08.08.2017 – Best friends

First we saw their massive dorsal fin, then a black back and a ballshaped head. Can you already guess, which species is it described? Right, it is the pilot whale! This time Filipe´s (Skipper of Ribeira Brava) eagle eyes saw them first – after searching for a while- in a misty sky and ocean surface. The pilot whales were slowly moving to the east and also had calves in their pod. Almost simultaneously small dorsal fins appeared as well, Atlantic spotted dolphins. The little dolphins swam beside the bigger pilot whales, revolving them and us, on the Ribeira Brava. Big and small marine mammals united like best friends in a kind of a huge marine living room. It would be interesting to know, if the two species manage to have a conversation with each other. Like dolphins, also pilot whales have a big repertoire of sounds, which can sometimes also be heard on bord.

On the afternoon tour of Stenella, the guests saw besides the other two species also bottlenose dolphins. Again great moments and somehow gifts from mother nature, coming so close to these wild animals.

by Astrid Haas

Sightings of the day:

Stenella

09.00: Atlantic spotted dolphins (Snorkeling trip)

15.30: Atlantic spotted dolphins, Pilotwhales and Bottlenose dolphins

18.00: Atlantic spotted dolphins (Snorkeling trip)

Ribeira Brava

13.30: Atlantic spotted dolphins and Pilotwhales