It took us a while to spot the whale among the dark and choppy waves, but eventually we did and watched it swim alongside (and overtake) the boat. When the whale reached the front deck, Doug and Leighton identified it as a sperm whale.  We also noticed that it was being kept company by a leatherback turtle.

Nathan tells me that leatherbacks are the only turtles found this far north in the Atlantic (unless they’ve accidentally swum off-course).

Sperm whales are REALLY big, and much, much longer than the Pilot whales we saw earlier in the cruise. It’s unusual for them to come so close to boats too. The have very blunt heads, and ridges along the base of their tail fins.

AWESOME!!