Enjoy Whale And Dolphin Watching in Tenerife
The Canary Islands form one of the world’s best regions for observing cetaceans in the wild, and **Tenerife is internationally recognized as one of the top whale-watching hotspots**.
The deep waters between **Tenerife and La Gomera** and the protected **Teno–Rasca Marine Corridor** host resident and migratory species all year round.
From the 79 species existing worldwide, **up to 21 have been recorded around Tenerife**, with several species living here permanently.
Join one of our
dolphin and whale boat trips to experience them in their natural environment.
Echolocation
Dolphins and whales use
echolocation to locate prey and navigate underwater.
For example,
bottlenose dolphins can produce hundreds of clicks per second.
These sound waves travel through the water, bounce off objects, and return, giving the animals precise information about distance, shape, and size.
Short-Finned Pilot Whale (Globicephala Macrorhynchus)
The iconic resident species of Tenerife.
These whales live **year-round** in the south-west of the island and are the species you are almost certain to see on our tours.
Despite their name, pilot whales are actually large oceanic dolphins.
Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops Truncatus)
A stable and very frequently observed resident population lives along Tenerife’s south-west coast.
They are fast, social, and often approach the boats with curiosity.
Atlantic Spotted Dolphin (Stenella Frontalis)
A seasonal species that becomes more common in warmer months.
You can recognize them by their characteristic spotted patterns, which grow more visible with age.
Striped Dolphin (Stenella Coeruleoalba)
Often seen offshore in fast-moving pods.
They are agile, energetic, and known for leaping out of the water at high speed.
Risso’s Dolphin (Grampus Griseus)
Common around Tenerife but rarely mentioned in Tenerife.
Adults have distinctive white scars across their bodies due to social interactions and squid hunting.
Sperm Whale (Physeter Microcephalus)
Occasional but exciting sightings occur offshore.
These giants have the largest brain on Earth and dive deep in search of squid.
Bryde’s Whale (Balaenoptera Edeni)
Spotted at certain times of the year, typically further from shore.
They can be identified by the three distinct ridges on the top of their head.
Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta Caretta)
One of the most common turtles in the Canary Islands.
Often seen basking near the surface during calm days.
Booking Your Whale Watching Tour in Tenerife
Choose from a wide selection of certified and eco-responsible
Tenerife boat trips.
All our partners operate with respect for marine life and follow the official whale-watching guidelines of the Canary Islands.
Sources used for writing this article:
Bottlenose Dolphin Tenerife
Gran Canaria Boat Trips
