The swell of this morning in the island of Sao Miguel was really something. We were experiencing waves as we navigated. Our brave whale watchers, were keen to go out at sea and find the different species of migratory dolphins that one can find in Azorian waters, this time of year. Swell are waves that propagate along the interface between air and water, they have different sizes.

Swell in the ocean is one of the reasons people can get sea sick, but to whales and dolphins, swell is the time to go out and have fun. Stripped dolphins were the first dolphins to be seen, these fast animals were enjoying the waves. Literally next to the Stripped dolphin pod, we suddenly saw a very huge pod of Pilot whales, they were cruising the waves, and enjoying every single bit of it. We ended our tour with the sighting of Bottlenose dolphins who were happily swimming along the coast close to the beautiful town of Ribera Quente. All in all the beautiful month of August, has brought nothing but beautiful sightings of dolphins feeling at home.

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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