Morro Jable and Jandía: Fuerteventura from the sea
6 min read
Short answer: the south of Fuerteventura, around Morro Jable and the Jandía peninsula, sits inside a UNESCO biosphere reserve that includes 188,676 hectares of sea, and its waters are home to 22 species of cetaceans according to the reserve’s managers. Boats that watch dolphins and whales must follow Spain’s Royal Decree 1727/2007: an exclusion zone of at least 60 m, a speed of no more than 4 knots and no sonar. This guide explains the protected setting, the rules and the trips that leave from the port of Morro Jable.
Quick answers
- Where: the port of Morro Jable, in the south of the island.
- Protected sea: the Fuerteventura Biosphere Reserve (declared 27 May 2009) covers 166,139 ha of land and 188,676 ha of sea.
- Cetaceans: 22 species are frequently found in its waters, according to the Spanish ministry’s page.
- Minimum distance to dolphins and whales: 60 m (exclusion zone).
- Our trips: a 2-hour dolphin and whale watching trip with snorkelling and a 4-hour glass-bottom boat trip; minimum age 3.
A protected setting
- Fuerteventura Biosphere Reserve. UNESCO declared the island a biosphere reserve on 27 May 2009, and the Cabildo (island government) manages it. The Spanish ministry’s page lists 166,139.40 ha of land and 188,675.85 ha of sea, six municipalities including Pájara (where Jandía lies), and a long list of protected areas: 3 natural parks, 4 natural monuments, 3 marine Special Areas of Conservation, 5 bird protection areas and one Ramsar wetland. It notes that 22 cetacean species and 4 species of marine turtles are found in its waters, and it places a Marine Interpretation Centre at the Jandía lighthouse. The reserve also commits to seeking a cetacean protection area in Macaronesia.
- Jandía Natural Park. The park at the south-western end of the island was declared in 1987 and has existed under its present name since the Canary Islands nature law of 1994 (sources to confirm in the BOE).
- Playa de Sotavento de Jandía. The sea off this beach is a Special Area of Conservation in the Natura 2000 network, listed by the Spanish ministry among its marine protected areas.
What the law says about dolphins and whales
Spain’s Royal Decree 1727/2007 protects cetaceans in all Spanish waters. Recreational whale and dolphin watching must follow its Articles 4 and 5 and its Annex II. In plain language:
- Zones around the animals: the exclusion zone is a radius of at least 60 m; the restricted permanence zone goes from 60 m to 300 m; the approach zone from 300 m to 500 m. Together they form a cylinder with a 500 m radius and 60 m depth, plus 500 m of air space above it.
- Exclusion zone (0–60 m): entering and staying are forbidden except for emergencies; if animals come within 60 m, the engine goes to neutral at low revolutions. Do not start the propeller while animals are within 60 m. Swimming or diving there is forbidden. If the animals are dolphins or porpoises, the vessel may keep its speed and heading.
- Restricted zone (60–300 m): a maximum of two vessels at a time, and no entry when isolated adults with calves or isolated calves are present.
- Speed and approach: constant speed, no more than 4 knots and never faster than the slowest animal; approach gently at an angle of about 30° to the animals’ course, never head-on, from behind or perpendicular; no circling and no reversing except in an emergency.
- Other rules: no sonar to find or drive the animals; no feeding or throwing things; no physical contact; no loud or sharp noises; vessels approaching the same animals must coordinate by radio.
- Enforcement: the Merchant Navy authority, the Navy and the Guardia Civil maritime service. Penalties fall under the national natural heritage law; we do not quote amounts because the decree does not set them.
We read the original 2008 text and did not check the consolidated version. For the same rules in the Strait of Gibraltar, see responsible dolphin watching in the Strait of Gibraltar.
The trips from Morro Jable
All our Fuerteventura trips leave from the port of Morro Jable:
- Dolphin and whale watching with snorkelling: about 2 hours, up to 15 guests, minimum age 3. It includes 30 minutes of snorkelling, snorkelling equipment, an expert guide and a cold drink. Departures run from the morning (10:00, 12:00, 14:00). The listing mentions pickup from hotels in several south-coast resorts; check it for your hotel. Sightings are never guaranteed.
- Glass-bottom boat Odyssee 3: about 4 hours, minimum age 3, with lunch (chicken breast, salad, wrinkled potatoes with mojo sauce and bread), snorkelling equipment, kayak, water slide, paddle surf and an open bar of beer and sangria; private transport is included. Bring swimwear, towels and sun cream. Departures at 9:30 and 15:00.
- The pirate boat tour is currently without open dates; its listing shows “new dates coming soon”.
All three trips can be cancelled free up to 24 hours before departure, according to their listings.
Which one should you choose?
| You want… | Choose |
|---|---|
| A short outing looking for dolphins, with snorkelling | Dolphin and whale watching (2 h) |
| A family day with lunch, kayak and slide | Glass-bottom boat (4 h) |
| A pirate-themed day for kids | Pirate boat (when dates open) |
For the rest of your stay, read the Fuerteventura guide.
Frequently asked questions
Will I see dolphins or whales?
It is never guaranteed. They are wild animals, and the crew must keep the legal distance.
Can I swim near the animals?
No. Swimming or diving inside the 60 m exclusion zone is forbidden.
How many boats may be around the animals?
The decree allows a maximum of two vessels at a time in the restricted zone, between 60 and 300 m.
Where do the trips leave from?
From the port of Morro Jable, in the south of the island.
What is the minimum age?
3 years on the dolphin and whale trip and on the glass-bottom boat.
Is food included?
On the glass-bottom boat, yes (lunch and an open bar). On the dolphin trip, a cold drink is included.
Can I cancel?
Free up to 24 hours before departure, according to the listings.
Sources
- MITECO · Fuerteventura Biosphere Reserve: declaration date, areas, municipalities, cetaceans, turtles and Marine Interpretation Centre.
- BOE · Royal Decree 1727/2007 on the protection of cetaceans (Spanish): zones, speed, approach and exclusion rules.
- BOE · Law 1/2025 of 3 June (Cofete), which recalls the 1994 Canary nature law and Jandía Natural Park (Spanish).
- MITECO · Playa de Sotavento de Jandía, ZEC ES7010035.
- Our trip descriptions: dolphin and whale watching, glass-bottom boat.
Last checked: 27 October 2026.
