27.10.2021 – Whale watching vs. Human watching

Great! Wonderful! Spectacular! How is it possible to put such an incredible tour into words? A real challenge, that’s for sure!

Today, it wasn’t long before we had our first sighting of Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). They moved relaxed through the blue and let us accompany them. But only up to a certain point. Marine mammals have clear body language that is important to understand. When the Bottlenose dolphins clapped their tail on the water, it was clear to us that the invitation of observation was over, it was time for us to leave the area. Tail slaps are a sign of displeasure and it is necessary that we relate such a clear sign to ourselves and then also draw the conclusion from it, so gratefully for the nice encounter we moved into a different direction.

Not far away, a Sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) took it easy. He was breathing intensive to be ready for a dive. Finally we saw him raise his tail and he glided into the blue.

Shortly afterwards, the dark bodies of the Short-finned Pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) flashed in the sunshine, the rounded dorsal fins stood out against the gentle sea. We were allowed to observe the group moving west more closely. Suddenly, when more Sperm whales appeared, there was a change of direction. A Pilot whale had approached three of these large toothed whales, other pilot whales kept course for the Sperm whales. This approach seemed uncomfortable to them and they dived.

The Sperm whale, which decided to change roles, was quite spectacular. Anyone who thinks that we are going out to observe marine mammals may be wrong. In this case it turned out that the Sperm whale wanted to know exactly who was on board. This animal approached us very curiously and trustingly. How touching!

Sperm whales everywhere today, that’s what we love!

But also the little Loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), which was floating in the smooth blue, was a wonderful encounter.

Thanks, Carlos (our spotter) for these amazing sightings.

By Fatima Kutzschbach

Sightings of the day

Ribeira Brava

10:00 Bottlenose dolphins, Sperm whales, Pilot whales

14:30 Bottlenose dolphins, Pilot whales