About firmm Tarifa Whale Watching
firmm (Foundation for Information and Research on Marine Mammals) is a Swiss-founded non-profit that has been running whale and dolphin watching trips from Tarifa harbour since 1998. Based at an office on Calle Alcalde Juan Núñez in the town centre, the foundation combines responsible wildlife tourism with marine research and education focused on the cetaceans of the Strait of Gibraltar.
The foundation offers boat excursions of varying lengths into the Strait, where passengers can encounter pilot whales, common and striped dolphins, orcas, sperm whales and even fin whales depending on the season. Every trip is accompanied by trained marine biologists who explain the behaviour of the animals and the ecology of this unique body of water. firmm also runs week-long courses for those who want to learn more deeply about marine mammals, and prides itself on keeping a respectful distance from the wildlife.
What distinguishes firmm is its conservation-first ethos: a portion of trip proceeds funds ongoing research and protection work in the Strait, and the foundation has built a reputation for sighting reliability and educational depth over more than two decades. For visitors who want a meaningful, science-led wildlife experience rather than a simple boat ride, firmm is among the most respected operators departing from Tarifa.
