Enjoying a boat excursion can sometimes reward you with the presence of celebrated mammals that break through the calm of the sea, offering you a truly complete experience. Setting sail on a boat to relax by the sea and discover the importance of disconnecting from the hustle and bustle now and then is great, but sharing the experience with beautiful cetaceans is even better, don’t you think?
If you board a boat and venture out to sea, the best thing you can do is spot the various animal species roaming freely in the ocean’s blue waters. One of the most fascinating animals is the dolphin, whose characteristics make it one of the most beloved creatures worldwide.
Have you ever experienced a cetacean sighting?
Dolphin watching will allow you to get to know these animals more deeply and observe their daily lives. They typically form groups of 6 to 100 individuals, so teamwork is a cornerstone of their social structure. This makes them highly supportive and protective of one another.
The most intriguing characteristics of dolphins
The pod is always connected, so if one dolphin knows you’re nearby with your boat, the rest of its companions will too. From birth, calves are closely bonded with other dolphins, swimming at the centre of the group while the others protect them.
Their diet consists of fish, crustaceans, squid, and octopus. When young, like all mammals, they feed on their mother’s milk—and, unsurprisingly, they do so underwater.
When swimming, they often leap to take in air and dive back down in a rhythmic pattern, as if riding the waves, making them a spectacle for all who pass by. They use gestures to communicate with each other, along with whistles that form their own language. Each whistle could be compared to a human voice—just as we each have our own, every dolphin has its unique whistle.
There are 32 dolphin species inhabiting the planet, and they typically live for 40 to 60 years. They swim at speeds of around 45 km/h and can dive up to 300 metres, holding their breath for 25 minutes before resurfacing for air.
Throughout history, dolphins have been deeply cherished by humans. Ancient Greeks and Egyptians believed they were divine reincarnations, and even today in Australia, they’re considered sacred animals.
One thing’s for sure: whether you’re on a boat trip with friends, family, or your partner, you’ll cherish the sight of dolphin pods swimming past you.
