CW Azores

Sunset trips at sea in the Azores are very special; indeed, they offer changing coastal views and a different perspective on the water as daylight fades. Of course, marine life is also around to amaze us.

During one of our last sunset trips, we could enjoy a perfect glassy ocean with moderate light. We encountered two different species of dolphins, such as bottlenose dolphins and common dolphins, with high underwater visibility due to the perfect glassy state of the ocean.

We also spotted a s***m whale; in this case, it was a male, easy to recognize by the shape of its bumpy head. After some time at the surface, he dove while exposing his tail fluke.

We also spotted many loggerhead turtles resting at the surface, while nearby, a Portuguese man o’ war drifted unaware of the danger these turtles represented.

To join us for the next adventure, contact us by WhatsApp: +351 926 919 645

Our last trips were filled with great sightings, and during one of them, we were able to witness something very special.

Besides the nice pod of bottlenose dolphins that we could observe very well, we also spotted two different humpback whales. One was quite difficult to approach and watch, so we decided to go see the other one, which appeared to be the same individual that has been seen around Pico and Faial since the beginning of May!

Besides this great sighting, our lookout informed us that there was another baleen whale in a different area. So we travelled there, encountering a pod of common dolphins along the way.

After a bit of patience, a fin whale appeared at the surface a few times and then disappeared. Suddenly, a bluish shadow appeared underwater just a few meters from the boat… and then the fin whale surfaced, lunge feeding on a school of longspine snipefish!

We were very happy to capture a few shots of this special moment. Being able to observe baleen whales feeding is definitely not something you see every day!

If you want to join our next trip, you can contact us on WhatsApp at: +351 926 919 645

Photo credits: Roxane Rambert

During our afternoon tour on May 15th, north of Pico and approximately 3 miles offshore, our lookout informed us about a possible cluster of s***m whales in the area. After listening carefully through the hydrophone, we could clearly hear their powerful echolocation clicks, confirming we had reached the right spot. At first, however, nothing could be seen at the surface. The whales were still deep below us, hunting cephalopods in the dark waters surrounding the island.

From the concentration of echolocation clicks we were hearing through the hydrophone we estimated that we were soon to be greeted by a large group spreading from the coast to our boat. We waited patiently and shortly after the first blow appeared about a mile ahead of us. One after another, the most emblematic whale of the Azores began surfacing around the boat after their deep sea dive.
What followed was truly special. We were lucky enough to observe at least 12 s***m whales, including females, juveniles, and calves socializing calmly at the surface.
Among all these individuals, one large female especially caught our attention. Looking closely at the photographs taken during the sighting, we noticed several deep and very fresh scars on both sides of her fluke. Scars, notches, and missing pieces of tail are not uncommon in s***m whales, but the freshness of these marks immediately raised many questions. What caused them? A struggle with prey? Interactions with other whales? A shark attack? Or perhaps contact with fishing gear or a vessel?
The marks found on s***m whales can tell remarkable stories about their lives:
• Circular sucker scars often come from giant squid defending themselves with the sharp rings on their tentacles.
• Parallel rake marks are usually caused by the teeth of other s***m whales during social interactions or competition.
• Deep lacerations and damaged fins may result from entanglement in ropes or fishing gear.
• Straight cuts and parallel gashes can sometimes indicate contact with boat propellers.
S***m whales in the Azores are formidable apex predators rather than prey animals. Healthy adults have very few natural threats, although orcas may occasionally target calves or weaker individuals. The deep offshore waters and steep underwater slopes around the archipelago makes this region one of the world’s most important feeding grounds for the species.
These scars and markings not only tell us about the challenges these animals face throughout their lives, but also help us identify individuals through photo-ID, allowing us to follow and recognize them year after year.

For now, however, the mystery behind these fresh scars remains unsolved.

Photo credits: Roxane Rambert

(English version below)
Lo staff di CW Azores con “Lupi di Aschi”, il romanzo di Enrico Villa dedicato alla convivenza tra uomini e lupi in un piccolo paese degli Appennini abruzzesi.

Qui alle Azzorre raccontiamo il mare, le balene e i delfini.
Per una volta, questa è una storia che arriva dalle montagne e parla di un altro animale selvatico che, proprio come le balene e i delfini, ha dovuto imparare a sopravvivere accanto all’uomo.

📖 I primi sei capitoli gratuiti (in italiano):
https://www.lupidiaschi.com/le-prime-pagine

—

The CW Azores team with “Lupi di Aschi” (“Wolves of Aschi”), Enrico Villa’s novel about coexistence between wolves and people in a small mountain village in the Italian Apennines.

Here in the Azores we share stories about whales and dolphins.
For once, the story comes from the mountains and tells of another wild animal that, much like whales and dolphins, has had to learn how to survive alongside humans.

📚 The book is currently available only in Italian.
An English edition is planned for 2027.

Yesterday the trips were filled with different animals ✨

We had a fin whale showing the right lower jaw, a particularity of this species; humpback whales, flipper and tail slapping; and a beautiful blue whale, showing us its blue shade under the water 🐋

Photo credits: Ricardo Ventura
Skipper: Ricardo Ventura