18.04.2025 – Bumpy ride

The day started with rough conditions out at sea. After carful consideration, we decided that Stenella could go out, while Ribeira Brava should stay in the marine. It is always a pity to cancel a trip so spontaneously, but safety goes first.

The guests on Stenella felt the bad conditions; it was a bumpy and wet ride. Still the ocean was kind top us, as we were able to see a mixed sighting of Short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) with Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). We regularly see these species together here around Madeira.

For the second trip of the day the weather got better again, so that both boats could go out. Sadly no cetaceans to be seen.

The third trip with Stenella took us to Funchal, where we saw some very active Pilot whales. 

By Horst Schulte

Sightings of the day

Ribeira Brava

13:30 Portuguese man-o-war, Cory’s shearwater, Flying fish

Stenella

09:30 Short-finned pilot whales, Bottlenose dolphin, Portuguese man-o-war, Manx and Cory’s shearwater

13:30 Portuguese man-o-war, Cory’s shearwater

16:00 Portuguese man-o-war, Cory’s shearwater, Short-finned pilot whales