Gran Canaria packs an unusual amount of variety into one island: you can watch dolphins from a boat in the morning, stand beneath a volcanic monolith at 1,800 metres in the afternoon, and dive to the seabed in a submarine the same week. That range is exactly what makes choosing excursions harder than it should be. This guide narrows it down to the seven we'd actually book — each chosen for a specific kind of experience — with real prices and honest notes on who each one suits.
Most operators offer pick-up from the southern resorts — Meloneras, Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés and Puerto Rico. If you're still choosing where to stay, our best hotels in Gran Canaria and best hotels in the south guides cover every budget, and our south vs north guide explains the island's two sides.
Quick Decision Guide
Best Wildlife
A 2.5-hour cruise from Puerto Rico, great with kids.
Best Adventure
Five hours through Chira, Tirajana and Fataga.
Best Easy Day Out
"Little Venice" plus a boat ride along the coast.
Best Hike
A guided walk to the island's iconic monolith.
Best Short Experience
Camel rides, e-bike and sunset tours in the dunes.
Best for Families
A 40-minute dive to 25 metres, without getting wet.
Best Private Day
Bandama, Arucas, Agaete valley and Vegueta.
Quick Comparison: All 7 Excursions
| Excursion | Departs From | Duration | From / Adult | Difficulty | With Kids |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dolphin & Whale Watching | Puerto Rico | 2.5h | ~€36 | Easy | Yes |
| Jeep Safari (Valleys & Villages) | South resorts | 5h | ~€67 | Moderate | Age 6+ |
| Puerto de Mogán + Boat Ride | South resorts | 6h | ~€32 | Easy | Yes |
| Roque Nublo Guided Hike | Roque Nublo car park | 3h | Check price | Moderate | Active kids |
| Maspalomas Dunes Tours | Maspalomas | 1–3h | From ~€60 | Easy | Most ages |
| Mogán Submarine | Puerto de Mogán | 40 min dive | ~€37 | Easy | Age 2+ |
| Private Tour of the North | Pick-up | 5.5h | Per group | Easy | Yes |
Prices are per adult as shown on Expedia in October 2026 and vary by date and pick-up point. Always confirm before booking.
I. Dolphin & Whale Watching from Puerto Rico
Run by Líneas Salmón from Puerto Rico harbour, this 2.5-hour cruise heads out along the south coast in search of dolphins and whales, with a bar on board. With guest scores of around 8.6 out of 10 from more than 500 reviews, it's one of the island's most popular excursions, with morning and afternoon departures and optional pick-ups from hotels in Playa del Inglés, Maspalomas and Meloneras.
Be realistic about what you'll see: from Gran Canaria, dolphins — mainly bottlenose and spotted — are the most common sighting, while pilot whales and other species are possible but not guaranteed. For near-certain pilot whale sightings, the channel off south-west Tenerife is better, as our Tenerife excursions guide explains. Morning departures usually have the calmest sea.
II. Off-Road Valleys & Villages Jeep Tour
Most visitors never see Gran Canaria's dramatic interior, and a jeep tour is the quickest way to change that. This five-hour off-road tour climbs from Salobre towards the Chira reservoir, with views of Roque Nublo, stops for coffee and the historic church in Santa Lucía de Tirajana's valley, then returns through the palm-filled Fataga valley — the "valley of a thousand palms" — to the Mirador de las Moscas. Guest scores of around 9.0 out of 10 from more than 300 reviews make it one of the best-rated tours on the island.
Pick-up and drop-off in the south are included, lunch is not. The tracks are genuinely bumpy, which is part of the fun but less suitable for very young children or anyone with back problems.
III. Puerto de Mogán with a Boat Ride
Puerto de Mogán, the island's "Little Venice", is a fishing village of canals, bridges and bougainvillea-draped houses, and this low-cost tour combines it with a scenic one-way boat ride along the south coast between Mogán and Puerto Rico. On Fridays, the town's weekly market stretches along the harbour.
It's a relaxed, inexpensive day that suits all ages, with free time to wander the canals and have lunch by the marina. Our Puerto de Mogán guide covers the town in detail.
