2hrs Dolphins Sunset Sailing Cruise With Drink

The main draw is simple: you sail out from Puerto del Carmen as the sun drops behind Lanzarote, with a drink in hand and a chance of seeing dolphins in open water. The best trips add close dolphin sightings, and a few have even included whales, but this is wildlife, not a scheduled show.

I like the easy format: hotel pickup is available in several resort areas, and boarding starts with a complimentary mojito for adults. I also like the relaxed two-hour length, which gives you a proper outing without taking up a whole day. The catch is that the sunset timing can vary, and some departures return before the sky reaches its strongest colour.

Key points to know

• Dolphins are possible, not promised: You may see large groups, but some sailings see none.
• The trip leaves from Varadero harbour: Boarding is at Avenida del Varadero in Puerto del Carmen.
• Drinks are a major part of the outing: Expect a welcome mojito for adults, plus the advertised complimentary drink and onboard refreshments.
• Food is light rather than a full meal: Canapés, sandwiches, fruit, tortilla and similar buffet items have been served.
• Bring a warm layer and flat shoes: Wind and cooler air arrive quickly after sunset, and the boat can feel choppy.
• Pickup rules are limited: Service covers selected areas, with special restrictions for Playa Blanca and Puerto Calero.

Sailing out from Puerto del Carmen

The cruise begins at Varadero harbour, in the old fishing part of Puerto del Carmen. Your meeting point is on Avenida del Varadero, and the boat returns there after the two-hour trip.

If you arrange transport, pickup may be available from Playa Blanca, Puerto del Carmen, Puerto Calero, and Costa Teguise. You need to provide your resort details after booking, since the operator confirms the nearest pickup point and the collection time later.

There are a few rules worth noting. Pickup from Puerto Calero is available only on Thursdays. There is no pickup from Playa Blanca on Sundays, Mondays, or Wednesdays. If you book within 24 hours of departure, pickup is not guaranteed, so you may need to make your own way to the harbour.

The harbour itself is not the hard part. Finding the exact boat can be less obvious, and one passenger spent about ten minutes walking around looking for the right place. Save the meeting point, allow extra time, and ask staff around Varadero if you are unsure.

Some people also found the walk from the meeting area to the boat longer than expected. That matters if you have limited mobility, luggage, or a mobility scooter. The crew has helped with a scooter before, but the approach to the boat may still be difficult. Contact the operator ahead of time if this is important to you.

A quick boarding and a welcome mojito

Boarding is meant to be quick. Once everyone is on the catamaran, the crew gives the basic information, sometimes in several languages, and serves the welcome mojito to passengers aged 18 and over.

The welcome drink is one of the small touches that sets the mood. You are not waiting around in a terminal or sitting through a long talk before anything happens. The boat gets moving, and the evening begins almost at once.

The tour is offered in English, and it may be operated by a multilingual guide. German and Italian guides are available by prior arrangement. Commentary has not always been easy to hear, so do not choose this trip mainly for a detailed spoken talk about Lanzarote. The main experience is the sailing, the food, the drinks, and the view.

The catamaran has several seating areas. Reports describe padded seats and net seating, with enough room for people to spread out on many departures. The maximum group size is 80, so this is not a private sailing. On a full boat, the atmosphere can feel social and lively rather than quiet and intimate.

Two hours on the water at sunset

The route takes you out from Puerto del Carmen and toward the sunset. The timing changes through the year because sunset moves with the season, so your start time may not be the same as someone taking the cruise in another month.

This is important if you have a fixed dinner reservation afterward. The stated duration is about two hours, but the exact departure time depends on the light. Transfers can also affect your schedule.

The best position for sunset changes as the catamaran moves. If you want photographs, keep an eye on the horizon and be willing to move around the boat. A few people have felt that the boat turned back before the sun had fully disappeared, especially when the official sunset time was close to the return time.

That does not mean you will miss the evening colours. Several departures have produced striking sunset photographs, and the sea gives you a wide view that is hard to match from the resort shore. Still, if your main goal is to watch the exact moment the sun vanishes, check the planned timing before you book.

Cloud can also change the show. One sailing had plenty of dolphins but no visible sunset because the evening was cloudy. Another had a fine sunset but no dolphins. The sea gives you two possible highlights, but neither is fully under the operator’s control.

Dolphins, whales, and honest expectations

The boat heads into waters where dolphins may be seen. Some trips have produced sightings of more than 20 dolphins, with the captain and crew pointing them out and helping children get a better look. A few lucky departures have also seen whales.

That is the exciting part. A dolphin surfacing beside the boat, especially in the warm evening light, can turn an ordinary cruise into one of your holiday’s best memories.

But you need to accept the central limitation: dolphins are wild animals. There is no guarantee, and the operator cannot simply take you to a fixed viewing point. Some sailings see a few brief glimpses. Others see nothing at all.

I would not book this as a dedicated wildlife expedition. Book it as a sunset sailing that may include dolphins. That small change in expectation makes a big difference. If you see them, the outing becomes a bonus-filled success. If you do not, you still have the boat, the ocean air, the drinks, and the changing sky.

The crew has sometimes made extra effort to locate dolphins, including helping children spot them. Music has been kept fairly gentle on some trips, while other passengers wanted it turned down further when dolphins were nearby. The operator’s goal appears to be a relaxed party atmosphere, not silent wildlife watching.

Canapés, buffet food, and what you really get

The advertised food is a selection of assorted canapés, not a full dinner. Food served on different sailings has included small sandwiches, fruit, bread, Spanish tortilla, croquetas, and other light buffet items.

