What to do · Maspalomas Dunes and the South of Gran Canaria
Dolphin and pilot whale watching from Puerto Rico on the Spirit of the Sea
Information
- From
- €40 per adult
- Duration
- 2 h 30
- Season
- All year, daily departures at 10:30 and 13:30
- Who it's for
- Families; children from age 2 pay the child fare
A two-and-a-half-hour catamaran trip from Puerto Rico, about twenty minutes west of Maspalomas, to see dolphins and pilot whales in the wild. It is run by Spirit of the Sea, from the company Dolphin & Whales, and the boat has galleries below the waterline, in the hulls, for watching them swim.
What you see
The company cites the Atlantic spotted dolphin, the bottlenose and the common dolphin, the short-finned pilot whale, Risso's dolphin and the false killer whale. With luck, sperm whales, beaked whales, turtles and flying fish, which are not guaranteed. What is guaranteed is this: if you do not see any cetaceans, they give you a voucher to repeat the trip within a year.
Times, prices and what is included
It leaves every day at 10:30 and 13:30 from Puerto Base, in Puerto Rico. It costs €40 for adults, €25 for children aged 2 to 12 and nothing for babies. On board, water and soft drinks are free; other drinks and food are paid for. On the 13:30 trip, if the sea allows, the boat stops near the coast for a swim. It carries up to 100 people including crew, has a toilet and QR codes with audio in more than twenty languages.
Getting there and parking
Puerto Rico is in Mogán, along the GC-500 or the GC-1 from Maspalomas. The departure point is in front of the port's entrance barrier, about 70 metres away; check-in is at the counter opposite the boat. There is paid parking in the port, about €3 for two hours, and a blue zone on nearby streets. If you have no car, the company offers pick-up from hotels in Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés for €5 per adult, to be requested 24 hours ahead.
Booking and cancellation
Book on its website, on 928 562 229 or at [email protected]. If you cancel 24 hours ahead you get your money back; if they cancel because of the weather, they refund you or change the date.
Tips
- Choose the 13:30 in summer It is the one with a swimming stop. Bring swimwear and a towel.
- Against seasickness If you are not used to boats, take tablets or a wristband before boarding, and stay outside, on deck.
- A jacket There is more wind at sea than in the port, even in summer.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to see dolphins in Gran Canaria with Spirit of the Sea?
€40 for adults and €25 for children aged 2 to 12; babies do not pay.
How long does it last?
About two and a half hours.
What if no animals are seen?
You are given a voucher valid for a year to repeat the trip.
Where does it leave from?
From Puerto Base, in Puerto Rico, in the municipality of Mogán.
Can I go without a car?
Yes: the company picks up from hotels in Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés for €5 per adult, with booking.
As a family
Who runs it
- Spirit of the Sea2 h 30 whale and dolphin watching from Puerto Base, Puerto Rico Visit their website
