Welcome to the home of Angie's Dolphin Diaries. Here you will find the in-water records of encounters had with the local Dolphins of Ponta during December 21 in the Reserva Marinha Parcial Ponta do Ouro now known as the Maputo National Park (MNP).. Please scroll down to find your encountour date. We would like to say a heartfelt thanks for joining us on the Dolphin Boat in Ponta!
Without you we would not be able to do what we love most. Thank you for your support which helps us keep track of the local #DolphinsofPonta.
Dolphin Diary 311221 - Today’s heavy and overcast skies did not deter us from heading off to check in on the Local Dolphins of Ponta! Calm seas with a slight offshore made it easy to spot our finned friend! Our sunrise Encountour found us in the company of the boys once more, however this time round, Beever, Thunder and Chucky were seen escorting mums Rocha and Freya with their daughters.
In-water, after the majority of the pod passed through, Beever stayed, and stayed, and stayed, visiting each and every snorkeler independently.
Our second Encountour of the morning found a pod traveling resting in-shore, it was rest time and although they passed through silently - there was no bout of conscious interaction being offered up.
And with that said, we closed off 2021 a little wiser as we acknowledge the lessons dolphins teach our team every day! We are truly grateful to them for allowing us the opportunity of sharing their magic with you.
Dolphin Diary 301221 - Sunrise Encountour 5am This morning the on-shore was up early and dolphins were hugging the coastline as they could be seen socialising. Slipping in we were engulfed in popping male dolphins as they made their way through and around our snorkelers meaning that there were some females in the pod of mixed aged males. Notable observations include 00:16 adult male with shark bite, 00:22 adult males popping; 00:32 adult female SheyShy approaches for a bout of conscious interaction with Sarah-Leigh.
Dolphin Diary 301221 - The second Encountour of the morning found some males traveling North off backline between surfing 00:08, followed by a trailing pod of younger males that included Freddy 00:26 also traveling north.
Dolphin Diary 291221 - Sunrise Encountour 5am. After 5 days of no launching between Xmas and gloomy weather we were stoked to head off in search of our finned friends. With three Encountours lined up for the day I was particularly looking forward to a full morning at sea recording just who was around.
Our first tour of the day saw Rocha and her daughter Rona hunting in the bay, after which we found ourselves in the company of transient males Beever and Chucky who were with a larger ‘band of brothers’ that were travel resting heading south. Some notable observations included: 00:09 Chucky with what looks like a shark bite; 00:22 Adult male coming in from bottom of frame - jaw clap; 00:39 Adult male approaches with a very LARGE shark bite and 01:54 Adult males slowing for a belly rub on the sand
Our second tour of the morning found Rocha and Rona still in the bay, however this time they had another juvenile in their company. Some notable observations included: 00:10 Direct approach by Rocha and Rona, 00:40 Circle swimming; 01:50 Traveling just above sand seemingly scouting; 04:10 Rona and her pesky remora!
The third Encountour of the day sadly did not have any dolphin sightings; however a pod was sighted in-shore already in the company of another operator. Code of Conduct stipulates a one boat no queue policy in the area.
Dolphin Diary 231221 - This mornings Encountours found dolphins though-out the morning milling in Ponta Bay. The first sighting of the day included a small group of youngsters who were slightly offshore while a large pod was milling inshore. Seemingly the four were on shark watch as in -water we had a large ‘jonny’ come in for a look!
The second tour of the day observed a pod of some 25 bottlenose dolphins traveling through Ponta bay. The mixed pod of males and females of various ages included numerous mums and babes with Bo and her firstborn Rocha, Gilly, Freya and Sabby identified and in the company of males Elvis, Theo, Snap, Rob, Tik and Dylan!
Our last tour of the day found three different groups of dolphins; a small socialising pod of 5 bottlenose dolphins and one humpback together, followed by a mum and her offspring long diving, followed by the large nursery pod again - STILL in Ponta Bay!
Thank you to all our guests for your support today!
Dolphin Diary 201221 - Our sunrise Encountour found beautiful conditions with calms seas, clear blue waters and local @dolphins of Ponta milling in the Bay. In-water we were treated to some seagrass interaction with a sub adult female who was super stoked to show of her dolphin toy!
The video is in two parts due to size and length..
Part 1
Part 2
Our second Encountour of the day found two pods in the bay, however visiting time with humans was now over as they travel north on backline.
