{"id":9986,"date":"2026-04-11T16:04:01","date_gmt":"2026-04-11T16:04:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/espacotalassa.com\/?page_id=9986"},"modified":"2026-08-22T10:28:49","modified_gmt":"2026-08-22T10:28:49","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>, whales, dolphins, and porpoises, inhabit our planet\u2019s seas, oceans, and even some rivers.
In the Azores<\/strong>, 29 species<\/strong> have been officially recorded: 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 3 to 4 different species per trip<\/strong> (2024-2025), though record days have included up to 10 species in just 3 hours<\/strong>.
In 99% of our excursions<\/strong>, we encounter cetaceans, 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. 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) can be frequently seen just a few miles from the coast, some times very close (less then 3 miles) providing unique and close-up sightings.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Toothed whales<\/strong> (except Sperm whales) 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
    • Grampus griseus<\/em> \u2013 Risso\u2019s 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
    • Stenella coeruleoalba<\/em> \u2013 Striped dolphin<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

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

        \n
      • Globicephala macrorhynchus<\/em> \u2013 Short-finned pilot whale<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Balaenoptera borealis<\/em> \u2013 Sei whale<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Balaenoptera physalus<\/em> \u2013 Fin whale<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Balaenoptera musculus<\/em> \u2013 Blue whale<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Mesoplodon bidens<\/em> \u2013 Sowerby\u2019s beaked whale<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Megaptera novaeangliae<\/em> \u2013 Humpback whale<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Hyperoodon ampullatus<\/em> \u2013 Northern bottlenose whale<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Pseudorca crassidens<\/em> \u2013 False killer whale<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Balaenoptera edeni<\/em> \u2013 Bryde\u2019s whale<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

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

          \n
        • Ziphius cavirostris<\/em> \u2013 Cuvier\u2019s beaked whale<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Kogia breviceps<\/em> \u2013 Pygmy sperm whale<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Balaenoptera acutorostrata<\/em> \u2013 Minke whale<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Orcinus orca<\/em> \u2013 Killer whale<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Mesoplodon densirostris<\/em> \u2013 Blainville\u2019s beaked whale<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Mesoplodon europaeus<\/em> \u2013 Gervais\u2019 beaked whale<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Globicephala melas<\/em> \u2013 Long-finned pilot whale<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Steno bredanensis<\/em> \u2013 Rough-toothed dolphin<\/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<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
          \n<\/details>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
          \n