4 Best Tours to See Dolphins in Las Palmas

Among the best things to see and do in La Palma is dolphin watching along the coast. On tours and excursions that start at the marina in Puerto de Tazacorte, you can see dolphins and whales, as well as other points of interest on the island such as Cueva Bonita, Puntagorda, Tijarafe and Porís de Candelaria

On these tours, you can also learn about the island's marine flora, its volcanoes, the volcanic sand that nourishes the beaches, and the variety of cetaceans that can be found in the waters surrounding the coast of La Palma.

These are the most popular dolphin watching tours along the coast of La Palma and they start at the marina in Puerto de Tazacorte. On a boat tour with a capacity for more than 100 people, you can enjoy a sea trip while the expert local guide tells you all about the cetaceans of the local fauna.

The main objective of these tours is to spot dolphins, but depending on weather conditions, you may also see whales, orcas, beaked whales and sperm whales. During the tour, you will usually also visit the famous Cueva Bonita de La Palma, a stone shelter that was shaped by ocean erosion.

These tours last approximately three hours, can be taken in the morning or afternoon, and are one of the best tours to do as a family or if you plan to visit the island with children. They are also quick tours, ideal if you are planning a short stay in the Canary Islands. If that is the case, here is a list of activities to do during a 3-day visit to La Palma

Weather permitting, these tours also usually include a stop at one of the beaches on the coast of La Palma for a swim and a walk through the Lava Delta

Details of interest

• Price: They cost approximately £47, including the services of a local guide, the boat trip and dolphin and other local cetacean sightings.
• Duration: Approximately 3 hours.
• *Advantages: Good value for money and ideal for families with children.
• Disadvantages: Dolphin watching and swimming at a coastal beach always depend on weather conditions.

If you want to take a trip on a glass-bottom boat, see dolphins and other cetaceans, and get up close to the solidified lava of the Cumbre Vieja volcano, these tours could be ideal for you. From the marina in Puerto de Tazacorte, you can board one of the small catamarans that will take you on an underwater adventure.

These tours have the advantage of using small boats, so you will have the chance to see dolphins, whales and orcas from a closer vantage point than larger boats can access. You can also see the marine activity in the transparent waters off the coast of La Palma through the glass bottom of the catamarans in an experience that will amaze you.

Thanks to the boat's glass bottom, you can also see rays, sharks, colourful fish, corals, octopuses and other inhabitants of the Canary Islands' marine fauna that cannot be seen on the surface.

On the return trip to Puerto de Tazacorte, the boat passes close to the solidified lava remains of the Cumbre Vieja volcano, the crater that guards the island and frequently erupts.

Details of interest

• Price: Approximately £47 for adults and £27 for children between 4 and 12 years old. Children under 3 years old accompanied by a responsible adult enter free of charge.
• Duration: Approximately 2.5 hours.
• Advantages: As it is a smaller boat, it can get closer to the dolphins and whales, and the glass bottom allows you to see animals that do not come to the surface, such as sharks and rays.

On these tours, in addition to dolphin and whale watching, you will be able to discover other parts of the coast of La Palma aboard a fast catamaran that will take you on an intense tour of the island's main attractions.

After leaving from the Port of Tazacorte, the first stop is usually at Cueva Bonita, followed by a tour of Porís de Candelaria, one of the most beautiful places on the Isla Bonita, notable for its small houses carved into the rocks and the crystal-clear waters that form natural pools on the shore.

On these tours, you will also discover the idyllic Playa de la Veta, Tijarafe, Cueva Colorada and Puerto de Puntagorda, one of the westernmost points of La Palma. On the return journey, you can spot dolphins, whales, orcas and other cetaceans and enjoy the on-board bar while soaking up the Canary Islands sun.

These tours last approximately two hours, making them perfect if you are planning a short stay on the island and want to make the most of your visit by seeing several places on the same day. If you want to discover La Palma in 5 days, here is an itinerary with the main attractions to visit.

Details of interest

• Price: They cost approximately €60, including the trip, stops and whale watching.
• Duration: Approximately 2 hours.
• Advantages: This is the best option for seeing the main sites on the west coast of La Palma in a short time.

On these private sailing tours from the marina in Puerto de Tazacorte, you will not only be able to see dolphins and whales, but also organise your own itinerary along the coast of La Palma to discover some of its main attractions, such as Cueva Bonita or Porís de Candelaria.

