12.10.2022 – Phenomenal

What an absolutely phenomenal day! The overcast sky set the mood for an incredible number of sightings! Both our boats managed sightings with a total of 5-6 species, an incredible accomplishment for our crew at sea and our spotter, Carlos!

The trips began with sightings of small seasonal cetacean visitors, the Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) and the Short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis). The dolphins were frolicking and socialising in an area full of Cory’s shearwaters (Calonectris borealis), an indication that they may have gathered for a larger feeding situation. Soon a larger baleen whale entered the area, likely a Bryde’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni) and our team enjoyed some moments with the animal at the surface before heading out to meet some of the larger dolphin species frequenting the islands waters.

Around 3 nautical miles offshore, a pod of Short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) was heading west in the company of a small nursery group of Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Calves in both groups were eagerly playing at the surface, indicating that the animals were more than comfortable in each others and our presence. The trip ended with a great finale; Sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus), the largest of all toothed predators on the planet, were diving to catch their equally large prey, the mystical giant squid. After some restful breaths at the surface, which allowed both our team and guests to enjoy some nice moments with the animals, the whales soon lifted their flukes to get back to their business in the deep. It really doesn’t get much better than this…or at least that’s what we thought until the afternoon tour!

Our team was welcomed by one of our favourite and rarest visitors in the afternoon. A massive group of around 30 False orcas (Pseudorca crassidens) was dashing west and we had the pleasure of accompanying a few of these powerful animals. While our team is always overjoyed to see these incredible dolphins in action, other cetaceans tend to get nervous with their presence. We later met a group of pilot whales that, according to our spotter, were in the false orcas trajectory and huddled into a tight group to protect their calves as their mighty cousins swam by. We kept the second sighting brief to minimise our impact on these already stressed animals and drove out to meet yet another pod of Sperm whales before returning to the marina.

I haven’t smiled so broadly in ages, big thanks to our wonderful team for this incredible day!

By Paula Thake

Sightings of the day

Ribeira Brava

10:00 Atlantic spotted dolphins, Bottlenose dolphins, Bryde’s whale, Short-beaked common dolphins, Short-finned pilot whales, Sperm whales

Stenella

10:00 Atlantic spotted dolphins, Bottlenose dolphins, Bryde’s whale, Short-beaked common dolphins, Short-finned pilot whales, Sperm whales

15:00 False orcas, Short-finned pilot whales, Sperm whales