The waters surrounding Gran Canaria and the entire Canary Islands archipelago are exceptionally rich in marine life, making it one of the best places in the world for dolphin and whale watching. It’s estimated that you can find 28 of the world’s 90 cetacean species in these waters.
Dolphins (Odontocetes – Toothed Whales, including Delphinidae)
Dolphins are the most frequently sighted cetaceans around Gran Canaria and a major highlight of boat excursions.
- Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus): These are perhaps the most famous and are resident in the Canary Islands’ waters, often seen close to the coast.
- Short-finned Pilot Whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus): Though called “whales” due to their size, they are actually large dolphins. They are very common and live in resident populations around the islands, often seen in large pods.
- Atlantic Spotted Dolphin (Stenella frontalis): Recognizable by their spots that develop with age, they are often active and acrobatic, forming large groups.
- Common Dolphin (Delphinus delphis): Distinguished by their hourglass-shaped color pattern, they are often seen in winter.
- Risso’s Dolphin (Grampus griseus): These dolphins are characterized by their grey color and often have extensive white scars on their bodies.
- Striped Dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba): Identified by the dark stripes running along their sides, they are fast swimmers and can be quite agile.
- Rough-toothed Dolphin (Steno bredanensis): Less common and more oceanic, they have a distinctive long, conical head and unique teeth.
- False Killer Whale (Pseudorca crassidens): A large, dark-colored dolphin, occasionally sighted passing through the area.
- Orca (Orcinus orca): While not residents, killer whales are occasionally observed in Canary Island waters, usually on passage.
Whales (Mysticetes – Baleen Whales, and larger Odontocetes)
While less common than dolphins, several whale species inhabit or migrate through the deep waters surrounding Gran Canaria.
- Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus): The largest toothed whale, they are deep divers and are residents of the Canary Islands’ deep waters, though less frequently seen on surface.
- Bryde’s Whale (Balaenoptera edeni / brydei): This is often cited as the most frequently seen baleen whale in the Canary Islands, especially during the summer.
- Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus): The second-largest whale species, sometimes observed during their migratory routes.
- Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae): Known for their spectacular breaches and long flippers, they are occasional visitors during migration.
- Sei Whale (Balaenoptera borealis): Another large baleen whale that can be seen, though less commonly.
- Beaked Whales (various species like Cuvier’s Beaked Whale – Ziphius cavirostris, Blainville’s Beaked Whale – Mesoplodon densirostris): These are deep-diving, elusive whales that inhabit the deep oceanic trenches around the islands, making them very challenging to spot.
The unique oceanography around Gran Canaria, including deep waters close to the coast, provides a rich feeding ground and diverse habitats that attract this incredible array of cetacean species year-round. This makes whale and dolphin watching excursions a highly recommended activity for visitors.
