• More Arrests in Glacis Estate As RGP Tackle Anti-Social Behaviour
  • More Arrests in Glacis Estate As RGP Tackle Anti-Social Behaviour

    Officers from the RGP Operations Division currently investigating recent instances of Violence and Anti-Social Behaviour in the area of Glacis Estate have carried out several arrests. These follow an incident of Violent Disorder at Glacis Estate last Friday, where seven individuals were arrested by RGP Response Team officers and where bladed weapons were seized. 

    Read more

  • Holland And Barrett Vitamins Gibraltar Offer

Gibraltar Dolphin Tours

Gibraltar Dolphin Tours – Get Up Close And Personal

Dolphins GibraltarThere's something about dolphins which captivates the majority of us humans. Whether it's their beauty and gentle nature or their agility in the water, watching dolphins makes us very happy. You may be surprised to learn that the Straits of Gibraltar sees a huge amount of dolphins and whales despite the fact that it is also one of the busiest shipping channels in the world. Considering that adults and children alike enjoy dolphins, it's not surprising that Gibraltar dolphin tours rank amongst the most popular of all the Gibraltar attractions.

Dolphin and whale spotting in Gibraltar

Dolphin spotting and whale watching continues to grow in popularity in Gibraltar. At it's narrowest point, the Strait of Gibraltar is about 10 miles wide and it's towards the centre of the Strait that the dolphins and whales are at their most prolific.

About three miles out, is where you'll be likely to see huge mammals such as the Sperm Whales, and what is interesting is that most whale watchers say that the whales appear to be heading westwards even though the current flows mainly in an eastern direction.

The dolphins are more easy to spot and can be seen on most days when visiting the Bay of Gibraltar. There are three main types living here, namely the Common Dolphin, the Striped Dolphin and the Bottlenose Dolphin. These wonderful creatures are able to dive to depths of around 280 metres and can stay below the surface for up to 8 minutes without having to take a breath. Depending on the type of dolphin, some of them can swim at speeds in excess of 35 miles per hour and they can also live for up to 25 years in the wild.

Dolphins are incredibly sociable and like to spend their time in the company of others. The groups that you may see in Gibraltar could be as small as two or three, rising to around 200, all living and working together. They take family life seriously and all help in gathering food, giving birth and coming to the aid of injured family members.

 

Why Gibraltar dolphin tours are so popular

Gibraltar Dolphin ToursNothing comes close to watching dolphins frolicking in the wild and when you take an organised tour you can rest assured that the experienced skipper knows the best areas where dolphins and whales hang out. The dolphins themselves are incredibly friendly and you can almost feel their breath as they surface near the edge of the boat and perform some amazing acrobatics in the swirling waters. Some even come close enough for you to maintain eye contact with them before they playfully splash you! You may even get lucky and see a mother and her calves. If you travel to Gibraltar, the chance to see these awesome creatures of the deep and interact with them is an opportunity not to be missed.

 

If you're interested in taking a tour

Gibraltar has several reputable tour operators including Dolphin World, Dolphin Adventure and Dolphin Safari who have numerous years of experience between them, and offer daily dolphin tours lasting anywhere between 1½ and 2½ hours. They all want their passengers to have the ultimate dolphin experience of these large mammals, without overtly intruding on their territory. Depending on which tour you take, you may be free to wander around the boat and also partake of refreshments. Dolphin Adventure also offers exclusive whale tours which last approximately 3 hours and are scheduled a few days in advance, so booking is essential. The tours vary in price but start at around £22.50 per adult with children about half price. Most of the boats leave from Watergardens Quay or the adjacent Marina Bay, north west of the town centre. In the unlikely event that you fail to see any dolphins, some tour operators will issue you with a courtesy ticket to use another time.

If you're looking for an attraction which will remain in your memory for years to come, then Gibraltar dolphin tours has to be the one.

 

Photos By Dwayne Trinidad

Check out this Gibraltar Dolphin Tours Video:

Created by Gold Productions Studios