – see details and availability
Many include transfers from hotels in Morro Jable, Costa Calma and Las Playitas.
In Corralejo, in the north, the options are:
- Combined excursion with Lobos Island – see details and availability
- Sunset tour – see details and availability
There are resident dolphins all year round. Some say that June is the best month to see many of them, but we haven’t found confirmation.
Is it worth it?
Absolutely.
Of course, there’s no guarantee of seeing dolphins or whales, but in any case you’ll enjoy the beautiful views of the island and the pleasure of gliding along the water… And the excitement of looking off into the distance to catch a glimpse of a fin. And when you find them, it’s unforgettable!
This is a popular activity, so don’t wait until the last minute to book!
See all boat trips on the island
What species can you see around Fuertenventura? When can I see them?
Whale and dolphin watching season
Numerous species of dolphins and whales visit the island in different seasons.
But all year round you have two resident species:
- Bottlenose dolphins
- Pilot dolphins
As a result, you can choose these tours all year round.
For whales, it’s less clear-cut. They are observed for a few days each month, by different species, but often by resident sperm whales.
Fuertenvetura’s resident dolphins
In terms of probability, you’re more likely to see one of these 2 species:
Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)
This is the world’s best-known dolphin species. They are dark gray on the back and lighter on the belly.
Their average length is 2.7 meters (8.8 feet) for males and 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) for females. They live in groups of 10 to 30 members, called “pods”.
Short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorinchus)
They are also known as pilot-whales. They belong to the delphinid family. These animals can grow to over 5 metres in length and weigh between 900 and 1,800 kg (1 to 2 tonnes). They have a highly developed forehead.
Other species
Otherwise, in the waters of the Canary Islands you can also observe, depending on the season:
- Common dolphins
- striped dolphins,
- rough-toothed dolphins,
- Risso’s dolphins
- Frasers’ dolphins
- …
Whales around the Canaries
Around the Canaries, the likelihood of seeing them is lower, but you do have..:
- Sperm whales
- Bryde’s roqual
- The common whale
- …
A LITTLE MORE patience
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Which port and company?
As this is a very popular activity on the island, there are a plethora of companies and tours to choose from. This can be paralyzing.
Here’s our advice to help you make the right decisions.
Which port?
In Fuerteventura you can find departures from the ports of:
However, it’s in Morro Jable that the most companies offer tours. That’s why it’s the best option.
In fact, the boats start with a slight time lag and cross different zones.
When they spot them, they alert the other companies so that everyone can see them.
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN Fuerteventura
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- A small car is all you need.
- But you can also choose a larger one if you wish, as the parking spaces are rather large.
- Demand is high, so book early.
Morning or afternoon?
Excursions take place in the morning, afternoon and at sunset.
There’s no better time to see dolphins and whales.
Whale sightings are uncommon, but the chances of seeing dolphins are very high throughout the day.
Which company?
Frankly, no company gives you a better chance of seeing them.
According to our research, no company really has a better reputation than another.
You need to choose the right type of boat and tour. And almost all offer shuttle services from hotels on the Jandia peninsula.
So far, we haven’t seen any bad behavior towards the dolphins on the part of any of the companies (especially not touching or feeding them).
Which boat and tour to choose to see dolphins in Fuerteventura?
There are different types of boats and tours for whale and dolphin watching. These excursions vary from 1h30 to 5 hours. But there’s a difference in price and additional activities.
Speedboat advantages
- Duration = 2h
- You can stand on the boat once it slows down to watch the dolphins.
- There are toilets on board
- The tour focuses on dolphin watching
- A little less brutal than the small outboard for those with back pain
- Ideal for young children
- Hotel pick-up possible (Jandia peninsula)
It’s our favorite trick.
Check availability and book!
Advantages of a catamaran excursion
- Duration = 4h
- You can move around the boat
- Gentler on your back
- On-board toilets
- The pleasure of gliding on water
- More space for everyone to see the dolphins
- Bathing is easy from the boat
- This excursion includes a swim and a meal
- Hotel pick-up possible (Jandia peninsula)
Advantages of touring on a small outboard
- Duration = 1h30
- Outboard adrenalin for those who appreciate it
- You can cover large distances quickly, so in theory you’re more likely to see several groups.
- Some people are less seasick.
- If you have children, everyone remains seated, so it’s easier to keep an eye on them.
- But everyone remains seated…
- The boat is lower in the water, so the dolphins can get very close to you.
