Discovering Whales and Dolphins in Canet-en-Roussillon Observing marine wildlife in the Mediterranean Sea

Whale and dolphin watching in Canet-en-Roussillon: A Mediterranean odyssey

Set sail for an exceptional 10-hour adventure and discover the most beautiful marine treasures in the heart of a Marine Protected Area . Whale and dolphin watching departing from Canet-en-Roussillon will immediately immerse you in the deep blue sea . This cruise takes you into a world as fascinating as it is mysterious: that of marine mammals and other open-sea wildlife. During this naturalist exploration , you'll actively search for these giants of the sea. But you'll also enjoy an educational presentation and continuous nature activities. To extend this experience , our team will send you an electronic report including photographs from the day. You can then download these reports and observation photos directly from this website a few days after your sea excursion.

An encounter in the heart of the ocean trenches

As we reach the deep ocean trenches off the coast of the Pyrénées-Orientales, the coastline gives way to the continental and abyssal slopes of the Gulf of Lion Marine Natural Park . Therefore, during this whale and dolphin watching cruise in Canet , you'll admire various species of cetaceans, both resident and migratory. For example, you might encounter the striped dolphin, the bottlenose dolphin, Risso's dolphin, the long-finned pilot whale, or even the impressive fin whale. The fin whale, in fact, is the second largest animal on Earth! This whale arrives in our waters every spring to feed on zooplankton. This sea excursion reveals the rich local biodiversity, including sunfish, mobula rays, sharks, and seabirds.

Respectful and certified navigation

The crew of the NAVIVOILE and our naturalist guide put their extensive experience at your service to ensure a safe and enjoyable journey out to sea. At the same time, we place the respect of our marine guests at the forefront of our priorities. This is why we proudly display the "High Quality Whale-Watching®" label . Therefore, every approach we take protects wildlife and adheres to a strict code of conduct. In short, we guarantee undisturbed observation of wildlife.

Navivoile & The Peoples of the Sea: the sea speaks to you

Experience a sonic adventure in the heart of the canyons and actively participate in citizen science . Between April and October 2026, Navivoile is supporting scientific research by hosting bioacousticians from the NGO "Les Peuples de la Mer" (Peoples of the Sea) . Furthermore, this immersion in the soundscape of dolphins and whales will enrich your sailing experience on the canyons of the Gulf of Lion. On board, you'll follow live acoustic recordings from the national PAMCéClass program , led by the French Biodiversity Office (OFB), ENSTA ParisTech, and BIOTOPE . In addition, our naturalist will introduce you to cetacean behavior and communication. Ultimately, this outing combines emotion, knowledge, and civic engagement: KNOW TO PROTECT.

Statistics and immersion in a natural environment

Moreover, the catamaran boasts a 99% success rate in our observations. In fact, we've seen a 100% rate for the last two years! However, since we encounter wild animals in an open environment, our team can never guarantee a sighting every time. Nevertheless, each boat trip in Canet creates a unique human adventure. In conclusion, whether you're with friends or on a family outing , this catamaran excursion offers a memorable experience amidst breathtaking scenery.

Book your whale and dolphin watching cruise in Canet.

Price per passenger

• Adult (from 18 years old)

  98 €

• Teenager / Student (13 17 to years)

  89 €

• Child (2 12 to years)

  71 €

• Baby (under 2)

  Offer form

Prices shown include VAT (All Taxes Included)

⚠️ Advice for families: Due to the duration of this cruise (10 hours of sailing), parents are strongly advised not to register children under 8 years old in order to guarantee their comfort and well-being on board.

High season (July and August)

• Period : From 04/07 to 30/08/2026
• Release day: Each Saturday
• Start Point: 09:00 am from Canet-en-Roussillon
• Return: 19:00 PM in Canet-en-Roussillon

Low season (April, May, June, September and October)

• Period : From 18/04 to 03/07 and from 31/08 to 04/10/2026
• Release day: Usually on Saturdays, Sundays or public holidays
• Start Point: 09:00 am from Canet-en-Roussillon
• Return: 19:00 PM in Canet-en-Roussillon

Payment methods

• Online booking : It is not mandatory to print your "order form". You can simply write down the reservation name and order number on a piece of paper.
• Accepted payment methods: Credit card (ticket office and website), Cash, (1) ANCV paper holiday vouchers (ticket office only) and (2) ANCV Connect Holiday Vouchers. Bank checks are not accepted.

