Six Of The Best Shore Excursions In The Canary Islands

The Canary Islands offer all the ingredients for a perfect holiday: year-round sunshine, stunning diverse landscapes, endless beaches, and an inviting culture. This cluster of islands is part of Spain yet is situated off the northwest coast of Africa. With each island offering a distinct character and range of experiences, Canary Islands cruises are one of the best ways to gain a flavour of them all.

So, what’s on offer when you arrive at each island? In this blog, we take a look at six of the best Canary Islands shore excursions. Whether you’re looking for an action-packed holiday, a chance to immerse yourself in the Spanish culture or to discover the nature and landscapes of these captivating islands, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Are shore excursions worth it?

It's a question we often get asked when people book their cruises. So, let’s address it first before delving into the Canary Islands cruise shore excursions on offer. In our opinion, cruise shore excursions are absolutely worth it, especially when visiting places such as the Canary Islands. Canary Islands shore excursions give you the opportunity to have unique experiences, like whale watching, exploring volcanic landscapes and discovering picturesque towns, local traditions and cuisine, all while being conveniently organised by your cruise line. 

You don't have to work out the logistics, like travel, entry fees and guides. It all gets taken care of, so you can concentrate on enjoying the experience. Moreover, if you take a Canary Islands shore excursion organised by your cruise line, you won't need to worry about getting back to your ship on time; they'll take care of that, too.

Let's take a closer look at the best shore excursions in the Canaries...

1. Whale Watching in Tenerife

If you're an animal lover or just enjoy the wonders of nature, sustainable whale watching in Tenerife is one of the must-do Canary Islands activities. Marvelling at these magnificent animals is a unique and unforgettable experience. With ideal weather conditions, the waters around Tenerife are some of the best in the world to catch sight of whales and dolphins in their natural habitat. 

Taking a boat from the harbour across the turquoise waters, you’ll sail to where a colony of pilot whales and hundreds of dolphins are commonly sighted. With luck, you’ll see the whales breach the waves and dolphins speed closely alongside the boat. 

Typically, your boat will anchor in a bay, giving you time to relax on the peaceful shores and maybe take a dip in the clear waters.

- Location: Tenerife, with boats usually departing from Puerto Colón, nearby Los Cristianos and Playa de las Americas - Distance from the cruise port: The fastest route is around 1hr 15 minutes drive from Santa Cruz de Tenerife cruise port - Excursion length: Expect around 5-6 hours, including travel to and from the port

2. Exploring Teide National Park

Choose a Canary Islands shore excursion to Teide National Park and discover a volcanic landscape that is out of this world! The park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to Spain's highest peak, Mount Teide. Famous as a filming location for many movies, Teide National Park provides one of the best Canary Islands excursions, especially if you’re fascinated by geology or simply love to discover new, exciting landscapes.  

Exploring the raw, natural beauty of Teide National Park, you’ll stop at various viewpoints to take in this lunar-like landscape, where lava fields and curious stone formations meet endemic flora and fauna. There's also a cable car ride up Mount Teide, allowing you to take in the spectacular views from all angles.

- Location: Tenerife, Teide National Park - Distance from the cruise port: Approximately 1-hour drive from Santa Cruz de Tenerife cruise port - Excursion length: Between 4-6 hours, depending on the tour, including transport from the port

3. Las Palmas Old Town Walking Excursion

If you're seeking more cultural Canary Islands cruise shore excursions, a visit to Gran Canaria’s capital, Las Palmas, will be right up your street! Many cruises to the Canary Islands offer the opportunity to enjoy a leisurely walking tour of its charming Old Town, Vegueta. 

Step back in time and meander the narrow, cobbled streets lined with colourful buildings as your guide leads you to some of the Old Town’s historic buildings, such as the impressive 19th-century Santa Ana Cathedral. You’ll also learn about some of the island's most fascinating history, like the stories of Christopher Columbus and his voyages to the New World.

As you explore, usually there'll be time to pause and sample some local tapas at one of the inviting cafes along the way.

- Location: Las Palmas, Gran Canaria - Distance from the cruise port: A short 10-minute walk from Las Palmas cruise port - Excursion length: 1-2 hours

4. Botanical Gardens in Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria is known for its lush and diverse plant life, so you’ll find a variety of garden tours offered when stopping at this magnificent island. Canary Islands cruise shore excursions may include visits to Parque Doramas, Jardín Canario, or Jardín de la Marquesa, each offering an impressive variety of native, tropical plant species, including cacti, succulents, and a beautiful array of flowers.

If you’re seeking a tranquil Canary Islands shore excursion, this option is one of the most serene and beautiful. 

- Location: Gran Canaria, varied locations - Distance from the cruise port: Parque Doramas is approximately a 20-minute drive from Las Palmas cruise port - Excursion length: Canary Islands shore excursions that include botanical garden tours can vary in length, with some also including a walking old town tour like the one described above. Many of these last around 5-6 hours, including travel to and from the port

5. Snorkelling in the Canary Islands

Many of our cruise guests ask which Canary Island is best for snorkelling, and the answer is there are plenty of incredible locations around these islands for this much-loved water sport. You'll also find that many cruises to the Canary Islands offer shore excursions that include snorkelling from a variety of port stops.

Whether you're a beginner at snorkelling or more experienced, there are organised Canary Islands activities that deliver delightful discoveries and excitement. For example, snorkel with dolphins and turtles off the coast of Tenerife, meet shoals of colourful, ornate wrasse, bream and parrot fish in the waters near Lanzarote or discover the unspoilt beaches and crystal-clear waters of Lobos Island, just off the coast of Fuerteventura.

All these Canary Islands excursions usually include equipment rental and guidance, ensuring a safe and enjoyable underwater adventure.

- Location: Varied - Distance from cruise port: Varied, but local pick-ups and cruise line excursions are typically available from the main cruise ports.  - Excursion length: Typically range from 2 to 4 hrs

6. Timanfaya National Park & Wine Tasting in La Geria, Lanzarote

Timanfaya National Park in Lanzarote offers a surreal experience with its moon-like landscape, shaped by volcanic eruptions in the 18th century. Exploring this environment of craters and lava fields via a guided excursion, you'll witness demonstrations of the ongoing volcanic activity, where water poured into the ground instantly turns into a powerful, steaming geyser.

As Canary Islands activities go, this one will top the list as one of your most memorable!  The second part of this Canary Islands cruise shore excursion offers a more cultural insight, taking you to the La Geria wine region in Lanzarote. This unique area is famous for its volcanic vineyards, where the vines are grown in pits dug into the black sand and surrounded by volcanic stone semi-circles to offer protection from the strong winds.

These unique methods lead to some of the world's most distinctive and delicious wines, which you’ll get to sample when visiting one of the local wine cellars.

- Location: La Geria, Lanzarote - Distance from the cruise port: Approximately 25 minutes drive from Arrecife cruise port - Excursion length: This combined shore excursion with a Timanfaya Park tour and a wine region visit usually lasts around 5 hours

A Canary Islands cruise offers a diverse range of enthralling shore excursions that cater to all interests, from wildlife enthusiasts and history buffs to wine lovers and nature seekers. Choosing to go on a few of these Canary Islands cruise shore excursions will ensure you get to experience some of its highlights that create fantastic lifelong memories!