This article will showcase the top spots for embarking on a whale or dolphin watching tour from Tenerife. We’ll cover key departure points like Los Gigantes, Puerto Colon, and Los Cristianos that are renowned for frequent sightings. Read on for an overview of the prime locations to spot whales and dolphins in their natural habitat on a boat tour from Tenerife.
Why Go Whale Watching in Tenerife?
Tenerife is one of the best places in Europe for whale watching for several reasons:
- Prime location – Tenerife sits along the migration path of many whale and dolphin species moving between Atlantic waters and the Mediterranean Sea.
- Whale abundance – At least 28 species of whales and dolphins have been identified around the Canary Islands. Key species like pilot whales, sperm whales, and bottlenose dolphins are frequently sighted around Tenerife.
- Year-round sightings – Whales and dolphins can be spotted offshore Tenerife during every season, with peak sightings in spring and autumn.
- Protected status – Parts of Tenerife’s coastline are protected conservation areas for whales and dolphins. Responsible tour companies follow strict guidelines.
- Ideal conditions – The warm, calm waters around Tenerife make it easier to spot cetaceans. The weather is mild year-round.
Tenerife is arguably the best destination in Europe for your chance to see whales and dolphins in the wild. Joining a responsible eco tour is the most sustainable way to have this special experience.
Where to See Whales and Dolphins in Tenerife
Tenerife offers exceptional whale and dolphin watching opportunities due to its prime location along cetacean migration routes. There are several key departure points around the island for whale watching tours. The two most popular places to see whales and dolphins in Tenerife are:
Los Gigantes
Los Gigantes, on the western side of Tenerife, is considered one of the best places for whale watching. The waters off Los Gigantes sit right along the migration path for numerous whale species moving between the Atlantic and Mediterranean. The steep underwater cliffs create upwelling that attracts marine life. Dolphins, pilot whales, and sperm whales are regularly spotted on tours departing from Los Gigantes. The towering cliffs of Los Gigantes provide a dramatic backdrop to the whale watching experience.
Puerto Colón
Puerto Colón in Costa Adeje is the most popular departure point on the southern coast of Tenerife for whale and dolphin watching tours. This area benefits from protected waters and a constant presence of cetaceans drawn to the food-rich area. Many tour operators are based in Puerto Colón. Bottlenose dolphins, pilot whales, and several dolphin species are commonly seen on excursions heading offshore from Puerto Colón. It provides easy access for those staying in the busy tourist centers of Costa Adeje and Playa de las Américas.
Other departure points like Los Cristianos are also options, but Los Gigantes and Puerto Colón provide the most reliable whale and dolphin sightings from Tenerife. Booking a responsible tour from one of these two locations will maximize your chances of having a wonderful whale encounter during your time in Tenerife.
What Species Might You See on a Whale Watching Tour in Tenerife?
The waters around Tenerife are home to a diverse range of cetacean species. Whale watching tours offer the chance to observe some remarkable whales, dolphins, and porpoises in their natural habitat. Here are some of the key species to keep an eye out for during your Tenerife whale watching experience:
Pilot Whales
Short-finned pilot whales are one of the most frequently spotted cetaceans around Tenerife. These large, robust whales reach up to 20 feet (6 m) in length and are identifiable by their bulbous melon head and falcon-like dorsal fin. Pilot whales feed on squid and deep-sea fish and make dives of up to 15 minutes hunting their prey. They live in matrilineal pods of between 20–50 individuals. It’s common to see pods of pilot whales off Tenerife’s southwest coast.
Bottlenose Dolphins
Bottlenose dolphins are often seen riding the bow wave as tour boats depart from harbors like Los Cristianos and Los Gigantes. These intelligent and acrobatic dolphins grow up to 12 feet (3.6 m) long and weigh up to 1,400 lbs (550 kg). Bottlenose dolphins live in fluid fission-fusion societies with pod sizes ranging from 2–15 members. They feed on fish and squid in the shallow coastal waters of Tenerife year-round.
