31.08.2026 – Not quite a whale

Published by Marlene Cabral on September 7, 2026

Today, on our tours, we encountered both bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and pilot whales (Globecephala macrorhynchus) several times. At first glance, pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins look like two completely different animals. But there is something they have in common that might come as a surprise: pilot whales are actually dolphins.

Pilot whales belong to the dolphin family and are even the largest members of this family. Short-finned pilot whales can grow to over six metres in length and weigh several tonnes. That makes them considerably larger than a bottlenose dolphin.

Their appearance does not necessarily reveal how closely related they are. Pilot whales have a powerful body, a rounded forehead and a distinctive, sickle-shaped dorsal fin. Bottlenose dolphins, on the other hand, appear more slender and have their characteristic beak. Despite their differences, bottlenose dolphins and pilot whales have quite a lot in common. Both live in close social groups and spend a lot of time together. The bonds within pilot whale groups are particularly strong, with family members often staying together for many years.

Why are they still called pilot WHALES? The name probably comes from their whale-like appearance and large size, which may have led people in the past to think of them as small whales. Today, however, we know that they are actually members of the dolphin family.

So on a single tour, we can encounter two species that look very different at first glance but are more closely related than you might think.

by Malina Labowsky

Sightings of the day

Ribeira Brava

09:00 Short-finned pilot whale, Bottlenose dolphin

13:00 Short-finned pilot whale, Bottlenose dolphin

16:30 Short-finned pilot whale, Bottlenose dolphin

Steno

09:30 Short-finned pilot whale, Bottlenose dolphin, Atlantic spotted dolphin, Bryde’s whale

13:30 Short-finned pilot whale, Bottlenose dolphin

16:30 Short-finned pilot whale, Bottlenose dolphin, Striped dolphin