October 4, 2025

You've heard it before. Every day is different. Every day, a new adventure. We may be into October, but the marine life continues with surprises, moments, and memories made on every trip. And what a trip it was today. We spent time watching THREE species of toothed whales!!! Our first sighting of the day was a pod of dolphins. Not just a pod, a mixed pod. We had approximately 12 Common dolphins amongst a pod of approximately 20 Atlantic white-sided dolphins! It was awesome watching these two species maneuver around each other and us! 

Hello Common dolphin!

Common dolphin zipping through the water

Atlantic white-sided dolphin

As we continued offshore, we were diverted by another pod of approximately 75 Atlantic white-sided dolphins. This pod had numerous gulls, Northern gannets, and shearwaters soaring and diving overhead. 

Cory's and Great shearwaters

It was a frenzy of activity from above and below. Next up, another large pod of Atlantic white-sided dolphins. 

More Atlantic white-sided dolphins!

This pod was fully surrounded by Great and Cory's shearwaters. There was so much bird life today, it was fantastic. 

Great shearwater doing what it does best - shear!

This particular group of dolphins had us interested well before we got to them. There was something else nearby. PILOT WHALES!!!! We ended up checking out two different pods of these whales. 

Massive fin of an adult male pilot whale

Not only was today the first time all season we have seen Common dolphins, it was also our first time seeing pilot whales. Unbelievable. 

Pilot whales

This group of pilot whales was such a tight-knit group at times; they blended together when they surfaced

In this moment, these pilot whales are sleeping, but (as mentioned by those on the boat), they also looked like an offensive line ready for the next play. 😉🏈

As if our sightings weren't enough, we wrapped the day with a pair of humpback whales, Pylon and Quill. Wow. 

Humpback whale (above and below)