Inside the Bay of Dolphins inlet in Fernando de Noronha, one of the archipelago's natural attractions, there is a high concentration of spinner dolphins, an oceanic and tropical species known for its behavior of jumping out of water and performing up to seven rotations around its own axis.
Dolphin watching at the site is one of the main tourist attractions in Noronha, where 25 tourists visited the Mirante dos Golfinhos and 45 embarked tourists to watch the animals. (* numbers are from the 'Rotator Dolphin' Project).
'Rotator Dolphin' Project
According to the 'Rotator Dolphin' project, these cetaceans are present there 94% of the days of the year, when groups of up to 2.046 spinner dolphins enter the Baía dos Golfinhos to rest, reproduce, care for their young or seek protection against attacks from sharks.
Every day, these animals follow the same routine, an activity cycle that consists of night feeding, morning movement towards the Baía dos Golfinhos, arrival at sunrise and departure in the afternoon to the feeding areas.
Dolphin Rotator Videos
First report of the observation of the Spinner Dolphin
Friar André Thevet was the author of the first report on the observation of dolphins in Fernando de Noronha, in 1556, when he described the presence of those animals surrounding boats in the archipelago.
Due to the number of animals and their frequency, Fernando de Noronha is known as the most suitable place on the planet to see dolphins, says the president of the 'Dolphin Rotador' project, oceanographer José Martins da Silva Júnior.
Created in 1990 and executed by the NGO Centro Golfinho Rotador, this project develops research, environmental education and community involvement actions in favor of the conservation of spinner dolphins, Fernando de Noronha and marine biodiversity.
Dolphin Rotator Project in Fernando de Noronha
The Golfinho Rotator Project (developed by the Fernando de Noronha National Marine Park and the Pró-Noronha Institute) has been operating, since 1990, in the scientific and continuous monitoring of the Stenella lonfiastriz.
The Golfinho Rotador Project (developed by the Fernando de Noronha National Marine Park and the Pró-Noronha Institute) has been operating, since 1990, in the scientific and continuous monitoring of the Stenella lonfiastriz.
The natural behavior of oceanic dolphins is little known to man, due to the difficulties of permanence at sea.
The archipelago, one of the most important oceanic reproductive sites in the Atlantic, offers the rare opportunity of an environment frequented by a population of hundreds of dolphins.
IBAMA licensed, via Pró-Noronha, this project is for researchers to analyze the habits of rotator dolphins.
Bay entry and exit times, groups and routines are monitored and recorded so that in the future we can learn more about this species.
Usually, at sunrise, groups arrive at Baía dos Golfinhos, where they spend a good part of the day.
In mid-afternoon, they return to the high seas in search of food.
The spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris) – is a species found only in the high seas. They can reach up to two meters in length and ninety kilos in weight. In a natural environment, they live for about 30 years. Its biggest predator is the shark.
The Baía dos Golfinhos in Fernando de Noronha is closed to any kind of human interference.
The engines of boats usually attract dolphins. Some leave the bay and swim next to the boat. His heels are more than two meters above the surface. In each jump, they rotate around their own bodies, an act from which the name “rotator” derives.
After following the boat for some time, the animals return to their stronghold. According to the natives, this routine or ritual would be part of a defense mechanism for the entire group.
The animals that make the contact are at the same time greeting, checking and distracting visitors so they don't invade the bay.
Fernando de Noronha Tourism and Travel Guide
