29.05.2026 – High up in the sky
June 4, 2026
Sunbathing Mediterranean Monk seal
All boat trips that went out today had dolphins around their bows swimming, feeding, socializing and traveling.
Some schools of dolphins where playful and approaching our boats, like the Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops trancatus) and the Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella Frontalis). Others were passing by and not showing any interest in our appearance out there, like the Striped dolphins. (Stenella coeruleoalba)
Today’s afternoon trip had the privilege to see a Mediterranean Monk seal (Monachus monachus) resting and sunbathing at the surface. The Monk seal is mainly seen in the shore waters of the Desertas Islands, which is a Nature Reserve and the waters between Madeiras Southeast and the Desertas Islands. But today one Monk seal decided to show op nearby Calheta marina.
It might be one of the rarest marine mammals in the world, primarily found in the Mediterranean Sea (Greece, Turkey and Cyprus) and the waters around Madeira. The total population of the Mediterranean Monk seal holds a count between 600 and 700 only.
At this time there are just a few Monk seals left in the waters around Madeira and we can speak of a very endangered specie with only around 40-50 mammals left.
There used to be more of these Mediterranean Monk seals living on Madeira island, but they were hunted for a long time, till hardly any was left.
They were hunted for their fur/pelt (skin) to make clothing of, their blubber was melted and used like an oil and their meat was eaten.
An adult Mediterranean Monk seal can be up to 2,50 meters and weigh over 300 kilos.
Luckily, they are protected now and we can see a slowly increasing number of Mediterranean Monk seals.
By Gemma Stockmans
Sightings of the day
Stenella
09:30 Bottlenose dolphins, Striped dolphins, Atlantic spotted dolphins
13:30 Bottlenose dolphins, Atlantic spotted dolphins, Monkseal, Loggerhead turtle
16:30 Bottlenose dolphins, Striped dolphins, Loggerhead turtle
Steno
09:30 Bottlenose dolphins, Atlantic spotted dolphins
13:30 Bottlenose dolphins, Atlantic spotted dolphins, Monkseal, Loggerhead turtle
