A fin appears in the distance and everyone on deck jumps to their feet at once. That moment – with the murmur of voices and mobile phones being pulled out of pockets – is what defines the sort of excursion you’ve chosen. Because that’s when the captain decides: whether to head towards them or do exactly the opposite.
We stopped. The Atlantic is not an aquarium; it is someone else’s home where we are guests, and coming across a pod of bottlenose dolphins or seeing a pilot whale blow is not a right: it is a privilege.
What does it really mean to be a ‘Blue Ship’?
In the Canary Islands, whale watching is strictly regulated, but we go one step further. For our captains and guides, the protocol can be summarised in three pillars that we apply every mile:
- Respectful distance: We never force an encounter. If a group of dolphins decides to come closer to play in the wake of the Magic Dolphin or Magic Select, it is because they feel safe. If not, we maintain a safe distance so as not to interfere with their feeding or resting routes.
- Silence and calm: Noise is the greatest form of pollution in the ocean. Whenever the wind allows us to do so on catamarans such as the Magic Dreams or Magic Deluxe, we turn off the engines and hoist the sails. It is in this absolute silence that the connection with nature becomes real.
- No chasing or touching: By law and ethics, it is strictly forbidden to do this with cetaceans in the Canary Islands. They are the ones who come to see us, and we observe them from a distance and with respect, without engines and without invading their space.
The first thing we do is switch off the engine
When we spot a pod, we slow down and switch off the engine at the safety distance specified by the regulations. We do not head towards them, nor do we circle them or cut them off. We stay still and let the sea get on with its business. All we do is switch off the engine.
From there, it’s up to them. Often they approach the boat out of curiosity, swim around it and play for a while: that moment can’t be bought or forced. Other times they carry on their way without paying us any attention, so we continue our journey through the area. We’re telling it as it is, because they’re wild animals and sightings are never guaranteed.
Why don’t we carry radar or sonar?
We’re often asked this, and the answer is that we don’t use any technology that emits noise or vibrations underwater. Noise is one of the worst forms of ocean pollution. What we rely on is more ancient: a change in the colour of the water, the frantic flight of shearwaters, a particular current. We’ve been exploring the coast of Jandía since 1995, and it’s this craft that leads us to them. We explain this in more detail in ‘How we read the sea to find dolphins’.
Silence, candles and distance
Whenever the wind is favourable, we switch off the engines and hoist the sails on catamarans such as the Magic Dreams or the Magic Deluxe. It is in that silence that the connection with what lies before you becomes real.
Chasing or touching them is prohibited by law in the Canary Islands, and for us it is also against our ethical principles. Swimming with wild dolphins is not permitted either, and we think that’s as it should be.
A guide who explains what you’re looking at
Our guides aren’t just there to point out where the fin is. They’ll explain why this area is a Special Area of Conservation and why the deep trenches off the Morro Jable lighthouse are such a good habitat for these species.
We’d also like to offer a couple of tips to help you take your photos and videos calmly, patiently and respectfully. And here’s a piece of advice we often repeat: put your mobile down for a moment and look at them with your own eyes. When you realise that dolphin is looking after its calf or hunting in a group, the way you look at the ocean changes.
Respect is also evident on board
Our responsibility doesn’t end with the sighting. We have phased out single-use cups and replaced them with reusable polypropylene ones, so that no waste ends up on the seabed.
We also offer a pick-up service in Costa Calma, Esquinzo, Morro Jable and Jandía, which not only makes your day easier but also consolidates journeys and reduces the carbon footprint of those who come sailing with us.
What to look out for before booking any trip
If you’re comparing excursions, there are tell-tale signs that reveal a lot about how things are run on board. Don’t let anyone promise you a guaranteed sighting, because that’s not up to us. Make sure the boat displays the ‘Barco Azul’ badge. Ensure there’s a crew member on hand to explain what you’re seeing. And above all, make sure the boat stops rather than chasing after fins. Book any trip
The sea gives it back to you
Sailing ethically has a reward you might not expect: the sightings are more beautiful. An animal that doesn’t feel hunted reveals its true nature, and offers moments that no chase could ever provide.
The dolphins and whales are already there. We’ll simply take you to see them the right way, setting off from the port of Morro Jable in Fuerteventura.
- Sailing in winter in Fuerteventura: in short sleeves and on a calm sea - 25 September 2026
- What lies beneath our waters? What you’ll see when you take a dip on our excursions in Fuerteventura - 18 September 2026
- Sea turtles in Fuerteventura: the visit nobody expects - 7 September 2026
