10.05.2023 – Elegant

At the moment, a strong north-east wind is blowing past Madeira. Although we are in the south-west of the island and mostly in the lee of the island, the wind has an effect on us. The waves from the east as well as from the west pressed in our direction and met today in front of Calheta. It felt a bit like being in an oceanic washing machine. But we were lucky and were able to observe a small group of our Short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) in calmer waters near the coast. They showed themselves very well to us and accompanied the boat for a while. They are incredibly beautiful, elegant animals. Our Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) also showed up, first two then the whole group.

In the afternoon the sea was a little calmer and although the pod of Atlantic Atlantic spotted dolphins moved away from the coast we were still able to reach them. Our guests, among them also familiar returnees, enjoyed being with the dolphins.

By Fatima Kutzschbach

Sightings of the day

Ribeira Brava

09:30 Common dolphins, Atlantic spotted dolphins

13:30 Atlantic spotted dolphins

Stenella

09:30 Atlantic spotted dolphins

13:30 Atlantic spotted dolphins