Whale and dolphin watching in Tenerife all year round

Whale and dolphin watching in Tenerife all year round

I’m on board a beautiful sailing boat, enjoying the amazing experience of watching pilot whales close up. They are impressive, very sociable and they glide smoothly alongside the boat. I think they’re delighted to have some visitors!

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Of the 79 whale and dolphin species in the world, 25 are found in the Canary Islands and 21 of them have been spotted in Tenerife’s waters. It’s hard to believe that the chances of seeing pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins are nearly 100%, but it’s true! They live in the waters between the islands of Tenerife and La Gomera and you can usually see them when they come up to the surface to breathe and enjoy the warm rays of sunlight. Watching whales and dolphins in the wild is a wonderful gift you can enjoy in the island all year round thanks to Tenerife’s great weather.

These marine mammals have found paradise in southwest Tenerife, around 3 miles offshore:  crystal clear water, plenty of food, a wind-protected stretch of sea and a mild climate that they love.

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There are many relaxing boat excursions with an expert guide to explain interesting facts about the way of life of these incredible creatures that are able to give birth and suckle their offspring underwater.

There are plenty of companies specialising in whale and dolphin watching trips departing from Los Cristianos harbour (Arona), Puerto Colón (Adeje) and Los Gigantes (Santiago del Teide). Ten companies take part in a quality charter created by the Tenerife Tourism Corporation and are committed to maintaining a high quality service and respecting the environment.

If you’re wondering about whale and dolphin care and preservation, it’s great to hear that the Canary Islands Government put in place Decree 178/2000 (6th September 2000) which regulates whale watching activities and lays down strict measures for boats, crew and visitors to respect the natural habitat of these marine mammals and protect them from any disturbance or threat.

See more at: http://www.webtenerife.co.uk/activities/in-the-sea/whale-and-dolphin-watching/

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