The narrow strait of water that connects the Atlantic Ocean with the warm Mediterranean Sea and separates Spain from Africa is one of Europe’s whale and dolphin watching hotspots.
At its narrowest stretch the strait is just 13 km wide and ranges in depth from 300 to 900 metres. The Parque Natural del Estrecho protects some of the strait, an important feeding and migratory site for seven species of whale and dolphin.
Short-beaked common dolphin, acrobatic striped dolphin and long-finned pilot whale are the most regularly encountered species. Bottle-nosed dolphin and sperm and fin whales are also occasional visitors to the strait, while in August orcas visit to hunt tuna.
There are rocky coastlines and beautiful sandy beaches to be found throughout the region. The small fishing village of Tarifa is the base for most of the whale and dolphin watching boat trips.
