Simply amazing

This morning’s trip was a good example of how cloudy days mean nothing when it comes to observing these amazing creatures.

Leaving the marina with a calm sea, we started our trip heading West and after a bit of “hide and seek” and using the hydrophone to confirm the presence of the animals, we finally found a group of our resident sperm whales, this group, which had a calf, was calm but not that interested in us.

After a while with them, our lookout indicated another group of sperm whales close to the same area, but much larger in number, and indeed, reaching the area we could count at least 12 sperm whales, all together in a socialising and resting behaviour, very relaxed at the surface, a moment experienced with great excitement not only by the guests but also the crew, this awesome display with the animals clustered and distinctively facing the same direction is an amazing event to observe and even more with this abundance of individuals.

The “cherry on the top” of this sighting was the curious juvenile that approached the boat spy-hopping what allowed us to take a good look at his huge head (which is about one third of the total body length).

Returning to Ponta Delgada we still had a chance to spend some time with another of our resident species, the bottlenose dolphin, a small group that at first was a bit scattered but eventually got together what made observing them much easier and fun.

Despite the lack of sun today at sea, the trip was an absolute joy to all aboard, and this amazing display of social discipline will for sure stay on everybody’s mind for years to come.