The best time for whale watching in Tenerife is any day the sea is calm, because the primary species live here permanently. Short-finned pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins are year-round residents of the channel between Tenerife and La Gomera. They don't migrate. They don't arrive in a season and leave. They are here in January, in August, and in every month between. Sighting probability on a dedicated whale watching trip from South Tenerife exceeds 85% on any given day of the year.
That is the honest answer most tourist websites fail to give clearly: Tenerife is not a seasonal whale watching destination. There is no "whale season" in the way that Iceland or the Azores have a whale season. The animals are resident. What changes month by month is which additional species might pass through, what the sea conditions are like, and how the light and weather affect the experience.
At AMAR Yacht, our captains run these waters daily. They know where the pilot whale pods hold position this week, where the dolphins are feeding, and which conditions produce the best sighting quality.
The Resident Species — What Lives Here Year-Round Short-Finned Pilot Whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus)
Pilot whales are the reason Tenerife is one of the most reliable whale-watching destinations in the world. An estimated 300–500 short-finned pilot whales live permanently in the channel between Tenerife and La Gomera, in water depths of 800–2,000 metres. They don't migrate. They feed on deep-water squid that rise toward the surface at night, and during the day they socialise near the surface — resting, travelling in pods, and nursing calves.
Pilot whales are medium-sized cetaceans — adults reach 4–6 metres in length. They're dark grey to black, with a bulbous forehead (melon) and a distinctive curved dorsal fin. In the water, they appear as dark shapes surfacing in groups, often blowing visibly before diving. Pods range from 5 to 30+ individuals, and family groups stay together for life. Sighting probability: Very high — 85%+ on any dedicated whale watching trip from Puerto Colon or Los Cristianos. The captains know the pods' habitual areas and can locate them within 20–40 minutes of departure on most days.
Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)
The second resident species and the most frequently encountered cetacean off Tenerife. Bottlenose dolphins are larger than most people expect — adults reach 2.5–4 metres — and they are active, social, and visible. They ride bow waves, leap clear of the water, and travel in groups ranging from a handful to over 30.
Bottlenose dolphins are present year-round in the same waters as the pilot whales, often in shallower zones closer to shore. On a whale watching charter, encountering both species on the same trip is common.
Sighting probability: Very high year-round. Dolphins are often the first species spotted on any trip.
Sea Turtles
Loggerhead and green sea turtles inhabit Tenerife's waters, particularly around warmer coastal areas and near rocky reefs. Sightings are less predictable than cetaceans — turtles surface briefly and are spotted opportunistically rather than sought actively. When they appear, it's usually near swimming spots or along the coastline during calm conditions. A bonus encounter, not a guaranteed one.
The Occasional Visitors — Rare but Real Orca (Orcinus orca)
Orca pass through Canary Islands waters, but sightings off Tenerife are extremely rare — perhaps once or twice a year, and not predictable in timing or location. When it happens, it's spectacular and unforgettable. When it doesn't happen — which is nearly every trip — that's normal. No operator should promise orca sightings in Tenerife. Any that does is selling a fantasy.
Other Cetaceans
Depending on the season and ocean conditions, the following species have been recorded in Tenerife waters, though sightings are infrequent: Atlantic spotted dolphins (more common in summer), rough-toothed dolphins, Bryde's whales (rare, occasionally seen in warmer months), and sperm whales (extremely rare, deep-water species). These are exceptional sightings that make a particular trip memorable, not species you can plan around.
Month-by-Month Whale Watching Guide January – March (Winter)
Pilot whales: Present. Pods are active and visible. Winter sea conditions are slightly rougher on average, but South Tenerife's sheltered waters remain fishable and suitable for whale watching on most days.
Dolphins: Present. Bottlenose dolphins remain year-round.
Sea conditions: Mornings are typically calm. Afternoon wind can build. Water temperature is coolest (18–19°C), which means fewer tourists and quieter waters — the animals are less disturbed by boat traffic.
