02.01.2023 – A whale of a start

I like to think that what we can expect of the coming year is partially reflected in our first sighting and today, despite the slight rain and wind, our team got off to an excellent start. In the morning our Stenella searched far and wide for a baleen whale in the waters off the coast of Tabúa and spent some time scanning the area before our spotter Silviano sent us further west to find the animal. Turns out it wasn’t just one whale. While the guests aboard our traditional boat had the pleasure of seeing a Bryde’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni) with her little calf, our Stenella drove alongside two massive Fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus). What a fantastic morning!

In the afternoon, however, the wind picked up and made it almost impossible for Silviano to follow the two whales. After some time we abandoned the search and decided to explore the calmer waters outside Calheta, where we stumbled upon a pod of Short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis). The group contained a little curious calf, which joined the adults in a brief bow-ride, much to the joy of everyone on board! For the last trip of the day another group of dolphins were the main event although this time, guests had the pleasure of meeting Madeira’s “bosses”, the Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). What a lovely start to the year, our team is definitely ready for more!

By Paula Thake

Sightings of the day

Ribeira Brava 

10:00 Bryde’s whales

Stenella

10:00 Fin whales

13:00 Short-beaked common dolphins

15:30 Bottlenose dolphins