02.10.2021 – Childlike curiosity

Worldwide there are over forty different species of dolphins, which, depending on the subdivision and source, are divided into around seventeen different genera. Of course, such classifications and numbers are always subject to change. Certainly that’s a good thing, because it makes you question information that you think you know over and over again.

There are a variety of different dolphins off Madeira’s coast. Some animals are considered to be residents, others are seasonal, and some are only brief or even extremely rare visitors here.

Our Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis), which we observed today, stay here mainly in summer. We usually see the first sightings of the season in May. It is always a great pleasure to encounter them, because they are usually very interactive. Today we were accompanied by a small subgroup. In this group there was also a small calf that was allowed to approach the boat in the company of its mother. With childlike curiosity, the calf dared to approach us a few times alone.

By Fatima Kutzschbach

Sightings of the day

Ribeira Brava

10:00 Atlantic spotted dolphins

Stenella

09:30 Atlantic spotted dolphins, Striped dolphins

15:00 Sperm whale