13.07.2025 – Frisky Dolphins

The day started with the sightings of some Sperm whales (Physter macrocephalus). This is the most common whale species we can see around Madeira, as the females and their offsprings like to stay in the safe waters of the island. The Sperm whale though was not the only species we saw today. Today we could also appreciate our beautiful Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis). In the morning trip it was a mixed sighting with the sperm whales, while at 13:00h they were swimming in front of Ponta do Sol. On that trip we saw also some dolphins mating and three dolphins where in a frenzy. I am not sure exactly what, but my best guess is some type of an mating frenzy.

The guests on Stenella had also the luck to spot one of the few Mediterranean monk seals (Monachus monachus) left on Madeira. They stay normally around the Ilhas desertas in the east, but with luck we can see them here in the west too.

The last trip allowed us to see some of the Blainville’s beaked whales (Mesoplodon densirostris) which live in th waters of the island. This time they even had babies and the same was the case for the Atlantic spotted dolphins on the last Stenella trip.

By Horst Schulte

Sightings of the day

Ribeira Brava

09:00 Sperm whale, Atlantic spotted dolphin

13:00 Atlantic spotted dolphin

Stenella

09:30 Sperm whale, Atlantic spotted dolphin

13:30 Sperm whale, Mediterranean monk seal

16:30 Blainville’s beaked whale, Atlantic spotted dolphin