29.08.2021 – Wonderland

Many people say that some places in Madeira remind them of landscapes in fairytales. In my opinion, the ocean surrounding the island also perfectly fits that description and often feels like a wonderland where unexpected and incredible surprises can be anticipated at any moment.

Our snorkelling tour went incredibly smoothly this morning as a large group of Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) curiously approached our guests in the water. Our traditional boat also managed a sighting with these interactive animals during the tour in the morning as well as in the afternoon. Stenella’s second sighting with her namesake dolphins was preceded during the midday tour by a sighting with Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and an incredible encounter with a group of Blainville’s beaked whales (Mesoplodon densirostris). Beaked whales belong to some of the most mysterious inhabitants of our oceans, spending most of their time in the deep and shying away from any strangers to their environment at the surface. Today, however, they peacefully swam alongside us and the close encounter allowed everyone on board a moment to contemplate what life may be like in their mystical world in the deep.

The lovely guests on board our trip on the Stenella in the evening were particularly excited to see some baleen whales, particularly our two younger guests sitting at the bow, one of whom had the most fitting name to suit our fairytale ocean; Alice. After seeing some more spotted dolphins, Little Alice had the opportunity to help our captain drive the boat carefully to sightings of Bottlenose dolphins and a beautiful Bryde’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni) mother and her little calf. What a wondrous place the ocean is and how lucky we are to be able to witness these magical things!

By Paula Thake

Sightings of the day

Ribeira Brava

10:00 Atlantic spotted dolphins

15:00 Atlantic spotted dolphins

Stenella

09:30 Atlantic spotted dolphins

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

16:00 Atlantic spotted dolphins, Bottlenose dolphins, Bryde’s whale