29.07.2025 – Patience

The Atlantic Ocean rewards patience. This is something that over the years has become clear to both our crew and our guests. Nature isn’t on call to our needs and requests; we take things as they come and understand that good things can take time.

In the morning both our boats took their time in observing a small, dispersed group of Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) that were repeatedly diving as they swam eastward. This species requires patience and vigilance; Bottlenose dolphins spend ample time closer to the coast putting them into frequent contact with maritime traffic. They also are one of Madeira’s most important predators, so protecting them is incredibly important. Our Stenella then sped off to find another pod offshore that were a little more interactive.

During the midday tours our spotters struggled to keep up with a fast-moving pod of Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) that were swimming further east not far from Cabo Girão. This already belongs to the search area of whale-watching boats in Funchal, so here patience is required when it comes to sharing a sighting with others but simultaneously avoiding a negative impact on the animals. This balance is especially important with curious species such as the spotted dolphin since they tend to be harassed much more frequently than other species.

In the late afternoon, the elusive Blainville’s beaked whales (Mesoplodon densirostris) were the stars of the show. This is a species that requires patience on many levels. Bering deep divers they spend ample time below the surface and are particularly sensitive to noise and commotion. Taking it slow is of utmost importance for a respectful encounter with this species. The guests on our traditional boat had to wait especially long for an encounter with these incredible animals but this patience was kindly rewarded by our lovely ocean.  After several careful attempts, we finally managed to enjoy a sighting with the whole pod, including two little calves. It was an exhilarating end to the day and underlined the fact that sometimes you just need to slow down, trust the process and let nature surprise you.

By Paula Thake

Sightings of the day

Ribeira Brava

09:00 Bottlenose dolphins

13:00 Atlantic spotted dolphins

16:30 Blainville’s beaked whales

Stenella

09:30 Bottlenose dolphins

13:30 Atlantic spotted dolphins, Bottlenose dolphins, Blainville’s beaked whales

16:30 Bottlenose dolphins, Blainville’s beaked whales