Whale & dolphin watching in La Gomera
| country: | Canary Islands |
| location: | Canary Islands, La Gomera |
| departures: | Available daily from 01 Mar-13 Jun and 15 Jul-30 Nov |
| price: | From €650 (7 days) - €950 (14 days) excluding flights |
| more info: | One extra person sharing apartment €100 - €340. Special offer for groups of minimum 8 people and family friendly prices available |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
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| Holiday Details |  4 reviews |
Whale & dolphin watching in La Gomera
Fantastic holidays on La Gomera filled with exciting boat trips. Encounter wild dolphins and whales, enjoy swimming and sun bathing, flamboyant sunsets and the beautiful ocean itself. The sea south-west of La Gomera with its unique biodiversity is one of best places in the world where we humans can interact with whales and dolphins in their natural habitat. Join our well trained and experienced crew to have an unforgettable encounter with these enchanting creatures.
You sail in a former fishing boat, now a licensed Whale Watching boat, allowed to carry ten guests. Our expert team will constantly share their knowledge and experience on board and record each sighting for a research database used to enhance the protection and preservation of the animals and their habitat. Children are very welcome!
An encounter with dolphins and whales is always an exciting adventure. Each excursion is new and totally different. We never know if, where and when we will meet the cetaceans. Often we meet the following dolphins: powerful Bottlenose dolphins or a small group of naughty Rough-Toothed dolphins or the agile Striped or Common dolphins. At times the boat is surrounded by playful Atlantic Spotted dolphins. We also meet Pilot whales and the rare Beaked whales. Sometimes we even see big whales like Finback, Brydes-, Sei- or Sperm whales. The ocean never ceases to surprise us in this area!
La Gomera astounds its visitors with incredible natural beauty of rare vegetation and abrupt terrain. It is located 400 km west of the African continent in the Atlantic Ocean and, after El Hierro, the 2nd smallest Canary Islands with a surface area of 378 square kilometres. Although La Gomera is located near the equator, the gentle trade winds and cool Canary currents make the climate mild and moderate all year, with an average temperature around 22ºC. The island is every nature lover's paradise. The scenery is splendid with an amazing system of terrace farming and thousands of palm trees perched on steep green valleys, in addition to the exotic foliage of the central plateau, inhabited by the ancient laurel forest national park enveloped in mist. The days at your leisure can easily be filled with: relaxing at the beach, hiking trips through the national park, or mountain biking, scuba diving, or a yoga class.
Travelling around on the island, one passes invariably through the Garajonay National Park (UNESCO World Heritage) in the centre of the island (800-1000m altitude). Covering 10% of La Gomera's surface, this 4000ha (9884 acre) park is a haven for some of the planet's most ancient forest. Over 400 species of flora, including its famous laurel, can be found here. Most trails running through the park were once used by the Gomeros. The majority of the hikes are relatively light, and you can get a solid view of the landscape without venturing too far.
Additionally to the fixed yearly programme we take group bookings for a minimum of 8 people throughout the year. The programme can be individually organized. The number of boat trips can vary. Please inquire about costs for group bookings.
You sail in a former fishing boat, now a licensed Whale Watching boat, allowed to carry ten guests. Our expert team will constantly share their knowledge and experience on board and record each sighting for a research database used to enhance the protection and preservation of the animals and their habitat. Children are very welcome!
An encounter with dolphins and whales is always an exciting adventure. Each excursion is new and totally different. We never know if, where and when we will meet the cetaceans. Often we meet the following dolphins: powerful Bottlenose dolphins or a small group of naughty Rough-Toothed dolphins or the agile Striped or Common dolphins. At times the boat is surrounded by playful Atlantic Spotted dolphins. We also meet Pilot whales and the rare Beaked whales. Sometimes we even see big whales like Finback, Brydes-, Sei- or Sperm whales. The ocean never ceases to surprise us in this area!
La Gomera astounds its visitors with incredible natural beauty of rare vegetation and abrupt terrain. It is located 400 km west of the African continent in the Atlantic Ocean and, after El Hierro, the 2nd smallest Canary Islands with a surface area of 378 square kilometres. Although La Gomera is located near the equator, the gentle trade winds and cool Canary currents make the climate mild and moderate all year, with an average temperature around 22ºC. The island is every nature lover's paradise. The scenery is splendid with an amazing system of terrace farming and thousands of palm trees perched on steep green valleys, in addition to the exotic foliage of the central plateau, inhabited by the ancient laurel forest national park enveloped in mist. The days at your leisure can easily be filled with: relaxing at the beach, hiking trips through the national park, or mountain biking, scuba diving, or a yoga class. Travelling around on the island, one passes invariably through the Garajonay National Park (UNESCO World Heritage) in the centre of the island (800-1000m altitude). Covering 10% of La Gomera's surface, this 4000ha (9884 acre) park is a haven for some of the planet's most ancient forest. Over 400 species of flora, including its famous laurel, can be found here. Most trails running through the park were once used by the Gomeros. The majority of the hikes are relatively light, and you can get a solid view of the landscape without venturing too far.
