Sperm whales, Pilot whales, Bottlenose dolphins, Spotted dolphins, Beaked whales, Round-headed dolphins
We have recently seen the following whale and dolphin species on our whale watching tours off La Gomera:
- Pilot whales (Short-finned pilot whales)
- Bottlenose dolphins
- Atlantic spotted dolphin
- Beaked whales (unidentified)
- Round-headed dolphins
- Spermwhale
Our team on board and the guests were simply amazed, moved to tears and happy at the same time! They encountered a family of sperm whales twice in June. Spyhopping, siesta, slow swimming, it felt like everything was there.
Encountering these giants makes you think. Their lives here in the Canary Islands are characterised by stress, sadness and mortal danger – yes, because of the fast ferries. Unfortunately, there are too many collisions with these beautiful animals. Many end with serious injuries, but mostly with death.
So to see them here off La Gomera is a very great gift!
The pilot whales also left us cheering on the boat as we watched them wave surfing. They showed us, and no doubt each other, who was the fastest!
Bottlenose dolphins were actively hunting, surfing or playing when we encountered them on a tour.
As so often, spotted dolphins curiously explored the boat, swam along in our bow wave and watched the moment when we fished a piece of plastic out of the sea. Even when we noticed a pardela (cuttlefish shearwater) apparently trying to snatch crabs or small fish from a piece of plastic, the dolphins watched us as we approached to collect the rubbish.
The Risso’s dolphins were not interested in observing us and quickly left. Likewise the beaked whales, which we were unable to identify due to the distance.
Other exciting sightings:
The carcass of a giant squid floated on the surface,
as did a dead puffer fish.
A seagull travelling on a loggerhead turtle.
The sighting rate for the entire period was 83%.
Fotos: Noel Covián, OCEANO Archiv