Certifications
Our commitment to the sea, verified by those who protect it
A guarantee of trust
A commitment you can verify
At Picarus we often say the sea is not a stage but a living ecosystem that deserves to be known, understood and protected. Words like these are easy to write; that is why we would rather you didn’t have to take our word for it: every certification, authorisation and membership on this page can be verified with the organisation that grants it.
Here we explain what each seal accredits, who awards it and what it means for you when you sail with us. From each section you can go to the official source and check it yourself.
Quality milestone · 2018
ISO 9001:2015
ISO 9001:2015 is the international reference standard for quality management systems: it accredits that an organisation works with documented, customer-oriented processes under continuous improvement, verified through audits by an independent certification body.
Certified destination
Whale Heritage Area Tenerife-La Gomera
The first destination in Europe certified for its responsible relationship with whales and dolphins: the marine strip we sail.
Official emblem
“Barco Azul” (Blue Boat) flag
The Canary Islands Government emblem identifying vessels legally authorised for whale watching.
State authorisation
AROC authorisation
The Spanish Government authorisation for recreational cetacean watching, with our sailboats on the official register.
Member
ACEST — South Tenerife Cetacean Association
South Tenerife whale-watching companies united for cetacean conservation and the dignity of the activity.
Member
World Cetacean Alliance
The world’s largest alliance for the protection of whales, dolphins and porpoises, with Picarus in its responsible-operator directory.
Signatory company
Sustainability Charter for Whale Watching
The voluntary commitment of Tenerife’s whale-watching companies to cetaceans and the marine environment, driven by Turismo de Tenerife.
Contributor
Calderones de Canarias
Citizen science: over 500 tropical pilot whales photo-identified in Canary waters with the help of the crews.
Contributor
Tonina Association
Canarian biologists dedicated to marine research and outreach: cetaceans, turtles and sharks.
Certifications
A guarantee of trust
Quality milestone · 2018
ISO 9001:2015
We were the first company in the sector to obtain the ISO 9001:2015 certificate for whale watching and crewed services for maritime excursions (AENOR, 2018).
Learn more →-
Certified destination
Whale Heritage Area Tenerife-La Gomera
The first destination in Europe certified for its responsible relationship with whales and dolphins: the marine strip we sail.
Learn more → -
Official emblem
“Barco Azul” (Blue Boat) flag
The Canary Islands Government emblem identifying vessels legally authorised for whale watching.
Learn more → -
State authorisation
AROC authorisation
The Spanish Government authorisation for recreational cetacean watching, with our sailboats on the official register.
Learn more → -
Member
ACEST — South Tenerife Cetacean Association
South Tenerife whale-watching companies united for cetacean conservation and the dignity of the activity.
Learn more → -
Member
World Cetacean Alliance
The world’s largest alliance for the protection of whales, dolphins and porpoises, with Picarus in its responsible-operator directory.
Learn more → -
Signatory company
Sustainability Charter for Whale Watching
The voluntary commitment of Tenerife’s whale-watching companies to cetaceans and the marine environment, driven by Turismo de Tenerife.
Learn more → -
Contributor
Calderones de Canarias
Citizen science: over 500 tropical pilot whales photo-identified in Canary waters with the help of the crews.
Learn more → -
Contributor
Tonina Association
Canarian biologists dedicated to marine research and outreach: cetaceans, turtles and sharks.
Learn more →
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