09.09.2026 – Hydrodynamic happiness

Dolphins do not have facial expressions but their “smile” has been its blessing and its curse when it comes to our relationship to us humans. It has helped us empathise with them and take an active interest in their biology and social lives. Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) are the two of the most well studied species of dolphin and their behaviour does not make that hard!

Bottlenose dolphins are known to interact with boats and generally take an interest in other species. This charismatic species also enjoys coastal waters across the globe putting it in frequent contact with humans. Spotted dolphins definitely belong to the most interactive dolphin species around, fearlessly leaping towards boats and riding the bow wave. Their spot pattern also adds an extra bonus for scientists – it allows them to distinguish age classes allowing deeper insight into their social lives.

Due to their interactive nature, both species are an absolute joy to encounter at sea and bundles of hydrodynamic happiness! In the afternoon our Steno guests got an extra bonus with a diving Sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) but, unfortunately, the animal already left the surface long before they reached the sightings area!

By Paula Thake

Sightings of the day

Ribeira Brava

09:00 Atlantic spotted dolphins, Bottlenose dolphins

13:00 Bottlenose dolphins

Steno

09:30 Atlantic spotted dolphins, Bottlenose dolphins

13:30 Bottlenose dolphins, Sperm whale