Small Group Dolphin Sunset Tour on Electric Catamaran Lanzarote

The best part of this Lanzarote boat trip is the quiet electric catamaran. With a maximum of 12 passengers and a broad 108-square-meter deck, you get room to watch the sea without the noise and fumes of a standard motorboat. The evening route also gives you a fine view of the island from offshore, especially as the sun drops behind the mountains of Femés.

I like the small group and the crew’s clear respect for marine life. Gonzalo, Silvia, Patricia, and Sarah are among the crew members praised for their warm approach and useful explanations. I also like the included drink, light snack, and blankets. The main catch is simple: dolphins and whales are never guaranteed, and the sea can turn choppy or cool after sunset.

Key points at a glance

• Electric catamaran: La Santa Maria offers a calm, low-noise ride that lets you hear the sea and spot animals more easily.
• Small group size: No more than 12 people share the 108-square-meter deck, giving you plenty of space.
• Wildlife search: The crew looks for dolphins and whales in an area where dolphins often feed in the evening.
• Sunset route: You cruise past Playa Quemada toward views of the volcanic slopes around Femés.
• Simple refreshments: Beer, local white wine, soft drinks, snacks, and blankets are provided.
• Wildlife-first approach: The crew avoids crowding animals and will not chase them when other boats have already gathered around.

Setting out from Puerto Calero

Your meeting point is WeWhale Lanzarote at Dock F22 in Puerto Calero. The marina is in the southwest of Lanzarote, and the meeting point is intended to be easy to find. You return to the same dock at the end, so there is no need to arrange a second pickup point.

The trip lasts about two and a half hours and runs throughout the year. The exact light, wind, and sunset change with the season, so the mood will not be identical from one month to another. In winter, the air can feel cool by the time you return. In summer, the sunset is often later and the evening tends to feel gentler.

Once aboard La Santa Maria, you can settle on the spacious deck and look out in several directions. That matters on a wildlife trip. You do not want to spend the whole ride standing shoulder to shoulder or trying to peer around a cabin. The boat’s size and small passenger limit make it easier to shift position when the crew spots movement in the water.

The vessel is electric, one of the defining features of this experience. It moves more quietly than a conventional sightseeing boat, which adds to the calm of the ride. It also fits the company’s stated interest in marine conservation. You are not booking a fast thrill ride. This is a patient search at sea, with the sunset and coastline serving as part of the experience even if the animals stay out of sight.

Watching for dolphins in the Canary Islands

The crew explains the cetaceans found around the Canary Islands and points out the kinds of animals you might see. Dolphins are the main hope, but the trip has also produced sightings of whales and, on one outing, sea turtles. Some passengers have seen more than one dolphin species, including spotted dolphins.

The search area is linked to dolphin feeding activity in the evening. That gives the trip a purpose beyond simply cruising along the coast. Still, marine animals follow their own schedule. You might see a pod close to the boat, hear dolphins communicating and using echolocation, or see only distant blows from a whale. You might also see nothing at all.

That uncertainty is worth accepting before you book. Several outings have had no dolphin or whale sightings, sometimes because rough water made searching harder. The scenery and boat ride can still carry the evening, but anyone buying this solely for a guaranteed animal encounter may be disappointed.

The crew’s approach to wildlife is one of the stronger parts of the experience. On one outing, the boat did not join a cluster of commercial vessels circling animals because the crew felt the dolphins and whales were becoming frightened and boxed in. Instead, they waited until the other boats left. That choice may mean you get a shorter look, but it shows a useful priority: the animals are not treated as a performance.

The quality of the commentary can vary. The strongest accounts describe crew members spending time answering questions and explaining conservation. One less positive experience found the crew too quiet for much of the ride, with most of the information saved for a short talk near the end. The company acknowledged that this was below its usual standard. If you want a running nature lecture, ask questions as you go rather than waiting silently for the crew to begin.

Sunset views from Playa Quemada to Femés

The boat follows the coast from Puerto Calero, with views toward Playa Quemada and the mountains around Femés. From the water, Lanzarote’s dark volcanic terrain takes on a different shape. The open sea gives you a wide view of the coast, and the changing light can make the slopes look almost theatrical as the sun lowers.

The sunset is not guaranteed to be clear. Clouds can cover part of the sun, and the mountains may block the final moment of the setting. That is not a fault with the trip, but it is worth knowing if you are expecting a perfect orange disk dropping into the ocean. The changing sky can still make a good evening, and many passengers have enjoyed the colors even without a textbook sunset.

This is also a good choice if you want to see Lanzarote without another busy sightseeing stop. The pace is slow, and there is time to sit, talk, take photographs, and watch the coast slide past. The catamaran itself becomes the main place you spend the evening, so the experience suits people who enjoy being on the water rather than those who want a packed schedule.

