30.12.2022 – One last wild ride

We planned trips for the afternoon today and our team had anticipated some wind but decided to head out since our spotter had located a small group of Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). As our boats ventured out, the wind began to pick up and the dolphins ventured into the sun and our spotter could no longer relocate them. Both boats searched far and wide and did their best to expand the search area; the Ribeira Brava went east and the Stenella tried her luck further west. These two trips may have well been the last two of the year and our crew wasn’t going down without a fight.

While the Ribeira Brava sadly returned without a sighting, our speedboat captain had a stroke of genius and asked our spotter to relocate to Ponta do Pargo and check the calmer waters of the North. Sure enough, a few fins broke the surface and our team had the pleasure of sharing a wonderful sighting of Short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) with our guests. 

The reality of whale-watching is the simple reality of life; we never know what awaits us ahead of a trip but the intention is to make the best out of every possible situation. On that note, we wish a happy new year to all our guests and followers. May you all make the best of it and make it count. 

By Paula Thake

Sightings of the day

Ribeira Brava

14:30 No sighting

Stenella

15:00 Short-beaked common dolphins