Thank you to all our guests for joining us the morning.
Dolphin Diary 191221 - Local Dolphin of Ponta Rocha was spotted this morning in the Ponta Bay. together with her daughter Rona, Ginger and one other. A little while later we were joined by Gambit and some other friendlies!
Our second Encountour of the day found us having a great visit with Ginger who was in the company of a small mixed pod that included Gambit, this time round Rocha and Rona were no-where to be seen. While snorkelling on the reef we had some great turtle sightings!
Thank you to all our guests for joining us the morning.
Dolphin Diary 161221 - Gambit @02:41 in the company of Freddy @ 00:25 and Lucy @02:05 visited us this morning just as we were leaving our snorkelling reef!
Thank you to Matthias and his group for joining us this morning.
Dolphin Diary 141221 - Sunrise encountour - Local dolphins of ponta were spotted heading north along vaccine this morning. The pod of mostly males, two dyads (mom and offspring) and some young females were traveling, in between socialising and surfing. As the pod passed through, it was mums and tots first, followed by mature males including Nemo, C.02 bdm and then the immature boys passed with Gandalf @01:28 being the ‘poked’ in the ‘pokipod’ - a little male on male social sexual behavior!
A young male had a run in with a shark as can be seen @00:35
Our second encounter of the morning found us observing some of the same males milling in Malongane Bay, this time however TwoBar and her son @01:44, together with SheyShy and her daughter @00:16 were in their company.
Thank you to all our guests for joining us this morning on the dolphin boat.
Dolphin Diary 101221
Another great morning at sea today for the Dolphin Team
By 6am we had located a small pod of bottlenose heading north through Malongane Bay. The small pod with mom and daughter Rocha and Rona who were in the company of young female Jagger and a bunch on young immature males including Gandalf, Pluto and Jupiter.
Thank you to Herman and Japies girls for joining us this morning.
Our second encountour of the morning found us locate a small pod of immatures, both males and female heading south towards Ponta Bay. In-water it was Frey’s offspring who stole the show with a delightful bout of conscious interaction in the coastal shallows.
Thank you to Cheryl and her family for joining us once more. Your support is much appreciated.
Dolphin Diary 091221
Dolphins never fail to delight, especially when they occur in pristine conditions.
We were blessed with fantastic visibly and dolphins both aplenty and asocial!
This morning found two pods of dolphins in the bay - first up some bottlenose dolphins were spotted while the crew was dropping the boat, and when we were out there we came across a pod of socialising and bow riding Spotted dolphins!
It's not often we get to have a bout of conscious interaction with spotted - but just check out this friendly soul @03:30.
A little later we observed Rocha with her daughter who is now around 14 months old milling off Malongane point. Little Rona still has the pesky remora and now she not only has one but two.
Thank you to Sandy and her team for joining us on the dolphins boat.
Dolphin Diary 051221
Dolfriends chillaxing in the coastal shallows of Ponta Bay this morning. Once more great sea state and visibility allowed for an amazing in-water encounter with a sociable nursery pod who were in the company of some mature males and Gandalf and his gang.
Thank you to our guests and Gala Gala for the support this morning.
Dolphin Diary 041221
Great conditions and clear waters greeted us again this morning. By 05:50 we had launched and located a pod of bottlenose dolphins who were making their way inshore. Slipping in - excitement mounted as three adult males could be heard popping @ 00:25, then when they came into view sped up @ 00:38 for a mock charge and highly charged circle swim!
Once they had passed a small mostly female pod including Switch, O2 and her daughter (who was absent yesterday) @00:57 milled in the bay while taking time out engage with the small group of human observers.
Adult male escorts were observed belly on sand @ 08:31 / 09:23 and @12:24 O2 and her offspring were spotted belly on sand too!
Towards the end of the encounter, dolphin guest Anchen @14:49 was honoured with a circle swim. It is not often that first time dolphin snorkelers get to engage at this level:-)
Thank you Anchen and her man for joining us this morning.
Dolphin Diary 031221
As we launched this morning a mixed pod of bottlenose dolphins were spotted in our bay. Local Dolphin of Ponta Gandalf @00:17 and O2 09:21 were sighted amongst the group who in water were very accommodating. Their dozy milling in the bay found the group of 9 dolfriends coming and going in-between bouts of circle swimming, pec petting and other interesting behaviours.
Thank you Francois and family for joining us this morning!