{"id":9986,"date":"2026-04-11T16:04:01","date_gmt":"2026-04-11T16:04:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/espacotalassa.com\/?page_id=9986"},"modified":"2026-04-12T14:21:24","modified_gmt":"2026-04-12T14:21:24","slug":"sightings-statistics-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/espacotalassa.com\/en\/research-education\/sightings-statistics-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Sightings & Statistics"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Cetaceans of the Azores<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Around 90 species of cetaceans<\/strong> \u2014 whales, dolphins, and porpoises \u2014 inhabit our planet\u2019s seas, oceans, and even some rivers.
In the Azores<\/strong>, 29 species<\/strong> have been officially recorded \u2014 an impressive number for such a small region in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every Trip is Unique<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

On average, our guests encounter 4 different species per trip<\/strong> (2024-2025), though record days have included up to 9 species in just 3 hours<\/strong>.
In 99% of our excursions<\/strong>, we encounter cetaceans \u2014 a testament to the richness and vitality of Azorean waters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When planning your trip, remember that weekly statistics only offer a small glimpse of the ocean\u2019s reality.
Out here, every day is different \u2014 and every encounter is unforgettable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn more<\/summary>\n

Over 30 Years of Observation and Research<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Since 1993<\/strong>, Espa\u00e7o Talassa has been collecting and organizing data from thousands of trips at sea.
Yet building precise statistics remains complex \u2014 each species has its own behaviour, preferred habitat, and migratory rhythm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • Sperm whales<\/strong> (Physeter macrocephalus<\/em>) are rarely seen less than three miles from the coast.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Toothed whales<\/strong> tend to prefer deep offshore waters.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Atlantic spotted dolphins<\/strong> (Stenella frontalis<\/em>) return to the archipelago around June<\/strong>, when sea temperatures reach 20\u00b0C<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
    \n\n\n\n

    Sighting Frequency by Species<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Often observed<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • Physeter macrocephalus<\/em> \u2013 Sperm whale<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Delphinus delphis<\/em> \u2013 Common dolphin<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Tursiops truncatus<\/em> \u2013 Bottlenose dolphin<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Stenella frontalis<\/em> \u2013 Atlantic spotted dolphin<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Grampus griseus<\/em> \u2013 Risso\u2019s dolphin<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Globicephala macrorhynchus<\/em> \u2013 Short-finned pilot whale<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      Occasionally observed<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      • Stenella coeruleoalba<\/em> \u2013 Striped dolphin<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Pseudorca crassidens<\/em> \u2013 False killer whale<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Hyperoodon ampullatus<\/em> \u2013 Northern bottlenose whale<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Ziphius cavirostris<\/em> \u2013 Cuvier\u2019s beaked whale<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Mesoplodon bidens<\/em> \u2013 Sowerby\u2019s beaked whale<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Mesoplodon europaeus<\/em> \u2013 Gervais\u2019 beaked whale<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Balaenoptera musculus<\/em> \u2013 Blue whale<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Balaenoptera physalus<\/em> \u2013 Fin whale<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Balaenoptera borealis<\/em> \u2013 Sei whale<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        Rarely observed<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n
        • Steno bredanensis<\/em> \u2013 Rough-toothed dolphin<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Orcinus orca<\/em> \u2013 Killer whale<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Kogia breviceps<\/em> \u2013 Pygmy sperm whale<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Megaptera novaeangliae<\/em> \u2013 Humpback whale<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Balaenoptera acutorostrata<\/em> \u2013 Minke whale<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Balaenoptera edeni<\/em> \u2013 Bryde\u2019s whale<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Mesoplodon densirostris<\/em> \u2013 Blainville\u2019s beaked whale<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Globicephala melas<\/em> \u2013 Long-finned pilot whale<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Lagenodelphis hosei<\/em> \u2013 Fraser\u2019s dolphin<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Mesoplodon mirus<\/em> \u2013 True\u2019s beaked whale<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Kogia sima<\/em> \u2013 Dwarf sperm whale<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Eubalaena glacialis<\/em> \u2013 Northern right whale<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
          \n<\/details>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
          \n