Drinks, snacks, and the small details

The price includes drinks and snacks. You can have an OceanBeer, a local white wine, or a non-alcoholic option, with soft drinks also available. Light snacks have included items such as peanuts or corn. These are modest provisions, not a full meal, so eat beforehand if you need dinner.

There is some inconsistency in the practical delivery of the refreshments. Most accounts describe drinks and snacks being offered generously, while one passenger received only a small shared portion and no drink. That seems to have been an exception, but it is fair to keep expectations modest. Think of the food as a pleasant extra during the cruise, not part of the main value.

Blankets are another thoughtful touch. The temperature can drop as the wind rises, especially when the boat is returning after sunset. Crew members have handed out blankets and even lent a jacket to a passenger who became cold. I would still bring a warm layer. A sea breeze can feel much sharper than the temperature suggested on land.

A small group makes these details work better. With up to 12 people, the crew can check on passengers, answer questions, take photos, and help children. Families have particularly appreciated the way crew members explain marine life to young passengers. One guide also gave information in German, while Gonzalo has provided explanations in French on some trips. The stated operating language is English, so do not assume every departure will include another language.

How much value do you get for $90.70?

At $90.70 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water in Lanzarote. The value depends on what you want from the evening. If you are paying only for a dolphin sighting, the price carries real risk because no wildlife encounter can be promised.

The calculation looks better if you value the whole package: about two and a half hours at sea, a small passenger group, an electric vessel, a broad deck, crew commentary, sunset views, and included refreshments. The low passenger limit is important. A much larger boat may cost less, but it will not offer the same amount of space or the same chance to speak directly with the crew.

The electric boat also gives this trip a different character from a standard powerboat excursion. It is not a speed-based ride, and some people may find the pace too slow in open water. One passenger wanted the boat to move faster. I see that as a matter of taste. The unhurried speed is part of the wildlife method, but it may not suit you if you want excitement or a fast coastal tour.

The strongest value comes when you treat the wildlife as a possibility rather than a product. You are paying for time on a comfortable boat, a careful search, and an evening setting. A dolphin sighting can make the trip unforgettable, but the tour needs to remain worthwhile without one.

What to bring and how to prepare

Wear layers. Even if Puerto Calero feels warm when you leave, the air can become cool on the return trip. A jacket or sweater is the most useful item to pack, and the crew also provides blankets.

Bring a phone or camera with enough battery for the sunset and any wildlife sightings. The crew has taken photos for passengers, and one outing included a Polaroid keepsake. These extras may not appear on every departure, so consider them a bonus rather than a promise.

Arrive at Dock F22 with enough time to find the meeting point without rushing. Your confirmation arrives when you book, and the activity ends back at the same location. The tour is offered in English, and service animals are allowed. It is near public transport, and most people can take part.

The tour requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not refunded or accepted, based on local time.

Who will enjoy this boat trip?

I would choose this for couples, families, and anyone who prefers a quiet nature outing to a loud party cruise. The small group makes it easy to ask questions, and the spacious deck helps children move around more comfortably than they could on a cramped boat. The sunset adds a romantic touch without making the trip feel formal.

It also suits people who care about responsible wildlife watching. The crew’s willingness to stay away from animals when other boats crowd them is a real benefit. You may not get the closest possible sighting, but the encounter is less focused on chasing.

You should think twice if you need a guaranteed highlight, dislike open water, or want a fast ride. Rough seas can reduce comfort and make animal spotting harder. The late return can also feel cold, so bring proper clothing and do not count on the included snacks as a meal.

Should you book the WeWhale sunset tour?

I would book it if you want a peaceful evening on the water and can accept that nature sets the schedule. The electric catamaran, 12-person limit, sunset route, and serious attitude toward marine life give it more character than a basic sightseeing cruise.

Book it for the boat, the coast, and the chance to see dolphins. Do not book it on the promise of dolphins alone. If you make that distinction, the $90.70 price is reasonable for a small, well-equipped sunset outing, even on the unlucky evenings when the sea keeps its animals to itself.

FAQ

Where does the dolphin sunset tour start?

It starts at WeWhale Lanzarote, Dock F22, C. Pantalanes, Puerto Calero, Las Palmas, Spain.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point in Puerto Calero.

How long does the tour last?

The sunset experience lasts approximately two and a half hours.

How many people can join the catamaran?

The tour has a maximum of 12 travelers.

What might I see during the trip?

You might see dolphins, whales, or sea turtles. Some departures have seen more than one dolphin species, while others have had no wildlife sightings.

Are drinks and snacks included?

Yes. Included options can include OceanBeer, local white wine, soft drinks, non-alcoholic drinks, and light snacks.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The activity is offered in English. Crew members have also provided information in French or German on some departures, but another language is not guaranteed.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you are offered a different date or a full refund.