Whale Watching in Madeira Guide: What You’ll See and Other First-Hand Tips
Thinking about going whale watching in Madeira? Before you take the plunge, there are a few things worth knowing: when to go, how to choose a responsible tour operator and which creatures you might encounter.
Hopefully, like me, you’ll get lucky and see many pods out there in the Atlantic Ocean!
In this guide to whale watching in Madeira, I’ll explain the best time to go, what species you might see and other important things to consider.
Pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins are resident species that can be spotted all year round. However, many larger whale species migrate seasonally, meaning that when you visit matters… even the time of day.
P.s. Whale watching is easily one of my favourite activities in Madeira, but here are more things to do in Funchal while you’re there, from rooftop bars to cable cars and walks.
Disclosure: This post may include affiliate links. If you decide to click through and make a qualifying purchase, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you – thanks for your support.
Whale Watching in Madeira at a Glance
Madeira is one of the best places in Europe for whale watching, with resident populations of pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins.
Sightings are possible all year round, including migratory whale species that pass through at different times of the year. In total, 25 species and dolphins have been spotted in Madeira!
- Most common species to spot: Pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins
- Can you see whales year-round? Yes
- Best departure point: Funchal Marina
- Worth doing? Absolutely! It’s one of the best things to do on the island.
You can use these links to jump to a more detailed overview of when to go, which species you might see, places to go whale watching in Madeira and picking your tour.
Is Whale Watching in Madeira Worth It?
Madeira is one of the few places in Europe where whales and dolphins can be spotted throughout the year. And once you go whale watching for yourself, you’ll see why it’s worth it.
While sightings are never guaranteed, I saw several pods of pilot whales and one pod of bottlenose dolphins and it was truly spectacular with the city glittering in the background. A proper trip highlight!
The fact is, Madeira just has a combination of lucky factors: deep waters just off shore, resident species that live there year-round, and also a range of migratory whales and dolphins that glide in and out of the area.
When to Go Dolphin and Whale Watching in Madeira
The Dolphin and Whale Watching Season in Madeira
Contrary to what you might hear, there is a best time to go whale watching in Madeira. It’s from April to September.
That’s not to say that you can’t spot dolphins and whales in Madeira outside of those months, though.
Resident species like pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins can be spotted in Madeira all year round.
- Summer (June to August): The best time for whale watching in Madeira, but it’s also the most crowded. The weather is usually more reliable.
- Autumn (September to November): September is a really good month for whale watching, with lower crowds and good whale spotting chances. October and November are less optimal but decent if the weather remains good.
- Winter (November to February): Rainy and windy conditions can make it harder to spot whales and dolphins. Tours are more likely to be cancelled.
- Spring (March to May): Throughout spring, the weather starts to improve and your chances of spotting whales/dolphins also increases. You can also beat the summer crowds.
What is the Best Time of Day For Whale Watching in Madeira?
Boat tours in Madeira begin at 9am and 2.30pm.
The morning tours (9am) offer better chances at spotting whales, which are most active in the morning.
Because the ocean surface cools overnight, yummy tidbits like plankton, small fish and squid rise to the surface. The whales then chase their prey near the surface, making it far easier for you to spot dorsal fins and spouts.
If you can’t make the morning slot, the afternoon is still a decent option. Whale activity continues throughout the day, and dolphins often get more social in the afternoon.
Larger whale species like sperm whales can sometimes be seen logging near the surface when conditions are calm, too.
Crowds are another consideration. The morning tours are the most popular, so afternoon boats are often less crowded, making it a more enjoyable experience overall.
Which Whales Can You See in Madeira?
The most common whale spotted in Madeira is the short-finned pilot whale. Technically, they’re dolphins (like orcas), so they’re smaller than most whale species.
They’re seen very regularly because they’re a social species that prefer the deep offshore waters near the island.
Larger whales that can be spotted all year round in Madeira are sperm whales (measuring up to 18 metres) and beaked whales (an agile, deep-diving species), although they’re not as easy to spot.
Sperm and beaked whales are also resident species, but the issue is that they have a love for deep diving (down to over 1,000 metres).
Because they only surface between long dives and prefer deeper water further from shore, they’re much harder to spot.
Migratory species like Bryde’s whales and fin whales are also tricky to see – and timing really matters – because they only pass through Madeira’s waters for a limited amount of time each year.
Which Dolphins Can You See in Madeira?
Bottlenose dolphins are the easiest dolphins to spot in Madeira, as they are sociable creatures that live around the island for the whole year.
As the name suggests, they have a short beak that makes it easy to tell them apart from other dolphin species.
Bottlenose dolphins that I spotted in Madeira
There are also high chances of spotting common dolphins (from December to May) or Atlantic spotted dolphins (from May to November).