Best for: Quieter whale watching with fewer boats in the area. The pilot whales are often closer to the surface in cooler water. A morning charter on the Skyline or Tigresa in January–February can deliver some of the calmest, most intimate sightings of the year.
April – June (Spring)
Pilot whales: Present. Calving season means pods with young calves are frequently seen — one of the most compelling sights in Tenerife whale watching. Mothers with newborns surface slowly and stay close together.
Dolphins: Active and visible. Atlantic spotted dolphins begin appearing in warmer waters.
Sea conditions: Improving. Calmer seas, warming water (19–22°C), longer daylight. Spring is arguably the best overall period for whale watching — good weather, active animals, and moderate tourist numbers.
Best for: Families, first-time whale watchers, and photography. Calm conditions mean less seasickness risk, and calving activity adds depth to the experience.
July – September (Summer)
Pilot whales: Present. Pods are reliably found in their usual areas. Summer brings the highest tourist boat traffic in the channel, which can push pods slightly further from the main departure points — but experienced captains know where to find them.
Dolphins: Highly active. Larger groups, more surface behaviour (jumping, riding bow waves). Atlantic spotted dolphins are most common in this period.
Sea conditions: Warmest water (22–25°C), calmest overall seas, longest daylight. Peak tourist season means more boats on the water — but private charters avoid the crowds.
Best for: Combining whale watching with swimming stops. A morning whale watching run followed by an afternoon swim in 24°C water is the classic Tenerife summer charter. On the Tigresa, a full-day itinerary covers wildlife, swimming, and a coastline cruise.
October – December (Autumn)
Pilot whales: Present. As tourist numbers decrease, the waters quieten, and the whales return to shallower, more accessible areas. October and November often produce excellent sighting quality with fewer boats.
Dolphins: Present. Bottlenose dolphins remain active. Spotted dolphins become less frequent.
Sea turtles: Occasionally spotted near coastal swim spots in warmer October waters.
Sea conditions: Transitional. October is often still summer-like. November and December bring occasional rougher days, but South Tenerife remains sheltered. Water temperature cools gradually (21–19°C).
Best for: The sweet spot — good weather, fewer tourists, and whales that are relaxed and approachable. Late October and November are consistently underrated for whale watching.
Seasonal Quick-Reference Table Species Jan–Mar Apr–Jun Jul–Sep Oct–Dec
Short-finned Pilot Resident Resident + Resident Resident Whales calves
Bottlenose Dolphins Resident Resident Resident Resident
Atlantic Spotted Rare Arriving Present Departing Dolphins
Sea Turtles Occasional Occasional Occasional Occasional
Orca Extremely Extremely rare Extremely Extremely rare rare rare
Bryde's Whale — Rare Rare —
How AMAR Runs a Whale Watching Charter — What Makes It Different Group whale watching tours from Tenerife's marinas follow a fixed route, spend a set amount of time in the channel regardless of what's happening, and return on schedule. The captain drives the loop, whether or not the conditions and animal locations favour that particular path.
On an AMAR charter, the captain actively searches. The route adjusts based on where the pods were sighted yesterday, what the current and wind are doing today, and what the sea surface tells an experienced eye about where the animals are likely feeding or resting. If the pilot whales are holding south of the usual area, the captain goes south. If dolphins are concentrated near a specific current edge, the route bends toward them.
The Skyline is fast enough to cover the whale watching zone efficiently, reaching the channel between Tenerife and La Gomera in 15–20 minutes and adjusting position quickly as sightings develop. For a focused 3–4 hour whale watching trip for up to 6 guests, the Skyline delivers maximum time with the animals.
The Tigresa offers the platform for a longer experience — whale watching combined with swimming, lunch, and a coastline cruise. A full day on the Tigresa covers wildlife in the morning (when animals are most surface-active), then transitions to swimming and relaxation in the afternoon. For groups up to 12, this format turns whale watching from an excursion into a complete ocean day.
