The biodiversity of plants and animals combined with some of the most striking landscapes makes Tenerife a must visit place for people who love nature. Ecotourism and wildlife watching tours are increasingly popular here.
Teide National Park
Teide National Park is one of the most famous ecotourism destinations in Tenerife. This park spreads around Mount Teide which is the highest mountain and volcano in Spain. Mount Teide is an active volcano. The park is famous for different habitats at different altitudes along the slope of the mountain. This area is so rich in biodiversity that it is included in the list of world heritage sites. As such the park is a must see destination for any Tenerife holidays.
Whale and Dolphin Watching
Tenerife is situated in the Atlantic Ocean. The warm tropical environment of this place makes it an important site for whales and dolphins which migrate here in winter. About 36 species of whales can be observed here at different times of the year which makes Tenerife an important tourist destination.
Pilot whales are found throughout the year off the shores of Playa de la Americas. Many other species of whales are seen off the coast of Los Gigantes. These include sperm whale and beaked whale. The volcanic soil of the island helps the growth of marine plants which are responsible for marine biodiversity.
Bird Watching in Tenerife
Tenerife is located in the Atlantic Ocean in such a way that it is directly in the path of migratory birds that come to this place every year. The tropical climate and warm weather is preferred by these birds over the harsh winter of the northern hemisphere. Watching the birds is a unique experience in Tenerife as there is a variety of bird species. In addition to migratory birds Tenerife contains many beautiful indigenous bird species. These include chaffinch, Berthelot's pipit and wild canary.
Los Gigantes and Masca Valley
Los Gigantes is a tourist resort that is situated in the area of Santiago del Teide. This area is famous for its scenery and natural beauty. The most important natural attraction in this area is the cliffs of Los Gigante. At a distance of 3 km north from the town is the village of Masca.
There is a hiking route from Masca village which goes down through the gorge to Atlantic Ocean. This trek is highly recommended for tourists who want to enjoy nature in its most raw form. Down the route one can come across all the beauty that Tenerife has to offer.
Porto de la Cruz and Loro Parque
The port of Santa Cruz is the major town of Tenerife. The palmatum of Santa Cruz is one of the ecotourism attractions. This is a botanical garden that supports about 400 different species of palm trees. Loro parque is a zoo which also displays a wide variety of animal and plant species.