One of the many wonderful things Tenerife is known for are it's marine mammals, so Marc and I took a dolphin and whale watching cruise. There were lots to choose from, but Marc insisted on going with the one that was one a pirate ship.
There were lots of bottlenose in the area; we hadn't been out five minutes before they came up to the boats and started riding the boat's wake.
We were very lucky and spotted a Bryde's whale mother/calf pair. They are baleen whales, in the same group as blue and humpbacks. They are migratory, and only in the canary region for a few weeks, so it was exciting to see them. I love the photo above; the calf is rolling on it's back next to mom.
This is the first whale/dolphin watching trip we have taken, and I am of mixed oppinions as to how ethical it is. In the canaries the law states that captains must have special training to go out near marine mammals (and have a little flag to show they are competant). The bottlenose did seem to be able to easily move around the boats and if they don't want to be around them leave. But extra boats means more noise in the water, and I am not aware of how much work has looked into how the boats effect the animals behaviours...especially for the migratory species I doubt much work has been done as it would be so difficult to observe them. I was a bit concerned with how the tour treated the mother/calf pair; they were sighted, the boats moved in, and then the animals left. We spotted them again, and pursued. It may be normal behaviour for the whales to be continually on the move, but I don't know.
It was a wonderful experience, and we made the most of it and learned alot. However I think supporting the industry is a once in a lifetime thing.
Seabird watching :)
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