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Whales in Tenerife: A complete guide to species, spotting, and season

Picture this: You're on the deck of a catamaran, feeling the cool Atlantic breeze on your face as the dramatic cliffs of Los Gigantes rise up from the coastline. The water's calm when suddenly someone spots movement,  a dark shape breaking the surface in the distance. Your heart races as a whale surfaces to breathe, its massive body rolling through the water just meters away. It's one of those moments you'll be telling people about for years where you also get to witness a live-action documentary in the middle of the Atlantic.

Here’s your ultimate guide to whales in Tenerife—resident species, migratory visitors, spotting tips, and fascinating whale facts that make every sighting unforgettable.

Resident whales you can see year-round

Tenerife is home to 3 resident whale species, including the world’s largest population of pilot whales, making it one of Europe’s premier whale-watching destinations. Check the whale season calendar before you sail.

Short-finned pilot whales swimming in a sea panorama with distant mountains.

Short-finned Pilot Whales

When to see: All year round

Spotting tips: Look for large, bulbous heads and smooth black backs moving in unison. Pods almost always travel together.

Behavior and social life:

  • Extremely social, forming tight-knit pods.
  • Communicate with clicks and whistles to coordinate hunting and social activities.
  • Sometimes strand themselves in groups if one member is sick.

Hunting: Feed mainly on squid and small fish, often diving 600+ meters.

Fun facts: Can live up to 45 years; display coordinated dances when swimming in pods.

Blainville beaked whale surfacing during Tenerife whale watching tour.

Blainville’s Beaked Whales

When to see: All year round, though sightings are rare due to their deep-diving habits.

Spotting tips: Recognizable by their arched lower jaw and visible tusks in males; they surface quietly and briefly before deep dives.

Behavior and social life:

  • Usually found in small groups of 3–7 individuals.
  • Shy and elusive, they tend to avoid boats.

Hunting: Expert deep divers, they hunt squid and deep-sea fish using powerful suction feeding at depths of over 1,000 meters.

Fun facts: Can stay underwater for more than an hour; one of the deepest-diving marine mammals ever recorded.

Sperm whale swimming in the ocean at tenerife

Sperm Whales

When to see: More frequent sightings from December to April

Spotting tips: Look for angled blows and large tail flukes when diving.

Behavior and social life:

  • Females and calves form matriarchal pods; adult males are more likely to stay solitary.
  • They use complex vocalizations (clicks) for echolocation and communication.

Hunting: Deep divers hunt squid up to 1,000 meters below the surface.

Fun facts: Adults can reach 20 meters; dives can last up to 90 minutes.

The best way to see whales!

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Migratory whale visitors

Tenerife also serves as a stop-over for migratory species passing through Atlantic routes.

Sperm whale breaching ocean surface in a dramatic leap.

Fin Whales

The second-largest whale species in the world, fin whales, glide gracefully through Tenerife’s waters. During their long migratory journeys, they feed mainly on krill and small fish.

Best time to see: July to October

Blue whale breaching ocean waters in Tenerife.

Blue Whales

Blue whales are the largest animals on Earth, occasionally passing Tenerife during migration. Their massive size and serene movements make sightings truly awe-inspiring.

Best time to see: August to October (rare sightings)

Humpback whales exhaling water in the ocean.

Humpback Whales

Humpbacks are famous for their spectacular breaches and haunting underwater songs. They pass Tenerife on migration routes, often visible near the surface, feeding or traveling in small groups.

Best time to see: February to April

Orca jumping out of the water in a marine show.

Orcas (Killer Whales)

Orcas are rare visitors, traveling in tight-knit pods and hunting cooperatively. Their striking black-and-white patterns and tall dorsal fins make them instantly recognizable.

Best time to see: December to February (very rare sightings)

​About dolphins in Tenerife

Other marine stars you might spot

Bottlenose dolphins

Bottlenose Dolphins

Bottlenose dolphins are playful and acrobatic; they are often spotted riding boat wakes or leaping from the water. Their friendly nature and curiosity make them a favorite among whale-watching visitors.

Bottlenose dolphin leaping from ocean in Tenerife.
Striped dolphins leaping in Tenerife ocean waters.
Snorkeler swimming with a sea turtle in Tenerife waters.
Manta rays swimming

Whale behaviors to watch out for

Humpback whale breaching in the ocean near Tenerife.
Humpback whale's tail and seabirds on a whale watching tour in tenerife.
Catamaran sailing in Tenerife waters with whales visible in the distance.
Sperm whale swimming in deep blue ocean waters.
People on a boat watching a whale spy hopping in the ocean.
Tourists on a boat watching whales in tenerife
Whales surface feeding in Tenerife, surrounded by seagulls and bubble net formations.
Short-finned pilot whales swimming in a sea panorama with distant mountains.
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Breaching

When a whale launches its massive body out of the water and crashes back down, it’s called a breach. This dramatic display can be a form of communication, play, or a way to remove parasites from their skin. Breaches are most common with humpbacks and pilot whales.

Tail slaps

A whale slapping its tail on the water creates a loud splash that can be heard for miles. Tail slaps serve multiple purposes: signaling other whales, showing dominance, or simply playing. Keep an eye out for the distinctive “whale wave” from sperm whales and pilot whales.

Pod coordination

Short-finned pilot whales and other social species move in synchronized pods, gliding like a well-rehearsed dance troupe.

Deep dives and fluke displays

Sperm whales and Bryde’s whales often perform dramatic deep dives, raising their massive tail flukes before disappearing beneath the surface. This is a good clue that they are heading to hunt in the deep ocean.

Spy hopping

Occasionally, whales, especially sperm whales or orcas, will lift their heads vertically out of the water to “look around.” This behavior, called spy hopping, allows them to observe their surroundings above the waterline.

Play

Whales often engage in social behaviors such as rubbing against each other, swimming closely in pods, or even gentle nudges between mothers and calves. Playful interactions are most commonly observed in pilot whales and humpbacks.

Surface Feeding

Some species, like Bryde’s whales or humpbacks, use coordinated surface feeding strategies. Watch for “bubble nets” or whales circling schools of fish near the surface—a fascinating example of teamwork and intelligence in the wild.

Vocalizations

Though you may not always hear it from a boat, whales communicate constantly with clicks, whistles, and songs. Pilot whales and sperm whales use echolocation clicks to navigate and hunt, while humpbacks produce long, melodic songs that can travel miles underwater.

Frequently asked questions and answers about whales in Tenerife

When is the best time for whale watching in Tenerife?

Resident species like pilot whales and dolphins are visible year-round. Migratory species like sperm whales appear mainly from December to April, humpbacks from February to April, and orcas from December to February.

How can I identify different species?

Check dorsal fin shapes, size, and coloration. Pilot whales are larger with bulbous heads, while bottlenose dolphins are sleeker and smaller. Expert guides can help too.

What is the chance of spotting whales and dolphins in Tenerife?

Tenerife is one of the best places in Europe for whale watching, with sighting rates of over 90% for resident species like short-finned pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins. Migratory whales like sperm whales and humpbacks are less frequent but still regularly observed during peak seasons.

Is it possible to swim or snorkel with whales or dolphins in Tenerife?

While some tours include snorkeling, direct interaction with whales is prohibited to protect the animals. You can, however, swim in areas where dolphins may appear naturally nearby.

Are whale watching tours in Tenerife sustainable?

Yes. Many operators follow strict regulations to minimize environmental impact, including speed limits, restricted approach distances, and limits on the number of boats near the animals, ensuring that Tenerife’s marine ecosystem stays healthy.

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