14.09.2022 – Rainb(l)ow after the storm

After 4 days of storm out at sea and our crew patiently waiting at land, this morning the weather looked a little more promising. Wind and swell were still big but our Vigia Carlos found a blow and some movement just 0,5 miles out the marina. That was our call to get out and explore. And indeed, 0,5 miles from Calheta we got happily greeted by a pod of Short beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis). It seems, as the storm  came, so did some colder currents and this Oceanic species that prefers colder waters and usually only visits Madeira for the winter time. Lets see if this time they stay around or will leave with the storm again. While the dolphins were feeding, two Bryde’s Whales (Balaenoptera edeni) took advantage of this feast and surely had one or two mouth fulls as they travelled very fast through the feeding area. Winds only picked up throughout the day, but the afternoon Stenella tour on our Zodiak was still lucky enough to encounter a Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus).

by Paulina Kalita

Sightings of the day

Stenella

10:00 Common dolphins, Bryde’s Whales

14:00 Sperm Whale

Ribeira Brava

10:00 Common dolphins, Bryde’s Whales