How do I know if a boat is authorised for whale watching in the Canaries?

Look for the yellow flag with the blue boat: it is the mandatory emblem of vessels authorised by the Canary Islands Government. If it is not on display, the boat does not comply with Decree 178/2000.

Do Picarus’ sailboats fly the flag?

Yes. Aemon and Ayla appear on the Canary Islands Government’s official list of authorised vessels and display the emblem on board.

Official emblem

“Barco Azul” (Blue Boat) flag

The Canary Islands Government emblem identifying vessels legally authorised for whale watching.

What is the Blue Boat flag?

It is the official emblem of the Canary Islands Government identifying vessels legally authorised for tourist whale watching, regulated by Decree 178/2000. Picarus’ sailboats, Aemon and Ayla, appear on the official list of authorised vessels and fly it on board.

Granted by: Canary Islands Government (Tourism Department)
Rule: Decree 178/2000 on whale watching
Emblem: yellow flag with the blue boat, visible on board
Our sailboats: Aemon and Ayla, on the official list

What it is and who grants it

The yellow flag with the blue boat is the official emblem of the Canary Islands Government that every vessel legally authorised for tourist whale watching must display in a visible place. It is regulated by Decree 178/2000 and tied to registration in the Canary Islands General Tourist Register.

The emblem is an 80×50-centimetre yellow flag with the blue boat logo. Before boarding, any visitor can tell at a glance whether the boat they have chosen is authorised: if the flag is not flying, it does not comply with the Canary Islands whale-watching regulations.

What it means when you sail with us

Flying it means complying with the code of conduct that protects the animals: minimum distances, reduced speed in the observation area and maximum time with each group. Our sailboats, Aemon and Ayla, appear on the official list of authorised vessels.

It is the simplest way to tell legal whale watching from the rest, and that is why we explain it here: so you know what to look for when choosing who to go to sea with, whether you sail with us or not.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if a boat is authorised for whale watching in the Canaries?

Look for the yellow flag with the blue boat: it is the mandatory emblem of vessels authorised by the Canary Islands Government. If it is not on display, the boat does not comply with Decree 178/2000.
What does Decree 178/2000 require from vessels?

Complying with the observation code of conduct: minimum distances from the animals, reduced speed in the observation area and maximum time with each group, plus registration in the Canary Islands General Tourist Register.
Do Picarus’ sailboats fly the flag?

Yes. Aemon and Ayla appear on the Canary Islands Government’s official list of authorised vessels and display the emblem on board.

Verify it at the source

The Canary Islands Government’s official page explains the emblem and publishes the list of authorised vessels, where our sailboats Aemon and Ayla appear.

Whale watching — Canary Islands Government ↗ (opens in a new window)

Official sources last verified in July 2026.

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 →