The Strait of Gibraltar: Whales, Dolphins & Autumn Migration

Tour Code: ESP02

A 5-day, short break to observe autumn bird migration between Tarifa and 'the Rock' and the cetaceans of the Strait of Gibraltar.

5 days from
£1,595
Land only price from
£1,395
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Highlights

Summary

Summary

The Strait of Gibraltar is just 14 km wide, providing a host of migrating birds with an ideal point to cross the Mediterranean, while ‘the Rock’ itself acts as a welcome staging post. We’ll arrive during the peak of the autumn migration and make short excursions each day to scan the skies for raptors and other migrating birds by means of gentle walks or sitting in the sun! We’ll also head out to sea on one or more mornings to look for whales and dolphins in the Strait of Gibraltar by boat. We’ll be based for all four nights near the small characterful town of Vejer de la Frontera, an ideal location from which to view the bird migration.

  • Up to 18 species of raptor, plus a wealth of migrant passerines
  • White-headed Duck & Purple Gallinule
  • Cory’s & Balearic Shearwaters, European Storm-petrel, gulls & terns
  • Common, Bottlenose & Striped Dolphins plus Long-finned Pilot Whale
  • Fin & Sperm Whales plus Orca possible

Grading

A standard wildlife tour, including boat trips (weather permitting) and gentle wildlife walks only.

The Strait of Gibraltar has always been of great strategic importance, sitting as it does at the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea. This narrow, 14-kilometre-wide, stretch of water is not only held in high regard in the geopolitical world, however, it is of an equal importance to the natural world too, especially to the region's birds and cetaceans. Each year millions of migrating birds use the Strait to cross between Africa and Europe on their biannual migration between their wintering and breeding grounds. It is an especially important crossing point for raptors, storks and other soaring birds which prefer to avoid traversing long stretches of open water where there are no thermals or updrafts to keep them aloft. In the autumn, the rugged coastline on the Spanish side of the Strait between Gibraltar and Tarifa offers these long-distance travellers the opportunity to gain a final bit of height before setting out on the short, but nevertheless perilous, sea crossing to Africa.

This tour has been timed to coincide with the peak of the autumn migration at the southernmost tip of the European continent and offers a 5-day exploration of the Strait and Spain's Cadiz Province. We will be based for four nights in a comfortable cortijo (traditional Spanish farmhouse) just outside the small town of Vejer de la Frontera, an ideal place from which to enjoy the region's autumn birdlife and witness the raptors passing overhead… with minimum travel and maximum relaxation! Our itinerary will be flexible —  subject to the predicted weather for each day —  which is crucial if we are to catch both the peak movements of birds and ensure good sea conditions for our boat trips.

On one or more mornings, weather permitting, we will travel out into the Strait from the town of Tarifa to look for cetaceans. Three species of dolphin — Common, Bottlenose and Striped — are resident here, and are often particularly abundant in September. There are also several resident groups of Long-finned Pilot Whales in the area, which are typically extremely obliging and unconcerned by the approach of the small motor-vessel we will be using. In addition, other larger species such as Fin Whale, Sperm Whale and Orca occur in the area and we are likely to see such seabirds as Cory’s and Balearic Shearwaters and European Storm-petrel, as well as other marine wildlife, perhaps including Ocean Sunfish and sharks. Our boat trips will be two to three hours in duration and will be followed by lunch. There are a number of migration watch-points in the nearby hills which double as handy picnic sites. During September the skies are usually dominated by soaring birds. Movements can include up to 18 species of raptors —  especially Booted and Short-toed Eagles and Black Kites — together with White, and the occasional Black Storks. The views from the hills can be quite superb as raptors wheel around our heads.

After lunch we may choose to continue watching the migration or explore the local area. There are several different wetland habitats within an easy drive, where we may find passage waders, terns and gulls. The saltpans at nearby Barbate are an especially productive site and usually packed with interest at this time of year. They attract large numbers of breeding and migrating waders such as Kentish Plover, Black-winged Stilt, Curlew Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank and Little Stint. Gulls and terns can include such treats as Slender-billed and Audouin's Gulls and Caspian Tern. If we have time, and our schedule allows, the Bay of Cadiz to the north is particularly good for a wide variety of species, including such specialities as White-headed Duck and Purple Gallinule, and the coastline is excellent for migrant passerines.

We will also be on the lookout for one of the region's rarest residents, the quirky and endearing Northern Bald Ibis. This critically endangered bird is doing well here — thanks to a successful reintroduction programme — and we may even be fortunate to see them on one of their regular evening visits to the grounds of our hotel!

The beauty of this area in the autumn is that anything can and does happen. A pod of Orcas pops in to check out the local tuna boats, a day of inclement ‘levanter’ winds has migrants bursting out of every bush, a sky that was empty one day is filled with eagles the next or a vagrant Cream-coloured Courser is found on the beach at Tarifa. Whatever happens, we will not be far away when it does!  

DETAILED INFORMATION
Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Day 1
Fly Gibraltar and transfer to Vejer de la Frontera
Day 2/4
Tarifa and the Strait of Gibraltar
Day 5
Fly London
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What's Included

What's Included?

  • Flights
  • Accommodation:

    Comfortable cortijo (traditional Spanish farmhouse) just outside Vejer de la Frontera, all rooms with private facilities.

  • Food:

    All food included in the price.

