Round 30 of the world’s dolphin and whale species have been noticed across the Canary Islands, so when you’re hoping to do some whale and dolphin watching in Fuerteventura, it’s the proper place to get out on the water.
comprises affiliate hyperlinks*
And whilst you’ll must be fortunate to spy a blue whale, you’ll be able to see many species of dolphin year-round so it doesn’t matter if you’re visiting – though dolphin watching in Fuerteventura in winter does include an even bigger threat of excessive winds cancelling your journey.
Reserving our dolphin-spotting boat tour with Barracuda Perdomo, we have been really useful to take seasickness tablets, so I got here armed with Sea-Bands for my daughter, ginger tablets for each of us and even some Kwells in case the climate was dangerous – however with calm autumn seas, we actually didn’t want them.
You’ll discover boat excursions leaving from each ends of the island – as we have been staying close to Corralejo, we went for this nice four-hour dolphin-spotting tour, which additionally stops at Isla de Lobos for some snorkelling.
Regardless of Google Maps going barely haywire as we tried to seek out parking in Corralejo, we made the boat simply in time, and settled again to hearken to our pleasant crew tells us extra about a number of the marine life we’d see.
Amusingly, we found that seeing widespread dolphins isn’t really that widespread, however there’s an opportunity of recognizing bottlenose dolphins, noticed dolphins and pilot whales (regardless of their identify, really an enormous dolphin).
For another species, you must head additional out to sea, however we have been pleased with just a few hours cruising round within the sunshine within the waters between Fuerteventura and Lanzarote.
Whereas a lot of the passengers relaxed on the massive padded lounger on the entrance of the boat, we determined to stay to the again (extra secure and fewer likelihood of any queasiness for my daughter), and ended up with the house to ourselves to sit down again and benefit from the views.
From Corralejo, we cruised out previous the dunes of the character reserve and Isla de Lobos, which has additionally been a nature reserve since 1982. The identify interprets as ‘Wolves Island’ however moderately than the furry variety, it comes from the monk seals that after lived right here, often called sea wolves.
Take a look at my video of our dolphin watching boat tour in Fuerteventura
Earlier than lengthy, we may see the south coast of Lanzarote, together with extra dunes at Playa de Papagayo, and Playa Blanca, the place we’ve stayed on a number of earlier holidays. I saved scanning the water for fins, getting over-excited at ripples on waves and glints of sunshine on the water.
Till instantly one of many crew members introduced we’d noticed dolphins – a pod of noticed dolphins, in actual fact.
And better of all, they have been able to play, swimming across the boat, leaping gracefully by means of the water and capturing previous at unbelievable speeds. Watching them is just magical, regardless of how previous you might be, it’s fantastic to see them of their pure habitat.
There’s a restrict to how lengthy you’ll be able to spend close to the dolphins, which is reassuring (and, evidently, no swimming with them) though I’m certain that in any other case we may have spent all day marvelling at these fabulous creatures.
Take a look at my video of our dolphin watching boat tour in Fuerteventura
There’s by no means any assure of whether or not the dolphins will seem, after all, and our luck was positively in at attending to see a lot of them.
Then our remaining cease at Isla de Lobos meant that we may rise up near some extra of Fuerteventura’s marine life, mooring in somewhat bay for some snorkelling. The turquoise water is ridiculously clear, so you’ll be able to see shoals of fish with out even getting within the water – however I wasn’t passing up the prospect for a dip.
In mid-October, the water wasn’t heat however positively not too chilly to swim, and even a brief snorkel let me see round 10 several types of fish, from tiny black ones with forked tails to shimmering silver Saddled Seabream, with their black spots, plus the occasional flash of blue and gold as one thing extra uncommon swam previous.
As a part of the tour, there are free drinks, together with tender drinks if – like me – you’re driving, plus baguettes for every passenger. Often made with ham and cheese, you’ll be able to ask for vegetarian choices or in case your youngsters don’t fancy that both, they have been pleased to supply plain baguette too; simply be sure to request upfront.
And by some means, instantly, 4 hours was over and we have been again in Corralejo, nonetheless smiling on the reminiscence of the dolphins.
For extra of the most effective issues to do in Fuerteventura with youngsters, try my high picks
Extra dolphin recognizing boat excursions in Fuerteventura
We had a good time on our dolphin-spotting tour, which was additionally best with a youngster who didn’t need to spend all day on a ship – lengthy sufficient to trace down a pod and watch them, however nonetheless left us a while free in our day.
In the event you do need a longer choice, there’s an identical five-hour catamaran cruise leaving from Corralejo which mixes the prospect to see dolphins with a visit to Isla de Lobos and a paella lunch.
Or when you’re within the south of the island, this 90-minute dolphin recognizing journey is appropriate for age three and above, whereas there’s additionally a two-hour dolphin recognizing tour for all ages with drinks. For an extended different, this dolphin-spotting cruise additionally consists of time to snorkel and a spot of tapas as effectively.
Are you able to go dolphin watching in Fuerteventura with youngsters?
Completely! There are a complete mixture of family-friendly dolphin-spotting boat excursions, so there’s loads of alternative.
There’s by no means a assure that you simply’ll spot dolphins (or whales) and there might be various cruising round earlier than you occur upon a pod, so it’s price taking into consideration when you’ve acquired youthful youngsters who get simply bored. Having stated that, I took my daughter on loads of related boat journeys when she was youthful and simply made certain I packed loads of issues to maintain her entertained.
Longer boat journeys do provide you with extra likelihood of recognizing dolphins in Fuerteventura too, as you could must journey a approach out from the coast, but when your youngsters don’t fancy that, you’ll discover shorter excursions of 90 minutes.
It’s price being ready for the climate as effectively; our little boat had no shade outdoor, though on a barely cloudy day in mid-October, that was fantastic. It’s famously windy in Fuerteventura too, so you may additionally need a jacket or hoody towards the ocean breeze, plus it’s price taking cures to stop seasickness in case your youngsters are vulnerable to it.
You may also get Kwells Children for youthful youngsters, in addition to grownup variations for teenagers, when you want one thing stronger than the pure cures I point out above.
However with a little bit of planning, there’s no motive you’ll be able to’t go dolphin watching in Fuerteventura with youngsters of just about any age, particularly older major college age youngsters and above. And even the good teen will probably be wowed by the prospect to see dolphins – it’s genuinely magical.
Disclosure: This put up comprises affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I’ll obtain a small fee
Pictures copyright Mummy Travels
LIKED THIS? SIGN UP FOR MY EMAIL NEWSLETTER