The Atlantic ocean is a special place indeed. Today was proof of that !!!

It was a perfect day to go out on a whale-watching tour. The morning was not a calm one in Sāo Miguel, the ocean was filled with dolphins. Two different species of dolphins sharing the same travelling route. We estimated that around 500 hundred dolphins were travelling East belonging to the Common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) and Striped Dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) species. The agility of these animals is always breathtaking.

Dolphin diving

Dolphins can be very agile and synchronized when travelling. The way the enter and jump out of the water to gain speed is impressive.

But after leaving the dolphins we did not know the amazing interaction between Sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) we would observe.

Five Sperm whales were in the area. They were interacting and socializing between each other. There were flukes showing, one of the Sperm whales was breaching at the back with another one spyhopping and opening the mouth. I have never seen and interaction of the sort and let me tell you it was … I actually think they were no words able to describe what we saw.

The afternoon was filled with other species of dolphins. Two resident species, the Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) and Risso’s Dolphins (Grampus griseus). Risso’s Dolphins are dolphins that are very shy and not usually partake in jumping displays.

But today they were feeling a little more acrobatic than usual.

So all in all another beautiful day to go out to the Atlantic ocean and experience nature by observing animals interacting in their natural habitat.

Anaïs Builly

About Anaïs Builly

Anais Builly is Marine Biologist and Master of Biology, Ecology and Ecosystems, and of Bioproducts & Bioproduction of Marine Ecosystems, studied in France and South Africa. She is also Marine Wildlife Guide & Community Manager at TERRA AZUL. She is passionate about conservation of marine mammals, and loves being out in the ocean everyday.

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