Nova

Who: Valérie and Jean-Noël
Where: Old Port of Golfe-Juan, South of France
Multihull: Aventura A10 Nova

Our video:

After sailing several miles and enjoying our first encounter with dolphins playing in front of the bows of the boat, my husband noticed an unusual gathering off in the distance.

We immediately slowed the engines, without approaching, scrupulously following the recommendations of the “Conservatoire Maritime”: Do not disturb these animals, observe them from a distance.

In the middle of the group, one of them began to slap the surface with its powerful tail. Was it a signal to its fellow creatures? A call? We will never know.

And suddenly, to our great surprise, the mammals changed direction and began heading straight towards us.

We cut the engines, turned off the sounder, and waited.
What followed was a moment of pure magic.

A group of pilot whales slowly approached until they were surrounding the boat, just feet away from the hull.

They watched us, curious, peaceful, almost playful - as if inviting us to dive in and share their world.

With our phones in hand, we tried our best to capture the scene: we had to bring back proof, because no one would have believed us otherwise!

For nearly an hour, the pilot whales remained, barely inches away from us, gently circling the boat. There was no sign of aggression – simply curiosity and surprising kindness. Mother nature in all her splendor.

Our attention was drawn to one individual that was hanging back a little. Larger, more massive - doubtless the dominant male.

Suddenly, he lunged toward us at full speed.

But the pilot whale simply positioned himself between his group and the boat, as if to signal that that was enough and it was time to leave.

Then, in a perfectly synchronized ballet, the pilot whales gathered together and swam away, gradually disappearing into the big blue.

We remained there, silent, overwhelmed, aware that we had experienced something unique.

Fortunately, our photos and videos bear witness to this moment suspended in time, which we relive with emotion every time we share them with our friends.

A moment of grace, a gift from the sea.