18.06.2025 – The small brother of the Killer whale
June 25, 2025
Today we saw Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) in the morning and Striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) in the afternoon, for the first time in a while. Around Madeira, we can encounter Striped dolphins all year round. Pods approaching the island usually have a size of 25 to 30 individuals, often with calves. They are sub-groups of much larger offshore pods. These animals are usually evasive which is why they are also called ‘streaker’. Striped dolphins are energetic, fast swimmers and very acrobatic at times. They can breach up to seven metres high, can porpoise upside down and often perform a unique behaviour called ‘roto-tailing’ which entails a high arching leap while whipping the tail in a circle.
By Hannah Carstens
Sightings of the Day
Ribeira Brava
09:00 Atlantic spotted dolphins
13:00 Striped dolphins
Stenella
09:30 Atlantic spotted dolphins
13:30 Striped dolphins
16:00 Cancelled due to strong wind