Some passengers found the spread plentiful, while others thought it was closer to snacks than a buffet. That difference is worth understanding before you book. You may be satisfied if you want something to nibble with a drink, but you should eat beforehand if you need a proper evening meal.

Food availability can also depend on when you reach the serving area. One account described a generous spread at the start, with less left for people who served themselves later. If eating is important to you, do not wait until the end.

The food is not designed around special diets. A vegan option has been available on at least some departures, but a gluten-free option cannot be guaranteed. If you have an allergy or strict dietary need, contact the operator before booking and plan accordingly.

There is some mixed wording about the drinks. The formal inclusion is a welcome mojito for adults and one complimentary drink. In practice, the onboard offering has been described as a bar with mojitos, sangria, beer, soft drinks, and water, and several people reported plentiful or unlimited drinks.

Because the details are not perfectly consistent, confirm the current drink arrangement when you book. Do not assume that every package includes unlimited alcohol simply because some departures have offered it.

Wind, waves, and the right clothes

Lanzarote is a windy island, and the sea can feel rough even on a pleasant day ashore. Most people should manage the movement, but one poor-weather departure became very uncomfortable, with strong rocking and serious seasickness.

The operator can change the route because of weather. The trip requires suitable conditions, and a cancellation for poor weather should lead to another date or a full refund. Even when the cruise goes ahead, conditions may still be breezy, so check the forecast and be honest about your tolerance for motion.

Wear comfortable flat shoes. The deck can become slippery or awkward when the catamaran moves, and one passenger specifically found the ride choppy. A jacket, hoodie, or sweatshirt is just as important. The temperature can drop quickly after the sun disappears, and the boat’s wind makes the change feel sharper.

Blankets are not included. If you feel the cold easily, pack an extra layer rather than relying on the boat.

Is the $61.27 price fair?

At $61.27 per person, this is not the cheapest way to watch a sunset in Lanzarote. You are paying for a two-hour catamaran outing, possible resort transport, the welcome drink, food, and onboard refreshments.

The value is strongest when you use the pickup service and make good use of the full outing. A smooth transfer, an easy boarding process, several drinks, a sunset, and dolphins can make the price feel reasonable. The value drops if you make your own way to the harbour, see no wildlife, find the food underwhelming, and are hoping for a full meal.

The price also reflects the boat setting. You are not merely standing at a viewpoint. You are out at sea with open views, seating, a bar, and a changing route. For a couple or family wanting a simple evening activity, that may be worth more than a free beach sunset.

I would compare this price with other boat trips only after checking what they include. Some cheaper cruises may offer less food, no transfer, or a shorter sailing. This one works best for people who value convenience and a social atmosphere more than specialist wildlife guiding.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I think this trip suits couples, families, and groups who want a pleasant evening with very little planning. The two-hour length is manageable, and children have enjoyed the boat and the dolphin search. The captain and crew have made an effort to involve younger passengers when wildlife appears.

It also suits you if you like casual drinks, music, and photos more than formal commentary. The catamaran has enough seating for many people, but this is a shared excursion with up to 80 passengers.

I would be cautious if you suffer from seasickness, need a quiet boat, or want a guaranteed sunset and dolphin encounter. I would also be careful with very young children if they become restless after an hour or two, since one family found the duration a little long for younger children.

People with mobility concerns should ask about the walk from the meeting point to the boat before paying. Assistance has been provided, but the route may not be suitable for everyone.

Booking details worth checking

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that period are not accepted for a refund.

The experience may be cancelled if weather is poor or if the minimum number of participants is not reached. In either case, you should be offered another date, another experience, or a full refund.

Confirm your pickup point, especially if you are staying in Playa Blanca or Puerto Calero. For last-minute bookings, go directly to the harbour unless the operator confirms transport.

Should you book the Puerto del Carmen sunset cruise?

Book it if you want an easy two-hour evening on the water, appreciate included drinks and light food, and can treat dolphins as a lucky extra. The strongest departures combine a helpful crew, a beautiful sunset, plenty of seating, and a large pod of dolphins.

Skip it if you need a full dinner, guaranteed wildlife, perfect sunset timing, or a calm private boat. For the best chance of enjoying it, eat something first, wear flat shoes, bring a warm layer, arrive early at Varadero, and keep your expectations flexible. The cruise is at its best when you let the evening unfold rather than measuring it only by whether a dolphin appears.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

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

How long does the sailing last?

The sailing lasts approximately two hours. The exact start time can change during the year because it is arranged around sunset.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is available from selected areas of Playa Blanca, Puerto del Carmen, Puerto Calero, and Costa Teguise. You must provide your accommodation details so the operator can confirm the nearest pickup point and time.

Are there restrictions on pickup locations?

Yes. Pickup from Puerto Calero is available only on Thursdays. Pickup from Playa Blanca is not available on Sundays, Mondays, or Wednesdays.

Can I still get pickup if I book within 24 hours?

Pickup is not guaranteed for bookings made within 24 hours of departure. In that situation, you should go directly to the meeting point unless the operator confirms transport.

Are dolphins guaranteed?

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

What food and drinks are included?

The experience includes a welcome mojito for passengers aged 18 and over, assorted canapés, and one complimentary drink. Drinks and food reported onboard include mojitos, sangria, beer, soft drinks, water, sandwiches, fruit, tortilla, and other light buffet items. Confirm the current drink arrangement when booking.

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable flat shoes and bring a jacket, hoodie, or sweatshirt. The boat can be windy and choppy, and temperatures may feel cooler after sunset.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience start time. If the operator cancels because of poor weather or insufficient numbers, you should be offered another date, another experience, or a full refund.