27.03.2023 – Realities
April 3, 2023
29.03.2023 – Submerged
April 5, 2023
The day started on an amazing note, to say the least. Our team sped out onto the Atlantic with some lovely guests on board and were welcomed by our spotter with the wonderful news of Sperm whales (Physter macrocephalus) in the area. The pod was massive. It consisted of at least 20 animals diving in series only to eventually pop back up to the surface to socialise with their companions. In between the many large toothed whales, a pod of a few Short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) with their calves dashed alongside our boat. The tiny calves leapt high through the air in synchrony, adding another joyful note to this incredible morning trip.
Just when you think your average Tuesday couldn’t get any better, our captain walked into the briefing of our midday trip with incredible news. Our spotter, Silviano, had located a pod of Orcas (Orcinus orca) travelling southwest. It was very hard to hide my excitement; I am fascinated by orcas and had been waiting to see finally see them for the past years. These large dolphins visit Madeira incredibly rarely and usually choose fairly stormy days to swing by. Today the ocean was flat, with a clear view on the horizon. A perfect day to meet Orcas.
The pod was 6 miles offshore and, since our team would be the first at the scene, we hurried to the area to confirm the species. The encounter was beyond our expectations; our careful entry into the area bore fruit, with two juveniles even approaching the bow and gliding through its waves. They curiously circled the Stenella before before joining the others in their travels towards the west and prompting us to go pay the pod of Sperm whales yet another visit.
Both species and yet another small pod of common dolphins finalised this magnificent day out on the ocean during our late afternoon trip. We definitely weren’t short of smiles today!
By Paula Thake
Sightings of the day
09:30 Short-beaked common dolphins, Sperm whales
13:30 Orcas, Sperm whales
16:00 Orcas, Short-beaked common dolphins, Sperm whales
