14.09.2021 – Greyzone

Madeira is well known for its beautiful landscape which in its itself is incredibly diverse due to the different microclimate zones around the island. One obvious one is the mountain range that peaks with the pico arieiro and pico ruivo and divides the warmer southern coast from the greener Northern coast of the island.

The island also has an equally diverse seascape that can partially be imagined as a steep continuation of the islands coastal landscape. Underwater canyons shape this diverse environment and some of these impressive submarine valleys even contribute to changing climate conditions. While underwater topography sets the stage for cetacean encounters at sea with some often determining the abundance of specific species, above the surface it may determine further microclimate zones along the coast. Cabo Girão, Madeira’s largest coastal peak, can play a decisive role and overlooks a deep underwater canyon stretching offshore from Ribeira Brava. The peak and its submarine canyon divert winds and currents, sometimes leaving the east choppy while the west remains calm…or vice versa. Apart from being dependent on the actual presence of animals and our experience, our activity at sea also depends on the weather conditions and so places like Cabo Girão always act as an important grey zone for sightings.

Todays strong west wind prompted us to leave the choppy waters outside Calheta and try our luck near Funchal since the wind would likely not largely affect the eastern coastline..thanks to Cabo Girão. On the way our crew discovered a group of Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) moving hastily upwind along with a nursery group of Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Our spotter also manage to locate a dispersed group of Short-finned pilot whlales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) who powerfully lifted their heads above the surface as they darted eastward.

It was fantastic ride and well worth the salty showers and bumpy waves. Unfortunately, as the afternoon closed in, the wind picked up forcing our team to cancel all other tours. We did, however, make the most of the day…and the fact that our island has microclimate greyzones like Cabo Girão.

By Paula Thake

Sightings of the day

Stenella

10:00 Atlantic spotted dolphins, Bottlenose dolphins, Short-finned pilot whales