‌

Make your way to watch whales and dolphins in Gran Canaria

How to reach the whale watching docks?

All whale watching departures operate from Gran Canaria's south coast — specifically Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria, Puerto Base near Arguineguín, and Pasito Blanco Marina near Maspalomas. If you're staying in the southern resort strip, you're already close: Playa del Inglés is roughly 20 km away and takes under 25 minutes by bus. From Las Palmas, it's about 67 km south via the GC-1 motorway, roughly 45–55 minutes by car or bus. There are no trains on Gran Canaria, so your main options are public bus, rental car, taxi, or hotel pickup if your tour includes a transfer.

Where do the tours depart from?

Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria

The main departure hub for most tours. The harbour sits in the centre of the resort, a short walk from the bus station and parking areas.

📍 Puerto Deportivo, Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria, 35130, Las Palmas

Puerto Base (Arguineguín)

Departure point for glass-bottom cruises. Located at the small marina in Arguineguín, on the coast road between Maspalomas and Puerto Rico.

📍 Puerto Base, Arguineguín, 35120, Las Palmas

Pasito Blanco Marina

Departure point for small-group and private sunset cruises. Located between Puerto Rico and Maspalomas — about 8 km from Playa del Inglés.

📍 Marina de Pasito Blanco, 35100, Las Palmas

Access: All three docks are road-accessible. No boat transfer is needed to reach the departure point — you board directly at the marina.

Time & distance at a glance

  • From Las Palmas (north) Distance: ~67 km By bus: ~55 min (Line 91, direct) By car: ~45 min via GC-1 By taxi: ~45–50 min (~€50–€60) With hotel pickup: Door-to-door, no planning needed
  • From Maspalomas / Playa del Inglés (south) Distance: ~19 km By bus: ~23 min (Lines 32 or 33) By car: ~16 min via GC-1 By taxi: ~16 min (~€25–€35) With hotel pickup: Door-to-door, no planning needed
  • From Gran Canaria Airport (LPA) Distance: ~48 km By bus: ~37 min (Line 91 express) By car: ~33 min via GC-1 south By taxi: ~40 min (~€45–€60)

Getting to the whale watching docks

By bus

The Global bus network connects all major resort areas directly to Puerto Rico — cheap, reliable, and frequent enough for a morning departure.

  • From Las Palmas: Line 91 express from Parque Santa Catalina or San Telmo. ~55 min, €6–11 one way, runs hourly.
  • From Playa del Inglés / Maspalomas: Lines 32 or 33 from San Fernando. ~23 min, €2–4 one way, every 20 minutes.
  • From the airport: Line 91 stops at the terminal en route to Puerto Rico. ~37 min, €4–11 one way.

From Puerto Rico bus station, the marina is a 5-minute flat walk. For Puerto Base and Pasito Blanco, take a short taxi from the nearest stop.

By car

Take the GC-1 Sur motorway south toward Maspalomas. Exit at Puerto Rico (after the sixth tunnel), Arguineguín for Puerto Base, or km 53 for Pasito Blanco. From Las Palmas, allow 45 minutes; from Playa del Inglés, around 16. Paid parking is available near all three marinas — arrive 30 minutes before your sailing.

By taxi

The fastest stress-free option — door to dock, no parking to think about.

  • From Playa del Inglés / Maspalomas: ~16 min, €25–35
  • From Las Palmas: ~45–50 min, €50–60
  • From the airport: ~40 min, €45–60

Book in advance for pre-08:00 departures or late sunset returns. Ask the driver to reset the meter before you set off.

With hotel pickup

Several tours include pickup from hotels across Playa del Inglés, Maspalomas, Meloneras, San Agustín, and Mogán. No dock navigation needed — you'll receive a collection time and meeting point at booking. Confirm your pickup zone when you reserve, as not all resorts are covered by every tour.

Things to do on Gran Canaria's south coast

  • Puerto Rico beach: A sheltered crescent bay with calm, clear water — ideal before or after a morning cruise. The beach is a short walk from the marina.
  • Puerto de Mogán: Often called Gran Canaria's "Little Venice," this fishing village 12 km west of Puerto Rico has flower-lined canals, a weekly market on Fridays, and some of the best seafood restaurants on the island. Easy to reach by Line 1 bus or water taxi from Puerto Rico.
  • Amadores beach: A purpose-built cove just north of Puerto Rico with fine imported sand and exceptionally calm water — one of the cleanest swimming beaches on the south coast.
  • Maspalomas dunes: The island's most iconic natural landmark: a protected 400-hectare dune system that meets the sea at the island's southern tip. About 20 minutes east of Puerto Rico by car.
  • Pasito Blanco Marina: A quieter alternative to Puerto Rico's busy harbour — the marina has waterside cafés and boats and is worth arriving early to explore before your sunset cruise.

Handy tips

  • Aim to arrive at the dock 20–30 minutes before departure — boarding typically starts 15 minutes before sailing and vessels leave on time.
  • Catch the bus before 08:30 if travelling from Las Palmas — Line 91 gets busier through the morning and seats can fill on summer weekdays.
  • Confirm your exact dock before you leave — Puerto Rico has two harbour areas and Puerto Base and Pasito Blanco are separate locations entirely.
  • Book hotel pickup at the time of reservation, not on the day — collection slots fill quickly for morning tours in peak season.
  • Sunset slots book out weeks ahead — if you want the private or small-group sunset cruise, reserve as early as possible.
  • Check the Global bus app for live timetables — some line frequencies reduce on Sundays and public holidays.

Frequently Asked Questions

The bus is cheapest. From Playa del Inglés and Maspalomas, Lines 32 or 33 reach Puerto Rico in about 23 minutes for around €2–4 each way. From Las Palmas, Line 91 express takes around 55 minutes and costs €6–11 one way.