Two types of pilot whales There are 2 types of pilot whale: the long-fin pilot whales usually reside in colder northern waters such as Norway, Iceland or Canada and there is also a population in the Mediterranean; while the short-fin pilot whales prefer warmer waters, such as the Canary Islands. In the Azores, we can…
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Orcas, also known as killer whales, are not very frequent visitors to the Azores, but when they do appear, the excitement is palpable. These iconic animals are the largest member of the dolphin family, reaching up to 10m. With their striking black and white coloration and the impressive dorsal fins of the males, orcas are…
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Spotted dolphin, Stenella frontalis, are one of our most common sightings in the Azores. They are an oceanic dolphin, spending most of their lives away from shores, but with our deep waters close to the coast, they are a regular sighting. But usually, they arrive towards the end of June or the beginning…
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Biosphere Expeditions completed a very successful expedition for 17th year. 9 different species of whales & dolphin were observed between the 20th March – 20th April. These sightings included the largest animal on the planet, the blue whale. We also had a few humpback and fin whales as well as several sei whales. There were…
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Male sperm whales are impressive on every level. They are huge, reaching up to 18m and 60t while the females only reach around 12m and 17t. In the Azores, we generally see groups of females, juveniles and calves, but occasionally a large male like this one makes an appearance. Male sperm whales leave their family…
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Common dolphin need a new name! The name originates from the fact that common dolphin can be seen around the world. They should really have been named for the yellow patch on their sides which makes an hourglass shape along their flanks. The name “yellow-sided” dolphin has never been taken and maybe we should start…
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The weather was not looking very good, the lookouts were not optimistic. The clients were hopeful and when the word came that a humpback whale had been seen in an area calm enough to get to, everyone sprang into action. Boats made their way to the North of Faial, only to find that the humpback…
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The Azores archipelago is known for its rich biodiversity, particularly its thriving population of sperm whales. These majestic creatures can be seen in the waters surrounding the islands year-round. Sperm whales are the largest toothed whales on the planet and males can grow up to 18 meters in length. They are famous for their distinctive…
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