Route: Whale watching trip from Tazacorte
Area: La Palma
Date of walk: 25th January 2017
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Weather: Sunny
We finished our walk to the Cuevas de Buracas by late morning which left us enough time for another adventure, so we drove down the west coast of La Palma to the port of Tazacorte, one of the few places on this rugged coastline from which it’s possible to access the sea
We wandered down to the harbour and as luck would have it we were just in time for the 3.30pm whale watching trip. We bought 2 tickets and climbed on board the catamaran – Fancy II
Before sailing out into open sea, the captain took us along the west coast, keeping close the cliff face and at one point reversing the boat into a cave. The highlight of the coastal section was seeing the improbable village at Punta Candelaria, situated at the bottom of a sheer rock face and seemingly inaccessible from land
We then headed further out into the Atlantic in search of whales. The search was fruitless for quite some time, and the captain was concerned that we we may not have a sighting – there is no guarantee. At last, and just as hopes were fading, we spotted a pod of pilot whales – estimated at 30 or so. A thrilling moment, especially when individuals swam under and beside the boat
Mission accomplished, we sailed back into port just in time to witness another glorious sunset – a great end to a great day
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The seafront in the port of Tazacorte as we walk towards the harbour
Fancy II is the blue catamaran behind the wooden boat
Looking back to Tazacorte as we leave port - the wide canyon Barranco de las Angustias provides a rare opening along the almost impregnable west coast
Sailing below the steep cliffs
The boat reverses into this cave
The amazing village of Poris de Candelaria, once a home to fishermen in the summer months
Playa del Jurado, accessible via a difficult walking route down the cliffs
We head out to sea in search of whales
The crew scan the sea in search of elusive whales
A sunbow…
Just as we were giving up hope - at last, a telltale fin
Pilot whales, clearly audible as they sucked in deep breaths of air
The captain informed us that they can dive as deep as 500 metres while hunting for food
Magic
The sun begins to set as we head back to port
Clouds over Tazacorte…
Back to the harbour, just in time to witness a glorious sunset as we walk along the beach back to the car…
Back at our rented villa, countless stars in the heavens
