30.06.2022 – Flipper came to visit!
July 5, 2022
02.07.2022 – Another beautiful day out there!
July 9, 2022
Today on our trip on our traditional fishing boat, a guest confessed to me that she would like to see a whale. It was clear to her that we are going out into nature and what encounters we have is not in our control. Our spotter does his best from his elevated position on land to spot marine mammals and the captain does everything at his discretion to get us there before the animals leave the area or dive. Every day and every tour is indeed different. When we leave the harbor, we may already have information from our spotter on where animals are. Sometimes we only get the message while driving. A tour without a sighting can also occur. We are constantly confronted with new conditions. Concentration, flexibility and utmost commitment are required on every tour.
Today our guest’s wish could be fulfilled. Sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) stayed not too far from the coast. We could observe the perfect descent of the first animal. After they have accumulated enough oxygen in their myoglobin-containing muscles and in their blood, they start their dive. During the first part of the movement, the whale arches its back as if already diving, but comes up again, inhales, exhales and goes down with a strong arch of the back. This is the famous moment when he raises his fluke. With the pressure that prevails in the depths, it is important to have empty lungs.
After the biggest of the toothed whale, there was something smaller waiting for us. Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) had fun in the bow wave and the guests on board.
By Fatima Kutzschbach
Sightings of the day
Ribeira Brava
10:00 Sperm whales, Atlantic spotted dolphins
Stenella
09:30 Atlantic spotted dolphins, Sperm whales
15:00 Atlantic spotted dolphins, Sperm whales
