04.07.2026 – Cheetah of the ocean
July 10, 2026
Today’s tours took us out on both our morning and afternoon excursions, with calm seas and wonderful opportunities to enjoy Madeira’s incredible marine wildlife. During our morning tour, we had the pleasure of encountering short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus), one of the ocean’s most fascinating marine mammals.
Although they are called whales, they are actually among the largest members of the dolphin family.
One of the most remarkable characteristics of short-finned pilot whales is their strong social structure. They live in stable family groups known as pods. These pods are typically made up of related females and their offspring. Watching these highly social animals travelling together was a wonderful reminder of the close connections that exist beneath the ocean’s surface. Seeing a pod move in perfect harmony is always a memorable experience and highlights just how intelligent and cooperative these marine mammals are.
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us today. We look forward to welcoming you aboard for more unforgettable wildlife encounters soon!
By Gemma Stockmans
Sightings of the day
Ribeira Brava
09:30 Short-finned pilot whales
13:00 Bryde’s whale
Steno
09:30 Short-finned pilot whales
13:30 Bryde’s whale
