Sea mammals

The world’s oceans provide vast habitats for marine life. One of the groups that holds the greatest appeal for nature lovers is marine mammals. Off the coast of Cantabria, visitors can spot dolphins, pilot whales, beaked whales, and fin whales, mainly due to the narrowness of the Cantabrian continental shelf along this coastline. Some species are resident and breed in the area, such as the common dolphin, bottlenose dolphin, striped dolphin, and Cuvier’s beaked whale, while other species pass through our coast, including the fin whale and the minke whale, among others.

The summer season, from June through September, is undoubtedly the best time of year to observe these species in the waters of the Cantabrian Sea. Sea conditions are generally more favorable, with calmer sea that make navigation and searching for target species easier. Additionally, this is an ideal time to spot family groups of dolphins near the coast. Also, in late summer, you will be able to observe migratory species coming from northern Europe as they head toward warmer waters.