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A post shared by 𝑵 𝒊 𝒄 (@nic.schroth)

 

Some holiday makers, enjoying a day on the water, off the coast of Ibiza had a breath-taking encounter this week when a giant fin whale, one of the largest animals on the planet, swam peacefully alongside their boat. Estimated at around 20 metres long and over 70 tonnes, the whale glided through the water just a few metres from the vessel, offering those onboard an unforgettable front-row view of nature at its most majestic.

 

Described as a once-in-a-lifetime sighting, the whale swam slowly on the surface for several minutes, allowing the stunned crew to film the spectacle. Calm seas and clear conditions made for perfect viewing, and the footage quickly spread on social media, earning admiration from sea lovers across the country, with the caption, "Ibiza far away from all the party chaos, has its treasures in the ocean."

 

Fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) are the second largest cetacean in the world, only behind the blue whale. Sightings of them in the Mediterranean are relatively rare, and it’s even more unusual to see one so close to the shores of the Pityusic Islands, which makes this encounter particularly memorable. While this species is rarely spotted, there have been other recent examples of surprising marine life sightings along the Spanish coast, such as the killer whales that battered a sailboat off Andalucía earlier this month.

 

And the surprises didn’t end there. Just a few hundred metres from Cala Llenya, near Santa Eulària des Riu, a pair of playful bottlenose dolphins, one male and one female, were also spotted swimming alongside another boat. The curious pair followed the vessel for several minutes at about 5.5 knots, delighting passengers with their playful energy.

 

While dolphin sightings are more common in these waters, seeing them so close to the shore and so engaged with boats remains a magical experience. These moments also highlight the remarkable biodiversity of the protected marine environment around Ibiza and Formentera.

 

Encounters like these are reportedly becoming more frequent, although the exact reasons for the increased activity are not fully understood. Still, they serve as an important reminder of the richness of Spain’s coastal ecosystems and the need to protect them.

 

For the lucky few onboard this time, it was a day of wonder and awe. As one witness put it, “It felt like the sea was showing off.”

 

 

Video: nic.schroth/Instagram