08.11.2025 – Big and small
November 16, 2025
One of the species we encountered today was the so called Striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba). This is a small dolphin which can be encountered around Madeira the whole year, although it is difficult to see this species good, as it is an oceanic and shy dolphin. What I like though of this species is the mythological background. Striped dolphins are one of the most common dolphins of the Mediterranean Sea. Already the ancient civilisations there encountered it and for many they were sacred animals, messengers of the sea gods. This is why it was often depicted in wall paintings, mosaics, pottery or other form of art and even today this is the national animal of Greece. So next time you take a trip to the Mediterranean keep an eye out for theses depictions.
Apart from this species we also encountered two others over the course of the day. On one side the Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) a common resident here, but also some Blainville’s beaked whales (Mesoplodon densirostris). This is the most commonly seen beaked whale species around Madeira. And worldwide Madeira is one of the best places to encounter them.
By Horst Schulte
Sightings of the day
Ribeira Brava
09:00 Striped dolphins
13:00 Striped dolphins, Bottlenose dolphins, Blainville’s beaked whale
Stenella
09:30 Striped dolphins, Bottlenose dolphins
13:30 Striped dolphins, Bottlenose dolphins, Blainville’s beaked whale
16:00 Striped dolphins, Bottlenose dolphins, Blainville’s beaked whale
