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Enjoy Whale And Dolphin Watching In Fuengirola

The Costa del Sol, located in southern Spain along the Mediterranean Sea, is a fantastic place to observe marine wildlife.
Fuengirola lies close to the Alboran Sea, one of the richest marine biodiversity areas in the Mediterranean.
The waters between Spain and North Africa are home to several species of dolphins, whales and marine turtles.
During a dolphin watching boat trip from Fuengirola you may encounter a number of fascinating marine animals.
Some of the species that are most commonly spotted off the Costa del Sol are described below.

Echolocation

Dolphins and whales are highly intelligent marine mammals that rely on echolocation to navigate and locate prey beneath the water’s surface.
Species such as the bottlenose dolphin produce hundreds of clicking sounds every second.
These sound waves travel through the water until they hit objects, then bounce back to the dolphin allowing it to determine distance, size and movement of its surroundings.

Common Dolphin (Delphinus Delphis)

The common dolphin is one of the most frequently seen species in the Alboran Sea.
They are extremely fast swimmers and are often seen riding the waves created by boats.
Common dolphins usually travel in large social groups called pods which may contain dozens or even hundreds of individuals.

Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops Truncatus)

One of the best known residents of the Mediterranean is the bottlenose dolphin.
These playful dolphins are well known for their intelligence and curiosity.
They often approach boats and can swim at speeds of more than thirty kilometers per hour.
The bottlenose dolphin is present year round in many parts of the Costa del Sol.

Striped Dolphin (Stenella Coeruleoalba)

The striped dolphin is another species regularly spotted in Mediterranean waters.
This dolphin can be recognized by the distinctive dark stripe running from the eye to the tail.
Striped dolphins are very energetic and frequently leap completely out of the water while traveling in groups.

Risso's Dolphin (Grampus Griseus)

The Risso's dolphin is another species that inhabits deeper waters off the Costa del Sol.
Unlike most dolphins, this species has a more robust body and a rounded head without a pronounced beak.
Older individuals often appear covered in white scars which makes them easy to identify at sea.

Short-Finned Pilot Whale (Globicephala Macrorhynchus)

Occasionally you may encounter groups of pilot whales during offshore excursions.
Despite their name they are actually members of the dolphin family.
Pilot whales live in very social groups and communicate with each other using a complex system of whistles and clicks.

Fin Whale (Balaenoptera Physalus)

One of the largest animals occasionally passing through the Alboran Sea is the fin whale.
These majestic giants migrate through the Mediterranean and can sometimes be observed during certain seasons.
Fin whales are the second largest animals on Earth, only surpassed by the blue whale.

Great Sperm Whale (Physeter Macrocephalus)

Although sightings are rare, the sperm whale is occasionally seen in deeper Mediterranean waters.
This whale is famous for its enormous head and its incredible diving ability.
Sperm whales can dive to depths of more than 1,000 meters while hunting squid.

Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta Caretta)

The loggerhead turtle is one of the marine reptiles that may also be spotted while exploring the waters near Fuengirola.
These turtles migrate through the Mediterranean and are known for their large reddish-brown shells.
Seeing one during a boat excursion is always a memorable experience.

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