At the end of the 1980s, Javier Zaera embarked on a new stage in his life in the field of marine tourism in Gran Canaria. He did so on board his sailing catamaran, sharing his experiences of sailing in the crystal clear waters of the island. He was unaware at the time that his arrival on the island would transform his life and result in the creation to a company dedicated to whale watching.

While exploring the waters off Gran Canaria, he came across the amazing diversity of cetaceans that inhabit these seas. This experience not only left him in awe, but also fuelled his passion for the sea and its wildlife.

However, Zaera faced a challenge: in these waters, the cetaceans were often at distances that his sailing catamaran could not easily reach. This led him to make a bold and visionary decision: to design a motor catamaran specifically adapted for this activity. This new vessel, known as the "Spirit of the Sea", became the perfect platform to bring these majestic creatures closer than ever before to sea lovers.

The Spirit of the Sea's hallmark is the quality of whale watching experience that it offers, and this is reflected in the team of guides and experts who accompany participants on each excursion. Passion for marine life and commitment to environmental education are key elements that characterise these passionate professionals. And they do it in several different languages: Spanish, English, German, Dutch and French.

The experience accumulated over the years has enabled the crew to identify the areas where cetaceans are most likely to be found. However, in this wonderful corner of the ocean, it is impossible to tell what marine life surprises may be in store. Here, the cetaceans have no fixed coordinates or predetermined resident populations, which makes each excursion unique and unpredictable. Each trip is an exciting opportunity to encounter a variety of species, from playful dolphins to formidable whales.

This uncertainty adds an element of excitement and wonder to every trip. Clients are surprised by unexpected encounters and memorable moments as they explore the waters of the Atlantic Ocean in search of these mysterious creatures.

The responsibility and respect for animals and the marine environment are fundamental values that are actively promoted throughout each excursion. The company considers environmental education to be an essential part of the experience and strives to transmit knowledge that promotes awareness and respect for the marine environment and its wildlife.

In this regard, the goal of Spirit of the Sea is to provide information and raise awareness. During the excursions, the guides share anecdotes and relevant facts, such as the impact of plastic bags in the sea and how a small action can have a big effect on marine life. For instance, a plastic bag thrown away up on a mountain could end up in the sea, endangering turtles and dolphins, as well as contributing to ocean pollution. Indeed, they never hesitate to pick up bags and other plastic items during the crossing, taking care of the state of the sea.

These narratives not only inform visitors, but also inspire them to take responsible and respectful action towards the environment. The Spirit of the Sea encourages a positive attitude change and awareness of the importance of caring for and protecting the ocean and its inhabitants. In this way, the company fulfils its mission to be an active advocate for conservation and sustainability.

Over and above its crossings, the Spirit of the Sea's commitment also includes dissemination activities, such as talks at universities, local centres or the Elder Museum. They are able to share knowledge and experiences related to marine conservation and marine biodiversity, reaching a wider audience and contributing to the development of a more aware community committed to the protection of the oceans.

At the Spirit of the Sea, respect for animals goes hand in hand with compliance with regulations. As such, the company operates within established boundaries, ensuring that whale watching experiences are safe and responsible for both visitors and marine life. This approach ensures that every encounter with cetaceans is an enriching and respectful experience that does not cause any negative impact on their habitat.

While there are no specific restrictions or limits on the number of excursions the company can conduct, the regulations set clear guidelines in other key areas. These include, for example, the number of boats allowed in the sighting areas, in order to avoid an excessive concentration of boats unnecessarily disturbing the cetaceans.

In addition a maximum length of stay in the so-called restricted zone is established to ensure that whale watching activities are not intrusive or stressful for these marine animals. These regulations are essential to preserve the tranquillity and well-being of cetaceans in their natural environment.

The Spirit of the Sea's contribution to cetacean conservation and research is an integral part of its commitment to the protection of marine life. From its earliest days of trading, the company has actively sought out opportunities to collaborate with experts and organisations involved in cetacean protection.

One of the company’s most notable initiatives is the collection of data on cetacean sightings during excursions. These are systematically collected and made available to the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and specialised scientists. This collaboration contributes to scientific research and knowledge of the distribution and behaviour of cetaceans in the region.

In addition to data collection, the Spirit of the Sea is actively involved in a number of conservation and sustainability projects. One of these is the Marine SABRES project, an acronym of Marine Systems Approaches for Biodiversity Resilience and Ecosystem Sustainability or, in its day, the MARCET project, a Macaronesian inter-regional programme aimed at the sustainable development of whale watching, among others. This regional collaboration reflects the company's commitment to marine conservation on a broader scale.

At the same time, In turn, the company participates in the Marine Sabres project, coordinated by Ecoaqua. This project focuses on the conservation of marine biodiversity and the promotion of the Blue Economy, an initiative that seeks sustainable economic development based on marine resources.

The quest for excellence and commitment to quality of the Spirit of the Sea, are manifested through a series of recognitions and seals of quality.

The World Cetacean Alliance (WCA) certification attests that the company passes a comprehensive annual assessment of whale watching activity and its impact on multiple levels. Achieving WCA certification is a tangible testament to Spirit of the Sea's commitment to best practices in whale watching and the preservation of its marine environment.

They are also members of Gran Canaria Blue, the association that promotes companies within the tourism market, companies that offer exceptional nautical activities in Gran Canaria. This demonstrates the Spirit of the Sea’s commitment to the promotion of high quality nautical tourism, while also contributing to the positioning of the island as a first class tourist destination.

Furthermore, by being part of the Integral System of Tourism Quality in Destination (SICTED for its acronym in Spanish) and its commitment to tourism quality it represents significant steps towards the ongoing improvement of the quality of tourism services provided by the company. This programme benefits both customers, by ensuring high quality standards, and the promotion of sustainable tourism in the region.