01.06.2026 – Heat

My colleague Fatima always said that when the peaks of Madeira turn yellow with flowers blossoming summer is about to begin. The fact that summer is at our doorstep is also tangible with the current temperatures at sea. The minute our boats stop planing, the heat kicks in and we all find ourselves peeling off the extra layers not to cook in the sun.

We also had some incredible situations at sea accompanying the heat in the air. From frisky Short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), frolicking together at the surface and accelerating to chase potential mates, up to Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) gliding belly to belly, up to the charming Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) gleefully leaping alongside our boat. The surface active dolphins were accompanied by scattered sightings of Bryde’s whales (Balaenoptera edeni) appearing and disappearing around our search area in the Southwest, likely feeding on the abundant prey around the island.

By Paula Thake

Sightings of the day

Stenella

09:30 Atlantic spotted dolphins, Bottlenose dolphins, Bryde’s whale

13:30 Bottlenose dolphins, Short-beaked common dolphins

16:30 Bottlenose dolphins, Bryde’s whale

Steno

09:30 Atlantic spotted dolphins, Bottlenose dolphins, Bryde’s whale

13:30 Bottlenose dolphins, Short-beaked common dolphins