When is the best time to see whales (and dolphins) in Tenerife?

The Tenerife Whale Watching Season. Summertime is “Baby Time” for our Resident Cetaceans

The Tenerife whale watching season lasts all year round. Costa Adeje, on the southern coast of Tenerife, is home to large resident populations of Pilot whales and Bottlenose dolphins. These resident populations can be observed on our small group tours 365 days a year. This is one of the best things about the whale watching season in Tenerife – every day is a great day to go whale watching!

As well as the resident Pilot whales and Bottlenose dolphins, there are also different species of whales and dolphins we encounter with varying frequency. These are both migratory and pelagic (open ocean) species that pass through the deep ocean channel that runs along Costa Adeje. During the 2018 and 2023 Tenerife whale watching seasons, we encountered 17 different species of cetaceans.

enerife whale and dolphin watching group tour

The resident Pilot whales are seen on 99% of our tours and Bottlenose dolphins are seen over 70% of the time. There are resident Sperm whales in the Canary Islands archipelago and are usually seen a few days per month. The Bryde’s Whale is another known resident species of the islands. This is the only species of baleen whale not currently known to migrate. There are also Fin whales that have been identified as regularly visiting the archipelago, and it is possible they reside here year round as well. The best time to catch a glimpse of migrating baleen whales is during the winter and early spring months, but it is a matter of luck! Migrating baleen whales seen off Costa Adeje include; Fin whales, Humpback whales, Sei whales, Blue whales and Minke whales – listed in order of frequency with which they have been seen on our tours.

Throughout the year there are also different species of dolphins that can be encountered. Atlantic Spotted dolphins are the third most commonly observed cetacean species on almost 45% of our trips. We also see Common dolphins, Striped dolphins, Rough-toothed dolphins, Risso’s dolphins and Frasers dolphins, here listed in descending order of how frequently we observe them.

So join us and meet the resident Pilot whales and Bottlenose dolphins that live here all year round. We may encounter other cetacean species, possibly sea turtles and typically several species of marine birds as well. Tenerife is an incredible place for whale watching. We look forward to welcoming you on board.

Tenerife’s Year-Round Marine Species

Would you like to discover which species can be spotted in Tenerife throughout the year?

This chart clearly and visually shows the cetaceans that can be observed in each season, including both the great baleen whales and the different dolphin species that visit our waters at various times of the year. 🌊🐋

At Whale Watch Tenerife, we carefully record sightings of cetaceans and marine reptiles throughout the year to better understand the dynamics of the species that inhabit or visit the waters of southwest Tenerife, within the protected Teno-Rasca area — one of the most important regions in Europe for responsible marine wildlife observation.

The following charts show the monthly evolution of sightings in 2023, 2024, and 2025, allowing us to visualize patterns, seasons, and year-to-year variations.

In the 2023 chart, we can observe the constant presence of resident species such as the short-finned pilot whale and the bottlenose dolphin, which can be found year-round thanks to favorable oceanographic conditions and the abundance of food in the deep waters.

Encounters with spotted dolphins, beaked whales, and sperm whales were also recorded during certain months, reflecting the richness and diversity of Tenerife’s marine ecosystem.

The loggerhead turtle appears consistently as well, reminding us of the importance of these waters as a feeding and transit area.

The 2024 chart shows interesting variability, with some peaks in sightings of less frequent species such as false killer whales or striped dolphins, as well as occasional records of large whales like fin whales or humpback whales.

These data highlight how each year can offer unique sighting opportunities, influenced by factors such as currents, water temperature, and prey availability.

In 2025, we once again see the stability of resident species alongside the occasional appearance of oceanic visitors, including notable encounters with orcas and large whales.

These records underscore the scientific and educational value of whale watching in Tenerife, as well as the importance of conducting excursions responsibly and following best practices to minimize impact on the animals.

Analyzing this data not only allows us to enhance the experience of those who visit us, but also to contribute to the knowledge and conservation of cetaceans in the Canary Islands.

Every trip out to sea is different, and although sightings can never be guaranteed, the combination of resident and migratory species makes Tenerife one of the best destinations in the world for year-round whale watching in the wild.

If you would like to experience this firsthand and learn about marine biodiversity while sailing in a privileged environment, we invite you to book an excursion with us at https://whalewatchtenerife.org/tour-list/ and discover why these waters are a true sanctuary for whales, dolphins, and turtles.

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We specialise in Tenerife whale and dolphin watching tours – we are a Tenerife Blue Flag Certified Whale Watching Organisation. From our custom built whale watching boat to our dedicated staff of Biologists Whale Watch Tenerife offers the most complete, thrilling and respectful tours to observe the whales and dolphins along Costa Adeje. We offer year round whale watching trips from the Puerto Colón Marina, Tenerife.