04.01.2023 – A challenge

Today was not easy at all. The wind and short swell gave both our boats a bumpy ride as we drove east to find a group of Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). The small group was moving fast, too fast for our traditional boat that soon gave up the chase and ventured further offshore to find other dolphins. The Stenella, however, managed a lovely sighting with the animals and soon joined the Ribeira Brava in her search to find other animals. Sadly there was nothing else to find in the west and our traditional boat ended up returning without a sighting.

Stenella then shot out for the midday trip where they managed to find a pod of Short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) but the weather conditions worsened, which made the trip quite difficult. As for our Ribeira Brava: days without sightings happen but we weren’t going to let a morning without a sighting turn into an entire day. Our captain Pedro drove far west to find the pilot whales and, instead, we stumbled upon a pod of Short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) who curiously approached the bow of our boat. Our guests were thrilled and even enjoyed the bumpy ride back to the marina. Despite all todays hurdles, I do believe our team accomplished its mission.

By Paula Thake

Sightings of the day

Ribeira Brava

10:00 No sighting

14:30 Short-beaked common dolphins 

Stenella

10:00 Bottlenose Dolphins

13:00 Short-finned pilot whales