Sperm Whales
On rare occasions, sperm whales are spotted on offshore whale watching tours, especially in spring. These massive whales reach 52 feet (16 m) in length and dive over 2,000 meters to hunt giant squid. Sperm whales make a blow angled forward and to the left and have a wrinkled appearance. They tend to be solitary, only gathering in family units of females and calves.
Orcas
Seeing orcas or killer whales is an extraordinary event on Tenerife whale watching tours. Orcas have distinctive black and white patterning and large dorsal fins. They reach 30 feet (9m) in length and weigh up to 6 tons. While not residents of the Canary Islands, orcas occasionally pass through the waters when migrating or searching for food.
Striped Dolphins
During summer months, pods of hundreds of striped dolphins may be observed migrating past Tenerife. These slender dolphins reach 8 feet (2.5 m) in length and have gray bodies with distinctive white stripes along their sides. Striped dolphins feed on small fish and squid near the surface, often making high leaps and bow riding on boats.
Bryde’s Whales
Bryde’s whales are year-round residents around the Canary Islands. They grow to 55 feet (16 m) and are identifiable by three parallel ridges on their long rostrum. Bryde’s whales feed on small fish like anchovies, sardines, and mackerel. They are sometimes spotted on tours, competing for food with dolphins and seabirds.
Other rare sightings may include beaked whales, humpback whales, blue whales, and various dolphin species that pass through the nutrient-rich waters surrounding Tenerife. Whale watching tours provide spectacular diversity!
How to Choose a Responsible Whale Watching Tour in Tenerife
Whale watching has become an increasingly popular activity in Tenerife, with dozens of tour operators now offering excursions. However, not all of these companies follow responsible practices that ensure the welfare of whales and dolphins. When selecting a whale watching tour, it’s important to choose an ethical operator. Here are the key signs of a responsible Tenerife whale watching company:
Small vessel size – Responsible companies use smaller rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIBs) that produce less noise and disturbance compared to large catamarans packed with tourists. Opt for a boat holding 12 passengers or fewer.
Four-stroke engines – Ethical operators use quiet four-stroke outboard motors rather than noisy two-stroke engines. This reduces noise pollution that can disrupt natural behaviors.
Experienced captains – The captain should have extensive experience navigating near whales and dolphins responsibly. Skilled captains can position the vessel appropriately to minimize disturbance.
Trained guides – Reputable companies employ marine biologists or specially trained naturalists to provide educational, insightful narration during your tour. Knowledgeable guides ensure passengers behave responsibly around whales.
Pod limits – Responsible operators limit the number of vessels allowed to approach a pod of dolphins or whales at one time. Coordinating takes turns viewing cetaceans prevents harassment.
Safe distances – The boat should maintain distances of at least 100 meters from whales and 50 meters from dolphins to avoid disrupting their activities. Responsible companies do not offer swimming with wild cetaceans.
Conservation support – Ethical tour providers donate a portion of proceeds to cetacean research and conservation efforts to protect whales and dolphins.
Morning tours – Schedule tours in the morning when ocean conditions are calmer for better visibility and animal activity. Afternoon winds can create choppy seas.
Booking through a reputable whale watching company that follows these responsible practices ensures you can have an outstanding whale encounter in Tenerife without negative impacts.
What Will You Experience During a Whale Watching Tour?
Whale watching tours in Tenerife allow you to spend several hours off the coast looking for whales and dolphins in their ocean habitat. Here’s what to expect during your whale and dolphin watching excursion:
- Departure – Trips depart from Tenerife’s major coastal towns, most commonly Los Gigantes, Los Cristianos or Puerto Colon. Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure to check in.
- Safety briefing – Crew will provide instructions on boat safety and discuss rules for observing whales responsibly.
- Leaving port – The boat will sail out of the shelter harbor, searching for areas whales and dolphins congregate.
