Whale Watching in the Bay of Biscay: Europe's Most Extraordinary Cetacean Crossing

The Bay of Biscay is one of the world's premier whale-watching locations, and the secret to accessing it is simple: take the ferry. The Brittany Ferries routes from Portsmouth or Plymouth to Santander and Bilbao cross some of the most cetacean-rich water in the world. A quarter of all the world's cetacean species have been recorded in the Bay of Biscay. The northern coast of Spain is the landside to this extraordinary marine world.

Why the Bay of Biscay is special

The deep submarine canyons off the northern Spanish coast are the key. The Torrelavega Canyon drops to over 3,000 metres just a short distance offshore. This creates an upwelling of nutrients that attracts enormous quantities of fish, squid, and the whales and dolphins that feed on them. The Bay is particularly famous for Cuvier's beaked whale, one of the most elusive and little-known large mammals in the world, which holds the cetacean record for deepest dive at close to 3,000 metres. Sperm whales are regularly seen. Fin whales are common. Common dolphins often appear in pods of hundreds.

The ferry as the experience

The northern coast of Spain surrounding the Bay is one of the great unexplored areas of the country. Asturias has brown bears in the mountains and extraordinary prehistoric cave art. Cantabria has Altamira and the beautiful Pasiegos of the Pas valley. Galicia has Santiago de Compostela and the most dramatic coastline in Spain.

Sightings are not guaranteed, but common dolphins are seen on the great majority of crossings and fin whales are frequent. A beaked whale sighting, rare and extraordinary, will stay with you for years.

For the full whale watching picture: where to whale watch across Spain. And the complete wildlife guide by region.

If crossing from the UK is not on the agenda, day trips and dedicated whale-watching excursions operate from Bilbao and Santander into the Bay. These are serious wildlife trips rather than casual family outings, deeper water, longer distances offshore, more variable sea conditions. The Bay of Biscay is the least touristy whale-watching spot in Spain, which is part of the appeal.

Is it good with kids?

The ferry crossing can be excellent for older children who are interested in wildlife and comfortable with extended time at sea. The open Atlantic conditions mean swell and motion, which is not ideal for very young children or anyone prone to severe seasickness. The day trips from Santander and Bilbao are more demanding than the Tarifa or Canary Islands equivalents. This is the wildlife-focused option for a family that takes its wildlife seriously.

What else to do in the north

The northern coast of Spain is one of the great unexplored areas of the country for most travelers. Asturias has bears in the mountains, extraordinary prehistoric cave art, and the Picos de Europa right behind the coast. Cantabria has Altamira and a beautiful medieval city in Santillana del Mar. Galicia has Santiago de Compostela and the most dramatic coastline in Spain. A whale trip in the Bay pairs naturally with any of these.

Where to stay

Santander is the most practical base for Bay of Biscay whale watching, a handsome city with a long beach, a good ferry port, and easy access to Cantabria's highlights. Bilbao is the alternative, with the Guggenheim and a world-class food scene. Here are places to stay:

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Spain Has Many Versions. Find Yours.

Mediterranean Spain: Catalonia | Comunitat Valenciana | Murcia | Andalucía

Northern Spain: País Vasco | Cantabria | Asturias | Galicia | Navarra | Aragón

Inland Spain: Madrid | Castilla y León | Castilla-La Mancha | Extremadura | La Rioja

The Islands: Balearic Islands | Canary Islands

Planning and Living in Spain: Moving to Spain, But Where? | Living Abroad: The Real Pros and Cons | Slow Travel in Europe | What to Know Before You Drive in Spain | What Is Empty Spain?

For every region, coast, and town we've covered, see The Complete Guide to Spain