2hrs Dolphins Sunset Sailing Cruise With Drink

The best part of this two-hour catamaran cruise is the setting: you leave Puerto del Carmen, head into open water, and watch Lanzarote’s evening light change from the sea. Dolphins may appear alongside the boat, though they are wild and cannot be scheduled like a sunset.

I like the easy holiday rhythm here. Hotel pickup can save you a taxi, and boarding comes with a welcome mojito, snacks, drinks, and plenty of time to sit and take photographs. The crew is also praised for being friendly and helpful, including when assisting with mobility equipment.

The main caution is simple: do not book this solely for dolphins. Some trips see large groups, and a few have even had whales pass by. Others see nothing. Wind, clouds, choppy water, sunset timing, and the quality of the commentary can also shape your evening.

Key points to know before you book

• Dolphins are a bonus, not the product: Sightings range from none to more than 20 dolphins, and they cannot be guaranteed.
• The welcome mojito sets the tone: You receive it when boarding, with a minimum drinking age of 18.
• Food is snack-style rather than a full meal: Expect assorted canapés, sandwiches, tortilla, fruit, and similar light bites.
• Puerto del Carmen is the base: The boat leaves from Avenida del Varadero in the harbour and returns there.
• Bring a warm layer: Lanzarote can feel mild on shore, but the breeze picks up after sunset.
• Allow for changing departure times: The start depends on the season’s sunset time and may be adjusted.

Leaving Puerto del Carmen as evening begins

The cruise starts at Varadero harbour on Avenida del Varadero, in Puerto del Carmen’s old fishing quarter. This is a useful starting point because the boat returns to the same place, so you do not have to arrange a second pickup elsewhere.

If you use the transfer, you provide your resort details after booking. Pickup is offered from selected areas of Playa Blanca, Puerto del Carmen, Puerto Calero, and Costa Teguise. The exact pickup location and time are confirmed later, so keep an eye on your messages rather than assuming the coach will stop outside your hotel.

There are a few timing catches. Puerto Calero pickup is available only on Thursdays. Playa Blanca has no pickup on Sundays, Mondays, or Wednesdays. If you book within 24 hours of departure, pickup is not guaranteed, and you should plan to reach the harbour yourself.

At the harbour, boarding is intended to be quick. You receive a complimentary mojito if you are 18 or older, then settle into the catamaran for the short cruise out of port. One practical warning is worth taking seriously: the walk from the meeting area to the boat can be longer than expected. Wear flat, comfortable shoes, and contact the operator in advance if walking or boarding is difficult.

What the two-hour route is really like

This is not a sightseeing cruise with a string of shore stops. Puerto del Carmen is both the departure point and the return point. The point is the time on the water, the sunset, and the chance to meet marine life.

Once the catamaran clears the harbour, you can settle into a seat, watch the coast recede, and look for movement on the water. There is seating around the boat, including padded areas and net seating on some parts of the catamaran. The open sections give you the best chance of taking clear photographs, but they also expose you to the wind.

The crew may provide information in more than one language. German and Italian assistance is available with prior consultation, and the guide may be multilingual. The sound system has not always been equally easy to hear, so if commentary matters to you, stay near the guide or crew member when information is being given.

Music is part of the atmosphere, though its volume can vary. Some people prefer a quiet, gentle soundtrack while the boat searches for dolphins. Others may find it too faint. This is more a relaxed social cruise than a formal nature lecture, so set your expectations accordingly.

Dolphins, whales, and the honest odds

The title puts dolphins first, but the sea makes the decision. You might see a pod close to the catamaran, with crew members pointing out individual animals and helping children get a better view. On particularly lucky outings, dolphins have been joined by a whale.

You might also spend the entire cruise scanning the water without seeing a fin. That is not a failure of the route. Dolphins are wild animals, and the operator clearly states that sightings are not guaranteed. Still, it is fair to say that no dolphins can make the trip feel expensive if you booked mainly for wildlife.

