16.10.2023 – Two way street

The fascinating thing and absolutely entertaining thing about observing cetaceans is that, often, the feeling of curiosity and will to interact is mutual. Sometimes the animals don’t even approach but observe us from afar so it, essentially, can be a sort of “people watching” as well as whale-watching. 

This feeling is especially present during sightings with Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). These intelligent and extremely adaptive cetaceans aren’t always curious but often lift their heads above the water to catch a glimpse of us during a sighting. Getting a visual is quite an interesting thing and is either done this way by cetaceans or by means of spy-hopping. Underwater cetaceans use their acoustics to understand their environment but, above the surface, visual input can be more valuable and many cetaceans, like the Bottlenose dolphin, can actually see quite well.

While our traditional boat remained with a dispersed and careful pod of Bottlenose dolphins near Paul do Mar, our zodiac rushed offshore to meet a few of the typically timid Risso’s dolphins (Grampus griseus). These deep diving dolphins rarely take an interest for boats in our region and are known to be quite evasive here while in other places, similar to the Bottlenose, the animals engage in spy-hopping and other fun surface behaviour!

By Paula Thake

Sightings of the day

Ribeira Brava

09:30 Bottlenose dolphins

Stenella

09:30 Bottlenose dolphins, Risso’s dolphins