Whales & Dolphins of Madeira

Madeira is a truly lovely island. Blessed with a near perfect climate it offers an enticing combination of sunlight, warmth and a wealth of wildlife, and all only a few hours from the UK. Part of Macaronesia, which also includes the Cape Verde Islands, the Azores and Canaries, Madeira rises from the Atlantic Ocean over 300 miles from the African coast. Inland its volcanic landscape rises to over 1,500 metres, while beneath the sea its slopes plummet sharply to form deep canyons. Its separation from other landmasses, pleasant oceanic subtropical climate and underwater topography make Madeira a special place for wildlife both on and offshore. Inland, you will be falling over flowers such as Bird-of-paradise and hibiscus amongst a heady blend of colourful blooms that attract a wealth of butterflies and other insect-life. Such specialities as Madeiran Mahogany and the island’s indigenous and rare Laurissilva forest are of further interest to the botanist. Out at sea, many special birds can be seen between late spring and autumn, among them such rarities as Zino’s, Desertas and Bulwer’s Petrel. However, on this tour we focus primarily on one of the less well known aspects of the archipelago’s rich wildlife, its cetaceans.

Madeira is relatively undiscovered as a whale and dolphin-watching destination, yet a good variety of cetaceans are present in these waters at all times of the year, with about 20 species having been recorded so far. Bottlenose Dolphins are regularly seen, with a resident group of about 25 animals present, and these numbers are often supplemented by visits to these waters of the larger, transient oceanic Bottlenose Dolphins which can be seen inshore around Madeira. Short-finned Pilot Whales are also encountered frequently on boat trips out from the marina at Funchal and we are very likely to see these two species. There are larger cetaceans here too, and from May through to December Bryde’s Whales appear to feed around Madeira on migration. We will be hoping to see this warm-water species, single animals of which, or occasionally a mother and calf, are most typically seen in Madeiran waters. Short-beaked Common Dolphins are among the smaller cetaceans that we will be looking out for, as well as some warm-temperate and subtropical species such as the highly acrobatic and attractive Atlantic Spotted Dolphin.

Throughout this holiday we will be based in a comfortable 4-star hotel in Funchal, from which we will join a team of marine biologists each day for dedicated whale-watching trips. Each dedicated whale and dolphin-watching sortie will typically last between three and five hours, and we will be assisted in our efforts through radio contact with keen-eyed ‘vigias’ (lookouts) on land. Among the cetaceans we may encounter as we head out to sea from Funchal are pods of Short-finned Pilot Whale — a stocky, medium-sized and highly social cetacean which lives in closely-knit family groups and is often seen resting, or ‘logging’, at the surface during the day. If we are able to get close to a group we may lower a hydrophone into the water to try and listen to their vocal interactions, which are somewhat reminiscent of a squeaky door! Other, deep diving species such as Sperm Whales and some of the elusive beaked whales, including Blainville’s, are recorded each year around Madeira, but we would have to be very fortunate indeed to see one of these species, with the former being more likely. There is also a chance of encountering Bryde’s Whale, and Madeira represents the best place to see these essentially tropical whales in Europe. Our local guides have been conducting research into the social and feeding behaviour of Bryde’s Whales, so we can rely on their expertise to spot these little-known and elegant roqual whales if they are present.

Although most of our time will be spent out at sea in search of whales and dolphins, there will be some opportunities to experience a variety of Madeira’s seabirds and endemic land birds. A well-informed botany walk will have us seeing a host of rare and endemic plants too. In addition, we will enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and balmy evenings around Funchal, with strolls around the old town, soaking in the scents of abundant flowers and perhaps mulling over our day’s adventures at sea with a glass of the island’s famous Madeira wine. In fact, it is really rather easy to fall for Madeira’s manifold on and offshore charms!