Last Monday, a group of tourists participating in a whale watching trip organized by Buceo Finisterre experienced an unforgettable encounter: four blue whales , the largest animal on the planet, approached their boat near Cape Finisterre, on the Galician coast.
It's not common to see these marine giants, much less in a group. In fact, the company, which has been running these excursions for years, had never before recorded a sighting of four specimens together . The news has generated excitement among nature lovers and highlighted the recovery of this species in the Atlantic.
A meeting just a few meters away
The expedition departed from Fisterra and ventured out to sea. About six miles offshore, the crew spotted the blows of whales. One of them approached within ten meters of the boat, curiously observing the passengers. Fernando Carrillo Lago, manager of Buceo Finisterre and a professional diver, described the scene: "We stopped the boat, and they always come close because they are very observant." The tourists, a group from Madrid, couldn't believe it: it was the first time they had ever seen whales in the wild.
In addition to the four blue whales, the group also spotted a beluga whale, more than fifty dolphins, and a small shark . All of this happened at sunset, after 8:00 p.m., which made the moment even more magical. Biologist María Becerra, who was on board, explained that it was "a very emotional moment, a little dizzying."
Why were they there?
Blue whales migrate to Galician waters every summer to feed on krill, their primary food source. According to Alfredo López, a biologist and spokesperson for the Coordinator for the Study of Marine Mammals (CEMMA), these are the first blue whales sighted off the Galician coast in 2026. "They're behind schedule this year," he noted. These cetaceans usually travel in the company of fin whales, but this time they weren't.
María Becerra points to a curious phenomenon: “Due to El Niño, which greatly warmed the surface water, the fin whale moved to deeper waters and changed its route. The blue whales, on the other hand, maintained their migratory route and came anyway.” This would explain why they were seen alone, something unusual.
A sign of recovery
The biologist dismisses any connection between this sighting and climate change. On the contrary, she considers it "hopeful news." "Galicia is recovering its whale population after it was on the verge of extinction due to whaling," she states. In the past, Cape Finisterre was home to a whaling station that decimated these animals. Now, with the cessation of whaling, data indicates that the species is recovering.
Experts note that blue whales can measure between 25 and 30 meters and weigh up to 100 tons. They migrate from northern Europe to North Africa in search of food. Their presence in Galicia is an indicator of the health of marine species and the biodiversity of the marine ecosystem.
In short, this sighting of four blue whales in Fisterra was not only a spectacular sight for those fortunate enough to witness it, but also a source of hope for the conservation of the species . The combination of factors such as the recovery of populations and the abundance of krill in the area has made the Galician coast a key location for observing these giants of the ocean. Undoubtedly, it was an experience that will remain etched in the memory of all those lucky enough to be there.