AMAR follows ethical whale watching practices aligned with Canary Islands government regulations: maintaining minimum approach distances, never chasing or cornering animals, limiting time near pods, and cutting engines when whales are within close range. The Art of Loving the Ocean extends to the animals in it — they're not a show, they're neighbours.
Honest Expectations — What Whale Watching Delivers and What It Doesn't
You will almost certainly see pilot whales and dolphins. Sighting probability exceeds 85% on any given trip. The animals are residents, the captains know where they are, and the channel between Tenerife and La Gomera is one of the most reliable cetacean habitats in Europe.
You will not see orca, humpbacks, or blue whales. Tenerife is not that kind of whale-watching destination. The resident species are pilot whales and dolphins. Orca transit perhaps once or twice a year. Humpbacks are not part of this ecosystem. Any operator promising these species is misleading you.
Sightings vary in quality. Some days, a pod of 20 pilot whales surfaces within 30 metres of the boat, calves rolling alongside mothers, and dolphins leap in the bow wave simultaneously. Other days, you see distant blows and dorsal fins at range. The animals determine the proximity, not the captain.
The rare blank trip does happen. Perhaps 10–15% of trips don't produce a clear sighting — the animals are deep, the weather shifts, or the pods have moved to unusual locations. A good captain maximises your chances. Nobody controls the ocean.
Frequently Asked Questions About Whale Watching in Tenerife Can you see whales year-round in Tenerife? Yes. Short-finned pilot whales are permanent residents — an estimated 300–500 live in the channel between Tenerife and La Gomera year-round. There is no "whale season." Sighting probability exceeds 85% in every month.
What is the best month for whale watching?
Every month is productive. April–June offers calving season (pilot whale mothers with newborns). October–November delivers excellent sightings with fewer tourist boats. July–September has the calmest seas and warmest water. January–March is the quietest, with surprisingly good sighting quality.
Can you swim with dolphins in Tenerife?
Swimming with wild dolphins is not permitted under the Canary Islands regulations, and AMAR does not offer this. Approaching wild cetaceans in the water is illegal, stressful for the animals, and dangerous for swimmers. You can observe dolphins and whales from the vessel at regulated distances.
Are there orcas in Tenerife?
Orca transit Canary Islands waters, but sightings off Tenerife are extremely rare — perhaps once or twice a year. No responsible operator promises orca encounters. When it happens, it's extraordinary and unpredictable.
How close do you get to the whales?
Canary Islands regulations mandate minimum approach distances. AMAR captains follow these strictly. In practice, pilot whales often approach the boat voluntarily, surfacing within 15–30 metres. The captain cuts the engine and allows the animals to control the interaction.
Is whale watching safe for children?
Yes. Whale watching trips are low-speed, scenic, and rarely involve rough manoeuvres. On the Skyline or the larger Tigresa, children are safe, engaged, and under the watchful eye of our professional crew. Shorter 3-hour trips are recommended for very young children.
What if we don't see any whales?
It happens on approximately 10–15% of trips. AMAR captains maximise your odds through active searching and local knowledge, but the ocean doesn't operate on demand. We do not offer "sighting guarantees" because they incentivise aggressive whale chasing — which harms the animals and violates regulations.
Is whale watching ethical?
It can be. AMAR follows Canary Islands government regulations: minimum approach distances, no chasing, engine cut when whales are close, and limited time near pods. Private charters produce less disturbance than large group boats — one vessel, controlled approach, respectful observation. Read our Ethical Whale Watching page for our full approach.
Book a Whale Watching Charter with AMAR Yacht
Pilot whales and dolphins live in these waters year-round. The question isn't when to go — it's how to see them properly. A private charter on the Skyline puts your group in the channel within 20 minutes, with a captain who actively searches and adheres to ethical standards. The Tigresa turns whale watching into a full ocean day — wildlife, swimming, lunch, and coastline.
WhatsApp / Phone: +34 659 987 284
Email: amartravel@gmail.com
Tell us your dates and group size. The whales will be there. We'll make sure you are too.