Tenerife: Why Eco-Friendly and Responsible Whale Watching Matters

On a partly cloudy November day at noon, the Atlantic sparkled softly where the sun broke through, and the wind gently twisted my hair.

My partner and I were aboard an eco-friendly and responsible whale-watching tour with Atlantic Eco Experience in Tenerife, excited to meet the pilot whales that call these waters home.

Our guides, David and Mirna, met us at the marina of Puerto Colón, spreading their passion for marine conservation even before the tour began. ‘Pilot whales live in pods of 10 to 30 individuals, though larger pods of up to 50 have been observed,’ David explained. He held up two small whale figures – one of a pilot whale and the other of a sperm whale – while Mirna navigated us out of the port. ‘They are incredibly social animals.’

A Sanctuary for Marine Life on Tenerife’s Southwestern Coast

The southwestern coast of Tenerife, between Los Cristianos and Los Gigantes, is home to around 400 resident short-finned pilot whales. The European Union’s Natura 2000 network designated this area as a Special Area of Conservation. It is a sanctuary for bottlenose dolphins, sperm whales, and visiting whale species, alongside diverse Atlantic marine life such as turtles and various bird species.

‘The animals don’t need our protection,’ David states. ‘They can care for themselves; they need us to care for their environment.’ His words stayed with me as I looked at the open sea.

I have always felt drawn to whales – their intelligence, strong family connections, and quiet wisdom. But my relationship with them deepened years ago. On the windy shores of Sylt, a small island in northern Germany, I found myself unexpectedly faced with a stranded harbor porpoise—a Schweinswal, as they are called in German.

Rescuing a Stranded Harbor Porpoise

When I saw the small animal lying in the sand, I stripped off my trousers and ran barelegged toward the group of people standing around it, watching. Without hesitation, I called for help and three of us carried the breathing porpoise back into the water. Harbor porpoises are usually about 1.60 meters in length. This must have been a young one, possibly even a calf. It had no visible wounds and appeared to have been washed ashore by strong waves. Back in the shallow water, the porpoise needed two tries to swim against the current before it finally made it and disappeared into the depths.

Looking back, I sometimes wonder: Did I make the right decision? Should we have waited for the Coast Guard to arrive? But then I remember how it swam away, its small body cutting through the waves, and I feel hopeful. What if I saved its life? What if the Coast Guard wouldn’t have arrived in time? In that moment, it felt like a matter of seconds – a choice between life and death. I acted with care, and I want to believe I gave it a chance at survival.

That experience stayed with me, not just because of the porpoise but because of the lessons I learned. It expanded my love and understanding of the ocean and reminded me of how closely connected we are to marine life. It also taught me how essential it is to learn more about the natural world, both on land and at sea. After all, what we love, we want to protect.

Meeting Tenerife’s RESIDENT whales

When I decided to book a responsible whale-watching tour in Tenerife, it wasn’t just about spotting whales. I wanted to connect with their habitat – like a respectful, curious guest visiting someone’s home and learning from them.

Mirna’s voice brought me back to the present. ‘There they are!’ she called out, smiling as she pointed to the horizon. Everyone on the boat turned their heads, and I saw three curved, half-moon-like fins slicing through the water. Mirna switched off the engine so the boat could drift calmly while keeping a respectful distance. ‘This one is Punky,’ she said and snapped a few photos before zooming in to show us Punky’s distinctive dorsal fin. Meanwhile, David, who is also a diving instructor shared his knowledge about the whales in English and Spanish. He explained how they breathe, nurse their calves, and even how they sleep.

Stories of Two Whale Pods

A tiny calf curiously swam toward the boat, closely monitored by its mother. “Whale kids aren’t much different from human kids; they love to play and explore,” David said with a smile. Although curious, pilot whales are known to be shy around humans. The little one, seemingly satisfied with its brief adventure, turned back to join its pod.

‘This one is Blanca!’, Mirna pointed out another whale. ‘She got her name because of her white belly.’ It became clear just how well Mirna knew each whale. As president of Calderones de Canarias, Mirna leads a citizen science project dedicated to the photo identification and study of pilot whales in Tenerife and other Canary Islands. The organization focuses on researching and protecting pilot whale populations in southwestern Tenerife, La Gomera, and La Palma.

The boat started its engine again and glided further out to sea, leaving our first pod of whales behind. Before long, we encountered a second group of about 12 whales. This was Nika’s pod. Nika is the star of a short film of the same name. The documentary follows an extraordinary encounter between the curious and unusually trusting pilot whale Nika and marine scientist Felipe Ravina. Hearing Mirna, also appearing in the film, talk I could feel her strong commitment to protecting the whales. 

Mass Tourism vs. Conservation: The Challenges of Whale Watching

Mass tourism and pollution threaten the whale’s habitat and eco-friendly whale-watching experience in Tenerife. Just last month, a whale was injured, and passionate volunteers like Mirna worked for days to help free it. While Tenerife promotes itself as a sustainable whale destination, facilities like Loro Parque raise essential questions about the island’s overall commitment to marine animal welfare.

Responsible whale watching in Tenerife comes with its own challenges. The rise in popularity has led some companies to prioritize profits over animal welfare. Increased boat traffic has resulted in more accidents, injuring the whales, particularly when boats get too close in an effort to entertain tourists.

Choosing ReSPONSIBLE Wildlife Tours: Lessons from Eco Atlantic EXPERIENCE

The way David and Mirna educate their guests about the whales feels unique among whale-watching tours. After researching extensively, I called a trusted whale-watching company to book an eco-friendly tour, but they had closed for the week. When I asked for a recommendation, the woman on the phone surprisingly said she can only recommend three.

If animal welfare and mindful tourism matters to you, it’s essential to research any company and look for those offering responsible whale-watching in Tenerife.

The woman on the phone recommended Atlantic Eco Experience as a trusted company. After reading more about them, I decided to book their tour. They turn off engines and keep a safe distance when spotting whales, minimizing disturbance to the animals. Additionally, Atlantic Eco Experience works with the Wildlife Recovery Center to rescue injured marine animals. They also collect garbage from the sea daily and involve customers in these conservation activities to raise awareness about ocean pollution.

That evening, after returning from the tour, my partner and I curled up in our cozy holiday apartment and watched the documentary Salvar Tenerife , about Tenerife and its pilot whales, featuring Mirna and David. The encounters with Blanca, Punky, and Nika were more than just a collection of beautiful travel memories. I felt, deep in my body and soul, our responsibility to protect their home – the interconnectedness of all life on this planet, each species depending on the other.