Whale watching in Tenerife is one of the most special experiences the island has to offer. Its waters are home to cetacean populations throughout the year, making the south of Tenerife a privileged place to observe them in the wild and in their natural habitat.

But where is the best place to see whales in Tenerife? Is there a particularly good time of year? And what species might you encounter during a trip out to sea? Here is everything you need to know before going whale watching in Tenerife.

Where can you see whales in Tenerife?

The southwest coast of Tenerife is the island’s main whale-watching area. The waters between Tenerife and La Gomera provide particularly favourable conditions for numerous species and are home to resident populations that can be observed throughout the year.

Puerto Colón, in Costa Adeje, is one of the main departure points for whale-watching tours in Tenerife. From here, it takes only a short time to reach the areas regularly frequented by cetaceans, without the need for long journeys at sea.

This stretch of ocean is also part of Europe’s first Whale Heritage Site, an international recognition of the area’s importance for responsible whale and dolphin watching.

What is the best time of year for whale watching in Tenerife?

One of the great advantages of Tenerife is that there is no single whale-watching season. Cetaceans can be observed during all twelve months of the year, mainly thanks to the presence of resident species.

Pilot whales are among the most iconic inhabitants of these waters, along with bottlenose dolphins. Depending on the time of year and the animals’ natural movements, other species may also be spotted during our trips, including Atlantic spotted dolphins, striped dolphins, sperm whales, beaked whales and even baleen whales such as rorquals.

Of course, these are wild animals living freely in their natural environment. For this reason, no sighting should ever be considered scheduled or guaranteed, and that is precisely part of what makes every trip so exciting.

Delfines Tenerife

What is a whale-watching tour in Tenerife like?

Choosing the right boat and type of excursion is important. Small groups provide a quieter, more personal experience and also make it easier to interact with the guides and learn more about the animals.

At Whale Watch Tenerife, we depart from Puerto Colón on boats carrying a maximum of 10 passengers. Our tours last approximately two hours and are accompanied by biologist guides, who help identify the different species and provide a better understanding of their behaviour.

During the trip, we also use a hydrophone whenever conditions allow. This tool gives us access to another fascinating part of the cetacean world: their sounds and underwater communication.

Responsible whale and dolphin watching

Whale watching in Tenerife is not simply about finding the animals. How we approach them matters too. Keeping an appropriate distance, approaching at a reduced speed, respecting their direction of travel and avoiding any interference with their natural behaviour are fundamental principles of responsible whale watching.

Every trip is different because the ocean is different every day. And that is probably the best part of heading out to observe cetaceans in the wild: we never know exactly what we are going to find.

Experience it for yourself by booking your private or group tour directly through our website: whalewatchtenerife.org

You can also follow our latest sightings on our Instagram account.