23.07.2019 – Taking the plunge

Its always good to start the day with an underwater encounter with some cheeky Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) whilst darting through the water during our snorkelling tours in the morning. As if that wasn’t enough, our team also tracked down a herd of Short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) swimming alongside Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and the mysterious Rough-toothed dolphins (Steno bredanensis).

Our guests often ask us where we usually find animals. Well, apart from the several little hotspots around the island our search usually moves along the 2000m depth line 4 nautical miles off the coast of the island. We often encounter small dolphin species such as the Atlantic spotted dolphins at these depths that enter the archipelagos waters to feed. We also, however, meet the deep-divers at these depths, such as the Short-finned pilot whales and the Rough-toothed dolphins, both being extremely intelligent, deep-diving dolphins. Bottlenose dolphins are usually in the company of Short-finned pilot whales at these depths and they don’t enter deep-dolphin territory for nothing! Pilot whales enjoy eating deep-sea squid and are even thought to compete with the giant Sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) for their prey. The smart Bottlenose are thought to be aware of this and may associate with these gentle cetaceans to gain advantages in feeding on squid. 

Occasionally we find the animals further out to sea at deeper depths. After the snorkelling I told our guests that we were being towed through the Atlantic at the inconceivable depth of 3000m! Now thats an achievement I have to always underline with our guests! It isn’t always easy to trust yourself and plunge into the unknown but we grow in the most beautiful way by not giving in to our fears and trusting the process.

While we are on the subject of change, today is also a day of change for our company. Luisa, one of our ladies at the shop, sadly had her last day at Lobosonda and will go discover new frontiers to gain her own personal growth. We will all miss you and hope that after taking the plunge into your new future, you will visit us again soon and take a plunge with us into the Atlantic for a snorkelling tour! You promised!! 😉

By Paula Thake

Sightings of the day

Ribeira Brava

13:30 Atlantic spotted dolphins, Short-finned pilot whales

17:00 Atlantic spotted dolphins, Bottlenose dolphins, Short-finned pilot whales

Stenella

09:00 Atlantic spotted dolphins (Snorkeling), Bottlenose dolphins, Rough-toothed dolphins, Short-finned pilot whales

15:30 Atlantic spotted dolphins, Short-finned pilot whales

18:00 Atlantic spotted dolphins, Bottlenose dolphins, Short-finned pilot whales