Sailing tours are usually more enjoyable than those on board a catamaran or larger boat and give you the chance to interact directly with the crew, learning the secrets of the ocean and the legends surrounding the Canary Islands. During the tour, which usually lasts approximately 4 hours, you can decide the route of the trip.

This is one of the best tours in La Palma because you can travel at your own pace in a group of up to 6 people, accompanied by the crew and, in some cases, with lunch included.

Details of interest

• Price: The initial cost is €90 per person in groups of 6 tourists and includes the assistance of the crew and, in some cases, lunch.
• Duration: Approximately 4 hours.
• Advantages: You can choose the itinerary along the west coast of La Palma and travel at your own pace.
• Disadvantages: These can be expensive options.

When booking a dolphin watching tour, you should bear in mind the difference between the different types of boats, as this could affect your experience.

On a sailboat or small catamaran , you will be able to see dolphins and whales from closer positions, while larger boats will be further away from the cetaceans, but will be able to search for sightings in deeper areas of the ocean.

Sailing experiences are usually more enjoyable, as the ride is smoother, although this type of boat has a shorter range in deep waters and on days with adverse weather conditions, when the cetaceans are far from the coast, you may not be able to see the dolphins.

You can book a dolphin watching tour in La Palma in advance online or once you are on the island, although you should bear in mind that if you plan to visit the Canary Islands during the summer or high season, tours may sell out or prices may increase at the last minute.

If you book in advance, you can organise a travel plan that includes dolphin watching and other tours further away from the island, such as those that include a full-day tour of Lanzarote. If you are planning a 5-day stay in La Palma, here is a list of activities so you can organise your itinerary.

It depends on the tour you book, but dolphin watching tours along the coast of La Palma last between 2 and 4 hours and also include visits to some of the main sites on the west coast of the island, such as Porís de Candelaria, Cueva Bonita and Puerto de Puntagorda.

The fastest tours are catamaran trips, while the longest tours are those that include a private sailing trip with an itinerary planned by the visitor.

On these tours, you can spot dolphins, orcas, whales and beaked whales, as well as visit the main sites on the west coast of La Palma, such as Porís de Candelaria, Cueva Bonita, Puerto de Puntagorda, Tijarafe, Playa de la Veta and Cueva Colorada.

You can also see the Lava Delta and the Cumbre Vieja volcano, which, together with Roque de los Muchachos and Timanfaya National Park, is one of the main attractions of the Canary Islands.

On glass-bottom catamaran tours, you can also see some of the marine animals that do not come to the surface, such as sharks, rays, colourful fish and octopuses.

If you plan to visit La Palma during the summer or during the high season, I recommend booking dolphin watching tours in advance to avoid them selling out or last-minute price increases.

Also keep in mind that the success of a whale watching tour depends on weather conditions, so if you can check the forecast before booking the tour, you'll have a better experience.

If you are planning a short stay in La Palma, I recommend choosing one of the fast catamaran options to discover as many places on the west coast of the island as possible in the shortest amount of time.

I also recommend that you do not miss a visit to Porís de Candelaria, Tijarafe, Puerto de Puntagorda or Playa de la Veta

It depends on the tour you choose, but the most economical options start at €47 and consist of a boat trip with around 100 other people to see dolphins, whales and other cetaceans native to the Canary Islands.

Catamaran tours with glass bottoms cost approximately £50, and fast catamaran tour options cost approximately £60.

The most expensive tours are private sailing trips along the coast of La Palma, with an itinerary chosen by the group of visitors, and have a starting price of €90 per person, in groups of 6 tourists, although they usually include the assistance of the boat's crew and lunch.

The coast of La Palma has one of the most varied marine fauna in Spain, as it is home to more than 30 species of cetaceans, including dolphins, whales, orcas and sperm whales, which provide a spectacle for the whole family during sightings.

This activity, which is ideal if you are planning to visit the Canary Islands with children, can only be done by booking a tour.

On the other hand, the tours include the assistance of an expert local guide or crew members, so you will not only enjoy the sightseeing experience, but the guides will also tell you why La Palma is known as the Isla Bonita ( Beautiful Island) and is considered one of the most idyllic places in Spain.