24.08.2022 – Safehaven

Oceanic islands like Madeira are ideal pitstops for a number of animals and an important refuge for the vulnerable from the perilous open ocean. This is especially true for mothers travelling with their calves so we always make sure to advise our guests to keep a sharp lookout for young animals.

And surely enough…they turn up! From the small, jumpy calves of the Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis), to the large timid calves of the Bryde’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni) up to the curious, glaring juvenile Rough-toothed dolphins (Steno bredanensis) and the Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) calves, that obediently glide alongside their mothers. All these wonderful creatures feed, socialise and travel through the waters of the archipelago and can do so under safe conditions than out in the open sea. This is a fact we must be aware of as a whale-watching company; the animals need to feel safe here in Madeira because that is one of the reasons for their occurrence. If mothers or nursery groups begin to feel threatened, disturbed or harassed through passing boats, they simply won’t return.

We hope our guests appreciated this incredible day full of variety and young animals and that they have a better understanding of why these lovely creatures deserve as much protection as possible in our waters.

By Paula Thake

Sightings of the day

Ribeira Brava

10:00 Atlantic spotted dolphins, Bottlenose dolphins

15:00 Bottlenose dolphins, Rough-toothed dolphins

Stenella

09:30 Atlantic spotted dolphins

14:00 Atlantic spotted dolphins, Bottlenose dolphins, Bryde’s whales, Rough-toothed dolphins

17:00 Bryde’s whales, Rough-toothed dolphins