Additionally to the fixed yearly programme we take group bookings for a minimum of 8 people throughout the year. The programme can be individually organized. The number of boat trips can vary. Please inquire about costs for group bookings.
traveller reviews for Whale & dolphin watching in La Gomera
I think this holiday is a great opportunity to see dolphins and whales in their natural habitat, its wonderful just being in the open ocean with them, hearing them breathing and moving with the waves. (more)
how this holiday makes a difference
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Community
We were awarded the official renowned CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) sustainability certification by TourCert as the first whale watching tour operator. This means that we as a company have:
Environment Adhering strictly to the Canary regulations, we only do respectful Whale Watching with small groups and have set our own standards for ecological whale watching even higher than legally obliged to. The skippers are specialized and educated in whale watching and to avoid stress for the mammals, we behave like guests on the ocean. The animals decide if they want close contact to the boat. Our wooden boat, carrying a maximum of 10 passengers, is an original Gomera fishing boat that was still hand made – a rare sight these days. All tours (boat and island) are guided personally by our team providing our guests with interesting and useful information. The information we gather during the sightings is shared with a non-profit conservation and research organization (M.E.E.R. e.V.) to support research and conservation efforts. We provide plenty of information about the local environment and culture, for example in the info folders we put in every apartment giving you insight into responsible behaviour towards dolphins and whales, problems related to whale-watching (e.g. Tenerife) and environmental care (e.g. waste and water), nature protection, drinking water, news and innovative projects on the Canary Islands. Spread the news!! During the included hike through the National Park you will learn lots of new facts about this UNESCO World Heritage site and enjoy a wholesome typical Gomera meal made of local produce. We offer weekly information meetings and varying lectures as well as a permanent exhibition in our information centre to share our knowledge on cetaceans off La Gomera and their habitat, answer questions and show that encounters of humans and cetaceans can happen with consideration and respect. We support as well the non profit association M.E.E.R. e.V. With these measures we enhance the knowledge and awareness of our guests towards this beautiful island and its people, towards the enchanting cetaceans and their endangered habitat and give useful tips on how to contribute to preserve these treasures! Since 1995 the German NPO M.E.E.R.e.V. in co-operation with us is researching the marine mammals off La Gomera. With your token adoption you can make sure that this research will continue. This NGO - of which everyone at our tour company is a member – is also investigating the complex problems revolving around fast ferries on the Canary Islands and worldwide. With the adoption you will receive a welcome letter with a photo of your favourite dolphin or whale species. The NPO Pro Wildlife based in Munich provides valuable project work for the marine mammals and the sea and is consequently lobbying their conservation. The department for whales and dolphins works on topics such as whaling, the toxic loads of heavy metals in marine mammals and bycatch. Their studies contribute inter alia at the International Whaling Commission (IWC) to keep the ban against international whaling. For people who are concerned regarding the environmental impacts of their air travel, a new service has been established: atmosfair. Utilizing an emissions calculator, atmosfair customers can figure out how much greenhouse gas emissions are caused by their individual flights. With your donation you enable atmosfair to run projects in developing countries where these emissions will be saved. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |
 Reviewed 22 Oct 2007 by Barbara Gonzalez |  |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
All the time we spent at the boat doing dolphin and whale watching was just great, but there was one day when there were many whales swimming close to the boat and we really felt in contact with them as they moved. That was definitely the most exciting moment of my holiday.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
I think this holiday is a great opportunity to see dolphins and whales in their natural habitat, its wonderful just being in the open ocean with them, hearing them breathing and moving with the waves. For nature lovers this holiday will suit their dreams perfectly! Don't forget to carry sun lotion and a hat to protect from the sun.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes, as the organization in charge (MEER) is environmentally friendly and really cares for the animals and the people. The team has wonderful people very happy and motivated and it's very nice to learn from them.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
I will give a 10 of a 10. Could not have been better.
| Reviewed 05 Nov 2007 by Clare Galton | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Seeing whales so close to our boat. We had very good sightings of about 20 pilot whales on one trip and on another saw two Blainville’s dense beaked whales for about 20 minutes by the boat.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
La Gomera is a very relaxing location. If you can, come for more than 7 days, especially if you enjoy walking, cycling swimming etc. There is a surprising amount to do. The restaurants around Vueltas are good and there is a lot of choice.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
The company were very keen to educate us regarding the whales and dolphins, and the work they are doing to monitor them and to encourage environmentally sensitive tourism.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Great - very relaxing. The whole family enjoyed themselves. La Gomera is a very tranquil place and the climate just about perfect. The apartment was good and the swimming pool lovely. The team looked after us very well. Seeing the whales was very special indeed.
| Reviewed 27 Oct 2008 by Monica Filkova |  |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Seeing dolphins & whales of course.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Go in spring or Aug-Sep to see more animals. Alternatively book extra trips.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
No - I don't see how the holiday benefited local people, except for the lady who holds the rest stop where we had lunch on the outskirts of the nature reserve.
Yes - I do think there was limited impact on the environment as boat trips were with a small boat and day trip to nature reserve was just for me.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Good.
| Reviewed 17 Apr 2005 by Mrs Ailsa Bailey | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Seeing dolphins and/or Pilot whales and 2 Sei whales (which I hadn't heard of) on all 3 of the trips we went on.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Perfect is you're interested in dolphins/whales, walking and peace and quiet, otherwise not much else to do. Struggled to find beaches suitable for sunbathing and swimming.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Whale watching trips were staffed entirely by Germans so I would be interested to know if it was difficult to recruit local people. Cottage blended perfectly with the surroundings, had a solar panel for hot water (I think!), was owned by a local woman and appeared to have been refurbished using local materials (though I'm no expert!).
Read the operator's response here:
Whale Watching is not a "big business" here (like at Tenerife), only very few people are involved. With the Whale Watching we generate guests who come here because of the dolphins and whales and so the local people benefit from it because we book the guests in apartements of local people as well as they us the supermarkets, restaurants etc here. At the moment there is no sense from the local people to protect the dolphins and whales, so people from other countries took the initiative for research and protection and the public work for the cetaceans. We have very good contacts to the enviromental authorities of the Canarian government. M.e.e.r. e.V. also has now the first Canarian members.
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