A fin appears in the distance and everyone on deck jumps to their feet at once. That moment \u2013 with the murmur of voices and mobile phones being pulled out of pockets \u2013 is what defines the sort of excursion you\u2019ve chosen. Because that\u2019s when the captain decides: whether to head towards them or do exactly the opposite. <\/p>\n\n
We stopped. The Atlantic is not an aquarium; it is someone else\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n\n
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: <\/p>\n\n
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. <\/p>\n\n
From there, it\u2019s up to them. Often they approach the boat out of curiosity, swim around it and play for a while: that moment can\u2019t 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\u2019re telling it as it is, because they\u2019re wild animals and sightings are never guaranteed. <\/p>\n\n
We\u2019re often asked this, and the answer is that we don\u2019t 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\u2019ve been exploring the coast of Jand\u00eda since 1995, and it\u2019s this craft that leads us to them. We explain this in more detail in \u2018How we read the sea to find dolphins<\/a>\u2019. <\/p>\n\n 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. <\/p>\n\n 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\u2019s as it should be. <\/p>\n\n Our guides aren\u2019t just there to point out where the fin is. They\u2019ll 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. <\/p>\n\n We\u2019d also like to offer a couple of tips to help you take your photos and videos calmly, patiently and respectfully. And here\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n\n Our responsibility doesn\u2019t 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. <\/p>\n\n We also offer a pick-up service in Costa Calma, Esquinzo, Morro Jable and Jand\u00eda, which not only makes your day easier but also consolidates journeys and reduces the carbon footprint of those who come sailing with us.<\/p>\n\n If you\u2019re comparing excursions, there are tell-tale signs that reveal a lot about how things are run on board. Don\u2019t let anyone promise you a guaranteed sighting, because that\u2019s not up to us. Make sure the boat displays the \u2018Barco Azul\u2019 badge. Ensure there\u2019s a crew member on hand to explain what you\u2019re seeing. And above all, make sure the boat stops rather than chasing after fins. Book any trip <\/p>\n\n Sailing ethically has a reward you might not expect: the sightings are more beautiful. An animal that doesn\u2019t feel hunted reveals its true nature, and offers moments that no chase could ever provide. <\/p>\n\n The dolphins and whales are already there. We\u2019ll simply take you to see them the right way, setting off from the port of Morro Jable in Fuerteventura. <\/p>\n\nSilence, candles and distance<\/h2>\n\n
A guide who explains what you\u2019re looking at<\/h2>\n\n
Respect is also evident on board<\/h2>\n\n
What to look out for before booking any trip<\/h2>\n\n
The sea gives it back to you<\/h2>\n\n