Mallorca offers some of the best opportunities in the Mediterranean for spotting dolphins in their natural habitat. However, it is essential to know where, when and how to look for them in order to have a successful experience. In this guide we explain everything you need to know about dolphin watching on the island, being completely transparent about the real possibilities and the best options according to your objectives.
Dolphins prefer deep waters where they find their main food: pelagic fish such as sardines, anchovies and squid. In Mallorca, this means that the best sighting areas are several kilometres off the coast, where the depth exceeds 100 metres.
Coastal waters, although beautiful for sailing and enjoying the sea, are not the preferred habitat of these marine mammals. This difference is crucial to understand which type of excursion to choose according to your expectations.
The north coast of Mallorca, especially the deep waters off Alcudia and Puerto Pollença, record some of the most frequent sightings. The proximity of the submarine canyon of Pollença creates ideal conditions for feeding dolphins, especially groups of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus).
The deep waters to the west of the island, beyond Peguera and Andratx, also offer excellent opportunities. This area benefits from marine currents that attract schools of fish, creating a perfect ecosystem for dolphins.
The Cabrera archipelago, located to the south of Mallorca, is one of the most privileged places for dolphin watching. Its protected waters and abundant marine life make this area a true sanctuary for different species of cetaceans.
The difference between coastal waters and the open sea is decisive. Dolphins need considerable depths for their hunting patterns and social behaviour. Excursions that stay close to the coast have very low chances of sightings, while those that venture out to the open sea multiply exponentially the chances of success.
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Dolphins can be sighted all year round in the waters off Mallorca, but the busiest season is from April to October. During these months, weather conditions are more stable and dolphin feeding activity is more intense.
The months of May, June and September are particularly favourable, as they combine good sea conditions with high activity of the marine mammals.
Sea conditions are crucial for successful whale watching. The best days are those with winds below 15 knots and minimal swell. These conditions not only make it easier to navigate into deep water, but also make it easier to spot dorsal fins and dolphin movements at the surface.
The waters surrounding Mallorca are home to three main species of dolphins:
Specialised dolphin watching tours operate with boats specifically designed to reach deep water quickly. These tours usually last between 3 and 4 hours, with most of the time spent actively searching in areas of high probability.
These tours have guides specialised in marine biology and use hydrophone equipment to detect the presence of cetaceans. Although no provider can guarantee 100% sightings (these are wild animals), the chances of success are around 80-90% in favourable conditions.
For those specifically looking to see dolphins, we recommend contacting specialised providers operating from ports such as Alcudia, Puerto Pollença or Andratx. These operators have the experience, equipment and specific routes optimised for whale watching.
The main difference lies in the objective and the route. Open sea excursions focus exclusively on reaching the dolphin feeding grounds, while coastal excursions prioritise the experience of sailing close to the shore, swimming stops and on-board entertainment.
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Let’s be completely honest: the excursions we sail along the coast of Mallorca have a very low chance of spotting dolphins. Although occasionally we may be lucky enough to come across a group of dolphins in shallower waters, this is not something that happens frequently or that we can foresee.
On our catamaran trips along the coast, we have had a few chance sightings over the years, but they represent a tiny percentage of our trips. These encounters, when they do occur, are magical and exciting, but they are not the focus or speciality of our service.
If dolphin watching is your main objective, it is essential to choose specialised whale watching providers that operate in the open sea. These tours are specifically designed to maximise the chances of encountering cetaceans and have the necessary expertise.
Specialised dolphin tours offer a higher chance of sightings but less time for entertainment and relaxation. Shore excursions, on the other hand, offer a more complete experience of marine leisure, dining and entertainment, but with a much lower chance of spotting dolphins.
Honesty is key: know exactly what type of experience you are booking and choose according to your true priorities. Both options are wonderful, but each offers something completely different.
This is the end of the article on ‘where to see dolphins in Mallorca’, but you can still find a lot of relevant information in our Blog. Remember that you can send this post to whoever you like, come back every time you need it and contact Attraction Catamarans in case you already want to book your boat or get rid of doubts.
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Balearic Islands, Spain
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