Rorquals in Tenerife
The big baleen whales that pass the islands on migration. You usually see a back, a small fin and a long slow roll — and that is often all anyone gets.
What a rorqual is
Rorquals are the group of baleen whales with pleated throats that expand when they feed — fin whales, sei whales, Bryde's whales, minke whales and the blue whale all belong to it. They filter small fish and plankton rather than hunting individual prey, which is why they feed near the surface and why you sometimes see birds working the same patch of water.
Why we do not name the species here
Telling rorquals apart at sea is genuinely difficult. It depends on the shape and height of the blow, the position and shape of the dorsal fin, how much back shows before the fin appears, and the head ridges — which you can only see when the animal surfaces close and flat.
We would rather say "a rorqual" and be right than name a species and be wrong. The biologist on board makes the call in the moment, with the animal in front of them.
When they pass
Mainly March to June, moving north up the Atlantic. Sightings are irregular and nobody can plan around them, but spring is when the odds are best — the same window that produces the rare orca and blue whale records.
What an encounter looks like
Undramatic and enormous. A blow first, often before anyone sees the animal, then a long grey back that keeps going for far longer than seems reasonable, a small dorsal fin near the tail end, and a slow roll under. Then nothing for several minutes.
Rorquals are not curious about boats the way dolphins are. The correct behaviour is to stop, watch and let it go about its business.
Common questions
Which rorqual species are recorded in the Canaries?
Several, including fin, sei, Bryde's and minke whales, plus the blue whale on rare occasions.
Are they in danger from boats?
Ship strikes are a documented cause of death for large whales in these waters, which is one reason speed and approach rules exist.
Can I photograph one?
Yes, but expect a back rather than a portrait. Photos from the trip are included, so put the camera down and watch.
More rorquals
What a passing baleen whale usually looks like from a boat: a back, a small dorsal fin, and then nothing.
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