They are here: The orcas!
by firmm Team
Blog written by Daniel Ihly, volunteer, beginning of July 2015
What was planned as a regular two hour trip in the morning of June 30th 2015, ended as a wonderful surprise and joyous, annual reunion.
After leaving the port behind us and heading to the Atlantic Ocean our captain Diego accelerates the boat, nothing unusual. The passengers enjoy the tingly mix of pleasant morning sun and cool airstream, which is full of tiny drops of spray coming from the bow of the boat. The humid air lets the horizon disappear and the trip gets a mysterious touch. The African coast is not visible and Tarifa’s lighthouse is slowly disappearing from the view.
Suddenly, striped dolphins, hundreds of them and we are right in the middle. Animated by our speed, they swim on the left and on the right side of our boat. Normally we would stop the boat to observe the animals, but today the captain just reduces the pace. Katharina, Diego and Eduardo seem to head for a different target. The boat speeds up again and after ten minutes we are surrounded by little fishing boats with three or four busy men on board. Some of them throw a concrete block into the water, which is attached to lines with baits for the red tuna. The red tuna is on its way back from the Mediterranean Sea after spawning. On one fishing boat two men turn the reel; it seems like something bit the line.
“Over there” Katharina shouts excited into the microphone “the orcas are here!” Diego accelerates and really, there they are. The annual reunion takes place today. As soon as we reach the group Katharina explains that it is Camorro and his family. We are touched. “Baby Wilson is with them as well! He has been born last October.”
We watch these majestic animals diving up and down, sharing obviously a big piece of tuna. It is very quiet on our boat. Apart from the clicks of the cameras and the splashing of the water, we also hear the breathing of the orcas. After ten more minutes two other orcas are joining the group, two females as it seems.
With fascination we observe the animals for twenty minutes before we have to start the long trip back to Tarifa. We were really lucky to encounter the animals on our two hour trip. Normally it takes more time to reach the area where the Orcas are. To watch the animals longer, it is now possible to book our special three hour trips.
Overwhelmed by our impressions we return to the port of Tarifa. Katharina says goodbye to the passengers with a special smile. We are happy! Finally the orcas are back again.