The best way to approach this is to treat dolphin watching as an extra. If you see them, the evening can turn into a memorable wildlife outing. If you do not, you should still be happy with a boat ride, sunset views, drinks, and time at sea.

The crew appears to make an effort when dolphins are nearby. They may alter the boat’s position or point out sightings to children and passengers on different parts of the deck. That personal attention is valuable, since a dolphin can appear for only a few seconds and vanish before everyone has found the right spot.

Keep your phone or camera ready, but do not spend the full two hours staring at a screen. The most rewarding moments can be brief, and the open-water view is part of the experience even when the animals stay away.

Sunset timing can make or break the photographs

This is sold as a sunset cruise, but the exact light depends on the season, weather, and the boat’s return schedule. The starting time changes through the year because sunset does not occur at the same hour in January as it does in August.

On some departures, the catamaran reaches the best position before the sun has fully dropped below the horizon. The boat then turns back toward port, meaning passengers at the front or on the wrong side may not see the final glow as clearly as they hoped.

Cloud cover can remove the classic orange sun altogether. Even then, you may get attractive changing colors across the sky, but you should not expect a guaranteed postcard sunset. Check the confirmed start time and sunset time for your date, and ask the crew where to sit if the view matters to you.

I would also bring a jacket or sweatshirt, even if the afternoon feels warm. The temperature can fall quickly once the sun is gone, and wind across the deck makes the return trip feel cooler. Blankets are not included.

Food and drinks: generous for some, light for others

The food is best understood as snacks, not dinner. You receive assorted canapés and light items such as sandwiches, fruit, bread, tortilla, and similar finger food. Some departures have offered a more substantial buffet-style spread, while other portions have felt closer to a small plate of snacks.

The exact selection may vary, and there is no guaranteed gluten-free option. If you have a serious dietary requirement, ask before booking rather than relying on the general food description. A vegan option has been available on at least some sailings, but the supplied details do not promise a fixed vegan menu for every departure.

The drink arrangement is one of the stronger parts of the value. You receive a welcome mojito, then one complimentary drink is included in the advertised package. Several departures have also provided an open bar with mojitos, sangria, beer, soft drinks, and water, but you should confirm the current arrangement when booking because the formal inclusion says one complimentary drink.

The alcohol can change the mood of the boat. Many people enjoy a beer or sangria while watching the sun drop. If you are travelling with children, are not drinking, or are sensitive to movement, remember that this is still a boat in open water, not a calm restaurant terrace.

How rough can the water feel?

Lanzarote is a windy island, and the sea can be lively even when the weather on land seems pleasant. One departure was described as very rocky, leaving a passenger nauseous for most of the trip. Another was simply choppy enough that flat shoes and a hoodie were useful.

The operator may alter the route due to weather. If conditions are poor enough to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund. That does not mean every windy trip will be cancelled, so if you are prone to seasickness, consider the forecast carefully and ask about changing dates at least 24 hours ahead.

Sit where you feel most stable, avoid rushing around the deck, and eat lightly before boarding if motion affects you. The catamaran has plenty of seating, which helps, but no boat can remove the movement entirely.

This point matters for families. Children have enjoyed the trip, and the crew has made a special effort to help them see dolphins. Still, two hours can feel long for a young child if the sea is rough or the wildlife does not appear.

Pickup, group size, and practical comfort

The maximum group size is 80 people. That is large enough to give the boat a social holiday feel, but not so large that you should expect a private sailing trip. Seating is spread around the catamaran, and some departures have had enough room for passengers to move about and find a view.

Hotel pickup is useful, especially from Playa Blanca or Costa Teguise, but it adds a layer of coordination. One pickup was reported as arriving about 20 minutes later than expected. Leave a little flexibility in your evening plans, and do not arrange a tight dinner reservation immediately after the advertised return time.

