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Whale and Dolphin Watching

Tenerife has an endless array of natural treasures that combined with an ideal climate and excellent tourism infrastructure, makes this  island  a  unique  place  for  adventure  breaks  in  a  beautiful  natural setting. The variety of landscapes and microclimates has generated an incredibly diverse flora and fauna, being Tenerife one of places with the richest biodiversity in Europe.
The southern coast of Tenerife is a privileged place for watching whales in the wild as there are permanent pods of dolphins in the  surrounding  waters  year  round.  Bearing  in  mind  they  live so  close  to  the  coast,  Tenerife  has  become  the  top  European destination  in  terms  of  the  number  of  people  that  have  seen whales in the wild.
We  can  find  up  to  21  different  species  in  Tenerife’s  waters; from  the  colossal  blue  whale  to  the  feared  killer  whale.  An opportunity not to be
missed, as there are very few places on this planet offering such a wide variety of species, at such a short distance from your hotel. It’s no wonder why these fascinating creatures attract half a million visitors every year.
For  various  reasons  pilot  whales  and  bottlenose  dolphins  have settled  off  the  south  west  coast  of  Tenerife  and  have  become permanent  inhabitants:  the  food  supply,  which  is  abundant;  the tranquil waters, protected from the trade winds by the mountainous landscape of the island; as well as the good climate and quality of crystal-clear  waters,  have  created  a  paradise  and  ideal  setting  for these marine mammals. Although it is difficult to know the exact number of species that live here, we estimate that the population of pilot whales – between 500 and 600 – is twice the amount of bottlenose dolphins.
Cetaceans,  which  include  whales,  dolphins  and  porpoises,  are marine  mammals  and  are  more  similar  to  humans  than  fish, despite living in the sea. Just like humans, they are warm-blooded and  breathe  oxygen  through  their  lungs,  meaning they  have  to reach the surface for air, which consequently allows visitors to see them in their natural habitat. Cetaceans are fascinating creatures.
They are able to live in the sea, a hostile environment for humans, and  are  extremely  mobile  in  water,  an  enviable  asset. Whale watching offers the opportunity to see these species swim free in the  wild,  a  special  and  memorable  experience  that  shouldn’t be missed in Tenerife.

The difference between whales and dolphins
Generally   speaking,   although   scientifically   incorrect,   a   cetacean   is considered a whale if it is over four metres long, and any other cetaceans
measuring  less  than  4  metres  belong  to  the  dolphin  family.  The  order Cetacea  comprises  two  groups:  toothed  cetaceans  (odontoceti)  and baleen cetaceans or whales (mysticeti). The first group, toothed cetaceans, include dolphins, beaked whales and sperm whales, all of which use their teeth to capture prey, which is then swallowed whole. The mysticeti order of cetaceans, associated with large whales, have plates hanging from the upper  jaw,  allowing  them  to  filter  sea  water  and  capture  food  such  as krill or small fish.

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Whale and Dolphin Watching
Whale and Dolphin Watching