Leviathans, denizens of the deep - yes we've
finally seen a few. Today we decided to go Whale Watching as there was no wind
foreast and we had wanted to take a trip for some time - in all the time we have
been sailing we have only seen two, and that was near Bermuda. The folks out
here have a series of watchers who let them know if there are whales and
dolphins about so if there are none, you don't waste a trip. However conditions
were very misty and the sea calm and while some whales had been seen we were
told the decision had to be ours - so we went with about 7 others.
At first it wasn't very promising as just outside
the harbour the whale watching catamaran caught a blue fishing line around one
of his props! It must be us. So we returned to Horta where the rope was duly
removed by the skipper and off we went once more. This time moving at high speed
to where some whales were last seen.
Nothing can really prepare you for the size of them
- we came across a huge fin whale that was longer than the boat we were on.
Later a pod of about 4 other fin whales approached, one even breeching, which is
highly unusual for this species. But it was amazing to see them - and they knew
we were there and stayed just long enough to make it interesting before heading
east. Then the skipper got a call and off we went scattering large flocks of
Cory's Shearwaters left and right as we came across two female sperm whales -
who, in due course dived, presenting the classic whale tail. Brilliant. However
its fair to say that they are quite hard to spot, and it was probably only
because the sea was so calm that we managed to see them - in a rough sea I doubt
anyone could, unless the "blow" is very pronouonced and large. They are big
beasties thats for sure. One of the boats here has been lifted because he hit a
whale at 8 knots - not sure about the whale though!
After this it was time to look for dolphins and
soon enough we came across huge pods of common and striped dolphins who
played around the boat, leapt out of the water, swam in the bow wave, all
seemingly enjoying themselves. There were quite a few young one's on the pods as
well.
So after 4 hours of watching we headed back
well satisfied and were pleased to have made the trip. The skipper and the
biologist on board were both great fun, amusing and knowledgeable, so a good
morning and well worth it for anyone heading this way.
We also managed to catch up with the folks from
Aragon last night and exchanged a few more stories and tales of seamanship (or
not)!
More in due course.......
Andrew & Susan
S/V
Andromeda