22.06.2024 – Blainville’s Back

Beaked whales (Mesoplodon densirostris) are a select rarity, often only seen off of Madeira and the Azores. These animals are highly acoustically sensitive and generally show up in small groups because of what we call a harem structure, meaning males are solo and females are in groups of up to 7 animals. This means an acquaintance, let alone a close one, is a rare thing. Today we were lucky enough to have such encounters on two out of three Stenella tours! Stenellas speed certainly makes sighting these engiantic animals easier. Ribeira Brava also had a great day on its way to see the beaked whales (which it unfortunately missed) when it met an inquisitive hammerhead (Sphyrna zygaena). This animal hung around the boat for at least 10 minutes, showing clearly not usual due to hammerheads relative sensitivity from their 360-degree vision. Ribeira Bravas gentle movement in the water and higher point of view makes it ideal for this sort of encounter. Let summer continue !

By Peter Worth

Sightings of the day

Click on each sighting to access the photo gallery of the correspondent trip

Ribeira Brava

09:30 Atlantic Spotted Dolphins, Hammerhead Shark

13:30 No Sightings

Stenella

09:30  Blainvilles Beaked Whales, Atlantic Spotted Dolphin 

13:30  Blainville’s Beaked Whales

16:00 Bottlenose dolphins, Atlantic spotted dolphins