I Love Papagayo is the most complete first boat day: an 11:00 departure from Puerto del Carmen and around 4 hours of sailing with anchor time off Punta de Papagayo, right by the protected coves of the south. It includes a welcome mojito with Spanish tortilla, paella on board, an open bar and kayak and snorkel gear for the swim stop — no experience needed. Return transfer from the pickup point closest to your accommodation is included, all ages are welcome, and under-2s go free.
Who it’s for: families, groups, and anyone who wants the full sea day with zero logistics.
2. The big day out: La Graciosa by catamaran
The eighth island deserves a whole day. The La Graciosa catamaran excursion crosses from Órzola, leaves time to wander Caleta de Sebo — the sand-streeted village with no tarmac — then sails on to Playa Francesa with kayak and snorkel stops, paella and drinks on board. Transfers run from the island’s main resort areas depending on the day of the week, and you’ll want to be a confident swimmer to make the most of it.
Rather do it at your own pace and nap on the beach of your choosing? The La Graciosa ferry crosses from Órzola in 25–30 minutes and lets you build the day yourself.
Who it’s for: travellers who want to bring home the wildest postcard of the trip.
3. Dolphins and whales: two very different ways to look for them
Choose carefully here, because these two trips have almost nothing in common.
The quiet option leaves from Puerto Calero: a silent electric catamaran — the first in the Canaries with no noise or emissions — with an expert guide, a hydrophone so you can hear what’s happening under the hull, local snacks, and 7.5% of every ticket funding cetacean conservation. Trips run 3–4 hours, with bottlenose, common and Risso’s dolphins on the cards and, with luck, a Bryde’s whale. Babies are welcome: this is the wildlife trip built for families.
The adrenaline option departs from the Varadero in Puerto del Carmen: a 12-seat semi-rigid speedboat that covers far more coastline in less time. Life jacket, water and windbreaker included; minimum age 4.
One honest warning you’ll thank us for: these are wild animals and no serious operator guarantees sightings. Be suspicious of anyone who promises them — routes are designed to maximise your chances, not to script them.
Who it’s for: wildlife lovers (catamaran) or small groups after open water (speedboat).
4. For two: sunset from the deck
The sunset cruise from Puerto del Carmen lasts about 2 hours: a catamaran, a welcome mojito, canapés and a drink while the sun drops into the sea. Dolphins occasionally join in, uninvited. Free pickup from nearby accommodation and multilingual guides.
Who it’s for: couples, anniversaries and the last evening of the holiday. Pound for pound, the best short trip on the island.
5. No timetables: our exclusive experiences, built around yo
I Love Papagayo is the most complete first boat day: an 11:00 departure from Puerto del Carmen and around 4 hours of sailing with anchor time off Punta de Papagayo, right by the protected coves of the south. It includes a welcome mojito with Spanish tortilla, paella on board, an open bar and kayak and snorkel gear for the swim stop — no experience needed. Return transfer from the pickup point closest to your accommodation is included, all ages are welcome, and under-2s go free.
Who it’s for: families, groups, and anyone who wants the full sea day with zero logistics.
2. The big day out: La Graciosa by catamaran
The eighth island deserves a whole day. The La Graciosa catamaran excursion crosses from Órzola, leaves time to wander Caleta de Sebo — the sand-streeted village with no tarmac — then sails on to Playa Francesa with kayak and snorkel stops, paella and drinks on board. Transfers run from the island’s main resort areas depending on the day of the week, and you’ll want to be a confident swimmer to make the most of it.
Rather do it at your own pace and nap on the beach of your choosing? The La Graciosa ferry crosses from Órzola in 25–30 minutes and lets you build the day yourself.
Who it’s for: travellers who want to bring home the wildest postcard of the trip.
3. Dolphins and whales: two very different ways to look for them
Choose carefully here, because these two trips have almost nothing in common.
The quiet option leaves from Puerto Calero: a silent electric catamaran — the first in the Canaries with no noise or emissions — with an expert guide, a hydrophone so you can hear what’s happening under the hull, local snacks, and 7.5% of every ticket funding cetacean conservation. Trips run 3–4 hours, with bottlenose, common and Risso’s dolphins on the cards and, with luck, a Bryde’s whale. Babies are welcome: this is the wildlife trip built for families.
The adrenaline option departs from the Varadero in Puerto del Carmen: a 12-seat semi-rigid speedboat that covers far more coastline in less time. Life jacket, water and windbreaker included; minimum age 4.
One honest warning you’ll thank us for: these are wild animals and no serious operator guarantees sightings. Be suspicious of anyone who promises them — routes are designed to maximise your chances, not to script them.
Who it’s for: wildlife lovers (catamaran) or small groups after open water (speedboat).
4. For two: sunset from the deck
The sunset cruise from Puerto del Carmen lasts about 2 hours: a catamaran, a welcome mojito, canapés and a drink while the sun drops into the sea. Dolphins occasionally join in, uninvited. Free pickup from nearby accommodation and multilingual guides.
Who it’s for: couples, anniversaries and the last evening of the holiday. Pound for pound, the best short trip on the island.
5. No timetables: our exclusive experiences, built around yo
If groups aren’t your thing, this is your lane. Through our exclusive experiences you can book a private boat to Papagayo from Marina Rubicón — the Los Ajaches coastline, snorkel stops and not a single stranger on board — or build the northern plan with Excursiones Punta Fariones: private crossings between Lanzarote and La Graciosa, a water taxi service and sport fishing trips. There’s no timetable column here: tell us your dates, your group and your plan, and we arrange it around you.
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More no-clock ideas? The private afternoon marine safari with the sunset thrown in, jet skis from Playa Blanca towards Papagayo, or — if you’ve already ticked off La Graciosa — the Lobos Island trip with mini submarine cruise for next time.
Who it’s for: private groups, big families, celebrations, and anyone who wants the sea without sharing it.
The practical bits nobody tells you
Every boat leaves from a different port. The Papagayo catamaran, the sunset cruise and the dolphin speedboat sail from Puerto del Carmen; the jet skis and the private boat, from Playa Blanca (the private boat, from Marina Rubicón); the silent catamaran, from Puerto Calero; La Graciosa, from Órzola at the island’s northern tip. Check the departure point before you book, and if your trip doesn’t include a transfer, budget the drive — Órzola is a good hour from the southern resorts, which is where a hire car (10% off with the code VISITLANZAROTE) becomes the sailor’s best friend.
Book a few days ahead from August to October. It’s the best sea window of the year — warmest water, long light — and the small-group departures fill first.
Seasickness is managed, not endured. Eat a light breakfast, sit mid-boat, watch the horizon rather than your phone. Catamarans move far less than single-hull boats.
What to bring: sun cream, a cap, a light layer (it cools down at sea even in August) and your swimsuit already on if your trip has a swim stop.
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