The richness of the seabed of the Canary Islands, the transparency and temperature of its waters, with an average of 19° degrees in winter and 25° in summer, attract many marine animals.
The great advantage of the archipelago compared to other places of observation is that they are not just animals passing through but many of them
live there permanently
.
They are the so-called resident species.
This means that up to thirty different species of cetaceans can be found in the Canary Islands, including the
blue whale and many dolphins
.
Their presence is so frequent that the islands have become the most important place in Europe for their observation in freedom.
Being able to enjoy these animals and contemplate them in their natural habitat is a truly unforgettable experience for the whole family.
In the Canary Islands, six different species of these aquatic mammals can be observed, considered among the most intelligent animals on the planet.
Seeing dolphins in the sea at dawn, from cetacean observation boats or even from some points on the coast, has become a very common experience for tourists and locals.
The largest type of dolphin that exists is very common to find in the waters of the Canaries because the population here is sedentary.
This extremely friendly cetacean always travels in groups, interacting and playing with the other members of its pod.
Their high level of sociability means that it is not uncommon to see them approaching boats.
The sperm whale, which can reach 20 meters, is one of the largest mammals in the world.
In the Canary Islands it is possible to find them, but their sighting is not so common because they usually remain immersed in the depths of the abyss for a long time.
When looking for food, their dives can last 35 minutes and reach up to 3 kilometers to the bottom.
The fin whale belongs to the family of mysticete cetaceans, among these there is also the humpback whale, which inhabits the Canary waters and can reach 16 meters in length.
Thanks to their particular shape, they are easily recognisable.
In addition to their "beard", they have a very characteristic hump that distinguishes them from the rest of the cetaceans.
The boats authorized for the observation and sighting of cetaceans, with which it is possible to organize excursions to admire dolphins and whales, are characterized by the "
Blue Boat
" brand, a symbol that indicates compliance with the regulations that ensure respectful treatment of marine reserves and guarantee the protection of cetaceans living around the Canary Islands.
The west coast of Tenerife was declared a Heritage Site for the Conservation and Protection of Whales (Whale Heritage Sites – WHS) in 2021.
It is the first European marine area to obtain this recognition and to be awarded the Responsible Watching certification by the World Cetacean Alliance.
Tourists who want to experience the observation of cetaceans in their natural habitat must always follow the recommendations of the expert guides who accompany visitors to discover the marine environment and its wonderful fauna.
For those who wish to discover other secrets of the aquatic environments in the Canary Islands, they can visit some very high-level aquariums such as the Acuario Poema del Mar in the port of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and the Lanzarote Aquarium in Costa Teguise, in the east of the island of Lanzarote .
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