On Thursday July 10, L’Azur set off on a relaxing outing in search of cetaceans!

Dolphins were at the heart of discussions on board, as Thomas the naturalist guide, Baptiste the captain and the rest of the crew talked to holidaymakers about these mythical animals and their environment. Off to sea!

What did we see?🐦🐬

During the 4-hour cruise, several bird species were present:

• Yellow-legged Gulls, in great numbers offshore
• The yelkouan shearwater, threatened with extinction, only one of which we were able to observe, and it is very rare to see them alone.
• The great cormorant: a dozen birds were flying towards the mainland, probably with full bellies. They were high up in the sky, flying in a V-shape, which means you even have to look up at the boat!
• The black-headed gull, a single individual went out to sea in its nuptial plumage (chocolate-colored head). 🟤
• The puffin! What luck to have been able to observe 2 individuals, resting on the water. It’s very rare to see them in midsummer along our coasts. They’re northern birds, resembling penguins and parrots at the same time. Their closest cousins are penguins (not penguins).

And finally, the bottlenose dolphins were there. A dozen of them were feeding, and even came to see us!

Yes, it wasn’t the boat that went to see them, but the other way round. The Gulf of Lion Natural Marine Park has regulations: you mustn’t approach a dolphin to within 100 metres unless it’s coming, and you have to be on the animal’s side, so as not to block its path or chase it. It’s very important for us to respect that. 🍀

We had to go pretty far out to sea to catch a glimpse, as we even saw Sète on the horizon!

Wonderful weather! ☀️

Nature news! 🐣

The beaches of Port Leucate and many others in theAude and Pyrénées Orientales departments have set up small parks protected by a net on the sand. Why?

The little terns are here!

These cousins of gulls have arrived to lay their eggs. They lay their eggs on the sand, in the midst of holidaymakers. These net-protected areas should be avoided for their tranquillity, and terns may attack to defend their nest and young. Whether they’re brooding or raising their newborns, caution is the key to their serenity.

When can we come for the dolphin trip? 📅

Dolphin-watching excursions take place on Tuesday and Thursday mornings throughout the summer, and can be booked now on the Leucate Evasion Marine website. Don’t delay in booking, as places are limited and in great demand! 🎟️

👉 Visit www.leucate-evasion-marine.fr to view dates and book your unique experience.

Eyes in the lens 📸

Don’t forget your camera to immortalize these magical moments in the company of Thomas the nature guide and the dolphins. Share your best photos using the hashtags #LeucateEvasionMarine and #ObservationDauphins to share the adventure with your friends and family. 📱

Bring your binoculars for a guaranteed naturalist’s experience.

If not? Your eyes will be most effective in remembering a magical moment ✨

Are you ready? 🛥️

#LeucateMarineEvasion #DolphinWatching #SortieEnMer #Méditerranée #Naturaliste #Biodiversité #FauneMarine #ProtectionDesOcéans #ExpérienceInoubliable