Pilot whales, Bottlenose dolphins, Spotted dolphins, Baleen whale
We have recently seen the following whale and dolphin species on our whale watching tours off La Gomera:
- Pilot whales (Indian pilot whales)
- Bottlenose dolphins
- Atlantic spotted dolphin
- Baleen whale (unidentified)
We leave April with many intense pilot whale sightings. Playful youngsters surfing in waves, resting families and we were able to be there when different families came together. Some of the youngsters came closer to the boat to marvel at us curiously. But the full-grown, large bulls also left us with an unforgettable encounter after they swam closer to the boat.
We often see bottlenose dolphins together with the pilot whales. Sometimes they are not interested at all, other times they are curious and playful, swimming alongside the boats or in the bow wave. We were able to observe a bottlenose dolphin playing with an algae floating in the water, or perhaps trying to scratch itself a little?
Most dolphins have a dorsal fin that makes it easy to identify them, like a fingerprint. One bottlenose dolphin was missing it completely. What might have happened?
As always, spotted dolphins delighted us with their elegance and playful behaviour as they swam along in the bow wave or raced alongside the boat.
As is sometimes the case, you suddenly come across a baleen whale. Even quite close to the shore! We were very surprised and overjoyed. But that’s how it always is at sea. It’s always good for a surprise and every encounter with whales and dolphins makes us happy.
The sighting rate for the entire period was 94%.
Fotos: Noel Covián, Ulla C. Ludewig, OCEANO Archiv