Reviews
Dates & Prices

Dates & Prices

2025

Departures Availability Cost
Tue 9th Sep – Sat 13th Sep SPACES £1,595
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,395
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£160
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Niki Williamson
Niki-Williamson.jpg

Tour Leader: Niki Williamson

Niki was given a YOC membership for her 6th birthday, and has loved nature ever since. She worked and volunteered for the RSPB for 12 years, managing habitats, brandishing power tools with varying levels of success, and honing her birding skills in some of the best wetland, upland and coastal habitats in the UK. She was part of the Eastern England Farmland Advisory team for eight years, working with nature-friendly farmers to make the countryside a better place for wildlife, eventually heading up the team. Niki is particularly passionate about the plight of the Turtle Dove and was part of Operation Turtle Dove, working to ensure a future for this desperately declining bird. As well as the UK, this work took her to West Africa, where she worked closely with Conservation Grade to survey migratory and resident farmland bird species and their habitat needs, to see how local growers could produce peanuts in a way that is fair to nature and of benefit to wintering migrants. Niki now lives in Southern Spain, near Tarifa, where she has worked full time as a wildlife guide for four years, with a focus on showing people the wondrous migration spectacle of the Straits of Gibraltar. She leads tours here for Naturetrek in spring, autumn and summer, and also leads in various other destinations across Spain, including Coto Doñana, Sierra de Morena, Extremadura, Serranía de Ronda, as well as across the straits in Northern Morocco.

Sat 13th Sep – Wed 17th Sep SPACES £1,595
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,395
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£160
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Niki Williamson
Niki-Williamson.jpg

Tour Leader: Niki Williamson

Niki was given a YOC membership for her 6th birthday, and has loved nature ever since. She worked and volunteered for the RSPB for 12 years, managing habitats, brandishing power tools with varying levels of success, and honing her birding skills in some of the best wetland, upland and coastal habitats in the UK. She was part of the Eastern England Farmland Advisory team for eight years, working with nature-friendly farmers to make the countryside a better place for wildlife, eventually heading up the team. Niki is particularly passionate about the plight of the Turtle Dove and was part of Operation Turtle Dove, working to ensure a future for this desperately declining bird. As well as the UK, this work took her to West Africa, where she worked closely with Conservation Grade to survey migratory and resident farmland bird species and their habitat needs, to see how local growers could produce peanuts in a way that is fair to nature and of benefit to wintering migrants. Niki now lives in Southern Spain, near Tarifa, where she has worked full time as a wildlife guide for four years, with a focus on showing people the wondrous migration spectacle of the Straits of Gibraltar. She leads tours here for Naturetrek in spring, autumn and summer, and also leads in various other destinations across Spain, including Coto Doñana, Sierra de Morena, Extremadura, Serranía de Ronda, as well as across the straits in Northern Morocco.

2026

Departures Availability Cost
Wed 9th Sep – Sun 13th Sep SPACES £1,595
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,395
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£160
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Niki Williamson
Niki-Williamson.jpg

Tour Leader: Niki Williamson

Niki was given a YOC membership for her 6th birthday, and has loved nature ever since. She worked and volunteered for the RSPB for 12 years, managing habitats, brandishing power tools with varying levels of success, and honing her birding skills in some of the best wetland, upland and coastal habitats in the UK. She was part of the Eastern England Farmland Advisory team for eight years, working with nature-friendly farmers to make the countryside a better place for wildlife, eventually heading up the team. Niki is particularly passionate about the plight of the Turtle Dove and was part of Operation Turtle Dove, working to ensure a future for this desperately declining bird. As well as the UK, this work took her to West Africa, where she worked closely with Conservation Grade to survey migratory and resident farmland bird species and their habitat needs, to see how local growers could produce peanuts in a way that is fair to nature and of benefit to wintering migrants. Niki now lives in Southern Spain, near Tarifa, where she has worked full time as a wildlife guide for four years, with a focus on showing people the wondrous migration spectacle of the Straits of Gibraltar. She leads tours here for Naturetrek in spring, autumn and summer, and also leads in various other destinations across Spain, including Coto Doñana, Sierra de Morena, Extremadura, Serranía de Ronda, as well as across the straits in Northern Morocco.

Sun 13th Sep – Thu 17th Sep SPACES £1,595
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,395
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£160
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Niki Williamson
Niki-Williamson.jpg

Tour Leader: Niki Williamson

Niki was given a YOC membership for her 6th birthday, and has loved nature ever since. She worked and volunteered for the RSPB for 12 years, managing habitats, brandishing power tools with varying levels of success, and honing her birding skills in some of the best wetland, upland and coastal habitats in the UK. She was part of the Eastern England Farmland Advisory team for eight years, working with nature-friendly farmers to make the countryside a better place for wildlife, eventually heading up the team. Niki is particularly passionate about the plight of the Turtle Dove and was part of Operation Turtle Dove, working to ensure a future for this desperately declining bird. As well as the UK, this work took her to West Africa, where she worked closely with Conservation Grade to survey migratory and resident farmland bird species and their habitat needs, to see how local growers could produce peanuts in a way that is fair to nature and of benefit to wintering migrants. Niki now lives in Southern Spain, near Tarifa, where she has worked full time as a wildlife guide for four years, with a focus on showing people the wondrous migration spectacle of the Straits of Gibraltar. She leads tours here for Naturetrek in spring, autumn and summer, and also leads in various other destinations across Spain, including Coto Doñana, Sierra de Morena, Extremadura, Serranía de Ronda, as well as across the straits in Northern Morocco.

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Why Naturetrek?

Why Naturetrek?

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

  • The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
  • Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
  • Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!

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