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During one of our outings last month, we were lucky enough to witness a rare sighting: a fin whale. Although we have seen them on different occasions, this time it swam very close to our boat. This allowed us to clearly observe its size and shape as it continued its course through the waters of southern Tenerife.
The fin whale is the second largest animal on the planet, only behind the blue whale. Adults can exceed 20 meters in length and weigh over 50 tons. Despite its size, it is a very fast and efficient species in the water, capable of covering long distances in the open ocean.
Its body is long and sleek, with a small dorsal fin positioned towards the rear of its body. One of its most curious traits is its asymmetrical coloration: the right side of the jaw is usually lighter than the left. This characteristic is unique among large fin whales and helps researchers identify the species when it surfaces.
The fin whale is a species that inhabits all the world’s oceans. In the North Atlantic, there is a population that makes seasonal movements across different ocean areas. Some of these movements include passing through waters near the Canary Islands.
Although it is not a resident species in Tenerife, it is known that fin whales regularly visit the Canary Islands during their movements across the Atlantic. These movements are often related to migratory routes and the search for food, especially in areas where fish and small marine organisms concentrate.
The deep waters surrounding Tenerife and the rest of the archipelago are part of these oceanic routes. For this reason, although sightings are not frequent, every year there are occasional observations of fin whales at different points in the Canary Islands.
Encounters like this remind us of the diversity of species that can appear in the marine environment of southern Tenerife.
Every outing at sea is different. And although many times the protagonists are pilot whales or bottlenose dolphins (resident species), the ocean can surprise us with the presence of great whales like the fin whale, one of the most impressive giants on the planet.
If you want to experience responsible whale watching in Tenerife and discover the diversity of species in these waters, you can check out our daily outings and book your spot on our website.
