10.04.2025 – Poseidons treasures

Today we had three trips planned, as the weather finally allowed to visit our cetacean friends out at sea. And sightings we got plenty. In the morning first a group of 3 Fin whales (Balenoptera physalus) crossed the southern coast of Madeira. These whales, the second biggest mammal of the world with lengths up to 27m, are characterised by an asymmetrical coloration of the head, left side being black, the right sight white.

For the second trip these beautiful animals were already to far away to visit them, but Poseidon gifted us with some of our toothed friends. A pod of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) were just in front of the marina. The biggest surprise though was a treasure which almost none has seen. I am speaking about the dwarf or pigmy sperm whale (Kogia spec). These animals are almost never seen as they are very shy and live in very deep waters. We had the luck to see one for some seconds before it disappeared beneath the waves.

For the third trip our friends the Fin whales were back. This time a pair of them which swam the distance from east of Funchal to us in 3h to show us their beauty here in front of Calheta.

So it was a big success this trip. 

By Horst Schulte 

Sightings of the day 

Stenella

9:30 Fin whale

13:30 Bottlenose dolphin, Kogia spec

16:00 Fin whale