15.06.23 – It’s all about energy

We started the day with all the excitement from our group as we entered the Atlantic and started to feel the wind in our hairs. Soon after we spotted some curious spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis), but as we were watching them our captain received a call from our spotter on land. Just two miles from where we were he had spotted two really rare Cuvier’s beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris). When we got there we stayed for as long as the sighting allowed us. They even came really close to the boat to then disappear in the vast ocean! Did you know they have the longest diving record time in the world? It’s just amazing. Fortunately our day continued with more surprises as we encountered a baby loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) just swimming next to us. She has no idea yet about all the wonders that await for her in this immense world. It is incredible to be able to see a baby turtle after only one survives from all the eggs laid by their moms. This little one will travel thousands of miles for the rest of her life and will return here to Madeira, her home, to have her own babies. Then we had a bigger group of acrobatic spotted dolphins that stole the show as we drove to a more small group of common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) and bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Finally, to end this amazing day we saw for the first time in a while, a lovely mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) just sunbathing on the coast. Its an awesome feeling when we realise everything is connected and that we are all part of this on going energy that connects us forever.

by Camila Dávila

Sightings of the day

Ribeira Brava

13:30 Bottlenose dolphins, Mediterranean monk seal

Stenella

09:30 Spotted dolphins, Cuvier’s beaked whales

13:30 Spotted dolphins, Loggerhead turtle

16:00 Bottlenose dolphins, Common dolphins