Short and striking: Whale sighted between Mallorca and Menorca

Short and striking: Whale sighted between Mallorca and Menorca

Likely a fin whale – a moment that briefly froze the coastal evening

It was one of those hot August evenings when the Paseo Marítimo in Palma still hummed with voices, the sea glinted to cool people down and thermometers read 30°C. At sea, between Mallorca and Menorca, another sound interrupted the usual soundscape: a short splash, water rising and a mighty back or fin that became visible for a few seconds.

Those on board nearby boats later described the same brief shock: amazement, cameras, then silence again, a reaction familiar to passengers on family trips such as Dolphins Up Close: Following a Magical Trail with Cruceros Cormoran off Mallorca. The scene was captured on camera – more than a fleeting photo it was not. The animal dived quickly and continued on its way. Encounters with large marine mammals here often go like this: short, impressive, and then they are gone.

The features suggest it could have been a fin whale. This species is no stranger to the western Mediterranean and can reach lengths of up to 24 meters; after the blue whale they are the heaviest mammals in the world. Nevertheless, such sightings are always special because whales spend most of their time below the surface and cover large distances on migrations.

2016 and the following years have shown that Balearic waters are increasingly crossed by large animals. In recent months there have already been comparable observations: in April a large whale was filmed off Cala en Bosc on Menorca in relatively shallow waters, in an area about 60 meters deep. Also in spring 2025 two large animals were seen near the Formentor lighthouse. And in the waters around Ibiza there was a season when a whale stayed near boats for several minutes. Such patterns point less to isolated cases and more to regular transit routes; other unusual encounters have included Giant stingray between the rocks: Rare sighting off Cap Andritxol.

The event is not just a nice anecdote for boaters and beachgoers. It is a reminder of something we easily forget in everyday life: the islands are not only a tourism zone but also part of an ecosystem that continues to be used by large, migratory species and is affected by changes such as seagrass loss described in Sea off Mallorca: When the Underwater Meadow Disappears. For the locals on the Passeig, the fishers in Port de Sóller or the captains of small excursion boats in Alcúdia this means: keep your eyes open, show respect and maintain distance.

What can you do concretely? First: keep your distance. If a whale surfaces, slow down gradually, keep engines idling calmly and avoid panicked maneuvers. Second: report sightings. Many marine research groups and port authorities collect data on whale observations; every time, position and, if possible, a photo helps. Third: act mindfully during recreational activities such as kitesurfing or diving. Short encounters are enough to inspire — they must not become a source of stress for the animals.

For Mallorca, such a sighting brings a small, quiet joy: a piece of wilderness briefly slipping into our daily life. In harbor cafés people talk about it for hours, on park benches the scene is reconstructed, and children point at posters with whales, remembering outings like Dolphins Up Close: Following a Magical Trail with Cruceros Cormoran off Mallorca. It is a moment that connects people — and perhaps encourages them to learn more about protecting the seas.

As long as the summer sun continues to heat the promenades and the engines of the boats hum quietly, the sea behind them remains active and populated. That a large whale crosses the channel between Mallorca and Menorca is a reminder that our coastal daily life has direct connections to the open sea. A reason to rejoice — and an occasion to handle this treasure responsibly.

Note: If you would like to report a sighting, note the location, time and direction of the animal and contact local research projects or the port authority, which have investigated cases like Mystery at the Mole: Striped Dolphin as a Warning for Palma's Sea. Distance and calm protect both people and animals.