Thursday 23rd July

We had spectacular cetacean sightings today with Risso’s dolphins on all three trips, and lots of porpoises on the first and the second. This morning’s Ocean Discovery saw the porpoises first and as has become customary in the last week or so, numbers were very high and they gave us some really close swim bys. This might be the best run of porpoise sightings we have ever had. On the way back in we then found the Risso’s which made us very late back! Every adult we saw had a calf by her side and some of them were very small, so they appear to be calving in the area.

On the first Bay Discovery trip of the afternoon we soon saw them again, four mothers with four babies. One of the calves seemed to be learning how to tail slap – it was like when a human baby discovers its own hands 😁. They were distant views this time and they appeared to heading out of the bay. Very far in on the horizon we could see some common dolphins jumping, but at about six kilometers away they were too far to get to. Instead we had some more lovely views of harbour porpoises.

On the third and final tour we had the best views of Risso’s we have had for ages. Several of the dolphin mums brought their offspring right past the stationary boat – what a privilege. They are such beautiful creatures and Sam got some cracking photos.