- But no toilet on board
- Hotel pick-up possible (Jandia peninsula)
Advantages of a seabed boat
- Duration = 4h
- Ideal for young children
- Comfortable boat with plenty of room to move around
- On-board toilets
- Opportunity to observe more species, many of them fish
- Additional activities: swimming, kayaking and meals
- Hotel pick-up possible (Jandia peninsula)
Schooner tour (not dedicated to dolphins)
You can also opt for another type of boat tour, where the main objective is not to see dolphins, but that doesn’t mean you can’t see them!
In Morro Jable, for example, there’s a very elegant Turkish schooner. The outing lasts 4 hours, with hotel pick-up possible.
Discover the pleasure of sailing on this hand-built boat. The gliding sensation is phenomenal.
The tour includes a swim.
Pirate ship tour (not dedicated to dolphins)
In another style, you can opt for the pirate ship. The trip also lasts 4 hours, with the option of hotel pick-up.
On this tour, you can learn how to hoist sails, tie sailor’s knots and maneuver the ship.
The tour includes lunch and water sports activities.
Swimming with dolphins in Fuerteventura
In Fuerteventura, no company offers a tour where you can get into the water when you come across a pod of dolphins.
HAVE FUN WITH THESE activities
- Dolphin watching
- Boat to Lobos Island
- Buggy tour
- But also; surfing lessons, 4WD tour in Cofete, windsurfing, scuba diving…
7 tips to make the most of your trip
Once you’re ready for your whale-watching excursion, here are a few tips to consider to make the most of your experience: be comfortable, seize the moment and enjoy every second of it.
Tip 1 – Bring a jacket
Don’t forget that on a boat, you’re always outside, on the move. As a result, it’s windy. Even in summer, when it’s hot, you can get cold on a boat. I therefore recommend that you pack several layers of clothing, whatever the season, to keep warm.
An essential jacket. Personally, I always get cold feet, so I recommend bringing socks.
But take a small, water-resistant bag!
Tip 2 – Wear sunscreen
Because of the wind blowing over the boat, we sometimes don’t feel hot and don’t realize how much the sun is burning our skin.
The first thing to do before the tour starts is to apply sunscreen.
And if you’re going swimming, make sure you put some back on afterwards.
And don’t forget your feet. On a boat, they are as exposed as the rest of your body.
Sunglasses and a hat are also a good idea.
Tip 3 – Put on your jersey before the tour
For excursions involving swimming, you must wear your bathing suit under your clothes.
There’s not much space aboard the boats for changing. What’s more, you don’t want to miss a single second of the opportunity to bathe in such magnificent scenery.
Tip 4 – Managing seasickness
If you suffer easily from seasickness, don’t forget:
- Choose the stern of the boat
- Stay outside where the fresh air will help you
- Don’t eat too much before the boat trip.
- Look to the horizon
- Sip water slowly if you feel nauseous.
Some say that outboards trigger less seasickness. We think it depends on the sailing conditions.
Tip 5 – Parking at ports
If you don’t take the shuttles, be sure to take some time to find parking. The ports have parking lots nearby. In the mornings, space is usually easy to find, but as the day progresses, this can become a problem at the height of the season.
Only the port of Morro Jable poses no problem.
See our article on everything you need to know about renting a car in Fuerteventura.
Tip 6 – Photographing
Take your camera with you. It’s best to have one with a good zoom.
But don’t forget that whales and dolphins move very fast.
The best option is to take lots of photos. Take lots of photos and look at them after the tour to see if you got a good one.
And be sure to fasten your device securely to your neck or wrist, as some waves do shake the boat.
But don’t forget to enjoy the experience. Taking a photo isn’t the most important thing.
Tip 7 – Behavior
If you are lucky enough to encounter whales and/or dolphins, we recommend the following:
- Do not feed them
- Don’t pass in the middle of a group of whales – stay around them.
- Do not approach closer than 100m
- Keep noise to a minimum
- Avoid sudden changes in direction or speed
Video
Here’s the short video of our experience – booking the same tour.
Sorry, we don’t have many shots, it’s hard to juggle photos, videos and waves… but this gives you an idea anyway.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Fuerteventura
- Best of
Most beautiful landscapes
Best things to do in Fuerteventura
Most beautiful beaches
Cities and villages
Natural pools
Boat tours
Secret places, off the beaten track
- Practical advice
25 tips for a successful trip to Fuerteventura
How to get around
How to rent a car in Fuerteventura
Driving tips
Best excursions
Itineraries: 3 days – 4 days – 5 days – 1 week – 10 days
