Whale Watching Guide for Príncipe Island

SPECIES FOUND IN PRÍNCIPE Mark your observations

Pygmy sperm whale Kogia s p

Pygmy killer whale F e r e sa a tt e n u a t a

Rough-toothed dolphin Steno b redane n sis

Striped dolphin S t e n e lla c o e r u le o a l b a

Príncipe island is part of the migratory route for several species of whales and dolphins (cetaceans), mainly during the period from June to September.

Pantropical spotted dolphin Stenella atten u a ta

Bottlenose dolphin Tu r sio ps t r u n c a t u s

This best practice guide will facilitate the safe observation of whales and dolphins, enabling the observer to have an unforgettable encounter, including learning about the biological and ecological aspects of these magnificent animals.

Short-finned pilot whale G l obicep hala m acro r y n c h u s

False killer whale P se u do r c a c r a ss i d e n s

Risso’s dolphin Gam p us gris e u s

Killer whale O r c in u s o r c a

OBSERVATION POINTS ON THE ISLAND 1 Humpback whale Me g a pt e r a n o v a e n g l i a e

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1 Ilhéu Bom Bom 2 Miradouro Belo Monte 3 Ponta Mina 4 Roça Claudio Coralo 5 Comunidade São Joaquim 6 Cantinho Lazer - O quê Daniel

Sperm whale P h y se t e r m a c r o c e p h a l u s

WHALE AND DOLPHIN WATCHING GUIDE ON PRÍNCIPE ISLAND

WHALE AND DOLPHIN WATCHING

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HOW TO APPROACH

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Do not get closer than 100 meters from the whale(s) or dolphins.

If the animals are curious and come towards you, put the engines in neutral and do not re-engage them until the animals move away from your boat.

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Do not surround the whales or dolphins. If there is a second boat, you must follow behind the first boat, never positioning the animals between the two boats.

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Take special care with groups of mothers and calves. They are more sensitive to disturbance. Never separate them.

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Slow down – when a whale or dolphin is sighted, the boat speed must be reduced and should not exceed the speed of the animals.

Taking this precaution, you are most likely to get the best encounters, as the animals are relaxed.

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Limit your time with the whales or dolphins to 20 min. Allow the cetaceans to control the nature and the duration of the interactions. If they clearly move away, let them go.

6 Never touch, feed or swim with the whales or dolphins! For their safety and yours too. Whales and dolphins are wild animals and by touching or feeding them we can drastically change their routine and biology by affecting their natural behavior and potentially transmitting diseases.

Do not enter the red zone, neither to wait, nor to chase the animals.

Keep the whales and dolphins’ way clear. Never approach whales and dolphins from the front. Do it from the back or from the sides. Do not move amongst the groups. If you are unsure of their movements, simply slow down and put the engine into neutral. Do not make sudden changes in the speed or direction of the boat. Avoid any excessive noise and never stop the engine.