14.06.18 – Jackpot

When we started for our afternoon trip today, nobody on board suspected that this would become an extraordinary tour culminating in sightings of six different cetacean species and finishing with a spectacular sunset ride back to the marina. But one after the other…

On our way out, we encountered a pod of Blainville´s beaked-whales (Mesoplodon densirostris). These shy deep-diving animals occur in small groups of 2-9 members. Usually one leading male is accompanied by several females and juveniles to form those harem pods. The beaked-whales were on their way to dive down when we slowly approached them. So, we only got to see them for a few seconds from the distance.

This was already a very special and rare sighting but the mighty Atlantic has been in a generous mood: continuing our cruise to the East, two small groups of short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) delighted us with their presence close around our traditional vessel. Then the events rolled over. We received the message about a single humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) being spotted in the area – goose bumps among guests and crew. Everybody was watching out as we continued going to the East. Characteristic rounded dark fins cutting through the surface here and there indicated that the pilot whales had started to travel in the same direction.

A few juvenile Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) joined us moving in a higher pace before the first blow of some bigger whales was detected far off the bow. Two sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) rested on the surface in a recovery phase between two dives. Some other large blowouts in the distance as well as the hope to potentially encounter the humpback whale, which is only rarely seen around Madeira, motivated us to continue the ride. We came along an extensive area of short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) jointly hunting in the distance alongside three tropical whales (Balaenoptera edeni) and Cory´s Sherwaters (Calonectris borealis).

Although we didn’t encounter the humpback whale, guests and crew were amazed by the fantastic time we spent together on the ocean. Seeing six different cetacean species plus Loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) on one trip is like a jackpot! This is a sign for a healthy marine biodiversity and a record number of sightings very early in the season. It will be a great summer!

by Jan-Christopher Fischer

Sightings of the day

Ribeira Brava

17:00 Blainville´s beaked whales, Short-finned pilot whales, Atlantic spotted dolphins, Sperm whales, Short-beaked common dolphins, Tropical whales, Loggerhead turtles