06.08.2023 – A bright blue Sunday

The coast of Madeira is fringed by the brightest blue that exists on our planet. It is the Atlantic that spreads out here. The sea was kind to us and very gentle. In such a calm sea you watch the animals and have the feeling that there is no separation, like swimming with the animals, just with your eyes and your heart.

We had beautiful tours. In the morning we encountered the Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) swimming playfully around the boat. On the way back we saw Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). In their midst was a little calf. During birth, the dorsal fin is still lay to the body and the caudal fin is curled to allow it to pass easily through the birth canal. Once the calf slips out, it goes up and takes its first breath. But sometimes it needs help from mum. If she is exhausted, the so-called midwife will take over this task.

Also at noon we had Atlantic spotted dolphins, which make the children especially happy.

Our boat Stenella even had a Sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus). Today was a real blue, bright Sunday.

By Fatima Kutzschbach

Sightings of the day

Ribeira Brava

09:30 Atlantic spotted dolphins, Bottlenose dolphins

13:30 Bottlenose dolphins, Loggerhead turtle

Stenella

09:30 Atlantic spotted dolphins, Bottlenose dolphins

14:00 Sperm whales, Atlantic spotted dolphins

17:00 Sperm whales, Atlantic spotted dolphins, Bottlenose dolphins, Loggerhead turtle