From the 22nd to 28th of June we sighted 9 different species of Cetaceans!
Two Species of Baleen Whales: Fin and Sei Whales;
Two Species of Toothed Whales: Sperm Whales and Beaked Whales
Five Species of Dolphins: Bottlenose, Common, Striped, Risso’s and Atlantic Spotted Dolphins.
The biggest novelty of this week is that the Spotties are here!! Finally the Atlantic Spotted Dolphins are here in the Azores.
Atlantic Spotted Dolphin – *Not from this week
These species occurs in the Azores from June to September.
They can reach 2.3 meters and weight up to 140 Kilos. They are born without spots, so the calves have a smooth grey coloration. The spots grow as they grow older, so the adults are fully spotted. Juveniles have a few black spots on the belly and white spots on the flanks.
Atlantic Spotted Dolphins are known to approach boats and bowride them. And are also very acrobatic! They often breach and jump.
The first time we see Spotties every year it’s like the feeling of meeting a friend that you haven’t seen a while. It’s always a very cheerful moment!
Another Special moment….
On the 24th of June, we spotted 3 Fin Whales… It started as a normal sighting but then… These giant gentls decided to do some “Human Watching”! All three of them came close swimming beside us and even under the boat! So close that we could smell their breath! (it doens’t smell that nice but it’s so worth it!! ahaha). Can you imagine what it is like to have a 20 meter Whale this close?! It is an experience of a lifetime…
Fin Whale/Balaenopterra physalus
Every day and every tour are different, but all so special!
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