Cetaceans are discrete animals. To meet them it's necessary to observe the sea and learn to recognize their presence in the waves. Their curiosity brings them to look for contact with man, but in some island in this area cetaceans are hunted and they can have distant behavior.

If they approach…

No worries! They saw you a long time ago and their curiosity doesn't represent anything aggressive. Bring yourselves on a parallel course and gradually reduce your speed to enjoy their presence.

A breath or a splash on the horizon…

Reduce your speed and take your binoculars to observe them. If you decide to approach, set your speed accordingly to theirs (2-3 knots in average) on a parallel course. Never take a perpendicular or collision course with them. Bring yourselves very gently to 600 feet; observe their reactions to make sure you are not disturbing. Let the animals decide if they want to come any closer.

RESPECT THEM AND DON'T FORCE THE APPROACH!

· If there are babies,
· If they are hunting (fast and coordinated movement of the group)
· If they change course to move away from you after your attempt.

AVOID!

Sudden changes in course or speed. Always stick to a course predictable to them.

For motoring boats, keep in mind the risk of injury. Avoid changing r.p.m., the noise of your propeller is disturbing in the water. When cetaceans are near, you better off switching to neutral.

Don't try to feed them, on board provisions don't suit them. Furthermore, feeding wild animals cripples their ability to hunt.

Do not approach if another boat is already on site