14.06.2023 – Sneaky diversity

The diversity of the Atlantic Ocean takes us by surprise so often and is only a small representation of how diverse our vast Atlantic Ocean truly is! This morning our traditional boat set off to enjoy a lovely sighting of Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and Short-finned pilot whales (Globicephla macrorhynchus), both species that nurture such a close relationship to the archipelagos waters that scientists plan on using populations of both species as ecological indicators of ocean health. Members of both species were observed frolicking and interacting at the surface, a perfect glimpse into the social world of dolphins for our guests.

In the afternoon, our traditional boat managed another sighting with Bottlenose dolphins while our spotter secured a sighting with Short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) for both our boats. These beautiful dolphins are always a pleasure to encounter and swam calmly alongside us for some time. In the late afternoon Stenella managed a surprise sighting with a Sei whale (Balaqenoptera borealis) a baleen whale species that tends to visit us during the summer and also met a pod of her namesake dolphins, the Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis), a smaller but equally charismatic summer visitor. The tour ended with a sighting of a Manta ray (Manta birostris) at the surface, which was identified through the shape of its body and the tips of its two fins breaking the surface. This unexpected visitor is a notorious plankton-feeder and was probably gently foraging at the surface what a perfect end to this enjoyable day!

By Paula Thake

Sightings of the day

Ribeira Brava

09:30 Bottlenose dolphins, Short-finned pilot whales

13:30 Bottlenose dolphins, Short-beaked common dolphins

Stenella 

13:30 Short-beaked common dolphins

16:00 Atlantic spotted dolphins, Manta ray, Sei whale