Welcome Aboard
The
Nashira Uno is a custom built motor catamaran that 3 times daily
takes visitors of the Los Gigantes area on a magical trip to meet
some of the marine world's most appealing inhabitants. The design
of this 50 foot long vessel is such that it reduces the possibility
of sea-sickness therefore allowing those with weaker "sea legs"
to join in on the excursions. The daily sailing times generally
follow these guidelines but can change without notification. A 3
hour trip leaves the marina of Los Gigantes at 11:00am and returns
at 2:00pm, followed up by a departure for a 2 hour trip at 2:15pm
and a final 1 hour trip that leaves the marina at around 5:00pm. |
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The
clear Atlantic water’s around the Los Gigantes region
are famous world wide, amongst marine biologists, as they
serve either as a permanent home, or as a temporary feeding
ground, for an astounding array of Whale and Dolphin species.
The trips offered by theNashira Uno |
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visitors, young and old, the opportunity to observe these
gentle giants of the deep. The most common species encountered
are the Bottlenose Dolphin and the Long Finned Pilot Whale.
The dolphins, with their permanent grin and playfull antics,
thrill passangers as they ride the bow wave of the Nashira
Uno at a distance almost close enough to touch. Offering an
ideally suited feeding ground and many miles of open Ocean
the waters around the Los Gigantes area have been "adopted"
by a Pod of resident Bottlenose Dolphins that put in almost
daily appearances to the passengers of the Nashira Uno. Away
from the accelerated pace of the Dolphins the Pilot Whales
can often be encountered as they lie almost motionless at
the water’s surface. Again a pod of these larger cetaceans
have chosen the Los Gigantes region as their permanent home.
The Pilot Whale pod can be stretched out over many miles of
Ocean with the larger males acting as guardians at the pod
extremities. The animals most often encountered are those
that make up the nursery groups that incorporate mother’s
with their young and adolescent females that take turns in
"babysitting" the younger animals. The pod stay
in contact with each other via an extensive and complicated
sonar communication system that is made up of click’s,
whistles and high pitched squeals. |
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Apart
from the Bottlenose Dolphins of the area visitors are often
treated to an impressive aerial display provided for by the
regularly encountered groups of Spotted Dolphins. These smaller
animals, in comparison to the Bottlenose Dolphin, move with
lightning speed and are prone to providing onlookers to an
impressive display of aerial leaps. Wonderful photographic
models these animals provide passengers of the Nashira Uno
the opportunity to take home some fantastic holiday snaps
or video footage. On a par with the Spotted Dolphin, for their
aeriel acrobatics, are the Common Dolphin's, with a lateral
yellow marking on each flank they are easily identified during
their displays. |
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The
Whales can often be found resting on the surface of
the water. With an in-depth knowledge of these wonderful
creatures the skilled captains of the Nashira Uno manoeuvre
the Nashira in order that all visitors are guaranteed
excellent photographic opportunities with the Whales. |
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From
time to time an inquisitive calf will approach the
boat in order to get a closer look at the passengers
of the Nashira. These moments of interaction allow
passengers to witness, first hand, the beauty and
simplicity of these incredible creatures. When feeling
in a particularly playful mood it has been known for
the younger animals to approach the boat and almost
lift their body out of the water for a closer look
at the passengers of the Nashira Uno, much to the
delight of the on-lookers. Throughout the course of
the year many other species are encountered in these
water's. Part of the excitement of the trips offered
by the Nashira Uno is that it is never known what
the passengers will see. It is almost impossible to
100% guarantee sightings of any of the 27 differing
cetacean species that either reside in or temporarily
use the water's of Los Gigantes as a "Pit-Stop"
before continuing their individual journeys to destinations
world wide. However, due to the importance of these
waters as breeding and feeding grounds, visitors to
the area have, at differing times of the year, encountered
species such as Sperm Whales, Blue Whales, Fin Whales,
Right Whales, |
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Minke
Whales and the hugely rare Blainvilles Toothed Whale.
So far as Dolphin species encountered by visitors
these include Striped Dolphins, Spotted Dolphins,
Risso's Dolphin, Rough Toothed Dolphins and of course
the resident Bottlenosed Dolphins. |
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 For
passengers of the Nashira Uno, both young and old, the time
spent with the Whales and Dolphins of Los Gigantes is one
of the best souvenirs of their time spent in the area. The
provision of lunch on board the Nashira Uno means that once
the Whales and Dolphins have been encountered the Nashira
Uno heads for the seclusion of the picturesque bay of Masca.
The opportunity to swim in the transparent shallow water of
the bay is an ideal refresher after spending the morning under
the warming Tenerife sun. Followed up by a filling portion
of traditional Canarian "Paella",a rice dish mixed
with an assortment of vegetables and Chicken portions, and
a cool drink from the freezer sets the mood for the comfortable
cruise back to |
the marina of Los Gigantes. The Nashira also has two glass
bottomed panels that allow the guests to marvel at the amount
of marine life in the Bay. The schools of silver and coloured
fish have become accustomed to a rice dinner supplied by the
crew and guests of the Nashira Uno. The return cruise to Los
Gigantes offers the guests of the Nashira Uno to get a close
up view of the impressive 500m high cliffs that give the village
of Los Gigantes it's name. Translated directly as "The
Giants", it is not hard to see why, the cliffs dominate
the coastline and also give refuge to a wealth of Flora and
Fauna. From the seldom seen fish eagles or Osprey's to a large,
very rare Lizard species, these volcanic cliffs are home to
many of the islands endemic species. Not so endemic are the
Seagulls that are also accustomed to a feed of rice and chicken
scraps and who, with the help of the boats "Marinero"
Lukey, put on an incredible aerial display. |
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Please
note that the empty bottles and refuse should be discarded
of correctly in the bin's provided and not overboard. |
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For more information
on Dolphin and Whale Watching Trips from Los Gigantes
Contact the Offices of the Nashira
Uno
Tel: +34 922 861918
Fax: +34 922 860726 |
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