At the end of August, during one of the three tours we ran on a Saturday, our passengers aboard Whale Watch Tenerife experienced one of those moments that remind us why the ocean is so special.

As we sailed offshore in search of pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins, which often accompany us on our tours, two massive silhouettes suddenly appeared on the surface. To everyone’s surprise, we had encountered humpback whales.

Humpbacks are not regular visitors in Tenerife. Unlike the pilot whales that reside year-round in our waters, these ocean giants are great travelers. Each season they migrate thousands of kilometers between their breeding and feeding grounds, so finding them in the Canary Islands is always an unexpected gift.

Reaching up to 15 meters in length, humpback whales are unmistakable for their robust bodies, long pectoral fins, and the characteristic shape of their dorsal fin. But perhaps their most iconic feature is their tail, or “fluke.”

The underside of the tail displays patterns and markings unique to each individual, like a fingerprint. Thanks to these, scientists can identify each whale and track their migrations across oceans.

During that Saturday’s sighting, we were fortunate to capture several moments as the humpbacks gracefully dove into the depths. Watching them lift their fluke high above the water before disappearing is pure magic.

Our passengers were amazed: some in awed silence, others clicking their cameras non-stop, fully aware they were witnessing a truly extraordinary experience.

For our team, these encounters are just as exciting as they are for our visitors. We never take them for granted.

Every tour is different: sometimes we sail alongside playful groups of dolphins, other days with families of pilot whales, and on special occasions like that Saturday, travelers from distant places appear majestic humpback whales. That unpredictability is part of what makes each trip unique and unrepeatable.

We want to thank everyone who joined us that Saturday and shared this unforgettable experience.

And if you haven’t yet set sail with us, we invite you to come aboard, you never know what surprise might be waiting just beyond the horizon.

 

Daily tours at 9:30 am, 12 pm and 2:30 pm
Maximum 11 passengers

Bookings at whalewatchtenerife.org