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 January 2022 in 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.
310122 - At just after 6am, we located a tiny pod of only three dolfriends chilling in the bay.
We soon found ourselves sharing dolphin space with local Ginger, Freddy and another slightly older female who were socialising both amongst themselves and us!
It was time for a bout of object interaction as can be seen @00:40 when our unidentified female dives to pick-up seagrass, play with it before depositing it back down on the seabed below, after which a guitar fish, in the company of a queen fish comes in to inspect!
Thereafter it was time to visit the snorkelers as both Ginger and her friend, together with Billy stayed to engage before heading offshore seemly on the hunt.
270122 - This morning found us in the company of a nursery pod who were with males Elvis and Theo. In-water it was however Ritz @00:14 who slowed for a circle swim and bout of conscious interaction while most of the pod passed through. Shortly after female Silva joins in @00:32 - and round and round we went until something caught their attention down below!
It was a Guitar Fish - a beautiful bottom dweller that looks a lot like a shark, but is actually a ray!
The two girls @ 02:00 decided to go and check out the activity, not before seemingly nudging or nipping the Guitar fish’s tail before it sped off into the distant blue!
Freya too was amongst the ladies and kids and at 02:44 slowed for a visit before Ritz returned again, this time in the company of a calf and young female. She defiantly looks to have some swelling on the belly and we are very excited to keep you posted during her pregnancy!
Dolphin Diary 250122 - After nearly a week of being land bound we were overjoyed to get back out to sea again today with our volunteer Samara and a small group of dolphin seekers.
The swell however was large to say the least and we were thankful that we observed a Pod of the local Dolphins of Ponta in the bay, away from backline. The pod of some 25 dolphins included a mixed pod of males and females, with whistler Herme the humpback @ 00:23 and adult males Rob, Tik and Dylan who were escorting Bo and Freya with their babes.
Dolphin Diary 160122 - Our encountour this morning found a socialising dolphins in Ponta Bay, as we approached the group could be seen surfing and cavorting in the waves and surf.
Not long after we had slipped into the water, were we approached by some females that included O2 and Silva who were keen for a visit before being ushered off by some adult males.
@01:40 adult male can be heard popping before coming in to chase a female who was circle swimming with Candice, needless to say the female escaped and resumed her circle swimming, with the band of boys closely watching over @02:10.
While visiting the reef we were fortunate enough to encounter a number of rays, two guitar fish and numerous turtles. What an epic launch!
Dolphin Diary 140122 - A light onshore greeted us tis morning as we pushed into the Bay with a small group of enthusiastic dolphin seekers. Some 30 minutes later we found ourselves in the company of a pod of Bottlenose Dolphins.
Local Dolphins of Ponta ADot, Tatti, Freya and 2Bar were observed with their babes in the company of young female Lucy and others who spent time socialising amongst themselves and us!
Dolphin Diary 110122 - Dolfriends in the Bay! Just as we started cruising north after we launched, we observed dorsal fins heading our way. It was with much excitement that Bo was seen with her latest calf 00:43 amongst the small nursery pod heading south and in-water we shared a special moment as she slowed for a bit of conscious interaction with her new babe!
Shortly after, Ritz appeared STILL in the company of Elvis, Theo and Snap, however today Pluto and some other younger males were in their company too! Theo 00:15 was seemingly the one responsible for keeping us occupied while the rest of the pod slowly meandered south along the coastline. @ 03:50 female Ritz, in the company of Pluto and two others approach for a bout of conscious interaction
While snorkelling on the reef, we has a pretty cool encounter with a friendly Raggie Shark too @05:36.
Dolphin Diary 100122 - Dolphin Diary 100122 - An interesting morning spent in search of the local Dolphins. Today the action was slightly offshore with two pods of bottlenose dolphins observed heading inshore.
The two distinct pods comprised of a nursery with mums Slide 01:17 and Freya in the company of some youngsters followed by female Ritz 00:17 who was in the company of mature males Elvis, Theo and Snap. Watch Theo break rank @ 01:58 to join Ritz for a couple of rounds of circle swimming before heading off with Snap and Elvis. Damn these boys just don’t want to let her go😂.
Dolphin Diary 070122 - A great morning spent in the bay with local lads and gals!
It was one of those days….super flat seas, sparkling clean seas and multiple pods of dolphins in the bay!
Our first Encountour saw young male Freddy together with with a pod of 5 same aged dolfriends who where cruising with but not WITH Herme and other mature males including Theo, Elvis and Snap who were ‘escorting’ Ritz and Sheshy.
The second Encountour of the morning found the same pod still milling in the bay, this time however between surfing the occasional wave INTO Ponta Bay; were now resting.
Dolphin Diary 060122 - This mornings sunrise Encountour found local Dolphin of Ponta Gilly @01:33 with her son in the company of another mom and babe; Adot and Tatti together with their babes and young male Freddy @01:09. Mums Tatti and Freya @ 02:56 joined for a bout conscious interaction followed by mum Beetrix @05:45.
Our Second Encountour of the morning @09:00 saw a direct approach from a sub-adult male with some interesting lesions in the company of female Ritz and males Elvis, The and Snap.
It was a great morning at sea!
Dolphin Diary 040122 - Another great sunrise Encountour awaited us this morning with a visit from local Dolphin of Ponta Gilly @ 00:25 who was in the company of another mum and a collection of young kids; both boys and girls! The socialising kids were keen for a bout of circle swimming and conscious interaction #01:28 while mums overlooked and occasionally joined in.
Dolphin Diary 030122 - Our first Encountour of the day found us observing Gilly and Adot, in the company of their babes right at the top of our norther range. The small nursery pod was traveling north through the crystal clear waters, offering up a good view of mums and babes travel resting.
Our second Encountour @03:52 of the morning found very little dolphin activity - however whilst snorkelling off Mamoli Point, Gilly, now in the company of another female and a newborn came cruising past.