Dolphin encounters – common dolphins and bottlenose dolphins

This morning we had some great dolphin encounters off São Miguel Island. Our first encounter was with a small group of common dolphins just outside Ponta Delgada marina where we have our base. Close to shore we encountered several more groups of common dolphins, mostly feeding together with seabirds on schools of horse mackerel at the surface. After some searching offshore we also came across a large group of bottlenose dolphins. The group was made up of about 80 individuals who were all travelling together in leaps above the surface. It was an impressive show that allowed us to see very well how large these incredible dolphins really are!

Bottlenose dolphins surfing the waves  Bottlenose dolphins    Bottlenose dolphin Bottlenose dolphin with our zodiac boat

Common dolphins feeding together