- Spotting whales – Guides will scan the ocean looking for telltale blows, fins, or splashing. The boat slows down once cetaceans are spotted.
- Whale watching – You’ll turn off the engines and float nearby while whales or dolphins pass by. Your guide will identify the species and describe interesting behaviors.
- Dolphin watch – Spotting dolphins is common. The boat may follow from a safe distance if dolphins ride the bow wave.
- Light refreshments – Most tours offer complimentary drinks and snacks while you stay on the lookout for more marine life sightings.
- Return to port – The boat heads back to harbor once the tour time concludes, keeping watch for any last-minute whale or dolphin sightings along the way.
Whale watching tours offer an exciting way to see whales and dolphins up-close in their ocean environment. Having an expert guide on board maximizes your chances of an unforgettable sighting. Tours conclude with passengers thrilled at the opportunity to observe these magnificent marine mammals in the wild.
Key Tips for Your Whale Watching Adventure in Tenerife
Going on a whale watching tour in Tenerife is an incredible experience. Here are some key tips to make sure you have a great excursion viewing these remarkable cetaceans:
Dress warmly – Even during summer, the ocean winds can make the boat deck quite cool. Bring windproof outer layers, hats, and gloves, so you stay comfortable while scanning for whale blows.
Use binoculars – Spotting whales and dolphins is much easier with binoculars or cameras with zoom lenses. Borrow or rent binoculars if you don’t have your own.
Read up on whales – Studying images of the whales and dolphins found near Tenerife will help you recognize fins, spouts, breaches, and blows. The guides will also teach you what to look for.
Follow instructions – Listen to all directives from the captain and guide about safe positioning on the boat deck and respectful behavior around whales. No reaching out to touch cetaceans.
Limit noise – Keep voices low and avoid sudden loud noises that could startle whales and dolphins as you approach. Silence your cell phone ringer.
No flash photography – Turn off camera flash and strobe lighting when photographing whales and dolphins, as the lights can distress them.
Watch leaping etiquette – Never shout or clap loudly if whales or dolphins make spectacular breaches or jumps nearby that excite passengers. Keep calm.
Capture memories – Taking photos or videos helps you remember the magical experience of seeing whales up close. But stay focused on the natural encounter rather than just device screens.
Following these whale watching etiquette tips ensures you have a fantastic, responsible tour in Tenerife focused on observing whales exhibiting natural behaviors in the wild.
Enjoy a Unique Whale Watching Opportunity in Tenerife
Whale and dolphin watching tours allow you to glimpse some of the planet’s most impressive marine animals in their ocean environment. Tenerife is one of the premier destinations for responsible whale watching in Europe. No prior experience is needed to join a guided excursion that searches for whales and provides education on their conservation.
This special encounter will leave you with lasting memories and a sense of wonder at whales and dolphins spotted in the wild. By choosing a responsible tour operator, you can ensure your whale watching adventure has a minimal footprint while bringing you closer to these charismatic cetaceans. Don’t miss your chance to see whales and dolphins on your next trip to Tenerife!
Summary of Key Points
Whale watching in Tenerife provides a unique opportunity to observe some of the ocean’s most impressive mammals in their natural habitat. The island’s location along cetacean migration routes means a diversity of whales and dolphins can be spotted through responsible and educational tours. While resident pilot whales and dolphins are seen year-round, different seasonal visitors offer constantly changing sightings.
Joining a tour from recommended departure points allows you to search Tenerife’s cetacean-rich waters under the guidance of expert captains and guides. Following responsible practices focused on minimizing disturbance ensures the whales continue to thrive in these waters for future generations to enjoy. Respectful tours give you the chance to learn about and connect with these intelligent creatures.
From pilot whales to orcas, Tenerife delivers amazing whale watching. Seeing these marine mammals up close as they feed, socialize, and breach is a remarkable experience and a vacation highlight. Don’t miss your opportunity to book an eco-friendly whale watching adventure in Tenerife.
