06.06.2026 – Time of the little dolphins
June 13, 2026
Another day filled with memorable wildlife encounters, giving our guests the opportunity to observe some of the incredible marine life that calls these waters home.
Throughout the day, several schools of Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops Trancatus) delighted everyone on board. Their playful behavior and energetic surfacing provided fantastic viewing opportunities as they travelled and socialized around the vessel.
One of the highlights of the tours was the sighting of a pod of Short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala Macrorhynchus). During the encounter, several of the short-finned pilot whales were observed displaying a behaviour known as “logging.” This occurs when whales rest quietly at the surface, often remaining almost motionless and resembling floating logs. Logging allows the animals to recover after deep foraging dives and provides an opportunity for social interaction within the pod. Pilot whales can spend several minutes at the surface between dives, breathing regularly before descending again in search of prey. These surface intervals are often a great opportunity for observers to appreciate the close-knit nature of the group and their calm, coordinated behaviour.
These highly social cetaceans are often found travelling in close-knit family groups, with pods typically ranging from around 20 individuals to well over 100 animals. Their strong social bonds are one of the defining characteristics of the species, and they are frequently seen swimming in coordinated formations.
The afternoon tour brought yet another special encounter when a Loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta Caretta) was spotted at the surface. Although the sighting was brief, guests were able to catch a glimpse of this magnificent marine reptile before it quickly disappeared into the deep blue waters below.
Days like these are a wonderful reminder of the rich biodiversity found in our ocean and the privilege of observing these animals in their natural environment. Every tour offers something unique, and today’s sightings certainly made for an unforgettable experience for all on board.
By Gemma Stockmans
Sightings of the day
Stenella
09:30 Bottlenose dolphins, Bryde’s whale
13:30 Bottlenose dolphins, Short-finned pilot whales, Loggerhead turtle
