21.07.2026 – Teamwork

Today’s trips were a great example of how important teamwork is between our boats and our spotter. Finding cetaceans is often a true team effort, and today proved just that.

During our morning tour, we relied heavily on the sharp eyes of our spotter. Several sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) were in the area, but with their long dive times, locating them again after they disappeared beneath the surface was a real challenge. Thanks to our spotter’s guidance, we knew exactly where the whales resurfaced, allowing our Ribeira Brava boat to be in the right place at the right time. It was a fantastic demonstration of how communication between land and sea creates unforgettable wildlife encounters.

The afternoon tour was a little more challenging. A layer of dust in the atmosphere reduced visibility for our spotter, and as there were a few waves, it became difficult to spot animals both from the boats and from our spotter’s lookout on land. Although we were unfortunately unable to make any sightings, our guests still enjoyed a beautiful afternoon out on the Atlantic, surrounded by stunning ocean and island views.

Our final trip at 16:30 brought another opportunity to showcase great teamwork. Our spotter had located a group of Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis), but they were quite far away and swimming away from Madeira. Fortunately, our Steno boat was able to reach the dolphins. By carefully approaching them, Steno was able to keep the group nearby for a short while, giving the Ribeira Brava enough time to arrive. Thanks to this coordinated effort, the guests on both boats were rewarded with an amazing sighting of these playful and energetic dolphins.

Every day on the Atlantic is different, and today reminded us that successful whale watching is not only about the animals themselves, but also about the dedicated teamwork between our skippers, crews, and spotter. Together, they make these unforgettable encounters possible.

By Gemma Stockmans