The coast of Madeira is a favourite gathering place for many species of dolphins and whales that can only be found in and around the island thanks to its coastline’s bioclimatic conditions.
For this reason, it’s an excellent spot for a boat
trip to watch dolphins and whales near the coast or offshore.
The south of the island has some ideal spots for dolphin and whale watching,
where it’s possible to rent boats for individual use or make the experience
easier for yourself by hiring the services of one of the companies operating on
the island.
From east to west, these areas are Machico, Funchal and Calheta. Calheta is probably our favourite as it has the best seasonal conditions for an enjoyable day out with the dolphins and whales. Still, from any of the three, you can join a tour that guarantees you’re bound to see some of the approximately 28 different species that frequent these shores.
It’s more usual to sign up for these excursions with your partner or family, which usually depart twice a day and last about two and a half hours. In many cases, companies offer the possibility of swimming with dolphins, which is a highly recommendable experience given that you can do it together with professional divers and marine biologists.
A whole team of specialists accompanies tourists to tell them about the environmental conditions, share curiosities about these affectionate sea animals and indicate the best times and places to find them swimming at sea level.
Although the dolphins are more than happy to approach zodiacs, yachts and boats that they’re already familiar with, whales, for reasons of size and number are not so easily seen from the boats.
Fin whales, false killer whales, sperm whales or pilot whales, which are the main species of whale found in Madeira, normally swim peacefully along the coast and stick out their back above the surface of the water to breathe, but only do so in pairs, so you’ll need to be lucky to spot them as they can dive for as long as 90 minutes.
Dolphin and whale watching companies usually have someone with binoculars positioned in high points along the coast to spot them moving in the water, who then tell the guides accompanying the excursionists to head towards certain locations where they can see the whales from a safe distance.
Enjoying dolphins, whales and other animals like turtles, that are free to roam in their natural habitat is undoubtedly one of the most recommended activities any nature lovers can enjoy on the island. Of course, please remember to show respect for these species and their ecosystem is the central pillar of coexistence in order to enjoy such a unique and different experience.
