Ilha dos Botos, River island in Amazonas, Brazil
Ilha dos Botos is a river island in the Amazon that rises about 58 meters above the water and serves as home to pink and gray river dolphins. It provides a natural refuge where these species can be seen from the island's shores.
The island takes its name from the river dolphins that Portuguese explorers first documented in their journals during the 16th century. These early accounts marked when Europeans began learning about the Amazon's dolphins.
Local people share stories about river dolphins that transform into people during celebrations in June, wearing hats to hide their blowholes. These legends show how deeply dolphins are woven into how locals see their world.
You can watch both species of river dolphins from the island's shores throughout the year, especially in the morning hours. The best viewing conditions occur when the water is calm and the dolphins surface more frequently.
The waters around the island serve as a gathering place for pink dolphins that rely on echolocation to navigate through the murky Amazon waters. This sonar system lets them find food and communicate with other dolphins, making the area key to their daily lives.
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