Atlantic Ocean: The Atlantic's Wandering Turtles; The Oceans; Scientific American Presents; by Dellinger; 4 Page(s)

It is high noon. Around us, the sea is motionless under a clear, blue sky and a scorching sun. In the distance, Madeira Island is a reddish-brown mound emerging from the mirrorlike surface of the water.

On closer inspection, the mirror is dotted with cobbles here and there that disrupt the flat surface. We aim our orange, rubber inflatable boat toward the nearest one and try to make out the droplike silhouette.