This cruise turns Gran Canaria’s coast into a live wildlife show. I love having glass panels for underwater viewing, and I also like the safety-first, informative crew energy (including Captain Lorenzo getting praised for spotting).

One thing to plan for, the sea can be choppy. If you get motion sick easily, bring your plan for that before you go.

Key Things To Know Before You Go

• Spirit of the Sea has glass-bottom viewing so you can watch life under the water, not just hope it surfaces
• Twice-daily departures from Puerto Rico, around 10:30 am and 1:30 pm, for about 2.5 hours
• Pickup is included only in specific areas, so confirm you are covered before relying on a transfer
• Unlimited onboard sodas are included, and alcohol is extra
• Free return cruise if you do not see marine mammals on your trip
• Max 97 people, so it feels like a real group outing, not a packed mob

Dolphin and Whale Watching From Puerto Rico, Gran Canaria

If you want marine life in the wild without needing to be a marine biologist, this is a smart way to spend an afternoon. The Canary Islands sit in a high-activity zone for cetaceans, and the tour is built around that reality: you sail, you scan, and the boat follows what the sea is offering that day.

I like that the experience is not just about scanning from the deck. You are also in a spot where you can actually look down at what is going on underwater through the ship’s glass-bottom setup. That is a big quality-of-life upgrade when visibility is good, and it still gives you something to do when animals are being shy.

Spirit of the Sea and the Glass-Bottom Viewing Setup

The boat is named Spirit of the Sea, and it is the center of the whole experience. The standout feature is the underwater viewing through glass-bottom panels, which means you are not limited to waiting for fins and tails to pop up.

This matters because cetaceans can be unpredictable. Dolphins may swim close, then move away. Whales may take their time. With glass-bottom viewing, you get a more constant sense of the water life around the boat, not only brief surface moments.

You will also get onboard commentary in English, with a multilingual crew guiding what you are seeing and what species to watch for. In the feedback, people repeatedly mention that the crew stays engaged, explains what is happening, and keeps things organized even when the sea gets rough.

How the 2.5-Hour Cruise Works, Stop One at the Sea

The timing is straightforward: the trip is about 2 hours 30 minutes total. There is one main activity stop, at the Spirit of the Sea, where you board, settle in, and then head out along the southwest coast of Gran Canaria.

Here is what that means for your expectations:

• Plan for scanning time, since spotting is not something you can force.
• Expect the crew to steer the experience toward sightings when they happen.
• Expect the ride to shape your comfort level, because some days the water is calmer than others.

The tour runs twice daily, which is helpful. If your first choice time looks rough because of weather or your schedule, you can often pick the other departure. Also, booking an outing at a time when you are not rushing right before dinner feels better, since you may linger in the boat watching and listening for changes.

Dolphin and Whale Odds in the Canary Islands Waters

This area is known for a lot of cetacean species. The tour description notes around 30 species of cetaceans in the Canary Islands region, with dolphins, whales, orcas, and porpoises among those you might encounter.

Now the real-world part. Most people come hoping for dolphins, and dolphins are described as commonly sighted. Still, whales and other cetaceans are not guaranteed. That is why the tour includes a meaningful safety net: if you do not see marine mammals, you get a second cruise free.

In the feedback, you can see the range of outcomes clearly. Some trips deliver lots of dolphins, including smaller youngsters, and a few even include whales. Other days end up with no dolphins or whales, and then the free return plan becomes the deciding factor for whether you feel it was worth it.

So my advice is simple: treat it as a wildlife search, not a factory line. If your heart needs 100 percent dolphin time, you might feel disappointed. If you are okay with a real-life nature hunt, it becomes a great story.

What You Will Actually Do Onboard, Beyond the Wildlife

This cruise is not only about spotting, it is also about staying comfortable and informed while you wait. The crew focuses on safety and keeps passengers supported, which comes through strongly in the comments.

A few practical onboard points that show up repeatedly:

• When conditions are windy, some people get seasick, and the crew responds quickly.
• People note help like sickness bags and guidance on where to sit to reduce motion discomfort.
• You stay entertained with crew interaction and species-focused commentary when sightings occur.

That crew approach matters more than it sounds. When you are on the water and you feel a little off, it is reassuring to see the staff actively managing the situation, not just standing by.

Price and Value, What $50.46 Gets You

The price is listed at $50.46 per person, and value here depends on two things: what’s included, and how often sightings happen for your departure.

Included features you should treat as part of the price:

• Pickup and drop-off in selected areas (around Mogan, Taurito, Playa del Inglés, Maspalomas, San Agustin, and Bahia Feliz)
• Sightseeing cruise from Puerto Rico
• Unlimited onboard sodas

Not included:

• Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
• Snacks (available to purchase)

For many people, the pickup piece is a big deal. If you are staying within the listed areas, you are saving time and avoiding the hassle of getting yourself to the marina on your own schedule. The unlimited sodas also help keep costs down once you are out on the water.

