Sotogrande Weekly Dolphin Watching Programme

Join us for a 7-day experience discovering cetaceans in southern Spain

Located on the eastern side of the Strait of Gibraltar, on the southern coast of Spain, Sotogrande and its surroundings are home to resident populations of Common dolphins and Bottlenose dolphins, benefiting from mild temperatures and rich marine productivity throughout the year. During the spring months, fin whales also migrate towards the Atlantic, so there is a good chance of observing them during this period as well.

This weekly programme in Sotogrande is designed for people who want to experience cetaceans in their natural habitat and spend time at sea with an expert team that works regularly in the area, while also enjoying the landscapes, climate and everyday life of southern Spain.

During the week, you can join one, two or several boat trips, depending on what suits you best. On each trip, you will learn about the local species, the conservation challenges they face, and how we study and monitor them. No previous experience is required — just interest and a willingness to learn.

The experience

During your stay, you will navigate alongside our expert captain and marine biologist, taking part in real cetacean monitoring and educational work. You will learn how we study dolphins in the wild while actively contributing to ongoing research and conservation efforts.

You also have the option to stay onboard a sailing boat in Sotogrande Marina, fully embracing the marine lifestyle, while enjoying free time to discover nearby white villages, beaches and Andalusian gastronomy.

What will you do?

Join educational and research-oriented dolphin watching expeditions to study distribution, abundance and behaviour.
Learn how individual dolphins are identified and how acoustic data is collected using a hydrophone.
Assist the crew with daily onboard operations and scientific tasks.
Actively help spot, photograph and film dolphins and other marine life.
Receive educational materials covering cetacean biology, ecology, acoustics and research techniques used in the Strait of Gibraltar.

Note: If you are prone to seasickness, please consider carefully whether this programme is suitable for you.

What’s included

Boat expeditions (approximately 2.5 hours each) — choose between 1 and 5 trips during the week.
Accommodation onboard a comfortable sailing boat in Sotogrande Marina (optional).
Drinks during sea outings.
Training in dolphin monitoring and research techniques.
Personalised travel assistance and local recommendations.
Direct contribution to marine conservation and research.

The programme is available from March to November.
Stays run from Sunday to Sunday, with flexible start dates subject to availability.

Travel information

Travel to and from Sotogrande is not included. We recommend flying into Málaga Airport and renting a car. All practical information is provided before arrival to help you organise your trip.

Please note that boat trips are subject to weather conditions.

22% of the fee supports the work of the WeWhale Association.