10 Reasons to do Whale Watching in Tenerife
Whales have a reputation for being fierce animals but watching them in the wild is magical. Check out these 5 reasons why whale watching in Tenerife is worth it!
Sailing with the Giants | ©Vasile Cotovanu
Would you like to live a unique experience in the Atlantic Ocean during your trip to Tenerife? Everyone who has had the opportunity to see whales and dolphins in the ocean says it is an amazing and unforgettable experience, join a whale watching cruise in Tenerife and discover it for yourself!
1. Tenerife is home to the first whale sanctuary in Europe
The World Cetacean Alliance established in Tenerife the first marine sanctuary for whales in Europe, where they enjoy the highest environmental protection (the third on the planet after The Bluff in South Africa and Hervey Bay in Australia).
The waters surrounding Tenerife are a world reference to see dolphins and migratory whales, especially at certain times of the year such as spring and winter. For this reason it is relatively easy to observe them in their environment and in particular in the south of the island, in the space that separates La Gomera from Tenerife. Reasons more than enough to take a whale watching cruise in this Canary Island.
So do not think twice and if seeing marine animals in freedom has always been one of your dreams, I recommend you to read the post Whale and dolphin watching in Tenerife where you will find several ideas to fulfill it. It will be an unforgettable memory!
2. You will see whales in the wild and in freedom
The fascinating thing about these whale watching cruises in Tenerife is that unlike the zoo aquariums, in this type of excursions you will see wild dolphins and whales living in total freedom.
It is not the typical organized show where the cetaceans jump and make jokes for the public to have fun following the guidelines of the keepers, but the beauty and authenticity of this experience is that you will set sail on a boat to go to meet them offshore and see them in their own habitat behaving as these creatures normally do in their daily lives.
Even if you are not a big fan of doing excursions to see the local wildlife of a place during your getaways, I am sure that this whale watching excursion in Tenerife in the Atlantic combined with the beautiful landscapes that you will find on your way is exciting enough to become one of your best travel memories.
3. It is a fun and educational experience
This type of activity promises to make you have a sensational time and is also a unique opportunity to dispel old myths about cetaceans, such as that they are fierce and ruthless animals. This is an educational activity where you will be able to see several specimens of wild whales and dolphins as you have never seen them before.
At all times you will be accompanied by a guide or marine biologists who will teach you all about their fascinating behavior and lifestyle and you can even use a hydrophone to hear them communicate. It's amazing!
Everyone will be amazed but I am sure it will be the children who will be the most amazed by the experience. I take this opportunity to suggest that if you go whale watching with the kids do not miss the post Tips for whale and dolphin watching with children in Tenerife.
What will you discover about cetaceans?
During the whale watching cruise in the wild, you will learn many things you may not have known about these amazing sea creatures. To whet your appetite for what awaits you during the excursion, here are some surprising tidbits:
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In Tenerife there are resident populations of pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins, as well as other migrant species.
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After the blue whale, the size of the fin whale makes it the second largest whale on the planet.
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One of the fastest cetaceans is the common dolphin, swimming at almost 45 km/hour!
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Rough-toothed dolphins often come out to breathe in a synchronized group.
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Pilot whales are excellent divers and it is easy to see them resting in the water during the day.
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In Europe, the largest breeding area for bottlenose dolphins is southwest of Tenerife.
What about the bottom of the Tenerife sea?
A whale watching cruise in Tenerife is also a great opportunity to enjoy the landscapes of the island, sunbathe on deck and do some snorkeling to discover the underwater treasures it holds. There is so much to see in the water: turtles, manta rays, fish ... and so on and so forth!
So if you have a little more free time, I recommend investing it in one of these excursions with a more playful side because you'll have twice as much fun and it's well worth it.
4. See beautiful land and sea scenery
To see cetaceans in the wild in Tenerife you have to hire a boat trip, which is a fantastic opportunity to get into the Atlantic and connect with nature by watching the beautiful seascape as if we were just another creature of the ocean. The silence broken only by the waves transmits a sense of calm difficult to describe in words, you have to live it!
Most of the cruises to see whales in Tenerife set sail from the Port of Los Cristianos, Puerto Colon or from the marina of Los Gigantes but if in addition to watching the wildlife you want to enjoy beautiful views of the island, I advise you to choose a cruise that departs from Los Gigantes, as you will have much more likely to see these sea creatures and stunning views of the cliffs from the water during the route.
This is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Tenerife and the height of the cliffs of Los Gigantes at some points exceeds 600 meters, a jewel of nature that is worth seeing!
5. You will get spectacular pictures
If you like photography and nature, a cruise to see cetaceans on the island is a fantastic idea to combine both passions, to spend a different day and get some spectacular photographs, both of the coast of Tenerife and the impressive fauna that inhabits the Atlantic.
Whale and dolphin watching boat trips set sail several times during the day, so whatever time you embark you will have the same opportunities to encounter these marine creatures. However, if you want to take a good report of your trip to Tenerife, to achieve the most beautiful result I recommend you use the morning light to give clarity to the photos.
And if you choose to take advantage of the excursion to also practice some snorkeling, do not forget to use a waterproof case on your cell phone to take some super cool underwater photos of fish, turtles or manta rays swimming around you.