The free return cruise if you do not see marine mammals is the other big value lever. Even if you do not use it, knowing it exists changes how you feel about booking on a day with uncertain seas.

Also note a real planning detail: this tour is often booked about 15 days in advance on average. I would not leave it to the last minute, especially if you want a specific departure time.

Pickup, Meeting Point, and Staying Sane Before Boarding

The meeting point is in Puerto Rico at: Justo Frente A La Barrera De Paso, C. Puerto Base, C. Puerto Base, 35130 Puerto Rico, Las Palmas, Spain. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Pickup is offered only for specific neighborhoods and only where it is included. If your accommodation is outside the pickup list, you are expected to make your own way to the start point.

You get pick-up timing details by email 24 to 48 hours before the tour. If you do not receive the message, you should act quickly. One simple email check can save you from arriving late or hunting for your group in a busy area.

Group size is capped at 97 passengers, and the ride uses a coach for pickup. Most people can participate, and the tour is run in English, which helps planning if you do not speak Spanish.

Seasickness, Windy Days, and How to Give Yourself a Better Shot

This is the practical section that saves trips.

Some feedback mentions people feeling sick on windy days, even when they do not usually get motion sick. That tells me the boat ride can be bouncy, and you should take it seriously even if you normally handle ferries fine.

What I would do if I were booking:

• Bring motion sickness tablets if you tend to get queasy on boats. Multiple comments specifically advise this.
• If you feel it during the cruise, ask about seating options. People mention being directed to seats toward the stern for more comfort.
• Pack a small layer, even if it looks warm on shore. Wind at sea changes fast.

One more reality check: the tour is weather dependent. If conditions are poor, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. That is normal for ocean wildlife watching, and it is better than being stuck on a rough trip without decent odds.

Swim Stop Upgrade and Timing Expectations

There is an upgrade option that can add a swim stop, plus return transfers from selected resorts. If that is important to you, treat it as a separate decision, not an automatic part of the base experience.

One note from the feedback: on at least one outing, the time felt tight for swimming. That does not mean it will be short every time, but it does mean you should be flexible. Ocean tours often compress timelines based on what they are spotting and how the sea is behaving.

If your main goal is dolphin and whale watching from the boat, the base cruise still makes sense, because the glass-bottom feature does a lot of the work for your experience even if animals stay just under the surface.

Which Kind of Person Will Love This Most?

This cruise is a strong fit if you want:

• A low-effort way to see cetaceans in the wild without booking a specialist expedition
• Onboard viewing that is not only surface-spotting thanks to the glass-bottom design
• A crew that actively helps with safety and comfort
• A backup plan, the free return if you miss marine mammals

It may be less ideal if:

• You need calm seas to enjoy a boat ride
• You are traveling with very sensitive motion sickness and do not want to take precautions
• You are only interested in whales and you cannot handle the possibility of dolphins being the main show (whales are not guaranteed)

For families, it can be a hit when the dolphins cooperate. For wildlife lovers, it is also nice because you get ecological context from the crew as you search.

Should You Book This Dolphin and Whale Cruise From Puerto Rico?

Yes, I would book this if you can handle a realistic wildlife search and you take seasickness seriously. The glass-bottom setup is a real upgrade, not a gimmick, and the free return cruise turns a no-sighting day into a second chance.

I would think twice before booking if your budget is tight and you cannot afford to potentially feel disappointed by a rough day at sea. In windy conditions, some people end up unable to enjoy the ride as much as they hoped.

If you can pick from the two daily departures, I suggest choosing the one that best matches your comfort level and plans. And if you do take the trip, pack for the ocean, not for the beach.

FAQ

What is the duration of the dolphin and whale watching cruise?

It runs for about 2 hours 30 minutes.

When do the cruises depart from Puerto Rico?

Departures are offered twice daily, around 10:30 am and 1:30 pm.

Where is the meeting point and is pickup included?

The tour meets at Spirit of the Sea at Justo Frente A La Barrera De Paso, C. Puerto Base, 35130 Puerto Rico, Las Palmas, Spain. Pickup and drop-off are included only for areas such as Mogan, Taurito, Playa del Inglés, Maspalomas, San Agustin and Bahia Feliz.

What is included in the price, and what is not?

Included: sightseeing cruise from Puerto Rico, pickup and drop-off in listed areas, and unlimited onboard sodas. Not included: alcoholic drinks and snacks, which you can purchase.

What happens if we do not see dolphins or whales?

If you do not see marine mammals on your trip, you get a second cruise free.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, the tour is offered in English.