The experience ends back at the harbour. If you use the transfer, you return to the agreed resort pickup area. If you make your own way there, confirm the exact meeting point carefully. A map link and marked directions are provided, but the harbour area can still take a few minutes to figure out, particularly if you arrive in the dark.

Most people can take part, but boarding and the walk to the boat deserve attention. The crew has helped passengers with mobility scooters, yet another account found the walk unsuitable for people with mobility issues. Ask the operator directly before paying if you need step-free access or close vehicle access.

Is $61.27 a fair price?

At $61.27 per person, this is not the cheapest way to watch a Lanzarote sunset. You are paying for roughly two hours on a catamaran, the boat crew, the welcome drink, food, an included drink, and possibly resort transport.

The value improves if you use the pickup and make good use of the food and bar. It also improves dramatically if dolphins appear. If you see a large pod, enjoy a beautiful sunset, and have a smooth evening, the price feels reasonable for a holiday activity that combines transport, entertainment, and scenery.

The value weakens if you see no dolphins, the sunset is hidden by clouds, or the food is lighter than expected. A few people have felt that the snack spread did not match the word buffet, especially when popular items ran out. I would not book this expecting a full meal.

The overall score is 3.9 out of 5 from 185 ratings, which fits the experience neatly. Most of the appeal comes from the friendly crew, pleasant boat, drinks, and the possibility of wildlife. The weaker experiences tend to involve wind, missed pickup, unclear meeting directions, poor sound, or expectations that were too high.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it to couples, families, and first-time visitors who want an easy evening on the water without committing to a full-day sailing trip. It suits you if you enjoy a relaxed drink, open views, casual snacks, and the chance of a surprise wildlife encounter.

It is also a good fit for families with older children. The boat gives children something to watch for, and the crew may help them spot dolphins. Younger children may find the two-hour length challenging if the water is rough.

You should think twice if you suffer badly from seasickness, need a guaranteed sunset photograph, require a strict dietary menu, or want a quiet naturalist trip. You should also avoid making dolphins the sole reason for booking.

Book at least 24 hours ahead if you want to preserve the free cancellation option. You can cancel for a full refund up to that point, while changes or cancellations inside 24 hours are generally not accepted. The activity also depends on suitable weather and a minimum number of participants.

Should you book the Puerto del Carmen sunset cruise?

Book it if you want a simple, sociable evening with a good chance of beautiful light, drinks, and a possible dolphin sighting. I especially like it as a low-effort holiday activity because pickup, boarding, food, and the return to Puerto del Carmen are all built into the plan.

Do not book it as a guaranteed dolphin safari or a full dinner at sea. Bring a jacket, wear flat shoes, arrive with realistic expectations, and check the pickup details carefully. With that approach, the cruise offers a pleasant slice of Lanzarote’s coast and, if luck joins you, a memorable few minutes with dolphins in the open water.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

It departs from Avenida del Varadero in Puerto del Carmen, at the Varadero harbour. The cruise returns to the same meeting point.

How long is the sailing?

The activity lasts approximately two hours, including the time on the water and the return to Puerto del Carmen.

Are dolphins guaranteed?

No. Dolphins are wild animals, so sightings cannot be guaranteed. Some trips see dolphins, and occasional sightings have also included whales.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup and drop-off are offered in selected areas of Playa Blanca, Puerto del Carmen, Puerto Calero, and Costa Teguise. Puerto Calero pickup is available only on Thursdays, and Playa Blanca has no pickup on Sundays, Mondays, or Wednesdays.

What food and drinks are included?

You receive a welcome mojito for those aged 18 or older, assorted canapés, and one complimentary drink. The food is snack-style and can include sandwiches, fruit, bread, and tortilla. The operator cannot guarantee a gluten-free option.

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable flat shoes and bring a jacket or sweatshirt. The boat can feel windy and cooler after sunset. Blankets are not included.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. If weather or minimum numbers cause the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund.