11.05.2022 – Four out of four

As well as dolphins and whales, which are sighted off Madeira’s coast, there is much more to be found in the blue office between sky and sea. It’s not for nothing that we have a small category in our sighting pass with four special guests that we often meet on our tours. Today our guests were lucky and could watch all four.

A Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) floated relaxed on the surface, not only to breathe, but also to activate its circulatory system with the warmth of the sun. Below her was fish, seeking shelter beneath the armored beast.

Portuguese man-o-war (Physalia physalis) also drifted in the waves. They are eaten by, for example, the Loggerhead turtles, but also by sunfish.

Cory’s shearwaters (Calonectris diomedea) glided over the crests of the waves, and a Flying fish sailed away from our boat at high speed.

But Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) also made their way west-north-west. There were small subgroups here and there, spread out over a large area.

By Fatima Kutzschbach

Sightings of the day

Ribeira Brava

10:00 Common dolphins, Loggerhead turtle

14:30 Bottlenose dolphins, Loggerhead turtle

Stenella

10:00 Bottlenose dolphins, Loggerhead turtle