21.11.2025 – The species thought to be extinct

Today we had the huge luck to spot one of the rarer visitors of the island. It was the False killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens). This energetic marine hunter is one of the few marine mammal hunter, hunting also smaller dolphins and whales. What I personally like though is the fact, that this species was described using a fossil, as it was thought that it was extinct. Only 20 years after the description it could be shown that the species was still alive. 

Apart from this rarity in the morning trip Sperm whales (Physeter macrocepahlus) were seen. These are the most common whales around Madeira as they stay here the whole year. Me mainly have female and juveniles, as it is a safe nursing ground, although that day the False killer whales were there.

By Horst Schulte

Sightings of the day

Ribeira Brava

09:00 Sperm whales

13:00 No sightings

Stenella

13:30 False killer whales