25.08.2021 – Seizing the day

What an amazing day…which started with an incredible morning! Our snorkelling guests got very lucky on this mornings trip with sightings of two species of dolphin and two species of baleen whales! As we searched for Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) to go snorkelling with, our team discovered a group of Striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba), a closely related species that displays a completely different behaviour to the spotted dolphins during an encounter. After a brief sighting with one animal briefing we moved on to meet a group of our target dolphins in the water and, thanks to the excellent behaviour of our guests in the water, it was one of the closest and best encounters we’ve had this year. As we finished our session with the animals, our spotter called urging us to head to the waters in front of the marina of Calheta where he had discovered a group of Fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) and a Sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis).

In the afternoon the sightings were not as plentiful but equally enjoyable! We met more spotted dolphins during all three trips and even managed to enjoy a little feeding situation involving a small group of our “winter dolphins”, the Short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis). We managed close encounters on all trips, something that is only possible due to the fact that our team keeps things as civilised as possible around the animals. Responsible whale-watching is at the heart of our company’s philosophy and, considering the importance of minimising our impact on the animals and the resulting breathtaking encounters, we wouldn’t do it any other way.

By Paula Thake

Sightings of the day

Ribeira Brava

10:00 Atlantic spotted dolphins, Fin whales

15:00 Atlantic spotted dolphins

Stenella

09:30 Atlantic spotted dolphins (Snorkeling), Fin whales, Sei whale, Striped dolphins

13:30 Atlantic spotted dolphins

16:00 Atlantic spotted dolphins, Short-beaked common dolphins