Boat tour with orca and other cetacean watching in the Strait of Gibraltar
Highlights
- Spot killer whales and great whales on an exclusive 3-hour expedition through the Strait of Gibraltar
- Learn about migratory and resident cetacean species from expert biologists.
- Sail responsibly and see the giants of the ocean in their natural habitat.
Activity available in
Why Freedome
Free of charge cancellation
Okay we'll reimburse you, but you don't know what you're missing
Best price guaranteed
The same as the guide: we do not charge fees
Assistance 7 days a week
Contact us anytime. We do not do ghosting
Full description
If Free Willy! was one of your favourite filmsas a child, you can't miss this adventure.
During the summer months, the Strait of Gibraltar becomes the setting for a unique 3-hour expedition from Tarifa. Accompanied by biologists, you will sail in search of the majestic killer whales, as well as other migratory species such as fin whales and resident cetaceans such as bottlenose dolphins and pilot whales.
Don't miss the opportunity to see the giants of the ocean at their most spectacular, join the expedition!
What we will do
We will meet at the Tarifa office about 45 minutes before departure to check in and receive our boarding tickets. After a short walk to the boat, we will be met by expert biologists who will guide us through the whole experience. While it's time to get on board, we can wait comfortably in the resting area.
Once on board and after the safety instructions, we will enter the waters of the Strait of Gibraltar for a 3 hour expedition. We will sail out into the ocean, as, during the summer months, these waters become the scene of one of the most spectacular sightings in the world: the arrival of the killer whales. During the tour, we will also have the opportunity to spot other migratory giants such as fin whales, as well as specimens of the four species of cetaceans that reside here all year round.
We will always sail under strict environmental protection regulations, allowing us to witness up close the behaviour of these magnificent specimens in their natural environment without disturbing their ecosystem. The biologists will help us to identify each species, turning the trip into a master class in marine conservation.
The activity will last 3 hours, enough time to explore the areas of greatest activity and enjoy the encounter with the largest cetaceans in the Strait of Gibraltar.
Who it is aimed at
The excursion is suitable for all ages.
Minors must be accompanied and supervised by a responsible adult.
The boats are adapted for people with disabilities. Wheelchair accessible places are limited, so it is necessary to contact the tour organiser to reserve them. You will receive the contact details in the booking confirmation email.
Other information
The tour is only available in July and August and the timetable is not definitive.
Important : you will need to call the tour organiser the day before to find out the exact time of the activity and to confirm that the weather is favourable. The departure may be subject to last minute changes or even cancellation due to weather conditions, and notifications will only be sent to you by SMS.
Babies under 1 year old travel free of charge, but it will be necessary to communicate their presence to ensure they have a place. Pensioners are entitled to a 10% discount, which will be applied after booking. Please contact the tour organiser to arrange the presence of infants or pensioners. You will receive the contact details in the booking confirmation email.
Depending on demand, the boat will be one of the following:
- Jackelin: 22. 7 metres in length and capacity for 165 people. It has a bar service, toilets, three external and internal decks and an underwater viewing chamber.
- Pirata de Sálvora: 16. 75 metres in length and capacity for 62 people. It has a toilet, an open area and a covered area.
Sightings of at least one species of cetacean are guaranteed. If no whales are sighted, you will receive a ticket with no expiry date to repeat the tour. If no killer whales are sighted, you will receive a 30% discount to participate in another tour.
You are welcome to bring your own snacks, but feeding the animals in the wild is prohibited.
As this is a shared tour, pets are not allowed on board.
In high season it can be difficult to find parking: there are many paid car parks in the surrounding area and, on a longer walk, there are also free parking areas. It is also possible to get there by public transport: the city bus stop is very close and the intercity connection is about 15 minutes walk away.
Recommended clothing
- Comfortable clothes and shoes appropriate to the time of year.
- Something to cover you if it's windy at sea
Don't forget to bring
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Cap or hat
- Medicine for the prevention of motion sickness
- Water
What is included
How it works
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1
Send a booking request
We will only pre-authorise the payment
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2
Receive confirmation within 48 hours
In case of confirmation, you will be charged the cost of the activity
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3
Live your experience
Enjoy the activity and let us know how it was!
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1
Buy a gift voucher
Valid for 12 months from the date of issue. You will receive it by email, in pdf format.
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2
Choose your preferred date
Contact the guide at the contact details on the voucher and arrange a day for the activity.
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3
Live your experience
Enjoy the activity and let us know how it was!
Meeting point
Tarifa, Cádiz
Frequently asked questions
What happens in case of bad weather?
If you have made a fixed date reservation and the weather conditions are not suitable for carrying out the activity safely (according to the expert opinion of the guide), you will be refunded the full amount paid. The guide may suggest an alternative date or time for the activity. You are free to choose whether or not to accept these suggestions. If you are unable to reschedule, we will proceed with a full refund! If you have set the date of your Gift Voucher and bad weather has prevented the activity from taking place, the Voucher remains valid until the expiry date indicated on it.
If I cancel the reservation, can I get a full refund?
For this activity, the cancellation policy is last minute. You get a full refund if you cancel within 24 hours from the activity start. You can find the full policies in the Cancellation Policy section.
What payment methods do you accept?
On Freedome, you can pay with any rechargeable credit card or prepaid card (including Postepay) from Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Diners Club, JCB networks. We also accept debit cards enabled for online payments. You can also use the digital wallets Apple Pay and Google Pay.
