26.06.2026 – Unique encounter with the Monk seal

After a few days of choppy waters, the Ocean was calmer today and we were able to encounter three different species of marine mammals out of the 27 confirmed around Madeira. A curious and playful group of spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) joined our boat and travelled with us for some time. We could clearly see the beautiful spots on the adults’ body. 

We also had the opportunity to see a Bryde’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni). They occur all year round, but they are seen more during summer months. Their torpedo-shaped body allows them to reach speeds up to 20 km/h. These baleen whales are lunge feeders : they accelerate at high speed on their side into dense school of fish and open their south wide to catch as much as possible. We are sometimes able to see the white baleens under the surface. 

The great surprise that we got at the end of the trip was the sighting of a rare marine mammal : the Mediterranean Monk seal (Monachus monachus). It is one of the post endangered marine mammals on the planet and the rarest species of seals. It is believed that there are only 30-40 individuals around Madeira island. They manly feed on squids, crustaceans and fish. The name “monk seal” comes from the folds of skin around its head and neck, which resemble a monk’s hood when the animal is on land. 

By Juliette Colançon

Sightings of the day

Ribeira brava

09:00 Atlantic spotted dolphins, Bryde’s whale, Mediterranean Monk seal

13:00 Bryde’s whale

Steno

09:30 Atlantic spotted dolphins, Bryde’s whale

13:30 Atlantic spotted dolphins, Bryde’s whale