Pelagic Mediterranean

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Estartit, Spain 27/8-2011

N42°03.085´
E003°12.272´

Sailing distance made: 4242 nautical miles

Close and exiting encounters with the pelagic life of the Mediterranean.

After some windy days in Gibraltar we are happy when the wind is decreasing and we get the possibility to continue our work out at sea again. Our aim is to search for pelagic species and the total calm sea gives us now the best conditions for this.

The coast of Spain is disappearing behind us and I get the nice feeling of total happiness. Pelagic Oceans will always have a special place in my heart and every time I spend some more time in it I get even more amazed of the spectacular life living there. With a great smile I start look to the horizon, so far without knowing what is waiting for us out there...


Dolphins! Not a second later my dog, Laritza, is standing in the front of the boat watching every movement of these energic acrobats.

During our last weeks in the Mediterranean we have sighted the Common dolphins, Bottlenose dolphins and Risso´s dolphins. But from the sightings, so far, it seems like the dolphins here do not have the same interest of our boat like the Atlantic ones.

However, it is nice to see these playful animals even for a short while and there are always lots of positive energy in the air when dolphins are close by!





The water temperature of 32°C feels really warm when you nornallyare used to the colder waters of Scandinavia . Now I do not need to think about wearing any drysuit, even not a wetsuit is in my mind when the blue water calls for more under water experiences.




The bright light from the sun is playing above and gives a wonderful sight under the surface. The elagant movements of the Loggerhead turtle almost looks like a dance before it is disappearing into the depths.




Suddenly, there are something bigger moving through the total calm surface. Big black dorsal fins are slowly moving toward our boat. Is this what we have been looking for? Yes, there are Pilot whales!



Those elegant animals are resting together in big family groups. They are all laying close together, but when they get the sight of our boat they are all quickly getting curious and more active.





With the under water cameras in our hands we are soon in the water again and the whales keep their strong curiosity.

This whale species is quite big with a size of up to six meters. They are wild animals and with all respect for this we know we are just temporary guests in their territorium.

”Just Look-Don´t Touch”, it is up to the animals how close they want to approach.







The Pilot whales are social animals and the bonds between the family members are very strong. In the pod there are whales in all sizes, from small calfs and juveniles, to big old adults with lots of scars.




It is amazing to see this huge group of whales socializing together so close to each other. This social bonds between the Pilot whales are well known and have been used by whalers for a long time and are so even today...

In the Faroe islands they are still hunting these beautiful creatures. In small bays some of the whales are injured and with the knowledge that the rest of the pilot whales do not want to leave their dying family members the whalers slowly can kill the rest of the pod one by one...

Just to think about this I feel sad and I can not understand why humans still today are treating living creatures in such a brutal way. No one should feel the blood taste from its own family members!

I am happy we are in the Mediterranean and hope our new ”moviestars” never get the idea of heading north of the Atlantic...



The time we spend in the water together with the pilot whales gives me once again the reason to love pelagic waters even more! What a wonderful blue world! :)




After many days of nice pelagic sailing we are now in Estartit, at the east coast of Spain. Here we have more diving waiting for us at Islas Medes, a group of islands which are protected as a Natural Marine Reserve. So, with the local dive permission in our hands we now just need to get into the water again! :)





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Gibraltar

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Gibraltar, 11/8-2011

N36°08.156´
W005°21.377´

Sailing distance made: 3568 nautical miles

After a short stay in Portimao, at the south coast of Portugal, we continue our trip east towards Spain and Gibraltar.


With Spain on our portside we see the coast of Marocco getting closer and closer on starboard.



With a good check at the tide tables we know the currents are with us and soon we start to see the famous rock of Gibraltar...



Gibraltar is well known for the wild apes living on ”The Rock”. Up here there is a stunning view over the coast and all the time here you have the entertaining apes around you. But be aware of always holding your belongings with a strong hand...










The last days have been very windy with heavy sea, which have made our stay in Gibraltar a little longer. Know we are all longing to come out at sea to contiune our field work and sailing voyage. The weather forcast looks good for the coming days and I am happy to soon get out search for pelagic species again!




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Azores - Portimao

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Portimao, Portugal, 4/8-2011

N37°07.206´
W008° 31.672´

Sailing distance made: 3372 nautical miles

The 27th of July we leave the harbour of Ponta Delgada. After three lovely weeks in the Azores it is now time to continue our voyage east.


We are heading for the mainland of Portugal and thereafter the aim is to continue our diving expedition through the Mediterranean. But first we have about 800 nautical miles of Atlantic sailing ahead before we can start making our diving gear ready for new dives.



With good wind in our sails and a nice speed through the water there are always smiling faces on board. What a wonderful way to travel! :)





During our Atlantic sailing we get lots of nice dolphin experiences. Also the dolphins look like they are enjoying the great speed of the boat and it is truly amazing to watch these acrobatic mammals playing and surfing with the waves.





While spending my time in a small sailing boat far out at the great ocean I always get even more fascinated by the sea and its many different shapes. When the weather is good and the sea is calm I really love to get into the water again. The clear blue Atlantic water gives me the feeling of true happiness and sometimes I wish I could spend a never ending time in this magnificent paradise.






During the evenings the sky is changing in many different colours and makes the sailing even more beautiful and enjoyable.




Wednesday the 3rd of August we arrive Portimao at the south coast of Portugal. One week has past since we left the green islands of the Azores and our trip has once again been unforgettable.



Now, at the coast of Algarve, there are not many nautical miles left before we will enter the Mediterranean and start getting under the surface again. This inspiring life gives me lots of new thoughts and ideas and I truly look forward to continue my adventure! :)



"Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore."
~ André Gide





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