Surfing with dolphins

This morning we had a great time out on the ocean, surfing the waves with dolphins. First we encountered a group of more than 100 common dolphins near Ponta Delgada. The large group was spread out but we could always enjoy the company of the curious dolphins as small groups were taking turns to check us out. The next encounter was with a group of bottlenose dolphins a bit further out where the swell was larger. It was this group of about 40 dolphins that was making the most of surfing in the swell. It was a really amazing experience riding alongside these dolphins and seeing them through the waves and leaping out of the back of them. After searching further to the west of the island we enjoyed a coastal ride back with nice views of the São Miguel coastline along the way.

Bottlenose dolphins surfing in the waves

Common dolphins near Ponta Delgada

Great skua

Second winter Mediterranean gull

A morning with dolphins

This morning we had a nice encounter with a group of about 100 common dolphins. The dolphins were very interested in our boat, always staying very close on both sides, as well as under and right in front of our boat. They were also being very vocal, so most of the time we could hear their communication whistles very well. What a nice way to spend the morning!

Video of the common dolphins approaching our boat to bowride

Just a small part of the group of about 100 common dolphins

Just like summer - a morning with pilot whales and common dolphins

Today is an absolutely gorgeous day in São Miguel, Azores. In the morning we had a tour out on the ocean and it seemed just like summer. The ocean was completely flat and very clear, the sky was clear and it even felt warm. Out in this perfect ocean we encountered a nice calm group of pilot whales and several groups of common dolphins. It was our first encounter with pilot whales this year and they seemed to be just as curious about us as we were about them. The most impressive individual was a very large and old male who we thought we recognised from our photo-ID catalogue, but he turned out to be a different individual. The common dolphins were even more curious, as they often are. We enjoyed watching them diving around and under our boat and playing in the bow waves created by our boat. As the water was very calm and clear we could see them very well through the water. Spring is definitely on its way, especially since we are seeing more and more medusas in the water. Today we spotted what looked to be many Portuguese man-o-war, but they turned out to be the similar looking Velella velella (see photo below). Before returning to Ponta Delgada we made a quick stop to see a local fishing boat catching some squid, giving us all ideas for a lunch of local seafood after the tour.

Pilot whales

A large male pilot whale

Watching pilot whales from our zodiac

Travelling inshore to see common dolphins

Velella velella

A local fisherman showing one of the squid he has caught

The colours of winter

Despite still being winter, today we had a very colourful morning out on the ocean. When we first left Ponta Delgada marina and encountered bottlenose dolphins nearby, the orange colours of the sunrise were still on the horizon. It was a beautiful backdrop as the group of about 30 bottlenose dolphins were surfacing around our boat. Further to the east we encountered some smaller groups of common dolphins. The last group we were with were very curious and had a small calf among them. The whole group always stayed near our boat and often dived underneath while the dolphins turned on their sides to look up at us. After our dolphin encounters we went around Vila Franca islet to see the interesting volcanic rock formations and try to spot some different wildlife. Among the usual yellow-legged gulls and rock pigeons we also managed to spot a great blue heron gracefully gliding over the lagoon. On our way back to Ponta Delgada we traveled close along the south coast of São Miguel island so we could enjoy the views of the rugged coastline in the nice sunshine of the late morning.

Bottlenose dolphin in the first light of the morning

Watching bottlenose dolphins near our boat

Bottlenose dolphin wave surfing

Common dolphin

Common dolphin with Vila Franca in the background

Looking at the port of Caloura

Our skipper Veríssimo and our newest biologist Sara

Enjoying the ride back to Ponta Delgada

Common dolphins everywhere!

This morning we encountered common dolphins everywhere along the south coast of São Miguel island. It's difficult to estimate how many dolphins we saw and how many encounters we had because everywhere we traveled there were small groups spread out. The water was crystal clear, just like a perfect summer's day, so we got to see the dolphins really well as they were gliding through the water around our catamaran. Sometimes they were curious and bowriding while other times they were more calm and almost motionless at the surface. We also got to see a lot of big leaps as the dolphins were playfully jumping full body out of the waves.