28.05.2022 – In foreign waters

Today we had to “fish” in foreign waters, because there were no animals in our area today. So we had to drive to Funchal to see Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). There, the whale watching situation is completely different. Lots of whale watching companies, lots of boats. For our observation, this means that our observation time with the animals is reduced. On days like today, we can once again appreciate being able to drive out off the coast of Calheta. Because there are only a few other providers in Calheta, the exchange and communication between the few boats is much easier to handle. Nevertheless, we had a short, but beautiful encounter with the Bottlenose Dolphins. Then we went along the coast, past Cape Girao with its Skywalk, past Calhau de Lapas with its rock-cut houses and waterfall. From one angle we could see the steep stairs leading down. This is something for the sporty. We passed Ponta do Sol and saw Madeira’s car wash, the Cascata dos Anjos (Waterfall of the Angels).

By Fatima Kutzschbach

Sighting of the day

Stenella

10:00 Bottlenose dolphins