Whale and dolphin watching in Tenerife

Few places in Europe let you see whales this easily. Two species stay off the south-west coast all year round: the short-finned pilot whale, which grows to well over 5 metres and weighs up to about 2 tonnes, and the bottlenose dolphin. Because they do not migrate, there is no closed season and no need to plan your holiday around them.

On average, conditions allow a trip on 8 days out of 10, and with the animals living so close to the coast, a short outing is enough, which suits families and anyone new to boats.

Up to 21 species have been recorded around Tenerife, from blue whales to orcas, though most visit only now and then. A few have clearer seasons. Atlantic spotted dolphins are seen most from autumn to late spring, common dolphins mostly in winter and sperm whales mostly in spring.

The view back to the cliffs of Los Gigantes and across the water to La Gomera is part of the outing.

There are three main ports. Los Cristianos and Puerto Colón in Costa Adeje serve the big southern resorts and have the widest choice, from large catamarans to small yachts. Los Gigantes on the west coast adds the sight of its sea cliffs to the trip.

Many tours collect you from your resort, so the port matters less than the boat and the length of the trip. Longer yacht trips add a swim stop and snorkelling.

Look for the Blue Boat flag. It shows the operator holds the official authorisation for whale watching and that its crew can explain what you are seeing. The tourist board publishes a list of licensed boats.

All boats follow the same rules: they keep at least 60 metres from the animals, stay with them for no more than 30 minutes, avoid crowding around a group, and never feed them or let anyone swim with them. Smaller eco trips that promise not to chase the animals are a good fit if you want a quieter, slower encounter.

A yacht trip turns whale watching into a longer outing, with time to swim and snorkel in a sheltered bay. If you would rather see the sea from below without learning to dive, an underwater walk with a helmet is another way in. Either pairs well with an afternoon on the beach in Los Cristianos or Costa Adeje.