I did a dolphin trip last week when my family was over and it was really good so I thought I’d share it with you! You can book dolphin trips in Puerto Escala (Puerto Rico) - just ask for Kevin or Nina. There is a tour guide on the boat called Ronnie. He speaks English, German, Spanish and Dutch and he will look after you.
How Much Does it Cost?
This trip is 24 euros for adults and 12 euros for kids, which isn’t bad because if you don’t see dolphins or whales you can repeat the trip! You can buy drinks and snacks on board and don’t worry - there is a loo!
Here’s my sister Kath and my mum enjoying the sundeck. I had my camera at the ready the whole time.
Canarian Dolphins
You get various types of dolphins here - common dolphins which are black, white and yellow, Atlantic spotted dolphins which live in the Atlantic and are spotted (obviously!), Altantic striped dolphins (guess what they look like) and the Flipper-esque bottlenose dolphins. You also get whales but you have to be really quick to see those because they come up, breathe and disappear again for 20 minutes!
Seasickness
I personally don’t get seasick but if you think you might, just go to the chemist (top floor of the Passarella Centre behind the harbour) and ask for “biodramina con cafeina” - these are really good and the caffeine stops you from getting drowsy. They cost about 4 euros a pack I think and you need to take one pill half an hour before you sail and another after a couple of hours. The trip is two and a half hours long so you might be OK with just the one. If you are worried about being seasick, climb up on the wall next to the lighthouse and you can see how calm the sea is. It’s different every day. If it’s really bad, the trips will be cancelled.
What I Saw
Because you get a free trip if you don’t see whales or dolphins, don’t leave it until your last day! When I went out I saw 2 whales (fin whales - about 30 metres long!), around 20 common dolphins and about 100 bottlenose dolphins all together. I took about 30 photos but strangely the whale photos don’t have the whales in them! Told you that you have to be quick!
6 responses so far ↓
1 Aat // Apr 25, 2008 at 3:09 am
Interesting and good complete review. It would help to give some additional data like sailing hours and above which windspeed the trips are cancelled. This could avoid useless travelling from other locations. Is reservation on beforehand necessary?
2 Victoria // Apr 25, 2008 at 3:12 am
Hi Aat. The trips run at 11:30am and 2:30pm on weekdays, then 12:00pm and 3.00pm at the weekend. There is no set windspeed when they are cancelled, just “when it is very windy” or when the sea is too rough. But that hardly ever happens since the weather here is usually fine. You can just turn up at the dolphin desk 15 minutes before the trip. The boat is large and licensed for 96 people, so you will definitely get on. You might want to book in the summertime (July, August) or in Christmas week, since those are the busiest times. There are flyers in just about every hotel so you can phone from where you are staying or pop down in advance and pick a day.
Don’t forget your camera!
All the best,
Victoria
3 Aat // Apr 25, 2008 at 3:33 am
Hi Victoria, that’s great news. Thanks for your prompt answer. we went some time ago on this trip and would like to do it again with our children next week. But unfortunately I forgot the details. Your entry was great help. Thanks again.
4 Victoria // Apr 25, 2008 at 3:36 am
Aat, you can phone or SMS Nina on +34 630138851 to book the day before you go to confirm your places. Have fun!! Victoria
5 Aat // Apr 25, 2008 at 3:56 am
Wow, that is certainly a great service. this morning I was uncertain about the trip, now I have all details on hand. Perfect.
6 Victoria // Apr 25, 2008 at 4:16 am
You’re welcome! Have a great holiday.
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