Common dolphins are a species that is rarely observed in the Mediterranean, especially near the coast. Yet on Saturday, May 31, 2025, a group of tourists on a boat trip from Argelès-sur-Mer had just such an extraordinary encounter. The head of the company specializing in maritime tourism recounts the moment.
According to Yoan Salomon, director of the Kapmer company in Argelès-sur-Mer, the name « common dolphin » is quite misleading. His company specializes both in maritime tourism and in dolphin-watching trips in the Mediterranean. Even as a seasoned expert on the subject, he was surprised on Saturday, May 31, 2025, when a species of marine mammal rarely seen in the Mediterranean approached his boat.
“We were just out on a simple excursion, not a trip specifically for dolphin watching,” he explained to L’Indépendant. “We had left from Argelès-sur-Mer and were opposite Collioure, about 1.8 nautical miles (2.9 km) offshore, when we first spotted them in the distance. They were so tiny that at first we thought they were tuna.”
“It was unheard of”
In the Mediterranean, it’s usually the bottlenose dolphin that is commonly seen. As an adult, this marine mammal can measure between 2 and 4 meters long and weigh between 150 and 650 kg. Quite different from the dimensions of the animals encountered that day. “Thanks to the yellow hourglass-shaped patch they have on their sides, I realized they were common dolphins,” Yoan Salomon noted. This species typically lives in temperate to tropical waters. As adults, they measure between 1.5 and 2.7 meters in length and weigh between 100 and 140 kg.
Although the Kapmer director is used to such sightings, this one stood out as something truly special. “It was unheard of. They approached the hybrid electric boat we were on, took a look, and then swam away just as calmly. We just watched them—we absolutely didn’t want to disturb them.”
A memory forever etched… for the human mammal.
Source: l’indépendant
