Did you know that during the spring the Catalan coast becomes a whale highway? Last year more than 160 cetaceans were sighted in Catalan waters and the scientific community assures that they are not just passing through, but come here expressly to look for food.
From February to June, the water temperature of the Catalan coast attracts hundreds of whales, since the small crustaceans they feed on proliferate in these conditions.
This is why, in a respectful way, up to four entities allow curious visitors to embark with them to watch whales and other cetaceans. They warn that these trips are not tourist attractions in the style of whale-watching and that they cannot promise to always see whales, since it is a navigation focused on sustainable leisure and awareness of the life and situation of these giant animals.
The sea is not a glass aquarium
To be able to observe cetaceans, not everything goes, you have to be respectful of the marine ecosystem and follow a series of rules.
The first of all is to ask for an authorization from the Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge. Once we have started sailing, we can never get closer than 60 meters from them or cross their course. In addition, no loud noises may be emitted, as the whales use their hearing to guide them through the waves.
The associations and groups that organize the outings defend that the sea is not a glass aquarium or a zoo, for this reason, whale watching depends on many conditions that cannot be controlled and we have to keep in mind that we are just mere visitors of their natural habitat.
The four boats with which you can go whale watching near Barcelona are different from each other but share the respect for the sea and the work of awareness and research.
Mar a la vista, a traditional wooden boat
Ria de Ferriol is a wooden boat from 1949 captained by Sergi and Nirvana, his dog. In it, you can enjoy a traditional sailing and, weather permitting, the sails will be hoisted. In addition, a marine biologist will be the guide of the expedition to learn more in depth about the life of whales, the characteristics of their habitat and what we can do to respect and care for the marine environment.
They have already become some experts and have been the first to spot the whales that have arrived in the city in 2025.
🕐 7-8 hours trips : 📍 Port Olímpic : 💸 90 €.
Maktub, collaborate with a research team.
Here you will collaborate with a research team on board the Maktub, the ship of the Rorqual Project. This project started in 2013 to research on the Balaenoptera physalus, a whale that can reach up to 24 meters in length.
On each outing they accept up to four new crew members and welcome them with a talk about their project and about some of the species that can be seen during the expedition. In addition, they also conduct workshops and outreach courses for schools, institutes, universities and associations.
🕐 6-10 hours trips 📍 Club Náutico de Vilanova i la Geltrú 💸 120 € € € 120
Cetácea, photo-identify whales and other cetaceans
In the outings of the Associació Cetàcea you will accompany the members of the foundation in the photo-identification of cetaceans and dolphins in the Garraf area, since the objective of these expeditions is to be able to elaborate a catalog of the dorsal fins of the animals that inhabit that area.
Here you will also receive a talk about the project and what animals you will find during the expedition. In addition, you will be able to help expand the catalog with the photos you take during the day at sea.
🕐 Crossings about 8 hours : 📍 Port de Sitges Aiguadolç : 💸 60 € (48€ for friends of the Cetacea)
Depana, an environmental association
Depana is an environmental association with more than 1,000 members that, among its various fields of action, organizes outings to photo-identify cetaceans. They propose their outings as an alternative to dolphinariums, which are aquariums where dolphins live in captivity. The next expedition will be on April 16 and is open to the general public. Their goal with it is to raise awareness about the conservation and knowledge of cetaceans.
🕐 Crossings of 9 hours approx. 📍 Vilanova y la Geltrú 💸 60 € (45 € for members)