There’s Something Rather Special Happening in Our Mediterranean…
As we head towards the end of September, the summer months may be drawing to a close, but here on the Gandia and Safor coastline, nature is still putting on quite a show! 🌴☀️🌊
Over recent weeks there have been some wonderful reports of dolphins being spotted off the coast of Gandia, including around the l’Auir stretch of beach and, remarkably, following fishing boats all the way back towards the Marina de Gandia.
And for those of us lucky enough to live here, it is a rather lovely reminder that there is so much more to our coastline than beautiful sandy beaches and turquoise Mediterranean water. 💙
🐬 DOLPHINS AT GANDIA – AND THEY AREN'T SHY!
On 14 September 2026, Radio Gandia reported on local fishermen encountering dolphins along the Gandia coastline.
One fisherman explained that the dolphins can follow the boats from the l’Auir area right along the beach towards the port, with sightings continuing as the boats approach the harbour. The fishermen described seeing them jumping around the boats, sometimes even as they reach the entrance to the port.
So, if you are enjoying a stroll along the seafront, sitting on the beach at Gandia or Miramar or any of the smaller coastal villages down the coastline, or watching the boats coming and going from Gandia marina, keep your eyes on the water! 👀🌊
You never know when a little fin might appear!
Marina de Gandía is right at the heart of this wonderful coastal environment, while Platja de Miramar forms part of the long sandy coastline stretching south from Gandia where dolphins have been spotted by tourists too.
🐋 AND WHAT ABOUT THE WHALES?
The Valencian Mediterranean is also an important area for larger cetaceans, particularly the magnificent fin whale (rorcual común).
The fin whale is the second-largest animal on Earth, after the blue whale, and it is the only baleen whale species regularly found in the Mediterranean. Sadly, it is classified as Endangered in the Mediterranean, which makes every sighting particularly special.
Researchers from the Universitat Politècnica de València's Campus de Gandia have been involved in studying these extraordinary animals and their movements along the Valencian coast.
Research has shown that fin whales make seasonal movements through these Mediterranean waters, with the waters around the Valencian coast forming part of an important area for understanding their migration.
And this isn't something that has suddenly appeared this year.
In previous research, fin whales have been recorded along the wider Valencian coastline, including observations associated with Gandia and the surrounding Valencian waters.
💙 WHY IS THIS SUCH GOOD NEWS FOR OUR COAST?
For anyone thinking about buying a home here, we think this is another little piece of the Gandia lifestyle jigsaw that doesn't always appear in the property brochures!
We naturally talk about:
🏖️ Miles of golden sandy beaches
🌊 Warm Mediterranean waters
🌴 Palm-lined promenades
☀️ More than 300 days of sunshine
🍊 The beautiful countryside surrounding La Safor
⛵ Gandia Marina and the Mediterranean lifestyle
But underneath all that beauty is a living marine ecosystem.
Seeing dolphins travelling along the coastline is a wonderful reminder that the Mediterranean isn't simply somewhere we swim, paddleboard, sail or fish.
It is their home too. 🐬💙
And the presence of marine mammals is an important reminder of the richness and complexity of the ecosystem beneath the surface.
🌊 A COASTLINE THAT IS ALIVE
The Valencian Community is recognised as an area where several species of cetaceans can be encountered, including bottlenose dolphins, common dolphins, striped dolphins, fin whales, sperm whales and other species.
The Generalitat's ecotourism information specifically highlights the Valencian coast as a place where dolphins and whales can be observed in the wild.
The bottlenose dolphin is particularly frequently recorded, while fin whales are another important visitor to these Mediterranean waters.
That makes those little moments when you spot a dorsal fin, a splash or — if you're exceptionally lucky — the enormous shape of a whale beneath the surface all the more magical.
🐬 A LITTLE BIT OF WILDLIFE ON YOUR DOORSTEP
Imagine waking up on a sunny September morning, grabbing your coffee and heading down towards the beach.
Perhaps you take the dogs for a walk.
Perhaps you wander along the promenade.
Perhaps you sit at a beach café watching the fishing boats return to port.
And then someone says:
"Look! Dolphins!" 🐬🐬🐬
Suddenly everyone is looking towards the sea!
That is one of the things we love about living in this part of Spain. There is always the possibility of seeing something completely unexpected.
And if you are living close to the coast, these aren't necessarily wildlife encounters that require an expensive excursion or a day trip.
Sometimes nature comes to you!
🌿 PROTECTING WHAT MAKES OUR COAST SPECIAL
Of course, with such wonderful wildlife comes responsibility.
Marine mammals need space, and they should always be observed respectfully. Spain has specific regulations protecting cetaceans and governing recreational observation, including requirements designed to prevent boats from disturbing or harming them.
So if you are lucky enough to encounter dolphins or whales, enjoy the spectacle — but give them plenty of room and let them continue on their journey.
After all, this is their Mediterranean too. 💙
🏡 AND THIS IS ANOTHER REASON WE LOVE THE GANDIA AREA!
At ‘’For Sale By Sally In Spain’’, we have always believed that buying a property isn't simply about bricks and mortar.
It's about the lifestyle you are buying into.
It's morning walks along the beach.
It's lunch overlooking the Mediterranean.
It's taking the grandchildren swimming after breakfast.
It's watching the fishing boats return to Gandia.
It's cycling along the coast.
It's enjoying a glass of something cold while the sun goes down.
And now, perhaps, it's also keeping one eye on the horizon for a flash of silver and a little fin breaking the surface. 🐬🌊
Dolphins off Gandia? Absolutely!
And while whale sightings are associated with the wider Valencian Mediterranean area, the fact that these magnificent creatures travel through our regional waters is another fascinating part of the natural environment we are lucky enough to call home. 🐋💙
🌴 COME AND DISCOVER THE GANDIA COAST FOR YOURSELF!
If you're dreaming of your own little "bolt hole in the sun", a permanent home in Spain or simply somewhere to enjoy those long Mediterranean summers with family and friends, why not explore what is currently available?
At ‘’For Sale By Sally In Spain’’, we specialise in properties throughout the Gandia, La Safor and Costa Blanca North areas.
Who knows...
Your next morning walk might just come with a rather spectacular surprise offshore! 🐬🐋🌊
''For Sale By Sally In Spain'' - Helping you find your perfect home in the Spanish sunshine. ☀️🏡🇪🇸
