27.04.2026 – A changing ocean
May 3, 2026
It was another busy day off the coast of Madeira today. Fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus), Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), and Short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) were spotted. But we must also pay attention to the so-called “little” things. You might even be surprised by their hidden beauty!
A Loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) fulfilled a guest’s big wish today. How lovely.
Over the past few days, something seemingly inconspicuous has been drifting on the waves. Countless white dots, looking almost like popcorn—marine popcorn—float above the blue depths. They look like little bubbles. But if you turn one over, you’ll be surprised. A tiny, beautiful sea snail clings beneath the bubble-like structure. And even better: right now, you can see countless tiny eggs in delicate pink gathered around the Bubblerafting snail (Janthina janthina). On the morning tour, a pretty grayish-blue crab had decided to use the bubble-like structure as a means of transport and, at the same time, to take advantage of room service. It couldn’t resist feasting on the eggs. Little details like this make me happy.
By Fatima Kutzschbach
Sichtungen des Tages
Ribeira Brava
09:00 Bottlenose dolphins, Common dolphins
13:00 Bottlenose dolphins, Fin whale
16:00 Bottlenose dolphins
Stenella
09:30 Bottlenose dolphins, Common dolphins, Fin whale
13:30 Bottlenose dolphins, Fin whale
16:00 Bottlenose dolphins, Common dolphins
