Oceanic Coast (Dolphin Watching)

As we cross the threshold of the barrier islands and leave the sheltered Ria Formosa, we enter the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean. The transition is marked by a change in the color of the water—from the turquoise and emerald…

In the waters off Faro, we primarily encounter two species of dolphins: the Short-beaked Common Dolphin and the Common Bottlenose Dolphin. The Common Dolphin, Delphinus delphis, is often seen in large, energetic pods. …

The abundance of dolphins in the Algarve is directly linked to the massive schools of small pelagic fish, such as sardines and mackerel, that thrive in these waters. These fish are the engine of the oceanic food web, converting…

As the boat begins its journey back toward the Ria Formosa, the adrenaline of the dolphin search gives way to a period of quiet reflection. There is something profoundly moving about encountering these animals in their natural…