A big surprise

Text: Jessica Baum, photos: firmm

On Thursday the 26th of June 2014 something happened that nobody had expected. At 3pm we embarked eagerly to search for marine mammals in the Strait of Gibraltar. The Spirit and the Fly Blue left the harbour at the same time. What expected us out on the ocean was indeed a surprising experience. Already in the morning we got calls from the local fishermen saying, that killer whales had been sighted.

Of course we had hoped for it, but nature can certainly not be influenced.
Normally we schedule three hours for these tours, because we have to go out further and that takes more time. I was really surprised when I heard Katharina Heyer announcing:” We have a big surprise for you.” First I thought she meant fin whales, which cross the Strait of Gibraltar quite quickly and therefore are hard to find. But she continued: “Over there we have the first Orcas of this season”. Both the guests and I were totally surprised and happy. To admire these graceful animals in the wild is a very special experience.

  

In total we saw five Orcas. Two females, one male and two younger ones, one of them a still very small calf. It seemed that the Orcas were welcoming us because not only were they slapping with their flukes on the water, but also they were jumping completely out of the water, showing us their gracefulness and elegance.

    

We were lucky enough to witness that they still steal tuna from the fishing lines of the local fishermen, as one of the Orcas had a huge tuna in his mouth. The Orcas were lying in wait next to the fishing boats trying to find out where they can take the next tuna.

Unfortunately this tour was over way too soon, so at about 04.30 pm we had to head back to Tarifa since we were already quite far from the port!