04.10.2023 – Mystical Meetings

Madeira’s waters provide an ideal environment for Blainville’s beaked whales (Mesoplodon densirostris), offering a rich source of food and a suitable habitat. They are primarily carnivorous, feeding on a diet that consists of squid and fish. Their specialized hunting techniques and deep diving abilities enable them to access food sources that are beyond the reach of many other marine creatures. 

Today we got to see one of them with a piece of squid in her mouth! Although they are known for their elusive behaviour they ame to the surface for a prolonged time and this allowed us to appreciate their uniqueness as a whole. This type of sightings allow us to study and observe in their natural habitat in the most simple approach.

Even though, this sightings are one in one million, we also got to enjoy something that doesn’t happen on the daily basis! We got to see a bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) breaching as high as 4 meters in the air! 

The animals that we were able to see today in the coastal waters of Madeira are known to be opportunistic feeders, adapting their hunting strategies based on the availability of prey. Madeira, provides an abundance of marine life, including fish and squid, which serve as a crucial food source for these animals. 

Both Blainville’s beaked whales and bottlenose dolphins contribute to the rich marine biodiversity of Madeira, making the region a special place for marine enthusiasts and conservationists alike.

By Camila Dávila

Sightings of the day

Stenella

9:30 Bottlenose dolphin, Blainville’s beaked whales

13:30 Bottlenose dolphin, Blainville’s beaked whales

16:30 Bottlenose dolphin

Ribeira Brava

9:30 Bottlenose dolphin, Blainville’s beaked whales

13:30 Bottlenose dolphin, Blainville’s beaked whales