03.08.2019 – Little giants
August 13, 2019
05.08.2019 – Birthmarks
August 15, 2019
It cant get any better than this! Our snorkelers were not prepared for the enormous group of Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) waiting to greet us out in the wide expanse of the Atlantic Ocean. Dolphins of all shapes and sizes, of all life stages, had congregated in a large school about 7 nautical miles off the coastline in placid deep-blue waters. It was truly incredible and our snorkel guests also behaved perfectly in the water, making this encounter one of our more memorable ones! Sightings with spotted dolphins dominated all tours today and all guests on board were obviously charmed by the charisma of our summer dolphins!
Small delphinids like the spotted dolphins tend to travel in larger schools that are extremely fluid in structure. In the course of the day, these pods separate into smaller subunits containing animals that currently nurture a closer relationship to one another. These relationships can be quite fleeting, lasting moments or a few days, but they may also last a lifetime. Such friendships ensure protection amongst the pod members and contribute to the social nature of these exceptional beings. They also make the animals more willing to interact, allowing large gatherings near our boats during encounters. We couldn’t be happier about such sightings, after all; the more the merrier!
By Paula Thake
Sightings of the day
Ribeira Brava
10:00 Atlantic spotted dolphins
15:00 Atlantic spotted dolphins
Stenella
09:00 Atlantic spotted dolphins (Snorkelling)
15:30 Atlantic spotted dolphins
