When to watch whales and dolphins in Madeira? Best season and time:
We’ve put together these tables, descriptions, and photos to give you a good idea of what to expect during your whale watching experience. The data comes from our certified guides, some of whom have more than 10 years of experience. Keep in mind, the ocean is full of surprises and things can change, especially with the shifting climate. Knowing the best time, season, and when to see these amazing creatures can help you plan your visit. Every season brings its own unique encounters, so every experience is different. We look forward to sharing the excitement of Madeira's marine life with you!
What is the best time of day for whale watching ?
- Morning (10h to 13h): Offers the highest chance of sightings (96% success rate). This is the optimum time for dolphin and whale watching, with generally calmer sea conditions.
- Afternoon (14h30 to 17h30): Still offers a high chance of sightings (92% success rate), suitable for guests who prefer a warmer part of the day.
- Sunset (18:30 to 21:30, June to September): Provides a unique, very Instagrammable experience with a 68% sighting success rate, which may appeal to those looking for the perfect end to their day in Madeira.
Monthly spotting chances for each dophins species, rated from 0 to 5:
Monthly spotting chances for each dophins species:
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bottlenose Dolphin | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Atlantic Spotted Dolphin | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 |
| Common Dolphin | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Striped Dolphin | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Risso’s Dolphin | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Rough-toothed Dolphin | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Fraser's Dolphin | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Monthly spotting chances for each whales species, rated from 0 to 5:
Monthly spotting chances for each whales species:
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short-finned Pilot Whale | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Sperm Whale | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Blainville's Beaked Whale | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Bryde's Whale | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Fin Whale | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Sei Whale | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Humpback Whale | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| False Killer Whale | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Pigmy Sperm Whale | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Orca Killer Whale | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cuvier's Beaked Whale | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Minke Whale | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Blue Whale | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sowerby's Beaked Whale | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Gervais Beaked Whale | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Description of resident cetaceans in Madeira:
Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus):
Known for their intelligence and friendly demeanour, these dolphins are often seen around Madeira. They can live up to 40-50 years and typically measure 2-4 meters in length and weigh between 150-650 kg. Bottlenose dolphins reach reproductive maturity at around 10-13 years for males and 5-13 years for females. They can dive to depths of 250 meters (820 feet).
Short-finned Pilot Whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus):
Often referred to as whales because of their size, these creatures are year-round residents of Madeira, known for their deep dives and strong social bonds. They can live up to 45 years, reach lengths of up to 7 meters and weigh up to 3,000 kg. They can dive to depths of over 600 meters.
Migratory Dolphin Species Observed Around Madeira:
Atlantic Spotted Dolphin (Stenella frontalis):
Energetic and easily recognised by their spots, which increase with age. These dolphins live for around 35-40 years, grow to around 2.3 meters and weigh around 140 kg. They can dive to depths of 60 meters. They are more common from spring to autumn.
Common Dolphin (Delphinus delphis):
These dolphins are renowned for their speed and striking patterns, with an average lifespan of 35 years. They can reach a length of up to 2.5 meters and weigh between 75 and 150 kilograms. They are capable of diving to depths of up to 280 meters. They are more visible from winter to spring in Madeira Island.
Striped Dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba):
These dolphins are active and acrobatic, living up to 55-60 years, and can reach lengths of 2.4 meters and weigh approximately 150 kg. They are capable of diving to depths of up to 700 meters. These dolphins are found in offshore waters and are known for their acrobatic jumps and high-speed swimming.
Risso’s Dolphin (Grampus griseus):
Recognized by their scarred bodies, these dolphins live up to 35 years, grow to about 4 meters in length, and weigh around 300-500 kg. Their diving depth reaches up to 500 meters. They prefer deeper waters, and their sightings are relatively rare.
Rough-toothed Dolphin (Steno bredanensis):
These dolphins are elusive and prefer deeper waters, reaching lengths of approximately 2.5 metres, weighing 160 kilograms, and capable of diving up to 50 metres.
Fraser's Dolphin (Lagenodelphis hosei):
Fraser's dolphins are renowned for their swiftness and evasive behaviour. They can attain a length of 2.7 metres and a weight of up to 200 kilograms. However, they are less frequently observed than other dolphin species.
Migratory Whale Species Found in Madeira:
Sperm Whales (Physeter macrocephalus):
The largest toothed predators, known for their impressive dives of up to 2,250 meters deep. Sperm whales can live up to 70 years, growing up to 20 meters long and weighing up to 57,000 kg. Females reproduce starting around 7-13 years of age.
Blainville's Beaked Whale (Mesoplodon densirostris):
Known for deep dives of over 1,000 meters, these whales can live up to 40 years, reaching lengths of 4.7 meters and weighing around 1,000 kg. They are seldom seen due to their shy nature and preference for deep waters.
Bryde’s Whale (Balaenoptera edeni):
These baleen whales can reach 14-16 meters in length and weigh around 12-25 tons. They can live approximately 50-70 years. These whales are occasionally observed in Madeira, with more activity during warmer months.
Pygmy Sperm Whale (Kogia breviceps):
These small, shy whales can grow up to 3.5 meters and weigh around 400 kg. They are known for deep dives and are rarely seen at the surface.
Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae):
Famous for their spectacular breaching behaviors and complex songs, humpback whales can live up to 50 years. They grow to about 12-16 meters and weigh around 25-30 tons. They migrate annually from feeding to breeding grounds and are primarily spotted in spring and summer.
Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus):
The second largest whale species, fin whales can live up to 90 years, reach up to 27 meters in length, and weigh up to 80 tons. They are known for their incredible speed and sleek body.
Sei Whale (Balaenoptera borealis):
Fast swimmers, sei whales live about 70 years, grow up to 20 meters, and weigh around 20 tons. They prefer deep offshore waters and are spotted primarily in spring and summer.
Minke Whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata):
The smallest of the baleen whales, minke whales can live up to 50 years, grow to about 10 meters, and weigh around 10 tons. They are seen all year round, but it's a rare occurrence.
False Killer Whale (Pseudorca crassidens):
These rare visitors can grow to 6 meters and weigh as much as 2,200 kg. They are capable of diving over 500 meters.
Orcas (Killer Whales) (Orcinus orca):
Recognized by their distinctive black and white markings, Orcas are apex predators and highly social animals. They can live up to 50-90 years, reach lengths of up to 9 meters, and weigh between 7,500-10,000 kg. Orcas can dive up to 500 meters and are known for their complex hunting techniques and vocalizations. Sightings in Madeira are rare but do occur 1 to 3 times a year.
Cuvier's Beaked Whale (Ziphius cavirostris):
Known for deep dives of up to 3,000 meters, Cuvier's beaked whales can live up to 40 years, reach lengths of 7 meters, and weigh around 2,500 kg. They are rarely seen due to their deep-water habitat.
Sea Turtles in Madeira:
Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta):
Regularly spotted around Madeira, these turtles can live up to 50 years, grow to about 1 meter in length, and weigh up to 200 kg. They are known for their long migratory patterns and frequent Madeira's coastal waters.
Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea):
We are yet to get a good picture of the Leatherback Sea Turtle
The largest of all living turtles, leatherbacks can measure up to 2.7 meters and weigh up to 700 kg. They occasionally visit Madeira's waters, especially during the warmer months.
Photo Credits: Thanks to our guide Nico for the stunning photos. Check out his Instagram here and ask about his Madeira cetacean photo book when you visit VipDolphins!