IV. Roque Nublo Guided Hike
Roque Nublo, the volcanic monolith rising near the island's highest point, is Gran Canaria's most iconic landmark. This guided hike starts at the Roque Nublo car park and follows an easy, well-made path up to the base of the rock, circling it for views over the Tejeda basin, Roque Bentayga and, on clear days, Mount Teide on Tenerife — with a picnic, water and trekking poles included.
The path is short but at altitude, so bring layers and sun protection. If you go on your own, note that since 2025 a free reservation is required between 09:00 and 17:00 and the trailhead car park is closed — you park in Tejeda and take a shuttle bus. Our Roque Nublo guide and best hikes in Gran Canaria guide cover more routes.
V. Maspalomas Dunes: Camel Rides, E-Bikes & Sunset Tours
The Maspalomas dunes, a protected nature reserve of around 400 hectares between Playa del Inglés and the lighthouse, are free to walk on the marked paths — but a guided experience adds something extra. On Expedia you can compare camel rides inside the dunes, guided e-bike tours and two-seater e-scooter sunset tours around Maspalomas and Meloneras.
Stay on the marked paths, which protect the fragile ecosystem, and visit early or around sunset, when the sand is cooler and the light at its best. Our Maspalomas dunes guide covers the walks and the rules of the reserve.
VI. Puerto de Mogán Submarine
A real passenger submarine dives off Puerto de Mogán to a maximum depth of 25 metres, past shipwrecks and marine life, without any change in pressure — so you see the seabed without getting wet. The dive lasts around 40 minutes, with screens showing the manoeuvres and an audio guide in several languages, and guest scores of around 9.0 out of 10 from more than 500 reviews.
It's a great choice for families and non-swimmers, though not suitable for children under two or wheelchair users. Exchange your voucher at the boarding area on the south dock at least 20 minutes before departure, and combine it with an afternoon in the town.
VII. Private Tour of the North: Bandama, Arucas, Agaete & Vegueta
Culture · North of the Island · PrivateThe green north of Gran Canaria is a world away from the southern resorts, and this private tour with a local, certified guide shows its highlights in one day: the Bandama crater viewpoint, the town of Arucas and its botanical garden, a coffee plantation and wine cellar in the Agaete valley with a tasting of local wine, coffee and tapas, and a walk through Vegueta, the historic heart of Las Palmas.
Because it's private, the price is per group rather than per person, which makes it far better value for families and groups of four or more. For more on the capital, see our Las Palmas city guide.
What about Mount Teide? A Teide day trip from Gran Canaria means a long ferry crossing each way from Agaete. If Teide is a priority, consider a few nights on Tenerife — our best excursions in Tenerife guide covers the island's sunset and stargazing tours.
How to Plan Your Excursions
Do You Need a Car?
Not for most tours, which include pick-up. A car helps for the interior and the north — compare car hire.
With Young Children
The dolphin cruise, the Mogán boat trip and the submarine are the easiest. See our Gran Canaria guide for family ideas.
Book Ahead
Popular tours fill up at Christmas, Easter and in summer — book a few days in advance.
Beach Days
Pair half-day tours with time on the sand — see our best beaches in Gran Canaria guide.
Hidden Places
For quieter corners, see our hidden gems of Gran Canaria guide.
Short Trip?
Our 3 days in Gran Canaria itinerary shows how to fit the highlights in.
Getting Around
Buses, taxis and driving tips are in our getting around Gran Canaria guide.
Staying Connected
Signal can be patchy in the mountains — a Yesim eSIM keeps maps and bookings working.
Where to Stay for Easy Excursions
Near Puerto Rico Harbour
Clifftop hotel above Amadores, minutes from the dolphin cruises and boats to Mogán.
Near Puerto de Mogán
Modern five-star around 15 minutes' walk from the harbour and the submarine.
Near the Dunes
Big five-star resort on the Meloneras promenade, with tour pick-ups at the door.
Planning Your Gran Canaria Excursions?
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Our Honest Verdict
If we had to pick three: the dolphin cruise from Puerto Rico for value and families, the jeep tour for the island's dramatic interior, and Puerto de Mogán by boat for an easy, beautiful day out. Add the Roque Nublo hike if you love walking, and the submarine if you're travelling with children.
For the rest of your planning, see our Gran Canaria island guide, Maspalomas dunes guide and Puerto de Mogán guide.