However, these are migratory species, so they’re not always present, and their movements can be more sporadic.
Places to Go Dolphin and Whale Watching in Madeira
These are the best places to go whale watching in Madeira, but for specific tours, you’ll want to read my guide to the best whale watching tours in Madeira, ranked by tourist reviews, my personal experience and their commitment to ethical whale watching.
1. Whale Watching from Funchal
Funchal is the main destination for dolphin and whale watching in Madeira. As the city is home to over 90% of the island’s occupants, it’s a huge tourist hub.
The modern marina is lined with tour operators that run twice-daily boat tours.
You can go to the marina one or two days in advance to book a tour or reserve your tour online.
In the busier months of April to September, I always recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment.
Top Picks in Funchal:
- Magic Dolphin eco catamaran – I took this tour.
- Ventura speedboat
- Blue Safari
2. Whale Watching from Calheta
There’s lots of whale activity around Calheta, located on the southwest coast of Madeira.
However, if you (like most tourists) are staying in Funchal, getting there requires a 40-minute drive or a two-hour bus.
Lobosonda is a family-run company that has been running in Calheta since the early 2000s. They’re the go-to choice and also focus on responsible, sustainable tourism.
Top Picks in Calheta:
3. Whale watching from Machico
There are also whale watching tours from Machico on the southeast coast of Madeira.
The idea is nice – I’ve been on a non-wildlife-focused boat trip from there and the views of Ponta de São Lourenço are impeccable.
However, after investigating, I couldn’t find a company that offered boat tours without the swimming with dolphins activity. Therefore, I don’t personally recommend going whale watching in Machico.
Quickly: How to Pick Your Tour
1. How ethical is it?
If your chosen tour advertises swimming with dolphins or whales, I hate to break it to you, but it’s not ethical. Swimming with sea creatures can have long-term adverse effects on their behaviour.
Always pick a licensed tour certified by the Madeira Nature Tourism Board or the Institute of Forests and Nature Conservation (IFCN).
These certifications require the operator to conform to regulations on how fast the vessel travels, how close they can get to animals, and how long they can spend with them.
Here are some major green flags:
- The tour is led by a marine biologist.
- The boat doesn’t chase whales or dolphins.
- It says 100 metres from whales and 50 from dolphins that approach the boat.
- It doesn’t revisit the same pod.
- Features like quiet engines or electric boats.
- It has a ban on plastic bottles and waste-free policies.
2. Yacht, speedboat or sailboat?
Yachts are the most common boat type in Madeira. In their favour, they are often fitted with electric or silent engines and they have plenty of space onboard.
However, the downside is that because they have more space, tour numbers can reach up to 20 to 30 people.
As I learnt first-hand, short people also come out short-changed. Sometimes you simply can’t see over the sea of people.
Speedboats like the Ventura, on the other hand, fit a smaller group of people (usually 8 to 16). Due to the arrangement of the boat in pairs of seats, you generally get a better view of the water at all times.
However, take note that you’re fixed in position, so there’s still the chance that your view will be blocked by the person sitting next to you at times.
Speedboats are also fast, which gives them an advantage over yachts and sailboats. As I mentioned, there are limits set on how many boats can stay within 100 metres of the whales at one time.
If you’re the last boat to arrive, you must wait your turn. While this likely won’t matter if they’re pilot whales, larger species only surface briefly between hour-long dives, so you could miss seeing them entirely.
Another benefit of taking a speedboat is that it helps to prevent motion sickness. Yachts and boats tend to sway more from side to side, which can be problematic if you’re prone to feeling sick.
Finally, sailing (e.g. on the Gavião Sailing Tour) is another option. This is pretty blissful, but sailboats are slow-moving, so they may not be able to reach whales.
Remember to check out my full breakdown on the best whale watching tours in Madeira, ranked by tourist reviews, my experience, and ethical practices.
That’s all for my guide to dolphin and whale watching in Madeira. Feel free to share your own experience in the comments – let me know if you see pilot whales, bottlenose dolphins or another, more elusive species!
FAQs
Whale watching tours in Madeira have a pretty high success rate because the island has resident whale and dolphin populations. Tours work with land-based spotters, who keep a track of the animals from the shore. Sightings are never guaranteed, but it’s unusual to return from a tour without seeing any marine life.
Yes. Resident species such as pilot whales, sperm whales and bottlenose dolphins can be spotted no matter the time of year. However, some whale and dolphin species only pass through Madeira seasonally.
Dolphins are generally easier to spot than whales. Bottlenose dolphins and pilot whales are among the most commonly sighted species, while larger whales can be more difficult to find because they spend more time in deeper offshore waters.
Orcas occasionally pass through Madeira, but sightings are very rare. Most whale-watching tours focus on species that are seen more regularly, such as pilot whales, sperm whales and bottlenose dolphins.