(1) ANCV paper holiday vouchers:

If you are not in town, we invite you to make an online reservation by credit card. Upon boarding, you will then present your paper ANCV holiday vouchers . A few days after boarding, we will process the refund of the initial card payment (minus the 3,5% commission). Simply specify this in the "comments" section when making your reservation. In the event of a cancellation without the possibility of rescheduling, we will return your paper ANCV holiday vouchers to you.

(2) ANCV Connect Holiday Vouchers:

Available on the website or at the ticket office. In case of cruise cancellation without the possibility of rescheduling, two options are available: a voucher valid for 18 months or a refund by bank transfer (please provide your bank details) – note that a 3,5% commission will be deducted from the amount paid.

What to expect & Health tips

• Equipment: Bring sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, and a windbreaker. Don't forget your charged camera! For observing the sea, binoculars are useful for scanning the horizon.
• Hydration: Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are available for purchase on board. Excessive alcohol consumption is dangerous to your health; please drink responsibly.
• Seasickness: We strongly recommend that people prone to seasickness take an anti-nausea medication (such as Mercalm 30 minutes beforehand or Cocculine the day before). Have a substantial breakfast, avoid fatty foods, and spend time outdoors.

Onboard Restaurant & Bar

For your comfort, a Snack-Bar and light catering service is open at all times on all our cruises.

• Picnic : Allowed under the client's responsibility (hygiene). Bringing outside drinks (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) on board is not permitted.
• Hydration: As an exception, you are allowed to bring your own personal water bottles. Important note: The water available at the ship's toilets and water points is not potable. Fresh mineral water is available for purchase at the bar.
• By booking this cruise, the customer agrees to comply with these safety and hygiene instructions on board.

Accessibility and Family

• Accompaniment: Children under 12 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.
• Disability: For people using wheelchairs, please note that the toilets are not wheelchair accessible, as they are too narrow.

Safety instructions on board

• Tobacco: In accordance with decree 2006-1386, smoking is prohibited on the decks and in the gondola (for fire safety and comfort reasons). An ashtray is available at the rear, near the toilets: smoking is permitted within a 2-meter radius, provided it does not disturb other passengers. Never throw ashes or cigarette butts on the deck or into the sea. Vaping is permitted ONLY on the outside decks.
• Behavior : Running or jumping on the nets is prohibited. Remove your shoes before climbing onto the nets (max 6 people/net). Always hold on with one hand (“one hand for yourself, one hand for the boat”).
• Swimming: Not permitted on this cruise. Furthermore, swimming with cetaceans in a marine protected area is strictly prohibited and severely punished by law.

Parking in Canet-en-Roussillon

The PORT/ONIRIA car parks are the closest to the ferry terminal. They are subject to a fee in June and September (9:00-12:00 and 14:00-20:00) and in July and August (9:00-00:24) – located between 50 and 100 meters away (a 2-minute walk). The city of Canet has implemented a new mobile parking payment service using the Flowbird app . Outside of these periods, from June 1st to September 30th, the PORT/ONIRIA car parks are free.

Tips for paying less for parking from June 1st to September 30th:

• Park along theCaptain Delestrain Avenue (towards Le Brasilia campsite) then use the Pass'Port Shuttle (€0,50/trip).
• "Santorini" parking lot : Free, located 1200m from the pier (17 min walk).

⚠️ PARKING INFORMATION: During the Sea and Fishermen's Festival (August 12-15) , access and parking conditions (temporary restrictions) around the PORT/ONIRIA parking lots will be modified by municipal decree. We advise you to disregard certain signs or familiar navigation systems (especially on your GPS ) and to use the Santorin Parking lot to ensure a smooth boarding experience.

Exit conditions

• Weather & Technical: Changes to the program may occur depending on the weather or any technical problems encountered.
• Cancellation: In the event of cancellation on our part, the outing will either be postponed or fully refunded.
• Absence : Any passenger who is absent at the precise departure time will not be reimbursed.